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ODDS AND ENDS
OF DAY'S DOINGS
-
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t
Prison Contracts Authorized.
Washington, SepT 18. Under an
executive order announced today the
president authorizes the 'placing) of
war supply contracts with the heads
of prisons and reformatories at pre
- vailing prices and directs that pris
oners engaged on such contracts
ehall receive wages corresponding
with those paid for similar work in
the vicinity. Congress already has
provided for industrial plants at
tome federal prisons.
Says Husband Threw Bomb.
Chicago, Sept. 18. A report that
a woman has confessed to the Mil
waukee police that her husband,
Dominik Costellera, threw a bomb
which wrecked a Milwaukee police
station, killing several persons some
months ago, is being investigated
i by federal authorities, it was an
nounced today. The woman is said
to have declared that her husband
received a bomb from his brother
several days before the explosion.
Slays Five Children.
Moose Jaw, Sask., Sept. 18. Wil
liam Bromley, a driver for the Do
minion Express company, walked
into a police station early today
. and calmly announced that he had
murdered his five children. Brom
ley was accompanied by his wife,
who was not previously aware of
his deed.
Executed on Day of Trial
London, Sept. 18. General Souk
homlinoff, minister of war in the
Russian imperial cabinet from 1909
to 1915, was court-martialed Sep
tember 8 and shot on the same day,
according to a Petrograd dispatch
printed in the newspapers of Vienna
, and transmitted here by the Amster
dam correspondent of the Exchange
Telegraph company.
646 Ensigns Graduated.
Annapolis, Md., Sept. 18. Mili
tant success is the only argument
Q man militarists san understand,
Ssjretary Daniels declared here to
day, speaking at the graduation ex
ercises at the naval academy, when
646 new ensigns received their com
missions after an intensive 10-week
course of study.
Burns to Death in Flight.
Toronto, Ont., Sept 18. When
his machine caught fire while flying
more than 10,000 feet in the air
near Leaside camp late yesterday,
Cadet Henry C Saunders was
burned to death. Saunders was from
Erin, Ont
Th
e Omaha
Daily
Bee
VOL. 48 NO. 80.
Entered u Nou-claw nttttr May 2S. 190
t 0ih P. 0. aadtf act f March 3. U79
OMAHA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1918.
By Mall (t war). Dally, 4.W: Sunday, $2 W:
Dally tad Sua., $8; uttldt Nik. toitaaa txtra.
TWO CENTS.
THE WEATHER
Showers and cooler Thurs
day; Friday probably fair.
Hourly Temperature I '
5 a. m.
6 a. m..
7 . m..
8 a, m..
9 a, m..
10 a. m..
11 a. m..
13 m. ...
.41
.40
.40
..t.41
....41
....45
....4
....61
1 n. m..
I p. m.w...j
8 p. m..
4 P. "
P. "
p. ?
1 p. m..
g p. m. ...6
ALLIES PENETRATE
ENEMY'S LINES IN
BALKANS 10 MILES
German Troops in Flight Along With Bulgarians to
Whose Aid They Had Been Sent; Serbs Fighting
With Splendid Morale, Equalling French
in Endurance and Courage.
By Associated Press. -
London, Sept. 18. Bulgarian resistance on the Mace
donian front is weakening and the allied troops have ad
vanced an average of 10 miles, according to the latest reports
received from Saloniki. Fifty guns have been captured.
Paris, Tuesday, Sept. 18. Allied forces on the Mace
donian front have penetrated to a depth of nearly four and a
half miles on a front of 15i2 miles and have captured 4,000
prisoners, according to an official statement issued tonight
hv t.hfi war nffipp. y
The statement reads:
Slide Slip Fatal.
Fort Worth, Tex., Sept 18. Sec
ond Lieutenants James L. McKee
ver of New York City and John M.
Wildenham of Los Angeles, both
stationed at Love Field, Dallas.
Tex., were killed late today when
their airplane went into a slide slip
and crashed to earth, 12 miles north
of here.
a
YANK BARRAGE
STREWS GROUND
WITH JJN DEAD
German Infantry Driven Back
. by Artillery Fire in At
tack West of the
Moselle.
With the American Army in Lor
raine, Sept 18. (By Associated
Press) German infantry attempted
to attack the American lines west of
the Moselle Tuesday evening but
the enemy troops were driven back
by the fire of the American artil
lery. When observers reported that a
light line of German infantrymen
was approaching, the American big
guns threw a terrific barrage into
that area. There were no further
movements by the enemy.
