VOL. LYIII. '0. 18,002.
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1918.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
i
flffi, (1 BASE
OFGEliMllS
It
T
Franco-Americans Capture
Big Enemy Storehouse.
IB
Fierce House-to-House Fight
ing Takes Place in Clos
ing Struggle.
ILLIES NOW ACROSS VESLE
Flanks of Foe Between Rheims
and Soissons Appear to
Have Been Turned.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
ON THE AISNE-MARNE FRONT,
I Aug. 4, 10 P. M. (By the Associated
Press.) The town of Fismes was
I taken late today by the American
I troops, supported by the French.
The French are across the Vesle at
I several points to the eastward and the
line has been extended northwest of
Rheims to La Neuvillette.
The Germans are resisting sharply
rrom Munzon to Champigny.
Town Entered Saturday.
Fismes was taken after a heavy ar
tillery fight that began in the middle
of the afternoon. A few Americans
entered the town Saturday afternoon
and remained there all night. They
were driven out early today.
The Germans threw gas shells and
shrapnel into the southern part of the
town, making it inadvisable for the
little party to remain longer. . .
Their reconnaissance has been com
pleted and they were ordered to fall
Lack. ...
A Barrage Aids Yankees.
The Germans had been dropping
shells about the town intermittently
since daylight. When the Americans
decided to advance it was after care
ful preparation, and under a sweeping
barrage of shrapnel and gas, the In
fantry advanced. There was opposi
tion from machine guns, but the
Americans quickly silenced them.
PARIS, Aug. 4The town of Fis
mes, Germany's great storehouse on
the Aisne-Marne battle front, has been
taken by the French and American
troops, according to the French of
ficial communication issued this even
ing.
French Cross River.
French troops also have crossed the
Vesle at several points.
The text of the communication fol
lows:
"During the day we reached the
Vesle to the east of Fismes. The
enemy's rear-guards opposed spirited
resistance, especially between Munzon
and Champigny. Our light elements
succeeded in taking a footing on the
north- bank of the river at several
places.
Tismes is in our possession.
Neuvillette Strongly Defended.
"Northwest of Rheims we have won
ground up to the village of La Neu
villette, which the enemy is defending
with great energy.
"On the left bank of the Avre, be
tween Castel and Mesnil St. Georges,
the Germans were forced to abandon
a part of their positions.
"We have occupied Braches and
penetrated into Hargicourt.
"We have also advanced our line to
the outskirts of Courtemanche. We
took prisoners.'
, Both Flanks Appear Turned.
Both flanks of the German forces
between Rheims and Soissons appear
to' have been turned.
After Fismes had been completely
surrounded by allied troops, the Ger
mans retained a foothold in the ex
treme northern part of the town,
where there was house-to-house f ight
'jig. Prussian Guard units offered the
most desperate resistance before the
town fell.
Foe'a Front Falters.
Allied troops have crossed the Aisne
it several points between Soissons and
VenizeL
The German resistance at 1:05 P. M.
was faltering on the left wing of the
allied advance, while it was growing
stubbornly and desperate on the right
wing, where the Germans retained a
foothold on the southern bank of the
Vesle, between Champigny and Pon
chery, northwest of Rheims.
German reinforcements are reported
Concluded aa f as 2. Columa I
GERMANS ADMIT
ALBERT RETREAT
"FIGHTING CONTACT" OX VESLE
3IEXTIOXED.
Official Teuton Statement Endeav
ors to Soften Blow by Saying
Withdrawal Unopposed.
BERLIN, via London. Aug-. 4. The
Germans on both aides of Albert have
retreated from the western to the east
em bank of the Ancre River, accordin
to the German official communication
Issued today. The statement say the
withdrawal was made without opposl
tlon.
The text of the statement follows
"During the night there was a re
vlvinc artillery activity, which In
creased to great Intensity t times
south of Tpres and on both sides of the
Somme.
