Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 113, 23 March 1918 — Page 1

AIXAJDIUM RICHMOND, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 23, 1918 SINGLE COPY, 5 CENTS VOL. XLIIL. NO. 113S"affiinun-Tle,ira,n fnW PA mm mm

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ALLIES FALL BACK BEFORE HEAVY BLOW OF GERMANS

British Defensive System West of St. Quentin Is Broken by 50 Teuton Divisions. BATTLE STILL RAGING BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, March 23. The British gallantly fighting are still presenting a solid front to the fiercely attacking Germa-is although the defensive troops have withdrawn their lines in certain place for strategic reasons. FIFTY DIVISIONS ATTACK LONDON. March 23. The Germans forced their way into Mory, but a dashing counter attack drove them out, Reuter'n correspondent at British headquarters telegraphed. A large party was surrounded and probably was captured. There is reason to believe 50 German divisions are flowing into the struggle, the correspondent states and probably half as many more are in close reserve. Under tremendous onslaught the British troops are falling back very 6lowly and in excellent! order. At many places they are with- j drawing voluntarily o as to maintain I an unbroken front. The scene of activity behind the battle front baffled description, but everywhere there is the same well or- j dered organization and quiet confi- i dence. j The weather is wonderfully fine al-! though the visibility is handicapped i by local mists. (By Associated Pr) After two days of terrific battling; .n their great offensive on the western front, the Germans have finally succeeded in bringing the action at one point on the front somewhat more into the open. Field Marshal Haig reports that the British defensive system west of St. Quenticn near the southern edge of the 50 mile front -under attack, was brogen through by the great weight of the enemy infantry and artillery. The British are falling back in good order. That the yielding of the line at this ploint had been by no means unexpected, and possibly bad been foreseen as ultimately inevitable, is indicated by the statement that the retirement is to the prepared positions further west across the devastated disrict. No Danger to Line. There is nothing in the report to indicate that this retrograde movement will affect the strong defensive line to the north in any way seriously, as it Is explicitly stated that these positions continue to be held by the British forces. Just what the effect will be on the Entente line to the south is not yet apparent. The British hold the front 'to a point some 15 miles south of St Quentin to the river Oise, at about the town of LaFere, where the French line begins. No reports have been received from Paris as to whether the French forces have become involved In the battle. From the nearness to the point of German penetration to their lines, however, it r.ould seem probable that they will soon be found taking part in the struggle. Reserve Army Ready. There is another factor to be considered, also, should the German thrust develop more seriously. There was created last winter by the su- ' preme war council at Versailles an Entente "airay of manouever, understood to be made up of troops of all allies, which was designed to be available for action at any point on the wide front from the North Sea to the Adriatic, where it should be needed. It has aoubtless not been the Entente intention to throw this army into action hastily, but it unquestionably stands ready for use in any emergency and might easily prove a vita! factor in any general engagement which the western front fighting should develop. The battle is still in progress along the British front with the Germans continuing to throw fresh forces into the struggle. It is estimated that 50 German divisions are already involved, with probably 25 or more additional divisions in reserve. Advices from correspondents indicate that whereever the British troops are falling back, they are doing so in excellent order and with deliberation, withdrawing voluntarily in some points to maintain order. Official British Statement LONDON. March 23. The war department g.ave out the following offlcial statement: "Heavy fighting continued until late hours last night on the whole battle front. During the afternoon powerful hostile attacks delivered with great weight of infantry and artillery broke through our defensive system west of St. Quentin. "Our troops on this part of the battle front are falling back in good order across the devasted area to pre- ' pared positions further west. "Our troops on the northern portion (Continued on page 12)

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WAR PAINTING IS GIFT OF FRENCH GOVRENMENT TO PRESIDENT WILSON

NEW YORK, March 23. "On Guard for Liberty," the painting by J. Berne Bullecourt, to be presented to President Wilson by the French government through a special mission headed by Mr. William Sandoz, is to be placed on exhibition here with other paintings as a benefit for the wounded soldiers of France. In the foreground of the painting is a French poilu standing guard over the prostrate Prussian eagle with America's army advancing from the background, where the Statue of Liberty is to be seen. At one side are symbols of ruined and devastated France.

Half Million Men, 10,000 CarMon Now Engaged in Autocracy's Final Assault on Democracy More than half a million men and probably 10,000 pieces of artillery are engaged in the mighty battle in France where the Germans launched their offensive against the British over a fifty-mile front, it was estimated today. These figures, of course, include reserve troops and artillery, as well as those engaged in actual fighting. Since the collapse of Russia and the removal of vast bodies of troops from the eastern to the western front, it has been estimated that the German army In the west no contains probably 3,000,000 men.

