THE WEATHER
Rain Monday, possibly Ice storm in
central portion; colder in west with a
c0d wave at night; Tuesday fair, old
er with a cold wave in South.
VOL. CI-XO. 128
WTLMINGTOlf pT. C MONDAY MORlSTHsTGr, JANUARY 28, 1918
WHOLE NUMBER 39,305
VON HERTLING HAS
WARM WELCOMEFOR TKE U. S. MARINES
r " i i ii il . m ! wm ! i .
PLANS SUB WARFARE
AGAINST U. S. LINES
OF SHIPS TO FRANCE
PLbAbiLU NU CLASS
OF GERMAN PEOPLE
. : : . , . -
Declare Speech Too
Militarists
Proletariat De
Moderate;
nounces It as Vague.
CHANGE ON FRONTS
50
yomerous Air Battles Over Ven
tian Plain and Huns AttacK
Xhree Hospitals at Mestre.
TENSIVE SUB WARP ARE
jested Along With the Great
German Land, unensive.
The German chancellor's speech to
thft raichstae
tie Bam coninuiLx-
on Germany's requirements for peace
has not quenched the thirst of the great
. -.-u manniA nntaide the niili-
jnas ci i" yf-- .
taristiG realm for a cessation of hos
tilities. ....
The furore created among tnis Drancn
of the people na.a u
Pan-American newspa-
pareniiy
papers are declaring- that Field Marshal
,1 Uia t.4 -! -Via n I
Von Hinaenouig " -
man, Gen. Von Ludendorff. are talking
of miring.
Speech Equals a Battle Won.
ThA militaristic wing seemingly is
of the opinion that the words of the
m nA tY" a tliA nrn. .
ccauceiior were luu iuuu- iv, x "
ietariat. desiring- peace, consiaers nis
ntech as evasive. One. ot tne uerman
?oTSTiapers enaractenaes it as cuui-
Talent to a oattie won uy liic cucuijr.
Austrian Comment Lacking.
From Austria there is a notable lack
of comment on the Austro-nunganaa
foreign minister s address 10 tne reicn
srata. possibly indicating that the gov
ernment censors are holding back ex
pressions of opinions by a majority
of the newspapers wnleh, guarded by
previous utterances, would be favor
able to peace and antagonistic to the
German viewpoint as set forth by Count'
Ton Kmling.'
Xeiv Hungarian Cabinet.
Reports coming- by way of Amster
dam are to the effect tTiat King Charles
has accepted the resignation of the
Hungarian cabinet and charged Premier
Vfck?ri.e with the tass: of forming a
new one.
Oa the battle fronts there has Ibeen
ao change in the general situation. In
termittent artillery miels and patrol
encounters continue on various sectors.
Near Capo Pile, on the lower Piave riv
er, tiie Ausirians again have attempted
to penetrate Italian bridgehead posi
tions but met with repulse.
Kuns Bomb Hospitals.
All over the Venetian nlaln from Lake
Garda to the Piave river there have
been numerous air battles in which
Austro-Ger.nan aviators were worsted.
In their incursion.:? thA p.nemv aerain
bombed Treviso and ilestre, killing or
wounding: several non-combatants.
Three hospitals -in Mestre were ba.dly
damaged by bombs from hostile aero
planes. Intensive Sub Campaign.
That the Teptonic allies in their ex-
teued offensive on the western front
f e not to be satisfied merely with in-
---irj operations, but will emnTov their
""aiiI,es m the most intensive man
ner tney yet have adopted to aid them,
an announcement that has just been
made by Secretary of War Baker.
, ut 0ff American Troops. -.
Vn:!e the armies of the enemy, re
'orceiT t i a great extent by men with-
a'n from tl-. T),lt,n: 4.
auh o ... ?
fift11" n lan3, underwater boats, re
see' h" generally Prepared, are to
a. the lanes of commerce, especially
p. e between the United States ana
'aille, tnei e t r. n tlt&mT tr. n,McV, nnm-
of ih and t0 cut off if Possible, men
ine American armv nnrJ fnnrt a.nA
til that are being hastened Bu
eward by the United States.