" Observers reported this morning
that there were no living Germans
"- in the region ' where they were
sighted last night. Quite a number
of dead, however, were seen.
American aviators report that on
Tuesday American gunners scored a
direct hit on a big German gun in the
region of La Chaussee, destroying
the gun. Other hits nearby de
stroyed a number of gun emplace
ments anLone shell struck the dug
outs where , the German gunners
had taken cover.
German aviation machine gun
ners and bombers attacked what
they supposed to be the American
positions in the region of the west
of Vandieres last night The mist
and low clouds, however, prevented
the Germans from finding their
- targets. The Germans themselves
were located and driven back by
anti-aircraft fire.
The Germans last night shelled
the town of Thiaucourt and again
attempted to harass the American
troops in Watronville, ManheulleS,
Saulx, Haumont and Combreo, with
heavy gunfire and gas. ,
Army of 4,800,000 Men
By July, U. S. Program
' Washington, Sept 18. An army
of 4,800,000 by next July, after all
deductions have been made for cas
ualties and rejections, is what the
" enlarged American military pro
gram calls for. General March ex
plained this to the house appropri
ations committee today in discuss
Ins the new $7,000,000,000 army es-
tUjhere are now about 3,200,000
" men under arms, General March
"said, -and the plan is to call 2,700,
000 of the new draft registrants to
,jjfa fiSlSU bSiKSSft SIQ. l4 J.U&
"Our operations undertaken on
September IS on the Macedonian
front were pursued today with every
success. The breach made in the
enemy's line on September IS on the
front of Sokol-Dobropolje-Vetrenik
was widened to the west and to the
east for a distance of more than 25
kilometer and to a depth of seven
kilometers.
Take Fortified Zone.
"West of Sokol, Serbian divisions
captured the enemy fortified zone
between Gradeshnitza and Sokol,
and, crossing the Gradeshnitza riv
er, drove the enemy back in disorder
on to the Razim bay ridge, where
the enemy units were bombarded by
allied airplanes.
"East of Vetrenik the allied forces
captured the Chlem and Golo Bilo
massifs and the defenses of Zbors
ko. "A Jugo-Slav division, taking ad
vantage of the initial success, today
stormed the Koziak massif, the sec-,
ond enemy defensive positions in
this region. '
"The number of prisoners taken
in the first two days of the opera
tions totaled more than 4,000, includ
es; a colonel and his entire staff,
30 guns and numerous mine throw
ers, and machine guns and a con
siderable quantity of material re
mained in our' hsinds."
"The offensive continues.
"The Serbian troops are fighting
with splendid morale. They have
equaled the endurance, courage,
spirit and sacrifice of French units
in repulsing Bulgarian counter at
tacks. Fighting stubbornly in the
face of every energetic resistance,
they stormed positions, including
several wooded heights, which ap
peared to be impregnable."
Germans in Flight.
Washington, Sept. 18. German
troops sent to the Macedonian front
to aid the hard-pressed Bulgarian
forces have been put to flight along
with the Bulgarians, says a Serbian
official statement on today's opera
tions, received tonight at the Serb
ian legation.
The statement, which was sent
from Salonika by General Peshitch,
assistant chief of the Serbian gen
eral staff, says further: .
"We have repulsed a number of
violent counter-attacks in the Ko
ziak region. We continue to ad
vance along the whole front. The
village of Gradeshnitsa is in our
hands. The allied troops have taken
the village of Starovina.
The number of prisoners exceeds
4,000. The number of captured guns
exceeds SO. The enemy has also
abandoned enormous quantities of
war material."
Look for Big Drive.
It has been hinted in military cir
cles that this autumn would see
a major operation on the Mace
donian front and from the news of
the last few days it appears that
that operation has begun. While it
is not possible for military reasons
to give the number of men intended
to participate in this movement, its
object is clear; to cut off Turkey
from the other central powers, to
crush Bulgaria, to free Serbia, Rou
mania and the Jugo-Slavs of south
ern Austria. -
"JUST, STRONG
PEACE," FRENCH
PREMIER'S AIM
"Bargaining Between Crime
and Right No Longer Pos
sible," Declares M.
Clemenceau.
