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kllies Ready to Meet I German Drive in West Inemy Massing for Desper? ate Blow on the West Front, He Says American Aviators Ready for Battle 1 eW Centralized Control Plan To Be Tested in Coming Struggle By C. \V. Gilbert ? WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. All the re? torts feceived by the War Department Indicate that the Germans are about ,'to strike upon the West front. They Ureo with '.:.' newspaper dispatches ?row ic war correspondents' head ; in Northern France, which say m attack is expected between Ar? as and St. Quentin. Ihe War Department accepts the ieory thai it is Germany's purpose to uijver a hcavj blow soon, and Sccre '??.:?.: Baker stamped the belief with liis approval in his weekly review of the ji?itai.v operations ended February 16, jablished to-daj. jlic ccntrali ut on of control of the y -.,... has be? n made in unte to meet coming Gcr\nan offensive. When I ;;.,. ; George spoke of plans adopted the Versa lies conference he un ,../,,;,; referred to plans to repulse the expected German offensive, wher .,,? ?t ? ? be delivered, for it is rcc icnizcd that the ostentatious prepara? tions in Northern France may really .oufiage an attack upon Italy or upon some other part of the Allied front Official information was withheld to? day about the Allied council or about this country's par! in pxtending its powers. Secretary Baker said he Knew nothing of the report of Lloyd George referred to and assumed that ir had boon written by General Bliss. When Lloyd George's speech is read carefully ? iggests that the inter-Allied or? ganization consists of a sort of inter? allied '':1" cabinet the political si?l?' V rsailles council made up of ,. vari? Premiers and an intcr A li? d g? :? ral staff. National Staffs Now Subordinated mal ? ,r arc subordinated *o nter Allied general staff. '1 hat by Lloyd George's state? ment tnat General Robertson re fused i p0! ? 0f cl i? E of staff, that is, of the British it ip? rial staff, "with the p, . ? | ich the Versailles confer? ees had decided to be proper to it." Of the exacl powers of the organiza c n i othi ?_? is made public in the British Premier's speecn as it has reached this country. The only light i on them is contained in the paragraph quoted from Lord Curzon's pi ? in the House of lords. Lord i ?? .;?;,; that under the new scheme eld Marshal Haig woukl 'nave the ame power over the movements of ??.. ; .-, foi e. The only difference :.- the V? ". allies conference R ? certain troops at its dis ? poga! ". : ?? h it could add to Haig's troop "i .I elsewhere, according -., th ;.- iicit'3 of the movement. General Staff to Distribute Reserves And n g ?cral staff disposes of re-' serv? i, ni i >rd Curzon suggested. It forms the plan of campaign, and part of '1 e p an of campai?.';! is the disposi? tion of r? erves. The General Staff has a staff man at A, at K. at G and so on. If an action takes place at A its staff representative keeps it informed, and if reinforcements are needed the Gen? eral Staff, acting on his information, end t em from B or C or D, or wherever, according to the plan, they lar.c held in reserve. Naturally, this gives greater mobil? ity to the forces of the Allies than the control of reserves by the several na? tional staffs. _ In army circles there is a belief that the formation of what amounts to an Allied general staff means that, the French arc virtually in control of the Allies' strategy and military policy, under, of course, the political section "f the allied organization. If there is an allied general staff there is prob? ably in effect, if not. in name, a chief of that taff. Plainly, the dominating figure is not British. General Robert? son had a chance to bo thy British member of the Versailles Council and ueclin? d. If he had had the opportunity to "?' head of it he probably would not nave declined, Moreover, if a Briton 'Acre to be head of the organization. Lloyd George and his associates would presumably hav,c been particular what "riton it was. Baker's Report Of Week's Progress On the War Front WASHINGTON, Kcb. 20. After ex tUsi-jitte preparations, silently and systematically carried on, it is ap? parent that both the Germans and the Allies ?re ready for the long-expected offensive in the West, Secretary Baker says to-day in his review of military operations for the week ending Feb? ruary 16. "While there have been outwardly no new developments in