GERMAN OFFENSIVE |
ON WESTERN FRONT
TEMPEST OF RAGING FIRE
ON A FIFTY MILE LINE.
German Guns Make Savage At
tack on British Forces and
Penetrate Front Lines at
Heavy Cost to Themselves.
Germans Use Gas Shells.
Attack Began at Five O'clock
Thursday Morning and Five
Hours later Launched Against
Front Line.
(News and Observer, 22nd.)
British Army Headquarters in
France, March 21 ? (Afternoon)
? The Germans this afternoon
launched a heavy attack against
the British lines over a wide
front in and near the Cambrai
sector and the assault bears all
the ear-marks of being the be
ginning of the enemy's much
heralded grand offensive.
Hard figthing is proceeding
from a point north of Lagnicourt
southward to Gauchwood, just
below Gouzeacourt. The attack
was preceded by a heavy bom
bardment from guns of all cali
bres, and the duel between the
opposing heavy batteries has
been rocking the countryside
for hours.
The Germans have employed
gas shells freely, and a constant
stream of high velocity shells
has been breaking with fright
ful concussion far back of the
British lines.
The bombardment began in
earnest at 5 o'clock this morning
and about 5 hours later the ene
my force hurled themselves on
the British front line trenches
north of Lagnicourt and Louver
al, the latter place lying due
west of Boursies.
At the same tinje other Ger
man forces advanced behind a
smoke barrage along the ridge
running northward from Gou
zeaucourt. It may be said that
the attack in this region was by
no means unexpected by the
British and that they made great
preparations to meet the on
slaught.
The two vast forces have been
locked in a bitter struggle over
this wide front for hours. The
bombardment was of a most ter
rific nature, and finally the in
fantry drove forward against
numerous points in the Cambrai
sector. The preliminary bom
bardment had extended from a
point below St. Quentin north to
the river Scrape, and at last re
ports sanguinary fighting was in
progress as far south as the re
gion of Haricourt and as far
north as Bullecourt.
Trying to Drive a Wedge.
The early stages of the battle
would seem to indicate that the
enemy was trying to drive a
wedge on both sides of the Cam
<brai salient and pinch it off. A
keen struggle has been proceed
ing in the neighborhood of Bulle
court and Lagnicourt and south
of the salient near Hargicourt
and Ronssoy.
The British had been looking
for this attack today. Not only
have prisoners declared that yes
terday or today would mark the
beginning of the offensive on
this front, but there were abund
ant signs of an enemy smash
against this sector which was
the scene of the last great bat
tle in the British theatre. That
the Germans were as thoroughly
prepared as possible was well
known and as a consequence the [
British had taken extensive
steps to meet the blow.
It is too early to predict the
outcome of the first few hours
of the struggle, in which vast
forces and every conceivable en
gine probably was employed. On
general principles, however, it
may be stated that the great con
centration of attacking forces
will probably result in the defen
sive line being pushed back in
places. This would merely be
history repeating itself.
This is certain: At no period
has the British war machine
been in such perfect condition.
Never before has there been
higer morale or optimism among
the British troops. The general
impression on the front is in
agreement with that of the Ger
mans ? that this is the decisive
contest of the war. But on the
British side there is no doubt
that the decision will eventually
be in the allies' favor.
Germany is staking every
thing on this play and if the
great attacks fails to break clear
through, it is believed that the
'Germans will be finished for they
have nothing further to offer
except a gradually weakening
defense.
General Haig's Report.
London, March 21. ? Field
Marshal Haig's report from i
British headquarters in France
describes the German offensive
as comprising an intense bom
bardment by the artillery and a
powerful infantry attack on a
front of over 50 miles. Some of
the British positions were pene
trated, but the German losses
are declared to have been excep
tionaly heavy.
MR. STEPHENSON TO SPEAK.
State's Gifted Orator to Speak at Sel
ma on War Savings Stamps and
Why Buy Them. Public Invited.
