Newspaper Page Text
. mm
WEATHER FORECAST.
Fair to-day; partly cloudy to-morrow;
light north winds.
Highest temperature yeiterdajr, i ; lowest, 48.
Dttallsd weather reports on lut pg
eauuump
IT SHINES FOPv ALL
VOL. LXXXV. NO. 228.
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1918. Copvrlflnf, 191, hV the Bun Printing and PuMUMso Association
PRICE TWO CENTS.
HAIG HOLDS ENEMY IN DAY AND NIGHT OF FURIOUS BATTLE;
YIELDS NEUVE EGLISE, BUT KEEPS HIS GRIP ON BAILLEUL;
CZERNIN RESIGNS TO SMOOTH BREAK IN DUAL ALLIANCE
?
U TROOPS KILL
64 AND CAPTURE
11 IN HOT FIGHT
Americans Outnumbered 2
to 1 in Encounter North
of St. Mihiel.
OUR CASUALTIES SMALL
Ono Pennsylvania! Takes
Three Prisoners, Kills Ono
Other and Wounds More.
By tho A$todatti Prut.
TVrm Tin American Abut in
Fxancx, April IS. The German attack
against tha American positions on the
right bank of the Meuae, north of St.
Mihiel. yesterday was made by a force
of 400 picked troops who were recently
brought there from the Russian front.
Although the Americans were outnum
ber! more than two to one they com
pletely repulsed the enemy, driving; him
back to his own trenches. The known
cntiny casualties Include sixty-four
dead, many wounded and eleven prison
er, besides a number of wounded who
wtr dragged back to the German lines '
br their comrades. I
Th Germans attempted to deceive
the Americana by appearing In front
of the trenches and speaking French
and English and also by yelling "Qua 1"
The deception, however, was soon dis
covered and cost the enemy dearly. The
American casualties were comparatively
alight
Bravery of Psnnsylvanlan.
Numerous stories of Individual bravery
poured Into the headquarters to-day. A
young man of Italian parentage, born
In a Pennsylvania coal mining town,
killed one German and captured three.
He saw eight Germans walking In a
communication trench ahead 'of him
and, although alone, he shot and killed
cne and ran after Uethers, capturing
two and wounding some of those who
escaped. He tllen returned to the
American line and turned over the pris
oners to a non-commlssloned officer and
coolly asked for a match.
The officer Jokingly said: Tit give
you a match If you bring In another
prisoner." The soldier, who Is only five
feet four Inches tall, took him at his
word and went back over the parapet.
He returned In less than Ave minutes
walking with fixed bayonet behind a
six foot German, who waa yelling
"Kamarad ! Kamarad !
A few minutes later It was reported
that ten Germans were lying In a ma
chine gun nest In No Man's Land. The
Pennsylvania started for the spot alone,
but he was ordered back by the com
mander of the unit, who later sent a
detachment of men to rout out the
enemy, which they did.
Gas Rase Qnlekly Detected.
The enemy made the attack In four
groups. As soon as they reached the
American wire entanglements they be
gan yelling "Gaa." At one point the
Americans began to put on tholr gas
mask, whereupon the Germans opened
fire, hut the ruse was discovered before
the enemy could do any damage.
The Americans went at the Germans
with hand grenades, rifles and automatic
pistols. A small party of Germans who
attempted the same trick at another
point were outwitted by an American,
who shouted "Fellows, there's too much
wind for gas. They're Germans! Give
em hell I"
"And we did," added a Massachusetts
lad who took part In the attack.
Another group of the enemy tried to
impersonate allied troops.
"They didn't have the password." said
ene American private. "So we decided
to fire first and ask questions afterward,
but when we got through with them
there was none ready to talk."
One sergeant and 'two privates cut off
In a corner of a trench held out for
more than two hours against a niuch
superior force and finally reached the
American lines In safety. Two other
Americans who had been made pris
oners and were being led away were
rescued by comrades, who scattered the
enemy. One "doughboy" taken by the
Germans was pulled for sixteen yards
ever the barbed wire and then eluded
the enemy by Jumping Into a communi
cating trench during a barrage.
Prisoners Mostly Boys.
The. prisoners captured by the Ameri
cans were mostly young men under 20
years of age. They carried two days
rations and entrenching tools and said
tVy expected to occupy the American
front line positions.
The prisoners said the attack was
made by picked men of four companies,
to from the 272d Regiment Regular
Hejenes, one of shock troops and one
of pioneers. Some wore belts with large
buckle bearmg the inscription "Gott mlt
un." Several carried Ion trenail
knives.
large percentage of the American
troops participating In this engagement
fro rons of foreign born parents, some
f them being only 17 or 18 years old.