On Vnth sides of Albert we with
drew, without enemy Interference, ou
positions on the west of the Ancre to
the eastern bank of the river.
"In successful fore-field engagements
south of Luce Brook and southwest of
Montdldier. we captured prisoners.
-There have been no fighting opera
tions on the Alsne north and east of
Soissons. On the Vesle we are in rigni-
lng contact with the enemy."
AUTO FAILS; GIRL DROWNS
- 0
Machine Goes Into Sacramento River
and All Efforts to Rescue Fall
SACRAMENTO. Cal. Aug. 4. (Spe
cial.) Agnes McQulre. lo-year-oia
daughter of James McQulre, a prom
inent Droduce merchant of Sacramento,
was drowned In the Sacramento River
at Hood when something went wrong
with the automobile driven by her
-r.th.i- ani the machine went Into the
river from the ferry.
There is a stiff current at the ferry
and effort! of McQulre and tha ferry
tender, Charles Johnson, to rescue the
girl were futile. Johnson clutched the
girl's arm, but her aleeves gave way
.a h. a.nlr for the last time. The
body was recovered some hours later.
The father of the girl nearly drowned
in his efforts to rescue his daughter.
SMOKES FREE TO SOLDIERS
.v ir. TTonrv. of Portland, Treats
Boys In Federal Service.
SAM FRANCISCO, Aug. 4. (Special.)
The feeling of patriotism ran m(S"
in the breast of J. H. Henry, capitalist
of Portland, as he stood .In me loooy
of the Palace Hotel Saturday night and
watched crowds of) pleasure-seeking
Army and Navy men pass.
A a result. Mr. Henry stoppea every
enlisted man who came Into the Faiace
lobby and made him a present or
"bit" cigar. Mr. Henry gave away
cigars for an hour. Then he had to
catch a Portland train. The cigar bill
amounted to $40.
"Give all others who come In a cigar
on me" said Mr. Henry to the clerk,
"and send the bill to me at 260 Cornell
Road. Portland."
AIRMAN'S BODY SHIPPED
Funeral of Hood River loutii ex
pected to Be Hold Wednesday.
HOOD RIVER, Or., Aug. 4. (Special.)
J. K. Carson has received a telegram
from Fort SHI. Okla., military authori
ties, stating that the body of his son,
Lieutenant W. U Carson, killed Friday
In an airplane accident, left the post
yesterday for Hood River.
Accompanied by Captain Neville,
comrade of the young man, the body
will arrive Wednesday. While definite
arangements have not been made, i
sauadron of men from Vancouver Bar
racks Is expected here to accord the
young flier a military funeral.
TALENTED JEWS JOIN ARMY
Two of Contingent at Camp Lewis
Speak Many Languages.
TACOMA, Wash., Aug. 4. (Special.)
Palestinian Jews have arrived at
Camp Lewis in the last draft and are
now In training. All or them are aDie
to speak and write several languages.
One new recruit writes eight differ
ent languages and Is a graduate of the
University or Jaffa, Palestine. English.
French. Spanish. Greek. Turkish. Ger
man and Hebrew are at hUs command.
Another of the pew men speaks He
brew. Arabian. Italian, Spanish. Bul
garian. French and English and In ad
dition Is a competent stenographer.
PRINEVILLE MAN IS DARING
Major Henry C. Smith Saves Edward
Payne From Drowning.
PRINEVILLE, Or., Aug. 4. (Special.)
Major Henry C Bmttn, member oi
the 166th Depot Brigade at Camp Lewis,
who Is spending a few days here on a
furlough, today saved Edward Payne
from drowning near tne ii.cn eo aam.
Mr. Payne had sunk beneath the sur
face of the water for the third time,
when Smith, dived and brought him
safely to shore.
' l
ALLIED VICTORY ADMITTED
Austrian War Office Tells of Ad
vances In Italy and Albania.
