Omaha Daily Bee
PART ONE
NEWS SECTION
PAGES 1 TO 10
THE WEATHER
rair
VOL. XLVII NO. 257.
OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 13, 1918. TWENTY PAGES.
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GERMAN CORPSES
STREW GROUND AT
VILLE
'k Furious British Counter Attack Drives Teutons From High
Ground Along Messines Ridge; Tommies Forced
Back to Neuve Eglise; Merville Captured
By the Enemy.
( By The Associated Press. )
London, April 12. German
tack along the Messines ridge and succeeded m gaining some
ground, says a Reuter dispatch from British army headquarters
in France and Belgium, hut the British once again drove them
1 out by a counter-attack early this morning.
Three attacks which the enemy launched yesterday in
preat waves near Ville Chapelle were repulsed with immense
losses to the Germans. The
corpses.
BRITISH FORCED BACK.
Attacking yesterday in the neigh
borhood of Ploegsteert, the Germans
pressed back the British to the vi
cinity of Neuve Eglise, it is an
nounced officially. '
Last night the Germans captured
Merville. Heavy fighting is contin
uing in the neighborhood of Merville
and Neufberauin.
On the remainder of the northern
battle front thert is- little change.
North of Festubert the British re
gained ground by a counter-attack.
On the front between Loisne and the
Lawe river German attacks were re
pulsed. The official announcement says:
Germans Take Merville.
"Severe and continuous fighting
took place test night in the neighbor
ly hood of Merville and Neufberquin,
in both of which localities the enemy
is continuing his pressure and has
made progress. Merville was cap
tured by tie enemy during the night.
"Attacks made by the enemy yes
terday in the neighborhood of Ploeg
steert succeeded, after heavy fighting,
in pressing our troops back to the
neighborhood of Neuve Eglise to new
positions.
"On the remainder of the northern
battle front from the situation is
virtually unchanged. A part of our
oositions into which the enemy
forced his way north of Festubert
was regained by a counter-attack.
"On the front between Loisne and
the Lawe river1 and to the north hos
tile attacks have been repulsed. Fight
ing is continuing on the whole front
north of La Basse canal as far as
Hollebeke.",
Mine Sweeper Runs Ashore
, In Storm Off Atlantic Coast
Washington, April' 12. The Nayjr
departmen announced tonight that a
mine sweepr went ashore in the
storm off theAtlantic coast and that
one member of the crw, J. N. Con
way, machinist's mate, scond class,
-was washd overboard.
General Pershing's Brother
Leads Parage of Children
Chico, Ca.l; April 12. James F.
Pershing, brother of General John J.
Pershing, commander of the Ameri
can forces in France, led a parade of
3,000 schol children here today to
stimulate subscription to the Liberty
loan.
The Weather
For Nebraska Fair; not finch change li
temperature.
In
Hcur.
Degr-
6 a. m
43
5 a. m 42
7 a. m 41
8 a. m 43
9 a. m 45
10 a. m 49
11 a. ru 62
12 m 65
1 p. m 67
2 p. in 69
3 p. m 61
4 P. IB 8i
i p. m 63
6 p. m 62
7 p. m.. 63
8 Ti.. m 60
CoroparatlTe Local Beeord.
1818. 1917 1918. 191S.
Highest yesterday ... 60 SS II 68
Lowest yesterday 40 24 64 31
Mean temperature .. 52 44 75 44
Precipitation 00 .00 .00 .00
Temperature and precipitation departures
from the normal at Omaha since March 1, I
and compared with the last two veara: i
Normal temperature 49
Kxcess tor the day 3
Total excesi line March 1, 1918., 32
Normal precipitation .10 inch
Deficiency tor the day 10 inch
Total precipitation since March 1 .91 Inches
deficiency since March, 1 1.48 inches
Deficiency for cor. period 1917.. - .41 Inch
Deficiency tor cor. period 1916.. 1.93 Inches
k Be porta From Stations at 7 P. M.
".Stations and State Tempt. High Ratn-
of weather. 7 a. m.
Cheyenne, cloudy ..... S3
Davenport, clear ...... 6
Denver, cloudy 82
est
fall.
68
6
64
60
6D
t
70
l
7
CD
69
T.
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.oo
.00
T.
.00
Dee Moines, part cloudy 68
tJodffe City, part cloudy 66
l.andcr. part cloudy .... 61
North Platte, clear .... J
otnaha, clear (t
Pueblo, cloudy ........ .
Jtapld ritj, cloudy ,,.rl!
Santa Fe, rain CO
PherldH",' clear 3
Valontirie, cloudy 68
(1
70
.00
T" indicates trace of precipitation.
I A, WELSH, Ktteoroloslst.
