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.