Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 114, 25 March 1918 — Page 1

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U. S. CANNON BLAST LINES OF GERMANS ABOUT TOUL Enemy Airplane Drops Bombs of Mustard Gas Near Battery but No Americans Killed. SOLDIERS DECORATED WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, March 24.(By the Associated Press. American artillery on the Toul sector today continued to sbeil effectively enemy Irst line and com- . V munlcation trenches, the town of St. Bassant, and billets and dumps north of Boqueteau. Many of the American shells have fallen in the German trenches and the first two lines in at least one place were abandoned. One American patrol freely Inspected this point in the nemy line without, molestation last night and this morning and remained there several hours. There have been no contacts between the Infantry during the last 24 hours. Germans Bombard Town. For the third successive day, German artillery today bombarded heavily with gas shells a certain town within the American lines. Today's bombardment was made in two peri ods, each a half-hour in length. Many gus shells and a few high-explosive shells fell on the American positions. An enemy airplane early this morning cut off its engines at a great height over the American lines northwest of Toul and planed down. When close to the ground, it dropped a quantity of bombs. Some were of a new variety which explode in midair with a bluish red flash and give off a cloud of mustard gas. Being heavier than the air, this gaa quickly descended toward some of our battery positions and a road. After the machine disappeared the German gas shell bombardment began. Another enemy airplaine hovered over the town while the bombardment with gas shells was in progress. On the Toul front there was considerable artillery activity during the night. American guns heavily shelled the German front line positions. Env emy batteries replied, using many gas shells. Later photographs were taken from airplanes of the damage inflicted by the Americans. , The weather was especially suitable today for aerial work and the Germans took advantage of it. On one portion of the sector fourteen enemy airplanes crossed between noon and 6 oclock in the evening, while four friendly ones were over the American lines In the same period. One group of seven enemy machines apparently on a bombing expedition, was discovered at midnight and driven off by the rapid fire of American anti-aircraft guns. Receives Medal Lieutenant H. R. Davies, the United States army medical reserve, who Is serving with the British army, has been awarded the distinguished service cross, one of the four new American decorations for bravery. Lieutenant Davies on January 8 entered a dugout under continuous shell fire and remained there attending the occupants after it had been blown in. He performed an amputation operation and save the life of a British soldier. He received the first medal conferred on any American serving with the British forces. . Spike Croat en Coffin The French commander of a division with which American troops are being trained, today awarded the cross of war to an American infantryman who two nights ago gave his life rather than abandon his port of duty. The war cross was spiked to the coffin before burial. Two Infantrymen entered an abandoned trench to establish a snipers' post, when they observed several Gerroansln the wire before the American trenches. Other Germans arrived. There began an exchange of rifle. Are which resulted in a barrage from both sides. At the end of an hour the enemy gave up his attempts to enter the American lines and withdrew. Then It was discovered that one of the two Americans had been killed. There was plenty of cover within a few yards, but he remained at his post throughout the artillery battle. The distinguished service cross has been awarded to Corporal Charles H. Burke, Infantry. His citation reads: "Severely wounded while patrolling. He refused to leave his platoon commander, who also was severely wounded. He stayed at his side during an intense bombardment and insisted ou driving off an enemy patrol." $1,150,000,000 MEASURE 18 PASSED BY SENATE 60 TO 1 WASHINGTON, March 25 The conference report on the $1,150,000,000 urgent deficiency appropriation bill including riders authorizing sale of all enemy property in this country and plans for purchase by the government of German wharves and docks at Hoboken. N. J., was adopted today by the senate, 60 to 1, and sent to the house. THE WEATHER For Indiana by United States Weitter Bureau Fair tonight. Tuesday fair and warmer. Today's Temperature. Noon 50 Yesterday. Maximum ,,.-t.'fr Minimum

