Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 16, Number 219, Decatur, Adams County, 18 September 1918 — Page 1

H DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT W

Volume XVI. Number 219.

BRITISH CROSS THE HINDENBURG LINE

FRENCH ALSO ADVANCE ON TWELVE MILE FRONT MANY PRISONERS ARE TAKEN—THE AMERICANS HAVE ADVANCED SEVENTEEN MILES AT FARTHEST POINT ON THE ST. MIHIEL SECTOR. (United Press Service) London. Sept. 28—(4:20 p. m.) —The British have crossed' the Hindenburg line in their new attack at Villeret, and at they Beet Sugar factory, south of Gouzeaucourt, according to hattie front dispatches here this afternoon. The British are within a mile and a half of the Hindenburg line on a wide front, the dispatch stated. The advance was made on a front of nearly fifteen miles, extending northward from the village of Holman. The latest ad-. « ices said the British had advanced an average distance of two or , three miles and had taken 1,500 prisoners.

(By Lowell Mellott. United Press Staff Correspondent) British and French troops swept forward in a simultaneous smash against the Hindenburg line defenses centering about St. Quentin this morning. The British stacked on a front of about twelve miles, extending from Savy wood to two and one-half miles directly west of St. Quentin, northward of Pie Pieziere, twelve miles, southwest of Cambrai. At the same time, the French, supporting the British right flank, advanced southwest of St. Quentin. Despite a heavy rain the attack proceeded favorably. The attack was made against the positions where the Germans have been conducting vigorous rear guard actions against Haig's nibbling tactics, during the past fortnight. It may bring the British nto actual contact with the main German defenses along the Hindenburg line. Washington, D. C., Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The senate today passed the bill exempti‘ng Liberty Bonds from income sur-taxesand excess profit taxes. The house has already passed the measure, which is designed to help the sale of the Fourth Liberty Loan. Zurich, Sept. 13—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Vienna newspapers are greatly excited over British and American comments on the Austrian peace proposal It is rumored that Foreign Minister Burian will resign. A Berlin dispatch declares that the same excitement is evident in political circles, and that the position of Chancellor von Hertling and Foreign Minister Hintze appear critical. The resignation of Hungarian Premier Wekerle also is imminent, according tc advices. Paris, Sept. 18—(3:15 p. m.)— The advance defenses of Metz have entered the action against the Americans. American forces are continuing their progress the left bank of

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP ALERDING. The Diocese of Fort Wayne, g Bishop's House, § 1140 Clinton Street t Fort Wayne, Ind. | The war is progressing satisfactorily. Ultimate vic- f torv is assured. PROVIDED, we keep our eye c?ntimiou 8 y on the gun until the last shot has been fired. We must no | relax our efforts till the last and final battle has been sough and won. How proudly “Old Glory shall wave in that j foreign land in that hour, on that day. In the meantime g comes the FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN, and further liberty loans will continue to come, because more money is need- J S ed, vea, more money and again more money. ... 8 More men, millions of them, are taken from their g homse into training camps, then to cross the Atlantic, to take part in the blood; battles “over there. Privations, g sufferings for all. death for not a few m the position of our soldiers Thev give their all. We must give our money, deny ourselves many comforts, if need be, even some of the li necessaries of life. ... Are we worthy of these soldiers; our husbands, our g fathers, our brothers, our friends, the hope of our country? g Remove evcrv doubt. Another opportunity is at hand- PalI runite the Fourth Liberty Ljji! * I Bishop, of Fort Wayne, Ind. j

the Moselle. The Germans are slowly withdrawing toward their prepared line, covering the Conflans junction of the Metz-Conflans railway. At certain points the Americans have advanced about 17 miles since the start of their offensive. Our infantry has reached a point less than 10 miles from Conflans, 12 miles east of Metz, while patrols have advanced from a mile and a quarter to more | than 3 miles further north. The Americans are nearing a point nine and one-half miles south and west of Metz. The important Chemin-des-Dames grove is near its fall, as a result of a later push by the French. Washington, Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Allowing for wastage and rejection, the American army in France by July 1, next, will number 4,800,000. members of the house appropriation committee today were told by General March. To carry out this program, March was quoted as having said it will be necessary to spend the whole army appropriation, including the 000.000 dollar efficiency estimates submitted yesterday. Washington, Sept. 18—(Special to DAily Democrat)—Railroad employes like all other workers, must prove their services are essential to avoid the draft. Provost Marshal Genc-al Crowder has ruled that there can be no blanket class exemptions of any kind. Director General McAdoo who said such blanket exemption today directed regional chiefs to ask deferred classification for every necessary employee. London, Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The British attacked this morning northwest of St. Quentin, Field Marshal Haig announced. I Amsterdam, Sept. 18—(Special to ' Daily Democrat) —German war cor-