CHAPELLE
troops made a determined at
ground was strewn with their
LIBERTY 'TANKS'
MOVE FORWARD AS
OMAHA DOES DUTY
Every Person in City Given-
Opportunity to Invest in
: 'Bonds of Third Liberty
Loan.
Latest Report of Four
x Omaha Committees
Omaha subscriptions to the third
Liberty loan reported to date by
the Liberty loan headquarters are:
Special committee $1,000,000
Woman's committee .... 500,000
Liberty bank 300,000
General committee ...... 500,000
Total .$2,300,000
Liberty bonds are selling fast in
Omaha. '
At noon tlfe Omaha Liberty loan
"tank" was moved by the captains of
the sale&ieams after their meeting at
the Chamber of Commerce. Reports
were made by the captains. The
Central High School Cadet band fur
nished music. The Omaha "tank"
was moved to the $2,500,000 mark.
The state Liberty loan "tank" was
moved to the $6,000,000 mark.
The drive is now on in earnest un
der the plan adopted by the commit
tee for Omaha. This is to give every
one an opportunity to buy bonds.
There was no doubt but that Omaha
would have subscribed its quota in
an hour if a mass meeting had been
held at the Chamber of Commerce
Monday, the opening day of the cam
paign, but the committee decided to
give the small buyers a chance to
show their patriotism. To this end a
house to house canvass is being
made. Business men are also so
licited. Some of the business men
probably are not members of the
Chamber of Commerce and would not
attend a mass meeting.
Scouts Move "Tank."
Saturday the Omaha "tank" will be
moved by Troop 5 of the Boy Scouts,
V. C. Hascall, scoutmaster. One
scout will be stationed atop of , the
Woodmen of the World building, and
as reports are being made at the cap
tains' meeting in the Chamber of
Commerce, the scout will wig-wag in
structions for the movement of the
"tank" to the troop on the street.
Sam Burns has charge of the move
merit of the Omaha tank.
The state "tank" will be moved
Saturday by cowboys from the stock
yards.
The following is a list of the cap
tains of the Liberty loan dity sales
committee, of which Franklin Mann
is chairman:
Frank S. Keogh. first district; Her
(Continned on Page Two, Column One.)
Band of Hun Raiders Almost
Exterminated by Americans
i .
(By Associated Press.)
New York, April 12. A raid by a
party of 200 Germans on a portion of
American-held line in which all but
m or the attacking torce were ac
counted for by the defending Amert
cans, was described by Raymond Star-
bard, an adjutant in the war work
organization of the Salvation Army
who, arrived here today after having
been within range of German artillery
on the western front for seven
months. . . .
In making a report to his head
quarters here, Adjutant Starbard,
whose home is at Worchester, Mass.,
said:
"The raid occured March 7. One
German (a member of the attacking
Keep the Bell Ringing
' J A m
V 1 OWC3gV
BRITISH RUSH ARMED
TROOPS TO ENFORCE
WAR DRAFT IN IRELAND
Nationalist Leader Dillbn Protests Against Government's
"Guillotine Methods;" Promise of Home Rule Only
Antagonizes All Irish Factions; Report of
Recent Convention Ignored, Say.
Mr. Plunkett.
London, April 12. John Dillon, Irish nationalist leader in
the House of Commons, yesterday said that he understood that
motor cars, machines and tanks already had been shipped
and were sailing away from the battle front toward Ireland.
Mr. Dillon pleaded strongly against what he termed the govern
ment's "guillotine methods."
The debate on the man power bill
centered largely around a discussion
of requests by Mr. Dillan and others
for more time in which to consider
the measure. The government event
ually consented to permit the house,
contrary to custom, to sit on both
Friday and Saturday so as to add
two days to the time for the discus
sion. The bill then entered committee
and an amendment substituting 48
years for 51 as the age limit was de
feated by a vote of 262 to 152.
Promise of a home rule bill by the
government has not had the smallest
effect in easing the way to conscrip
tion in Ireland; according to special
dispatches from Dublin.
AH Oppose Home Rule.
The unionists will not sit quiet and
allow the bill to be rushed through
and the nationalists are more con
cerned in tlje defeat of conscription
than in obtaining home rule. In con
sequence the situation as regards
home rule at present is that nobody
wants it
Meanwhile, the Irish Times, which
in the past clamored'for conscription
and Wednesday endorsed the resolu
tion of Ulster unionists in parliament
accepting it, yesterday invited John
Dillon to make a bargain with the
government. The Irish Times sug
gests that in the six weeks before the
machinery for conscription can be-in
(Continued on Face Two, Column Two.)
party,) leaped" to an exposed position
and in every excellent English shout
ed, 'come on out, you American dogs,
and fight,'. Before he could leap back
to safety, one of our men had thrown
a hand grenade which took off both
his legs. Then ensued a fierce en
counter in which the Americans ac
counted for 180 of the Germans out
of an original 200 in the raiding
group."