Bi -eaeral Western Attack.
Hnr lhG debacle n ttie Russian
that fact has been wel1 established
armv Sh commanl of the German
a! rPUrj'osed at as arly a dkte as
; Practicable, a general military at-
fteY st tlie Entente front from
hono Sea t0 the Adriatic in the
Po'nt tv '""s victories at various
tv inroue-h the
eart . V wnich would give new
hope ' e People at home, whose
ebb." ultima.te victory are at low
Douhr-r llOR8e FaU Off.
British f however. the American,
totbY ,rench Italian navies will
U.-l. .
u RlPn J luc ouuiua-
off in a'l e- which recently (has fallen
cf meiTho" aegree when the number
a,er k"7 sunk by the under-
hm 1A comPared with that of
mbs dr !llns- Depth charges,
'"y othelJp-ed. frm seaPlanes and
bv tv. . nit'thods have hiin aflnntprl
erican and associated naval
Cts to cverco
Jnd
me tne U-boat attacks
-'it, js . , Miuuy and the assump
wiil be IT iorewarned these efforts
ieju-nw ereatiy. multinlied in an en-
iade routIirtect shiPPing plying the
Tilt. . Slllt BUT
- '-VL1NCHI1VC; AVAS MADE
Atar. .
5orted to V rt' Jan" 21 Threats re-
he-aw ; never e allowed to take
mon,'0,cfU3?d the cancelation at the
on to "X a Sneral public Invi
frjrns r l, s the function. Police
M lit . r
inta2e l' uea aJJacent docks and
?ke n,;,. -.ats- The chief declined to
r?5on
the details of the threats
S5uiiyUachins was completed buc
TREMENDOUS fi
BY PAN-GERMANS
Political Hornets' Nest Again Stir
red Upn Germany Over Von
Hertling's Speech.
KAISER IS NOT SPARED
Crown Prince Referred to as Savior of
His Country From Abyss of States
man's Making Chancellor
Censored for Vagueness.
London, Jan. 27. What news has
been permitted to pass the German cen
sor indicates that a political hornet's
nest has again been stirred up in Ger
many. A dispatch from Zurich to ti
Exchange Telegraph Co. quotes tn
Berlin correspondent of the Frankfur
ter Zeitung as saying that the Pan
Germans are "kicking up a tremendous
row" and declaring that Field Marshal
Von HIndenburg and Gen. Von Luden
dorff, vdissatisfied with Chancellor Hert
ling's speech before the main commit
tee of the reichstag, are again talking
of retiring.
Kaiser Himself Not Spared.
Emperor William himself has not
been spared, the Deutsche Tages Zei
tung styling him the "present represen
tative" of the house of Hohenzollern,
probably desiring to show by a par
allel between the emperor and the
crown prince that the annexationists
cherish the latter es the savior of Ger
many at the last moment from "sinking
in the abyss dug by four men Dr. Von
Kuehlmann (German foreign secre
tary) ; Count Von Hertling (imperial
chancellor) ; . Count Czernln (Austro
Hungarian foreign minister),' and
Count Von Roedern (German secretary
of the treasury).
The newspaper adds that King Lud
wig of Bavaria already has made rep
resentations to Emperor William re
garding the political situation which
has arisen.
Von Hertling Lacks Nerve.
The Nuste Nachrichten of Berlin
says Chancellor Von Hertling could
not summon enough courage to act and
followed the example of his predeces
sor. Von Bethmann-Hollweg, in avoid
ing definite decisions.
The Deutsche Zeitung declares the
chancellor's speech is equivalent to. a
battle won by the enemy.
Socialists Poll Heavy Vote.
