Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 175, Ed. 1 Friday, March 29, 1918 Page: 1 of 8
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Southwest Thrust of Enemy's Wedge Into the Allied Line Is Blocked
DAILY ARDMOREITE
"LEST WE FORGET"
1069 MORE DAYS OF GORE
A Newspaper of Character
FULL LEASED WIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
ARDMORE OKLAHOMA FRIDAY. MARCH 29 1918.
VOL. 25.
NO. 175.
EIGHT PAGES TODAY
1 "! tapw War
ftr'lll Saving
; .Stamps J
BRITISH FRONT NORTH OF
THE SOMME ADVANCES;
HUN RESERVE CRUMPLED
Haws Artillery AndMlfo
Machine Guns Decimate
Solid Ranks of the Foe
PETAIN'S MEN
(Review by The Associated Press.)
The southwesterly thrust of the German wedge
into the allied lines has been stopped short at Mont
Dedier. The enemy seems definitely held there 57
miles from Paris by the indosure of the town within
a pocket formed by a series of villages valiantly cap-
tured and held by French troops.
Despite continuous counter attacks last night the
Germans were not able to dislodge Petain's men from
these hamlets on the hills about the town.
Between Mont Didier and the Somme the Germans
seem to have obtained some ground since yesterday
in their westward push toward Amiens the great al-
lied supply base but Paris declares the Anglo-French
forces are holding the enemy firmly along a well-defined
line which at no point is less than 12 miles from
this objective.
Amsterdam March 29. The German supreme com-
mand is about to deliver a new and mighty blow on an-
other part of the front which will "tear a new hole in the
already pierced enemy ring" te Vossiche Zeitung of Ber-
lin declares.
Paris March 29. The irrvat battle now raping over a
front of more than 70 miles. This extension of the line has in-
creased the number of German reserves unpaged.
Although thus far no decisive success has been obtained
anywhere there is increased confidence in Paris. The impres-
sion in semi-official circles is that the allies have not only held
off the Germans but now are no longer compelled to permit
the enemv bv his maneuvers to shape the course which the
battle shall take.
The general feeling is that for Germany the battle is vir-
tually lost; that for the allies the battle is about to begin.
1 1 may now be said that the French armies in reserve have
come into position and the numerical superiority which the
Germans enjoyed in their first rush is decreasing.
The operations thus far are accepted as confirming the
theory th;.t Paris was not the main objective of the German
offensive but that the plan of the enemy was to break the con-
nection be; ween the French and British armies in which he
as failed. His main direct attack was westward toward the
sea. The Germans seek Amiens because this town is an im-
portant railway center of communication with England. The
loss of Amiens' would be inconvenient but not vital.
Marcel Sembat former minister of public works writes
in L'Heure:
"The situation is improving for us rapidly. The German
attack in the Mont Didier region is likely to prove a formidable
failure.
'Toward Amiens which is the real objective of the Ger-
mans their attacks are meeting with a stubborn defense. They
must reach the sea to attempt on enveloping movement. Noth-
ing will be spared to defend Amiens to the last."
The eighth day of the battle brought a change in the
weather if conditions at the front are the sarre as in Paris.
The wind shifted from the northwest to the southwest which
will nrevent the Germans from using gas. Rain is falling
which will make it difficult for
artillery over the ground they
FRENCH EXPECTING TO
LAUNCH BIG OFFENSIVE
Enemy Is Hurled Back at Many
Points With Losses Heavy
Everywhere.
(Associated Press Review.)
The German purpose now the
thrust to the southwest has been
checked apparently is to close in
within the angle formed by the riv-
ers Avre and Somme with its point
at Ainiens. It is in this triangle
therefore that further lighting of
the most intensive nature is to he
looked for in the immediate future.
North of the Somme the British
front has not only been stiffly main-
tainedw but has been advanced at
places. Today's statement from the
London war office emphasizes the
success of the British in foiling the
German effort to embarrass the al-
lied defense by establishing a mov-
able line in the Arras region through
a great assault.
The German reserves thrown in
after the penetration of the outpost
lines were crumpled up in the bat-
tle zone by the devastating lire of
Field Marshal llaig's artillery and
machine guns and thrown back
with great losses.
The gigantic conflict over the
ground between the Scarpe and Oise
rivers has entered into a new phase.
Repulsed in their efforts to break
through in the center the Germans
have turned their attention to the
wings of the salient in the allied
STAND FIRM
the Germans to bring up their
have acquired.
lines hut heavy fighting continues
on most of the 55-mile front.