VIENNA. Aug. 4. (British Admiralty
per wireless xress.) ine iouowing
statement was issued from the War
Office today:
"The enemy penetrated into portions
of our positions on Dosso Alto.
"The enemy has reoccupled the Fleri
Berat line In Albania." .
LIBERTY'S LEGIONS
SURGE OVER FOE
Onslaught of Allies Is
Overwhelming.
PERSHING TELLS OF VICTORY
Triumph Complete in Second
Battle of Marne.
SPOILS OF WAR IMMENSE
Eight Thousand, Four Hundred
Prisoners and 133 Gnns Captured
by Americans Alone Casual
ty Report to Be Rushed.
WASRIXGTOir. Ana;. 4. "Onr troons
hive takes Flames by assault and hold
the south bank of the Vesle la this aee-
tloB," aays General Pershing com
munique covering today's fighting ai
received tonight by the War Depart
ment.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Aug. 4. (Spe
cial.) "The enemy has proved Incap
able of stemming the onslaught of our
troops fighting for Liberty side by .side
with French, British and Italian vet
erans, are words of General Pershing
In the official communiqae to the War
Department today, announcing that the
German army had been driven in con
fusion beyond the line of the Vesle
River.
More than 8000 prisoners and 133
guns have been captured by the Amer
ican troops alone, participating in the
counter-drive against the Germans
which began at the Marne on July 18.
British-French Figures Lucking.
No estimate is given of prisoners
captured by the British and French,
who outnumber the American forces in
the great fight.
The text of the communique, which
is worded in terms eomewhat unusual
In a military communique, la as fol
lows: 'American official communique No.
II, August 8, 1918.-. .vt ; , . ...
"Section A. The full fruits of victory
In the counter-offensive begun eo glori
ously fcy Franco-American troops on
July 18 were reaped today when the
enemy, who met his second great de
feat on the Marne, was driven in con
fusion beyond the line of the Vesle.
Foe Suffers Severely.
"The enemy. In spite of suffering the
severest losses, has proved Incapable
of stemming the onslaught of our
troops fighting for Liberty side by side
with French, British and Italian vet
erans.
In the course of, the operations, 8400
prisoners and 133 guns have been cap
tured by our men alone.
Section B There is nothing to re
port in this section."
The War Department heads received
the news with gratification, but no of
ficial comment was made.
General March. - chief of staff, con
tented himself with the description of
the military situation made public
yesterday.
It is expected, however, that more
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 2.)
THAT
Progress of the War.
(By the Associated Press.)
nf HE German retreat continues un
I abated, with the allies everywhere
in hot pursuit.
Apparently the situation . now has
resolved Itself into a race for tlje north
ern bank of the Alsne River by the
Germans, who have been evicted from
strategic positions along the Vesle
River, in the center of the line, and
directly east of Rheime, which seem
ingly renders necessary that they put
the Alsne between themselves and
their pursuers to escape further large
losses of men made prisoner.
After hard fighting the Americans
and French have succeeded In taking
Fismes, once Germany's great ammu
nition and supply, midway on the rail
way between Soissons and Rheims,
while to the east at a number of places
along the Vesle River the French have
crossed the stream, driving the er.emy
northeastward.
Fast of Soissons allied troops have
negotiated the passage of the Aisne
and are in position to harass the enemy
as he endeavors to straighten out his
line in conformity with that running
northwestward.
So fast has been the retreat in the
center that already some elements of
the German forces have succeeded In
reaching the northern - bank of the
Aisne and getting numbers of their big
guns across with them.
Ail tnrougb the salient towns are
still ablaze behind the retreating Ger
mans, and even cornfields have been
set afire In order to prevent the allied
troops from garnering the ripened
crop.
One of the most Important maneu
vers north of the Vesle was the pene
tration by the French to the village of
La Neuvillette, which releases the Ger.
man hold on the northern outskirts of
Rheims and seemingly delivers the ca
thedral city from the German menace.