Report of Americans Battling on British Front Not Confirmed WASHINGTON, March 25 German statement that American troops had taken part in the fighting on the British front in France had not been confirmed today and officials, Including Major x General Marsh, chief of staff, declined to comment on the reports. Although a detachment of American engineers was caught in the German counter attacks in the Cambria salient several months ago officers indicated that there was nothing here to show that any American troops other than engineers or special units had been attached to the British forces. ScanWar News. News from the front continued to be the absorbing topic today and offlcial Washington, including President Wilson, anxiously scanned British and American statements. Whether the war department has received confidential advices from General Pershing was not disclosed, but officers pointed out that the information on British operations must necessarily be given out at London and whatever General Pershing may have sent through, probably would be regarded as confidential. Berlin's announcement that Paris was being bombarded by long range

guns was taken here to confirm the French reports that rifle shells fell in Paris Saturday and Sunday. The range of the new weapon 76 miles exceeds even the dreams of ordnance experts here, but considerable satisfaction was taken in the Paris account of the bombardment, inferring that little damage resulted. BRITISH HURL BACK ATTACK BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, March 25 Early this morning the Germans again hurled great numbers of infantry against the British line near Ervillers, but at the latest report the onrushing troops had been unable to force their way through the intense artillery barrage which the British maintained. A heavy battle also has been proceeding today on the British right flank where the enemy had succeeded In forcing his way across the Somme and the canal south of Ham. The allies were delivering counter attacks with the purpose of pushing back the Invaders across the water way. There seems small doubt but that the Germans attacking troops are dogweary, fighting under great strain, but this is mentioned merely as an interesting side light and not for the purpose of sounding a note of optimism. Harder fighting than has yet occurred, undoubtedly will follow. The British have been fighting with traditional stubbornness and at many points they have held the Germans back, time after time, although themselves greatly outnumbered. Throughout the night there was fierce fighting north of Bapaume, along the Bapaume-Arras road, but except that Mory again changed hands the defenders held their own gallantly. American Ship Sank; Crew Escapes U-Boat LONDON, March 25. The admiralty announces that the American steamer Chattahochee, 5,088 tons net, has been, sunk by a German submarine off the English coast. Her crew of 78 was landed safely. The master states that the submarine fired a number of torpedoes, of which four struck the vessel. NEW YORK, March 25 The steamship Chattahoochee, torpedoed off the English coast, was formerly the Hamburg-American liner 8achsen and was one of the vessels seized by the United States when this country entered the war. She was built In 1911 at Belfast and was 470 feet long with a 58-foot beam. Hindenbarg Receives Gold Cross from Kaiser AMSTERDAM, March 25. Emperor William at German main headquarters! on Sunday, assording to an official announcement at Berlin, conferred the iron cross with gold rays on Field Marshal von Hindenburg, and the grand cross of the order of Iron cross on General von Ludendorf. The emperor also gave various decorations to departmental chiefs, along with a signed photograph with the date ofi the battle, March 21-23. Stocks Break 3 Points When Market Opens NEW YORK, March 25, Stocks broke from 1 to 3 points at the opening of the market here today on further heavy selling impelled by our war news. The weakest issues again included equipments, or war shares, and special industrials. Kaiser and Hindenburg Visit Bapaume Sunday LONDON, March 25 Emperor William and Field Marshal Von Hindenburg visited Peronne on Sunday evening, according to Berlin advices forwarded from Amsterdam by Exchange Telegraph. The German losses in the battle at Bapaume are described as "comparatively heavy." DAMAGED SUBMARINE PUTS INTO SPANISH HARBOR EL FERROL, Spain, Sunday, March 24. A 400-ton German submarine has sought refuge in this port. The captain made an urgent request for admission, declaring that his craft had been damaged severely In a fight with three ships.' The U-boat carries two 11-centimeter guns and a crew of thirty. A Spanish warship has been sent out. to guard her. ,

RICHMOND,

TODAY'S OFFICIAL

LONDON, March 25. Fresh attacks by Germans have developed northward and southward of Bapaume, the war office announces today, British repulsed powerful attacks yesterday afternoon northward of Bapaume. The British drove back to the eastern bank of the Somme bodies of German troops which had crossed the river between Licourt and Briss, south of Peronne. The statement follows: - "The battle continues with great violence on the whole front. Powerful attacks delivered by the enemy yesterday afternoon and evening north of Bapaume were heavily repulsed. Only at one point did the German infantry reach our trenches whence they were immediately thrown out. Elswhere the enemies attacks were stopped by rifle, machine gun and artillery fire in front of our position and his troops were driven back with great loss. "During the night and this morning fresh hostile attacks have again developed in this neighborhood and also to the south of Bapaume. "South of Peronne bodies of German troops who had crossed the river between Licourt and Buire were driven back to the west bank by our counter-attacks."

