Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, September 14, 1918, Image 1

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Medford mail tribune., September 14, 1918, Page 1, Image 1

Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR

About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1918)

Page of 6 Next Prev Issue Next Text PDF JP2 (2.5 MB) Clip/Print Image

Return to Top

Page of 6 Next Prev Issue Next

Newspaper Page Text"WEATHER Maximum Yesterday, 77; Minimum Today, 59. rREC'TPTTATTON' .57. FORECAST Tonight and Tomorrow: Rain. M EDFORD J! L TRIBUNE Forty-eighth Tear. Dally Thirteenth Tear. MEDFORD, OREGOX, SATURDAY, SlOLTKMIiEU 14, 1918 NO. 149 S GREAT RUSH T AKESPUILL1S DVERTHETOP Marshal Foch Launches New Offen sive Aimed at St. Gobain Massif, Defending Citidel of Laon Pene trate German Lines for Two Miles on WWe Front From Ailette to Aisne British Occupied Principal ly in Repelling German Attacks. HY THE ASSOCIATED PRRSS, Sept. 11. Msirshnl Forh lias launch- eil nn offensive movement which stems mainly to he iiiinvd nt the St. Gobain massif, defending the Ger man eitaled of Laon. The French this morning attacked on both sides of the river Ailette and hi the region of thoAisne to the south and southeast. General Petain's troops started with, a (treat rush which took them il.to the German lines at points for a distance of one to two miles. Pris oners hcuun eomiiiK hack rapidly, l.HIMI having been taken in one di vision of the front alone at an early hour. The French pressure seemed t.i he particularly effective south of the Ai.'otte where they captured, tie im portant height Mont Des Singes and the towns of Alleniont and Cancy. Their advance here threatens 'lin right flank of the ("liemin Des Dames. Closing in on l.aon This movement also represents a farther closing in on the St. Gobain massif, which is acccnlualcd bv pro gress north of the Ailette, wl'.ciu the French are working into the upper f i rest of Coney, beyond the for;acr German line. On the Aisne front the French pro gress likewise was reported satisfac tory. On the British front Field Marshal Ilaig's forces appear to have been mainly occupied in beating off r""e ed Germnn nttneks on the important ground recently won from the enemv. All these German attempts, which wire particularly persistent at Got: zcaucoiirt and Havrincoiirt, were un , , ecc-sl'ul. The liritish have made progress, however, northwest of St. Itiicntin, where their lines now run east of Jcancourt. In Flanders liritish forces have oc capied the town of Aueliy-I.es-I..'i P.asse, only a little more than n mile from the town of I.a Hassee. Attack nt Dawn LONDON, Sept. 11, 1 p. m. French troops began a new attack at dawn this morning on both sides of the Ailette river mid between the liver Ai-ne and the Vesle river. The attack of the French forces in the direction of the forest of Coney at the southern end of St. Gobain massif was progressing satisfactorily this morning. ERA OF SLAVERY PEOPLE ENDED Four Four Years Huns Had Made Life a Nightmare for Population, Deporting All Boys Over 10 and Forcing Old People into Servitude Gratitude to America Boundless. U.S.TO EXERCISE FOR ST. 1HIEL WHOLE STRENGTH STATES MARCH Statements That America is Not Go ing to Utilize Ail Resources Against Germans Pronounced Hun Propa ganda by Chief of Staff Who Pays Tribute to Soldiers at St. Mihiel. (Continued on Page Six.) NEW Oiil-KANS. Tn, Sept. 1 Announcement by President Wilson i,.,i if found neee-ary ii bit-ir price Would he fiSl for cotton, call-ed n viM iiml .i'n-ntiiiml opening on the New Orleans cotton exchange today and in the i'irt few minute of trud imr priee dropped nn nvera-je l per bale. A compared with rhimr prices yMerday quotations rnnaefl from -J 7 tn XV points lower on the active month-. It vim the wide-t drop ever recorded hciv in n similar period of trade. AMERICAN ARMY HEADQUAR TERS, Sept. 14 (Routers.) Cap ture of St. Mihiel nfter its four years of martyrdom is regarded as one of the most striking incidents of its kind in the records of the war. The Ger mans left the town at 8 p. m. on Thursday. They had made life n nightmare for the inhabitants who had been unable to escape when the enemy occupied the city. All the boys from K) to Hi years old had been deported and t lie old people forced to work for the compicrers. Gratitude Boundless The gratitude of the remaining in habitants to the Americans was boundless. They were nt last free to speak without fear of vengeance from the tyrants that bad ruled over them. The people hud lost their ordinary war time look of weariness, mid the drive into this (picer, wrecked para dise of gladness was a notable ex perience. A French military band had j mine in over ine i irsi onoge mm was playing the Mnrseilaise in the 'square, about which all the inhab itants had nsembled. Their eves were radiant and their bearing that of prisoners set free. They werc'vohthly communicative and determined to j treat as a Item any one wearing an American uniform. Town Partly lEuincd The tovn was only partly ruined. That part adjoining the river was al most entirely gone, but scores of houses elsewhere b:id been