On the northern flank which has
been extended slightly across the
Scarpe Field Marshal llaig al-
t bought giving some ground has
repulsed attack after attack and has
held most of his positions intact es-
pecially between Boisleux and Al-
lien. On the southern flank the
German gains around Mont Didier
have been offset by a French of-
fensive movement south of Xoyon
and the repulse of heavy enemy at-
tacks along the Oise.
French May Soon Counter.
Attention is divided between the
German attack along the Scarpe to-
ward Arras and the probability that
the French movement in the south
is the beginning of a countr offen-
sive on a large scale. The wings of
the German salient were its weak
points when the allied troops check-
ed the onrush and held it to small
gains at great cost as they have
done for two days the enemy had
to change his tactics.
Arras is one of the strongest
points in the British line and is
guarded on the north by Vimy
ridge and on the south by Wailly
ridge while there are strong hill
positions to the east. From these
positions the British artillery could
bombard the rear of the German
lines toward the Somme and prevent
the enemy from widening the salient
toward the north while at the same
(.Continued on page 8)
1-
M H
IN HIS ATTACK
MOVES IN WAVES UNDER
SMOKE CLOUD CAMOU-
FLAGE IS REPORT.
Increasing Reaction of Allies and
Also Checking of Enemy's Great
Drive North of Arras Causes Joy
in All France.
Paris March 2'). Reports of yes
terday's operations are encouraging
in two particulars reinforcing the
calm confidence which is felt here.
First was the plainly marked check
wit ti which the licrtuans ni"t m
their attempt to extend the hattle
north of Arras. The second feature
is the effective and increasing reac
tion on the part of the allies result
ing in important successes partial
larly in the region ot Mont Didier.
The more cheerful feeling was no
where more evident than in the lob-
liy of the chamber of deputies. Pre-
mier C'lemenceau looked in there for
a few minutes between two trips to
the front.
He Sleeps Well.
"I slept last night and slept well"
said the premier. "I had not c'oue
that for some time.''
Louis l.ocbeur minister of muni-
tions who also came hack from the
front spoke of the situation in the
most hopeful Way.
The Germans are employing a new
method of attack the most conspic
uous feature of which is smoke cloud
camouflage under cover of which
successive waves of attacking forces
advance in echelons.
After a short and intense artillery
preparation the first wave armed
with automatic rilles. machine guns
and new cannon mounted in low car-
riages for short range lire is sent
forward tiring at a range of 2IXKJ
yards.
Would Increase Surprise.
It is ordered to lire on the re-
serves regardless of the opposing
forces right at hand which the suc-
ceeding waves must account for.
The task of the leading troops is
to increase the advantage of sur-
prise by preventing paralyzing coun-
ter attacks on the part of the re-
serves. The result of these tactics usually
is that the first wave is almost en-
tirely wiped out. The second wave
then passed ahead to be followed by
the third and so on.
Thus the on-coming waves have
succeeded one another during the
eight days of the great conflict.
PLACE IN NEW
A telegram came to the Chamber
of Commerce this morning from Col.
II. W. Pentecost reading:
"Ardmore will be given infantry
company in new regiment now or-
ganizing. Have committee appoint-
ed and get busy."
The new regiment allowed for the
state will consist of 3750 men each
company to have a roster of 250.
It has been very generally accept
ed that all the men now in the Car
ter County Home Guard company
will enlist in this hompany; that is
all who are within the age limit of
enlistment lb to 40 years and are
physirallv fit.
There is a complete company of
the Home Guard in the county
about fifty of the number residing in
Ardmore. Capt. L. S. Raines is in
command and Otis M. Smith is first
lieutenant.
Paul B .Smith of the Chamber of
Commerce said on receipt of the
telegram this forenoon that he
would refer it at once to J. Robert
Gillam chairman of the Carter
County Council of Defense.
BOMBARD PARIS AGAIN.
Bulletin.
Paris March 29. The long range
bombardment of Paris was resumed
shortly after 3 o'clock this after
noon.
ARDMORE GIVEN
SOONER REGIMENT
FATE OF BRITISH
EMPIRE IS AT
F
WEEK OF GREATEST STRESS
ENGLISH PEOPLE HAVE
EVER SUFFERED.
Battle on Too Great Scale Geo-
graphically for Any One to Give
It Name Pacifists Now Ram-
pant for War.
London Thursday March 28.
The battle for which no one at-
tempts to give a name because it is
on a scale too great for any geo-
graphical designation began one
week ago this morning.
