PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, NOVE3IBER 18. 1918.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
VOL. LVIII. XO. 18,092.
CITIZENS MUST NOT
WILSON GOING ABROAD,
WASHINGTON BELIEVES
PRESIDENT APPARENTLY UN
DECIDED AS TO COURSE.
I' S
WED HUES
WINSTON-SALEM, N. C.
SCENE OF RACE RIOT
Gl'ARD ORDERED OUT TO QCELL
- DISTURBANCE.
NATION ASKED TO
FAIL, SAYS GOVERNOR
MORE EXEKGY NEEDED IX WAR
r
E
TO
E
PUTS END TO
WORK CAMPAIGN.
HUMGRY HUWS RUSH
MASH
MARCH
RHIN
VOICE GRATITUD
IN PANIC FOR HOI
ID
Belgian Forces Already
Occupy Antwerp.
RUSSELS TO BE FREE TODAY
eneral Pershing's Forces
. Move Forward.
RECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN
Imall Units Are Advance Guards,
Engineers Following, Keeping
Watch for Mines.
PAHI5. Xnv. 17 Fnwk traona nave
rap!? Malaaaaea, Sedan. GraveloMe.
fort aoath of Meta. Maaater and
lltklrra. areordlag to the Freaek at-
trial coatmaalcacioa issned this eve-
PARIS. Not. 17. (S:53 P. M.) The
nerlcan Third Army has been desig
ned as the Army of occupation." It
.11 be under the immediate direction
General Pershing, the Commander-
I -Chief, who will be In command of
e American positions in occupied ter-
;ories.
The Third Army will consist of the
rst. Second, Third. Fourth, Fifth, 26th.
J. 42d, 89th and 90th divisions, which.
vlded among; the Third and Fourth
lrps. will consist for the present of
out a quarter of a million men. It
I ill be commanded by Major-General
ckman.
by I'ae Associated Press.)
WITH THE ALLIED ARMIES IN
RANCE AND BELGIUM. Nov. 17. j
lie allied armies nave Degun meir
arch toward Germany. The Belgian
: rces have already occupied Antwerp,
hich was evacuated by the enemy on
Iriday and immediately taken over.
Irussels was expected to be free of
lerman soldiers today.
WITH THE AMERICAN" ARMT IN
IRANCIT. Nor. IT. TTtJt A." W.) Gen
ii Pershing's forces moved forward
irly today In territory Just abandoned
the German troops. On the old line
itween Monson and Thiaucourt. lying
on the region of Sedan to the south
Metz, the troops had been stationed
await orders for the advance, and
5:30 o'clock this morning the patrols
arched out. not in line of battle, but
columns along the high roads, which
:e only slightly Impaired.
Advaace Uaarda Small lalta.
The first steps of the Americans into
lions so lately controlled by Ger-
any were not spectacular. The men
ere keyed up and keen for the new
venture, but as on the day of the
tuning of the armistice there were
mparatively no demonstrative mani-
i-stations of their enthusiasm.
Many of the men had been newly unl-
rnird. and all of them were "polished"
though for inspection. The men
Ippeared eager for the word to go for-
ard.
The relatively small units that are
hoving forward as advance guards
ere sent to the line before daylight.
tie night had been cold and the mud
tiat yet marks the roads was slightly
rozen. The men shivered as they rest-
ll by the roadside. m
Hostilities .t Kipcrtrd.
When the command finally was given
-r the advance the elements who were
push forward. In some cases miles
I part on the long line between the ex-
l-eme left and right, moved off into
I ie mists that appear always to shroud
Ills part of the country and disap
rared. For the first time since the Ameri-
Iins had been ordered to advance Into
nemy-held territory there was assur-
Ince that they would encounter no hos-
;llty. The intelligence department.
hich has never ceased to function, had
..curately reported that the Germans
ere carrying out their agreement of
Ivacuation.
No Chanrea Are Takea.
No chances were taken, however. The
Ingineera were the second unit to press
lorward. and they carefully began their
f ork of looking out for mines and
.tinted water. Every obstacle was
psted before It was moved, in order to
nd out If It masked explosives. For
lome time the Germans have shown a
Ipirit of co-operation in informing the
Americans where mines were located
Ind in themselves destroying them.