Commenting on the election at
Bautzen-Kamenz, Saxony, in which the
socialist candidate received 9,661 votes
to 8,763 polled by his conservative op
ponent, the Vorwaerts of Berlin Jubi
lantly asserts:
"The victory is a victory for peace by
arrangement."
The Frankfurter Zeitung, according
to the Zurich correspondent of the Ex
change Telegraph company, reproaches
Chancellor Von Hertling for a lack of
clearness and emphasized the fact that
the agitation v of the Pan-Germans
against Count Czernln equally direct
ed against the Austro-Hungarian peo
ple. KUEHLMANN PREDICTS PEACE
WITH "RUMANIANS SOO
Amsterdam, Jan. 27. Prediction of a
separate peace between Germany and
Rumania in the near future was made
by Foreign Minister Von Kuehlmann
at the close of his long speech before
(Continued On Page Two)
REPORT IMPROVEMENT
IN FREIGHT AND FUEL
Weather Conditions Not So Bad
As Expected.
Embargo Will Remain In Effect on
Certain Roads, However Fuel Day
Today to be More Uniformly
ObservedPromises Relief.
Washington, D. C, Jan. 27.
Although improvement in weather
conditions "and freight movement was
reported to the director general of
railways today, the embargo on the
shipment of freight other than " fuel
food or munitions, now In effect on
several eastern trunk lines will remain
in force this week. The railroad ad
ministration valso plans to keep in op
eration the routing plan in force on
srutliast(rn Unfts.
The blizzard that swept over the I
middle west last night had passed early
today and train movements were re-,
sumea on nearly norma buuouuico.
Heavy snowdrifts In the railroad yards
of Chicago and. other central cities
materially impaired service, but to
night better conditions were reported.
Difficulty continues to be experienced
with dumping coal at eastern term
inals on account of frozen cars. The
work of bunkering steamers at At
lantic ports proceeded rapidly yester
day "and today, however, and A. H.
.(Continued On Page Two)
Vhs IWOBMJkTi
Stones have reached America' the enthusiastic welcome extended to the United States troops by the chil
dren of France, who have been taught to regard Uncle Sam's boys as their deliverers. Here is a typical scene
youngsters greeting a body of United States marines with flowers.
General Leonard Wood
Slightly Wounded and
Five Killed in Explosion
Washington, Jan. 27. Major Gen
eral Leonard Wood, in France on Sn
observation tour, was slightly
wounded today by an accidental Ex
plosion which killed five French sol
diers and hurt two other American
officers. ; :
Secretary Baker announced ,tne,
accident in this statement: ; ;
"A cable dispatch from the head
quarters of Gen. Pershing ' states
that an accidental explosion occur
ring today killed Ave French sol
diers and slightly injured Major
General Wood in the arm, Lieut. oi.
Charles E. Kilbourne in the eye and
Major Kenyon A. Joyce in the arm.".
It Is understood the message was
brief and gave no further details.
General Wood's tour would carry
him both to the front and to the
American training camps behind the
lines, but there is no indication as
to where the accident occurred.
All the divisional commanders
have been or will be sent to Eu
rope for brief periods. Gen. i Wood,
commanding Camp Funston, Kan.,
went over several 'weeks ago.
S BID TO
S
Von Kuehlmann Says "Free" Ger
many Would Attract Them
More Than Russia. .
BREST -LITOVSK
REPORT
In Speech to ReichstagMiermany For
eign Secretary Speaks Fair in
Regard to Border Peoples
Germany Would Attract.
' Amsterdam, Jan. 27. The Germnu
foreign secretary, Dr. Von Kuehlmann,
made a second speech before the reich
stag main committee on Saturday, r
plying to speakers in the debate which
followed his first explanati6n. on Friday
of the negotiations at Brest-LItovsk.
Incidentally, he expressed confidence
that the "status of the great free Ger
man state" would appeal to the border
peoples, and he dealt strongly with the
"Bolshevik policy" of ruling by force,
as "opposed to ..heir professions."
Socialist "Warmly Greeted."