the military situation in the West during the period under review." says the communiqu? "yet it is apparcn! that both the enemy and the Allies, after extensive prep? arations, which have been silently ami systematically earned ??, ;m. ready 'or battle. The Germans have recent !X withdrawn a number of their vet? eran West-Iron', units from the first ?"o trenches and arc busily training 'hem in mobile warfare. "According to advices received, the yerman General Staff hopes that by Casing ? large number of these Hked shock battalions, which have ??en intensively trained, they may "diver a crushing blow. Warder Task Than In Kast "The bulk of the German forces arc ?Hr?M?nbled in the West. But MUJW number of these units are wholly untrained ,n the method of Western riT W.u xare' which differs radically ? n't. tha? ^ndUCted ??on* oth? hSh? Purth?rm?re. ?he German h, ,. r ro,nn,"!V1 realizes fully that ht! forces will meet with far more ffflcult tactical obstacles than nnv pUnerto encountered by on attacking army. A break-through was possible 1)1 Russia only after I he morale of the Russians had been undermined; the samo was true in Italy, and wo wit llessed how speedily t'ni' Italian line was mended. "l'urine; the week there has been much activity of a minor character along the entire Western front. "As has already been announced, in Lorraine n segment of the lino is en? tirely under the control of our for?es. Along our front patrol encounters were numerous. The Germans under? took a rani against our positions and succeeded in inflicting a few casual? ties, A small American patrol, while scouting in No Man's Land, was am? bushed h\ the enemy. "The weather was very rainy during tin- first part of the wei'k. and our troops wer?- busy manning the pumps ;n an effort to keep their tronches dry. Later clear weather prevailed and hos? tile aircraft mnd?' frequent flights to reconnoitre our positions. A -marked improvement in our anti-aircraft bar? rage is reported. Artillery duels took plaee, and the Germans showered our lines with pas shells, which, however, caused no casualties, owing to efficient tras mask protection. "In Champagne units of American ar? tillery participated in an engagement undertaken by French forces. This operation was the most important of the week in the West. After very careful artillery preparation, during which our batteries cooperated use? fully, French infantry advanced to the assault- southwest of the Lutte du Mesnil. along a front of about 1,400 yards. The French, succeeding in penetrating the German positions, broke through the second ?ml reached the third German line. During this brisk attack the French destroyed many enemy shelters, inflicted much damage to enemy positions, besides bringing back 150 prisoners. "Other successful raids were under? taken by French detachments in the vicinity of the Chemin ?tes Dames, east of Rheims, in upper Alsace and else where. In all, the French drove for? ward twelve very fortunate rcconnois sancc undertakings along different parts of the line. "German units were also active. Their attempts to reach the French lines were temporarily successful in the vicinity of Bezonvaux and in Alsace. However, seven German raid at vari? ous other points broke down. French ?artillery kept the enemy constantly engaged along a widely scattered area. "The British front was also the scene of numerous minor engagements No important actions took place, and the enemy, who wa-> evidently busy with the grouping of units and dispos? ing fresh forces recently arrived from other theatres, in the front line, under? took only such reconnoitring engage incuts as to familiarize the new units with the nature of the terrain in front of them. . "In the Italian theatre the enemy has again assumed an aggressive atti? tude. . . . ''The concentration of an important bode of German cavalry in the vicinity of Lipa is noted, and it is believed that the Germans may lind it expedient t., advance on Petrograd. It is difficult to determine the exact status of affairs in southwestern Russia. The Russian contingents are evacuating the Arme? nian centres south of the Black Sea. which are being reoccupied by Turkish detachments. Trebizond will probably soon fail into Turkish hands. "It is important to record that large , contingents of Arabs are joining the forces of tlie Sheik of Mecca, who is co operating with the British. "The Arabs 'nave defeated the Turks in two encounters, occupied El