The citizens of Selma and Johnston
County are to have the privilege of
hearing Mr. Gilbert T. Stephenson, of
Winston-Salem, Director of Service of
the State War Savings Campaign, at 8
o'clock, Monday night, March 25, the
city auditorium.
Mr. Stephenson is one of the State's
best orators. He is giving his entire
time to spreading the gospel of Thrift
and Saving throughout the length and
breadth of North Carolina. He believes
that saving and lending to the Govern
ment now is not only neccssary as a
means of winning the war, but that
thrift and economy must be practiced
and instilled into the life of every in
dividual in order to meet the exigen
cies that are sure to follow after the
war. Mr. Stephenson has n message
that never fails to thrill the hearts
of his hearers.
Speaking cf the benefits to be de
prived from saving and investing in
War Savings Stamps, Mr. Stephenson
says: "To the grown people it will
mean the laying by of something to
live on in old age. Not one person in
four has enough property at his death
to require the service of an adminis
trator. Over 97 per cent of our peo
ple fiO years of age are dependent upon
children or charity for their living
during the remaining years of their
Ives. Grown people will find that to
day's prosperity will probably diminish
after the war, and money invested in
War Savings Stamps will be of great
benefit to them when the war is over.
"To the soldier returning from the
trenches ot the end of the war, the
Savings Stamps will be a means of
enabling him to catch up the broken
threads of life. What a fine thing it
will be for a soldier when he comes
back, to find money ready to enable
him to complete hia education or go
into business!"
To the children of our land War
Savings will mean learning the habit
of Thrift. Saving m.moy or spending
it almost altogether a habit. Encour
age tlie boy to save Irs pennies and
nickles and buy Thrift Stamps, and
he will become a money-save^', and a
money-saving child will grow into a
SMITHFIELD HAS
GONE OVER THE TOP
CHAIRMAN T. S. KAGSDALE
HAPPY OVER THE RESULT
Sends Telegram to State Head
quarters That His Home Town
Has Taken or Pledged to
Take Its Quota of the War|
Savings Stamps. Col. Fries
Wires "Most Hearty Congrat
ulations."
Johnston County has been
asked to buy War Savings
Stamps during the year 1918 to
the amount of $910,822. The
town of Smithfield is asked to
buy $29,G34 worth of War
Savings this year. The county
has not yet reached her quota,
but, the town of Smithfield has.
That is the people of the town
have already bought and pledged
beyond what was asked of them.
Chairman Ragsdale is very
happy over the result and yes
terday afternoon sent Col .F. H.
Fries, at Winston-Salem, State
Director of War Savings Cam
paign, the following telegram:
"With sale of Stamps and
pledges worth one hundred cents
on the dollar Smithfield goes
"over the top" by a thousand
dollars and pledges still coming
in. Will double our quota by
December 31st."
Col. Fries wired back to Mr.
Ragsdale at once this message:
"Most hearty congratulations
on having first town in the State
to report full quota. Your wire
most encouraging." ?,
After Mr. Ragsdale sent
his message to Col. Fries two
or three more men joined the
Thousand Dollar Limit Club. So
Smithfield is three or four
thousand dollars beyond the
quota fixed for this town.
Chairman Ragsdale has been at
work vigorously this week and
is greatly encouraged over the
result. He now feels like there
will be no trouble in carrying
Johnston County over the top
before the last?day of the year.
FUNERAL OF MISS EMMA ROSE.
Held In Selma Sunday With a Large
Crowd Attending. Her Tragic
Death (ireatly Deplored.
Selma, N. C., March 20. ? The fun
eral of Miss Emma Rose, who was
shot by Ernest Crocker on March
11th, was held at the Selma Baptist
church last Sunday morning at 11
o'clock. The funeral services were
conducted by Rev. Carles E. Stevens,
of Four Oaks, her former pastor, as
sisted by Rev. C. K. Proctor.
