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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1917)
Ita?vwslty f orcffOM library YEATnER Maximum, 49; minimum, 3G. FORECAST Tonight and tomorrow:' Fair; light frost tonight, Forty-Hoventh Year. Dally Twelfth Ye nr. MEDFORD OREGON", TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1917, NO. 22 Tribune P& .Mail MEDFORD 40 MILES OF TRENCHES CAPTURED: ES OF GER TEUTONS SUFFER CRUSHING BLOW! GERMAN VERSION J VfflEN FRENCH OFFENSIVE WINS ASSERTS FRENCH LINE FROM S0ISS0NS TO RKEIMS iDRIVE A FAILURE Germans Fiercely Bombarding Lost Positions and Sacrificing Men in Futile Counter-Attacks French Hold Gains Made Viewed From Amount of Destruction Done to Enemies' Armed Fcrce ar.d to Damage ta His Military Prestige, Is Greatest Victory of War Nearly Two Million Men Engaged in Struggle Which Promises to Be Decisive Battle. PARIS, April 17. Germany suf fered another crushing blow upon the western front when forty miles of the strongest part of her line, "were wrested from her with an estimated loss of nearly 100,0(10 killed, wound ed and prisoners as a result of the o;"iing yesterday of the French of fensive. Tile attack began along a twenty five mile front from Soissons to Hheims, extending the great western battle a distance of close to 150 miles, more than, one-third - of 4hc mighty line from Switzerland to the sen. The Germans were aware of what was coming, as they showed by a number of furious attacks made, notably at Sapitrneul and Gndut ' farm, with the object of finding out j something definite -in' regard to the i French preparation. I Twenty Divisions Defend. The invaders had manned natural--ly formidable positions witli of tec-' tives amounting to at least twenty : divisions and an enormous number of! giis, well supplied with munitions. The battle opened on the left of the' line where, shortly alter H o'clock in; the - morning, the French infantry! swept forward in irresistible waves.! In spite of a stiff resistance, the Germans were driven buck and inside ! half an hour, prisoners began stream- j ing toward the French rear by hun dreds. The struggle was holiest east j of Loivrc, as well as in the whole' sector of Kerry an lino and to the I east ot t raonncllc, but. the I' rcncli heavy shells were loo much for the Germans, and before noon the whole first line was won. On the right the action began a little later in the morning. The French met with a determined resist ance nnd the fighting was terrible, ififter several hours of liomerie struggle the French infantry, thanks to the support of several hundred heavy quick-firing guns, forced their way into the enemy's first line. It was a. fine success, as the terrain was most difficult and the positions formidable. Counter Attacks lleoMcl. In the afternoon the Germans counter-attacked with extreme vio lence almost ovcrywhcii' along the front. The majority of their reserves were engaged south nnd east id' the Itrimont ridge. It is from the liri mont fort, built on n crest which dominates all the. plain around, that the Germans have bombarded the eitv of Hheims. The French troops WASHINGTON', Ai-rll 17. Karon Rosen, Russian ambassador to the I'nlted States at the time of the Russo-Japanese war in most likely to re turn here as the reprf srntatlre of the new Russian government with which he has become Identified. tlaron Hosen is supposed to know Americans better than uny other Itas sian and would sinceetl the proieni ambassador, George llakhmeteff. US TOTAL 100,000 are now very close fo this ridge, which is likely to play a prominent part in the coming lighting. In cap turing Loivrc they have drawn nearer to liennericourt and have gone far beyond the famous position which they lost in the first weeks of the war and failed to win back at the battle of the JIarne. According to the latest news reaching Paris t tie Germans are bombarding the lost trenches furi ously, counter attack after counter attack iaving been delivered far into the night. The struggle is particu larly fierce in the region of Crn onne, but the French have so far managed to hold their gains. The French advance averages in depth from two lo two and n half miles beyond the German first position, which is composed of lines of five and six trenches, one behind another. Great Success of AVnr. Measured by the amount of terri tory freed, the victory does not com pare with the Somine offensive which opened a month ago, but viewed from the amount of destruction done to the enemies armed forces and the dam age to his military prestige, it is ft far greater success. Here there can be no question either of a previously planned retreat or n surprise. The enemy expected nit attack and made every preparation to defeat it. From Soissons to Crnonne the Gciiiian lino runs along