Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 287, 15 October 1918 — Page 1

PALLADIUM Do It Now Do It Liberally Do It Cheerfully Do It Now Do It Liberally Do It Cheerfully RICHMOND, IND., TUESDAY EVENING, OCT. 15, 1918 SINGLE COPY2 CENT? VflT VT ttt vrr oaT Palladium and Sun-Telegram uu ALilll., INU. fo Consolidated 1907 , ma Y7 Lrauu 4

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ALLIED FORCES IN BELGIUM SMASH WAY THROUGH GERMAN LINES TO TOWN OF COUTRAI Are Within Two Miles of Important Railway CenterAllied Forces Dominate Railway Communication in Flanders Enemy Resistance Seems for Purpose of Gaming Time to Evacuate BelgiumFrench Press Ahead Between Oise and Argonne Aisne Lost to Foe as Means of Defense.

GERMAN SHIPS LEAVING THE BELGIAN COAST (By Associated Press) LONDON, Oct. 15 Several of Germany's largest torpedo boats recently left Zeebrugge, one of the German naval, bases on the Belgian coast, during a stormy night, according to a Dutch frontier message forwarded from Amsterdam on Monday to the central news agency. The German war ships were filled to their capacity with soldiers and proceeded for Germany. The Germans are ateo reported to be evacuating Ostend.

In Flanders and from the Oise to the Meuse the allied troops continue their vigorous blows for important gains. As the French press on in the Laon-Aisne region," the allied offensive in Belgium and the American operation west of the Meuse are being renewed today with success.

Two Miles From Courtral. Smashing their way through the net work of railways in western Flanders, the Belgians, French and British forces under King Albert are now within two miles of the Important rail center of Courtrai. The allies also dominate with their guns the railroad running from Lille to the Belgian coast by way of Courtrai and thus hamper, if they have not cut off, all communica tion between Ostend and Lille. Bel gian troops are on the outskirts of Menin. The German resistance in Flanders appears to be only for the purpose of delaying the allies until the evacuation of Belgium can be completed. The enemy is reported to be evacuating Ostend and to be sending large boat loads of troops away from the coastal regions. Between the Oise and the Argonne the French are pressing- the enemy hard and giving him little chance to dig in should he desire to do so. East of the Oise the French are within a half mile of the Ferre river along most of its length and have advanced between 5 and 6 miles from Laon. Americans Drive Ahead. Even the Aisne is fast being lost to the enemy as a means of defense. The French now threaten Rethel. Keeping 6tep with the American operation east of the Argonne, the French are moving forward west of the forest. The French have reached the Aisne west of Grandpre and have captured the towns of Olizy and Termer. Between the Argonne and the Meuse the Americans are battling ' forward forward through the German wire' entanglements. Tanks have ben brought up especially In the region west of Romagne. As on Monday the Germans are resisting stubbornly, but satisfactory progress Is being made. French troops have made an important advance toward the important town of RIthell and captured the town of Nanteuil sur Aisne, 2V miles west of Rethel, says the French war office statement today. Serbian forces advancing north of Nish on Sunday captured on a large front all the heights which dominate both banks of the Morava river, according to an official statement. Line Carried Forward. Savagely attacking the German lines in Belgium, British, French and Belgian forces have captured Roulers and carried their liner far toward Courtrai and Thourout. In reports from the front, there are Indications that the German lines have been pierced and that the enemy is retreating rapidly. On the other extreme of the battle line, American troops have carried their lines well past the Kriemhild position west of the Meuse river. They are now holding a front that runs from north of Cunel, north of Ro magne and thence northwestwardly to the vicinity of St. George's, at which village it turns to the southwest and meets the French lines at Grand Fre. French and Italian forces are slowly sweeping the Germans back out of the I-aon salient. They are now well to the east of the Laon-LaFere railroad and have kept up a steady pressure against the enemy along the Oise valley to the northeast of LaFere. May Outflank Sub Bases. The allied blow in Belgium appears to be one which may have a direct hearing on the course of the mighty battle that 13 being fought over the tattle line from Dixmude to Verdun. The progress made against the Germans on the first day of the offensive seems to indicate that it is possible for thJ allies to press eastward and outflank both the German submarine bases, to the north and the whole German line, to the south. A glance at the map shows that the railroads by which the submarine bases are supplied are in great danger as the allied advonce carries the Hne nearer and nearer to Ghent. It is rumored along the British front in Flanders that British monitors have without confirmation. Should it prove true however, it Is possible that forces may be landed In the rear of the Germans still holding the lines betwee Thourout and the sea. i