scarcely damaged. The attack was such a sur prise that the enemy was unable to undertake his usual work of wreck age, lie laid hands, however, on ev erything he could carry out. Sheets and blankets were torn from the beds and loaded onto wagons, but it is pos sible that those wagons by this time are now in allied hands, since the enemy had only 12 hours to escape from one of the claws closing across the salient. The enemy did set fire to n few houses, but the inmates extinguished the flumes. The Germans looted both the banks during their occupancy. The inhab itants had depended largely for sus tenance on the food furnished by the American relief committee. LEADS NEW DRIVE. MIN IS SLIDE, PORTLAND. Sept. 14. Hyde Johnson of Vancouver, Wash., en gineer on n local passenger train of lite Spokane, Portland and Seattle railroad, operating between Portland and l'allliridt:e. Wash., was instantly killed and J. P. Kline, brakeman. of Portland, was seriously injured when the train plunged into a landslide at !t o'clock bi-t night, four miles beyond I.yle, Wash., according to n reiinrt made to the railroad headquarters here. The engine was completely overturned, buf none ot the pascner c( nclics left the rail.. .Nunc of the n any nn.-r tiger were injured. Fireman I Jcabo, v ho was in the en h of the engine, escaped without in jurv. A lo-n v rain had loosened tnrth and rock, dating the slide. The tinin erew Iiml no intimation of the danger until directly upon the m of roi-k. The road wn hlo.-keM until 10 (clock todav. WASHINGTON', Sept. 14 Elimin ation of the St. Mihiel salient by the first big American offensive and the consequent reduction of that sector by 22 miles, General March Bald to day. Is of extreme importance In that it gives the allies a much better base "for future offensive operations.' Genernl March paid high tribute to the American forces which in less than two days wiped out this salient, the narrowest and most angular on the entire western front. The opera tions there, he said, not only were a tribute to the work of the staff, but to the individual soldier. "It's hot stuff," ho Raid warmly. Under New Staff No report has yet come from Gen eral Pershing identifying any indi vlduul unit which participated in the advance. General March, however, announced the composition of the staff, which under General Pershing, planned and executed the movement. This staff is entirely different from tho general staff of the Amer ican expeditionary forces which re mained in its entirety at the expedi tionary headquarters. General March pointed out in con nection with tho Germans' claim that tho St. Mihiel patient had been aban doned voluntarily thnt no mention was made by the Germans of tho big loss of prisoners. C'apturo of tho salient was accom plished by quick sharp blows on both flanks, General March explained. The American troops advanced across a difficult terrain consisting of densely wooded hills Intersected by numerous ravines. Knthusin.Mii In Army All reports from American forces at the front Indicated high spirits and enthusiasm thruout the whole army. General March said tho Amer ican soldier quickly became imbued with this spirit as soon as he landed, If he did not possess It before. Tho arrival abroad of the fortieth division, composed of California, I'tah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colo rado troops trained at Camp Kear ney, Cal., was announced.. Part now is in Kngland. In War to Finifdi General March laid particular em phasis on the determination of the Fulled States to continue to exert its whole strength against the Germans. Me referred to recent publications which, he said Intimated that Amer ica was not going thru with tho war despite the enlarged military pro gram. This suggestion, he declared. whs "preposterous in Its falsity." It seemed incredible, the chief of staff said, that such propaganda (Continued on Page Six.) e r y'TTo. 1 J WIT GENERAL iMAN&IN"- This Is a now picturo or the French Rdiornl who has mude an lmperlKh alilo nume for himself by leailiiiK the Krencli and A'mertcnn advanco along tho Aisne. WOMEN WEEP FRENCH REGARD HAILING YANKS YANK VICTORY AS AS DELIVERERS MASTER STROKE Civilians of St. Mihiel Region Held in Bondage for Four Years Kiss Ba ker's Hands and Embrace American Soldiers 155 Square Miles of Ter ritory Regained in 26 Hours. 'American Army Gains Genuine Vic tory at High Speed" Says Military Critic Wounded Men Describe Fightinn as of Severest Sort Americans "Terrible Adversaries." YANKS CUT 22 MILES OFF BATTLE LI ISM BE CAM I1 U:YIS, TACOMA, Sept. I 1. Plans for the building of 70 addilion nl barracks, which will jring the to tal housing cjiiiicily of the canton ment to (HI, (Mil) lire in course of preparation ly the fpinrterntastcr'r oepartmcnt here. KstimatcH on the cost, the probable location and other figure necessary before the cntM ruction of the build ings itrc ordered, will he decided on. Additional huildiics, including nec essary wnreiioiiH- and wash rooms, will bring the ronf cmpliilc d addition to the eatnp to UlMi bnildiiics, it wjik said by officers in the constructing department today. The site for the addition