Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 251, 2 September 1918 — Page 1

PAIXABIUM Do It Now Do It Liberally Do It cheerfully Do It Now Do It Liberally Do It Cheerfully RICHMOND, IND., MONDAY EVENING, .SEPT. 2, 1918. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS VOL. XLIII.. NO. 251 Consolidated 1907 I'aUadlum and Sun-Telegram

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ALLIED GAINS MAKE POSSIBLE OUTFLANKING OF HINDENBURG LINE ON ITS NORTHERN END Drocourt-Queant Switch Line Penetrated by British Troops Developments of Success Near Cambrai Will Threaten Entire German Line in West From Northeast to Rheims Allied Forces Press in on BastianofSt. Gobain, Defending Southern Bulwark of Enemy Defenses. 128,302 GERMANS TAKEN SINCE 15TH OF JULY (By Associate Press) The British have penetrated the vitally important DrocourtQueant switch of the Hindenburg line, according to reports from the battle front today. They have reached the western edge of Cagnicourt. about two miles northeast of Queant. A large number of prisoners were taken in this forward push against extremely stubborn enemy resistance. The Germans have seven divisions massed on a front of five miles in this area. Le Transloy, the important point on the line between Bapaume and Teronne where the Germans have been holding stubbornly is considered by the British today as virtually in their hands: They have captured the village of Villers-Au-Flos, to the north and Le Transloy now is outflanked on both sides.

of weakening at any point along the battle line extending from Ypres to Solssons. At several points the Ger-

Tho capture of Noreull, northeast of Bapaume, was reported this morning. Between 3,000 and 4.000 prisoners were taken by the Australians In the vicinity of Peronne, yesterday. The French met with a slight setback to the east of Nesle. losing the crest of Hill 77, which they had captured during last night. Telling Progress Made. Telling progress was made by the allies today in the great battle on the western front when Canadian and Kngllsh troops pierced the DrocourtQueant switch of the Hindenburg line, otherwise known as the Wotan line, on a front of two miles. Canadians attacked astride the Cambral-Arras road on a front of five miles. It was upon this alternative line established back that the main Hindenburg line to the east of Arras that the Ocrman command wa9 depending to hold the allied armies off from Douai and Cambrai and the vital railway supply line in the triangle formed by these two towns and Valenciennes. In their advance the British broke Into the German positions back of the switch line on a two mile front. They reached the outskirts of Cagnicourt, about two mi!es northeast of Queant, according to tattle front advices, and further north are reported to have penetrated Dury. more than two miles east of the Woton line. Berlin Admits Gains. Ground was won by the Bnitish In Sunday's fighting In the Arras region 1o the north of Hendecourt in the direction of Cagnicourt, says today's German, official statement. A German counter attack, however, It Is declared, drove back the attacking force to Hendecourt. Further advances In Flanders were made today by the British. They captured the towns of Estaires, four miles of Mervllle, and Steenwerck, three miles southeast of Ballleul. The British attack launched south of the Scarpe river early this morning had as its Jumping off place the positions close to the German defenses reached several days ago. A furious battle Involving extensive possibilities is In progress. Gains Outflank Line. Far reaching results may follow today's advance, which began with a plunge early this morning by the Canadians and English south of the Scarpe river. If the allied gains can be held, the Hindenburg line would appear to be completely outflanked on Its northern end. Developments of the success in the direction of Douai and Cambrai which threatened the entire German line in the west from the northeast to Rheims and even beyond. This threat is being doubly maintained by through the Franco-American advance north of Solssons which was continued last night, increasing the menace to the southern flank of the Hindenburg positions. Progress was made by General Petain's allied forces in the wood west of Coucy le Chateau and on the line further south. It Is here that the allies are pressing in upon the bastion of St. Gobain, defending I.aon. the southern bulwark of the Hindenburg defenses. On the front between the flanks the British made further progress, notably toward the northern end. They are reported ut Brugny, nearly four miles northeast cf Bapaume. Still on Backward Track. The Germans are unofficially reported withdrawing their supplies in the region between Peronne and the Hindenburg line. The Germans also are still on the backward track In Flanders. The British are keeping closely after the enemy. They have reached the Lys east of Estaries and have captured Neuve Eglise near the edge of the Messines ridge south of Kemmel. The allied captures of prisoners between July 15 and Sept. 1 are officially reported today to have numbered 128.302. Guns to the number of 2,069 have been taken with more than 15.000 machine guns and mine throwers. Enemy Defense Menaced. The gigantic offensive of the allied armies continues with no Indications