, South of the new break in the German lines, the Germans have been .in a serious position for some time. Lille has been in danger from the south and this new attack threatens to outflank the city from the north. Should this occur. Lille will probably fall and with its fall Douai is certain to be involved. German Losses Heavy There appears to be every reason to believe that the Germans along the flanks of the line from Solesmes to the vicinity of Rethel will succeed in delaying the allied advance long enough to permit the forces in the big Laon salient to escape in safety. All reports of the fighting in this area however, agree that the German losses in material and , munitions are ver heavy. . ' - - The success of the Americans cast of the Argonne forest seems to bring the Germans there face to face with the necessity of either greatly strengthening the forces holding the line or retiring to the northward. This sector is so important to the future development of German defensive measures that it may be expected that the enemy will strive by all means to hold back the Americans.

U. S. TRANSPORT SINKS AT PIER (By Associated Press) HOBOKEN, N. J., Oct. 15 Shortly before the American troop transport America, formerly the German transAtlantic passenger steamship Amerika, was about to sail today for Europe with soldiers and supplies, the vessel foundered at her pier here. In the early morning darkness, while the troops aboard were sleeping, the America settled with her keel in the mud, leaving only three of her eight decks, together with part of her funnels above water. So far as was known there was no loss of life. Shipbuilders Asked to Speed Up to Meet the Submarine Menace (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. American ship builders were called, upon by Secretary Daniels today -to speed up their out put of destroyers to meet the menace o fthe new and greater submarine effort which Germany is known to be planning. $320,000 Subscribed to Loan in Preble County Eaton, O., Oct. 15. Chairman J. H. Musselman reported the total sale of Liberty Bonds in Preble county as $320,000 up to Monday. The county's quota i3 $1,112,000. The Weather For Indiana by the United States Weather . Bureau Fair and warmei tonight. Wednesday partly cloudy. Today's Temperature. Noon 61 Yesterday. Maximum 58 Minimum V 34 For Wayne Co,unty by W. E. Moore : Fair tonight. Wednesday, increasing cloudiness. Mild wave. General Conditions Weather continues cool east of the Mississippi but summer weather prevails over the entire middle west, excepting west of the Rockies with 80 in South Dakota and 70 through the rest of the district. There is a storm over the far northwest with increasing cloudiness by Wednesday.