They are, however, hardened to trench
warfare and absolutely fearless. There
' nothing they like better than a
c.iance to "go over the top." The officers
iiave difficulty tn restraining them when
ver they ask for a patrol or raiding
Party. Kvery man wants to go, and
Jn'y are convinced that each of them
better than two Germans.
HAND TO HAND FIGHT.
Wore Details of the Kncoauter la
Apremont Forest.
Hu tht Atioetattd Prut.
Wmr 7Ht pnE.vcii Anur in Foakcs,
Aptll 14 (delayed). American soldiers
JIM brilliant work In the stlt fighting on
Jrlday at Brule Wood, in the Forest of
Continued on Second Pag.
Reichstag' Peace Plan
Due to Charles's Aid
AMSTERDAM, April 15. Ac-cording-
to Count Ernst von
Reventlow, chief editorial writer
of the Berlin Tagesreitung, the
adoption by the Reichstag- last
July of the resolution against
annexations and indemnities was
due to the influence of Emperor
Charles of Austria. Count Re
ventlow is continuing his cam
paign against the Austrian Em
peror, and says that Mathias
Erzberger, clerical member of
the Reichstag;, read at a secret
session of that body a letter
from Count dentin to Emperor
Charles in which he wrote as fol
lows: "Austria wants, and in any
event must have, peaooby the
winter of 1917."
Herr Erzberger said that he
had authorization from Emperor
Charles .to read the letter and
this, according to Count Revent
low, induced the Centrists to sup-
DOrt the nfcarp resnlntinn
against what it calls "Emperor
I -naries-s meddling tn affairs." I
v. J
LIBERTY MOTOR
IN LONG FLIGHT
Great Bombing, Machine Comes
Hero From Virginia in
Three Honrs.
ENGINE TNS 8M00THLY
Craft Has Larger Weight
Carrying Capacity Than
Any Other Developed.
Major Roy B. Brown. Signal Corps.
TT. S. A., piloted to Field No. t at
Mlneola yesterday afternoon one of the
new bomb carrying biplanes designed
for the use of the army. It has a
Liberty motor. The Major brought the
machine from Langley Field, Virginia,
a distance of 325 miles In less than
three hours.
The machine carried Its pilot and Ed
ward Buzane, a mechanician. When It
came gracefully -to' the field a guard
line was thrown around It promptly.
Officials would not permit outsiders to
have a peep at It.
It was stated officially that the trip
had been made along the Atlantic coast
and that no trouble had been encoun
tered en route. The feature of the big
filer Is Us capacity for carrying weight.
It came along fully loaded with either
bombs or their equivalent as a means
of testing the carrying capacity.
Army officers said that the plane had
a greater weight carrying capacity than
anything that had been shown since the
development of flying.
Liberty Motor Is Used.
The Aero Club of America In a state
ment to the press last night said that
the machine was equipped with the new
Liberty motor, which has been much In
the spotlight of Investigation recently.
The club said that the actual flying time
was three hours and fifteen minutes, al
though the army folk said that the trick
had been turned In less than three hours.
According to the Aero Club, the start
was made from Langlsy Field, which
Is near Norfolk, Vs., at 11 o'clock
yesterday. Major Brown took his plane
due northeast, reaching an altitude of
12,000 feet above Baltimore, and then
dropping down to 6,000 feet for tha rest
of the Journey.
When the machine came down at
Mlneola Col. Rockwell, Major Thomas
Hitchcock and other officers were
watting to receive it. They Inquired
with unusual Interest as to the per
formance of the Liberty motor. The
Aero Club reports that the motor did
not miss fire once during the trip and
that it showed an unusual lack of vi
bration. The motor was the same one
used in the flight from Langley Field
to Annapolis Easter, and the mechani
cian said that It had worked altogether
about nine hours.
Not Batlt for Speed.
The machine Is known as the Curtlss
R-4 type and It la not built for speed.
Primarily It Is a weight carrier. Intended
to convey enough bombs over a hostile
section to make things Interesting for
the population below. The machine did
not equal the speed record made by
Lieut. Baldlsli and Cpt Lent with the
Italian speed scout October 22.
Major Brown and hla mechanician
will fly to West Foint to-day and will
then make the return trip to Langley
Field.
FRENCH TO H0NOB WILSON.
Political Science Academy Will
Elect President Member.