a series of hills of an average height of TjOO feet with deep valleys between. The attackers advanced up the valleys under a cross tire from each flank, but the artillery curtain, on a new plan invented hy u British general, was so effective that tile operation was carried out at less cost than iniuht be expected. The weak point of the German line is from t'raonne to li'hcims, where tlie ground is more level. Merc the atlar-k mc'lc more progress and the duinicr ot" a rapture of the line be came so imminent that the Germans threw in all available reserves. The reserves were smashed bv the French licld artillery, which kept close on the heels of the waves of infantry. LONDON', April 17. The British made a further advance In the neigh borhood of Kpchy last night, accord ing to an offlcInlitatenient issued by the war office. Rain storms are hampering operations. The Hrltlsh gain was effected east of the Pe-ronno-Canibral railroad at a point about half way between St. Quentln and Cambrai. Tho statement reads: "In the neighborhood of Kpehy we c-rturcd during the night Le Tom- bcrs farm, on the I,eniplre-''cndulle road and gained ground along the spur northeast of Kpchy station. We took ft few prisoners. The weather continues stormy with high wind and squalls of rain." States Greatest Battle in World's History in Progress and Admits Line Penetrated and Fighting Still Continues Artillery Rendered Defense No Longer Possible. llKHLIX, April 17. One of the greatest battles of the mighty war, and therefore also in the world's his tory," says the official statement is sued today hy the German army headquarters staff, "is in progress on tho river Aisne. "In the Champagne this morning," the German statement nods, "fielding between l'runay nnd Auberivo devel oped, the battle lino thereby extend ing from the river Oise into the Chninnagne. "Oar troops nntieipate with entire confidence the coming heavy fight- ing." Kffort n Failure. "A great French attempt to break through vesterdav, the object of which was far reaching, failed," ac cording to the German announce ment. "The losses of the enemy were very heavy. Jloro than 2100 prison ers remained in our hands., "Where the enemy nl a few places penetrated into our line fighting still continues nnd fresh enemy at tacks are expected. "On Monday afternoon," says the German statement, "the French threw fresh masses into the fray nnd carried out later attacks between the Oise and Conde, on the Aisne. "The artillery fight which was continued today levelled the posi tions anil produced wide, deep cra ters, rendering an obstinate defense no longer possible." A Fortified .one. The fighting no longer is against a line, but over quite a dee) and ir regular fortified zone. "The battle swayed backwards and forwards around our foremost posi tions, our object boing, if the war material is lost, to spare the. lives of our forces and to inflict heavy sanguinary losses nnd thus decisive ly weaken the enemy. This was achieved." E LONDON', April 17. A Petrograd dispatch says that tho committees of tho council of workers, soldiers and delegates has adopted a report re garding tho constituent assembly which makes tho following recom mendations. "The assembly shall be convened at Petrograd as early as possible on the principle of universal suffrage. Tho army shall take part In the elec Hon like the rest of the population hut the active army shall voto sep arately. Women shall havo the same voting rights as men. The qualifying age for the voto Shalt bo twenty years. The council of workers, soldiers and delegates shall control the election, which shall fix the political regime of Russia and her fundamental laws. "The report also provides that af ter constitutional questions are set tled the assembly shall take up the agrrrlan problems and draft new laws on matters of labor, questions of nationality, organization of local self irovcrnment and all questions of an International character.'' HORSES WEAR GAS Even horsca wear gas masks in the shell wagons to the batteries, crossing F E IT PARIS, April J7. German counter atacks in forco In the region of All ies and Courcy wore repulsed last night by the French according to an official statement. ' Heavy losses wore Inflicted on, the Germans. .. The statement follorts: ".North and south of the Oise there was Intermittent artillery fighting. Our patrols brought back prisoners. "Between Soissons and Rlieims our' troops are organizing the pi sltlons captured. In the region of Allies a strong German counter attack on our new lines was broken up by our ar tillery and machine gun fire which inflicted severe losses on the enemy. Other German counter attacks in tho sector of Courcy also were broken up. Tho weather continues very bad over tho whole front. "In tho Champagne the night was