No Longer "My Army

in Germany, Points Out Swiss Papers (By Associated Press) BERNE, Monday, Oct. 14. Germany's - development toward democracy and parliamentarization especially the elimination of the emperor's right to decide on peace or war, is favorably commented upon here. Swiss newspapers say that It means much when one man can no longer say "my army and my navy." BELGIAN KING LEADS ATTACK UPON ROULERS Enemy Resistance in Flanders Said to Be Broken by New Drive. (By Associated Press) PARIS, Oct. 15. Roulers has been taken by the allies. This city, which before the war numbered 25,000 inhabitants, is the first Important Belgian town from which the Germans have been driven. This morning, on the 'anniversary of the battle of Jena, which was fought October 14. 1806, the battle flamed up along the Flanders front and the first day's progress gives reason for high hope. Under the command of King Albert of Belgium, the British, Belgian and French armies attacked at 5:35 o'clock. There was no artillery preparation but the troops advanced under cover of a creeping curtain of fire of extreme power. Following the gales which have been blowing for several days, the weather turned fine and troops progressed methodically and in a most satisfactory way. Machine gun nests were forced to surrender one after another and at six o'clock tonight the advance amounted to four miles in the dorection of Courtrai, for the British; four miles toward Thlelt for the French and two and a half miles in the direction of Thourout, for the Belgians. , ' Frenth Capture City. To the French, in the center of the line, fell the honor of capturing the city of Roulers, and the plateau covering it. Nearly ten thousand prisoners "have already been counted and a large amount of material and many guns have been taken. Mention also must be made of two batteries, which were taken with the horses attached to the guns. This shows that the methodical withdrawal of the Germans, of which they will not fail to speak in reporting the battle, could not be accomplished. Germany reserves which attempted to hurry up to the front line did not escape the keen eyes of the allied aviators and gunners. One troop train was cut in two by shells. When the occupants of the cars jumped out they were met and scattered by machine gun fire from allied aviators. The British navy and coast artillery did excellent work in co-operating with the advancing infantry. The Germans did not leave Roulers without starting many fires. FOE LEAVING BELGIUM. WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN BELGIUM, Monday, Oct. 14. (By the Associated Press) Enemy resistance in Flanders which at first appeared to be exceedingly heavy, is reported to have been broken. After the British, French and Belgian advance today there were indications that the enemy was withdrawing the remainder of his material from the coast of Belgium. j As is customary during the hour3 i following the launching of an attack Un this 'difficult country, reports were slnw pnTYiiniy in hut Tnnct c?m?fia of all the features of the battle was the fact that the German coast batteries were not firing. The enemy artillery reacted heavily south of Roulers after the allied attack was launched but north of the city this fire was very slight, indicating that the German guns had been withdrawn or were being taken back by he enemy. The German rear guards were overcome and further north the enemy resistance gradually grew lighter as the assault progressed. Among the prisoners was a complete regimental staff and a battalion commander. Germans Burn Cities. The enemy has begun blowing up material which he could not remove, and the torch is being applied to the towns that are being abandoned ' by the Germans. There have been four explosions near Beerst. The fact that the coast batteries are not firing has given rise to the rumor that the British naval forces are operating off the coast. One report even- went so far as to say that Ostend, which seems bound to be bound to be evacuated by the enemy, has been entered by British monitors. There is no confirmation of these rumors. Only a thin enemy barrage was encountered by the British during their attack. South of Lichtervelde, the British have driven well to the east. They have passed through Roulers I and are still advancing. They are al-l so operating quite a distance east of the Menin-Roulers road. Weather Signal Inventor Dead FREDERICKSBURG, Va.. Oct. 15. Dr. Patrick Hues Mell of Atlanta, Ga., who devised the system of weather signals now used by the United States weather bureau- died here today. He was 63

YANKEES CUT HOLE IN HUN DEFENSES AT MEUSE RIVER Tanks Used to Break Enemy Wire Entanglements at Romagne Patrol Action on Selle River.