Paris, Sept. 18.-(Havas.)-"We
will fight until the hour when the
enemy comes to understand that
bargaining between crime and right
is no longer possible," declared Pre
mier Clemenceau in an eloquent ad
dress in the senate last evening.
"We want a just and a strong peace,
protecting the future against the
abominations of the past."
Grateful to Allies.
In beginning, M. Clemenceau
spoke of the gratitude the people
of the allied nations feel "toward
those marvelous soldiers of the en
tente" by whom those nations would
at last be liberated from the barbar
ian menace. He recalled the threat
ening attitude of Germany toward
pacific France, which had endured
for a half century "the infamous
wounds, brutalities and tyrannies
of an enemy who would not forgive
us for having saved from the wreck
the consciousness of right and our
indefeasible claims of independ
ence." He pointed out how without
the slightest pretext Germany hurl
ed itself upon French territory, de
vastated fields of France, burned
and pillaged its towns and villages
and enslaved its men, women and
children.
Fortune Changes.
"The enemy thought that victory
would cause all this to be par
doned," continued the premier, "but
fortune has changed. The day of
glory has come. Our sons are com
pleting the formidable task of their
fathers, and with brotherly nations
are securing a supreme victory. All
right minded humanity is with our
troops, who are liberating the na
tions from the furore or evil force."
The Paris newspapers treat Pre
mier Clemenceau's speech as in ef
fect a reply to the Austro-Hungar-ian
peace note, coupling it with that
of Arthur J. Balfour, the British
foreign secretary. They declare
that the responses which President
Wilson, Secretary Balfour and Pre
mier Clemenceau have made show
them in agreement on the question
and as unwilling to permit a discus
sion of peace which would dissipate
the storm driving .against the cen
tral powers.
Twenty Divisions Lost.
With the American Army on the
Lorraine Front, Sept. 18. One hun
dred eight German infantry bat
talions, equivalent to 20 division,
have been disbanded, it is learned, in
order to fill the gap made by the
past year's fighting.
Germans Now Despoiling
Russian Baltic Provinces
Washington, Sept 18. New evidence of Germany's
double dealing in Russia reached the State department today
in a dispatch showing that German government agents some
time ago sought ineffectually to form an alliance with strong
Russian groups against their tools, the bolsheviki. '
Thjs information came from Moscow by courier to Sa
mara and thence to Consul General Harris at Irkutsk. The
courier arrived at Samara on September 12 and his advices
were cabled by Harris yesterday.
The dispatch said hunger and disorder existed every
where in the Moscow region. It further stated that the Ger
mans had begun the removal of all useful materials from the
j Baltic provinces, evidently in preparation for evacuation.
This, it is understood here, refers to Esthoma and Livonia.
Lenine, the bolshevik premier, was reported recovering
from his wounds received in a recent attempt to kill him.
v No mention was made in the dispatch of Consul General
Poole at Moscow and considerable apprehension is felt as to
his safety. Last word from Mr. Poole received by the State
department was dated September 3., The State department
made inquiries concerning him through both the Swedish and
Norwegian governments two weeks ago, but has received no
reply, r
Enlistment Rolls
Now Reopened for Air
Service Recruits
Washington, Sept 18. Produc
tion of aircraft and motors and
the training of . the aircraft per
sonnel are now so well advanced,
the War department announced to
night, that additional pilots, ob
servers and mechanics are needed.
To secure these men the air ser
vice enlistment rolls have been re
opened for voluntary induction of
men of draft age.
Candidates as pilots and observ-i
ers must be between 18 and 30
years of age and balloonists be
tween 18 and 45. They may apply
for examination before the avia
tion boards at Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Dallas, Fort Sill, Los
Angeles, Minneapolis, New York,
San Antonio, San Francisco, St
Louis, Washington, and the Pana
ma canal zone.
"Skilled men for enlistment in
the ranks may be between 18 and
45. .Those who pass the trade
tests at concentration camps will
be sent into service at once for
special training.
OMAHA TO HAVE
BALLOON SCHOOL
AFTER WAR ENDS
Fort Crook Will Be Center of
Aeronautic Activities When
Water Supply Is
Obtained.
Washington Bureau of Omaha Bee.