Washington, April 15. President
Wilson will be elected a member of the
Institute of France. An official des
patch from France says that the Acad
emy of Moral and Political Science, find
ing it necessary to elect In Its section of
foreign associates a member to replace
Mr. Vlllarl of Florence, has proposed the
name of President Wilson. Tho selec
tion was received with much apprecia
tion. On account of formalities, the
election will not be for several weeks,
The despatch said the President would
be elected by acclamation.
CHARLES' PEACE
LETTER FORCES
MINISTER OUT
Retention in Cabinet Is In.
dication of Emperor's
Desire for Armistice.
BALFOUB KEEPS SILENT
Vienna Declares Missive Was
Forgery and Refuses to
Bcply to France.
London, April IS. Tne seriousness of
the strained relations between Germany
ind Austria-Hungary, the two domi
nating States of the Central European
alliance, was emphasised to-day by the
announcement that Count Csernln, Aus-tro-Hungarlan
Foreign Minister, has re
signed. The diplomatic crisis waa not
without Its dramatic qualities, although
it Is easy to trace the causes which
led to It.
Publication by the French Govern
ment of the futile peace appeal sent
out by Emperor Charies In March of
last year and the effort of the Emperor
and the Austrian Foreign Office to ex
plain this action to the satisfaction of
the German Junkers undoubtedly placed
the Minister in an impossible position. '
Although tho resignation has been uc
cepted. Count Csernln will remain In the
Cabinet until his successor Is chosen.
A further Indication of the supposed
leaning toward peace on the part of
the Austrian monarch Is seen In this
announcement.
In a reply to a question In the Houee
of Commons to-day as to whether Great
Britain was aware that President Poln
care had in hla possession Emperor
Charles's letter a year ago, when Brit
ain refused to consider peace negotia
tions, especially Kerensky's proposals,
Arthur J. Balfour, decretory or For
eign Affairs, "said that the Government
had considered tha subject aad had de
cided that it was not in ins .suDijg, in
terest to discuss It In any form tn the
House of Commons' at present. Ha ap
pealed to the questioner not to push
the matter further.
Letter Is Called Forgery.
An official statement from Vienna
asserts that the latest statements of the
French Premier. M. Clemenceau, con
cerning the conversations between Aus
tria and France regarding the possibil
ity of opening peace negotiations do not
alter the situation as regards the ma
jority of Count Cxernln's declarations.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry, the
statement says. Is unable to uncertain
who was responsible for delivering to
' the French what Is eald to have ben
a forged letter, substituted for the letter
which was to be delivered.
Neither Prince Slxtus, whose charac
ter la beyond suspicion, nor any one
else is accused of falsification, continues
the statement, which concludes: "Th
affair is herewith declared to be at
on end."
Count Czernin did not know of Em
peror Charles's letter to Prince Slxtus
i when he made the statement that
France had Initiated the conversations
with Austria, according to a Vienna
despatch to the Lokalanzelper of Berlin.
On learning of the letter he resigned,
but yielded to a request that he remain
In office until the conclusion of the
peace agreement with Rumania.
Diplomats Are Interested.
News of the resignation led to much
discussion among officials and diplomats
as to the causes which brought about
the exit of the Austrian official at a
moment when through his decided
change of attitude towurd war Issues,
Involving his complete acceptance of the
extreme German views. It had been
supposed that he had strengthened his
position.
This change was manifested soon after
the Brest-Lttovsk peace conferences,
whero Czernin had becomo convinced
that his moderate views regarding the
basis of peace were unacceptable to the
dominant annexation and forcod Indem
nity nnrtv. Therefnr- nfflrlala nrn tn-
fellned to believe that It was not alto
gether because the Count was obnoxious
to Austria s great ally that he was
forced out of office, but that the ex
planation was to be found In part In
Internal Austro-Hungarlan Issues.
It Is recognized that Csernln Involved
Emperor Charles tn a most unpleasant
position by his speech trying to fasten
upon France the responsibility for
Initiating peace proposals last year,
thereby enabling the French Govern-
(Continued on Third Page.')
SUN Fund Panes
Quarter Million Mark
QROWING naturally and
rapidly with the contribu
tions of its faithful friends whose
numbers increase every day tho
smoke fund, although not yet a
year old, has attained manly
stature and strength. At a
moment when the necessity of
its existence is more than ever
established, the fund spreads its
strong wings and soars grace
fully over.
The legion of givers will not
be deceived any more than the
fund is in its future. It has
reached a height, but there are
peaks beyond. Read on page 7
how many things are planned to
lead it to the next one.
