Newspapers / The News & Observer … / Sept. 17, 1918, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
4 y WEATHER Piii u4 coolw Mt par. Bm Taesday and at night Im east portion. Wednesday fair. rest iitii.: Korth CarcII: 0 N VOL CVIIL NO. 79. RALEIGH, N. C, TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMEER 17, 1918. PRICE: nvEci:,i W 2 SENTENCES WESON REJECTS "PEACE" OFFEI .11 t 1 !V 'Jl 1.8 I CONFERENCE NEEDED TO DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY SETTLED , Secretary of State Lansing An- Ill C .( Ilnnlo Sam's Reply To Aus trian Offer ; ' , REPLY SPEAKS FOR ALL BfLTHE ALLIED NATIONS, WTTHQUT HESITAIlUri Quickness of Response Adds Emphasis To The Decision That There Is Ho Disposi tion in America To Consider a "Negotiated Peace"; Se-ec7iI-TheJPxoposed -Discussion" Was Especially Objectionable To Washing ton, It Is Stated; Specula tions (Kv The Associated Press.) Washington, Sept. 16,The United States government will definitely and emphatically re ject the proposal of the Aus-tro-Hungarian government for a peace discussion. This-was announced tonight by Secre tary Lansing, with the author ity of President Wilson after he had read the official text of the proposal. Mr. Lansing made this state ment: "I am authorized by the President to state that the fol lowing will be the reply of this government to the Austro Hungarian note proposing an unofficial conference , of belli' erents : ' Settled in Two Sentences. " 'The Government of the United States feels that there is only one reply which it can I make to the suggestion of the .Imperial Austro-Hungarian government. It has repeatedly and with entire candor stated the terms upon which the United States would consider peace and can and will enter tain no proposal for a confer ence upon a matter concerning which it has made its position and purpose so plain. The I nited Mates, as was lully ex pected, has unconditionally rejected Germany's peace feeler. In doing so the government has spoken for all the co-belligerents. Almost immediately after receiving the Austrian govern ment's note, from the minister from Sweden, Mr. Ekengrcn, Secretary Lan sing tonight issued the above formal statement. No Hesitation. Mr. Lansing's statement was given out within half an hour after lie had re ceived the Austrian proposal. It would have been forthcoming almost imme diately upon the delivery of the Aus trian note had It not been found neees. . . snry in order to avoid tne possibility of grave, error to make a careful com parison between the official text and that which was received in news dis patches last night from Amsterdam. - Thus emphasis was added to the dec lination, if any were needed, the quick ness of the, reply indicating the exist ence of no shadow of doubt in the auind of the administration as to what ft should be. Aa soon as Mr. Lansing's reply can be put in form it will be handed to the Swedish minister for transmission to Austria. The Swedish legation notified the Stat Department ' early in the after noon that it bad received the note and that it would be presented as soon as it rould be decoded and translated from the-French. This consumed several hours and it was not until 6:20 o'clock that Mr, Ekengren Appeared. He re- mained with the Secretary only two minute. ' Jim Soon For Discission. There is some reason to believe that the Secretary acted with this, unpre- eedented promptness in a matter of such great import with the design not only to indicate clearly the position of the United States government but per haps to anticipate and prevent aa far possible newspaper discussions of the Austrian proposition, which might convey to the enemy a misleading im pression that there was any consider' able element in the United States will iag to consider a negotiated peace, such s the "non-binding" discussions, pro posed by Austria, might develop. Also it is understood there was a pur no to sound the not which the en' tents powers might repeat in making their own answers. All these powers had gone on record formally as accept ing the conditions of peace laid down ry president iimvn mm tueir own, ' Secrecy Proposed Waa Objectionable. While so reference to it was made in tha reply which the United States gov ernment is making to 'Austria, it is known that one of th most objection (Cealiaacd on Pas fUaJ Digest of Day's War Hews -; (By The Associated Press..) The United States has turned its back on the Austro-Hungarian pence pro posal. Secretary Lansing by authoriza tion of President Wilson announced that the United States "can and will en tertain no proposal for a conference