London Correspondents Surprised at Magnificent Valor of Tommies

LONDON, March 23. The artillery preparation of the Germans in the drive against the British lines which is now in progress is described by those who took part in it as the most violent they ever endured, according to the Daily Mail's correspondent on the British front. "The thing that stands out as characteristic of the fighting up to the present." says the correspondent, "is that we did so well under the terrible impact." Continuing the correspondent says: "Upon one corps' front there was a gun every fifteen yards. The strength of the mortars, which the enemy brought up in such great numbers, sent over such an overwhelming weight of iron and high explosives that in most parts of the front wire ceased to be an obstacle and trenches were obliterated. Lloyd George Scores Miners for Refusing to Let Men Enlist LONDON, March 22. Friday.Premier Lloyd George, in an excedingly outspoken speech to a deputation of the miners' federation yesterday concerning the result of the miners' ballot on the coming out of men for military service, declared that to avoid defeat in the field it is absolutely essential to have more men. "I am utterly at a loss," he said, "to know where the men are to be found, if, first the engineers and, then, the miners say we will not find them. Other trades will quickly take the same course. That we mean anarchy, not government. "I have just had news that the Germans have attacked us on a front of nearly sixty miles with overwhelming forces. I am amazed that it should be considered debatable whether the miners and engineers are going to make their contribution to the defense of the country." Premier Lloyd George declared it would be far better that the government should go out of office than to have its decisions disobeyed.

' ft, The painting Is one of a collection of new war paintings to be shown by the Sandoz mission in the house formerly occupied by Col. and Mrs. Vanderbilt in this city. The proceeds of the exhibition will be used to help the four hundred thousand "Heroes without a Halo," as they have been called by Eugene Brieux, the soldiers who have been invalided home through illness. The name of the organization is the Committee for the Protection of French Soldier Retired for Disability. Members of the French society of the Beaux Arts of Paris made up the mission with M. Sandoz. . .. "At the same time, all of our known battery positions were drenched with gas but their gas shells failed to reach all of our batteries, nor did they succeed anywhere in breaking down our wire. "At one point where the Germans found our wire unbroken they set to work with scissors until they had made a way through, an incident reminiscent of the methods of fighting inculcated by Frederick the Great. All of Continued On Page Nine. Major Moraht, Berlin Military Critic Dead LONDON, March 23. The death of Maj. Moraht, long military correspondent of the Tageblatt of Berlin, is reported in a Central News dispatch from Amsterdam. For years Maj. Moraht was perhaps the most widely quoted of the German military writers. While thoroughly German in his point of view, he was more moderate in tone than vitrolic ' writers of the type of County von Reventlow and less inclined man most German military critics to follow the teachings of the war office propaganda bureau. He did not hesitate at times to praise the allied armies for effective, work. In 1916 he went from the Tageblatt to the Deutsche Tages Zeitung. In writing a review of the first year of the war for the Associated Press he predicted the disintegration of the Russian army. German Churches Pray for Success of Troops j LU.UUi, " -" ' vices of intersession nave Been orueied in all churches under the archbishop of Munich for the success of the operations on the western front, according to a dispatch from The Hague to the Daily Mail. A pastoral wtoi. frnm the archbishoo to all churches declares that the hour for , r . -.- -r-i i n Cft rilPlf a decisive eiigascnicju. co on

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HONS HORL HEAVY GAS SHELLS AT AMERICANS