WARNING! THE SUN TO
BACCO FUND has no connection
with any other fund, organiza
tion or publication. It employs
no agents or solicitors.
Charles Says Cannon
Will Reply to France
BASEL, April is. Emperor
Charles of Austria has sent
the following telegram to Em
peror William of Germany, according-
to advices from Vienna:
Clcmenceau's a c c u s a t ions
against me are so low that I have
no intention to discuss longer
this affair with France. My
cannon in the west is our last
reply.
In faithful friendship,
CHARLES.
CYCLOPS' FATE
STILL MYSTERY
Navy Department Baffled hy
Collier's Strange Vanishing,
hat Continues Search.
FBENCiI WABSHIPS HELP
Damage to Engine Was Merely
Broken Cylinder Head
Carried 5 Inch Gnns.
Spteial Pe$paleh to Tnr. Srv
Washington. April IS Further In
formation obtained In naval circles to
day concerning the missing naval cottier
Cyclops only served to deepen the mys- j
tery surrounding that vessel's disap
pearance, j
Secretary Daniels and officers at the
Navy Department said to-night that
they were absolutely baffled and with-'
out the faintest tangible clue as to why
the ship has not been hoard from since
March 4.
The Cyclops sailed from the Barba
dos Islands; West Indies, for an At
lantic port March 4. The trip should
not have token more (han nlns day
Present Knows Facts.
The facts were made"" known to-day
In connection with the Cyclops and her
last trip:
The 19.000 ton collier, one of the
three finest in the service, was armed
with live Inch guns and carried am
munition for use In case ahe was at
tacked. The Cyclops did not have one of her
engines out of commission as reported
In the navy's statement last night,
but merely had a broken cylinder
head, which would not have rendered
this engine useless, ns the engine
could hnve been run on two cylinders.
Tha accident to the cylinder head
occurred while tho ship wss en route
for Brazil and she made the trip
from Brazil to the Barbados with
out difficulty. It Is estimated by naval
officers that even with one engine the
vessel could have made ten knots
speed.
The Cyclops was equipped with
reciprocating engines and powerful
wireless apparatus.
L'nconflrmed reports have reached
here that one member of the crew
of tho Cyclops totd friends of having
received a message of warning that
the vessel would be blown up. This
report, which may bo mere gossip,
has nevertheless been given consid
eration for what It Is worth.
French Warships Aid Search.
Sretary Daniels stated to-day that
the Navy Department had been conduct
ing a systematic search for the ship
since March 13. her scheduled time to
arrive at an Atlantic port. Vessels of
tho American navy havn combed the
steamship routes along the coast and
have followed the course which the
Cyclops was to have taken In her trip
from the Barbados
These vessels havn put Into various
ports along the route and made In
quiries, with a view to obtaining some
trace of the ml9slng ship, but nothing
whatever has resulted from their ef
forts no far.
French war vessels, It was announced
to-day, also are taking part In the
search, which Is continuing among all
Islands in the West Indies, In the hope
that some clue may be discovered.
After sifting nil evidence which Is
admittedly of a purely speculative char
acter, liaval officers are Inclined to
believe that the ship must havo met
her end very suddenly. If ahe has been
lost, as now appears probable. On
no other theory can these officers ac
count for the absolute lack of news
via wireless.
It Is admittedly possible that some
German raider might have attacked the
Cyclops and shot away the wireless
with the first shot, but this seems hardly
likely, especially as there has been no
evidence of a German raider in the
waters through which the Cyclops
steamed. Besides, It Is felt that If n
German raider powerful enough to ac
count for tho Cyclops had put In ap
pearance her depredations on other
ships would have been reported before
nnr.
Slay Ifare Bern Captured.
It Is conceivable that the raider may
have captured tho Cyclops and now
have her In tow somewhere, but this
theory also Implies shooting away tho
wireless In the early stages of an en
gagement The theory of an Internal explosion.
either through the work of some enemy
agent aboard the vessel or by accident,
seems more likely than others advanced
to some naval authorities here, but they
believe that even In this caso there
would have been some sign of wreck
age which would have been picked up
Ni forty-two days since the Cyclops
l.Karbaao. There has Keen no record
of a West Indian storm to account for
her disappearance.
Mr. Daniels made It clear to-day that
the navy Is not going to abandon the
search and that meantime be will hope
against nop.
GERMANS FAIL
TO GAIN GOAL
AT BAILLEUL
British Line Holds Against
t Fourth and Sixth Enemy
Armies.
WOBST OF CBISIS OVEB
Enemy's Hope of Breaking
Through Ts Diminishing
Hour by nonr.