Gradually the German fighting
forces are becoming disabused of
their idea that the Americans are not
"scrappers," Adjutant Starbard de
clared. Men of the allied forces on
the battle lines are confident of vic
tory, he added.
- j
:
GERMANS STARVE,
SHOOT AND BEAT
WAR PRISONERS
Unfold Cruelties Inflicted on
French and British Capturjatl
Bared in Official Report
of Government.
(Br Associated Preu.)
London, April 12. How British
prisoners of war in Germany are en
slaved, starved and subjected to un
told cruelties is related in an official
report of a government committee
made public today.
The detention and employment of
noncommissioned officers and men
captured on the western front, says
the report, "have brought on these
prisoners an amount of unjustifiable
suffering for which it would be hard
to find a parallel jn history."
The report is based on an accum
mulation of evidenccand shows that
prisoners have been employed con
stantly under shell fire and that many
have been killed by British guns; that
they have been kicked and beaten, de
nied clothing and adequate shelter;
have often been shot and that deaths
from starvation and overwork have
been constant.
Cousin of President
Wounded in Action
Denver, April 12. Captain Wood
row Woodbridge, mentioned in to
day's casualty list as slightly
wound in France, is a cousin of
President Wilson.
Captain. Woodbridge practiced
law here until he enlisted in the
Colorado National Guard during the
Mexican trouble. He was commis
sioned a second lieutenant at Fort
Bliss in May, 1917. He was a
graduate of the University of Colo
"MUST FIGHT
WITH BA CKS
MESSAGE TO TROOPS
"There Must be no Retirement," Declares
Field Marshall; Tells Troops French
Army is Moving Rapidly and in
Great Force to Their Support.
(By The Associated Press.)
London, April 1 2. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a special order of the
day addressed to "all ranks of the British army in France and Flanders,, says:
'Three weeks ago today the enemy began his terrific attacks against us on a
50-mile front. . His objects are to separate us from the French, to take the channel
ports and to destroy the British army. , ;
"In spite of throwing 106 divisions into the battle and enduring the most
reckless sacrifices of human life, he has yet made little progress toward his goals.
CUMMINS FIGHTS
BILL INCREASING
WILSON'S PQVERS
(
Reorganization Plan Opposed
Vigorously by Iowa Senator,
Who Pledges Support in
All War Measures.
Washington, April 12. Prospects
of indefinite senate debate over the
Overman bill with its broad srant of
authority to the president to reor
ganize government departments
caused administration leaders today
H to decide upon laying aside the meas
ure tomorrow, probably tor several
days, in ordr to pass the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill and othey urgent legislation.
Renewal or discussion of the reor
ganization bill is planned some time
next week with the administration
spokesman announcing determination
to insist upon its passage unamended.
On the other hand, the opposition is
preparing to continue the fight for
limiting the president's authority.
Returns to Attack.
Senator Cummins of Iowa, repub-
i lican, returned to his attack on the
measure toaay, wnue senator nouiii
of New Hampshire, democrat, spoke
in its defense. In the second lengthy
address the Iowa senator has made
in opposition to the bill Mr. Cum
mins deplored what he called a. dis
position on the part of the president
to criticise-those who conscientiously
oppose administration policies, and
urged a more "temperate" attitude.
Demands of opponents of the bill,
kSenator Hollis asserted, are based
largely on the view that the president
might abuse powers granted. He said
the president already has authority
over the Interstate Commerce com
mission and other bureaus if their acts
are adverse to the government's in
terests in the war.
Senator Smith of Georgia, demo
crat, challenged the statement and
said that interference by the presi
dent with the Interstate Commerce
commission would be an "impeacha
ble offense.'
Praises Wilson's High Ideals.
Senator Cummins praised the pres
ident and his high ideals and pledged
nonpartisan loyalty to the chief ex
ecutive in doing everything possible
to assist him in winning the war, but
added:
"When the president asks for leg
islative powers in civil establishments
and power that does not concern the
commander in chief, then he must
grant to me the freedom and liberty
to exercise my judgment according to
my own conscience, the same as he
desires.
"It is just as disloyal for the presi
dent to denounce members of con
gress for the manner in which they
discharge their duties as it is for
them to denounce hinn"
NEW BORN BABIES WITH
MOTHERS KILLED BY HUN
Paris, April 12. A shell fired by the German long-range cannon yes
terday, struck a foundling asylum in the Rue de la Creche, in the Mont
rouge district, on the southern outskirts of Paris. Three persons were
killed and 11 wounded.
Within the hospital were 30 women with new-born babies. One ma
ternity nurse, one patient and one baby were killed, while two probationers,
six women patients and three infants were injured.