U. S. Artillery retaliates by Blowing Up Enemy Munition Dumps and Shelling Batteries. AIRPLANES FIGHT DUEL WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Friday, March 22. By The Associated Press. The Germans launched a heavy gas attack against a certain tnwn in our lines northwest of Toul last night. No wind was blow ing and the fumes of mustara gas from the shells hung low over the lines for several hours. The batteries firing the shells were located to the right of Richecourt and our artillery was busy ail morning with a retaliatory shelling. The town shelled in the gas attack contained a certain number of Ameri cans. Our artillery toaay aroppeu number of large shells into Joli wood and after firing a few minutes secured riirwt hits on the target causing a tremendous explosion followed by dense columns or smoKe as a. ms enemy munitions dump blew up. The first explosion was followed by two others less severe. Our shells also made direct hits in the enemy's first and third line trenches. Destroy Machine Guns. The Germans again have been given an example of the accuracy of the fire of our 37 millimetre guns. An enemy machine gun emplacement which has been annoying the American for the last two days, was located and then the battery of "little fellows" as they (Continued on page 12) 25,000 British Taken in German Offensive BERLIN, March 23. Between Fontaine, LesCroisilles and Moeuvres, German forces penetrated into the second enemy positions and captured two villages, army headquarters announced today. British counter attacks failed. So far the statement announces 25,000 prisoners, 400.jguns- And 00 mar.inA mna bnve been taken. The two villages taken on the Fon taine Moeuvres front were aulxVraucourt and Morchles. ihe rormer village is about three and a half miles and the latter about two and a half behind the former British front. Botwccn fionnelieu and the Omignon stream, the statment says, the first two enemy positions were penetrated and the heights west of Gouzeaucourt, Heudicourt and VillersFaucon were captured. Slaughter of Germans Reported as Appalling r ftvnnN March 23. The most in tense fighting appears to have been A Roisel and Trincourt. The slaughter in the enemy ranks was appalling. Twelve times every available gun in the area was concentrated on solid massed bodies of the enemy troops, while the airmen grew weary with emptying their machine gun drums and dropping their bombs into the dense grey clouds of troops and returning for more ammunition. French Flyers Thwart Air Raid Over Paris PARIS, Friday. March 22. At 9 o'clock. tonight a group of enemy airplanes crossed the lines and a certain number of bombs were dropped on Compeigne and different towns in that region. Several machines advanced further to the south but were forced to turn back by the fire of our artillery. The alarm was immediately given in Paris and a half hour later the "all clear" signal was sounded. Apparently the Germans had intended to raid Paris itself but French airmen rose to meet the oncomers and not one enemy machine succeeded in reaching the capital. THE WEATHER For Indiana by United States Weather Bureau Cloudy tonight, rain in extreme south portion. Sunday, fair and warmer. Today's Temperature. Noon 45 Yesterday. Maximum 59 Minimum 40 For Wayne County by W. E. Moore Partly cloudy tonight and Sunday. Mostly fair. Warmer Sunday and Monday. General Conditions The Ohio valley storm which caused thundershowers Friday evening has passed away and a cool, wave is central over the lakes, now controls the wreather over central states. A storm of great intensity is moving southeastward from British Columbia and will probably affect this section. Monday or Tuesday. This storm will be preceded by considerably warmer weather.

MAP SHOWS WHERE FOE STARTS ACTIVITIES ON WESTERN FRONT

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PBROK1 fiomol 1 3 t,thon,0;drh0(!nr 90 0Ncslr : ROYE V Monldidirr o -rrpsnie-i V r r lO 15 20 SCALE Or MLES ORICNAL LINE LINE APRIL t4,lQ7 Todav's reports form the western front show renewed activity along the battle front extending from Arraentiers (1) south to the Ailette river (2). The greatest action has been the artillery offensive of the German forces along a line of nearly fifty miles from the Scarpe river, east of Arras, (3), west of St. Quentin where the British line was broken (4) to La Fere (5). British army headquarters have stated that the Germans launched a heavy attack near Cambrai (6). Unusually strong offensive movements are reported in the district extending from Lagnicourt (7) to Gouseaucourt (8). MARTINGALE TO ACCEPT ORDERS FOR SEED CORN Farmers who were unable to obtain seed corn in the first carload that was shipped to Wayne county, will have another opportunity to obtain Indiana seed for their crops. Mr. Martindale. of the Martindalo Elevator company at Greensfork, announced Saturday that he would attempt to bring another carload of seed corn to Greensfork through the state department at Purdue university. Farmers who want 6eed corn must send in their orders at once to Mr. Martindale, in order that he may be assured of the sale of the corn. A carload will contain about 620 bushels, and between 250 and 300 bushels have already been ordered. The corn will cost between $4.50 and $5 a bushel. W. R. Zechiel, former emergency county agent, who was instrumental in obtaining the first supply of seed corn for Wayne county, has been called to Kosciusko county as county agent, and Mr. Martindale is assisting in the seed corn problem. Richmond seed dealers state that the condition with regard to seed corn is still serious. Few of the farmers have any seed which they can sell, and that which is bought from firms is very high. One dealer stated -that he thought most of the Wayne county farmers were supplied, but that the farmers over the Ohio line are finding difficulty in obtaining seed. NAMES FUEL ASSISTANTS WASHINGTON. March 23 One district representative and eleven assistants were named today by the fuel administration to represent the administration in the coal fields of Indiana and Illinois. They will co-operate with the operators, the railroads and the public in delivering and executing the orders of the administration and in the movement of coal.