By PERCIVAL PHILLIPS,
Corrrtptmifnl of Iht London Dally Kxprttl.
Bprrtal C' f)riff f Tns Scm.
Copr((, lli: all rtptfs referred.
Rritish Abmt Hbadoi'ahtbs in
"""vri!. April 13 8lnce Sunday night
Hntlteul hns been the roal of the Fourth
nd Sixth Herman armies. In contln
lus heavv flghtlnc during the last two
'ivs fresh divisions have been thrown
-to the flght. Yesterday morning, after
the failure of repeated attacks the enemy
came again with new troops and Is ham
mering to-day with even greater deter
mination ncainst the bow-shaped British
front between Neuve KglLse and the For
eft of Steppe.
They seem to have succeeded yes
'erday In pushing somewhat nearer to
Meteren. to the west of Ballleul, but
nowhere else on the battlefield did we
give ground. Our line Is everywhere
Intact They failed completely In front
of the Forest of Nleppe. where a strong
force of the enemy infantry suffered
severe, casualties. They also suffered
heavily around Festhubert. wfiere an
other attempt was made to pierce our
front toward Ilethune.
In front of Ballleul. where the Ger
mans swept repeatedly toward the town.
w killed them In great number. On
the whole. It Is a day of failure for tho
enemy. Time Is everything. He real
ised'ttat V sweats df tha first few
days Is to be exploited It mutt be done
without further delay. The British
troops also realize this. They have
withstood shocks which were very se
vere with undiminished confidence. Tho
crisis Is not yet over, but we hare gone
tnrough tne worst of it
Sltnatlon Is Better.
Tho situation, althourh still seriotm.
is decidedly better than it was forty
elyht hours ago. The enemy can no
longer have any great hope of breaking
through.
A mora detailed account of the Ger
man drive on RMnlrrs and MervlMe.
which led to this battle for Ballleul. will
show why the enemy was able to ad
vance as rar as ho did arter breaking
through the front of the Portuguese on
the morning of April 9. The British
troops, which were brought up behind
the Portuguese, were holding the cross
ings of the Hirers I.ys and Latvo on a
front of about 7,000 yards.
THey had line posts thrown out for
about two-thirds of a mile in front of
the main bodies. This force met and
checked tho German shock battalion
which was ordered to gain the bridge
head without a moment's delay. Our
iroops included wen trained machine
irun troops, and some of them suffered
first In tha bombardment as they came
through Kstalres. One Northern unit
was particularly unfortunate. They took
up their line, however, without a mo
ment's delay. They were rsther thinly
aligned along a wide front until other
reonforcemente, pushing up at tho mo
ment that the enemy attacked, were
able to strengthen the defences of the
rivers.
At 10:20 o'clock In the morning the
ermans were heard advancing along
the front. A little later the first waves
were seen approaching the posts held by
the Durham. Behind our old trrnches.
occupied by the rortuguese, were a
series of posts about five hundred yards
apart, which they were supposed to take
up when they retired. Hut these wero
swiftly surrounded and carried by tho
enemy.
Armrntlrrrs Station Reached.
By 1 o'clock In the afternoon the Ger
mans were swarming across the Armen-
tleres railway station between La Ventl
and Hac St Maur. Then It was a des
perate fight for the river. The advanced
posts of tho Durhams were blown In by
::40 o'clock In the afternoon. Other
British postM had gone. Some of the
occupants had succeeded In cutting tholr
way through the enemy bridgeheads.
The Germans drove straight for each
bridge between Estalres and Hac St.
Maur. While all of them were attacked
with strong forces, a particularly heavy
blow was aimed at the drawbridge at
Estalres.
Field batteries could be seen follow
ing the first waves of German Infantry.
By o o'clock they planted themselves In
the flats, shelling our river front at
close range. At the moment we were
unable to hold the drawbridge In force.
A portion of the troops defending It wero
still on the west bank, but tho .trench
mortar crews beyond attacked with rifles
and succeeded In ehecklng the German
waves for nearly an hour, while a little
band of herolo men worked steadily
piling up explosives to destroy the
bridgehead. They were not wholly suc
cessful, for these masslvo structures of
Iron beams and concrete resist the ordi
nary explosions. Enough of the bridge
remained to enable a few Germans to
cross on the debris. Many of them were
killed.
When night came our front was still
Intact on the west banks of the Ittver
Lys and La we, save for the portion be
tween Ixstrem road and the fosse, where
the salient was held by some Durhams.
The Germans rushed the fosse and the
lock at Rault near by In the evening.
