m aha' Sunday
PArrr one
NEWS SECTION
PAGES 1 TO 16
I
jBee
1HE
THE WEATHER
Showers
VOL. XLVII NO. 44. , OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL U. 1918. FOUR SECTIONS, FORTY-TWO PAGES. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
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CHANNELPORTSAT ,
STAKE IN TERRIFIC
FLANDERS BATTLE
Germans Pressing Toward North With Great Weight;
British Contesting Every Foot of Ground Desperately;
Allies Regain Position aft Point Where Lines
Meet South of Somme.
BULLETIN.
i London, April 13. The Germans were driven out of Neuve
Eglise by the British this morning, according to the report from
Field Marshal Hate's headquarters tonight. Four attacks
acainst the British positions
beaten off.
(By The Associated Press.)
Stiffening British resistance Was checked the German drive
southward from the Lys toward Bethune and westward from
Merville towards Hazebrouck, near the Belgian ,horder.
The enemy pressure is continuing with great weight toward
the north and desperate, battling is in progress along the line
X A.1 -l . M4a!nna
J running tuuiuncai iiviu HKnuin w ovuum
The whole Ypres salient and the continued safety of the
channel ports arepointed to by observers abroad as at stake in
the fighting now under way.
tant railway centers, are vital feeding points for Messines ridge
" and the Ypres position in general.
HUNS HELD BACK. 0 : ;
So far as Hazebrouck is concerned,
the Germans have been held for the
time, at least, on the edge of the for
est of Nieppe, west of Merville, and
some five miles away from their ob
jective. The Germans have been bat
tering .away at the British line here
k since they captured Merville Wednes
day night, tut have advanced only A
few hundred yards, being stopped
short of the forest, which is about a
mile and a half beyond Merville.
Little additional light was thrown
by Saturday's despatches upon the
situation around Bailleul, to which the
Germans have worked very close in
Friday's fighting. It was revealed,
however, that the enemy was attack
ing heavily in the vicinity of Neuve
Eglise and Wulverghem, which lies
in the region to the northeast of
Bailleul, between it and Messines.
The British are on comparatively
high ground here and the reports did
not indicate that the Germans were
making much progress.
Allies Retake Lost Position.
On the southerly side of the wedge
which the-Germans have driven in be
tween La Bassee and Armentieres the
British resistance was notably stiff.
There was an improvement also in
the allied position on trie Somme bat
' tle front. The Germans had gained
a footing in Hangard-En-Santerre,
southeast of Amiens, in an attack
Friday, but a combined drive by the
British and French during the night
at the point where their lines join
on the river Luce near Hangard, re
stored the situation, putting the
French again in complete possession
of the village.
The city of Rheims is in flajlies and
the French, working under a heavy
bombardment, are trying to limit the
burning rea.
Americans Launch Attack.
Meanwhile the American forces are
contributing notably to the mainte
nance of the line on sectors of the
French front to the southeast. The
men in the sector northwest of Toul
added to their laurels last night by
repelling, in. conjunction with the
French, another German attack on
the positions in Brule wood, in the
forest of Apremont, east of St. Mihiel.
A counter attack was launched and
the Germans were thrown out of the
position1 at a point where they had
gained a footing.
The Weather
For Nebraska Unsettled; probably ohow
rs. Temperatures at Omaha Yesterday.
Hours. Deg.
"1 B a. m 42
6 a. m 41
7 a. m 41
0 M 41
a! m!!"!!!!!! 44 1
io a. m 49 1
54
58
12 m..
1 p. m. ........
2 p. m
3 p. m
P- m
5 P. m A .
p. m
7 p. m..X
60
63
. 68
68
68
67
15
Comparative
Local Rpcoril.
1918. 1917. 1916. 1915.
. (8 65 68 68
. 40 34 44 45
. 54 44 6 68
. .04 .00 .01 .19
Highest yesterday
Lowest yesterday
Slean temperature
Precipitation ....
Temperature and precipitation departures
from the normal:
Normal temperature r 49
excess for the day 6
Total excess since March 1, 1917 334
Normal precipitation 10 Inch
Deficiency for the day 10 inch
Total rainfall since March 1 94 Inch
Ijeficiency since March 1 1.58 Inches
Deficiency for cor. period, 1W7 .61 Inch
Deficiency for cor. period, 1916. 3.02 Inches
Reports From Stations at 7 P. M.
Station and State Temp. High. Rsjn
of Weather. 7 p. m. est. fall.
Omsha. clear '. 5 68 .00
yj L. A. WELSH, Meteorologist.
southeast af Bailluel also were
avith n RaillAIll
Hazebrouck and Bailleul, impor
BRITISH RESPOND
LOYALLY TO PLEA
OF GENERAL HAIG
Reports From Battle Front in
Flanders Indicate Tommies
Are Holding Cround Grim
ly Against Assaults.