upon a matter concerning which it has made its position and purpose so plain." The British Secretary of foreign Af faires Mr Balfoar, has also stated, though, unofficially, that he was utterly unable to see that such a conference as proposed byAustira conld have the de r.ired end, adding: "It is incredible that anything can come of this pro posal." r- r ; " While the German newspaper com ment on the proposal is as if Germany had no part in it, the Vienna aewsps- pcrs declare emphatically that all of Austria! allies had been informed of Austria's intention, though the action itself was Austria-Hungary's own. Meanwhile in the various theaters of the war. the fighting is going on stead ily and with added impetus in Mace donia, where the reconstituted Serbian army, co-operating with French forces, have stormed three strongly fortified positions and occupied Vetrenik, D.ib- ropolje and Hokal, considered the most important part of the Macedonian front. : ' British-Greek Offensive. Farther east on the JDbiran-Vardar front the first and second line Bulgar ian positions have been captured by the Allies over a ten-mile section. This successful operation, according to Mr. Balfour, who announced it at a recep tion of the Greek delegation in London is "the prelude to an important offen sive bringing greater triumphs, in which the British and Greek troops would take an equal and glorious part. F reach Troops Advance. Frem-h troops, in their advance to ward the Chimin dca Dames have gain- ed two-thirds of a mile on a two and a half mil iroul.JMUihal and, -east of 8a ney, where they eaptared nn addi tional six hundred prisoners. American and German patrols are do in it the major part of the work on the Lorraine front, but there are reports of a possible great attack by ono side or the other in the Vosges. In that nioun tninous territory the artillery fire has developed great intensity and hostile airplanes have been unusually active. Good Airplane Work. All reports indicate a marked in crease? in the work of the airplanes along all the fronts. The Germans, who quite recently appeared to lack ade quwteTair forces have now sent aug- mented forces into the sir and there Jiave been numerous engagements. As an illustration of the severity of the fighting the flritish airmen on Sunday accounted for 07 German planes, while they themselves reported sixteen miss ing. New Allies Coming In. While the Czechoslovaks have been courageously and successfully carry ing on the war against the Bolsheviki, steps have, been taken looking to the organization of a Polish division, un der Polish officers, to wage the fight in Siberia westward to their fatherlaad rs integral units in the American army. It is estimated that 100,000 trained men can be made available at once in the regions of Harbin, Nikolsk and Vlad ivostok. ANNOUNCEMENT MADE OF P. 0. APPOINTMENTS Washington, Sept. 16. Following ap pointments of fourth class postmasters has been announced: Penaacela, William I. Parnell. . Following rural carriers have been appointed : Davidson, Charles B. Armstrong and Charles M. Uenkle. OBJECTS TO BREAKING DOWN OF DENOMINATIONAL LINES. (By 8. B, WINTERS.) Washington, Sept. 18. Dr. Livingston Johnston, editor of the Biblical Record er, takes a degree of exception to the recent pronouncement of the War De partment indicating that denomina tional lines would be obliterated in the military camps. He writes Senator Simmons:. "You see there is an expressed nur pose on the part of an official of the government to use the powerful ma chinery of the government to blot out denominational distinction." The ut terance of the War Department was to tha effect that "the whole trend and whole desire of the department is in the interest of breaking down rather than emphasizing; denominational dis tinction. BRITISH PREMIER APPEALS TO TEXTILE MILL 8TRIKERS. (By The Associated Press.) London, Sept, 16. Greatly concerned over the cotton strike, Premier Lloyd George tonight from his sick, bed, is sued aa appeal to ths strikers to return to work and leave the decision in the matters under dispoteKto the govern sent after aa inquiry by a speejal tri bnnal, to be immediately appointed. Twe Army Aviators Killed. , (By The Associated Press.) ' New York, . Hept. 16. Lieutenant Charles Kcnney, Jr., of Atoka. Tenn and E. H. Austin, of Boston, were killed when an army airplane from the Min eola aviation field, crashed to earth in the Flatbuih section of Brooklyn, today, FOR AIIOTHER BLOW Against Enemy Lines Momen tarily As An Answer To "Peace" Offer WILL HIT HIM IN MANY PLACES ABOUT SAME TIME Both