Mazreh, southeast of the Dead Sea. and are ad? vancing along the Hedjaz railway tow? ard Moan." Trial of Caillaux Pressed by Court FARIS, Feb. SO. The investigation in the ease of former Premier Cail? laux, who is charged with treason, wa3 continued to-day with the examination of several witnesses by Captain Bou chardon, of the Paris Military Court. ' Among the witnesses was Charles Ber tcHi, a newspaper correspondent. The investigation into the cuse ;,gainst Senator Charles Humbert, who likewise is accused of treason, also was continued. Lieutenant Bondoux, one of Captain ?ouchardon's assistants, heard two wit? nesses, who had volunteered to give testimony concerning the "affaires" in volving Paul Comby. a lawyer, who is under arrest charged with com? plicity in the Call ?aux and Bolo Pacha case?, and Louis Loustalot, Deputy for Landes, who was arrested in January after his parliamentary immunity had . been suspended. Women to Join Signal Corps Telephone Operators' Unit Will Serve in France Women who speak both French and English fluently can go to France with the army and serve in the signal corps ;?s telephone operators, according to the announcement of the chief signal officer. Those with switchboard experi? ence will he doubly welcome, but if t'ne necessary units cannot bo made ut) of experienced operators, this in? struction will be given to those who speak Loth languages ami are physi? cally lit. The uniform is navy blue. The or? ganization is a beginning of a move? ment to enroll something like the British Women's Auxiliary Corps, the signal branch of which has already achieved fame in France. Application blanks cm be obtained from ?h?- office of I lu- chief signal of? ficer, Room 826, Mills Building Annex, Washington. Those selected will be transferred from place to place at government expense. Enlistment is ; for the duration of the war. Pay ! ranges from $.">0 a month for substi? tutes to $125 for chief operators. Red Tape Cut by Baker Papers for Military Officials to Reach Them Direct WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.?Through tli?.' approval to day of an order per? mitting the direct reference of military - matters to th?' division handling them, Secretary Baker eliminated a large sec? tion of War Department "red tape." Heretofore, all papers destined for tlie military olficials had t<? pass through 'channels" leading t?> the of l.cc of the Adjutant General. From liiere, they were distributed to the staff departments. After a decision had been leached, the papers in each case had to move back over the route : they had come. Woman to Help Food Board ITHACA, X. V., Fob. 20.- Miss Mar ; tha Van Rensselaer, of the department of home economic!'. New York State , College of Agriculture. Cornell Uni? versity, has been, appointed head of the division of home conservation of the United State- food administration. Miss Van Rensseluer will assume her duties ?at Washington March I. Her work will include the supervisi?n of , the plans for conservation in the homes in u-11 the st-tts. S I Cabinet Crisis Over, London Press Agrees I Lloyd George's Statement Ac- j cepted as Satisfactory by Most Papers LONDON', Feb. 20. A majority of I the morning papers accept the sta'te- ? ! ment mad?- in th.? House of Commons i yesterday by Premier Lloyd George as a satisfactory explanation, and entire lv approve of the Versailles agreeent | and consider the whole incident | straightened, out. Hostile newspapers continue to be unconvinced and r?it?r?t?- their sharp critieistns, hit; seem resolved to ac? cept the situation. They express the ??pinion that no government crisis is ? likely to arise at present, although they belicvo Lie. government has been L wekkenod by recent events Some of the papers which ncept! readily enough the Premier's stale ment and commend it, nevertheless in? dorse the regret expressed by former Premier Asquith that, tin- Premier hail not spoken with equal clearness n week ago. Several support, tin' appeal of Austen Chamberlain that the gov-? eminent sever its, connection with the press.. More New Yorkers Get Commissions War Department Announces Names of Men Added to Reserves | Staff Correspondence] WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. Reserve officers commissioned from Now York City to-day by the War Department ; included the following: Quartermaster Corps, Ntitior.nl Arm> ?IS. A. Simmons, 233 Broadway, major; Na ! thanicl Dain, 4fl Clurcmont Avenue, captain; James U. O'Toolc, "20 West Fifty-second . Street, first lieutenant. Sanitary Corps, National Army Lewis B. - Codding, Sixty-first street and Columbu Avenue, first lieutenant. Ordnance Reserve Corp.