(Br Associated Press.)
Washington, April 13. Meager re
ports from the battle front in Flan
ders today indicated that the British
army was loyally responding to the
appeal of its commander, and holding
grimly against renewed German as
saults. Meanwhile -officers here discussed
the probable motives of Field Mar
shal Haig in issuing the call to his
force to fight to the last man.
The meaning and purpose of the
order were variously construed.
Some officers hailed it as forecasting
the counter-offensive by the united
allied armies. Others were dis
quieted. The War department was without
information that would throw much
light on the battle situation. Officers
who have fallowed the progress of
the fight from hour to hour in press
bulletins, however, were very opti
mistic. They saw o reason to
(Continued on Page Two, Column On..)
Major J. M. Birkner of Lincoln
Discharged From National Army
Washington,' April 13. (Special
Telegram.) For pronounced German
sympathies and disloyal remarks
made in the presence of four fellow
officers, Major John M. Birkner of
Lincoln, Neb , a German born -medical
officer of the Nebraska National
Guard has been discharged from the
army and recommended for intern
ment by the War department. He was
in the 127th Field Artillery.
Affidavits of the four officers who
accused Birkner, allege that his pro
German sympathies were expressed
at frequent intervals, that he dis
played "elation when th German
army made successful drives and was
depressed when the allies won."
Birkner was discharged from the
army April 4. Previous to his dis
charge his commanding officer, Major
General A,
H. Blocksom of the 34th
Division at Camp Cody was directed
to certify the officer for internment
The dismissed officer was born in
Germany and served in the Franco
Prussian war in an engineers' regi
ment. He suffered a gunshot wound
while in that service! He was natural
ized in Clay county, Nebraska, in 1888,
and during the same year entered the
servic6 of the Nebraska National
Guard' as first lieutenant, serving as
medical officer of the Fourth Nebras--.
r - ranimanf T-Te n-O ft ftnAl'rl M A ts w
captaincy September 8, 1903, and
given the rank of major, May IS, 1915.
The service' records, ofvthe War
department show Birkner to be a na
tive of Nuremberg, Germany, where
he was born, May 22, 185p. He was
educated in .the common schools of
Germany and took a university course
in 1874. He was graduatd from the
gymnasium of Speier in W7S and from
the Kingshaale in Munich in 1876.
He entered the medical college of
i I 1 1 r ,
GERMANY TO WAR
ON RUSSIA; JAPS
TO GEUIBERIA
In Event of Teuton Victory in
West Finns Will Aid Huns
in Offensive Against-
Slavs.
.London, April lo. uermany Has
agreed to the establishment of ;
greater Finland, including the Pet
frograd-Murman railway to the Arctic,
according to Swedish press , reports
forwarded in an Exchange Telegraph
dispatch from Copenhagen.
In the event that Germany wins on
the western front, the dispatch says,
it will begin a new war against Rus
sia, co-operating with the Finns.
Japan, it is added, will receive Si
beria if it joins in the German-Finnish
Alliance.
Washington, April 13. A message
reaching the State department today
from Stockholm reported the Finnish
official news bureau had givtn out a
statement declaring that all German
troops landed in Finland had been
sent at the request of the Finnish
government.
When the Germans landed on the
Aland islands Sweden protested.
St Louis in 1881 and was graduated
in 1886. His record shows that he
speaks German, Latin, Greek, French
and Spanish.
Birkner served with he Nebraska
troops on the Mexican border from
July, 1915, to January, 15, 1917. He
was remustcred into the federal serv
ice February 25, 1917, and stationed
at Fort Crook, N?b., until the Ne
braska troops were sent to Deming,
training for overseas duty last fall.
r'k.
f "
ff tk Tf iw'iii"ii"mJiT rMif T"- "
The Spring Drive at Home
Twenty-nine Killed
in Hun Air Raids
Paris, April 13. Twenty-four
persons were killed and 62 others
wounded as the result of the Ger
man air raid last night on Paris, it
was officially announced today.
London, April 23. Five persons
were killed and 15 others injured
in the German air raid last night
on England, according to an offi
cial announcement made today.
G, 0. P. UilTED;
PROGRESSIVES
RETURN TO FOLD
i
National Chairman Hays Says
That Factions at Outs in
1916 Now Back in
the Fold.
(By Associated Press.)
