- - : )
iHU The Omaha Daily Bee pr
:VOL. XL VII. -NO. 135.' , OMAHA, THURSDAY , MORNING, NOVEMBER 22, 1917.-FOURTEEN PAGES. SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS
HUNDENBUJKG LINE IS
: SMASHED BY .BMTJSH:
' .v : ; : ; : ; -o -
WELFARE WORKER REFERS
TO NIGHT LIFE OF OMAHA
i ODNG FOLKS AS APPALLING
Declares Too Little Attention is Paid to Curfew r No Re
ports Made by Volunteer Committee of Women,
Which Was to Patrol the Streets to
Watch Young Girls.
Mrs. Rose M. Ohaus, superintendent of the Board of Public
Welfare, refers to the night life of Omaha's young people ast
"appalling." ,
"Some time ago we heard of a new organization which)
was styled 'Society for the Betterment of Boys and Girls but
up to date I have failed to note any betterment," was one of her
comments on the situation.
"Only this week," she continued, "four girls were in police
court for the first time on charges of delinquency."
CURFEW T.AW TONnPF.n
Airs.' Ohaus believes that this
work should be in charge of the wel
fare board and' regular salaried
workers detailed to improve con
ditions. She contends , that the re
cent 8 o'clock curfew law- is not
being observed to any appreciable
degree.
' When this society for the bet
termept of boys and girls was lornr
ea we were told that the -women
were to be designated as special of
ficers and wouid investigate chop
suey parlors, hotels and other places
and would at least' to some extent
make it harder for boys and girls to
. be at large at all hours of the night
wiiRout proper guidance," the wel
fare board superintendent added.
Could Improve Conditions.
Mrs. Ohaus says she is not looking
fo any millenium to appear out of
the blue sky. but she does insist that
conditions of which she speaks could
and should be improved. She would
like to know what the Society for the
Betterment of Boys and Girls has
6een doing along the'Jinesfor which,
it was organized. Dr. 7ennretTaTTfa4
. is president and Esther-r'Jackie" John
son i? secretary of the society. Sev,
eral members have been given special
police badges and have take.fi oaths
before Mayor Dahlrhan. Superintend-
. ent Kugel of the police department
, said he . did not know, what these
women have been doing, because he
received no reports.
Lack Practical Work.
Mrs. Ohaus believes that parents
should be more watchful of the
movements of their young daughters
land'sons after nightfall. "Guard the
young people( during their 'leisure
hours and you will have to a certain
extent struck a blow at the divorce
evil. Start them out with higher
ideals of life and warn them of the
pitfalls," is her advice to parents.
"Is it possible that we have too
many organizations and committees
" and not enough practical work?" she
asked.
Falling Scaffold Wrecks v
The St. Cecilia Churcjh
During the high wind yesterday,
scaffolding around the aCtholic ' ca
thedral, Fortieth and Burt streets, was
blown loose, falling on St. Cecilia's
church, just to the south, crushing in
the jjroof and almost completely wreck
ing vhe building. , , j
St. Cecilia's church was an old
frame building, 3080 feet in dimen
sions. Some of the lumber and tim
bers thrown upon it fell a distance of
100 feet. Officers of the,, church last
night were unable to estimate the loss.
DANISH STEAMER SUNK.
London, Nov. 21. The sinking by a
German submarine of the Danish
steamship Adolph Andersen, 981 tons,
is reported in an Exchange Telegraph
The Weather
V Temperatures at Omaha Yesterday.
' For Nebraska Fair.
1 ' Hours.
Deg.
.. 48
6 a. m
6 a. m. BO
T a. m SI
8 a.' m 62
9 a. m (6
II) a. m 60
11 a. m 63
12 m 66
1 p. tn 68
. 2 p. m 68
3 p. m 6i
4 p. m 64
5 p. m 63
6 p. m 62
7 p. m 61
8 p. m 07
Comparative Local Record.
1917. 1S16. 1015. 1914.