FRENCH REPORT ' PARIS, March 25. The French on Saturday went to the assistance of the British and took over a sector of the battle front, the war office announces. The statement follows : "French troops began to intervene on March 23 in the battle now being fought on the British front. They relieved certain of the allied forces and took up fighting themselves on this sector of the front." "At the present time they are engaged in heavy fighting in the region of Noyon and they ared isputing the heights of the right bank of the Oise with important German forces. "Northwest of Rheims there has been a violent artillery action in the region of Courcy and Loivre. In the Champagne two German surprise attacks east of Euippes resulted in failure. French patrols took some prisoners near Tahure. "There was much artillery activity between Arracourt and the Vosges. At daybreak German forces attacked the French lines east of Bleneroy and east of Badonviller. The Germans were repulsed with heavy losses."

BERLIN STATEMENT Berlin, (per Wireless Press), March 25, The Germans are now standing to the north of the Somme in the middle of the former Somme battlefield, says today's official statement. Bapaume was captured in night fighting. In the evening, Nesle was taken by storm, the statement adds, the British and Americans and French were thrown back through a pathless wooded country. More than 45,000 prisoners and more than 600 guns have been captured, the statement says. Guiscard, and Chauny were captured in the evening. Violent fighting developed for possession of Combles and the heights west of the town. The enemy was defeated, the statement says. (Bapaum is on the north part of the battle front, where the British line for the most part has been held. It is one of the larger .towns on the fighting front from which a number of roads radiate. The official German statement of Sunday night said a gigantic struggle was taking place for the town. It is thirteen miles below Arras.)

Capt. Voight Who Made Whole Worli laugh at German Army is Dead AMSTERDAM, March 7 (Correspondence of the Associated Press). William Voight, a. shoemaker, who caused the whole world to laugh at the expense of German militarism by his escapade at Coepenick, In 1906, is dead, according to an announcement made In Berlin. In October, 1906, a man In the uniform of a captain of grenadiers, recruited a detachment of twelve men In the streets of Berlin through a forged military order. At the head of the men, the "captain," who was Voight, went to Coepenick, a small town near Berlin. There he arrested the burgomaster and the treasurer of the town and took possession of funds amounting to about $1,000. The trick was .soon discovered and Voight In December was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. In August, 1908, he was pardoned by Emperor William, and In March, 1910, he went to the United States, where he visited Chicago and New York. His deportation was ordered from Washington and In April he was sent out of the United States. After he was sentenced to prison, a Frau Werthem of Berlin, offered to pay him an annuity, This was aecept- i ed by Voight but last month he was1 compelled to bring suit for unpaid pensions. Swedish Press Decries Taking of Dutch Ships STOCKHOLM, March 25 The seizure of Dutch tonnage in allied ports is strongly criticised in press comment here. The Social Demokraten, which is friendly to the allies, says; "These violent measures, even though it is true that in the last analysis they were called forth by brutal German methods of warfare and Germany's threatening attitude, nevertheless are a gross violation of a neutral's rights and deeply compromise the high ideals which the allies declare inspire them in their conflict against German militarism." The Svenska Dagbladet refers in its comment to "the gentleman who In the olden days on the highways and the byways, with his finger on the trigger, used to demand the way farer's property." Four-Minute Speakers Plead for Wheat Saving i i.i i, ... . ! WASHINGTON. March 25. Fourminute men to the number of 25,000 today began a nation-wide campaign urging that farmers sow more spring wheat than ever before and that every American family raise its own vegetables this year. The four-minute men have received a communication from A. M. Andre Tardieu, French high commissioner appealing to Americans to send more wheat to France in 1918. The communication states that last year's crops were light and that the daily bread consumption of the civil population of France has been cut in half.