It was some time after the engineers
oved forward before the heavier col-
Irnns took the roads. The entire Army
Dally was moving, and moving along
ie lines of peace days. But It was in
lich order that It might Quickly be
ransformed into battle array. Every
Irigade was covered by a regiment of
the heavier antillery following
uose behind. The flanks of the ad-
lancing column were well protected.
War Still Kxlsta.
It has been impressed on officers and
en alike that this is an operation
I rider an armistice; that war still exists
nd that the possibility remains that
any time It may be necessary for
tiem to play their part with the same
rlmness of the past year.
Fraternisation not only with the Ger-
han soldiers who may be found either
stragglers or voluntary prisoners,
lut with the civilian population, has
leen sternly prohibited. Looting and
Iven aouvenlr hunting also have been
roiaaen tne Americana, it nas been!
I ;alnly impressed upon the men that
tCoacluded on Pais 2, Column l.)
t?ve Persons Killed and Scores In
jured When Mob Storms
Jail for Negro.
RALEIGH, X. C, Nov. 17. Governor
Biekett tonight arranged with the
military authorities at Camp Polk, near
thia elty. to send S3 membera of a task
battalloa to Wlaatoa-Salrm to aaalat la
aarlllng the riot la that elty.
WINSTON-SALEM. N. C. Nov. 17.
At least five persons, a girl spectator, a
city fireman and three negroes, are
known to have been killed and probably
a score of others Injured, several seri
ously. In a riot here tonight which re
sulted from the efforts of a mob of sev
eral thousand men to storm the city
Jail and lynch a negro accused of shoot
ing J. E. Childress and Sheriff Flint
and attacking Mrs. Childress last night.
Tonight firing still was going on In
different parts of the city. ' the mob
finally having broken into small
groups. Efforts of the home- guard
and the police to restore order were
unavailing even at that time ind Gov
ernor Beckett was asked to intervene.
He ordered home guards here from
Greensboro and arranged to have a
company of reciilar soldiers Bent from
Camp Polk. neJf Raleigh.
The known dead are Rachael Levi, a
bystander, shot through the lungs, and !
. ,. . '
Robert Young, fireman, -ho was shot.
The total number of injured was not
known. The mob first formed this aft
ernoon and stormed the Jail. Three
shots were fired and three negroes, ac
cused of shooting the two men and at
tacking Mrs. Childress, were seriously
wounded. A white prisoner also was
hit in the arm by a bullet. t
. The police cleared the crowd out of
the building and the Mayor called out
the Home Guards. Quiet prevailed for
a time, but at night the mob had re
formed and started marching to the
Jail, several thousand strong, after
breaking open hardware stores and
seizing revolvers and shotguns. The
Mayor sought to address the crowd, but
could not be heard.
When the mob broke for the Jail
firemen turned water on them, but the
rioters forced their way into the prison.
They did not find the negro they sought.
and leaving tha Jail, they gradually dis
persed. BAVARIAN JONG RESIGNS
Ludwig III Renounces Throne and
Frees Officers of Oaths of Orfice.
. BASEL, Nov. 17. King Ludwig III,
of Bavaria, has renounced his throne,
according to a dispatch from Munich,
and had released f.he officers and sol
diers and the personnel of the govern
ment from their oaths of office. The
council of ministers has given to the
former King and members of the royal
family the freedom of the, country as
long as they undertake no steps which
might endanger the existence of the
state.
Dispatches on November 8 declared
that a republic had been declared in
Bavaria and that the Wittelsbach dy
nasty had been deposed by the diet.
FIELD MARSHAL AT CASSEL
Von Ilihdenburg Welcomed by Rep
resentative of Municipality.
LONDON. Nov. 17. Field' Marshal
von Hindenburg arrived at Cassel on
Thursday, where he has taken up resi
dence in a hotel, according to a wire
less dispatch received here from Ber
lin. He was met at the railway station
by one representative of the soldiers'
and workmen's council and one repre
sentative of the municipality.
BRITISH STEAMER SINKING
Federal Liner Reported in Distress
Orf Cape Race.
ST. JOHNS. Nfd, Nov. 17. A radio
message received here today from the
British steamer Cascapedia, of the Fed
eral line, said she was in a sinking
condition off Cape Race.
No further particulars were given. It
was thought the ship was damaged in
the hurricane which swept this coast
the last 24 hours.
VON TIRPITZ ALSO FLEES
Chief Protagonist of Submarine Now
in Switzerland.