Another shell struck an open air bowling alley and killed a man and
a boy and wounded 10 other persons.
NO COURSE OPEN BUT TO FIGHT IT OUT.
"We owe this to the determined fighting and self sacrifice
of our troops. Words fail me to express the admiration which
I feel for the splendid resistance offered by all ranks of our
army under the most trying circumstances.
"Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say,
that victory will belong to the side which holds out the longest
The French army is moving rapidly and in great fof c&lo our
support There it no other course open to us but tp fight it out
ORDERED TO HOLD ENEMY POSITION.
"Every position must be held to the last man. There must
be no retirement With our backs to the wall and believing in
ihe justice of our cause, each one of us must fight to the encL
The safety of our homes and the freedom of mankind depend
alike upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical mo
ment'V O BATTLE RACING FIERCELY.
HOSTILE ARMIES
AT DEATH GRIPS
FOR GIVENCHY
Town Changes Hands Several
Times During Battle; British
Cling Tenaciously to
Messines Ridge.
With the British Army in France,
Thursday, April 11. Determined
enemy attacks continued today
against points of strategical value
along the new battle front north and
south of Armentieres, from which the
British have withdrawn, the Ger
mans having placed it in a pocket by
driving a wedge on either side of it.
On the extreme right the Germans
today were pounding away against the
British defenses at Givcnchy, which
has changed hands numerous times
since the initial onslaught Tuesday.
North of Armentieres the Germans
were showing an equal desire to pos
sess Messines ridge and Wytschaete,
which are dominating positions and
which changed hands several times.
Germans in Messines.
The Germans got a footing in Mes
sines village and they were still there
this morning, but the British were
clinging to the west ridge and were
keeping the enemy from Wytschaete.
In the neighborhood of Ploeg
steert the enemy again surged for
ward and hard fighting was proceed
ing iri this section late today. South
of Armentieres the enemy also deliv
ered violent assaults.
The British this morning made a
successful counter-attack and forced
the enemy from Paradis, southwest
of Lestrem. This is on the front be
tween Estaires and Givcnchy.
Gas In Armentieres.
Armentieres was evacuated yester
day afternoon, but was still reeking
today with clouds of poisonous gas
(Continued on Tags Two, Column One.)
TO END
TOWALL,"
The Germans are developing great
artillery activity in the southern area.
The Bray-Corbie road is being fiercely
shelled, heralding, it is believed, fur
ther infantry attacks.
In brilliant, sunshine the battle is
continuing with fierceness, which has
scarcely flagged since the beginning.
The
Germans are throwing in tneir
reserves in the same prodigal man-
nes as in the opening days of the of
fensive. The London evening newspapers,
in reviewing the situation on the
western front, state that in the Wyts
cbaete region the Germans failed to
get the main crest of the' ridge. Th
Germans have taken the village of
Messines, while the British are hold- ,
ing the outskirts.
GERMANS LOSE HEAVIWT. "
Attacks on Wytschaete and the
Messines ridge failed, the Germans
losing very heavily in their attack.
At least 17 divisions, are engaged
on the German side on the front from
Hollebeke to Givcnchy, the reviews
declare, that being the number it is
estimated have been thrown into the 1
fighting up to the present.
This would mean that the Germans
put more than 200,000 in action so fafv
on this comparatively narrow front of '
approximately 25 miles, or some 8,000
men to every mile of frontage.
Face Grim Prospect.'
Ottawa, Ont., April 12. "It is in
deed obvious that the enemy, backed
by unlimited artillery, is doing what
up to this time has been unprece-
dented in this war, namely, conduct-'
ing two first class offensives simul
taneously, or at the very least, launch
ing a second before we had time to
draw away from the first," says a
Reuter dispatch from London today.
"The prospect is grim for the Brit
ish, but accounts of the fighting con
tinue to breathe confidence that the
British, however prolonged the strug
gle, won't yield to the enemy in what,
it is becoming more clear, is a test of
endurance. The keypoints of the
battle are the ridges of Messines and
Tasschendaele, which the Germans are
both endeavoring to outflank and
carry by direct assault. There is no'
evidence as yet that the enemy has r
gained control of a single bit of rising
ground."
Final Step Taken to Disband
German-American Alliance
Philadelphia, April 12.- The Ger-man-American
Alliance was finally
dissolved here today when at an ad
journed meeting of the executive com.
mittce a resolution was adopted un
animously to disband.
The resolution states that the mem
bers consider that the supreine duty
of every American citizen is to give
his unqualified support to the govern
ment in the successful prosecution of
the war.
The organization's educational fund'
of $30,000 will be given to the Re4. -Cxoss
chapter M ffilmicgtem, Ecfe