They were driven back. They pressed
on In great numbers throughout the
ConMawed on Third Page,
CECIL FORECASTS TROOPS
WILL STAY IN VLADIVOSTOK
British Minister of Blockade Declares No Assurances
Have Been Given That Allied Forces Will Be
Withdrawn After Order Is Restored.
London, April IS. Lord Robert Ce
cil Minister of Blockade, answering a
question in the House of Commons to
day, said:
"No assurance has been given that
the British and Japanese troops will be
withdrawn from Vladivostok as soon as
order Is restored, but It Is hoped that
tho Incident will soon be closed."
ToKto, April 10 (delayed). Several
Instances; of Russian sniping against
Japanese patrols in viaaivosios are re
ported In a despatch from that city to
the Ataht One Russian was arrested.
The message also reports the local Coun
cil of Soldiers and Workmen has tele
graphed to headquarters urging the des
patch of armed German ana Austrian
IRISH FOMENT
GROWS RAPIDLY
Every Section Voices Its Op
position to Conscription,
Clergy Lending.
NEW HOME RULE BBEACII
Ulster Reasserts That It Never
Will Suhmit to a Dublin
Parliament.
Bptetal Cabl PeMHifeA lo Tss Sew.
Cryrlf. ttll: ctt rfftft referred.
London. April 13. Passive resistance
to conscription In Ireland on the part
of the Nationalists and open and violent
opposition on the part of tha Slrm
Felnara Is the burden of the news from
.the south or Ireland to-day. In Ulster
the determination never to ruhiillt to
tho authority of a Dublin Parliament
has been reasserted.
Conscription on the ne hand and
home rule on the other have th-own the
entire Island Into a ferment. Tho Gov
ernment proposals rre being resisted
with equal violence on both sides
That flster' position is dictated
solely by the Interests of that poctlon
without regard to the well being anu
prosperity of Ireland as a wholo again
Is made clear In Htatenwnts of leading
civilians and churchmen of Belfast, who
Insist that any attempt to crento an
Irish Parliament will have serious con-
peaiience. Dr. McDermott, formerly
moderator of the Presliyterlan Church
of Ireland, voiced this sentiment when
he salJ:
"Our opposition to an Independent
Ireland rests upon considerations vital
to the freedom and well being of L'lster.
Under no circumstances will I'lstermen
coma under the control of a Dublin
Parliament."
Opposition Is Growing.
The flame of opposition to conscription
In rising. At a Nationalist demonstra
tion at Armagh, In l'lster, the attend
ance including members of the ofllclal
party and Sinn Feiners, the following
covenant was adopted:
We people of Armagh, true to our
country In this her hour of need,
pledge ourselves In solemn league and
covenant to passlvo resistance In
every shape and form to military con
scription brutally forced on Ireland as
a nation ag.ilnst her own free will.
We will not be coerced.
Cardinal Ixkub In u message to tho
meeting said that forcible conscription
was an outrage on the clergy and the
people of Ireland nnd that there was
nothing to do but to offer passive re
sist snco In every shape and form.
Othpr meetings of similar nature havo
been held at Limerick, Galway, Tlppe
rary, Tuam and Tullamoro. At Galway
the city division of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians adopted tho following reso
lution:
The Government, In face of the de- I
clared will of tho people, persists In
enforcing this measure and we think
that there is no alternative left tho
party but to return to Ireland and
lead tho people In taking- whatever
steps may be deemed most effective In
opposing Its application.
At three Galway churchei the preach
ers. Insisting that the people had the
right to resist on unjustly Imposed law,
spoke strongly against conscription. At
Athlone. In tno catnoiic ctuirclies. a
vast number of young mon received the
holy sacramont nnd tho preachers de
nted their sermons to tho "threatened
national danger from conscription" and
prayed that a crisis might be averted.
Premier May Kl1aln To-day.
Premier Lloyd George probably will
address the House of Commons to-morrow,
explaining the Government's
home ruin programme, and stating- that
the bill for pelfeovertiment n' Tre!-"d
will be Introduced by the end of tho
week. Tho measure is to bo pressed for
early pasMage. The plan seems to be
for a federation of dominions that
would he applicable In tlio future to
Scotland and Wales.
It Is stated cm good authority that
conscription will not be put Into effect
until tho home rulo question Is settled
and an Irish parliament set up, giving
Ireland the opportunity to accept com
pulsory service with the sanction of Its
own government.
In the lobbies of the House to-night
It was asserted that the Prime Minister
would be questioned as to the Govern
ment's course should the Lords reject
home rule after the measure has been
passed by the Commons.