Washington, Sept 18. (Special
Telegram.) That there will be an
extensive military program after the
present war was intimated to John
W. Gamble of the Omaha Chamber
of Commerce, by General Keirley,
chief of aeronautics, today, when
Mr. Gamble and Congressman Lo
beck called on that official to as
certain what was in store from an
aeronautic point of view for Fort
Crook.
General Kenley said that the dis
position of the War department and
hisiown branch of the service was
to make Forts Omaha and Crook
the first . balloon and observation
school ia the country, and that just
as soon as thort was an adequate
supply of water at Fort Crook the
aeronautical branch , of the War de
partment would proceed to make
of it the center of balloon activities
in the country. Already orders have
been issued to proceed with the'
necessary repairs on Fort Crook to
make it available for troops.
On Saturday it is expected 'Sena
tor Hitchcock, Mr. Gamble and Con
gressman Lobeck will see the act
ing secretary of war and if possible
get him to issue the necessary order
to begin work on putting in the
water mains from South Omaha to
Fort Crook.
Asks for Air Mail Service.
Mr. Gamble also called on Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster General
Otto Praeger, with a request that
an air mail service be established
between Omaha and Chicago. Mr.
Praeger stated that the extension
of the air mail service from Chi
cago westward had been favorably
considered and that Omaha was
naturally the first city to have
consideration. He suggested that
the proper thing for the Chamber of
Commerce to do was to get a favor
able landing field for the airplanes
and that having been accomplished,
he would look after the installation
of the service.
Jeff eris Visits Capitol.
A. W. Jefferis, the republican can
didate for congress from the Second
district, was in Washington today,
en route after a visit to New York
and Trenton, N J. Mr. Jefferis had
a conference with Chairman Hays of
the national committee, while in
New York. Today he was presented
to Chairman Fess of the republican'
congressional committee by repre
sentative Sloan, who also introduced
him to members of the republican
steering committee of the senate
and leaders of the house with whom
he will come in contact after March
4, next. "Jeff" was received with
great favor by the republicans whom
he met and his confident predic
tion of election heartened his party
associates immensely. He left for
Nebraska tonight
Congressman Sloan announced to
day that his son Blaine had sailed
for the front Monday with an artil
lery unit, a letter from him indicat
ing the sailing, but the destination
unknown.
Offer to Build Aeroplanes.
Lloyd A. Winship, secretary-treasurer
of the Hebb Motors" company
of Lincoln, and E. C. Hammond are
in Washington for the purpose of
getting the War and Navy depart
ments' interest in using their up-to-date
plant at Havelock for aero
plane building purposes. They saw
Secretary Daniels today and will
see General Kenley tomorrow. The
company has strong financial back
ing and is in a position to turn out
aeroplanes in considerable quanti
ties. Congressman Reavis has accepted
invitations to make addresses before
the Ministerial association of Wash
ington on Monday next and Thurs
day next before the Wilson Normal
Community association. He' will
probably speak at Vincennes, Ind
late next week. He has more than
50 requests for speeches from mem
bers of congress since his great
Jjptech last week, ' ,
STQOEffl
CERTAINTO
FALL SOON
Buttress of Hindenburg Line
Is Surrounded on Three
Sides; Capture Is Only
Matter of Days.
By Associated Press.
British and French veterans have
made another vicious and success
ful smash at the Hindenburg line.
Sweeping forward on a front of 22
miles, they went ahead from 1 1-3
to 3 miles, taking many prisoners.
The most important aspect of the
advance is that it makes more cer
tain the capture of St. Quentin,
which the Germans have been or
dered to hold at all costs. This
important city is virtually surround
ed on three sides and its fall seems
only a matter of days.
Field Marshal Haig's Third and
Fourth armies charged over the
trench system occupied by the Brit
ish before they were pushed back
by the Teutonic flood last March.
They captured, in wide sectors, the
outer defenses of the Hindenburg
line.
British Take Epehy.
The British assault was over a
front of 16 miles from Holnon, west
of St Quentin, to Gozeaucourt,
north of Epehy. In their advance,
which reached a depth of more than
three miles at some points, they
took more than 6,000 prisoners.
Not only did the blow bring near
er the capture of St. Quentin, which
the Germans are struggling des
perately to hold, but it went far
towards wiping out the only bulge
in the British line which resembles
a salient. Epehy, at the apex of
the bend, has been taken and the
same fate has be'fallen Gouzeaucourt
and Hargicourt which stood at the
ends of the wings.