will be on the east side of the Pacific highway, a mile and a half from the present li'jtin camp. This location is close to the water m;iin and is located ad vantageously from a drainage view point. The tn-w building, it was said this nmniinL' will cost !f" 1 .'J.Ml.WtO, the barracks bemi; capable of honsim men each. WASHINGTON'. Sept. 1 . - Weath. or pti ilii tions for the wek licyinniirj M'ind.iy, i-Mted by the weather bu reau today are: Northern li'ockv mountain and pla- j trail rcL'ton-: rrcipient local ruin dutititr the week with oiwwha lower j temperature d it rim,' e.irly days ; nearly normal itierealler. Pj-eilie states; (Jtiitc frcipient rains are indicated in WHhinton, Oregon, end northern California ; j.'fnerallv fair d it rim.' the wrek. No ifreided leuiperature (dianye. WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 I. An of ficial dispatch from France toilay says I lu re a re e idencu.s of excite ment e cr u here imtos- the German border and o,nn!i'-. the following from the Mulliauseii Tii-chhitt : "Tbe AutirieiiN olTensie in upper AI-aee and the huii,' ratine mm sup posed to be itiliinled to ndttee to ashes the tou n- of this counti v is haily aluiuiiiiL' the iiibahitiints. Kven people id' a hi'jh rank tremble nt the news hke little children fi-tcm to yho-t storie-. Of course, the evac uation of Mulhau-cn and the whole of AUace is aL';iin in question and it is -aid that nil mcii-iirc for the. ac tual evacuation of the erand duchy from lladen to Frilier- haw nln'ady been taken." AMKHICAN ARMY IN LOIt KAIXK, Sept. 14.(Hv Hie Associat vt Press.) The civilian population of St. Mdnel nlmost wholy feminine be cau.se of the removal of males of mili tary aire, welcomed Newton I). linker, the American secretary of war and Generals Pershing and Petain when they visited the village n few hours after it was captured. i Aged women and girls crowded about Secretary aBker and tho two generals accompanying him to pay homage to their deliverers. It was not merely curiosity; it was nn emo tional outburst following almost four vears of the eomiuerer's oppression. Tho word was missed about that the i small civilian was the American sec retary of war whose armies had ne ' complished their relief and from half destroyed houses and from points far removed from the center of the vil lage inhabitants hurried in get a glimpse of the visitors. Women Weep Thanks A military hand was brought up from tin rear; the Mnrseilaise w-as played and the civilian's restraint broke down completely. Women crowded forward ostensibly lo shake the secretary's hand, hut instead they kissed his hands and wept and then they joined in a chorus of thankful r.css. There were no speeches, but many times Secretary Itaker respond ed briefly to expressions of gratitude. Thirty-six hours of fighting net ted General Pershing's forces ap proximately LVi sipiare miles of ter ritory in the St. Mihiel salient, which had been in German hands since the autumn of, liH-l. Following American troops through captured villages, the correspondent found on every band evidences of loni: control by the Germans. Bills for supplies had been paid with currency on which the Germans had printed French monetary terms. People Isolated The inhabitants of tin salient were al solntely ii'iiuntnt of events in tho 1 .st lour years, knuwuiug only what their captors had told them. Here tho sad stories heard in the whole of th reclaimed districts of France were accentuated hy the long vears of (tertian control which had isolat the people from news of relatives and o. world happenings. Fvery American entering the vi! layes experienced the name reception i that given to Secretary of War I fa kcr and General pershiii" and their party. Ajud men and women seized and kissed the hands of the officers .tud correspondents, crvin and laughing, the curiously ayed children imitating their elders unknowingly. From their compatriots, however, the vreeting wa- deeper and the French patriots and troop following were even more affected than those u ho had been delivered. Later in the evening Genera! Per shing nnd Secretary linker resumed their journey in others sections of the rc'iiined region. PARIS, Sept. 14. Tho American army's recent drive in tho St. Mi hiel section in the world "war is re garded by the French press nnd pub lic s a master stroke. Further de ti.ils showing the extent of ground gained nnd the great nmiiber of pris n ers taken in two days on u rela tively small front huve more tinin borne out early expectations. Genuine Victory "The American army lias gained n genuine victory at high speed," says Gnloncl Do Thompson, military critic, who pays tribute to tho American staff and troops for their having in such n brief time attained such high1 standard of efficiency. To say Hint. 