Highest yesterday .. 68 35 41 62
lowest yesterday .. 47 32 29 35
llean temperature ..58 S4 35 . 44
Precipitation 00 T .00 .00
"Temperature and precipitation departures
from the normal:
Normal temperature: . 35
Excess for the day.... ,. 23
Total deficiency since Jlarch 1 ..20$
Normal precipitation .S3 Inch
Deficiency for the day .03 Inch
Total rainfall sinc Mareh 1. .21.38 Inches
tieflclency since March 1 6.85 Inches
I'cfleiency for tor. period, 1916. .12.22 inches
Deficiency for cor. period, 1915.. 1.41 inches
Report From .Stations at IP. M.
Station and State Temp. High. Rain-
of Weather. 7 p. m
Cheyenne, clear 48
Davenport, rain........ 48
Denver, clear 5t
Des Moines, clear 6
Dodge pty. p.t cloudy.60
Zander, clear 46
North Platte, cloudy.... 54
Omaha.i t'lear 61
Piiefc' cloudy t
K'hk ;. rain S
ait g.ikc I'ity, clfsr... 38
St. I.oJ, clear HO
Sheridan, olear 53
est.
fall.
.00
.01
.no
.00
.00
.00
.oo
.1)0
.uo
.08
.00
.00
58
64
f.S
68
"
58
66
8
8
T'6
38
6
64
"T" Indicates Irac of precipitation.
Minneapolis, cloudy .... 8 58 T
VaieiiUno. cloudy....... 6 61 .00
J , i. A. WELSH, Meteorologist.
ROMANS HOLD
'AUSTRIANS IN
CHECK ON PIAVE
Foe Continues to Press on
Italian Line in Great Num
bers; Menacing Approach
to Venice.
BULLETIN.
Amsterdam, Nov. 21. The war
correspondent of the Berlin Lokal
Anieiger says the Jfttonic allied
i movement for . turning; the Italian,
left flank is now being executed; in
the face of grea$. Italian superiority
The FranWur'ter." Zeitung asserts
that, the Italians, reinforced with
.guns and. infantry, have .prepared
j strong defenses oft the lower Piave
river.
1 FIGHTING CONTINUES.
(By Associated Press.)
Italian Army Headquarters in
Northern Italy, Tuesday,' Nov. 20.
The heavy fighting which began on
Sunday in the north continues: with
great violence, centering on the slope
of Monte Monfenerai . Enemy
masses alternate fierce artillery at
tacks with' infantry attacks, which
have been repulsed by the heroic
bravery of the Italian troops.
The battle is taking a wide range
and gradually concentrating m three
main fronts. It is not a question of
gaining or 'losing kilometers, but it
is a gigantic battle in which Italy's
part in the war with s resultant ef
fect on the allies, is largely at stake.
Offensive Grows Stronger.
. The Austro-German offensive, which
began three weeks ago, has not di
minished, but is steadily intensifying.
Frontal attacks thus far have failed
on the Piave and the northern Asiago
plain. This compels the enemy to at
tempt to make a breach by one of
the Italian flanks as the " only
resort after the checking of the
frontal attacks. This explains the
gradual shifting of the front to three
main divisions: First, along the
Piave; second, from the Piave to the
Brenta: third, from the Brenta across
the. Asiago plateau.
Check Foe's Advance.
The enemy's advance on the Piave
and the menace to Venice is fairly
well checked after the bloody , re
pulses of the last few days, but the
Austrians and Germans' are still on
the east bank of. the river with for-
midable forces pressing against this I
narrow stream.
Ptuge Tanks Lead Hdig's Fighters
Over Every Obstacle in Advance
British Army lieadquarters in
France, Tuesday,1 lov. 20. Up to the
actual hourof the British attack on
the Hindenburg line there were, mo
ments when great stillness reigned
over the battle 'front and it seemed
impossible that within, a short time
the line would be a seething caldron.
At 6:20 o'clock a long line of tanks,
distributed over a wide frontstarted
forward. at the same time, the British
infantry on either side of the land
monitors making threats at the Ger
man line. -
Within a few seconds the entire
enemy front for a distance of many
miles was flaming .with variegated
signals, which called frantically for
help from the German gunners in the
rear. ,
Redgreen, white and "blue lights
shot Up in every direction and the
:rv direction ana tne
rockets showered "a myriad of starST
down through the gloom like a mam-
motn display ot fireworks.
The dismay of the Germans was
blazed across the sky as clearly in
this unforgettable whirlwind of pyro
technics as though their higher com
mand had announced it officially.