man defenses are seriously menaced, especially near Lille and in the vicinity of St. Quentin on the British front, while the Franco-American forces to the south continue to advance in the face of bitter resistance. Few defenses remain to the Germans between Peronne, which was captured yesterday by the Australians, and the stronholds along the famous Hindenburg line around St. Quentin. The Australians now hold Flamlcourt and St.. Denis, in addition to Peronne and are reported to be making progress east and northeast of Mont St. Quentin, .to the Combles. In these operations, the Germans have lost more than 2,000 men and many guns. Several hundred prisoners also were taken In the different operations that resulted In the capture of Bullecourt, Hendicourt and Le Transley. Americans In Action. On the Lys front, where Americans for the first time have taken a place in the battle line,' the allied troops have advanced to Steenwerck and are engaging the enemy rear guards In the vicinity of Neuve Eglise. In their first operation In Belgium the Americans captured Voormezeele and several strong positions between that town and Ypres. The allied line has been extended and it is evident that the Germans are preparing to retreat to a line frim Wytsehaete to Messines. On the French front where American forces also are engaged under the command of General Mangin, the enemy is showing strong resistance. Here the Americans have taken up new positions near Terny-Sorny following their capture of Juvigny and the further retirement of the Germans making progress in the vicinity of Bucy-le-Long. In answer to the claims made by the allies of important advances the Germans reply that their retirements and the relinquishment oi' territory were for the purpose of shortening the line. Since the beginning of the allies' offensive on July 18, 75,500 Germans have been taken prisoner and 700 guns captured on tho French fronL Met With Hurricanes of Fire. In most places the Germans did not even get a foothold for the advancing formations were met with hurricanes of fire under which they melted away. There has been especially heavy fighting in the whirlpool of the battle around Bullecourt and Hendecourt, where the British are holding positions almost resting against the DrocourtQueant, or Wotan line. It Is believed that Bullecourt itself has thrice been lost and won in the past two days. First the British were in the town and then the Germans. While one side had the control the machine gunners and bombers from the other would filter in and get the

position and then the place would become most active. From ruin to ruin, through cellars and through old and new trenches the fighting has continued and all of the time almost the same tactics were being followed in the country surrounding. In the language of the British soldiers. It fcas been "a dogfight" here for two days. The British have retired only when hordes of Germans appeared but their retirement usually has been to the positions where they could pour machine gun bullets into the enemy. Heavy losses were Inflicted upon the Germans. Just now it appears that Bullecourt and Hendicourt again are in British hands and that the cellars, dugouts and hiding places are being mopped up. Similar fighting has been going on in the villages of Eeoust, St. Mein and Longatte. and these places also are in the possession of the British. Piled With German Dead. The ground in front of the British lines throughout this region is piled with dead Germans for the British have not hesitated to temporarily retire slightly in the face of strong enemy attacks whfn it appeared that their own strength could thereby be

When St. Quentin Falls, Hindenburg Line Will Collapse

Birdseye view of St. Quentin (above) and French civilian prisoners being marched out of the city

Once more the allies are approaching St. Quentin, a vitally important German base on the old Hindenburg line. When the allies capture St. Quentin it is predicted that the entire Hindenburg line will collapse and the Huns will be forced back to the border. The low er photo shows French civilian prisoners being hurriedly marched out of St. Quentin when Hindenburg made his "retreat to victory."

No Enemy Can Shake Strong Structure of His Empire, Says Wilhelm (By Associated Press) AMSTERDAM, Sept. 2. Emperor William, replying to a message from the municipality of Berlin on th eoccasion of Sedan day, declared that he was firmly convinced that bo enemy will ever be able to shake the strong structure of the German empire. Never, he added could the German people be vanquished when if. was united. Continuing, the messas as quoted in a dispatch fro mBerlin, said: ; "I know that the Whole brave German people are ready for all sacrifices; that it is at one with me In the firm determination to obtain an honorable peace. No other people is able, to accomplish what the Germans have done at the front and at home in heroism, energy and loyalty, to the death for the defense of our existence and for our holiest rights. "Unshakably brave and hard as steel, we look forward closely united. We shall successfully and gloriously overcome ail storms. May God grant it."

U. S. FIGHTERS

IN FRANCE AT NO TIME HAVE GIVEN GROUND American Soldiers Uphold Record by Successful Taking of Juvigny After Three Days of Bitter Fighting.

MAYOR JEWETT WILL SPEAK AT LOAN MEETING Service Flag Parade Feature of Opening of Fourth Loan Drive in Wayne County.