It Is believed that tho explanation of
the situation by Lloyd George will
smooth the situation. The labor mem
ber object to the precise form of the
Continued en BvntU Page,
prisoners to Vladivostok as reen forced
ments. Bolshevik leaders are quoted as
declaring that the Japanese action In
landing forces In Vladivostok marks tho
beginning of the carrying out by Japan
of her "long cherished ambition" In Si
beria, Tho Russian Foreign Minister, accord
ing to a special despatch from Khaba
rovsk. Eastern Siberia, had telegraphed
the Siberian Soviet that there was no
sufficient Justification for the landing of
the Japanese and that the Russian work
men and soldiers must defend the coun
try. Although It has been confirmed that
a small British contingent has been put
ashoro at Vladivostok, the report that
American bluejackets had been disem
barked Is unconfirmed and Is not cred
ited here.
HORRY U. S. AID,
BALFOUR DRGES
Germans Hope to Shatter Brit
ish Before America Ar
. rives, Ho Says.
PBEDICTS THEIR FAILURE
Ho
Phophesies This Nation
Will Baffle Plans of
"Robber State."
London, April IS. "What ts now
most presstngly required Is that the
fighting forces of tho United States
should be brought as speedily as possible
Into the field," said Arthur J. Balfour,
the Foreign Secretary, In speaking at a
luncheon to the American labor delega
tion to-day,
"The German plan," continued Mr.
Balfour, "Is to shatter the British army
before the American weight can be
brought Into the scale. The German
Inspired prejs has been Instructed by Its
masters to show the utmost contempt for
the American military effort. Hut the
masters do not share that contempt
They aro planning their whole campaign
and nre sacrificing men with reckless
extravaganco that the American help
may arrlvo after their blow has been
struck."
? Mr. Balfour's Address.
In proposing a toast to tho allied
causa at the luncheon to the American
labor delegation, Mr. Balfour said:
"Tha two speeches which no have Just
listened to would have convinced any
doubter. If such exists elsewhere, that
tho spirit In which tho United State's of
America have thrown themselves Into
this great struggle Is a spirit of Ideal
ism, not In the sense In which idealism
evaporates In eloquent phrases and empty
formula), but In that spirit tn which
Idealism recognizes that to bring his
ideals to fruition nne must make effort
and show those great sacrifices which
are now being so surely demonstrated
by our friends and brothers across the
Atlantic"
That mission, he proceeded, repre
senting n It did tho activities of the
United States m so many different
spheres and characteristics, had arrived
at our shores at a moment of Interest.
It was a moment of special Interest, not
chiefly because of the great and anxious
struggle now going on, but becatjFn the
Allies had revealed to them In Plain,
unmistakable characteristics both the
political and military plans of those who
controlled the deMlnlcs of Germany.
"We havo been tho witnesses during
the last year or year and a half," he
"Said, "of strange tergiversation on the
part of those who wished to delude
either the German, neutrtl, or. It might
be, even tho allied public with regard
to Qerman Intentions and methods.
Facile Soccess In Itnssts.
"There wss a moment before the
facile success which Germany obtained
egalnst nn unresisting enemy, sn enemy
in the east, when German statesmen and
German members of Parliament dis
cussed public, affairs, which would lead
one to suppofo that Germany waa In a
high way to democratic Institutions and
to heartfelt adoption of tho four prin
ciples which President Wilson has made
famous throughout the world. Kvents
In the east gave them a facllo succts
over tho talkern In Hussl.i, and tho
wholo aspect of politics and public optn
Ion among tha Central Powers har en
tirely changed.
"They now nlmost cynically admit
that the resolution of the nalchstng, of
which wo have heard so much, all the
talk of no annexations and Indemnities,
of considering the wishes of subject
populations, ot spreading the principles
of security and freedom throughout the
world, was what wo sometimes call ca
mouflage." All that waa now thrust aside, Mr.
Halfour said. Gorman methods were
actually being carried out before the
eyes of all In the case of Rumania and
In other communities bordering on the
eastern frontier of Germany. In mo
ments of adversity, continued the Sec
retary, Germany used fine language,
which sho had been taught. Indeed, by
the statesmen of the allied Powers snd
principally by President Wilson, but
which Bha had learned but Imperfectly
and understood not at all. That was
one of the phases of contemporary events
which made tho present moment ex
tremely Interesting. The other was the
plain, clear revelation of the German
military plans.
"Hho now stands forth undisguised as
a robber State," declared Mr. Balfour.