- Thonlus K. ! Brown. ir? 18 Kasl Korty-firsl Street; Jame . 1 . Hunt. I',:: West Ninety-third Street., an.I William T. .Ionian, j'-.. 223 Riverside Drive, first lieutenants; Louis A. M. Bushnell, 227 I Loring Place, and Donaldson Ciarle. 13 l-..^ change Piafe, second lieutenants. Medical Reservo Corps- Ruy H. Bechtoll, Blackwell's Island; Milton A. ?Miller, Lincoln Hospital, and Murray L. Brandt, 030 Long wood Avenue. Bronx, first lieutenants. The War Department to-day an? nounced promotions of the following i New York National Guardsmen at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanbui'g, S. C: Captain William E. Lane, jr., of Peekskill, to be major. First Lieutenant George II. Storm, "50 Park Avenue. New York City, to be captain. Second Lieutenants Jacob W. Vogt, of Niagara Falls, and Edwin M. Rob? erts, of Auburn, to be firs! lieutenants. ' \h: Charles \V, U. Bouchot, of Phila-I delphia, one of the founders of the Ambulance and surgeon in chief from its inauguration until the taking over of the institution by Cue army, has been created a Chevalier of the Legion. These decorations arc r.egardcd not altogether as a recognition of the per? sonal service of '?hese men. but as a testimonial to the value of the work as a whole and as a special honor to the American people, who make ?t possible by their contributions. American Ambulances Honored by France PARIS, Feb. _0.?The American Am? bulance, its founders and its work have again been signally honored by the French government. The Under Secre? tary of the Department of Public Health has notified Laurence V. Bcaet, of Washington, one of the organisers of the ambulance and chairman of the ambulance committee since the death of Captain Frank II. Mason, that he has been promoted from officer to com? mander of the Legion of Honor. Eugene A. Lachaise, of New York, a volunteer at the organization of the ?ambulance, former captain of orderlies and director of eld work in the /.one of the armies and now second in cotn j mand of Cue American sections, has been promoted from chevalier to of? ficer of the Legion of Honor. Camp Upton Hears Butler CAMP UPTON, Feb. 20. Presiden! Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia ; University visited cam)) to-day as the I guest of Colonel C. 0. Sherrill, of the 302d Engineers. In his address to the regiment ho said : "If a fire in the block threatened j your house you would try to help put ? it out and not wait until it reached ? your home. That is what you are do? ing in going to France. The whole na? tion has volunteered to fight, some by (making munitions, some by building' ships and others by directing business, i To you has been given the chief honor i1 because of the danger and risk of fight l ing. and you were, selected for it be ' cause you were found most fit." Two Draft Evaders Get Twenty Years Each in Prison CAMP FUNSTON, Kas., Feb. 'JO. ! George Yoager, of Troy, Kan., con? victed here recently by court martial or. charges of evading the draft, to-day was sentenced to twenty years in the Federal penitentiary at. Leaven worth. I Yeager, who is twenty-three years old, refused to serve, denounced the government and boasted that he was u member of the I. W. W. Gordon Spradlin, of Montrosc County, , Colo., also was given twenty years for 1 evading the draft. Ttie Great War?13 01st Dayj Petaih Breaks Line at Nancy; Captures 400 French Shock Troops Carry Out Brilliant Operation Near the Border Hindenburg Plan May Be Weakened German Attack on the Ar gonne Repulsed; Foe Loses Heavily LONDON". Feb. 20. General L'etain's shock troops carried out a brilliant operation to-day on the front, north? east of Nancy, where the trenches lie almost against the Gorman border.' The official statement, from Paris de? clares that the enemy's lines were penetrated deeply on a wide front and that the attacking detachments brought back over 400 prisoners. The thrust was north of Bumcs and east of Monee!, small towns in French Lorraine, just west of the German! frontier. The line in this region con? stitutes part of the outlying defences of the great French fortress "?' Nancy, where sonic observers havo expected a German drive. If this is par!, of llindenburg's plan, the French are now better rnformed of his strength in this region. French troops also repulsed, an at? tempted German raid in the Argonne and inflicted heavy losses on their as? sailants. Paris reports heavy artillery fighting in the Vosges, ami, in fact. the whole Eastern portion i'\' the French line, which include.