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 17. Admiral
von Tirpitz, former minister of the
German navy and the man who was
chiefly responsible for Germany's in
tensive submarine campaign, fled to
Switzerland immediately after the rev
olution in Germany broke out, says the
Frankfort Gazette.
ELECTIONS TO BE HELD
German National Convention Plans
Being Formulated.
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 17. The Ger
man government expects to hold elec
tions for a National convention in
January, says a Berlin dispatch re
ceived here.
Dr. Otto has been appointed Austrian
foreign minister, it ia reported.
HUN'SHIPS TO CARRY FOOD
Great Britain Arranging to Trans
port Essential to Germany.
LONDON, Nov. 16. The British gov-
eminent is arranging for the departure
I to the United States of a number of
German vessels.
These ships will bring to Germany
foodstuffs which the aliica will permit
Germany to receive.
President Issues Thanks
giving Proclamatjon.
PEOPLE MAY JUSTLY REJOICE
Victory in War Brings Promise
of New Day. .
DIVINE GUIDANCE SOUGHT
Help Declared Imperative in Build
Ing New Structure of Peace and
Good Will Among Nations.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 17. President
Wilson, In a proclamation today, deslg
nnt,H Thursilftv. November 28. as
. , , , . . .....
Thanksgiving day and said this year
the American people have special and
moving cause to be grateful and re
Joice. Complete victory, he said, has
brought not only peace, but the confi
dent promise of a new day as well, in
which "justice shall replace force and
jealous intrigue among the nations."
The proclamation follows:
THANKSGIVING, 1918.
By the President of the United States
of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
"It has long been our custom to turn
In the Autumn of the year In praise and
thanksgiving to Almighty God for his
many blessings and mercies to us as
a Nation. This year we have special
and moving cause to be grateful and
to rejoice. God has in his good pleas
ure given us peace. It has not come
as a mere cessation of arms, a mere
relief from the strain and tragedy of
war. It has come as a great triumph
of right. Complete victory has brought
us, not peace alone, but the confident
promise of a new day as well, in which
justice shall replace force and jealous
intrigue among the nations.
Nation's Triumph Unstained.
"Our gallant prmtes have participated
in a .triumph which is not marred or
stained by another purpose of selfish
aggression. In a righteous cause they
have won Immortal glory , and have
nobly served their Nation in serving
mankind. God has, indeed,' been gra
cious. We have cause for such rejoic
ing as revives and strengthens in us
all the best traditions of our National
history. A' new day shines about us,
in which our hearts take new courage
and look forward with new hope to new
and greater duties.
While we render thanks for these
things, let us not forget to seek divine
guidance in the performance of those
duties and divine mercy and forgive
ness for all errors of act or purpose.
and pray that in all that we do we shall
strengthen the ties of friendship1 and
mutual respect upon which we must
assist to build the new structure of
peace and good will among nations.
Wherefore, I, Woodrow Wilson,
President of the Unfted States of
America, do hereby designate Thurs
day, the 28th day of November next
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 2.) I also to hate. I (Concluded on Page 3, Column 4.)
r.... ........... ................................. ..i
J FLU BAN IS OFF SCHOOL BEGINS TODAY. j
j . : , : : 1
PAW, paw. Htniv, jrrou I WfcK gj I f
j rtS SAF TO Jkr J YOUR,0QOf I 9r'mc !
GO TOSCHOOL -XT
t V."? j. TEACHER..' . ' IX
t V i7Sm?lL f)SCV: TO SCHOOL. x0 i
t aYM3 r-if x 0. this cuo
eTT jtfk r ssr v f j tu rns
Period for Finish, of Great Drive in
This State Extended to
Wednesday Night.
SALEM. Or., Nov. 17. (Special.)
Upon receipt of a telegram today from
John R Mott. director of the general
United War Work campaign, in which
notification was carried officially that
the campaign In Oregon has been ex
tended to Wednesday night, the Gov
ernor issued another appeal to the
citizens of the state to make this one
of the most wonderful dsives ever
waged In the state.
Mr. Mott Informs the Governor that
General March has advised leaders of
the campaign that he has been mis
construed in his statements relative to
the length of time for demobilization
and "he agrees," says the telegram,
"that for many months there will be
a vast work for us to do on. behalf of
our men overseas and that the need for
such work will be greater than ever.'
The Governor, in his personal appeal
to Oregon citizens, declares that at no
time in the past have the men In the
service been in such great need of just
the kind of help to' be given by the
seven organizations as there will be
during the period between now and the
time they return to their homes.