marked by more active artillery fight ing west of Auberive. Everywhere else the night was calm. "In tho period between April 10 and April 12.1 our patrols accomplish ed numerous exploits. Captain Le court, Captain (Irandniaison, Sub- Lieiitenant Languedoc and Sergeant ltousseau brought, down each his fifth German machine. Lieutenant I'lnsart accounted for three enemy airplanes, bringing up to tght the number to tho credit of this officer. Adjutant Vltalls destroyed his seventh adver sary. Lieutenant I'eullln ills thir teenth and Captain Guynemer scored his thirty-sixth victory. WASHINGTON, April 17. Plans for receiving the Itiitiwh and French war committees went forward today surrounded hy the curtain of official secrecy which has Im ii deemed nnces-t-'ury hy the authorities at tho capi tal. The Indications are that tho French cotmniKHioners will arrive latnr than the Ilrltlnh in'-mhen hut Inasmuch an some of tho conferences are to he con ducted separately, tills will not re terd the discissions of co-operation hctwoen the United States and the allies. BRANCH DEAD LETTER OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON. April 1 7. K-hili-lishuicnt of a branch dead letter of fice on May 1 at San Francisco to disp f undelivered mail in stales wes) of tH. ;,,ckv mountains was or dered today by Postmaster General lurlcson, MASKS AT FRONT European war. The horses draw gas zones. r INDEf IlFliNI', Switzerland, April 17. Peace and spring weallter are what the Austrian and Hungarian people most desire. During a long stay in Vienna, whence the Associated Press correspondent has just come, he ob served there is every indication thnt the government nnd the people are willing to ueeept nny pence proposal leaving Austriu-llunguriau territory intact, and making no claims for war indeninily. Hy the same token there appears to be no doubt that the monarchy will continue fighting un less these minimum conditions are met. While the nation is extremely weary of the war, its mind is made up to persist in the struggle lo the end rather than accent humiliating terms. The demands made on Austria Ilifngary's economic resources and human reservoir by the war lire he ginning to reach the limit of hear ablcness, and the severe winter, whose after-effects are slill felt, tended to increase the great, burden. The sowing of crops is about three weeks behind, which causes cnusid crulile anxiety, notwithstanding the fact thai, the winter crops are report ed as in good condition. Spring wen I her is awaited eagerly for the planting of potatoes and other sum mer crops. BRITISH TO EXPRESS LONDON', April 1 7.. I The Karl of Cawford gave notice In the house of lords tills afternoon that Karl Cuizon of KedloHlon, tomorrow would move the following resolution: "This house desires to express lo tho government nnd people of the I'nlted States of America their pro found appreciation of the action of their government In Joining the nl lied powers nnd thus defending the high causa of freedom and rights of humanity against the gravest menace by which they ever have been faced. FOR HIGHER WAGES CAMAS, Wash., April 17. Work men at the Crown Willamette Pucr company's plant here struck for higher wages and an eight -hour day, causing the entire plant, with the ex ception of the bag factory, io close. Strike leaders assert "no nu ll arc out ami say Hie bag factory dl be clos ed before lonight. The company has announced Ihe mill nill be clo-cd in definitely. FOR BILLIONS rmroATiio LIKELY 10 PASS I Debate Over Seven Billion Dollar Finance Bill Begun Simmons Pre dicts Another Loan Necessary Later Store to Vote for Measuro Conversion Right for Investors WASHINGTON1, April 17 Con siderntion of the $7,000,000,000 wnr finance bill wus begun today in the senate. Senator Stone, opponent of most of tho administration war measures, announced that he would vote for it passage, hut thought it should have been framed nlong different lines iind reserved the right to state his views Inter. Senator Simmons predicted thnt after the present issue another issue probably will be necessary, possibly at n higher rale. For this reason, he said, it was desirable to give sub scribers to tho present issuo the eon version right to exchange their bonds for those having higher rate. Senator Simmons said it would be "long, weary months before we can render much assistance in the feild." Do It Quickly Slnmioii-v, "This bill represents all wo can do now," he said, "all they are nsking us to do. In the nume of America, of patriotism, of liberty and democracy, let us do it- now, quickly, without carping or hesitation, in the spirit of men inspired by the causo for which wo are fighting. Let's give to the German kaiser and his people and lo all their innuendoes that we are ob sessed with wealth and Hint