Daily capital journal., April 16, 1918, Image 1

i
TODAY'S
4,500 SUBSCRIBERS
(22,000 READERS) DACLY
Only Circulation In Salem Guar
anteed by the Audit Burem of
Circulations
FUJI LEASED WIRE
DISPATCHES
SPECIAL WILLAMETTE VAL
LEY NEWS SESVICB
WEATHER S-)
- . TV 1 -.1. t
and Wednesday r
fair, cooler to
night south west
portion ; light
j' Sr. '
rrost west, ncavy Tgi V
3
tonight; light
variable winds.
FORTY-FIRST YEAR NO. 90
SALEM, OREGON, TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1918
PRICE TWO CENTS
ON TRAINS AND KW
STANDS FIVH CTSNT
i II llA nil i I IUv Ml 22
KM It W' -V M M 4 Jf- " fl IW
syJM 11L il Jt.-;i f
t-ro m Tqpr- - yr jr tt 7 .
VAST IKPORTANCEK
Ifi HMDS OF GERMANS
Bailleul Falls When Three Divisions of German Troops Are
Hurled Against It Rushing Up Reinforcements Hinden
burg Is Attacking Heavily On Fifteen Mile Front From
Merville to Neuve-Eglise British Hold North of Merville
Attack Made In Inky Darkness of Early Night
i "
Hindenburg has won his most important victory in
the Flanders drive through the capture of Bailleul antf
abandonment of Wulverghem.
As he drove his vedge westward between the Ypres
Comines and LaBassee canals, Bailleul became the key
to Messines ridge and the Ypres salient on the north and
to Hazebrouck on the west.
Bailleul is located mid-way between Armentierea and
Hazebrouck, on a sharp bend in the railway between
those two cities. It is seven miles and a half east of
Hazebrouck and about eight miles southwest of Ypres.
The Messines ridge, which is the strongest defensive posi
tion in all Flanders runs westward from the village of
Messines past Wulverghem to Kemmel a distance of
about three miles. It is about a mile and a half wide and
on its eastern face runs northward to Wytschaete.
This ridge is practically impregnable from the east and
only slightly less difficult from the south or north. One
of Hindenburg's main objectives in Flanders has been to
work around to the west of this ridge and assault the
British positions there from the rear.
The abandonment of Wulverghem, which is four miles
and a half east and slightly north of Bailleul on the Douve
river, gives Hindenburg alibld in the southern foothills
of the ridge. The tenability of this position itself is
questionable. But from Wulverghem and Wytschaete he
can keep the British occupied on the southern and east
ern edges of the ridge while he strives to swing back
northeastward from Bailleul against the western edge of
the ridge.
In the event that Messines ridge should fall, only a
miracle of British grit would save Ypres, which never has
been in German hands.
The fall of Bailleul also opens the westward road to
Hazebrouck, the most important railway and highway
center in Flanders. The Germans already have reached
- Meteren, Merns and Vieux-Berqum, three towns on a
north and south fine, a mile and a half apart. Vieux
Berquin is only four miles east of Hazebrouck. Meteren
is a mile and quarter due west of Bailleul.
In addition to the fall of
of Wulverghem, Haig reported fighting in the neighbor
hood of Wytschaete and southwest of Vieux-Berquin.
London. April 1(3. Bailleul,' one of
tho meat important strategic points on
the north portion of the Flandera sal
ient, has bwn captured by the Ger
mans, Field Marshal Haig reported to
day. "We have fallen lac north of Bail
leul and Wulverghem," Haid said.
"Bailleul is in the enemy's hands."
Fresh German attacks in the neigh
borhood of Wytsehaote (four miles
twuth of Ypres) and southwest of
Vieux-Brrquin (four miles southwest
(Continued on page two)
" Abe Martin
"What's worse 'n havin' nothiu' less
than a quarter when a subscription is
taken up?" asks Tell Binkley. Ther's
plenty o ' time t ' find a steady girl after
you've found a steady job.
Bailleul and the abandonment
SECRETARY BAKER
REACHES HOME FROM
FRANCEJH SAFETY
Is Pleased Wiih French Bat
Feels Especial Pride In
American Troops
An Atlantic Port, April 16. ''I have
a feeling of pride and confidence in
the American army and its achieve
ments in France," Secretary of War
Baker said here today on his arrival
from Europe.