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, September 18, 1918.

respondents predict that activity soon! will be revived on the Verdun front, where a great battle is said to be! likely. I Paris, Sept. 18—(Special to Daily . Democrat) —Belgium, after consulta-j tion with the allies has decided to re- | ject absolutely Germany's offer of a separate peace, the Petit Parisian announced. Washington, Sept. 18—(Special to' Daily Democrat)—Beginning the latter part of this month, men of the navy and marine corps will be dratted, as well as those for the army, Provost Marshal General Crowder announced today. Calls for the navy probably will be announced the end of the month or the first of October, and marine corns calls also will l>e issued within a few weeks. Copenhagen, Sept. 18—(Special t.i Daily Democrat) —Germany is wil'ling to withdraw from foreign soil during a peace congress, if Erance will withdraw from Alsace, the Pol- | itken quotes a high German official 'as saying. | The German official however, declared it was impossible to allow a public vote on self-determination in j Alsace-Lorraine. I Herne. Sept. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Terror is reigning in the towns of the German Rhine region, according to travelers from Kreuzlingen. despite the fact that official dom has declared the Franco-Ameri-can push is not important. The travelers said Germans have warned the population at Mulhausen to be prepared for possible evacuation. Paris. Sept. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat; — Premier Clemenceau, i speaking in the senate last night, de- . dared that the allies must keep on . fighting until Germany understands there <au ite no compromise between crime and right. i (By Robert J. Bender. T'nited Press ( Start Correspondent) Washington. D. C„ Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —John W. Davis. solicitor general of the United States, probably will be American ambassador to Great Britain. Davis, who is now enroute to Berne, Switzerland. to confer with German representatives on questions involving disposition and exchange of prisoners. is one of the less widely known, hut most popular officials of the government. Official confirmation of his selection for the post at the court of St. James, succeeding Walter H. Page, resigned, is expected soon. Rome, Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The losses in the Italian armies since Italy entered the war amounted to 1,350,000, in killed and permanently disabled, according to a statement by Francesco Nitti, minister of the treasury, here today. In an interview, however, he declared: "After the war. Italy will be stronger than ever in men, due to the cessation of emigration. Our difficulties today are in the labor field for no fewer than five million men have been called to arms since the beginning of the war.” Amsterdam, Sept. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Austrian peace note was despatched after the fullest consultation of Germany and with the latter’s approval according to the Vienna Reichspost. The newspaper said the proposal was composed following an exchange of views, the German government expressing the belief that the moment for publication was not ill-chosen. Paris, Sept. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat)— King Victor Emanuel of Italy, in an interview with a correspondent of the Matin, declared that while the civilian population of Aus-tria-Hungary may be suffering, its army “is still a very strong force.” Washington. D. C., Sept. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Recognition of the Jugo-Slavs in Austria will be President Wilson's next thrust at the enemy, according to diplomatic officials here today. Outright recognition of the independence of over six million Jugoslavs iu Austria-Hungary will follow the blunt dismissal of the Austrian attempt to entice the allies into a secret peace conference, authorities predicted. Jugo-Slavs in the United (Contfnned on Face _ twd)