"The men will be more or less Idle
millions of them and during such time
the work of these organizations will
show its most marvelous and benefi
cial effects," he said. "By all means
the time to give is now, and to give
unstintedly for the welfare of every
man who -has offered his life as a pos
sible sacrifice to his country and to
humanity. No words could be too
strong to impress upon the people the
great necessity for an outpouring of
funds for the mighty work which is
ahead for these organizations."
INFLUENZA TOLL IS HUGE
Deaths From Epidemic Exceed Cas
ualties of Yankees In War.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 17. The recent
epidemic of influenza in the United
States caused more deaths than oc
curred among the American expedition
ary forces from all causes from the
time the first unit landed in France
until hostilities ceased. This announce
ment today by the Census Bureau was
based on unofficial estimates of the
total casualties among the overseas
forces and reports from 46 cities having
combined population of v 27,000,600,
which showed 82,306 deaths from influ
enza and pneumonia from September 9
to November 9.
Total casualties in the American ex
peditionary forces," said the announce
ment, "have recently been unofficially
estimated at 100,000." ,
GERMANS GLAD TO RETIRE
Equipment Left in Fields Shows Dis
position of Huns.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Nov. 17. (By the Associated
Press.) All over the re-occupied coun-
ry where the Americans have passed
there is evidence of the whole-hearted-
ness with which the Germans quit.
Camps with temporary buildings have
been lett intact. Not one was burned.
Here and there have been seen great
piles of helmets and gas masks which
betrayed the manner in which entire
companies threw away their equip
ment they had learned to rely on, but
also to hate.
ment they had learned to rely on, but saxe-wemingen nas oeen proc.arnieq
. . .. . . .:. . . .A. . . . ..WV . . . x. A
Disorderly Masses Stream
Toward Fatherland.
COUNTRYSIDE IS PILLAGED
Power of Workmen's and Sol
diers' Councils Wanes.
CIVIL GUARDS ARE FORMED
Liberal Bourgeoise Parties Unite to
Present Solid Front Against
Soviets of Bolsheviki.
BY ARNO DOSCH-FLUEROT.
(Copyright by the Press Pub, Co., the New
York World. Published by arrangement.)
COPENHAGEN. Nov. 17.-r-(Special.)
Friederich Ebert, Secretary of War and
the Interior of the new German gov
ernment, announced to the Berlin
Soviet Saturday there was a panic on
the German front on account of the
lack of food, and that soldiers were
moving in disorderly masses toward the
Rhine.
He was also afraid they would not
get clear in the time limit fixed by the
armistice. Soldiers retreating through
Wirrtemburg and Baden were pillag
ing.
Early Action Needed.
. The power of the workmen's and sol
diers' councils has fallen 50 per cent
in Germany in three days, and is in
danger of falling even more if the
executive committee fails immediate
ly to state in unequivocal terms that
it is willing to cede power to a consti
tutional assembly.
The united soldiers" councils cen
tered In Berlin Friday supported the
Fusileers' expression of distrust of' the
executive council. They said the crea
tion of the red guard showed a lack
of confidence in the soldiers, and.- an
nounced they would throw Dr.- Lieb
knecht out of the barracks if he persist
ed in hiar Bolshevist agitation.
. Government Support Necessary.
The Bolsheviki are sufficiently strung
to keep the executive committee un
certain. ' The Hamburger Fremden-
blatt admits that the government needs
the Soviets behind it, but warns the
Soviets to support the government
fully in Its democratic programme, or
there will be no food from the entente.
Civil councils are forming in Berlin
as a rival, and volunteer soldiers are
forming a civil guard. The libera
bourgeoise parties are uniting to form
a solid front against the Soviets. The
movement against the power of the
Soviets' has gone so far in Berlin that
the commandatur is refusing soviet
passes unless they bear the comman
datur stamp..
BASEL, Nov. 17. -More of the smaller
German principalities have followed the
example of their larger neighbors and
have taken steps toward establishin
republican forms of government.
Saxe-Meiningen has been proclaimed
European Heads Suggest Execu
tive's Presence at Opening of
World Peace Conference.
PARIS, Nov. 17. (Havas.) The Echo
de Paris says Mrs. Wilson will come to
Europe with Mr. Wilson.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. Publication
today of President Wilson's letter to
Judge Alton B. Parker declining an in
vitation to attend the Britain day cele
bration in New York December 8
caused renewed discussion here of the
question of whether the President will
go to Europe for the great peace con
ference that is to settle finally the is
sues growing out of the war.