'last night's American official report, repeated an achieve ment far in excess of what bad been expected is no disparagement of the American army, but the moral effect in France seems in consequence of this to measure well up with the mili tary results attained. American soldiers in Paris arc lionized hy the people, who stop them on the streets nnd grip their hands in congratulation over the victory. Severest I'iglitlng The first groups of wounded nt nn cvaeiia t ion hospital behind the bat tle front today from St. Mihiel sector forgot their sufferings in joy over t'ie beating the Germans hud been giv en, says tbe correspondent of I,n l-iberle. A captured German officer declared Americans were "terrible ad versaries," (he correspondent says. Wounded men in talking of the engagement described the fighting as of the severest sort, especially in the series of dense woods scattered and along the railroad line. Scarcely two hours after the attack was launched Germans started n counterattack with three divisions which, however, were unable to stop the American advance. "The American troops," adds the correspondent, ".-bowed magnificent bravery ami disregard of danger." Praise Americans Kditoriul writers are generous in piuise of tbe American effort. "Thi- operalion," says the Feho Ic Paris, ' nis honor to the enterprising spirit of (he American leaders and the in comparable ardor of their troops." The Petit Parisien says : "It is tin? first time the American i .my alon-' has hium-hcd an oi Tcnivr on a great scale, but it will not be the Inst, From the showing it u trade the Germans have been able to -ce that they have to reckon with a i de-1, ent husiastic ami audacious t'OOps," Having Eliminated St. Mihiel Salient, Americans are Continuing Advan tageBase Secured for Operations Against Metz Which is now Target for Airship Attacks Over 20,000 Germans Captured and More Sur rounded to he Counted Later. BETHLEHEM STEEL TO BE REOPENbD , liY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sept. 1-1.- The Americans, after elim inating the St. Mihiel salient, are con tinuing their advantage. From Pogny b across the Moselle river from German . territory, the new front extends in almost a straight. line to tho vicinity of Ilattonville, whero it advances -slightly toward tho northwest to Fresnes. This reduction of tho front lirte from some I0 to 20 miles, places at the disposal of the allied command ers an enormous force of men for fu-- -, tare operations in this sector br on other fronts. " Further straightening of the line is probable. Tho Americans nt this tage of the drive command positions favorable for a direct invasion of German territory, if such n course should he decided upon. Although tho important German fortress of MeU is in no immediate danger, its outlying fortifications are within easy range of American heavy guns at Pagnyq. Metz Airship Target Metz itself furnishes nn excellent target for allied airmen, who already have taken advantage of the oppor tunity and dropped many bombs on railway stations and military, stores ii the city and vicinity. With its trotig outer protection of fortifica tions a I t-f n ii it I attack on Metz could hardly he expected but an otitflank- movement by the Americans on the west, or by tbe French and Amer icans from the south would force tho Germans to evacuate both tbe for tress and the territory surrounding it. In their haste to get out of tho sal ient with as little los of men and mili tary supplies as possible, the Germans IcfV the railntid )'nmi Verdun to Comnicrev, Tou and Nancy virtually ii tact. The capture of this line of railway adds greatly to tbe facility of troop movements towards Ver dun, which has been a great handicap to the allies in the past. Capture) Over li(,MM) In the first few hours of their op eration as a di.-tiuct unit, the Ameri cans have driven the enemy out of some 'Mi villages, manly strongly for t il ied posit ions prepared during tho four years of their occupation of tho salient and are reported to have cap tured more than UO.OIIt) prisoners and laru'c pnantities of guns nnd other military material. Prisoners are still coming to the rear and no attempt has yet been made to c-dimuto the nuun tity of enemy supplier captured. On other fronts the alcs continue their pressure nyatn-t the German lines. Cumbrai ami St. Ouenlin nro in danucr of being out Hanked by tho British and French. WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (.-Threatened labor difficult ic -i at the Hcthlc Iihii, Pa., steel works have been 'averted by a promise from the com pany to obey an order from the war labor board to put into effect imme diately the board's n ward in I he v.nye controversy. WASHINGTON, Sept. I.- Vuliin leer enlistment or induction into tin navy of men with special oimliliea 1 inns will be reopened under an agtcfinenl reached today. Il is understood the plan provides that the navy shall select the men needed for its special branche-, th remainder to come throuyli the regu lar dra ft process. .iivy recruiting station wtiLJie re opened to co-operate With local boards in securing skilby men and to serve as mobilization centers for drafted men allotcd to the navy. TREATY WITH SWISS PARIS, Sept. 1 I. Dispatches from Geneva stale that the French i;overn merit has renounced the Fr;tnco-Swi-s commercial convention of PMHi, owing to the entente policy to rait an end to all commercial treat ies in which the nto-t favored nation clause exists, with a view to prevent ing tbe enemy from benefitting after the war.