"The things I have seen on the other
aide," he added, "would justify one
in making many trips to France. We
landed here this morning after a quiet
and uneventful voyage."
Baker spoke highly of the morale of
the French forces. He was aboard
whn tho big German offensive started
The secretary was accompanied by
his aides. General William Black,
chief of engineers, and Colonel M. L.
Brett, and by his secretary, K. A.
Hayes. He went directly from the
steamer to the railroad station and
boarded a train for. Washington.
Baker intimated that the American
troops in France were very eager to
get into the fighting S.k iid they
don't want to see any Americans over
there unless they come" with guns on
their shoulders, ready to right their bit.
The srcietary occupied a compart
ment in the Washington train and load
ed fa the best of health.
Baker crossed the Atlantic on an
American transport that was formerly
(Continued on page two)
SAYS CONDITION IS
SERIOUS FOR ALLIES
DANGEROUS FOR HUNS
Expert Says There Is No Rea
son for Present Alarm
May Be Death Traps
i
By J. W. T. Mason
(Written for tho United Press)
New York, April 16. With the cap
ture of Bailleul and the isolation of
Wulvetgham by the Germans, Von Hin
denburg has brought his forces at
tacking Ypres to the very base of the
hills in which are located the principal
British defenses protecting the Ypres
lowlands to the rear.
Hitherto the Get-mans have been
fighting along comparatively level
ground. They now enter upon what
ought to be the most difficult part of
their task. If Hindenburg continues his
effort to reach Ypres, he slaughter of
his troops as they attempt to advance
hrough the hills may well become unpre
cedented even for. the present man-killing
drive.
The loss of the two towns is a serious
matter for Marshal Haig. chiefly be
cause the British are now compelled to
fight in their final defenses to save
Ypres. Bailleul 's former value as an im
portant center of communications had
disappeared with the Gorman advance
within artillery range several days ago.
Wulverghnm's importance as a defeiir
sive outpost for the highly important
Messines ridge positions was seriously
jeopardized when the Germans captured
reuve-iighse yestoiday. Messines riogo,
three miles north of Wulvergham, still
remains in British possession as do the
hills forming a convex crescent shaped
natural fortress immediately north of
Bailleul.
Bince Hindenburg has resolved to con
tinue his reckless slaughter of man
power in this sector of tho front, it is
better tactics for tho British to retire
wholly to their defenses amid the hills
than to continue the bloody game on
level ground.
Tho hills defending Ypres may take
their place among the most terrible
death traps in history. Thero is no rea
ish retirement while the situation is un
son for present alarm in the slight Brit
quesiouably serious for the allies, it is
capable of becoming well night fatal
for Hindenburg. -
"BALD-HEADEDDADDY"
FIRED BECAUSE OF
"TINY LITTLE LADY"
University of Chicago Has
Suspended Professcr For
Shocking Its Morals
Chicago, April 16. Notice of suspen
sion'as associate professor of sociology
in the University of Chicago was to
be served today on William I. Thomas,
the "bald-headed daddy" of pretty
Mrs. B. M. Granger, Thomas' arraign
ment in morals court yesterday on a dis
orderly conduct charge was followed by
a telcgrapiiie oruer oi suspension num
President JudsoU in Washington, D. G.
Meantime the campus board of trus
tees began an investigation of the cast
n.i.;h iiir rUfitiiiTiiiHhed. clderlv col
league-was involved in an amorous bote,
foom adventure with his "tiny 'ittle
baby", whose husband is fighting ia
France.
"It's true," said Dean James A. An
gell, "that Thomas is not lecturing this
semester but President Judson's order
of suspension was for the benefit of the
public because the community's moral
itv has been offended."
'Dean Angell said the decision of the
board would probably be announced im
mediately following this afternoon's
session.
Clarence Darrow, chief counsel let
Thomas, prepared today for Friday 'l
hearing in morals court when Thoma
if.. r.ranfrnr DTP PTnPC.tcd tO 8U
auu ima. H ' " 1 '
tear in public together. Mrs. Granger
was reporteu in in "u mo -
residence mothered by the profebsor i
wife.
OREGON'S NEXT QUOTA.
Portland, Ore., April 16. It
became known today that the
first men called in Oregon's next
quota of drafted men will tram
in California and will be drafted
as roast artillerymen.
The men, of whom there will
be 251. will begin to move south
ward for Fort MacDowell, Cal.,
May 1 in accordance with war
department orders.