Their guns came into action first one,
PUSHED
CAPTURE
HALLER TELLS
BEFORE DEFENSE COUNCIL
Secrecy Maintained at Lincoln as to Result of Con
ference With . Chairman of Board of Regents of
University, of Nebraska Growing Out of
Statements Attributed to Him.
Mr, Haller returned to Omaha
Tuesday night and was found at his
office yesterday. ' .
"You want to kn ow whether I was
in . conference with the Council of
Defense in Lincoln yesterday? Why,
of course, I was, just as your dispatch
says." ......
"Do yu feel free to say .why you
were called before the council?"
"I know of no reason why, I should
not tell, as I was not enjoined to se
crecy. The council wished- to inter
view me in regard to an alleged con
versation with David Cole and others
who sat with me at the Young Men's
Christian association djnner at the
Contmercial club October 25 for the
purpose' of inaugurating its war fund
campaign, to' which I pledged $250
then and there. The information al
leged that I expressed doubts as' to
Tthe altruism that prompted Japan to
enter t.ie iv. and that 1 was stceptt-
cat as to the sincerity ot the friend
ship Japan expressed for the United
States. I could not recall the- exact
words I had used in' that table con
versationsome of what was re
ported was doubtless correct, but part
of, it was incorrect, and misleading as
to my sentiments. After the interro
gation none of the members . of the
council made art? comment .whatever.-.
.AMU their questions . jukdeKbr - for
my version of Jthe facts, and 1 an
swered to. the best -off my' recollec
tion. I also told them, among other
things, that I counted among my most
valued acquaintances" that of Baron
LATE WAR
BULLETINS
GERMANS ADMIT. LOSS.
Berlin, Nov. 21. (Via London.)
German reserves checked the British
in the rear positions after ground had
been gained by the attackers, says
today's official communication. The
loss is announced of Marcoing, Grain
court and portions of the permanent
ly established works.
' Between Arras and St. Quentin, the
German statement says, a strong ar
tillery battle heralded the English at
tack. The villages in the fighting
'zone, among them Graincourt and
Marcoing, remained in the possession
of the British.
FRENCH ATTACK, TOO.
Paris, Nov. 21. "During the night
we made several successful incursions
into the German lines north and south
of St. Quentin and brought back
prisoners," says today's official state
ment. "Toward the end of the night
the artillery duel became very violent
in the region of Chaume wood."
TO SPARE VENICE.
Pans, Nov. 21. The Matin says
that the Austrians have agreed to
spare Venice, in response to an ap
peal from the Vatican, but say that
all authority rust be left ,in the hands
of the patriarch. ' It is certain, the
newspaper hdds, that Venice will not
be defended in the event that a fur-
ther retreat of the Italian forces be-
1 comes necessary.
then half a dozen, then scores, but
their fire was weak. ' They were not
prepared, for such an eventuality or
they would have 6hown it in their
artillery work. A
The British big guns soon began to
breaak the silence on their side, not in
the form of a barrage fire, but in
counter-battery work. Meanwhile the
tanks rolled on over what was vir
tually a virgin battlefield.
' , ' Do Not Fight Hard.
Reuter's correspondent at headquar
ters reports:
"It has been raining hard since yes
terday morning and it is raining still,
but somewhere beyond the veil of the
storm our troops and tanks are still
pushing forward," the correspondent
wires. '
"We get reports of them even on
the Marcoing-Masnieres line and of
oatrols oenetratnicr in tne direction ot
Noyelles. (Noyelles is three and one-
eighth miles from Cambrai.)
"The heavy blow dealt the Germans
has driven a wide wedge through the
Hindenburg line, in which there is
every evidence of the Germans fleeing
or surrendering without making a se
rious attempt to hold the defenses,
which were of enormous strength."
, . f. . . .. -
OF HIS CALL
Haller Confers With
State Council of Defense
(From a Staff Correspondent.)
Lincoln; Nov. 2 (Special Tele
gram.) Deep secrecy was maintained
by the members of the State Council
of Defense last evening as to the re
suit of a conference held by the coun
cil with Frank L. Haller, chair
man or tne coara or Kegents ot le
University of Nebraska, who was
summoned before that tribunal yes
terday afternoon.