-, the various sectors occupied by the Americans. seems to have become more active. French aviators brought down live German 'planes yesterday, The Portu? guese, wlio arc now issuing a com? munique, stall- that they captured a Got ha aeroplane v.hich fell within their lines, together with its crew of four. Berlin declare- that the French un? dertook strong reconnoissanccs north '?: Rheims (west of the sector occupied by the American artillery) and at Juvincourt. British scouting parties (perating in strong force west of ttouthem arc said to have been re pulsed. General Ilaig reports that last night i powerful German raid near Arleux en-Gohelle, past of Arras, was thrown hack, tin- Germans losing both killed and prisoners. On the other hand, the British took prisoners i:? a raid near Wytschaete in Flanders. Some activity is chronicled or. the battlefield where General Byng mad" his famous tank drice, the enemy artillery being kept exceedingly busy and some prisoners changing hands. The Allied fliers are out in swarms and British naval pilots last night' car? ried out extensive bombing raids on many military objectives behind the German liners in Belgium, including the docks at Bruges, "ne enemy seaplane was'sent into the Channel, another was brought down in the British, .lines and r. third hurled ?Town out. of control. American Died Fighting Ten Enemy Seaplanes Sims Reports Germans Claim Downing U. ?S. Machine YVASHI.XGTON, Feb. 20.?Viee-Ad ii ira! Sims advised the Navy Depart? ment to-day thai the American sea? plane in which Ensign Albert Dalton Sturlevant, United States army, was lost, is claimed by the Germans to have been shot down in flames. Ensign Sturtevanl was second pilot in the plane. "Apparently this machine was at? tacked by ten enemy planes." the dis? patch sttit es. 600 in England Sign Por American Draft Th?3 Includes Practically AM U. S. Citizens in the King? dom ?Subject to Call LONDON". Feb. 20. Approximately 600 Americans resident in the United Kingdom are subject to the draft under the Anglo-American treaty. That num? ber, i; was announced to-day by the American Consul General, Robert P. .Skinner, have registered since the draft scheme went into effect. This mean tl'.at virtually nil the Americans in the Kingdom have signed up. There iji'e approximately 12,000 Amer? ican citizens of both sexes and all ages now resident in Die United Kingdom. Sharp Praises American Youths Learning to Fly at Camp in France / Envoy Visits Our Largest Aviation Base Abroad, Where i I kindreds Are Training To Be 'Aces"?Most of Them Are College Men?Many ?Are Athletes r. Ti o Associated Press! PMUS. ]-t !.. 20. A city of 1,500 111 : habitants where, six months ago, there was a vacant field; many of the.finest : physical and intellectual specimen.- of .America's young manhood vying with one another in mastering the art of I flying, and hundreds of airplane* con : tinually hovering or spiralling over? head, are facts which caused William G. Sharp, the American Ambassador here, enthusiasm and delight at the achievements of the aviation depart? ment of the American army when i visiting the largest American aviation ? camp in France a few days ago, The ambassador said he was great ; ly impressed by the work accomplished j in the short space of time, as ??round : at the aviation camp was only broken , last August. The boys a-rc working under ideal condition.-. Modern sanitary methods have been adopted and baths and swim? ming pool* installed. The R?-?| Cross land the Young Men's Christian As J sociation have organized recruatiou and amusement place.-, and the can:]; gives one the impression thai ii is tiie campus of a large American uni? versity. A largo percentage of the men are university undergraduates The French officer i>\ instruction teld Die ambassador the American youths are marvellous fliers, quick to learn, courageous and energetic, and will devele)) rapidly into "?'.n'<" com? parable to the renowned men in other armies. The men are given thorough preparation in this camp, but have to take a post graduate course at an? other aviation camp near the front for n few weeks before going over the lines to face the Germans. The full fledged aviators turned out daily at this camp arc immediately replaced by other novices. "It was a mes! inspiring sight," Mr. Sharp said. "The men radiate with strength, physical and mental. They have great .