B.AIN FIXED THIS ONE.
Grand Bapids, Mich., April 16.--. for
est fire that swept a part of I-ascs
rnnntv nd threatened ore mixes, is be
lieved to have been extingi Ube'i t J
rain today.
SHIPPING BOARD
TO BID i I V
W00WES1LS
This Means That Ships For
Trans-Atlantic Trade Must
Be of Steel
OBJECT IS TO INCREASE
SIZE OF SUPPLY SHIPS
This Change Made In the Face
of An Admitted Shortage
of Steel
Washington, April 16. Chairman
Hurley (3 the chipping board today
went directly to President Wilson in
an effort to defeat delays in ship
building due to a shortage in fabri
cated steel.
He called1 at the white house short
ly before the cabinet meeting with
Bainbridge Oolby of the shipping board
and Charles M. Schwab, of the Bethle
hem Steel company,
Faced wit, an admittedly serious I
shortage in fabricated steel, officials
of the shipping board started today to
unravel the transportation and mill
ing tsngle which Ls held responsible
for dolay in building
The shippmg board holds that it
'must havo steel at once or see the ship
yards closed beeause of material short
age. At the same time, Director Gen
eral McAdoo has called for steel for
100,000 cars and 3000 locomotives, and
the war department has mado kjiown
its steel demands will constantly grow
heavier.
Officials of the shipping board stat
ed that wherever possiola wooden
shipyards will bo cenvcrted into steel
asaamblTng yards.
This does not mean that no more
woe den ships will b. built, but the
ships for trans-Atlantic trade hereaf
ter will Do or ateei. it was xpiainea
that probably private plants would
plaee in service wooden ships to sup
plant the steel vessels taken from the
coastwise trade (tar trans-ocenn ser
vice. . I -! ' .
In letting no more contracts for
wooden ships, tho shipping board is
(Continued on page three)
YourTVIoney or
NEW AMERICAN ARMY IS
TOO MUCH FOR GERMANS
Storm Troops, 400 In Number Sent Against Americans,
Hurled Back Leaving 64 Dead and 11 Prisoners One
Private, Italian Born, Captures Two Prisoners, and
Goes Out and Gets a Third to Secure Gift of a Match
With the American Army in France,
April 15. Details of Sunday morning's
battle on the left bank of the Mouse
provo that the new American army ia
more than the niastor of the Germans.
The boches used their best storm troops
to attack us. Numerous naturalized It
alians, Poles, Irish, English Scandi
navians were in the American force
which, with a knockout blow, repulsed
the Germans. The enemy came on in a
two-wave formation after a barrage.
Storm troops led the attack.
After a three hour fight the 400 Ger
mans were hurled back. They lost 84
dead, 11 prisoners and 22 mitrailleuses.'
"The boches are too respectful now
even to fire on patrols. The men are
sharpening their bayonets and want to
get some more bodies," said an officer.
"One typical American private, Ital
ian born, but a 'good American' now;
encountered several Germans in his
trench. He killed one and tho rest fled.
Pumping bullets after. them, tho private
chased them in No Man's Land and cap
GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR
WILL BE GIVEN WORK TO DO
American Prisoners In Ger
many Will Be Furnished
Food hy Government
Washington, April 16. Every Ger
man prisoners of war in this country
was ordered by the war department
today to be put to work. Eight hun
drod and fifty wer get at the task of
building roads near Fort McPhcrson,
Ga-, while otheTS at Fort Oglethorpo,
Ga., have been engaged in building
new structures to house other prison
ers. .
With the war department taking
ovct for the navy the U-48 prisoners
captured by the destroyer Fanning,
there still remains the problem or
whether General Pershing's prisoners
shall be brought back here. A decision
on this point is expected soon, but
meantime the Teutons taken by the
Yankees remain in France.
tured two. Returning with them to the
American trenches, he asked a sergeant
for a match. The latter told him to cap
ture another German and he would get
it.
"The private thought he had already
earned it, but he went out Into No
Man's Land again and soon returned
with a six footer 18 inches taller than
himself."
The Germans are equipped with new
trench daggers, six inches long and with
double edges. The enemy troops are
husky and average about 18 years of
age.
The Americans are smaller but appear
tougher.
The Americans are laden with "Gott
mit una" belt buckles as souvenirs.
Tho avorage opinion of the American
troops regarding their Teuton enemies
was expressed by a Yankee private, who
said.