To say that it has been a week of
the greatest strain and stress that
the lirilish people has ever known
would be to make a futile under-
statement. The fate of England indeed of the
whole British empire has been com-
mitted to the test of one clash of
arms.
Everyone has realized this to the
depth of his mind. The anxiety in
the rural districts has been even
keener than in the cities where the
frequent newscaper bulletins has
furnished the public with food for
discussion and speculation.
The most effective impression of
the crisis has been the sweeping
aside of all political factional dis-
putes . Today there is only the unit-
ed nation whose heart is with the
soldiers in France. The progress of
the war had come to the level where
discussion of policies and personal-
ity were consuming a considerable
part of the people's attention and
particularly the attention of poli-
ticians. Today however the pacifist
journals have fallen Into line with
the uti.ci-. I hey have dropped
their criticisms of the management
of the war and eeasd to talk of
'peace by negotiation."
"Sideshows" Were Mistakes.
There are few suggestions that
the policy of "sideshows" meaning
diversions of military strength to
listant helds like Mesopotamia and
Saloniki have proven mistakes. Re-
grets are expressed that those forces
ire not in France.
There are feelings in come quar
ters that General Sir William R.
Roberts chief of the eastern com
mand whom many believe is the
country's ablest organizing general
ought rather to be at the helm.
here are reminders also that
Redmond and Dillon might have
brought all the manhood of Ireland
into the fighting ranks had they
been listened to.
Hut the general feeling is that the
errors of the past should be forgot-
ten and that the shoulders of all
should be put to this day's work in-
sofar as it can be done.
"Where Are the Americans?"
An unknown factor in the battle
toward which the F.nglish people
are eagerly looking is the American
irmv in France.
"Where are the Americans?"
'When are they coming in?" are
questions being asked everywhere.
All the Americans in London are
being asked by their Inglish friends
lor answers to these queries.
America has been depended upon
to fill up the gap left by Russia. The
popular belief reggarding the num
ber of American troops in France
probably is greatly exaggerated.
Manv believe there are a million or
even two million Americans already
on the Furopean side of the ocean
and the actual weight of American
support is likely to prove a sharp
disappointment.
Haig Has Great Problem.
Some criticisms that the British
official reports are lacking in details
meet little sympathy. 1 he answer
is given that Field Marshal Haig
has problems to deal with which are
far more important than writing re-
ports and that even the preparation
of messages of cheer and encour-
agement would be an unnecessary
intrusion upon his time.
1 he British people are patient.
They know that their casualties
must be appalling as compared to
all previous wars but they willingly
consent to delay in the receipt of
these lists.
AMERICANS TAKE PRISON'
(By the Associated Press.)
With the American Army in
France March 29. Four prisoners
were captured by the Americans on
the front northwest of Toul some
time during last night or early this
morning according to reports filter-
ing back from the line. It is not
known whether the prisoners were
engaged in an attempt to raid the
American positions or whether they
were brought in by an American
raiding party
S IN II
WEATHERJORECAST
For Ardmore and Vicinity:
Tonight generally fair; colder.
Saturday fair.
Oklahoma: Tonight general-
ly fair: colder; freezing temper-
ature in northwest; near freezing
in southwestern portion. Satur-
day fair.
Fast Texas: Tonight gener-
ally fair except showers in
southeast and extreme east por-
tions; cooler. Saturday gener-
ally fair; cooler in east and south
portions.
West Texas: Tonight fair;
colder; freezing in Panhandle.
Saturday fair; colder in south-
east portion.
Local Temperature
llaxinnun temperture yester-
day 80 degrees; minimum last
night 55.
1
PER LOUS IP
Era!
GO OVER TOP IN DAYLIGHT
TO EXPLORE HUNS'
LINE OF DITCHES.
( l!y The Associated Press.)
With the American Army in
France Thursday March 28. Two
officers and four men went "over the
top" today in broad daylight a feat
seldom accomplished. Although the
sun was shining and the sky was
clear the Americans decided not to
defer any longer their determination
to learn definitely whether Germans
were present in great mimbrs in an
enemy firing trench.
When dawn came there were faint
clouds showing back of the enemy's
lines and the Americans delayed for
a time hoping for rain and fog hut
. . i i
w i( i inc. ciomis (iisapinareu the Iao
ofiic rs and the four men decided to
make (lie daylight venture although
I hey would be under the eves of a
watch from the enemv and were in
a place where even pistol bullets
might find their mark.
How They Traveled.