-pirit and confidence and are eager t e 'do their bit.'" Nearly ail the men "i the ?lying force are trained athletes. Another hundred men arc attending a Kreuch camp nearby. On the Road to Dixie By Hey wood Broun (,/iiitt bark from France) One of the many American negroes employed in unloading ships at French ports ?howcd such aptitud? that the army officer in charge of his squad decided to give him an opuortunity for more important hi bor. "Henry," said the officer, "how would youflike to be shifted from hero and go to Paris?" "Paris? Paris?" said the negro. "? beg your pardon, sir, but is that any nearer Savannah, (la.?" Foe Cannot Break Through, Returning Officers Assert Major General Greene Says Our Troops and Allies Are Ready for Onslaught?Morale of Men Praised ?General Wood Recovering AN ATLANTIC PORT, Feb. 20.?The I threatened spring drive by Germany '< against the Western front is antici- : pated with little concern by the Brit? ish, French and American troops, ac? cording to United States Army officers who arrived here last night on an American liner from England. All ex? pressed the highest commendation of the American troops and their Allies and expressed the hope that Un American people would discredit the various unfounded and disparaging re? ports that, drift about the country. "The Allied line on the Western front, is mighty in men, equipment and morale," said Major General Henry A. Greene, of the 01st Division. "I have been over it and have talked with men high m command of the British and French forces. One of these high mili? tary authorities expressed the situa? tion in one sentence, and that was: "'They may bend our line in places, hut, by God, they can never break it.' That is the way we all feel along the Western front. The morale of our men is perfect. They are doing ex? actly what was expected of them, and doinp: it well. "I was particularly proud of my own boys of the 01st. They are made'up of men from the Pacific Coast and other states as far East as Montana. They are tine physical and mental specimens of the true soldier, and have great spi rit." General Mood Now Better General Greene, who hails from Ta coma, Wash., is on his way back to re? sume command at Camp Lewis, in Washington. He said he met General Wood in Paris the day before he em? barked for England, and found him re? covering splendidly from a rather se vere wound. The premature discharge of a higl 3 Missing Americans Prisoners in Germany Jersey City Man Captured; 6 Wounded on New Cas? ualty List WASHINGTON,Feb.20.- Three Amer ican soldiers missing after an action o: February 0 were reported ?o-dny lo cated in a German prison camp. They arc Corporal Nicholas Mulhall infantry, 189 Ninth Street, Jersey City Private Edwin B. Haines, infantry, F! F, D. -1. Woodward, Okla., and Privat' Frank E. McDougal, infantry. Mary Second Lieutenant John J. McNceh Washington, i). C, and Private Irvi: c. Stutton, Lansing, Mich., were report ed to-day slightly wounded in action i Franco on February 12. Corporal Elite L. Capley, Adrta, Ga end Privates Charles VV. Durant, Shei ?dan, Wyo.; Frank Wolfe, Ashlanc Wis., and Elmer Wise, Fairvicw, Wyo were slightly wounded in action on Fch ruary 17. Died Serving Their Country Abroad WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.- -Genen Pcrshing reported to-day that Privat Sidney A. South. Alexander, Penn., die February 19 of. meningitis and Privai Andrew Reymer, of McKeesport, Penr was accidentally crushed to death o February 17. Hine to Reorganize French Railway Former Commander of 6()t New York Appointed to Pershing's Staff Colonel Charles lime, commander the 165th Infantry, formerly the 69 New York, has been appointed lo Ge eral Pershing's staff. The command the 165th will jro to Colonel John Wi' ?am Barker, recently detailed to tl American Embassy in Paris. Colonel Hine will take charge of tl reorganization of French railway sy tenis, a reform that General Pcrshii has advocated for month-. lie is : experienced railway man and w termed by the late ?. II. Harriman t best expert on reorganization in t count ry. After his graduation from We Point, in 1891, Colonel Iline served f a short time in the army, then took railroading as a career. He served major through the Spaif?sh-Americ War ami returned