With the Germans now thoroughly
vanquished thus far on the Soissons
Rheime salient, eyes are being turned
to the regions in the northwest on both
sides of Amiens.
.mere ine rrencn ana British are
keeping up their hard pressure against
the armies of Crown Prince Rupprecht
of Bavaria and have forced them on
two highly Important sectors to retreat.
Southeast of Amiens on the old Mont
dldier sector, -the Germans have fallen
back across the Avre River over a wide
front, while northeast of Amiens, in the
region of Albert, a similar retrograde
movement has been made across the
Ancre.' "
NOSE IS BROKEN BY JOLT
Bump In Road Throws Pastor's Wife
Against Top of Auto.
KLAMATH FALLS. Or, Aug. 4.
(Special.) To have her nose broken by
hitting, the top of an automobile while
making the trip from Klamath Falls to
Merrill was the unusual experience of
Mrs. Aaron Wolfe, wife of the new
Presbyterian pastor at the latter point.
She was on her way with her husband
to his new field here.
Mrs. Wolfe was seated in the rear
seat and in being shaken on one of the
rough spots of the road, struck her
nose against a top brace.
ALLEGED SHIRKERS JAILED
Sixty Butte Men Arrested Under
Xon-Producers Law.
BUTTE, Mont., Aug. 4. Acting on in
structions of the State Council of De
fense, city police early this morning
made the arrest of 60 men who will be
held for investigation.
They are charged with violating the
law relating to nonproducers.
OLD JADE IS HEADED FOR HOME.
SIBERIAN POLICY
FAILS 10 SOU ALL
Britain and France
Are Disappointed.
PLAN HELD TO BE TOO SMALL
Washington Contends Big
Army Would Irritate Slavs.
MISSION IDEA IS CRITICISED
Opinion Expressed That Other Na
tions Besides America Should Be
Represented In Economic
Part of Intervention.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Aug. 4. (Spe
clal.) President Wilson's plan for
dealing with the Russian situation ta
regarded here in diplomatic Quarters
as disappointing to some of the allies,
notably Great Britain and France, a!
though they have assented to the pro
posal that America and Japan snail
operate in Vladivostok with a joint
military force to guard the port and aid
the Czecho-Slovaks in a small military
way.
While It Is known that the French
nil Rritlh also are to send small
forces to Vladivostok, they are to op
erate Independently of the American
Japanese force. Protective operations
at Murmansk and Archangel by tne
French, British and Americans are to
continue.
Plan Held Not Comprehensive.
The disappointment in the outcom
of the protracted negotiations over the
Siberian problem lies in the. fact that
the plan of operations is not sufficient
ly comprehensive.
This is known to be the feeling or
Great Britain and France, although in
Washington official contention is ad
hered to that if the allies sent any
lam force of troops into Russian ter
ritory the Russian people, might show
their resentment by turning to tne uer
mans and asking their help to expel the
allied army.
Another feature of disappointment
which it is regarded will certainly de
velop is the limiting of the economic
i-nmmlsslon to be sent to Siberia to
Americans.
Wider Representation Favored.
Leading men of other allied nation
aHties who are deeply interested in the
regeneration of Russia and salvation
of the country from Teutonic rule as
suredly will look upon the decision of
the Government to confine this commls
Rlon to citizens of the United States
with regret
It has been urged throughout the
period of consideration of this impor
tant problem that the commission
should be composed of distinguished
citizens of all the allied nationalities
headed preferably, by an American and
one known to the Russian people.
The fact that President Wilson has
etermined to make it a strictly Amer
ican commission, therefore, will be crit
iclzed abroad In the opinion of the dip-
concluded on Page 2, Column 4.)
FLEEING FOE HALTS
AT VESLE TO DIE
FLOODED RIVER AXD ASSAULT
ING FORCES DEATH TRAP.