ARTILLERY FIRE HEAVY (By Associated Press) WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY NORTHWEST OF VERDUN, Oct. 15. Tanks were brought into action by the Americans today to break a way through the enemy wire entanglements west of Romagne. Despite German resistance the progress of the Americans early was saV isfactory. The Germans apparently were ready to contest the ground as stubbornly as they did yesterday. The enemy artillery was being used freely to hold the Americans but the Yankee gunners were doing much to break down the resistance. American troops on patrol crossed the Selle river in the neighborhood of St. Souplet, south of Le Cateau yesterday, and took 30 prisoners, Field Marshal Haig announced in an official report today. Germans Resist Grimly. From east of the Meuse to the vicinity of Grandpre, American forces chopped a series of fresh notches in the German line today. They kept up their swinging blows at the enemy from early this morning until late this afternoon. While the Germans resisted with grim determination, their decision to hold till the last the portion of the line before the Americans may open the way to swift disaster. Although the action extended to the eastward bank of the Meuse, the most savage fighting took place about Romaene and to the westward, where the enemy is striving- to maintain that section of the Kriemhild line running northwestwardly from Romagne. The battle has been in and over the wire entanglements before this defensive nnsition and the excellent natural fortoflcations along which the present ! line of resistance is laid. Hanging on the wire tonight are Germans whose , equipment bears evidence that another fresh division has been brought up to meet the steady pressure of the Americans. There was some artillery preparation for the American attack, but it was not much heavier than that offered by the Germans in defense along their wire defenses until late in the way when there was a slight falling off in the volumn of fire. At that time there was a movement of artillery toward the rear of the German positions reported by aerial observers. Gass Shells Used. The artillery counteraction was somewhat different than usual. On the least indication of movement in i the American lines the Germans laid down a barrage of such intensity as is ordinarily used only preliminary to an oifensive. Not content with their artillery defense, the Germans made an extraordinarily liberal use of gas. Thousands of gas shells, both mustard and lethal were hurledMnto the rainsaturated woods and ravines through which the Americans vrept forward. Although the gas clouds clung tenaciously to the ground, the Americans were not seriously hampered in their general operations. Discipline and experience havs taught them the value of gas masks. Heavy clouds and rain prevented airmen from giving material assistance during the battle. In spite of the drizzle, however, several flying craft did get over the lines late in the day. They contributed somewhat to the success of the advance, notwithstanding the low visibility. Flying low above the German lines they launched heavy gusts of machine gun fire on the forces north of the tangled wire defenses. The roads, woods and fields over which the men fought were softened by the long rains and progress was difficult. No where, however, was there any apparent reduction in the spirits of the men. (Continued on Page Eight)

NEXT SATURDAYTHE LAST DAY Will you heed the call for help ? "The White House, October 14. "The reply of the German Government to my note of inquiry dated October 8, gives occasion for me to .say to my fellow countrymen that neither that reply nor.any other recent events have in any way diminished the vital importance of the Liberty loan. "Relaxation now, hesitation now, would mean defeat when victory seems to be in sight; would mean years of war instead of peace upon our terms. "I earnestly request every patriotic American to leave to the Governments of the United States and of the allies the momentousdiscussions initiated by Germany, and to remember that for each man his duty is to strengthen the hands of these Governments and to do it in the most important way now immediately presented by subscribing to the utmost of his ability for bonds of the Fourth Liberty loan. "That loan must be successful, I am sure that the American people will not fail to see their duty and make it successful. "WOODROW WILSON." Any of the Banks in the county will accept your application for bonds up to and including Saturday night.

German U-Boat Warfare Will Reach Climax This Winter, Is Prediction 'By Associated Press AMSTERDAM, Oct. 15. There is good reason to believe that the German submarine warfare will reach a climax during the winter, according to the Rhenish Westphalian Gazette, which says that it will produce an economic crisis of unanticipated dimensions in entente countries.