Miss Rose was shot by Ernest
Crockcr, a former sweetheart, on the
street near her home, as she was re
turning home from her duties in the
telephone exchange, at 7:00 o'clock on
Monday night, March 11th. She lived
until Friday evening, March 15th,
when death relieved the intense suffer
ings she had endured siYicc the trage
dy. All the possible medical and sur
gical aid was given her without any
avail.
She was the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. A. J. Rose, and was a girl that
was loved by all her acquaintances.
She had been a faithful member and
an earnest worker in the Selma Bap
tist church for a number of years. She
was a member of the Fidelis Class in
the Sunday school of this church and
organist for the Sunday School. She
worked in the local telephone ex
change, and was a favorite among
the girls in the office, and was often
thrifty, industrious, prosperous and
patriotic citizen."
A rare treat is in store for the peo
ple of fciis community on this occasion
and no one should rniss hearing Mr.
Stephenson. His addresses are always
full of povrer and patriotism, and he
hr;s the ability to transmit it to his
audience.
COMMITTEE TO HOLD
MEETING MONDAY
GILHERT STEPHENSON
COMING TO SMITHFIELD
New Interest Being Taken in the
War Savings Campaign in
Johnston County. Chairman
ltagsdale Appeals to County
With Mr. Stephenson.
One of the livest men engaged in
the work of the War Savings Stamps
campaign in the State is Mr. Gilbert
T. Stephenson, of Winston-Salem. Mr.
Stephenson is able to explain tho
meaning of W. S. S. in a way that
makes the words live before you. He
is coming to Johnston County next
Monday and will meet with the Ex
ecutive committee and the other com
mittees at Smithfield at three o'clock
Monday afternoon. Chairman Rags
lale is very desirous of having as
many members of the committee as
possible meet and hear Mr. Stephen
son. To this end he has sent each mem
ber of the County Committees the fol
lowing letter:
''The State office of War Savings
plan is sending Mr. Gilbert T. Steph
enson, field secretary, to Smithfield
on Monday, March 25th, to hold a con
ference with all the committees. This
I meeting will be held in the court
house at three o'clock. As your
chairman, 1 have been very desirous
to get Mr. Stephenson to this county
for such a meeting and trust that you
will do Mr. Stephenson and myself
the kindness to be present.
"The sale of War Savings in this
county is far below most of the coun
ties in the State, but we feel that if
you will meet Mr. Stephenson here
Monday, we will be able to lay some
plan by which we can increase the
sale of stamps in this county, and take
ov r place in the forefront where John
ston belongs.
"Lry as de yt ur business for one af
ternoon, and give that time to your
government, so that you will be bet
ter prepared to further the sale of
stamps in this county."
There is a new interest being tak
en in the War Savings campaign
since the Governor spoke here last
Saturday. Several men have joined
the "Limit Club" and the town of
Smithfield has gone "over the top"
with its quota. This is good news to
the remainder of the county. If Smith
field can go across, the remainder of
the county can come over too.
Mayor I'.aton, ef Winston-Salem,
will spoil; in Clayton tonight and at
Kenly tomorrow at eleven o clock.
Mr. Giloert Stephenscr. will speak in
S'elma Monday night. With theie good
speakers coming among us and with
? he good work of the committees
Johnston will soon si and in a place
where shj can lioii* up her head with
any of the counties.
A Correction.
In our write-up of the death of Mr,
Walter M. Ives in Tuesday's Herald,
our memory played us false for the
time being and made us say that Mr.
Ives married Miss Cora McCullers,
when we should have said Miss Cora
Nowell. She was the daughter of the
late Rev. W. C. Nowell, who was a well
known Raptist preacher and pastor of
the Smithfield Baptist church r.bout
twenty-five years ago.
praised for her excellent services by
the Chief Operator. The other opera
tors marched behind her casket to the
church Sunday morning, bearing
many beautiful wreaths of flowers,
that were silent tokens of love and
sympathy.