the canker of riches has laken posses sion of the American eope, this answer. "The convers-'on privilege has been found absolutely necessary by all the Kut'opean governments. Probably we will have to pay more for money within a very short time.'' Senator Penrose, senior republican of Ihe committee, nlso said the con version privilege was necessary. Sock Aid of All. "It is very evident that Ihe loan could not he floated otherwise," he said, milling that Ihe finance commit tee was practically uiiauinioiiH in approving the issue. Senator Stone said he approved the proposed allies' loan. "It. will not be u burden upon the American people or government," he said, "provided we lose nothing on the bonds we secure. Having cast, our fortunes with the allies, we must work with them and aid them. This bond issue is a very great and im portant service." Heading from a Wall si reel news paper articles saying that to be suc cessful Ihe loan must be maile at tractive and that the government onnnid commandeer public subscrip tions, Senator Stone declared: "There is ii line exhibit of Wall street patriotism." Pay As You (io. Senator Stone said he believed the present generation should largely pay for Ihe war's expenses. "It is wiser, better nnd cheaper lo pay as we go,'1 he said. "Taxes should be levied on the wealth of Hie country and widely distributed over the whole field of industry." The first vote was taken late this (Continued on Pago Six.) UNIVERSAL SERViCE FAVORED BY S.A.R. WASHINGTON. April 17. Uni versal military training and selective conscription was approved as the best means of nntlonal defense today by a unanimous vote of the national nd vlsory committee of the Sons of the American Revolution in session here. SENATE TONiGH DESTROYER German U-Boat Discharges Torpedo Against Destroyer Smith 100 Miles South of New York, But Misses and Submerges Is First Act of War by Germany Indicates Raid Upon Unprotected American , Towns and Shipping. WASHINGTON, April 17 A German submarine today fired on tho destroyer Smith about 100 miles south of New York. The presence of enemy fsubmcin ibles in American wnters indicates that the threatened German block ade of American Atlantic ports has bcirun. This announcement was nindc nt the navy department: f "Reported .from Fire Islnnd light ship lo the nnvnl stations nt Boston and New York at 3:30 a. m. on tho 17th -nil enemy submurine wns sight ed by the United States ship Smith running apparently submerged. Sub marine fired n torpedo nt tho U. S.' H. Smith, which missed her by thirty yards. The wake of the torpedo wns plainly seen crossing the bow. Sub marine disappeared." .. . H ' ' Attack Confirmed. First information of the encounter nine to the navy department in a roundabout way from the Itoston nuvy vurd, which picked up tho Smith's report saying; she had been fired upon by a, Gonunn U-hout. The nuvy department, after com municating with Fire Island, Boston, New York nnd some other points on the Atlantic coast, announced thnt the report of the Smith's encounter had been substantiated by official investigation. Whether the presence of tho Ger man submarine merely foreshadows u sporadic raid such us the U-33 con ducted off (lie New Fngland const, or whether it is the signal for the beginning of a general submnrine blockade of the Atlantic coast is not known. I' li st Act of War. ' The ultnek by Hie U-bont is Ger many's first recognition of the stnto of war declared by Ihe United Slates. It was slated in Germany soon after ihe notion of congress Unit no ag gressive steps would he laken ngainst Ihe United Slates. Prucl ically no American officials believed (his statement, however, and slops to meet aggressive action were taken at once. The probability of submarine uttack on unprotected seaboard cities and towns, rnids on shipping within sight of American shores and a submarine blockade of the principal Atlantic ports with tic! purpose of terrorizing shipping and people were expected. Prohibited Zone. I.as week word ciiine to Washing ton in a riiiinduhout way that Ger many was about to declare a prohib ited submarine zone about tho har bors nt Huston, New York, the Del aware ("apes, Chesapeake bay, Sa vannah and Charleston. This would hnve included nil the ituMrtant ports on the Atlantic seaboard. It was said then Unit an official warning to neu- (Contlnued on Pago Four) EMERGENCY FLEET WASHINGTON, April 1 7. Tho United States shipping board emer gency fleet corporation was Incorpo rrted hero today with a capital ot J.",0, ooo.noo. All ot Its officers and dlrectorr. are members or employes of tho federal shipping board and Major General G. W. Goethals will be gen eral manager The corporations first work will be the building of the grent fleet of wooden ships to carry American supplies to the allies.