In his-1 letter to Judge Parker the
President said:,
"It is my plain duty to be here, for I
can act more promptly upon matters
which seem to mature almost every
hour, and I am sure that I can be more
true to the common cause by staying
here."
As yet there has been no indication
that the President has reached a de
cision with respect to suggestions from
high European heads that he at least
be present for the opening of the peace
conference, but there has been a grow
ing feeling here for several days that he
will go to Europe, though probably not
as an active participant in the meeting.
The general belief liere, it was said,
is that the Congress cannot assemble
before January, for even after the
United States and the allies have com
pleted their present exchanges of
views and the supreme council has
drawn up the programme for the meet
ing, several weeks will be required for
the assembling of the commissioners
who are to represent the participat
ing nations. "
LAKEVIEW BOYS DROWN
Hilliard Bailey, Son of Major, and
Lane Thornton Victims.
LAKEVIEW, Or., Nov. 17. (Special.)
Hilliard Bailey, son of Mayor Harry
Bailey, and Lane Thornton, son of A. L.
mormon, were drowned last evening
while fishing in Goose Lake. Ben Beall,
son of Lee Beall, a member of the party,
escaped in an exhausted condition and
gave the alarm. The youngsters were
in a boat which capsized. The bodies
were recovered in shallow water three
hours after the accident.
IDAHO CONVICTS AT LARGE
Men Scale Wall With Rope Braided
From Red Cross Yarn.
BOISE. Idaho, Nov. 17. Fred George
alias Gruber, and Harry Hinton escaped
from the Idaho Penitentiary Sunday
morning by scaling a 20-foot wall with
the aid of a 25-foot rope braided fro
yarn furnished the inmates by the Red
Cross for knitting sweaters for soldiers
George is under a life sentence for
murder, and Hinton a five to 15 years'
sentence for robbery. They have not
been captured.
WHEAT SENT TO HOLLAND
Steamer Adra, With 7100 Tons
Ordered Discharged at Rotterdam.
LONDON, Saturday, Nov. 16. In view
of the measure of an agreement reached
between Dutch delegates and represen
tatlves of the allied governments and
of the United States, and of the serious
distress in Holland arising from insuf
ficient food supplies, the allied food
council in London has arranged to
t to Rotterdam the steamer Adra
with 7100 tons of wheat on board.
GERMAN SHIPJS INTERNED
Vessels of Baltic Fleet Expected in
Swedish Waters.
STOCKHOLM. Nov. 17. (By the As
sociated Press.) The German armored
coast defense vessel Beowulf arrived
late Friday night in the Northern
Stockholm archipelago. The vessel will
be interned.
Other vessels of the German Baltic
fleet are expected to arrive in Swedish
waters.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
TESTER DAY'S Maximum temperature.
B6
degrees; minimum, 47 degrees.
TODAY'S Rains; southeasterly winds.
Foreign.
Allied armies are on march to Rhine; Ant
werp occupied. Page 1.
Situation in Holland reported improved.
Page 2.
Ex-Kaiser enters Holland as unarmed Ger
man. Page 2.
Yankees' smash through Argonne Forest puta
end to war. Page 1.
Germans pillago in suburbs of Brussels.
Page ..
Editors thrilled by Britain's reserve power.
Page 3. '
Shortage of food cause of panic on German
front. Tago 1.
National. ' .
Reconstruction fight opens In Washington.
Page 4.
Senate may split over Norris amendment.
Page 4.
President asks Nation to voice gratitude for
victory. Page 1.
Casualty list. Pago S.
Wilson going abroad, Washington Believes.
i'age 1.
Domestic.
Guard ordered to queil race riot in Winston-
Salem, N. C. Page 1.
Pacific Northwest.
Phone rate Increase must come regularly or
not at all. says commission. Page 4.
Governor appeals for more energy in United
Vvar Vvorlc campaign. Page 1.
"Hports.
Third-quarter rally wins for soldiers. Page 10.
Jun Club turkey snoot Is big event, fagc 11.
Barracks noses out in 7-to-S contest. Page 10.
Portland and Vicinitr.
Portland near goal lu War Work drive.
Page 14.
Triumphant spirit speaks in all Portland
churches. Page V.
Oregon Republicans hold Jollification.
Pago 14.