Machine guns were posted ami
the Americans with grenades swing-
ing at their waists and with rilles in
hand clambered up from the fire
step and out over the parapet. They
slid head first into the nearest shell
hole and the journey was on. Mov-
ing from shell hole to shell hole.
taking advantage of the slightest
rise in the terrain the patrol pro-
ceeded. In the trenches behind
them their comrades stood with
fingers on rifle triggers ready to fire
the instant any Germans might
show themselves.
From the American lines the pa
trol members were seen to force
their way through the enemy wire
and one by one disappear into the
German front trench.
During the next four hours the
men in the trenches waited anxious-
ly hearing nothing from the patrol
who during that time were inspect
ing ot m yards ot the German
trenches.
Explore All Dugouts.
Prepared for instant battle the
six Americans made their way from
one trench section to another going
into each dugout with the muzzles
of their rifles preceding them and
travelled 3IKJ yards. Returning to
the point troni which thev had start
ed on this inspection they searched
the trenches 300 yards in the other
direction.
While four hours may seem a long
time lor this work it must he kept
in mind tiiat every bend and every
dugout may contain an overwhelm-
ing enemy group and there was no
assurance that the Germans had not
discovered what the Americans were
doing and that they had not con
cealed men in places prepared to
meet the invaders.
Enemy Bullets Rain.
It was noon when first the head
of an American was observed above
an enemy parapet. The watchers in
uie .American lines Dreamed easier
but at this moment the Germans
discovered the patrol and rifle bul
lets began to smack against the
trench sides and bottom.
Discovered the six Americans
lost no time in moving out. Un
scathed they returned to our lines
bringing all the information they
had sought.
At the other end of our lines dur
ing the night American patrols
sought to go through the enemv
wire. They penetrated the first belt
successfully but when they reached
the second a sergeant mho is from
Texas put his hand on a wire and
received an electric shock and was
burned.
. This attracted the attention of an
enemy sentry who fired a flare fore
ing the Americans to drop to the
ground and they crawled hurriedly
back to their own lines as the flare
died away.
PERSHING WOULD SEND I R CI
ARMY INTO BATTLE H PUTS ALL
FORCES AT DISPOSAL OF FRENCH
( l!y The Associated Press.-)
Paris. March 2. General Persh-
ing called on General Foch at tht
French headquarters yesterday ac-
cording to 1 I uforination. and placed
at his disposal the whole resources
of the American army for employ-
ment in the battle now in progress.
I come." I. 'Information quotes
ticneral Pershing as saying "to say
to vou that the American people
would hold it a great honor for our
troops were they engaged m the
present battle. I ask it ol you in
my name and that of the American
people.
" 1 here is at tins moment no oilier
question than that of lighting ln-
lantry artillery aviation -all that
we have are vours to dispose ot them
is vou will. Hhers are coming
which are as numerous as will be
necessary. I have come to say to
you that the American people would
ie proud to be engaged in the ri cut
est battle in history.
General F'och placed General
I 'en lung's offer before the council
if the front L'l nforniation says.
The council includes Premier Clein-
enceau. Commander-in-Chief Petain
and Louis l.oucheur minister of
munitions.
There have been several reports
recently that General F'och one of
the most brilliant strategists of the
day who was largely responsible
for the French victory in the battle
of the Manic would be placed in
supreme command on the western
front. The Daily Chronicle of
London y esterday said an announce-
ment bearing on the co-ordination
of lirilish and French military exer-
tions might be expecf.'d almost im-
mediately and that an iiilHienti.il
role might be assig' -d to General
Foch.
EXPECT TO SECURE
ENGINEERS FOR
LO ALTY PARADE
Members of the committee on ar-
angements tor Ardmore s April o
celebration marking the first anni
versary of the United Stales entry
into the world war and the inaugu-
ration of the third Liberty loan are
confident thai Company 1 11 lib
Regiment L'. S. F.ngineers the
rdinore company." will be here to
larticniate m the celebration. A
telegram Ironi Congressman I. artel
yesterday paved the way for secur
ing the company and Wirt Frank
lin chairman of the Liberty loan
campaign in Carter County will go
to Fort Worth Monday to perfect
plans for transportation ol the sol-
diers. Mr. Franklin will confer with
the general commanding the Thirty-
sixth division and is confident that
he will he able to report success of
the plan to make the home-coming
of the engineers one of the big fea-
tures of the demonstration.
fhe committee at a meeting at
the war bank yesterday afternoon
outlined a tentative program. S. A.
Apple general chairman presided at
the committee meeting.