Counter Attacks Begun.
The importance which the Ger
mans attached, to the territory wrest
ed from them is indicated by the
announcement that they launched
determined counter attacks as soon
as they could be organized, from
Hargicourt to the Omignon rivulet.
The success of their efforts re
mains somewhat obscured, but it
is not believed they can recover
the ground they have lost
While the French advance was less
spectacular than that of the British,
with whom they co-operated, they
were equally successful in gaining
their objectives. They moved for
ward on a front of six miles to an
average depth of 1 1-3 miles, adding
several hundred prisoners to the
(Continued on Fage Two, Column Five.)
Local Board No. 1 to Give
Registered Men Training
Local exemption board, No. 1 has
completed plans to give registered
men in its district preliminary mili
tary training and wants to hear
from all who wish to take the in
struction. The first meeting will be held
at 8 o'clock Thursday night at the
base ball diamond in Miller park.
Officers from Fort Omaha will
drill the men and many of the regis
trants will be fitted for non-commissioned
officers before they are
drafted into the service.
Five American Planes
Missing After Combat
Washington, Sept. 18. Five Am
erican planes are missing as a result
of an attack by a superior German
force during a bombing expedition
in Lorraine, 'General Pershing re
ported in today's communique, re
ceived tonight by the War depart
ment. With' the exception of ar
tillery activity in Lorraine and Al
sace, the American sectors remain
inactive.
Germany in Full
Sympathy With Plea
Made by Austria
.Washington, Sept. 18. German
disclaimers of knowledge of Aus
tria's intention to dispatch her
proposal for non-binding discus,
sions of peace are being made in
the face of information in pos
session of the American .govern
ment that the German government
was fully aware of its ally's pur
pose. It is not known that Germany
gave her specific approval to the
Austrian move, but officials are
satisfied that if approval was with
held it was solely for the reason
that a doubt was entertained as to
the success of the undertaking.
That the German government
was in full sympathy with the
Austrian purpose is regarded as
established from the record. Of
ficials today called attention to the
fact that this latest proposal was
in reality nothing more than an
elaboration in many words of one
of the initial peace efforts launch
ed by both Germany and Austria,
December 12, 1916.
POLICE SAY MEN
WILL GO AHEAD
TO FORM UNION
Second Meeting Held in Labor
Temple, but Organization
Not Yet Perfected by
Officers.
"We have not stopped."
This was the answer by J. B.
McDonald, speaking for the new or
ganization of policemen, in reply to
a reporter's qusstion, whether Com
missioner of Police Ringer's prohi
bitory order against the proposed
policemen's union would be heed
ed. "We have not organized," said he,
"but we are going ahead. We have
no- statement to give out to the
papers for the reason we do not
want to enter into a controversy
with Mr. Ringer at the present time.
"We believe his order has been
misinterpreted by the newspapers
and we leave it to the public wheth
er we have a right to organize."
Beyond this statement Mr. Mc
Donald, who seems to be one of the
temporary heads of the new organi
zation, had nothing to say.
A meeting which was attended by
a number of police officers, but
which was not as large in attendance
as the morning's gathering, was held
Wednesday night at the Labor tem
ple. It lasted for two hours. There
seemed to be no effort on the part
of the men who attended to con
ceal their identities.
The order of Commissioner Ring
er prohibiting the members of the
force from forming a union was
formally read to the department at
the afternoon roll call Wednesday.
There was no comment on the part
of the men, who listened intently
to the mandate.
Earlier in the day some of the
police contended their organization
was not a labor union in the strict
sense of the word. They said it
could not be a member of the Cen
tral Labor union, but could affiiliate
with that body the same as the Mail
Carriers' union.
Czecho-Slovaks
Cross Ural Range .
And Capture Perm
Paris, Sept. 18. (Havas.) A dis
patch from Vladivostok announces
that the Czecho-Slovak forces have
captured Perm.
If the report of the capture of
Perm is true it means that the
Czecho-Slovaks have advanced
across the Ural mountains about 180
miles from Ekaterinburg, which they
captured some time ago.
Perm is the capital of the gov
ernment of Perm and is situated on
the Kama river. Near it is one of
the large Russian ordnance works.
BRITISH CAPTURE
6,000 PRISONERS IN
THREE-MILE DRIVE
French Co-operate in Operation Which Jeopardize!