IN ACTION IN FLANDERS

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Hundreds of thousands of American soldiers, ready to go into battle at a moment's notice, are scattered along the battle front from Soissons to

Switzerland. It is interesting to spec

ulate as to what would happen if, aft

er the Germans get settled on the Hin

denburg line, the Americans afaould break through from the south. The German divisions defending the line from Soissons to the sea would be in dire peril of capture or destruction.

conserved and at the same time secure an opportunity to mow down masses of Germans. Thess tactics have had a most disastrous result for the foe and that the British have not

j lost anything Is shown by the fact

inai ineir casualties conunue extremely light while all positions are finally retained. At Mont St. Quentin the Germans have counter attacked again and again at great cost, but the line there remains intact. The enemy seems to have removed virtually everything he had in Peronne for he realized. that the town 6urely must come Into British handB soon, but nevertheless there was fighting there before the . place was

I captured. There has been more hard

j fighting around Le Transloy, which

fell to the British a few days ago. The Germans herewere firmly estab

lished in the cemetery at the edge of ! the town, but the place now has been

stormed and captured and the Germans driven south and east. Late yesterday the enemy delivered powerful counter attacks east of Fremlcourt on the Bapaume-Cambrla road, the Infantry belug assisted, according to reports, by a few tanks. The Germans succeeded in penetrating a short distance but the British immedately re-attacked and the ground which the Germans had occupied quickly became a shambles. In this operation the British captured many prisoners. Among the German dead at this point was a battalion commander. British Counter Attacked. The British were also counter attacked at Vaulx-Vraucourt, the Germans gaining a corner in the northeast section of the village and holding it for a time only to be driven off. South of the .Arras-Cambria road the advance continues. During the night it was held up by a strong fire from a lone trench just south of the road. (Continued on Page Eight.)

$2.20 PRICE SET FOR 1919 WHEAT

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Sept. 2. By proclamation issued today President Wilson set $2.20 a bushel as the minimum price guaranteed by the government for the 1919 wheat crop. A disinterested commission, the president stated, will be appointed next spring to see whether the increased cost of farm labor and supplies would justify an increase above that price.

NEW REGISTRATION. All men in Franklin, Wayne and Boston townships . between 18 and 45 who are not in the sendee or who have not registered must register at the court house with local board number 1 on September 12 between 7 a. mand 9 p. m.

BRITISH LABOR CHEERS GOMPERS

(By Associated Press) DERBY, England, Sept 2. Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, met with a rousing reception this morning when he arrived at Central Hall for the annual Trades Union congress. It was not only a jubilee but by far the most representative congress ever held by members of the British labcr parties, upwards of 800 delegates being present.

JAPANESE MINERS MAKE DISTURBANCE

(By Associated Press) TOKIO, Sept. 2. Serious disturbances are reported among the miners in the Kyushu district. At one colliery the miners set Are to the mine buildings and fifty houses were destroyed.

September 25, 26 and 27!

The Weather

For Indiana by United States Weather Bureau-1 Showers this afternoon or tonight and probably Tuesday. Cooler tonight and Tuesday.

Four Minute Men to Be Publicity Agents for Draft The .Four Minute Men met at the Y. M. C. A. at one o'clock Monday afternoon to make the allotments of men to the various theaters during the coming week. They planned to use as their theme for the week of September second "Registration under the New Regulations, 18-45." The government has requested that the Four Minute Men of the country serve as publicity agents for the new draft. No other business was taken up.

CITY COMMITTEE The Richmond city committee for the Fourth Liberty Loan, announces a special meeting at Commercial club rooms, Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 3rd at 2 o'clock. All chairmen and vice chairmen and members of the Women's Ward Committee are requested to be in attendance. E. M. Campfield, City Chairman. John H. Johnson, vice chairman.

Plans are maturing rapidly for the Fourth Liberty Loan drive in Wayne county, Sept. 25, 26 and 27. . With every township fully organized, both men and women's committees having soliciting commttees ready for service, the Wayne county committee believes that the ground-work has been laid for a most successful campaign. W. H. Wade, the state director of Liberty Bond sales In a letter to D. S. Coe, Wayne county chairman, says that practically every county in Indiana is in readiness to begin the actual drive for the sale of Fourth Liberty Bonds, and there is considerable rivalery being displayed in the effort to be the first to reach the coveted goal. Refers to Success. Mr. Wade in his letter makes reference to the successful campaigns in Wayne county in past Liberty Loan ventures and predicts that the county will once more occupy a very high place among the counties of the state. The county committee Is making extensive plans for the big county mass meeting that will be held in the Coliseum on the night of Sept. 24. Mayor Jewett of Indianapolis, has been Invitedto deliver the principal address. This meeting will be in charge of Charles W. Jordan, in charge of the speaking campaign throughout the county. Assignments for township meeting, which begin on the night of Sept. 16, also will be made this week by Mr. Jordan. A service flag parade in which the entitre county will participate Is one of the features being for Sept. 24, preceding the night mass meeting at the Coliseum.