The secretary continued: "I warmly
greet the statements of Dr. David
(socialist leader of the reichstag) that
a representative body of Lithuania has
really been honorably set up and that
the representatives of the Lithuanian
people of all classes can strike toward
the realization of possibilities. It has
been suggested we should await for
the end of the war before making ex
tensions to our existing representative
bodies. We work well under difficult
conditions in the' country in question.
The war. still continues. We will, if
peace is concluded with Russia, do what
can be done in conjunction with mili
tary necessities with a view of bring
ing about this extension during the
war.
Says Bolshevik; Stand on Force. .
- "Herr Trotzky twice declared in open
session that our government has no
basis other than force. The Bolshevik
maintain themselves by brutal force;
their arguments are cannon and ma
chine guns. '
"Differences of opinion are settled by
their getting;-rid of their opponents in
a radical and satisfactory manner. The
Bolshevik preach beautifully .but prac-
tlce otherwise.
"They have solemnly recognized the
Finnish republic. They never disputed
the right of that . republic to receive
diplomatic representatives, but when it
came to the act of sending representa
tives there they created the greatest
difficulties. When, we have news from
Finland we will know that the s6l
dlery is expecting there a tyranny
worse than existed in the times of the
czar.
uav Assembly Was Dlssolved.,
I . may point to . the proceedings of
(Continued on Pag Two)
GERMANY-BORDER
RUSSIAN
RAILROAD LAWYERS
OFF THE PAYROLL
McAdoo Orders Discharge of Hun
dreds of Attorneys, Political
and Legislative Agents.
NO MORE FREE PASSES
Directs That Officials Be Careful How
Money Is Spent and Names Forbid
den Objects No More Free
Passes Save to Employes.
Washington", Jan. 27. Bailroads were
orderea- by Dir'eoior-General McAdoa
tonight to dispense with the services
of legislative and political agents and
all attorneys not engaged in the per
formance of necessary legal work and
to observe strictly the law regulating
free passes.
This, the first economy order under
government operation of the railroads
will cut off large and well-paid staffs
maintained by many companies and
eliminate from payrolls hundreds of
lawyers throughout the country who
draw annual retainer fees. If It is com
plied with to the letter, as the director
general's office intends to see that it
is, thousands of free passes now held
by state, county and municipal officers
will be cancelled.
Be Careful In Spending Money.
General Order No. 6 is the title of
the order, sent to officers and directors
of all railroads. It follows:.
"During the period of possession, op
eration and government control of rail
roads, it is necessary that officers, di
rectors and agents of railroad com
panies be very careful in the handling
of moneys and in dealing with trans
portation matters.. Without attempting
at this time to give general directions,
there are a few matters involving the
expenditures of moneys for purposes
having no direct relation to transpor
tation which should receive immediate
attention; as well as the issuance of
free transportation.
.. "It is therefore ordered that the car
riers operating revenues shall not be
expended:
Stop Payments On These.
"1. For the payment of agents or
other persons who aYe employed in
any way to affect legislation.
"2. For employment of attorneys
who are not actually engaged in the
performance of necessary legal work
for the company.
"3. For payment of expenses of per
sons or agencies constituting agencies
of carriers unless such association is
approved in advance by the director
gtneral.
For any political purpose or to
directly or indirectly influence the
election of any person or an election
affecting any public measure.
"Issuance of free passes:
Passes to Employes Only.
"No passes or free transportation
shall be issued by any carrier under
federal control or any official of such
carrier unless the issuance of such
free transportation is expressly author
ized by the act of congress entitled
'An Act to Regulate Commerce,' Ap
proved Feb. " 4, 1887, and amendments
thereto; and any such passes or free
transportation heretofore issued not in
conformity to such act must be recall
ed. "This order applies to all carriers
under federal control, whether inter
(Continued on Page Six).