It is the intention of the commit
tee to leave nothing undone to make
the celebration one in keeping with
Xrdmore's standard of "ov.t the
top in every undertaking Efforts
are being made to secure a number
of airplanes from Camp Hicks Fort
Worth. An invitation has b-.-en ex
tended to United States Senator
Owen who is expected to be in this
part of the state next week. A tele-
gram has also been sent to Guy
Fmpey war correspondent and au
thor of "Over the Top."
Former Governor Lee Cruce will
deliver the principal address in Con
vention Hall at the night meeting.
The parade will form at 1 :30 o'clock
at the intersection of Broadway and
North Washington and the line of
march will be east to Caddo south
to Main and west to Central Park
where the program of addresses and
music will be given.
TWO AVIATORS KILLED
ON FORT WORTH FIELD
Fort Worth Texas March 29.-
J. Dwyer and J. Scott Rowan
both members of the Royal Flying
Corps were killed in aviation acci-
dents today. Rowan came here
from Scotland. Dwyer's nearest of
kin lives in Montreal Canada. His
name is E. O. Bowen.
American Aviator Killed.
Paris March 20. riielps Collins
of Detroit Michigan a member of
the La Fayette flying corps was
killed in a nair fight on the French
front on March 13 it was announc-
ed today.
With the American Army in
France Thursday March 28.
W hile there is no false optimism
regarding events in northern F'rance
in the American expeditionary force
all tanks although realizing the sit-
uation is tense are confident that
allied anus eventually will be vic-
torious. Every man is intensely in-
terested in the outcome.
Newspapers containing the official
statements and descriptions from
newspaper correspondents are eag-
erly read by all the Americans from
generals to privates and from the
base ports to the front line trenches.
Not the slightest doubt is ex-
pressed but that the British and
French will not only hall the enemy
but defeat bint.
Fmvy the Engineers.
AH the American troops are anx-
ious to get into the light and are
envious of the role played by the
handful of American railroad engi-
neers who are believed to have been
caught in the German advance. As
the days have gone on and it ap-
peared that the men would not get a
chance to participate directly in the
lighting there have been some slight
growls hut the men in the ranks
are confident thai whatever is be-
ing done by the commanders is for
the best.
Some of the Americans far back
of the lines have insisted that they
hear the rumble of the guns in the
zone of fighting but this is not
probable owing to the distance of
the American sector from the battle
front.
To the American troops training
in northern France the great batthl
in I'icardy has had the effect of mak-
ing them speed up their work for
they iccl that eventualities might
make it necessary for them to take
part in the lighting.
WILSON WANTS LIFE
APPEALS TO GOVERNOR OF
CALIFORNIA FOR EXEC-
UTIVE CLEMENCY.
Sacramento Cal. March 2'K
President Wilson has telegraphed
Governor William D. Stephens of
California asking executive clem-
ency for Thomas J. Mooney now
under death sentence it became
known here today.
Mooney was convicted in connec
tion with a bomb explosion m San
Francisco in a preparedness parade
July 22 l)b which caused the death
of ten persons and injured forty
others.
Executive clemency was Moon-
ey's only hope the state supreme
court having rejected recently his
appeal for a new trial.
"If President Wilson wishes to
turn loose a murderer like Mooney
the responsibility is his" was the
comment of District Attorney
Charles M. Fickeil of San Francisco
county.
Governor Stephens was absent to-
day on a trip to Camp Kearney San
Diego.
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS
RETICENT OVER MATTER
Will Neither Confirm Nor Deny
That President Intervenes.
Washington March 29 The only
comment White House officials to-
day on President Wilson's telegram
to Governor Stephens asking him
to extend executive clemency in the
Mooney case was that they would
neither affirm nor deny such a tele-
gram had been sent.
The President's action which has
few precedents in American judicial
history conies as the climax of
much effort by agencies of the fed-
eral government to have the convic-
tion of Mooney reversed and to get
for him a new trial.
When President Wilson sent his
labor mediation commission west
several months ago it was specially
charged to look into the Mooney
case. The committee reported con
clusions that the Mooney case had
become so involved with the issue
of bitter contest between capital and
labor in San F'rancisco that he
should have a new trial.
"The feeling of disquietude arous-
ed by the case must he heeded" the
commission reported to the Presi-
dent "for if unchecked it impairs
the faith that our democracy pro-
tects the lowliest and even the un-
worthy against false accusations.
W'ar is fought with moral as well as
material resources."
It is well known that practically
all the prominent labor leaders upon
whom the President has been call-
ing for labor's co-operation in the
war have been asking the President
to intervent for relief of Mounev.
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Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 175, Ed. 1 Friday, March 29, 1918, newspaper, March 29, 1918; Ardmore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc156397/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.