All Germans Not Killed Are Cap
tured;' Number of Prisoners
Will Thrill All AVorld.
PARIS, Aug. 4. The number of pris
oners captured by the allies during the
last two days will thrill the 'allied
world when announced.
The Vesle River, which was flooded
owing to the recent heavy ralrus,
hampered the German rear-guards,
which were unable to ford the stream.
Most of those Germans were killed and
the rest were made prisoners.
Allied forces in pursuit of the Ger
mans have passed through veritable
charnel houses.
.Bodies of men and horses are
mingled with broken down vehicles
alongside ammunition dumps, some ex
ploded and others Intact-
Bodies of Germans found in clusters
Deyona ine range or the allied artillery
indicate tnat severe punishment was
inflicted on the fleeing columns by the
aviators.
SAN DIEGO MINE VICTIM
U-56 Responsible for Cruiser Sink
ing Members of Crew Say.
A CANADIAN PORT, Aug. 4. The
United States cruiser San Diego was
sunk off Fire Island last month by a
mine laid by the German submarine
which captured and burned the
Canadian schooner Dornfonstein in the
Bay of Fundy last Friday, members of
the crew of the submarine told sailors
of the sailing ship who were taken on
board the submarine.
The captain and crew of the Dorn
fonstein arrived here later last night.
after having been held on the" U-boat
for five hours and then ordered to take
to their lifeboats.
They said that members of the U
boat crew told them there were four
submarines operating off the Atlantic
Coast, but they expected more to ar
rive soon.
HUNS SHIP WHEAT HOME
Thousands of Bushels of Captured
French Wheat Sent.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY ON
THE SOISSONS-RHEIMS FRONT, Sat
urday, Aug. 3. (By the Associated
Press.) Thousands of bushels of
French wheat have been shipped home
by German soldiers. The French and
Americans, during their advance of the
last few days, have discovered that
systematic plans had been laid by the
Germans, for reaping the harvest in
the country from which they have been
driven.
The allies have found large stacks of
small canvas bags to be distributed
among tha soldiers to be filled with
wheat.
PURSUIT TIRES YANKEES
Bodies Run So Fast That. Americans
Are Out of Breath.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY ON
THE AISNE-MARNE FRONT, Aug. 3.
(By the Associated Press.) An in
dication of the stern chase the allies
are forcing upon the Germans was con
tained in a message which came over
the field wires to headquarters from a
commander leading an American unit.
'My men must rest,," he said.
'Must rest?" exclaimed headquarters.
'Yes," was the answer.
Our men are absolutely tired out
running to keep up with the Germans.1
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 73
degrees; minimum, oi degrees.
TODAY'S Fair and warmer; moderate west
erly winds.
War.
British drive Germans back. Page 1.
Vesle death-trap for Germans. Page 1.
Pershing says allied onslaught lrresistable.
Page 1.
Germans officially admit retreat. Page 1.
Official casualty list. Page 3.
Austria admits advance of allies. Page 1.
Fismes is captured. Page 1.
Allies prepare for battle along Vesle. Page 0.
Soissons is in ruins. Page 4.
German strategy twice defeated on Marne.
Page 4.
Reuter's lacks enthusiasm over Franco-
American victory. Page 4.
U-boat sinks three American fishing schoon
ers. Page o.
Foreign.
Dark side of war startles princess. Page 3.
Siberian intervention plan criticised. Page 1.
Domestic
Twelve-thousand-ton ship launched in 24
days. Page
Telegraphers threaten Nation with strike.
Page 8.
Pacific Northwest.
Trusty In flax gang at state prison calmly
walks away to ireeaom. r&ge lz.
Sports.
Cornfoot team beats Foundation tossers.
4 to 1. Page 8.
Western shooters defeated Eastern team In
Red Cross shoot at Chicago. Page 8.
Ed Tipton has long track record. Page 8.
Hawaiian swimmer defeated. Page 9.