BRITISH STEAMER SUNK BY U-BOAT

By Associated Press) A CANADIAN ATLANTIC PORT, Sept. 2. The British steamer Escrick, 4.151 tons, bound from Bordeaux to Montreal, was torpedoed on the night of August 16, when about 600 miles off the French coast Thirteen survivors of the crew of 37 have arrived here on an oil tanker which picked them up. TWO SCHOONERS SUNK. St. Johns, Newfoundland. Sept.2 Twenty men from the sinking schooner Elsie Porter, of Luneburg, N. S. and five from the schooner Potentate, of La Have, N. S. landed here today, reporting that their vessels were sunk by a German submarine last Friday. The captain of the Porter was held a prisoner on the submarine.

Today's Temperature. - Noon ...... ;. 75 Yesterday. Maximum 74 Minimum . 47 For Wayne county by W. E. Moore Showers tonight or Tuesday. General Conditions Weather continues generally fair over the Ohio valley but a storm over the upper Miseiccinni vallev will rT-rBo tVic IoVa anil

central states some time during the next six hours.

September 25, 26 and 27 The man who can and will not buy bonds is as bad as the soldier who is ordered to go over the top and refuses. Wayne county will go over the top on September 25, 26 and 27.

BULLETIN (By Associated Press) WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN FRANCE, Sept. 2. American troops fighting with the British on the Flanders front made further progress today in the Voormezeele region. The Americans have passed through Voormezeele in an easterly direction overcoming stiff enemy resistance. (Bv Associated Press.) LONDON, Sept 2. The Americans, says the correspondent of Reuter's limited, at American headquarters in France, have so far never yielded ground in France and they kept that proud record inviolate by their successful advance on Juvigny after three days and nights of the bitterest fighting. The correspondent says that the Americans encountered a stout-hearted and extremely skillful enemy show

ing no signs of a lowered morale. Every foot of the way into Juvigny had to be contested with machine gunners, who fought until none was left to fight The Americans gained ground, the correspondent adds, the heaviest shelling with high explosives failing to loosen their grip and not even twelve hours later when the Germans flooded the valley with gas. The sad heap of what once were the homes of Juvigny which is all that remains of the place, was not even of tactical importance, save the correspondent describing the capture of Juvigny by the American forces. -Continuing the dispatch says: Good Shooting Wins. "There was very little fighting done done In Juvigny Itself, but in the neighboring valleys where the fighting resolved itself into general infantry work, wood craft and ground craft proved invaluable to the Americans. They were mostly men of the open air with keen eyes and an appreciation of the country and in the branching jumble of ravines they outpointed the Germans, in worwing their way through without losing touch with their own line or being enveloped by the enemy. It was in consequence of their craft and good shooting that the American captures reached such a high figure, 500 Germans being cleverly rounded up, for the boche was not there to surrender. He was there to fight and had fought as long at least, as hope remained. "It was the 1044th German regiment that tried to bar the way of the Americans and the men of this regiment have nothing for which to reproach themselves. They left many dead in those dark valleys and only surrendered when there was no other option. "The enemy's measures to hokj this plateau proved how seriously he must have regarded its loss. The seventh and eleventh reserve divisions seemed to have been the normal occupants of the line but as they began to suffer three other divisions were hurried up to reinforce them. One regiment, the 227th, marched 140 miles. The march started at dawn on August 21. and the men went straight into the battle on their arrival. Enemy Resistance Broken. "Shortly after dawn Sunday morning when the Americans advance recommanced, it became plain that the enemy's resistance was broken and that he had decided that the plateau could not be held. Even then it seemed for a short time as If the Americans might have to pay very dear for what was left of the valley, but the men flushed with victory showed even greater determination than on the day before, and after four hours, during which there was no forward movement possible, more cheerful news began to come to the Americans. Progress had been made by the French on the right and eventually a practically impossible position was created for the Germans who were still trying to cling to the Soissons St. Quentin road. Before noon, the struggle which had given the Americans five strenuous days, reached a point where one could breathe freely. WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FLANDERS, Sept 2. In their first fighting in Belgium the Americans captured Voormezeele and several strong German positions in that immediate vicinity. On their entrance into Voormezeele the invaders found that all that remained of the town were piles of debris, for the shell fire had been so intent that hardly one brick was left standing upon another. As the Americans advanced the German rear guards from what little cover remained opened up with their machine grins, but these were quickly silenced without much trouble. Elsewhere In the same locality the Americans also advanced the line, keeping in contact with the retreating enemy. Counter attacks by the Germans resulted . in their gaining little more than a slight foothold, which in every case was quickly loosened by British and American re-attacks.