The floral designs were many and
beautiful. The local telephone opera
tors sent a design, and wreaths were
sent by the operators in the offices at
Raleigh, Greensboro ,and Henderson,
and also an especially beautiful de
sign from the Fidelia Sunday School
class, besides numerous designs from
individuals.
The church was crowded to its ca
pacity, as Rev. Chas. E. Stevens
stood behind the flower banked cas
ket, and spoke the words of sympa
thy and cheer to the sorrowing rela
tives and friends that had gathered.
The remains were interred in the city
?emetery immediately after the fun
eral, and the largest crowd attended
that had been present in Selma ft a
funeral in many years.
COUNTY SCHOOL MEETING.
About Forty School Folks Gath
er at Selma to Discuss the
County W ide Election for Pub
lic Schools. Meeting Followed
by Delightful Luncheon.
The campaign for the county-wide
election for the purpose of voting a
special tax for the public schools in
Johnston County was launched at a
meeting held in the Selma Graded
School building last Friday afternoon
when about forty educational leaders
and teachers met at the call of Mr. M.
C. Winston to discuss the proposition.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr. Winston who told in a few words,
eloquent for their truth and brevity,
something of the situation in Johnston
County in regard to the great need for
more money for schools. Supr. Moser
was called on to further explain the
object of the meeting. Mr. Moser told
of the rising cost of living and the
stationary salaries of the public school
teachers that were never too much at
the best and in most cases far too lit
tle even under the old conditions.
Mr. W. G. Wilson, Chairman of the
County Board of Education, told of the
situation confronting the Board, and of
the imperative need for more money
for the schools or see them suffer,
and said that the only way open was
to call a special election and vote more
taxes, or ask the County Commission
ers to levy a special tax. Of the two
the Board preferred to have the elec
tion and this has been called for Tues
day, April UOth. Supt. L. T. Royall
spoke briefly agreeing with Mr. Wil
son and emphasizing all that Mr. Win
ston and Mr. Moser had said. Others
were called on and responded briefly,
all agreeing that the only way to
keep the schools going and keep them
efficient was to vote more money to
help them along. Among those who
made remarks on the subject were:
Supt. Cates, of Clayton, Supt. Andrews
of Kenly, Supt. Pope, of Wilson's
Mill's Mills, Supt. Marrow, of Smith
field, Mrs. Lucas, Principal of Four
Oaks School, and the Editor of The
Herald.
Upon motion a resolution was un
animously carried pledging the most
earnest support of those present to
the movement for carrying ihe elec
tion in the county and Supt. Andrews,
of Kenly, was instructed to put the
resolution in fitting language and have
same published. This resolution was
published in The Smithfield Herald
if or March tfft, ~
hollowing the discussion which was
most hearty and unamicus on the one
question in which all are interested
Supt. Moser invited all to repair to
the Domestic Science rooms where a
most palatable four-course luncheon
was served by Miss Paris and the mem
bers of her Domestic Science class. To
one and all it was one of the most en
joyable features of a most delightful
occasion. It would have been most
pleasing to Mr. Hoover had he been
present. The luncheon was given by
Mr. M. C. Winston, Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of the Sclma Pub
lic Schools, and prepared and served
under the direction of Miss Paris,
the popular and efficient Domestic
Science teacher. Upon motion a ris
ing vote of thanks was tendered Mr.
Winston and Miss Paris. The educa
tional interests of the county have no
better friend tl.an Mr. Winston.
The meeting was a very enjoyable
one and one that will give added stim
ulus to the educational interests of
Johnston County. If more of these
meetings could be held at the different
schools in the county it would be worth
to them as a whole than are the "eut
and dried" programs sometimes given
at the teachers' meetings. The "get
together spirit" was manifest and
every one present showed an earnest
ness in the coming educational elec
tion that spelled success in big letters.