XComin' and A-Owine,' The Attacks Are Expected to Be Delivered in Flanders (By The Associated Tress.) Washington, Sept. 16. Another blew against the German lines as an answer to the peace proposal of the Central Powers is expected momentarily by military officials here. The poisi of the- expected attack is a matter of wide speculation by officers. Several simultaneous attacks will be de livered.it is thought, with the Flanders front, the French operations about La Fere directed at Laoa and the new American front across the mouth of the old St. Mihiel salient as the logical po sitions from which Marshal Foch would strike. It has been significant to some offi ccrs that the British have not pressed very heavily on the front between Vpres and Douai. North of 'Ypres there has been only one miner operation by the Belgians since the Allied counter offensive began. Where Next Blew May Fall. British attention has been concen trated to a large extent on clearing np to the Douai-Cambrai-St. Quentin, front and many observers here believe the lines have been straightened sufficiently along this sector now for a new move ment to the north. It has been noted, however, that British artillery has been pounding the German lines west of Cam brai with special vigor recently which may be the prelude to a direct drive for the capture of that city. New Movement Along the Aisne. Since the French are slowly making their way to a flanking position which would force the Germans to withdraw from the Chemin Des Dames line pro tecting Laon, some officers believe a new . movement along the Aisne and probably extending to the east of Bheims is to be anticipated. It is pointed out that should the Germans be forced to withdraw from the Chemin des Dames, a swift advance from the Rheims front would tend. to outflank the whole enemy line from that point to Verdun. Pershing Keeps His Own Ceansel. There is no information of an offi cial character as to General Pershing's present operations. The greatest reti- enec apparently is being enforced en press correspondents in discussing the tactical disposition of the American army at this time and to observers here this suggests that preparations for a new advance are well under way. The logical objective it is held, would be occupation of fhe Briey iron fields and an effort to eneircle MeU from the west. If General Pershing is moving. toward that goal now, it is said, a joint attack by his army and the French army hold ing the Verdun front would be a prob able development. Such an action would be over a very extended front, how. ever and some further reconnaissance of the enemy's positions on the imme diate American front may be necessary before it can be undertaken. But Black Jack'a Slogan la "Speed. Tactics employed by General Persh ing in clearing op-the1 Bt. MihieT salient, in the view of officers here, show that the American commander has determ ined that maximum speed is essential to military success. He hurled forward his troops last week at an unprecedent ed, pace and it waa this rush which swept the German defenders off their feet and gave them no opportunity for even an organized rear guard action. It is, therefore, argued that General Persh ing may be expected to press his vie tory without delay and to rush the enemy in his new lines as soon as com munication systems, can be organized across the captured territory. COTTON PRICE-FIXING CONFERENCE TODAY Cotton States Law Makers Arrange To Take Up Mat ter With President ; (By the Associated Press.) Washington, , Sept. 16. Protest against any steps being taken by the government looking to the fixing of cotton prices are to be made tomorrow to President Wilson by committees ap pointed lor inai purpose py confer ences of southern Senators and Repre sentatives last Saturday. Other en gagements prevented the President from seeing them todsy. Thia action resulted from the state ment made publie last week by Presi dent Wilson upholding a plan announc ed earlier by Chairman Baruch of the War Industries Board providing for ap pointment of committee composed of three persons ro investigate the cotton situation and to fix prices if necessary , Senators and Representatives declare no anthority nnder the, law gives gov ernment officials snch power. Arraagementa of the conference with the President were made by Senator Smith, of South Carolina, who is chair man of the Senate Committee, Senator Robinson, of Arkansas, in a conference with the President late today, called at tention to the harm that will corns from such action and opposed any effort that is to be made to fix the price