IND., MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1918

WAR REPORTS DUTCH REJECT GRAIN OFFER LONDON, March 25. The Dutch cabinet is said to have decided Sunday to send the allied powers a formal refusal of their offer of grain in return for Dutch ships, a dispatch from The Hague to the Daily Mail says. The original compact for the use of Dutch ships by Great. Britain and the United States, called for the placing at the disposal of Holland of 100,000 tons of foodstuffs. Dutch snips were to carry this food. THE HAGUE, Saturday, March 23. Fears of Dutch ship owners that the ships seized by the United States are lost to them, are quieted in a communication to the Dutch press from the American legation here. The statement reads: "It .appears that fear exists that requisitioned Dutch ships will be lost permanently to their owners and the. Dutch flag. The legation is advised officially that the United States have not taken title to any such ships under the present proclamation, but have merely taken them over for their tem porary use. "Liberal chartering' rates will, be paid and the ships returned at the termination of the present emergency, and not later than the end of the war. The United States will assume all war marine risks and in the event of loss by enemy action in the war zone as defined on March 1, 1918, the owners will be given the option of receiving payment of the value of the vessel or of having the vessel replaced as soon as possible after the termination of the war, meanwhile receiving interest on the value of the lost vessels. Dutch crews and officers will be maintained at the expense of the United States until a suitable opportunity for repatriation occurs." King George Commends Haig for His Valor LONDON, March 25. King George today sent the following message to Field Marshal Haig: "I can assure you that the fortitude, courage and self-sacrifice with which the troops under your command continue zc heroically to resist greatly superior numbers are realized by me and my people. The empire stands calm and confident in its soldiers. May God bless them and give them strength in this time of trial." . ' . , WORKERS NEEDED. There is urgent need of workers in the Red Cross rooms. A large shipment of gauze has been received and the Surgical Dressing department desires to complete a large number of new dressings this week and asks the patriotic women of this community to make this their paramount duty. Chairman Surgical Dressings.

LONG RANGE GUN CONTINUES FIRE AGAINST PARIS

People Do Not Take to Shelter, but Watch the Shells Fall. PARIS, March 25. The long range bombardment of Pari3 was resumed at 6:30 o'clock this morning, but was interrupted after the second shot As was the case yesterday the peo ple did not take to shelter. Cellars which were filled on Saturday i-emain-ed empty this morning. Little interest was shown in the bombardment. Soon after they were awakened by the first shot the people were brought to their windows by the rattling of drums. Policemen Sound Alarm. Policemen circulated through each quarter of the city, introducing the new system of alarm which is distinguished from the alarm in the case of air raids. The police came in for a great amount of chaffing, the people being greatly amused at their lack of proficiency with the drum sticks. This appeared to mark their limit of interest in the bombardment. Work was resumed under normal conditions All the transportation lines were running. The streets were full of people whose sole subject of conversation was the new battle of the Somme, which is generally compared with Verdun. PARIS, March 25. It is to be hoped that the gun which shelled Paris will very shortly be silenced, says the Figaro, which gives the following quo tation from a man who is said to be In j

a position to know: , WASHINGTON, March 25. PresiThe 38 milimetre gun which bom- dent wiison today cabled Field Marbarder Dunkirk two years ago from a 8hai Haig congratulating him on the distance of 2o miles was located by our Britlsh Btand againRt the German ofairplanes and soon put out of action. fPT1RlVA nf! nUrtine final JHd