Russian advices indicate that the
Bolsheviki, while preparing to give up
Petrograd without a struggle, are se
riously concerned over Moscow, fear
ing they may have to evacuate the an
cient capital as well as the more mod
ern one. The movements of Teutonic
troops eastward are conBidtrrcl so
menacing as to threaten the isola
tion of Moscow, where the Bolshevik
government has been established and
talk is heard of moving th" govern
ment anew, possibly to Nizhni Nov
gorod. or even to Karatoff, more than
400 miles to the southeast.
When in doubt about how to in
vest your surplus money, hesitate no
longer, but buy War Savings Stamps.
MR. PAGE SOUNDS A
NOTE OF WARNING
Jl'DGE F. H. BROOKS ALSO
REMINDS THE PUBLIC
That Millers and Merchants Are
Liable to Indictment for Sell
ing Articles of Food for I'se
By Blockaders in Making
Whiskey, (iood Citizens Called
on to Aid.
Hon. Henry A. Page, U. S. Food
Administrator for North Carolina,
has dropped a bomb into the camp
| of blockaders and those merchants and
i millers who have been supplying block
jaders with food products. Mr. Page's
j statement covering the matter was
characteristically short and sweet,
Here it is:
"To use food products, sugar, corn
meal, molasses and the like in the
manufacture of blockade whiskey, rum,
etc. is clearly a wilful waste of food
and as such is punishable under the
Lever Act. It is also unlawful for
merchants or millers to sell these
products to such persons or in such
quantities as make it appear roasona
1 bly certain that they are to be used in
the manufacture of illicit intoxicants.
"The Federal Food Administration
| for North Carolina gives notice that
|it will take prompt and drastic action
when evidence can be secured that
any merchant and miller has offended.'
There are a great many blockaders
in Johnston County who are using
sugar, meal, molasses, yeast, etc. in
the manufacture of block: de whiskey,
"monkey-rum," etc., and the mer
chants who sell them are reasonably
sure of the purpose for which it is
going to be used. Both the buyer and
the seller lay themselves liable to
prosecution under the Lev r Act and
also t;> be penalized by the Food Ad
ministration putting such persons on
the black list and forbidding the sale
to them of such food products for the
period of the war or such shorter
time as the Food Administration may
decide upon. From the above article
it will be noted that the Food Admin
istrator "will take prompt and drastic
action" against violators of this order.
Those persons buying such products
and th.- merchants selling him such
had better take notice and put a stop
to it immediately. If they will not
desist from a patriotic standpoint
then they had better d? so from a fear
of criminal prosecution in the U. S.
Courts. I call on all good citizens of
Johnston County to assist me in the
detection and conviction of all persons
buying and seeling food products to be
manufactured into bockade whiskey,
etc.
F. H. BROOKS,
County Food Administrator.
MAYOR EATON TO BE AT KENLY
To Speak in the School Auditorium
Saturday at Eleven O'clock on the
War and Patriotism.
Among- the men of the State who
are giving of their time and energy to
the War Savings campaign Mayor O.
B. Eaton, of Winston-Salem, is one of
whose words are telling for the work.
He is busy hut ho is willing to do
what he can to carry on the great
work. To win the war is the slogan of
the day and every man who gives of
his time and his energies is doing
something to win in the groat fight.
Mayor Eaton will be in Johnston
County today and tomorrow to give
his voice in the cause for which his
townsman, Col. Fries, is working so
hard. Mayor Eaton will speak in the
School Auditorium at Clayton, tonight.
Tomorrow, (Saturday) Mr. Eaton will
speak in the School Auditorium at
Kenly. The people of Kenly and com
munity should hear him. He is a fine
speaker ^nd is throwing his heart in
the work. It has been suggested that
the merchants and business men of
Kenly may close their places of busi
ness during the speaking hour.
We ar^ in a great fight and every
time we stop and lend our aid in any
way to the carrying on of the war we
are doing that much toward crushing
German autocracy.
First awards of the new American
military cross for meritorious service
by American soldiers are announced
by General Perishinpr. The men hrnor
ed are a lieutenant and two sergeant*,
who receive the decoration for extra
ordinary heroism in action.