Hindenburg Defensive Position, Advancing Mile .
and Third Along Six-Mile Front on Right of
Field Marshal Haig's Forces. v
London, Sept. 18. The British have penetrated th
enemy's defenses northwest of St. Quentin to a depth of
three miles and captured more than 6,000 prisoners, Field
Marshal Haig reported tonight. . '
The British have captured Fresnoy-Le-Petit, Berthacourt
and Pontru, and the Australians have occupied Le Verguier
Villeret and Hargicourt. . - f
The high ground south of Gouzeacourt has been car
ried by the British, who reached the outskirts of Villers
Guislain and occupied Gauche wood.
Templeux, Le Guerard, Ronssoy, Epehy and Peiziere
have also been taken, the troops penetrating to a great depth
SOLDIERS GIVE
WILSON'S STAND
GRIM APPROVAL
"Unconditional Surrender" of
Enemy Only Terms on
Which American Troops
Welcome Peace.
By Associated Press.
With the American Army in
France, Sept. 18. From the manner
in which the American army receiv
ed the news of President Wilson's
reply to Austria-Hungary's peace
note, it might be characterized as
one of grim approval.
The report of the Austrian sug
gestion that a peace conference be
held circulated rapidly yesterday
from headquarters far in the rear
to the front line trenches and the
officers and men alike expressed the
belief that none of the allied gov
ernments, certainly not theirs,
would yield to what they regarded
as a trick of the central powers to
gain time.
Reply Relieves Anxiety.
As the news of President Wilson's
brief answer moved steadily toward
the outposts and was passed on by
one soldier to another, there was a
feeling of relief among the officers
of high rank and an air of satis
faction from the enlisted men. The
attitude of the soldiers, often "re
peated, was:
"Sure he won't. The kaiser can't
put over anything like that on him."
The American army, as yet only
slightly scarred by war, has all the
enthusiasm that characterizes all
armies at the beginning of hostili
ties. The Americans wish Germany
to be defeated.
Prisoners Realize Danger.
The Austrian prisoners in the
hands of the Americans appear to
realize the danger to them of the
constantly increasing American
army and are not inclined to under
estimate the menace that goes with
the enthusiasm born of a victory so
easily bought as was that in the
St. Mihiel salient. The Austrians
continue to insist that the peace of
fer was not a trick of Germany's,
but that it should be attributed
solely to Austria's determination
to get out of what her people re
gard as a bad bargain.
Whatever the motive behind the
enemy move, there is no doubt that
the American soldier would be dis
apointed if peace were made at pres
ent,' unless it were based virtually
on unconditional surrender.
$along the line.
Paris, Sept. 18. The French .tn
tack on the right of the British in
the St. Quentin sector resulted ii
an advance of a mile and a third
along a six-mile front,' according
to the War office announcement to
night. -
Important Results Achieved.
By Associated Press.
With the British Army in France
Sept. 18. The British troops mado
a powerful attack against the Ger
man lines to the west and north
west of St. Ouentin todav and most
important results were achieved. A
rteen advance into the enemv tern
tory strengthened the already pow-
erful grip the British have on St.
Quentin, one of the most strongly '
fortified parts of the Hindenburg
line. -
To the south the French co-oper- -
ated in what is likely to prove att
operation of vast portent with re
spect to the Hindenburg defensivt
POThe0,zone involyafe''11'" ' ,
movement lay-.roCighly, bfltfefti lfu5T"
non, on the south, and Gouzeacourt.
Within a few -hours PehUrs,T
pi eux-Le-Guerard, Epehyy- 'Ronssoj
and Villert were behind the advanc- -ed
British forces and bitter fighting
was in progress at many points in
the forward zone. j More than 3,000
prisoners have already been sent
back to the cages.
Gain Crest of Fudge.
The advance thus far recorded-
in some places more than two miles
means that the British at numer
ous points gained the crest of the
ridge along which their old front line
ran prior to the German offensive
in March and from their new posi
tions were looking down on the Hum
denburg line in the valley to the" east
That hard fighting would be en
countered in this sector was a fore-
gone conclusion.The main enemy op4
position came from machine guns and
artillery. The counter-barrage, which
the Germans sent over in reply to
the British bombardment was much,
more severe than the . enemy had
been abfe to provide, in the recent
fighting'and, as an additional new
feature, the Germans maintained a
heavy barrage over the back areas
with high velocity guns, which, he
had concentrated for the purpose.