Mr. Haller entered the inner council
room at 2 o clock. He has not been
seen here since, though it is intimated
that he went as he came, quietly, and
that he left on an evening train for
his home in Omaha, immediately after
leaving tne council chamber.
Albert Voigt of BloomiiiRton. Neb
appeared before the council Tuesday
afternoon. lie stated that the council
had received a report that he was dis
loyal and that he was called to ,an
swer these charges. He denied the
charges.
Stiibasawa, the leading statesman of
Japan, who had given .me a most
pressing invitation to be his guest
wnen.i visit that'tountry, as I hope.
ana expect to, do,
"Xo. no other subject was dis
.cussed."'"'- .
" "WaslIE null bCard' oresent?" : -
"I take it they . ;were ajl there, al
though, except Mr. Kithard-L. ' Met
calfe and Mr. George Coupland. thev
were strangers to me. , .
BRITONS ASSERT
U. S. IN THIS WAR
TO PROTECT SELF
Comment in London Regarding
Motive of Entrance of, Amer
ican Fighting Men; Germans
Take Another View.
London,' Nov. 21. The Anglo
American war conference yesterday
in .Downing street is featured by the
morning newspapers and is com
mented upon as an event of the high
est' importance.
While Premier Lloyd George's
statement on the needs of the allies
receives attention, the point also is
made that it is necessary for the al
lies to remember that the United
States is not in the war solejy or
mainly for their benefit. Thus, the
Post says:
Americans Are Business Men.
'.'Americans know as well as we
that they are in the , war to protect
themselves from a danger which se
riously menaced them. They are
business men over here strictly on
business."
"The United States did not join
the belligerents to save France or
help Great Britain," says the Daily
Express. "She is fighting the' Ger
many of Kaiser William for exactly
the same reason that she fought the
England of Lord North. Her indi
vidual and national freedom is at
stake."
Bulwark ol Confidence.
JThe Daily News, on the other
hand, dwells on the advent of the
United States as a "bulwark of con
fidence" for the allies and says it has
changed the character of the war and
placed the issue beyond doubt. Fol
lowing out this review, it says that
"i? in the closing phases of the war
she is the commanding figure, we
shall have no envy and no regrets."
. Amsterdam, Nov. 21. Commenting
on President Wilson's dispatch to
Colonel House regarding unity of
plan and control among the nations
at war with Germany, the socialist
organ, Vorwaerts, of Berlin, says it
is odd that "America, which suppos
edly is crusading against autocVacy,
should put the thumb-screw on the
democratic states of western Europe
by insisting on a joint war council."
The Vorwaerts, like other German
newspapers, gloats over what it calls
England's growing political depend
ence on America.
German Subs Sink 17
British Merchantmen
London, Nov. 21. Seventeen Brit
ish merchantmen were sunk by
mines or submarines last week, ac
cording to the weekly statement is
sued by the British admiralty. Of
these 10 were vessels of 1,600 tons
and over and seven of less than 1,600
tons. -
BACK FIVE MILES ;:
8,000
GERMAN LINE IS
BROKEN AT MANY
POINTS BY TANKS
Infantry Surges Behind Them
and Surprises Enemy in
His Dugouts, Smashing
Counter Attacks.
(By Associated Pross.)
British Army Headquarters in
France, Nov. 20. The redoubtable
Hindenburg line in the Cambrai sector
was broken in many places today by
the great force of the British tanks,
and this afternoon the infantry which
followed through the gaps are still
battling their way forward.
1 he surprise attack was launched at
dawn over a wide front. . In the first
few hours its progress was marked
with evident success and up to the lat
est reports received at this time
(4 p. m.) had been moving along regu
larly, according to schedule.
1 he resistance offered bv the dazed
Germans this morning was negligible
and by noon British pioneers already
were at work laying roads across the
old front line trenches, while prison
ers in considerable numbers had be
gun to come back from various direc
tions. No Artillery Preparation.
The casualties of . the' attackins
forces thus far have been light. Great
numbers of German dead' lie, before
the main' llindenbure trench, where
the bewildered enemy, taken, unawares,"
made a halt-hearted attempt to stem
the onrushing Britons. . ;
The battle was an innovation ' for
the Vrestern front, for .it whs begun
without any preliminary artillery
work. Upon the army tanks rested
the responsibility' for victory or de
feat and they fulfilled all expectations.