"How Is she going to carry out ber rob-
CohKsimiI on Btvtnth rage,
Germans Sacrifice Thou
sands in 36 Hour Assault
. on 8 Mile Front.
CARNAGE AT MERVILLB
Seven Attacks Repulsed by
the Unflinching Line of
British Manhood.
BATTLE IN NIEPPE WOOD
Enemy Gets Astride of Rail
way Leading From Mcrris
to nazebrouck.
SptM Cable Dutalth to Tns Res. '',
Copyright, Ilia: oil right rutned.
London, April 15. On an eight mild
front, running: from Ncuve Egllsa to
Vleux Berquln, thousands of Gormaa
troops have been sacrificed In the last
thirty-six hours In a terrific struggle
to envelop Ballleul, as well as tn a
succession of frontal attacks on tha
tine of railroad and the high nicart
east of the town.
Neuve Egllse has been taken
retaken Ave times, finally being tost
by the British. The Germans at ono
time Saturday night advanced as far
as the heights west of the town, but
this morning tho British again drove;
them back to the lower ground south
east of the town.
Fighting Goes on at Night.
The reports of correspondents Il
lumine the ofllclal reports and Indl
cate that the struggle raged with tha
most Intense fury throughout the day
and night without Interruption.
Southwest of Ballleul the enemy got
across the railroad toward Ilaxe
brouclt at Merrls, but the British are
holding them between that place and
the Wood of Nleppe, The fighting la
going on to-night.
The Germans are making the most
desperate efforts to break down the
British resistance that has held up
their advance for more than forty
eight hours. They have suffered tre
mendous losses that have bought but
little ground.
Germans Shift Attack.
Chocked by tho British In the des
perato all day. hand to hand fighting
on the Ballloul front, the Germans
shifted their attack to tho right flank,
where between Wulvergheni and Mes
slncs they launched an assault, pene
trating tho British lines nesir Wyt
schnete. Their gain was relatively;
small.
Tho nnemy Is attempting a flanking
movement nlong the Douve lUver In
the hope of turning that position and
rutting tho road from Ballleul to
Ypres.
Ofllclal nnd unofficial reports Indi
cate that the Germans are struggling
desporatcly to regain the momentum
of the attack that has been smashed
by tho herolo resistance of tho British
troops.
FORCE OF ASSAULT
NOW ABOUT SPENT
Ctrmana Pay Dearly for thm
Few Feet of Ground Gained.
London, Ajirll 15. There seems no
reason to doubt to-nlht that tha fore
of tho great German drive ugalnst the
British lines between Lens and Yprsa
has spent Itself In vain. Although tha
enemy continues hi series of desperate
assaults, tho British aro holding at al
most every point, or where tho line does
gie slightly the Invaders aro made to
piy so dearly that any gains In ground
are more than offset by the tremendous
cost In human life.
on tho northern side of tho salient,
south of Tpres, there have boen tremen
dous struggle at four places. At Mer
vtlle, near the apex of the German sa
lient. sevn succeslvo assaults were re
pulsed. Tho lower spur of Aleeslnes
ridge was the scenu of an encounter of
almost unparalleled ferocity, the enemy
finally gaining a footing In Neuve Kgllse.
Tho British retired only n. short distance
and there is every Indication that coun
ter attacks are being prepared here.
Ballleul and Wulverghom ulso have wit
nessed tho most sevetn ensageiuent.
Kxcept for Nouve EUa, tho British
line on the northern sldn of tho salient
has stood firm. To-night's Berlin state
ment reportM successful operations
northeast of Wulverghem.
Renewed Fighting; at Ilangard.
Along tha French front there hava
been desultory engagamants, sometimes
of considerable fury, and tha cannonad
ing has been heavy, llancard-en-San-terra
being tha centre of these actions
to-day. Both French and German foroasj
havo engaged In several raids upon
big scale. It Is believed possible that
this may portend another drive toward
Amlans, following the Ulndenburg tac
tics of shifting objectives from one sec
tor to another. Around Montdldler the
artilleries also have been engaged heav
ily, but there havo been no further In
fantry operations In tilts region.1
An Associated Press correspondent
with the British army, in describing the
battle at Neuve UglKe, which Is near
the Belgian border, sajs that the strug
gle continued to rage this morning with
tin same ferocity that has characterised
It for days, with tho British pounding
the Germans hard.
The latest reports this forenoon
(showed that the British Una was being
strongly held as a whole In this northern
tone snd In some Instances had been
considerably Improved by counter
stroke.
The British last evening followed up
their auccesi ot Saturday when they