for the JLpreseut mod. BIBB' IE DAM NEEDS ft Protest Against Enticing Them Away Registered at Washington .. ABERNETHY SUCCEEDS TO JOB HELD BY SCHULTZ Against Whom Charges of Dis loyalty Were Lodged With District Attorney (Special Leased Wire.) By S, R. WINTERS Washington, Sept. 16. W. W. Xcal, of Marion, McDowell ronnty, who is special representative of the United Stares Fuel Administration, came to Washington to day to register protest against the en ttceihent of tabor from Western" North Carolina by the Iu Pont Engineering Company to v lrginia. He stated that $4.80 a day was being offered common labor. "The completion of the dam of the Southern Power Company near Bridge wafer will mean a saving of thousands of tons of coal by the substitution of water for electric power," aaid Mr. Neal. Labor agents are interfering with the execution of this work, which enterprise would otherwise be completed this year. Aberaethy sseceeds Schslti. F. P. Abernethy, of Hickory, has been named as a successor to George B. Schultz in the capacity of chief of rail way mail clerks on the Greensboro di vision of the Southern .Railway. "I put Schultz out because I wanted a Demo crat in his place and you may quote me as saying so," said Henator Lee H. Over man today. "I told him so," said the junior Senator, after a conference with Schultz this morning. The Greensboro man has been offered a place in Ver mont, but indicated to the Senator that he would probably decline the offer. -Notwithstanding the persistent denials of a Washington correspondent to Greensboro Taper that no disloyalty charges have been preferred against Schultz, the records in the office of United States Distrirt Attorney William C. Hammer will prove the untruthful ness of bis statement. The Depart ment of Justice in Washington has beea requested to investigate the case of the railway mail clerk. Likewise letter has beea received in Washington from a prominent Republican and well known Greensboro citizen stating that the charges had been preferred and urged hire to get behind the allega tions and push them. , Judge Biggs "Strikes Oil" Again. Ex-Judge J. Crawford Bigrs. of Ra leigh, has been in Washington in con ference with the Attorney General of the Lnited States relative to nrenar ing the brief and presenting a case to the supreme court from California in oil lands. This case is apart from the litigation which was recently conduct ed by the Raleigh lawyer, and he will prepare the case in his office in Ra lcigh. STATES REPORTED Only 16 States Announced Of ficially and N. C. Is Not Among Them (By Tho Associated Tress.) Washi ngton, Sept, 16. Complete re turn from the registration last Thnrs day in 16 States and the District of Co lumbia of men between the ages of 18 and 43 years were received today Jy Frovost Marshal General Crowdcr. They showed a total of 3 3M,62 men as against the estimate of 33267 and waa announced officially that they do not justify the assumption that the re turns from the entire country will show an enrollment vsry greatly iu excess of the estimate of 13,000,000. In six of the states, the total regis tration fell below the estimate, hut in ten of them exceeded it. District of Columbia registered 22 per pent more than the number estimated for it, due, officials believe to the influx of war workers. Of the states, Vermont's per centage of excess enrollment was the highest, Ming 12 1-2. Registration totals by states, together with the estimate, as announced to night by the Provost Marshal General, are as follows: Registra- State. t ration. Arkansas 187,122 Connecticut .. .......197,420 Delaware 30,03.1 Plst. of Col,. .j, M 52,701 Kstimnte. 108,746 213,329 29.4H9 41.150 1to,940 340.920 287,847 162,090 '483,646 185,715 50,013 ' 405,500 Florida Indiana Iowa . . . . , Maryland ....... Massachusetts . Mississippi New Hampshire New Jersey ... Oklahoma Khode Island .. Utah .., Vermont -. .V. . . ...T. li loss XVtJSSS 280)3 177,(XtH ......475,019 185,105 ..... 