The jron giants went through the
tremendous line of barbed wire entan
glements in front of the main Hin
denburg positions and on over the
trenches as though they were on
parade.
Ihe tanks started forward at 6:20
o'clock and by 11:40 the British in
fantry, which had swarmed into the
holes made by the mighty engines,
was engaging the enemy in open
fighting along the Hindenburg sup
port line back of the main defehses
at many points. Up to noon today
there had been no hard lighting and
the German artillery fighting had
been very weak.
Ihe Oermans surrendered freely in
numerous places and several Hun
dred were brought in during the first
few hours of fighting. 1 ,
Counter Attacks Checked.
Two attempted counter attatks
were smashed by the British infantry
in the early hours, one in a tunnel
trench near Bullecourt, the other at
Havrincourt park, where one com
pany of Germans essayed an ad
vance. The tanks this afternoon, followed
by infantry, were continuing their
journey into enemy territory.
Prisoners admit ruefully that the
ttack was a surprise to them and
(Continued on Page Two, Column One.)
AUTO BANDITS ROB
TWIN CITY JEWELRY
STORE; GET $50,000
Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 21. Three
automobile bandits stepped into a
jewelry store on the principal down
town street here today, drove three
clerks into a back room, forced an
other clerk to open the safe, and
escaped with diamonds and other
gems valued at between $45,000 and
$50,000, according to the estimate of
the proprietor, II. H. Green.
Wore Rioting in Moscow;
Cossacks Moving on City
Washington, Nov. 21. Swedish
press reports on the situation in Rus
sia received today said General Kale
dines with an army of Cossacks was
moving against Moscow, where 8,000
persons were reported -to have been
killed m riots. The State department
as no official information to confirm
the reports. . -
Hungary's War Bill
Is Now $300,000,000
Budapest. Hungary. Nov. 21-
Introducing in the Hungarian lower
house .the budget for 1917-1918.
Premier Wekerle said the war ex
penditure up to the present was
16.000.000.000 kroner (53.200.000.000
in United States money), of which
amount 12.000.000.000 kroner was
lovered by loans. Interest on the
whole state debt, he said, was 1,030,
000,000 kroner yearly. .
The premier said he estimated the
receipts at 3,468.000,000 kroner and
the expenditures at. 3,442,670.000.
thus leaving a surplus of 26,230,000
kroner.
The premier expressed confidence
that the resources of the country
would secure the soundness of the
budget
PRISONERS
BRITISH SPRING SURPRISE,
BREAK HINDENBURG LINE;
TAKE PERMANENT DEFENSES
Third Army Makes Sudden Advance, and Drives Germans
Back Five Miles on a Front Extending 32 f
Miles, Taking Many Prisoners; f
Tanks Precede Infantry.
BULLETINS.
British Army Headquarters in France, Nov. 21.
The Germans are righting on their last line of defense at
one point of the British attack. " r
EIGHT THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN.
London, Nov. 21. Andrew Bonar Law, announced this
evening in the House of Commons that 8,000 prisoners, includ
ing 180 officers have been taken by the British in their present
operations. ,
. At one point the . British oenetrated five miles behind th
German lines and several villages in addition to those already
announced nave been taken, Mr. Bonar Law said.
MANY GUNS REPORTED CAPTURED. ,
... .. (By. Associated Press.) ' . ;
: Field Marshal Haig has sprung a surprise on the Germans
in northern France, attacking suddenly on a fr.ont of more than !
30 miles and breaking the famous Hindenburg line to a maxi
mum dpth of nearly five miles. V ;. X- .
: British troops are still fighting their way forward in th
most spectacular offensive of the war on the western front since
the trench lines were established. '
' Nearly a score of guns are reported to have been captured.
The British are pushine on toward Cantainsr. three miles
southwest of Cambrai.
Northwest of Marcoing the high ground known as Premy
Chappelle has been fought over and the Germans have been,
forced to withdraw. . A
HINDENBURG LINE IS BROKEN. '
The Hindenburg line has been broken to a depth of four to five miles,
the war office announces.