"I
Cold Wave Throughout
The Southeast Preceded
By Rain or Snow Today
Washington, Jan; 27. A cold wave
throughout the southeast that will
reach the coast of northern Florida
by Tuesday was forecast tonight by
the weather bureau. The cold wave
will be preceded-by rain or snow
"Monday in the east gulf' states and
rain in the south Atlantic states.
Fair weather will come with the
lowering temperature" of Tuesday.
Much colder weather already is
felt in the west gulf states and
western Tennessee and low tempera
tures are general east of. the Rocky
Mountains.
Northast storm warnings" are dis
played from Norfolk to Boston, the
weather bureau announced' tonight.
- 1 '
rc
Senator Borah Defends
Wilson's Administration
Against "Wild Criticism"
Baltimore, Jan. 27. Senator .Wil
liam E. Borah, of Idaho, in an ad
dress to an immense patriotic de
fense league meeting in the Acad
emy of Music this afternoon vigor
ously defended President Wilso-n'a
administration and congress against
what he termed the "wild criticisms"
of some men whom he caid could not
forget partisanship but whose real
intention was to get at the bottom
of some of the mistakes that have
been made in the preparation for
war. He said:
"There are a few men in these
crucial times who are unable to for
get their partisanship, but they must
not be taken too seriously, for let
me assure you that as a whole con
gress is straining every nerve and
spending days and weeks of energy
in the great task of turning a
peace-loving nation into a fighting
machine and doing every thirig"TfI its
power to put the nation on its
strongest fighting basis. I beg of
jou .not. to judge congress by the
few who cRicis'eTv"TH6'"'prfdcess of
transformation is a big one and in
order for no mistakes to have been
made the administration would havt
had to be divine."
BAKER'S ANSWER
Keen Interest in Statement Secre
tary War Will Make in Reply
to Chamberlain's Charges.
IS LOADED WITH FACTS
Little Legislation Is Scheduled For
Congress This Week and Every
thing Is Overshadowed by In
vestigations. Washington, Jan. 27. Overshadow
ing every other activity at the capitol
tomorrow will be the appearance of
Secretary Baker before the senate mil
itary committee to answer Senator
Chamberlain's charges of inefficiency
and outline the war department's ac
complishments at home and abroad.
The secretary is prepared to reveal
much that hitherto has not been em-
phasized or even made public and is
represeaCQ as connaent or reassuring
the country regarding the nation's part
in the war, as well as of demonstrating
the absence of necessity for the sen
ate committee's proposed legislation
for. reorganization of the war making
machinery.
Present Mass of Data.
Though without a prepared state
ment, Mr. Baker will go before the
committee with a mass of data bearing
upon every important activity of his
department. Cross-examination by
committee members is planned and his
testimony probably ,will continue all
day and possibly part of Tuesday. La-
I ter in the week he may make a similar
statement before the house military
committee and coment further on army
questions before that committee in con
nection with the $7,700,000,000 army
appropriation estimates.
In both senate and house this week!
possibly beginning tomorrow, extended
debate on war efficiency is planned.
Administration leaders of both bodies
are preparing addresses championing
the government's record and replying
to its critics.
Select Larger Quarters.
Although the senate committee vofed
to meet tomorrow in its regular room
and ignored Secretary Baker's request
that he be given a hearing where he
m'grit "addrsc .as, many members of
both houses as desired to listen, the
plan tonight was to adjourn to larger
quarters if a considerable crowd as
sembled. The place selected as one of
the caucus rooms of the senate office
building in which the famous lobby and
other inquiries were held. Even this
room may not accommodate the spec
tators and there was talk tonight of
limited attendance to members of con
gress. -".- Little Legislation Work.
' With cpngressional Interest center
ed In the army controversy 'committee
.(Continued on -Page Two)-
IS COMING TODAY
J"
PACKING HOUSE
STRIKE SETTLED
Unions Shall Not Be Discriminated
Against and Arbitrator to
Settle Wages and Hours.