"Thoy are great big bums. They're
yellow clear through."
That same complaints of Gorman
food and eamip conditions have come
from American prisoners in Germany
became known todhy. Some pf the men
reported thoy . did not have enciugh
blankets, while others said they were
given either poor quality food or lit
tle of it. International law requires a
nation to feed its prisoners as it feeds
its own soldiers. This Germany is not
doing, though the United States is
scrupulously observing that regula
tion. Now, America purposes that the
interned sailors and other prisoners
already on hand and the U-Ctf' mcit
comma nere suaii . wwk iut wu
"chow."
To relieve American prisoners in
Germany from poor or insufficient
food, the United States government
has established the same system as
the British, feeding the prisoners her
self. This is done through the Ameri
an prisoners' central committee at
(Continued on page two)
NDEMNITIES ARE
GERMAN PROGRAM
Hisdcnburg Cock Sure British
Army Will Soon Be
Annihilated
SOCIALISTS AGREE TO
STAND 1,500,000 10SS
Plan Annexation and Indem
nities and Hopes To Make
America Pay J
By Carl D. Groat.
(United Press Staff Correspondent)
Washington, April 16. Germany is
prepared to waste more than 1,000,000
lives in the west front offensive, ac
cording to information here today.
The socialist and -militarist leaden
are understood to have conferred befor
the drive began, reaeiiing an under
standing that the radicals would not
interpose any objections so long as the
casualties did not exceed the l,500,OuO
mark, But beyond that, tho socialists
were not prepared to stand for the rock
less use of "ennnon fodder" it was
said.
Tho military leaders were understood
to have pledged that they could achieo
their purposes without incurring such,
casualties, though lately they have been
inclined to warn Germany that all gains
of terrain have been at frightful cost.
The nation was informed that the of
fensive would succeed and thai Ihs
bloody dreams of the plunderbund would
bo realized. Behind theso pledges lies
the explanation of the sudden strapping
of peace talk, according to advices here.
Hindenburg and his officers were
cofk ure in their talk.? Tho British,
army would be annihilated and Ger
many 's path" to a peace, with annexa
tions, with be accomplished.
Germany Stakes A'L
The government has positive informa
tion that "staking everything" on th
west front drive is no empty pl.rasa
wilh Germany. The ubo of men if waves
mowed down as grain before tho reap
eris one evidenco of the Teuton pro
gram. The fact that Germany dies not
object is due, it is now bolievcd, to a
pro-offensive agreement and the Ger
man belief in the military-mad leaders
word that victory is ahead.
Germany hns shunted asido !.h reich
stag resolution of "no annexations,
no indemnities" quito openly now.
Zurich dispatches today said the pan
German organ, the Tagliseho Ruml
schau, revealed the new stand.
Count Hertling, the paper said, ti.ieat
oned tho socialists that ho would resign
if that platform were followed.
Thereupon tho majority factions, ac-.
cepted the imperial government's pian,
which includes:
Annexation of French terntoiy.
Incorporation of the Belgian ost if
Flanders into Germany.
Payment of a large war indemnity by
the western powers to Germany.
Incidently it appears that Gciuiany
is hoping to collect indemnity from Am
erica and her leaders are doinj; all in
their power to make the boches believe
America's part in the war will bo mca-
HerHincr is reported to have broken
with Erzberger, the centrist leader.
BAILLEUL CAPTURED
BY GERMANS AFTER
FIERCE NIGHT ATTACK
British Lines Again Bent Back
-Fierce Battle Rages
AUJight
By William Philip Slmms,
(United Press Staff Correspondent.)
With the British Armies in France,
April 16. The Germans are in Bailleul.
Von Stettin's fresh troops attacked
from the south, while Von CarloWitx
hurled storm troops northward past tho
city, on the east, simultuncously as
saulting Lc Ravotsburg heights, which
aro the aouthermost bastions of an ag
glomeration of protuberances rising out
of the otherwise pancake like lowlands
of Flanders.
Several divisions swept against
Bailleul itself. ,
Rushing up reinforcements, Hinden
burg is attacking heavily from near
Merville to Neuve-Egliee.
(This takes in the entire right cen
ter of the German drive. From Merville
to Ne ivc-Kglisc is 11 miles in an air
line, but the front covers nearer 15
miles tnd embraces Merville, Vieux
Borquin, Morris, Meteren, Bailleul and
(Continued on page two)