52,618 425,136 ' 23H.148 j,l3 52,709 40.8JI7 :27,8H4 71,431 58(63 :;h;ii Wisconsin 3(8fil :6,377 Complete returns from the more pep ulous sections of the country have not yet been received but projections mada on' ths tMtsia of partial totals from those sections indicate that these will not reach the estimate, Officials do not believe any appreciable number of men evaded registration. They ascribe the fluctuations of the actual totals as com pared with the estimate to industrial conditions brought about by the war, which have affected the distribution of REGISTRATION J the male fornlatioa, DRAFT CALLS FOR 181,838 MORE III Who Will Be Sent To Camps in Various States Before October 16 1,374 WHITE TAR HEELS GO TO CAMP SEVIER North Carolina Negro Begis- trants Will Be Entrained for Camp Greene Oct. 16 (By The Associated Fress. Washington, Sept. 16. Draft calls s.n- n on need today by Provost Marshal Gen eral Orowder will send lsllS men qualified for general military service to army camps before October 16. . All States have quotas te 11 Of ths total ltfjOOOjaiH be white registrants who will entrain between October 7 and 11 The remainder will I negroes, who will move in two groups, 29,018 entrainr ing between September and -Z7, and 10.752 on October 16. Men who registered last Thursday may be needed in a few districts to fill quotas, it was said at the Provost -Ma shsl General's office, but in most locali ties sufficient men remain in class 1 from the registrations on last June ! r-nd August 2t to meet the require lnents. Southern States from which the white registrants were call with their number and the camps to which they will go are as follows: Alabama 1.9..K, Camp McClellan, Ala. Florida 44S, Camp Grecnleaf. Georgia 2Ji."9. Camp McClellan and 24K Camp Greenlcaf. Louisiana 1,-ttm, ( amp Travis, Texas. Mississippi 5IW. Camp Travis, 1,0(32 Camp Greenleaf. North Carolina 1,374, Camp Sevier South Carolina 14.1, Camp Sevier, Gift Camp Greenleaf. Tennessee 3.H82, Camp Greenleaf. Virginia 1J4.", Camp Humphreys. Negro registrants will be mobilized on October 16 as follows: Georgia l,r00, Camp Wheeler, Ga. Louisiana 2.19, Camp Travis, Texas . ljouisiana 259, Camp Travis, Texas. Mississippi 1,250, Camp Grant, 111 1,500 Camp Shelby, Miss. North Carolina 2,500, Camp Greene, N. C. Tennessee 1,000, Camp Sherman. Soldiers from other States will be (Contihaed en Page Five.) CITY EDITOR OF NEW YORK WORLD MISSING His Wife Found Dead and Dis- ressing Note ' Beaches Sis Newspaper Friends (By the Associated Press.1 New York, Sept. 18. Mrs. Charles E Chapin, wife of the city editor of the New York Evening World, was found dead with a bnllet wound in her head in the bedroom of the Chapin apartment in the Hotel Cumberland here late todsy, Discovery of Mrs. Chapin's body fol lowed receipt by Don Keitz, business manager of the hvemng World, of a let ter signed "Charles E. Chapin," which the writer hinted at suicide and added : "My wife has lieen such a good pal I cannot leave her alone in the world. The police immediately began search for Mr. Chapin, but np to a late hour tonight he had not been found At the offices of the Lvenmg Worbw it was said that Mr. Chapin has been in failing health for scvefal years and that for the past year be has been eon stantly under the care of a physician Mr. Chapin has been city editor o the Kvening World for twenty years and ia one of the most widely known newspaper men ir. the country, tor tea year before coming to New York he was connected with newspapers under the Pulitzer administration in various other cities, being at one time night citj edi tor of the St. Ixiuis Post-Dispatch. CLl'MST ATTEMPT TO IMITATE PRESIDENT WILSON. London, September 16. Referring to the lack of concerted effort by the Central Powers as empha sized by the von Payer speech and the Austrian npte the foreign secretary Bal four today pointed to the clumsiness of German diplomacy. "The ,German," he added, "excels in direct, simple brutality but when he tried to dress in President Wilson's clothes or tries to act an President Wil son would act, he is clumsy." FUNERAL TODAY OK RAILWAY PRESIDENT J. H. PEYTON. Salem, Va., Sept. 1. The body of John Howe Peyton, late president of the Nashville., - Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad, arrived here this after noon in a special car. It was accom panied by members of the family. Fun eral services will lie conducted at St. Paul's Episcopal church at (I o'clock to morrow morning bylhe Rev. Thomas G. Faulkner, Rector land the Rev. George G. Smeade, arch Meacnn of Mississippi. Interment will lie in Salem cemetery. MISSIONARY CENTENNARY OF M. E. CHTRCH. 