to civilian life un the outbreak of the present conflict. Colonel Barker was graduated fr?. West Point in 1890 and served throu the Spanish-American War as a ct tain in the Signal Corns. lie was major in the 'iei Infantry at the time received orders to go to Paris. N.Y.Guardsmen in Trench? Signaller With 165th Writ of Work in Front Lines Intimation that New York Guardsm are already serving in the? trenches France is contained in a letter ceived yesterday by Mrs. Charles ?? Kinney, of 1430 Fifty-seventh Stre Brooklyn, from her son Joseph, a me her of Company A, 165th Infantry?t old 69th?which went across with t Rainbow Division. "Since our arriva! in Franco," t letter reads, "the company has und Rone many changes, having been modelled for trench lighting. I h; been assigned with the signa! squ and if- ?s my duty to assist in main ta ?ng connections between our compi and others. Wc also do a ^reu'. deal explosive shell in a quick-firing trench mortar, he said, ripped the inner side of the general's left arm from below the elbow to the armpit, cutting deep and snapping several blood vessels. The main artery of the arm, however, was not cut. The long wound healed well, he said, but was accompanied by numb? ness for several weeks. Another traveller was Captain W. de Vignier Be.'ily, an American aviator at? tached to the Royal Flying Corps of the North Staffordshire Regiment, lie was honorably discharged from service, and returns' to his home in Washing- j ton. 1). (.'., to seek a commission in the National Army. ' Officer Meld as German Suspect lie told of an air raid made by Ger? mans over London on February -'. He and a party of friends, including Mrs. ' M. Bunyca Gideon, of New York, who was a passenger on the vessel arriving to-night, were on the roof of a hotel. When the bombs dropped from the German aeroplanes Captain Bealey (lashed a pocket lamp. and. in a spirit of fun. remarked in German, "Sehr ', gut." Instantly an English woman who was with another group on the roof I shouted: "Those people are German spies! " "That vas al! the German I knew." said Captain Bealey, "and I uttered it merely in fun. Nevertheless the police were called and arrested all of tu?. Here was I in my uniform, but it. did not save me. All of us were held until we could prove we were not Germans." Mrs. Gideon said that the office of I he periodical "John Hu'1" was demol 'd that night by the German air i :. ...,!?."?. Among other passengers were Major General II. '!'. Allen, Major Genera! Harry C. Hale, of Camp Zaehary Tay? lor, in Kentucky; Captain James Cald weil, Captain G. S. Baker, Commander H. C. Kimmell, Charles Urban, the artist and scene painter, Captain Waller Moore and D. Lome Thomas. scouting and observing, most of the work being done in 'No Man's Land' at night. "It is a pretty responsible iob and chance.-, for advancement are good." British Advance East of Jerusalem LONDON. Feb. 20.- The British army in Palestine made an attack yesterday cast of Jerusalem, advancing two miles on a front, of fifteen miles, i! is an? nounced officially. Tlie communica? tion follows: "Yesterday morning we advanced to Die attack on a frontage of fifteen miles east of Jerusalem. By evening ell objectives had been 3s<jnfed to an average depth of two miles. British Seize Many Guns LONDON'. Feb. 20. The British cap? tures in the past year included IOS heavy howitzers. OS heavy guns, ?:;7 field jruns, 1,055 trench mortars and ",81 I machine guns. This statement was made by .lames Ian Macpherson, Parliamentary Under? secretary for War. in introducing tue army estimates in the House of Com? mons to-day. Under Secretary MacPherson said that the strength of the German army was already far greater on the Western front than at any previous period, and, although the Allies at present are su? perior in men and fcuns. the balance might soon be in favor of the enemy. The Allie; must be prepared for a de? termined offensive at an early date, but all measures to meet the situation had been taken. The strain on the British troops and liioso of the Allies, lie added, might be severe, but the successes of the British and French armies in the last year had inspired all ranks to the belief in their ability to hold their own. British gun power had increased by almost 50 \.k\- cent (hiring the last year, and the army was ?loing everything pos? sible to economize with a view to sav? ing tonnage. These economies would save two billions tonnage in the distant. theatres of the war this year. How Wemyss Seemyss To a German Rhymster AMSTERDAM, Jan. 31.