The British troops stormed the, first "system of the Hindenburg line '
defenses on the whole .front between St. Quentin and the Scarpe river.
From St. Quentin to the Scarpe is 32 miles. '
The British infantry and tanks pressed on and captured the second1 sys
tem of defenses, over a mile beyond.
The attack was begun yesterday by the Third army. There was no
artillery preparation and the Germans were taken completely by surprise.
The second system of German defenses captured by the British is
known as the Hindenburg support line. The British captured Benavis, Lam
eau wood, La Vacquerie, the defenses known as Welsh ridge and Ribe- f
court village. Their operations are continuing.
The British also fought their way through Couillet wood. Lieutenant
General Sir Julian Byng is in command of the attacking army. . . i
WHOLE GERMAN LINE CAPTURED. ; . .
The whole German Jine west of the Canal Du Nord to She Bapaume
Cambrai road has been captured. The towns of Havrincourt, Marcoing,
Graincourt and Anneux and Neuf wood have been captured by the British.
" A large number of tanks moved forward in advance of the infantry
when the attack was opened and broke through successive belts of German
wire defenses, which were of great depth and strength.
, Haig's troops pressed on until at Marcoing and at Anneux, on the
Bapaume-Cambrai road, they were only three and three-quarter" miles from
Cambrai, the important German base and important railway junction, which
apparently is the British objective.
Several thousand prisoners have been taken by the British, as well as
large quantities of war material. Jhe attack was carried out in unfavor
able atmospheric conditions and the weather has since grown stormy.
8,000 PRISONERS TAKEN. , ' .
The number of prisoners taken thus far by the British is given at about
8,000 in a Reuter dispatch filed today at British headquarters.
ucspue inc cconunuauon or tne storm on the British battle front, the
British troops and tanks were still pushing forward today, Reuter's corre
spondent at headquarters reports.
, BRITISH OFFICIAL STATEMENT
London, Nov. 21. The announcement follows:
"Yesterday morning the Third army, under command of General Hon.
Sir Julian Byng, delivered a number of attacks between St. Quentin and
the river Scarpe. These attacks were carried out without previous ar
tillery preparation and in each case the enemy was completely surprised.
"Our troops have broken into the enemy's positions to a depth of be
tween four and five miles on a wide front and have captured several thou- '
sand prisoners, with a number of guns. Our operations are continuing.
"At the hour of assault on the principal front of attack a large number
of tanks moved forward in advance of the infantry and broke through
successive belts of German wire, which were of great depth and strength. -
"Following through the gaps made by the tanks English, Scottish and
Irish regiments swept over the enemy's outposts and stormed the first de
fensive system of the Hindenburg line on the whole front.
"Our infantry and tanks then swept on in accordance with the pro- .
gram and captured the German second system of defense, more than a
mile beyond. This latter is known as the Hindenburg support line.
"In the course of this advance East county troops took the hamlet of
Benavis and Latau wood after stiff fighting.
"English rifle regiments and light infantry captured La Vacquerie and '
the formidable defense on the spur known as Welsh ridge. Other English
county troops stormed the village of Ribecourt and fought their way through
Coillet wood . .
"Highland territorial battalions crossed the Grand ravine and entered
Flesquieres, where fierce fighting took place. The West Riding territorials
captured Havrincourt and the German trench systems north of the village
while the Uulster battalions, covering the latter's left flank, moved north
ward up the west bank of the Canal Du Nord.
"Later in the morning our advance was continued and rapid progress was
made at all points. English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh battalions secured
the crossings on the canal at Masnieres and captured Marcoing and Neuf
wood. ''..-.,.
, "The West Riding troops, who had taken Havrincourt, made remarkable '
progress east of the Canal Du Nord, storming the villages of Graincourt and
Anneux, and, with the Ulster troops operating to the west of the canal, car
ried the whole German line northward to the Papaume-Cambrai road.
"West Lancashire territorials' broke into the enemy's positions east of
Epehy and Irish troops have captured important sections of the Hindenburg
line between Bullecourt and Fontaine les Croissilles. ,
"The number of prisoners, guns and material captured cannot yet be'
estimated.
"The 6pell ot fine, dull weather which favored our preparations lor our
attacks broke early yesterday, a heavy rain fell during the night and the
weather is now stormy."
'
V !