WILSON'S REPLY SERVES AS SPUR TO LOAN DRIVE Sreat Effort Must Be Made to Raise National Quota in Five Days. (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. The declaration of President Wilson that "relaxation now, hesitation now, would mean defeat when victory seems to be in sight, and the reply of the President to the peace proposals of Germany were expected to act am spur to workers in the campaign . for the fourth Liberty Loan. Nearly half the loan's six billion total remained today to be subscribed and five days of the campaign remained. This led officials to emphasize that the success of America's greatest war loan can only be achieved by the most strenuous efforts. Subscriptions to the loan as reported by the twelve federal reserve banks last night totalled $2,798,419,950. Unreported subscriptions to the close of business last night were estimated as swelling the total to approximately three billion dollars. With such a showing bond sales for the next five days must be at a rate of nearly a billion dollars a day. While the St. Louis district was leading in percentage of quota raised with 78 per cent, reports from the Minneapolis district early today indicated that district had suscribed its allotment and would be the first to be reported offiially over the top. The Atlanta - and Philadelphia districts I early today were the low distrits, eah with 35 per ent. of its quota raised. Now Huns Want to Save Towns (By Associated Press) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 15 The German government has proposed to France that in common with her allies France undertake to refrain from bombarding large towns of northern France and enter into an agreement with Germany to permit at any rate a portion of the population of Valenciennes to pass into the French lines, says an official statement from Berlin. The Berlin government in making this proposal, represented itself as un able to prevent the eastward flight of the population of Valenciennes, owing to their fear that the allies would bombard the town. The proposal was made through the Swiss government. American Picket Forms Guard for President Poincaire at St Mihiel (By Associated Press) PARIS, Monday, Oct. 14. President Poincaire visited the Argonne front Sunday. Verdun is still being bomguns, but the president went to St. Mihiel by the railroad through the Mm viipv whieh haH hPPn nut nf commission for four years The president congratulated the peo-1 pie 01 01. mimei un uieir uui;eSs '" i a c4. nr:i.:ni . u .1. 1 . I conecalin 120,000 francs in gold for four years in spite of the German threats This money was handed over to the French treasury as soon the American forces had occupied the town during the offensive early in September. An American picket formed the guard of honor for the president durin gthe ceremonies in the St. Mihiel city hall square.

UNCOMPROMISING TERMS OF SURRENDER PLACED BEFORE GERMANY BY PRESIDENT Enemy's Cry of "Kanierad" Answered by Note of Wilson Insisting That Atrocities Cease and That There Be no Dealings With Autocracy Austria Anxiously Awaits Response to Her Peace Proposal President's Reply Received by France and England. GERMAN PEACE OFFER CAUSED BY HINDENBURG

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 Military officials here are almost unitedly of the opinion that Germany has not yet been brought to the point where she will accept the president's decision of yesterday and seek an armistice on the terms laid down. On the contrary, they think the military element still in control will hold up the president's communication to the German people as proof of their contention that their enemies are determined to bring about destruction of the nation and do not desire any peace short of that. Then they will continue the retreat of their armies on the western front in their hope that an early winter will find them behind shorter and very much more powerful lines of defense, close to the German border but still on her enemies' soil. The supreme war council in Paris has considered the program to be followed when the time does come for cessation of hostilities. It also is said to have been considering plans for dealing with the Balkan provinces, the Russian border states, and Finland in the event Germany should undertake to evacuate those territories. Ample precautions will be taken to guard against an outbreak of Bolshevikism and anarchy.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 It was Field Marshall von Hindenburg himself and not the supposedly pacifist premier, Prince Maximilian, who caused the German government to accept President Wilson's peace terms and seek an armistice, according to advices which reached Washington today through official sources by way of a neutral country.

BASEL, Monday, Oct. 14 America's failure to respond to the Austrian peace note has produced a painful impression in Austria, according to a Vienna dispatch to the Frankfort Gazette. It is not known what this silence means and the public is asking if President Wilson is not indicating sentiment little favorable toward the Austrian monarchy.