GRIEVANCE
COMMITTEES
Employers to Receive Workmen's Com
mittees and They May Consist of
Union or Non-Union Many
Thousands Affected.
Washington, Jan. 27. Settlement of
the industrial dispute threatening a
strike in the country's largest packing
house centres was effected today in an
agreement providing that there shall
be no discrimination against union J
members and that questions of hours
and wages shall he referred to an arbi
trator appointed by the secertary of
labor.
The awards of the arbitrator, not yet
appointed, will De effective as of Jan
uary. 14.
Hear Grievance Committees.
Under the agreement, grievance com
mittees appointed by the workers will
be recived by the employes, whether
their membership consists of union or
non-union men. It affects many thou
sands of workers in Chicago, East St,
Louis, Kansas City, Oklahoma Ciiy,
Fort Worth, St. Joseph, Omaha, Den
ver, St. Paul and Sioux City.
Suggestions of the union men that
the. government take over the packing
plants for the war are not affected in
the agreement averting a strike. Pres
ident Wilson, still has the suggestion
beTore hinn-brn- receivtag-t he said
other methods of dealing with the sit
uation would be considered first.
18 Issues Were Raised.
There were 18 questions at issue be
tween the packers and their union em
ployes. Those concerning the right of
union members, wages and hours were
regarded as most important. Six of the
18 go to arbitration, including demands
for $1 a day flat increase, equal pay ror
women with men a guaranteed number
of hours' work, a basic 8-hour day, time
and a half for overtime and double pay
for Sundays and holidays.
It was agreed that there should b&
no discrimination against union mem
bers either in employment or in distri
bution of work, this clause taking the
place of the urtion men's demand for
preferential employment of union men.
Seniority will be observed in promo
tions. Standing, committees on griev
ances were not provided for, but It was
said by the union men that there was
to be no objection to appointment ot
the same representatives again and
again. The employes will not be re
quired to join the insurance societies
maintained by the companies. The
companies agree to provide sanitary
lunch rooms, lavatories and other im'
proved working conditions.
Had Decided to Strike.
Differences between the packers ana
their union employes reached a crisis
just befor Christmas after a strike vote
had been'taken which was said to. havt.
resulted 98 per cent in favor of a cessa
tion of work if necessary to force bet
terment of their wages and working
conditions. The mediation committee
brought the two sides together in an
agreement for arbitration.
Later it was charged by the workers
(Continued on Page Two)
"VIGTGRY"BREAD TODAY
Will Contain Five Per Cent of
Wheat Substitues.
Purchasers of Flour Must Buy an Equal
Amount of Other Cereal Means
Bread for Allies and Victory
for America.
Washington, Jan. 27. Bakers will
begin tomorrow the manufacture of the
new "Victory" loaf, a war bread con
taining a five percent substitute for
wheat flour, prescribed by the food ad
ministration as a part of its 1918 food
conservation program. At the same
time grocers will sell to household
ers wheat flour only when the purchas
er buys an equal .mount.of some other
cereal. !
The percentage of substitute flours
used by .baking establishments will be
increased gradually until a 20 per cent
substitution.- is reached February 24.
As substitutes bakers may use either
some other cereal or flours made from
potatoes or beans. r
Hotels, restaurants and other -public
eating places will be required to ob
serve the regulations .laid down for
baking establishments.
To force wheat conservation whole
salers and retailers will be required to
limit their purchases,. of wheat flour
to 70 percent of .last year's supplies.
The remaining 30 percent" wilV be tak
. (Continued on 'Page' Two)
BAKERS
BEGIN
MAKING
Secretary of War Baker Foresees
Great German Undersea
Offensive.
WHY FEW SHIPS ARE SUUK
Says Submarines Have Been Call-'
ed Home For Refitting to
Operate Against U. S.
WAR THEATRES REVIEWED
Sees Great Significance in Darda
nelles Naval Fight.