HOOSIER CASUALTIES. The following is today's casually! I list as reported by the commander of I the American expeditionary forces: I I Killed in action. 74; missing in acjlion. 19; wounded severely, 145; died of wounds. 27; died of disease. 1; wounded, degree undetermined. t>. Total. 273. I Killed in Action. Bearl V. Pittinger, Muncie , Grover C. Reid. Evansville Rhen Bilker. Westville Henry J. Steel. Shelbyville Jerry McCoy. Vincennes Died from Wounds. Frank C. Courtney. Linton Wounded Severely. Henry Gimlich. Evansville Norris Robert Riley. Warren Charles R. Hill, Crown Point Arthur J. Prohl, Hammond Jerry Slankskv, Judson Missing in Action. Arthur Pugh, Winanar o ACCEPTS BATON 1 Marshal Foch Cables His ' Thanks to Knights of Columbus for Honor. 1 VICTORY AT METZ 1 I ’redicts the Great General —Work of Council is Praised by French. New York. Sept. 18 —Marshal Foch in supreme command of the allied ' armies now smashing the German lines, has accepted the marshal’s baton offered to him by the Knights of Columbus of America. In accepting the baton, the great French command er sent the following cable to James A. Flaherty, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus: “1 was deeply touched by the congratulations and the delicate attention of the Knights of Columbus. Kindly convey to them my best regards. The souvenir of Metz evoked by you holds a large place in my thoughts, in the same way that it calls forth your effort. It was from Metz that Lafayette went to help your ancestors. and we shall one day see your vicorious banner floating in Metz. (Signed) FOCH." This caltegram, prophesying ultimate victory for American armies by the greatest of all allied leaders was written just before the great offensive movement, was launched. The cable was in response to the following message sent to the French commander by Supreme Knight Flaherty: "On behalf of 425,000 Knights of Columbus, we have enthusiastically cheered your glorious name when we heard of the supreme honor conferred upon the victor of the second battle of the Marne. Allied forever with heroic France, America never forgets that generous Lafayette formerly left bis Garrison of Metz to help our ancestors lighting for liberty. America will not stop before Marshal Foch, student of Metz, shall have triumphantly entered the martyrd town wf Bishop Du Pont des logos and of Marshal Ney and shall save humanity and Christianity witli the . help of the allied armies. The Knights of Columbus have voted a resolution to present respectfully to you. Monsieur Le Marechai, a baton carrying the inscription: Nancy ' Saint Gondy, Ypres. Somme, lai Seconde Marne. (Signed) JAMES A. FLAHERTY, Supreme Knight.” ’ Formal presentaton of the baton inscribed with the victories of the i- French commander-in-chief will be i presened to Marshal oeh in Paris e by members of the order who are now e directing the war work there. The i- presentation will be made on the battle front, if possible, and if not. at I- the Place De la Pyrumides in Paris ’■ where so many patriotic demonstrav tions have been held. B The honor paid to the Knights of ! ‘ Columbus by Marshal Foch in acs cepting the baton is another proof of the high esteem in which the Knights (Continued on Page _ Tbreej >• 1

'SCHOOL POPILS Are Asked to Write Essays! Concerning Fourth Liberty Loan Drive. FOUR SUBJECTS GIVEN Rules Fixed by Ladies’ Organization in Charge— Must be in by Oct. 5. 1. What part can the pupils of the public schools play in the Fourth Liberty latan campaign? 2. What does the success of the Liberty Loan mean to the future of the public schools of America? 3. What can I —a school child —do to make the Fourth Liberty latan, a huge success? 4. Why my family should own Lib- , erty bonds? , School children of Adams county are asked to write essays from any one of the above subjects. This work originated to create a study of the | patriotic subject and to thus give more publicity, is in the hands of ‘he ladies’ organiaztion and Mrs. Knapp, the county chairman has asked us to make this announcement so that the pupils may begin work at once, without waiting for the official notice re- - garding same from the captain of your township or ward. . High schools and the commercial ' department of St. Joseph's parochial school are asked to have each pupil write an essay from one of the subjects. not exceeding 300 words. From these the English teacher or faculty are to select the five they consider best and send to the Libery Loan t headquarters at Decatur not later t than October sth. A committee to ( be appointed will judge which of ( these is best and the writer will receive a diploma signed by the federal | reserve chairman for women and the 8 state chairman. * The essay will he published. For the grades of the schools, towns 1 and country each teacher hay have. I essays written containing not more i than 100 words and send one from J each grade to headquarters. Judges • will decide upon the three best and 1 the writers of these will be awarded > a medal and the essays published. 1 Teachers are asked not to wait for 1 further instructions but to proceed ( at once so the essays can be sent in i by October sth. ’ AGED LADY DEAD: i Mrs. Mary Vian Died at 1 Home of Nephew, Sher- I ( man Alexander, at THE AGE OF 92 YEARS Funeral Services Held at Wren. Ohio, Today—A Well Known Lady. Funeral services tor Mrs. Mary Vian were held this afternoon from ' the United Brethren church at Wren, 0., in charge of the Rev. Macklin. Mrs. Vian was a remarkable woman in that, had she lived until October 7, 1 she would have been ninetyitwo years ' of age. She made her home with a 1 brother, George Alexander at Wren, O. but after falling and breaking a ; hip, she was removed five weeks ego to the home of a nephew, Sherman 1 Alexander in St. Marys township 6 this county, where her death finally 1 occurred, resulting from infirmities 8 of age and the effects of the fall. Her v niece. Mrs. Sherman Alexander is a 8 trained nurse and gave her every care possible. 1 She was long a widow and her 8 only son died in young manhood. ‘ Her death occurred Sunday. f The Delta sorority girls :• will give a dance this evening at the f'Masonic hall, the proceeds from which s I will be turned over to the Red Cross '.chapter. You nre Invited.

FRED WALCHLE KILLED j IN FRANCE AUGUST 1? FIRST ADAMS COUNTY MAN TO MAKE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WORLD STRUGGLE-MOTHER RECEIVES SAD MESSAGE Fred Walchle, of Monroe township, was killed in action in France. August 12th. He is the first Adams county man to lose his life on the battle field in the great world war. The message announcing the sad news came to his mother, Mrs. Mary Walchle, of near Berne, last evening, from the war department, and says Fred was “Killed in action” August 12th.