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oLannoci RNAI fusoma p S Am ands ronde VALENCIENNES rnu'n Denosn DAI 5ole5fn(? tcCatcan r.nrniirr "J-ffOL . Hat La fer, Icrqnicr n...i iRnnii )ijon '.jt - Ml- - SOISSOM5 25 Hurcl LINE MAP.6.197 HtNOENfiURG UNE. i3 General von Gallwitz. Von Gallwitz Is the kaiser's leader who devastated Serbia and who has now been hurried to the west to lead the German armies on the American front. MORY LOCATED BELOW ARRAS (Ey Associated Press) Mory is on the northern battle front. 15 miles below Arras. It is about 4 miles back of the line held by the British before the Germans began their offensive. The statement of the British war office that the troops west of St, Quentin are falling back to prepared positions indicates that the Germans, although they have broken through the British defensive system, have not pierced the entire British zone cf defense. The allusion in the British statement to the defensive system iiiay be only to the main battle front system behind which other lines have been prepared. If that is the case the Germans have done little more than repeat what the British did in the battle of the Somme when they pierced the Hindenburg line and captured long Continued on Page Four.l

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GIANT SHELLS DROP ON CITY KILLING TEN, WOUNDING 15

Bombardment Began at 8:00 U clock Shells Drop Every Fifteen Minutes 62 Miles from Front. ATTACK JSJURPRISED PARIS, March 23.The Germans have been firing on Paris with long range guns. Since 8 ofr?CkJhis morng shells of 240 millimeters have been reaching the capitol and suburbs at intervals of a quarter of an hour killing about ten persons and wounding about fifteen. The shortest distance from Paris to h .,nt is over 100 kilometers' (62 miles.) The announcement that Paris "J temg bombarded was made officially this afternoon. Measures for counter-attacking the enemy's cannons are under execution. The official announcement that Paris is beins bombarioH mi.c unexplained until further details have been received. The statement in the dispatch that the shortest distance from Paris to the front is over 100 kilometers indicate that there has been no breach in tho" battle line above Paris, such as would" permit of bringing up guns to .within what has been previously regarded as' the extreme range of heavy pieces. Unless the Germans have some new Invention, no such range as 60 miles is conceivable. The most powerful guns In action heretofore have been able to hurl their projectiles only 20 miles or thereabout. The caliber of the shells reaching Paris, 240 milometers is equivalent to about 9 inches. The heavy German siege pieces fires 17 inch shelis. Paris had been under bombardment for about 8 hours at the time the foregoing dispatch was filed 4:15 p. m. AMERICANS ASTONISHED. WASHINGTON. March ,23 New that German guns were bombarding Paris at a range of about 62 miles astonished American ordnance officers beyond belief. No such range of guns had ever been dreamed of, they said. The world's record for long distance bombardment was established by the Germans some time ago when at a range of 20 to 22 miles they dropped occasional shells in Dunkirk. The greatest long range American gun yet developed is the 16-inch rifle which at the greatest possible elevation it is estimated would throw a shell about 19 miles. Evidently, ordnance officers said, the German artillerists had developed some new world surprising weapon, although it was thought possible they might be using some sort of aerial torpedo. GERMANS SAY SECOND LINE IS CAPTURED BERLIN. March, via London. A crossing over the Oise west of LaFere (12 miles south of St. Quentin) was forced by Jaeger battalions, it is announced. Between the Omignon stream and the Somme after the capture of first enemy positions, the Germans made their way through Holnonwood and fought across the heights of Savy and Roupy penetrating into the third hostile positions. South of the Somme the Germans broke through the hostile lines, adds the reports, and in. an uninterrupted forward movement drove the enemy over the Crozat canal towards the west. The announcement says the Germans are standing before the third enemy position. It reports that the British evacuated their positions in the bend south of Cambrai and were pur sued by the Germans through Demicourt Flesquieres and Ribecourt. Emperor in Command of Troops in West LONDON, March 23. Today's German official announcement here states that Emperor William is in command on the western front. This announcement is regarded aa further evidence that the emperor ha Ftaked his all on an offensive hoping to win and go down in history as the victor in this great and decisive world conflict. The German crown prince Field Mar shal von Hindenberg. General von Ludendorff and other prominent Gerv mans are also reported with him. .