The shelling of the back areas
during an attack is to be expected,
but a barrage has seldom before been
attempted, and then without great
success. . . . . .
Huns Gladly Surrender.
The German infantry surrendered
quite freely in places. In fact in h
center of the attack, where the Aus
tralians were working, a considerably
number of graycoats deliberately
charged through the British barrage;
to give themselves up.
Today's operation cannot be con
sidered as a major operation as com-
pared with recent battles. The ob:
jectives sought, however, were inw
(Continue on Page Two, Column Four)
AMERICAN TANK CREWS DISPLAY GREATEST OF DARING
FORGING AHEAD FAR IN' ADVANCE OF TROOPS AT ST. MIHIEL
By Associated Press. .
With the American Army on the
Loraine Front, Sept. 18. Squadrons
of American-manned tanks, operat
ing for the first ,time on a large
scale in the attack on the St. Mihiel
salient, played an important and dra
matic part in the defeat of the Ger
mans. '
Divided into brigades light, inter
mediate and heavy the tanks swung
out on to the -field of battle imme
diately a(ter the barrage.- Before
the day ended they had entered the
the villages of Nonsard, Pannes, La
marche and Binney, considerably
ahead of the infantry.
Early in the action . difficulties
were experienced insetting to the
front sufficient gasoline, although
a great fleet of gasoline tanks had
been prepared to carry supplies.
The gas tanks were attacked by the
enemy or were mired and it was
here that American ingenuity came
to the rescue.
Gasoline Carried on Bobsleds.
Barrels of gasoline were trundled
and. rolled over , the roadless fields
by daring volunteers to meet the
most pressing needs. Bobsleds, cuji
ously enough, were found more ef
fective than wagons in carrying sup
plies, since they could be dragged
over the mud without being mired,
and on them hundreds of gallons
of gas were conveyed to the fighting
tanks.
The advance of the tanks broughM
out many examples of daring on the
part of their crews. One" major,
whose machine was equipped with
a 37-millimeter gun instead . of . a
machine gun, violated his orders and
went far ahead until lie was wikMn
rangeNof Nonsard. With one well
placed 'shot he kuocked two Ger
mans out of a church steeple from
which they were firing a machine
gun.
A lieutenant, shot through the
palm of the left hand by an explo
sive bullet, was sent to a hospital
but escaped and walked. six miles
back to the field. He appeared at
his tank with the statement that he
could "carry on" with his right
hand.
Several others were wounded, but
remained on duty, Io one was kill
ed, however, even though a Ger
man six-inch shell plowed clear
through a small tank, destroying
it but injuring only one of the crew.
Another tank captured a battery of
"77s" but was so far ahead of the
infantry it could not turn over the
guns to them.
-. Sergeant Perched on Turret.
The story is told of another tank,
which went into a town with a ser
geant armed with a rifle perched on
the turret. This machine captured
two batteries of "77s", five machine
guns and many men.
Tanks were occasionally as much
as two miles ahead of the infantry,
throwing consternation into the Ger
mans. Part of the success which at
tended their share in the battle un
doubtedly was due to the intensive
training given drivers who are
taught to operate the machines
bliffdfolded, guided only by signals
from the gunners. This sometimes
is necessary when the drivers are
blinded temporarily by splashes of
mud.
For several days before the offen
sive the tanks which were to take
part -were .maneuvered -into an in
terior town while the civilians
watched them with amazement, with, ...
no knowledge of what it portended.
Some time before the battle the tank
crews were given their final instruc
tions on a hypothetical battle field
mathematically divided up into de.
barkation points and supply depots; -
Success Credited to Tanks.
Amsterdam, Sept 18. Jhe Frank -fort
Zeitung's correspondent tele
graphs the following from the west
front under date of September" 16. -
"The Franco-American attack tt
St. Mihiel is now seen to have been
a carefully planned undertaking of
considerable magnitude. The num
ber of -Hacking enemy divisions ii
not yet known for certain, but we
know that our losses in prisoners'
were due to extensive use by the -enemy
of tanks. More than 1 000 '
armored cars of all -sizts particw
patcd. ' v , . :
"One of our divisions counted in
its sector alone 60 large and 40
small tanks. Troops who hold oat
stoutly in their positions are alww