San Francisco, April 13. Will H
Hays, chairman of the republican na
tional committee, announced here to
day that factions in the party in Cali
fornia, which attracted national at
tention in the presidential Election of
1916, when Woodrow Wilson carried
the state, had disappeared. ,
Raymond Benjamin, chairman of
the republican state centra commit
tee, called upon Mr. Hays, as did
Percy V. Long, who said he could
properly be designated a republican
although still holding the office of
chairman of the progressive state cen
tral committee, and W. H. 'Crocker,
national committeeman from Cali
fornia, who was found in the conser
vative wing of the party in 1916.
A Nevada delegation including
Whitman bymns, chairman of the
state republican executive committee;
Q. H. Simmons, a former progressive
leader in the state, and Colonel H.
B. Maxon, former national commit
teeman from Nevada, also called up
on Mr. Hays, "to assure him that we
are with him," they said.
36 B0Y$ BURNED
TO DEATH IN FIRE
IN BIG HOSPITAL
Norman, Okl., April 13. Thirty-six
boys, aged 10 to 15 years, all patients
at the state hospital for the insane,
were burned to death ira fire of un
known origin that completely de
stroyed three wards and the dining
room of the institution. The blaze
started at 3 o'clock this morning.
Three buildings, one the hospital
dining hall, were destroyed by the
fire and a fourth damaeed. Eielitv-
eight patients, all violent, were taken
from the fourth building and the fire
was extinguished before the structure
was damaged greatly.
The flames spread quickly through
the buildines.-all of which were of
frame construction.
The loss was estimated at $40,000.
Harry Wheeler Chosen
Chamber of Commerce Head
Chicago. Anril 13. Harrv A.
Wheeler, federal food administrator
for Illinois, was unanimously elected
president of the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States at a ses
sion of the board of directors at the
closing session-' of the three-day
meeting today. v ;
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WILD UPROAR IN
PARLIAMENT ON
IRISH QUESTION
Asquith Objects to
tion in. Erin, But Will Not
Change Governme'nt in
Grave Crisis.
London, April 13. A proposal by
Irish nationalists to omit the con
scription of Ireland clause from the
government man-power bill was re
jected by a majority of 172 in the
House of Commons last night. . The
total vote shows that a large section
of the house abstained from voting.
The debate in the house yesterday
and last night was remarkable for
the speech of H. H. Asquith, the
former premier, who, while strongly
objecting to the conscription of Ire
land, frankly declined to take the
responsibility at the moment the na
tion is facing a grave military crisis
of pushing that opposition to the ex
tent of forcing a change in the gov
ernment Henry E. Duke, chief secretary for
Ireland, made a brave attempt to con
ciliate the Irish members. The effort
led to a strong altercation with the
nationalists at the close of the de
bate. Irish Interrupt.
The government spokesman in the
house, Andrew Bonar Law, in a brief
speech winding up1 the discussion,
contended that the government had
a moral right to do what it is doing
and would be craven not to do it.
His speech was interrupted con
stantly by ironical remarks from the
Irish benches. The Irish members
at the conclusion challenged the gov
ernment to a further division on the
conscription clause. It was carried
bv the government; this time by 281
to 116, a majority of 165.
William Adamson, on behalf of the
labor party, appealed to thexgovern
ment to give a clear assurance that
conscription Would not operate until
a generous measure of home rule was
on the statute books. Captain L. C.
M. S. Amery, a unionist, joined in the
appeal of Mr. Asquith and Arthur
Henderson, labor leader, for the im
mediate introduction of a measure of
home rule.
, House In Uproar.
Another uproar arose when Herbert
L. Samuel, former postmaster, gen
eral, declared that the most important
statement of the debate Was that made
by Chief Secretary Duke, that the
act for setting up a parliament in
Irelknd should be passed before any
Irishman was called to the colors
Mr. Duke interjected:
I did not say that.
A wild uproar came from the Irish
benches, John Dillon, nationalist lead
er exclaiming:
Another government pledge gone."
Mr. Samuel resumed: "I took down
the words as they were spoken."
"If I had said that," replied Secre
tary Duke, "I should have been con
tradicting the prime minister. I had
no authority to say that."
1 im Healy, nationalist, for. County
Cork, thereupon said:
It is because we understood vou as
saying that, that we abstained from
speaking. j
Restriction Put Upon
Sale of Dried Fruits
Washington, April 13. Special I
regulations for the sale of dried
fruits were issued todav bv the food
administratio' i
TEUTONS
IN FIERCE ASSAULT
ON AMERICAN LINE
In Counter Attack, Moving Behind 'Curtain of Fire, Sam
miea'Drive Enemy Out of Trenches and Inflict Heavy
Casualties in Fighting in Open; American
v Losses Slight '. ,
(By Associated Press.)
With the American Army in France, April 13. Yester
day' battle was the first all-day struggle in which the Ameri
can troops have been engaged.