801'TII. -(By The Associated Press.) Dulloa. Texas, Sept. 16. Ministers and lavmen. from fifteen conferences Haft officials from twenty-eight local bodies of the Women's Missionary Society are here to attend the Missionary Centen- nary Conference hf the M. K. Church, South, which tomorrow night begins a threc-ilay session in Dallas. Bishop W. N. Answorth, of Austin, Texas, will pfeslde and lr. Wj W, Pinion, general secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis lion, will have an active part, , Another Attack In the Vosges Suggested By Activities of Monday HEADWAY MADE ON E House Approves Surtax Rates cnd Defeats Every Change Proposed INDIVIDUAL INCOME , TAX SECTION TODAY Alsa - Corporation Income - Tax Provision and Possiblj Maj Beach Excess Profits (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Sept. 16. Beginning consideration of amendments to the war revenue bill, the House, in fifteen min utes today approved the greatly in creased normal and surtax rates for in dividuals estimated to yield $1,482,000,- 000 and defeated every change proposed in the draft of this bill as prepared by the Ways and Means committee. After spirited controversy a motion to strike out the provisions extending in come taxation to salaries of the Presi dent, Federal judges and State, county and municipal office holders was de feated. Another controversy developed over the provision to tax interest from fa tare issues of State, county and munic ipal bonds, but a final vote was post poned until tomorrow because of lack of a quorjim. Amendments Defested. An amendment proposed by Kepre scntative Hardy, of Texas, Democrat, to change the basis of calculating prof its from sales of property held by the owner since 1913, also was rejected overwhelmingly after Majority leader Kitchin had declared the principle ad vaaced weald cause a revenue loss of 2,noo,onolooo. Besides voting on the question of taxing income from State, county, and municipal bonds, ths House tomorrow will consider administrative provisions of the individual income tax sections, the corporation income tax provisions and possibly reach the war excess prof its sections. General Rnrprlac. Summary approval today of the nor mal and surtax income rates was a gen eral surprise. There was no discussion proyiiiuBnrTcijiitrg-nrfrTnai of the taxes to 12 per cent and limiting the tax to aix per cent on the first 4,000 and no amendment of the greatly in creased surtax rates was offered. Representatives Montague of Virginia and Walsh, of Massachusetts, led sharp but futile opposition to the clause sub jecting salaries of Federal and State office holders to income taxes. A mo tion by the former to exempt State, county and municipal officials, whom, he declared Congre3 has no power to tax was defeated 72 to 32, while Rep resentative Walsh's motion to exempt salaries of the President and Federal judiciary was voted down, 77 to 17. The section providing that income from State, county and municipal bonds issued in the future, with a personal exemption of interest on total holdings of VKKI, """'I I considered gross tn- come in calculating income taxes, was attacked on the grounds both of wis-' dom ol policy and of congressional" au thority under the Constitution. After vigorous discussion a motioir by Rep resentative Montague to strike out the clause was defeated on a rising vote, 48 to 28. Representative Plntt, of New York, however, made a point of v.o quorum and the House adjourned. Oponents of the sections taxing sal aries of federal and state officials and bonds of states and their political sob- divisions said Congress has no power to lew such taxes, lierause they in fringe upon state sovereignty and are in violation of the constitution. Those supporting the committee's draft up held both the policy ami legality of the provisions. For the ways and Means committee Representative Crisp, of Georgia, Dem ocrat, contended that salaries of fed eral and state office holders should be taxed like those of other individuals and insisted that constitutional inhibi tion of reducing of federal officers' sal aries does not prohibit their taxation. The provision to tux income from State, county anil municipal bonds, which Representative Montague and others declared would, reduce the value of VKsi.ihxMW'J nt h bonds now '" sued, wftupMrld by Representatives Kik-liiiit, Longworth anil others of the committee as designed to prevent dis crimination asainst liberty Bonds. In the State issues are to be untaxed, Rep resentative Ijongworth said, wealthy persons might buy them in preference to Liberty Bonds, escape tsxation and also reduce subscription )n government war bowl. Admitting that there is doubt regard ing constitutionality of the proposed tax on salaries of the President, Federal Judges, State, county ami municipal of lli-crs as well as on the latter's securities RepresFntaiivirKitcbiti and others said the bill resolves the doubt, in the pres ent emergency in favor of the govern ment and that it is highly desirable that the disputed questions be settled by the Supreme Court in test htigntion. Senate Committee Hearings. Wellington, Sept. 10. Continuing its hearing