TURBINE STARTED Great 700 Horse Power Alternating Turbo Generator Started “A-going” AT THE CITY PLANT Council Held Session—Citizens Petition for Repeal of Parking Ordinance. Martin J. Mylott, city su]>erinteiident of lights an I waler, announced to the council last evening that ' iie throttle controling the operations of the great alternating turbo generator just installed at the municipal lignt and water plant, was thrown into gear by Mr. Edward L. Barr, a representative from the General Electric Company, and that the big steam turbine was started “agoing’’ Tuesday afternoon. This turbine, one of the largest and most powerful pieces >f mechanism built, will generate seven hundred horse power and will itirnish enough electric current to supply the demands of the city plant It’s complete cost was about $25,000.00. This new addition to the municipal plant gives Decatur one of the best equipped electric generators in Indiana. Hardly a city the size m Decatur has such a sveam turbine as that installed here. After the nrinutes of the last meeting were read and approved, a petition signed by over 150 Decatur citizens asking for the repeal of the ordinance regulating the parking and running of motor vehicles within the city was read. The petitioners asked that the section prohibiting he parking of automobiles on Second street, longer than one half hour at a time, be repealed. Upon motion the matter was referred to the Board of Safety. The street and sewer committee reported favorable on the petition of Herman Ehinger and other property owners, relative to the changing of a sidewalk along St. Marys street. The resignation of Joe Kortenbrer as a member of the Decatur volunteer fire department was read and Chief Dellinger's acceptance of same was filed and approved. The resolution authorizing the clerk to draw his warrant' on the treasurer for the quarterly salaries was adopted. ’ Mr. Ed Moses appeared Itefore the council and asked what arrangements ’ could lie made concerning the fur- ' nishing of exhaust steam to his green house. After the matter was discussed a motion was made, referring it ’ to the electric light and water commititee. 1 The following bills were allowed by the finance committee and the session adjourned: City Firemen. $72.50: Police pay ' roll. $117.50; Street Commissioners pay roll, $135.36; Fisher & Butler, i $285.40; City treasurer. $25.10; J C. i Btirkbead, $4.80; Thomas Dowling. $32.50; John Barnett. $2.25. KalvcrNoble Co., $10.50; Decatur Volunteer (Continued on Page' Three)

Price, Two CenUU

His father, Jacob Walchle. was killed in an automobile accident near Chattanooga. Ohio, several months ago. A letter recently received from Fred says he was gassed August sth. but was recovering, and it is supposed that he met his death in an engament soon after resuming his place at the front, since his death is reported to have occurred just one week later. Details have not been received and probably will not be for a few days, but as soon as possible no doubt the information will be given. The fact that his death occurred nearly five weeks ago would indicate that he took part in the great battles which marked the taking of Lassigny and Roye, occurring at that time. When Clerk E. B. Adams of the local board was advised by a Democrat representative of the death of an Adams county hero, he pasted a small American flag on the cover of his questionnaire, which signifies that the person therein named made the supreme sacrifice and gave his life in the service of his country. Fred Walchle. the first hero from Adams county to give his life on the battle fields of France in the fight for humanity was born in Monroe township, December 27th, 1892, he being just 25 years, 8 months and ”5 days old when he died on the field of honor. His home address as given in his questionnaire was Berne, Indiana, R. R. No. 4. Private Walchle registered fur military service on May 28th, 1917 at Munsing. Michigan, at which place he was employed in the Munsing Paper Mills, his card being sent here by mail. On August 13th, 1917, he was first examined for military service, which test he passed. His serial number was 1064 and his county number was 301. When the new classification and examining process was evoked by the war department his questionnaire on file in the office of the local board shows that he was examined again for military service on February 5, 1918, by Dr. E. G. Coverdale, in this city and found qualified for general military service. In I answering his questionnaire he gave ■ his occupation as a farmer and gen- ■ eral laborer. He claimed a deferred l' class on account of industrial occu- ; pation, but was placed in class one Jby the district board. On March 29th Jhe reported for entrainment orders •'and on March 30th at 7:03 a. m. over the Grand Rapids and Indiana rail- ■ road he with eighteen other Adams s county men left for Camp Taylor, - Ky„ where they entered miitary i training. He was assigned to Company B. t 111th Infantry. 28th division and after -a few weeks' training was sent oversea where his division was given a 1 few weeks of training and then sent - forward as reserves about July 15th when the Americans were ordered to ■ the front to stop the advance of the < enemy at the Marne. His death came , within a month from that time. He was known by many people in this , county as a splendid young man and - it is sad news indeed that he was ■ called upon thus to give his life for the great cause.