REPLY REACHES LONDON LONDON, Oct. 15. The text of President Wilson's reply to the German peace offer, received through press channels, was placed in the hands of the members of the British government early this morning. The council met shortly after 11 o'clock to consider the president's response. "The German autocracy must go" is the heading placed over President Wilson's reply to the German peace note in the Liberal Star which like most of the liberal newspapers considers this one of the first conditions of peace with the central powers. PARIS. Oct. 15. President Wilson's reply to Germany was given to the public in extra editions of the afternoon papers published at noon today. It immediately became absorbing topic of discussion in all public places. The tone of the sentiment was distinctly favorable to the reply. The prevailing note being one of jubilation. ONLY ABSOLUTE SURRENDER WASHINGTON. Oct. 15. Unconditional surrender by Germany was the interpretation put on President Wilson's answer to the German plea for peace by both American and allied ! ""ary officials here. Only by absoI Inln 1 .1 I J .1.. j u" c"u' 7vT . Vn ." emv now prevent the terminating evij dence of his defeat invasion of Ger-Thar-a is no doubt among officials that .nnntr nr lator -fll h. -,,,, f ' be compelled to accept these uncom promising terms. The German army is being pounded to death In the field, they declared, and the only thing Germany can hope to save from the wreckage is to prevent the war betng carried across her border. And that can be accomplished only at the price of putting herself as utterly at the mercy of the victors as did Bulgaria. Military opinion appeared to be in full agreement that in enunciating the policy that absolute safeguards and guarantees of the "present mill-! tary supremacy" of America and allied forces must control any armistice agreement. President Wilson had placed it beyond the power of Gerj many to reap any benefit from an inj sincere move toward peace. Question of Agencies Up. "The question of the agencies to be employed in framing armistice conditions naturally will come up only when Germany has complied frith the president's other requirements. It seemed probable to officers, however, that the military board of the supreme war council at Versailles would be the natural agency. The council itself 13 composed only of the premiers 1 of the allied nations and President Wilson. The military and all other boards of the council, are advisory only and their recommendations must be ratified by the council to become effective. ::-: Without question Marshal Foch, the supreme commander, and the field commanders. Generals Petain, Haig, i Pfrshlnff finrl Tiiov wmilil ha full v snn. 'suited and resulting definite terms of

surrender in all probability would be at once ratified and laid before Germany as the only price for respite from attack. The general elements of the terms appear to all officers. It was pointed out that it was the situation of today at the front that constituted the supremacy of which the president speaks,- the situation which must be adequately safeguarded. As competent military judges see that situation, the German army is in deepeiate straits, particularly for man-power. There also is striking evidence of waning morale. Stiffen Resistance. With the shortage of man-power to meet, it was said that the German general staff has logically decided upon shortening its lines to Increase the resisting power of its reduced forces. To accomplish a scientific retreat, however, the lines in the rear must be prepared, organized and equipped in advance and reserve troops must be installed in those lines to receive and check the shock of enemy pursuit after the retreating forces have passed through to rest and reorganize in the rear. Under the terrific and never-ceasing hammering of the allied armies, however, they have no time to arrange for withdrawal on the scale necessary to meet their shrinking forces. Many officers have feared that by some diplomatic trickery, the enemy would secure enough time to fall back on the Rhine, shorten his lines, redistribute his forces, reconstitute his stocks of guns and munitions and prepare for a long defensive battle. President Wilson's reply has shown the enemy, it was said, that this program no longer is possible to him. He must fight it out now or surrender. One allied officer, summarizing the situation, said: "Just as we had the feeling last March of being always 4S

1 "uu.ia lw iaie . "" iaettn,e lowartt hours too late to stop the drive toward nw enemy aommatea d.v De, poer aVQ continuity .or our atlacKS- ,s no longer succeeding in nning the gaps. But while in March our forces were constantly increasing, to day those of the enemy decrease.' Nation Crying "Kamerad." To safeguard this hard won supremacy, it was said drastic measures would be required in case of an armistice. Should Germany as a nation cry "Kamerad" it must be treated in the military view substantially as the individual German soldier who surrenders it treated; it must be disarmed and guarded. Disarmament of a nation means demobilization. To prevent any possibility of remobilization. military necessity would require al lied occupation of strategic points of communication. To insure suppression of submarines, occupation of submarine bases also would be essential. Guarding in this sense would mean absolute control of the military approaches to German, Belgium, and the way to the Rhine valley. The great rortifled zone of Metx-Thionville erected by the German as an offensive threat on the French border, at the (Continued on Page Eight)