The same methods will be adopted with regard to the 240 millimetre gun which has been bombarding Paris for the last two days. Since Saturday our airplanes have been looking for it and the fact that it stopped firing is due, perhaps, to their arrival. It will not be long before the gun is definitely placed; then its career will soon be over." The military authorities, according to another morning newspaper, are convinced that the Germans are using two new guns, while Richard Arapu, the military expert of L'Quevre believes there is a whole battery of them. Teutons Deride Ability of U.S. Troops to Fight LONDON. March 25. A dispatch from The Hague says German special correspondents on the western front are repeating, the methods they have employed In the early days of the war in regard to British troops. In their reports of the character of American soldiers. Dr. Osborne, the Vossische 7ZZ,l JZZ tir ih. inrVnrVV.? German troops take the appearance of this new opponent quite calmly. "Wherever one goes," he says. men describe the Americans as physically efficient, young. wUl equipped lads, who, however, lack the experience of the sharper forms of western front fighting. Infantry salvos and machine gun fire promptly scare them back, to Bay nothing of artillery barrage, which completely confuses them. Our men perceive the essential nature of theso opponents. "They describe them as skillful arid bold "sportsmen, but by no means soldiers in our sense and such as modern warfare demands. Our men do not underestimate the enemy from the new world, but they feel themselves in every sense their military superiors." Germans Will Enter Petrograd in Few Hours WASHINGTON, March 25. German occupation of Petrograd within twentyfour hours was predicted by American Consul Treadwell in a dispatch that reached the state department today, March 20. Virtually all Americans have left the city, the dispatch said.

Two Leicestershire Companies Surrounded by German Soldiers Fight Way Back to Main Forces LONDON, March 2G. The Germans it would assist them to strike at the

swarmed over No Man's Land In such great numbers in their first rush that it was impossible for the British gunners to miss them, telegraphs the correspondent at British headquarters in France of the daily Express. Two batteries at Epehy fired steadily with open sights at 400 yard for four hours. Telling of the thrilling exploit of Leicestershire troops, the correspondent says: "Ferzieres was held for a time by two companies of Leicestershires assisted by two tanks. The enemy kept pressing them back, however, and one company was completely cut off. Instead of surrendering, they held to the village until only a few men were left. Then, the surviving officer led - them in a charge through two iines of Germans and they fought their way back to our main body." "The ultimate object of this rapid and intent enemy advance is clearly the great strategic point of Amiens." says the Times and "though it Is still remote, the situation is sufficiently serious to warrant a contemplation of this catastrophe. The fall of Amiens might have three-fold consequences. It would bring the enemy to a point from which to threaten our northern line;

Man Who Commands Valiant British Army

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Field Marshal Halg. commander-in-chief of the British forces in France and Flanders, to which position he succeeded when Sir John French was recalled for other duties In 1915. He was employed for many years In the cavalry arm of the British service, reaching the rank of major general in 1904, lieutenant general in 1910, and general in 1914. He was at Khartum with Kitchener, fought for three years in the South African war and saw extended service in India before coming to his present high command in December, 1915. He was created field marshal after the battle of the Somme In 1916. Wilson Congratulates Haig for British Stand T.fnnr Tha PMsn'B mon May I not express to you my warm , admiration of the Bpiendid steadfastness and valor with which your troops have withstood the German onset and the perfect confidence all Americans feel that you will win a secure and final victory." Cairo Told to Look Out for Aerial Bombardment LONDON, March 25. The Inhabitants of Cairo, Egypt, were informed officially last Thursday, according to a Reuter dispatch,, that a hostile airship had been observed over the coast The public was warned to observe the necessary lighting regulations. An official statement issued In ! Athens on Saturday, says that on Thursday Zeppelins passed over the island of Crete, traveling Ina northerly direction. Cairo, the capital and most populous city of Egypt, has been in no danger from air raids since the Turks were driven from the Suez canal. The Tu'W llnes ,n Palestine are the anomv ,.n,nta n r.i,n nearest enemy points to Cairo and -!they are 320 miles northeast An en- . " 1' " o - the Mediterranean sea from the southern coast of Asia Minor. The distance by that route would 460 miles one way. A German airship recently attacked Naples, Italy, after a trip of 300 miles from the Austrian coast along the Adriatic. ! Secretary Baker Presented to Ruler of England LONDON, March 25. Secretary Baker was presented to King George at Buckingham Palace by Ambassador Page today. The secretary remained for an hour with the king discussing American efforts in Europe. NON-ESSENTIALS ARE HIT BY THE INDUSTRIAL BOARD WASHINGTON, March 25. To discourage all new industrial projects not deemed essential to the prosecution of war, the war industries board will withhold from such new plans the benefit of priority of transportation for their products. channel ports, and it would endanger seriously the safety of Paris." Fears for England The Times advises the British people to take seriously the long range gun which ' has bombarded Paris, and adds: "We may be ouite certain that our own inviolate shores will soon learn what the new gun can do.' Commenting on the results of the) German offensive, the Daily Chronicle Favs: "Assuming that the German-losses are at least 150 000. the enemy has unstained a reverse for he has not obtained a strategical success directly conducing to a decision, while he has lost 8 or 10 percent of his effectives without similarly lowering the efficiency of the allies. "This matter is of the greatest importance for Germany at present is at the critical moment when the manpower pendulum is swinging in favor of the allies. No weakness at the Anglo-French junction has yet been disclosed and the task before the enemy in the next days of the battle is more formidable than that already accomplished." Continued On Page Fourteen.