Portland and Vicinity.
esus held greatest healer of body and soul.
Page 12.
Mary Esplna is shot and killed by John
Manoco. her divorced -nusoand. Page 4.
Women barbers may be permitted to Join
union. Page d.
Armenian relief drive to open In Oregon No
vember za. page o.
Lumber boom in the Northwest la coming
soon, accoruiiia iu iwumg aemers. .fage a.
Union of churches ror after-war-work is
urged by Portland pastors. Page 12.
Red Cross benefit at Oaks Tuesday la ex
pected to raise Dig sum. page o.
Liberty loan bond payments pleas bankers.
Page 6.
Fuel buyers safe. Page T.
Weather report data and forecast. Page 8.
Eli III FLIGHT
BEF0I1EJ1BIIISH
Withdrawals Extend Over
Ten-Mile Front.
FRENCH GET GRIP ON AVRE
Slopes Down to Western Side
of River Held; Albert Sit
uation Not Clear.
EAST BANK LIKELY TAKEN
Germans Believed Likely to
Attempt Stand on Chemin
des Dames Ridge.
LONDON, Aug. 4. On the British
front the Germans have withdrawn
between Montididier and Moreuil, a
distance of ten miles.
The French hold the slopes down to
the western side of the Avre River.
British in Close Pursuit.
The situation around Albert is some
what obscure, but the British have
been closely following the enemy and
it is probable that the Germans have
by now evacuated the eastern bank of
the Avre. The villages of Hamel and
Dernancourt are in the possession of
the allies.
Foe May Try to Stand.
Indications are that the Germans do
not intend, to make a permanent stand
on the banks of the Aisne, but that
they will retreat to the Chemin des
Dames ridge, which is one of the
strongest positions in France. For
the moment . the enemy may try to
hold the French while getting away
with their stores.
The allies captured the Chemin des
Dames once.
Patrols Reach Ancre.
The text of the official statement
issued by the War Office today, reads:
"Our patrols have reached the Ancre
River between Dernancourt and Hamel
and are in contact with the enemy on
this line.
"The hostile artillery showed some
activity during the night in the sector
north of Bethune and south of Ypres."
The distance between Dernancourt
and Hamel is approximately six miles.
Raiders Driven Off.
The official report from Field Mar
shal Haig's headquarters in France to
night says: .
"A hostile raiding party was driven
off this morning south of Arras, with
out loss to us. Our patrols captured
a few prisoners during the day in the
La Basse sector."
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Aug. 4. .By the Asso
ciated Press., The Germans are re
treating on the left bank of the Avre
River between Bourges and Braches,
northwest of Montdidier, on a front
of five miles in extent.
Allied patrols are keeping in con
tact with the enemy.
Late reports show that Braches was
occupied this evening, while Hargi
court and Courtmanche had been
reached.
Everywhere the enemy is being
strongly pushed with no respite. Af
ter the occupation of Brachcr;, Hill 97,
northeast of Mesnil St. Georges, came
to the possession of the French, and
then Hill3 60 and 98 in the same
neighborhood. The French occupied
the Filescamp3 farm, south of Bra
ches, and the Village of Marlpart and
the Framicourt Wood. The south
ward limit of the retirement reaches
Fontaines-Sous-Montdidier.
Indications of the new German re
treat in the vicinity of the Avre have
been observed for some time. Since
the French attacks on Castel several
weeks ago, the Germans had been in.
an extremely unfavorable position in
the valley of the Avre, where they
suffered day and night from an en
filading fire. Recent allied victories
between the Aisne and the Marne evi
dently forced them to shorten the Una
opposite Amiens.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, Aug. 4. (By the Associ
ated Press.) The Germans opposite
parts of the British front apparently
are changing their operations from of
fensive to defensive. They have
made a purely local retirement in the
Albert sector to the east bank of tha
Ancre. While this is not especially
important in itself, it indicates a
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 1.)
JL