Washington, Jan. 27. Warning that
the Germans are preparing for a great
submarine offensive against the Amer
ican lines of communication with
France in connection with the impend
ing Teutonic drive against the west
front is given by Secretary Baker in
his weekly military review made pub
lic by the war department.
Recently there has been a marked
decrease in the number of allied mer
chant ships sunk by submarines. The
explanation for this is found in the
withdrawal of submarines in prepara
tion for the coming thrust on land and
sea. The review says:
Submarine Inactivity Explained:
"As the time draws near when ones
again the enemy will endeavor to
strike a decisive blow in the west, it
must be emphasized that he will not
be content with mere military opera
tions on a large scale.
"During the past fortnight enemy
submarines have been recalled to ho ma
ports to be refitted and the most pow
erful submarine offensive-hitherto un
dertaken may be expected to be launch
ed against our1 lines of communication
with France, to Interrupt the steady
11 w of-nieftaaS -munitions -for our- own - -.
armies and food supplies for the Allies.
"During the period under review re
newed activity along the entire west
ern front is noted.
Xorth Sea Fighting Resumed.
"The region bordering the North
Sea has once again become the scene
of severe fighting.
"A carefully co-ordinated operation
undertaken by British monitors acting
in concert with land batteries in the
area north of Ypres subjected the Ger
man defenses of Ostend and surround
ing country to a severe bombard
ment. " v . "
"No infantry action was attempted in
this sector by the British but later in
the week the Germans reacted sharply
and directed a strong assault against
the short sector of the line in the dune
area whuch fringes the coast in the vi- .
cinity of Nieu'pSrt. This attack which
must be considered something mor
than a simple raid, broke , into the '
French lines an d for a brief period, the
enemy detachments were able to hold
their ground in the advanced French
outposts. The French speedily brought
up fresh forces, drove out the enemy
and were able to re-establish them
selves in their former positions with
out difficulty.
Enemy Withdraws In Italy.
"In the Italian theatre the import
ance of the successful French assault
in the region of Monte Tomba three
weeks ago is proven by the retreat of
the enemy in this area.
"The enemy has abandoned an exten
sive tract of terrain north of the Monte
Tomba extending to the Piave. The
Austrian lines now rest on the Monte
Spinoncia.
"It would appear that the enemy has
for the time being abandoned his at
tempt to break through this channel
to the plain.
"The Austrians while still strong in
this sector, nevertheless, no longer di
rectly threaten the key positions of the
Italian line. Increasing liveliness -of
enemy artillery in the Val Lagrina is
recorded. It is apparent that the Aus
trians are carrying out their plans of
shifting their center of attack further
to the west.
Val Lagarina Fighting Expected.
"The Val Lagarina offers peculiar at
traction for'an invasion of Italy. It is
a classic path of invaders coming from
the north. We may expect that should .
the opprtunity seem favorable the en
emy may attempt an operation in this
area.
"Reports reach us of the increasing
restiveness of the Slav population of
Austria, more particularly the Czecks.
Slavs Restive in Austria.
"The general strike in Vienna and
other upheavals through the monarchy
are assuming serious proportions and
they are no longer to be held of mere
internal interest but will inevitably
react on the general political situa
tion. "In Russia. peace negotiations have,
continued with frequent interruptions.
"In Palestine the British are ex
tending their line into the north and
during -the week advanced further in
the neighborhood of Durah on a front
age of approximately four miles.
Dardanelles Fight Important.
"The victory, of the British over the
Turkish naval forces -off the Darda
nelles must be mentioned as an event
of especial military significance.
"Observers coming from Constanti
nople very recently informed us that
as long as Constantinople remained
under the guns of the former German :
cruisers Goeben and Breslau the Turks
would necessarily continue under the
domination of the Germans." s.
Rounded, up Runaways.
Norfolk, Va., Jan. 27. 'Eight enlisted
men who some time Saturday night
sawed their way to freedom from the
brig of the St Helena training station,
were rounded up. tonight by the naval
patrol. All were serving time fdr mta
or - offenses. ,