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liurm mm mi new rntNun ARMY HELPS CHECK RUSH OF GERMS British Forces Hold Fast Along Line of Somme North of Bapaume, Hurling Back Invading Host. DANGER POINT IN SOUTH BULLETIN LONDON, March 25. The British this morning were counter-attacking between Nesle and Ham, Reuters correspondents at British headquarters reports. The French also were in action. North of Bapaume, he states, the Germans were attacked in considerable force at dawn, but did not get through the British barrage. The Germans, says the correspondent, are relying upon sheer weight of number in their heavy attack on the British lines, relieving their tired troops by fresh divisions which press forward without waiting for artillery support. The enemy all day yesterday and through the moonlight last night kept up his hammering of the British positions the message states, the Britsh troops resisting with valient stubbornness. The Germans, are employing many small bodies of Uhlans, mainly as scouring patrols, it ia added. (By Associated Press) France has thrown the weight of her forces into the great battles raging with unexampled intensity on the western front and the British and French armies are , now battling together against the onslaught of the common enemy in his desperate attempt to break through the allied line. The British armies are holding fast along the line of the Somme and also in the region north of Bapaume, Field Marshal Haig reports today. The Germans in their thrust in the latter section reached the British trenches at only one point and they were immediately ejected. Their assaults elsewhere were smothered by the British fire with great losses to the enemy. Germans Hurled Back. On the Somme line, bodies of German troops which had succeeded in forcing their . way across the river between Licourt and Buire, south of Peronne, were driven back to the easterly bank. On both sides of Bapaume the . German attacks were resumed today. The greatest danger point at present seems to be further south where the Germans apparently have driven through the greater width of the region they devastated in retiring in 1917, as the Paris statement today reports, heavy fighting in the region of Noyon. This town itself is some ten miles of the west of Chauny, in the region of which Berlin yesterday reported the repulse of Franco-American reserves but the German advance probably has been met considerably short of Noyon. The wedge driven into the allied line is evidently a deep one, however, as the French troops are reported by Paris to be contesting for the heights to the north of the Oise with important German forces. The Oise on this part of the front runs southwest past Chauny . and passes to the south of Noyon. British Foil Foe. Persistent attacks with strong force of infantry and lavish use of artillery have not enabled the Germans to break through the British defense, and after four days, the great offensive blow la northern France has not yet brought a decision for the attackers. : Heavy fighting is in progress around Bapaume, near Peronne and where the French and British fronts join. Field Marshal Haig's withdrawal, previously planned in case of a heavy enemy attack, has been executed in a manner described as masterly and great credit for its success is given to the small units which, sometimes outnumbered eight or nine to one. clung to their posts and impeded the German advance. ' - ,. .; The British have made few counter attacks, but every one attempted has been successful. . British efforts are (Continued On Page Ten.