on the war revenue bill today, (Contlnaed en Page FlvsJ REVENUE MEASUR Germans Seemingly Hold U: Hmaenourg Lire ana Are Sending Out Many Patrols ui. - " i " ENEMY CONSTRUCTING MACHINE - GUN NESTS -AT POINTS ON THE U?.E British Troops Advanced. Their Line Slightly in Ypres Sec tion of Flanders; British Aerial Activities Meet With. Much Success; Qennxn. Statement Announces An other Air Baid On Paris In. Beprisal" (By the Associated Press.) . With the American Army im tas Vosges, Sept. 16. Artillery activity ef an Intensity to suggest a possible at tack, or an expected attack, oecnrred in the Vosges today. It was accom panied by aa extraordinary amoaat of signalling. Enemy airplanes were nn usually active. Ten flew over St. Dli, and twenty over Gerardmer. American Forces on the Lorraine Front, Sept. 16. I p. m. Aside frail slightly increased artillery activity' 'Vii morning the day tbns far has beea largely devoted to patrolling by both sides. The Germans seemingly are holding the Hindenburg line from which they are sending ont patrols while the Amer icans and French encamped a few; miles on this side continue to feel ou the line by the same method. German infantry has been observed consolidating positions at La Chaassee as if in preparation for a counter-attack, but none so far has developed. Near this point the enemy is occupy ing shell holes. The German artillery fire is limited chiefly to the guns of the 77 and 105 millimetre calibre, but many ef the shells are "duds." The Germans also are active ia con structing machine gun nests at various points of the line. , British Advsnee la Flanders. London, Sept. 18. British troops to day advanced their line slightly in the neighborhood of xloegsteert and Tores 1 fa . flwdf fll,. aecQMofflctaA Hntisn v sr Office. The statement says; "On the sonthern portion ef oar front our patrols have brought in a few prist oners. "In the neighborhood of Ploegsteert and east of Ypres ont line has bean advanced slightly. : . "On the remainder of the front there is nothing to report beyond artillery activity on both sides in the different sectors." Aerial Activities. Tonight the aviation statement ready "On the battle front on the night of September 15-16, four hostile air-, dromes were heavily and repeatedly attacked by our machines with excel lent resnlts. Four fires were started; three hostile machines on the gromnd were wrecked; two hangars were com pletely demolished and several more hangars received direct hits. A trans port cnvoy was hit four times. "The railways at Metx-Sablona were again bombed and a fire started. The railway junctions at Mains' and ths docks and sidings at Karlseche were successfully attacked. ...... "Very good results were observed en both targets, and at Karleuhe, where 3 1-2 tons of bombs were dropped, sev enteen aireet nits were obtained. Dor ing the night, XV) bombs, totalling id i- Kins in weigni, were cropped. "All our machines returned." LATEST ESTIMATE OF AMERICAN SUCCS8SE.4 American Headquarters in Lorraine; Sept. 18. (Reuters) It probably is not an under estimate to assume that ths Americans in obliterating the St. Mihiel salient, reduced the enemy's strength by the equivalent of fonr divisions. The victory of the Americans was not due to German inferiority in lumbers and a greater inferiority in morale. The enemy was so busily occupied in getting out of the satinet that he did not have time to remove his dead. ' The statement coming from the Ger man high command that it ia glad to b rid of the salient may be believed, but it may be doubted if the command also is glad to have Inst 15,000 men, more thau 100 guns, an innumerable quantity of machine guns, trench mortars, tons of ammunition and telegraph material ss well as railroad equipment, -rolling stock, clothing and supplies, which either were burned or captured by the Americans. False conclusions must not be drawn from the results of the opera tions. To put it briefly, the Germans did not fight and the trifling damage they-did to the French and Americans proves it, ' The Germans may have done the wis est thing, since, if they had tried to stand, their losses would have, been in creased enormously. The Allies had the means to insure such a resnlt and tha fact that the operation required onlv 57 per cent of the time alloted to it is proof thaf a much mors strenuous re sistance was expected from the enemy. He was in such a hurry to remove his guns that scores of them were eaptnr- (Continsed on Tag FiveJ
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 17, 1918, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75