Two German attacks, which were delivered in force against
the American positions northwest of Toul, were repulsed with
heavy casualties to the enemy, including 36 prisoners left in
the hands of the Americans. American losses were slight.
The fighting began with one of the most violent bombard
ments ever laid down in that sector. During Thursday night
the Germans kept up a harassing fire, throwing many gas
shells into the American position.
O FORCE FIGHT IN OPEN.
BUMS AND IDLE
RICH GO TO JAIL
UNDER NEW LAW
Even Hard-Working Cabaret
Dancers Must Ssek Other
Fields of Labor in New
York State.
New York, April 13.-Word from
Albany that Governor Whitman has
signed the, new anti-loafing bill just
passed by the legislature will be the
signal for the invasion by deputy
sheriffs of all establishments in Man
hattan where jazz bapds and dancing
men furnish the chief attraction for
young women. Dancing, acording to
Sheriff Knott, is not to be considered
as an occupation in rounding im
idlers. Special attention, the sheriff
announced today, would.be given to
bench warmers in parks, club idlers
and men who spend their time in
pleasurable but nonproductive spttfts.
Sheriff Knott's proclamation to idlers
concludes with this warning:
"The possession by any man of
money, property or incomesufficient
to support himself will be no defense
for idleness. The penalty is a fine of
$100 or imprisonment for three
months or both."
Dr.W. H. Mullen of Cornfield
Addresses Allen Cit-Tsns
Allen, Neb., April 13. (Special.)
A successful patriotic meeting was
held at the R,ex theater last night.
Mayor Filley presided as chairman
of the mesting and introduced Dr.
W. H. Mullen of Bloomfield, who de
livered a two hours' address that lit
erally teemed with patriotic senti
ment. The speaker presented an ar
ray of facts and argument in regard
to the war that have been unheard of
to the citizens of this community
heretofore. The meeting was held
under the auspices of the home
guards and the local Council of De
fense. The local band played several
patriotic selections.
Here's the Circulation
of the
Omaha Papers
On Dorcas From 13th to 14th
State of Nebraska
County of Douglas i 83
William Cejnar, being duly sworn, says that on
April 3d he took a newspaper census of Dorcas
street between 13th and 14th streets, Omaha, and
that there are seven houses.
5 houses take The BEE.
2 houses take the World-Herald. ,
1 - house takes the News.
(Signed) WM. CEJNAR.
Subscribed in my presence and sworn before me
this 5th day of April. .
C. W. CARLSON,
(SEAL) Notary Pubic.
Another Block Monday
Keep Your Eye On The Bee
IMPROVING EVERY DAY
i
REPULSED
The first attack began at about
o'clock in the morning and was di
rected against the French troops on
the left flank of the American forces
in the forest of Apremont
While fhis was going on the Ameri
can troops made a counter attack on
the Germarv line, mpving forward be
hind a perfect curtain of fire. The
enemy, driven out of his trenches, was
forced to fight in the open.
A deadly machine, gun and auto
matic rifle fire was poured into th
enemy, who offered stubborn re
sistance at first, but .later-retreated 1
to their second line, hotly pursued by
the American troops. Fighting con
tinued for several hours.
Eject Enemy From Trenches.
The Germans again attacked at 11
o'clock at a point further to the right.
The American barrage fire cut them
off, but the German officers drove
their men through the exploding shells
until a few succeeded in penetrating
the American front line.
A counter attack which was im
mediatcly launched bv the Americans,
t jecitd the enemy, drivingy him back
to his positions. The struggle con- 1
tinued to sway back and forth for
several hours.
Attacks Made by Picked Men.
While tire action was at its height
the commander of an American ma
chine gun unit reported to his chid
that all the machine' J?un emplace
ments had been shotway, but thai
"every gun is working like hell."
The attacks were made by the re-"
organized remnant of 800 shock troops
who failed to reach the American
positions in their gigantic raid pt
Wednesday. Their ranks were filled
out by picked men from other units.
The German prisoners, who belonged
to six different organizations, said th:it
the attack was ordered to avenge the "
crushing defeat administered to the
enemy Wednesday. Five of the pris
oners were Uhlans, and all of the men
taken wqre carrying haversacks well
filled, as if in preparation for a pro
tracted stay in the American trenches,
corroborating the stories told by
prisoners taken Wednesday that the
Germans had been ordered to pene
trate the American third line at all
costs.
Go Into Action Singing.
The American troops, although tired
from nearly six days of infantry ac
tivity, went into'their positions sing
ing and expressing their pleasure at
an opportunity to fight in the open in
preference to what they term "sewer
fighting." -v
1
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