Cities may operate off-shore lines. Page 0.
Armory tilt shlfta to Oregon capital. Page 5.
Baptists at White Temp:e give thanks for
world peace. Page, ts '
750,000 Americans Used
in Argohne Battle..
21 DIVISIONS PARTICIPATE
Battle of Twenty Days Brings
Germany to Her Knees.
ST. MIHIEL THE BEGINNING
Mont 'Mcdy-Scdan Line Germany's
Life Artery, and Pershing's
Boys Cut It.
(By the Associated Press.)
PARIS, Nov. 17. Out of the confu
sion and daze of the crowding military
vents on the western battle lino since
late in September, when battle followed ,
battle until frjm Flanders to Verdun
there was ceaseless action, it is now per
missible to outline to a certain extent
the. part played by the American
Armies in the final decisive battle of
the war. which ended with the armis
tice of last Monday.
Military reasons heretofore have pre
vented accentuating the accomplish
ments of the Americans, except in a
most general manner. The dispatches
from the field have been necessarily
fragmentary and possibly were over
shadowed by the acounts of the more
dramatic operations over the historic
battle fronts to the west.
TTventy-one Divisions Participate.
But it may now be stated that 21
American divisions totalling more than
750,000 American combat troops par
ticipated in the action beginning Sep
tember 26 and lasting 20 days, known
variously as the battle of the Argonne
and the battle of the Meuse, but which
history may call Sedan the battle that
brought Germany, to her knees, and an
far aj human foresight goes, ended the
world s bloodiest and costliest war.
In order to understand the military
situation which made the Argonne
operations the crux of the war, it is
necessary to go back to the reduction
of the St. Mlhiel salient in the middle
of September.
Knemy Defensive Weakened.
This brilliant American accomplish
ment is still fresh in history. It cut off
at one stroke a menacing enemy pro
jection toward Verdun and weakened
the enemy's defensive by threatening
Metz, one of Germany's two greatest
advance railway centers for distributing
troops and supplies along the Mont
Medy-Sedan line.
Metz also was the pivot on which the
enemy ewung through Belgium into
France and, therefore, obviously it was
the pivot on which his retirement must
hinge. The Argonne, the next step be
low here, threatened the great rail
way arteries running westward from
Metz.
Americans Prove A'alor.
With the conclusion of the St. Mlhiel
action, the steady inflow of American
forces caused a displacement of power
as between the allied and German
armies. Thus it no longer was neces
sary to pursue a policy of reducing a
salient or nibbling at It. The American
troops had shown what they could do.
A broader policy of general attack
along the entire line was then adopted
and the high command called on Gen
eral Pershing to take the Argonne sec
tor, admittedly one of the most diffi
cult of the whole front. The broken
terrain, the topography and the lack
of roads made a problem difficult to
describe. Germany had in four years
fortified it to the last degree of mili
tary skill, with superb roads, both rail
and motor, connecting up to the rear
positions and bases.
i Argonne Forest Described.
The outstanding feature of the Ar
gonne forest is a long chain of hills
running north and south, covered with
dense growth of trees and under
growth, making an advance difficult
and offering superb defensive qualities.
Virtually no roads exist in the forest
except for a few passages running east
and west. The soil Is such that the
least rain converts it into a slippery
muck. In other words, tho physical
condition is such that the line of at
tack for an advancing army is limited
to valleys, chief among which is that
of the Aire River.
From the edge of the forest where
the resistance was viciously strong, the
enemy possessed Innumerable flanking
positions. But beyond this difficult
region lay the Montmedy-Sedan line.
which was recently captured. A Ger
man order described it as our life
artery." It represented one-rilf of tho
German rail su.-iply on the western
front. It meant death if cut.
Pershing Told to Cat Artery.
The high command told Pershing to
cut it. The American First Army was
put in motion from St. Mihiel. In nine
days it was on the Argonne lino ready
for an attempt, the failure of which
might mean disaster and the success
of which would give untold results.
This quick movement of an enormous
body of men,' the establishment of a
new line of supply and all the compli
cated military preparations, was re
garded with pride by tho American
commanders.
The Americans knew what con
fronted them. Tney realized that this
was no second St. Mihiel, but an enter
prise at which other armies had balked
for four years.
They knew that ncre was to be
fought a fight to rank with the first
battle cf the Marne. with Verdun, with
.tCobcluucd oa Pago 2, Culuiua 2.