- In an at? tempt to teach its German readers the proper pronunciation of the name of the new English First Sea Lord. "The Cologne Gazette" published the follow? ing impromptu limerick in English: An Englishman whose name was Weymss Went crazy at last, so it, xvm:-. , Because people would not Understand that they oukH To call him, not Wem-iss, hut Wcems. German Ship Hits Mine LONDON, Feb. 20. -A Cern?an guard ship stationed in the Baltic, near Langeland Island (north of Kiel Bay?, has been damaged through striking a Cern?an mine, according toan Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Copenhagen. About twenty men are supposed to have been killed. American Ocentric Co. DENICOBAC mild, aroma, e, highly recommended Non injurious Cigars liai ' opened an o.0?i o ai 507 5th Ave., ?r?. Suif. 1 20?. Murray Hill l ?SO t/./iere "DKSICOBA.C CIGAR" will br ex? hibited and sold in addition to the offlc, ,n '?f?'S Broadway,near l uitou. Cortlandt 3717 l,/,;.-.-. . ,-UI Corn pond, r, to Factory i-., itlant ?? lee., /.?<?.? Uain i:?1 ??????????iMMnaHMiM?i?Mi iiiiMurau^na \ Broadway at 34th Street Announce, Beginning Today, an Important Sale of Men's Silk Neckwear at 55c i CJ Many producers of fine neckwear claim per? fection for their cravats, but the manufacturer who made these scarves has more nearly ap? proached the ideal in tailoring his neckwear than any other manufacturer we know of. ^f Only the newest patterns, in a wealth of heanti f'ul colorings, arc represented in this event. A brand new collection?each cravat made of silk of a much better quality than is usually embodied in cravats at a popular price. Some of the weaves: Silk Serge, Moga/_ors, Society Silks, Meadowbrook Sport Silks, Poplins, Grena<lines, Jasper Silks and Twii!^ Official Statements j i_I West BRITISH LONDON, Feb. 20 (DAY).?After a heavy preliminary bombardment, the- enemy at? tempted to raid our line last night east o" A?-!eu.\-en-Go!ielle. The attacking party was completely repulsed by our troops, with tin loss of a number of Germans killed or taken prisoners. A successful loca! enterprise was carried out early last night northeast ot^Wytschaetc. .Several prisoners were captured by us. Except for some patrol activity northwest of St. Quentin, nothing further o!' special interest occurred. Naval aircraft dropped many tona of ex? plosives Monday night ?>n ?St. Denis Westrem end the doc Its at Bruges and drove down an enemy machine. Large quantities of explo? sives were dropped Tuesday on the airdrome ai Aertrycke aiul the dump at Engel; vi'?!: ;.:??od results. An enemy seaplane was brought down at ea, another v.as downed within the British lines, and :i third was sent down out of control. LONDON, Feb. CO (NIGHT).?A few prisoners were brought in by our pat/ok? o? lhi> southern portion of the front. A raid was attempted by the enemy early this morn? ing cast, of Armentieres, but v,a? repulsed. The hostile artillery has shown some ac? tivity during the day in the neighborhood of St. Quentin ami southwest of La Busse . FRENCH PARIS. Fob. 20 (DAY). Three German raids on small French posts in the region of Quincy Wood, north.west of Courcy and in the sector of Vauquois, were repulsed by the French lire, says to-day's official report. There was rather violent artillery fighting in the Champagne, in the region of Butte-du Mesnil, and in the Vosges. On the remainder of the front the night passe?! in quiet. PARIS, Feb. 20 (NIGHT).?In the A gonnc we repulsed an attack at Four-dc Paris and inflicted appreciable losses on the enemy. In Lorraine, north o" Bumes and ea? t of Moncel (nortlieast of Nancy) our detach? ments penetrated the German lines deeply on a large front. This operation, brilliantly carried out. enabled us to bring back pris? on? ?". the number of which arc known to ex? ceed foUr hundred. In the Vosges there was quite marked ar? tillery fighting i',1 the region of La Favc. GERMAN BERLIN, via London, Feb. 20 (DAY). - There have been artillery and mine firing duels on several parts of the front. Strong reconnoitring attacks by the British west i?f llousthem. and by the French, near Juvin courl and north of Rheir... , were repulsed. Elsewhere nothing occurn ?. East GERMAN BERLIN. Feb. 20 (DAY). -On both sides of the Riga-Petrograd railway the Russian positions we.'?* crossed, and we advanced twenty kilometres beyond the line which had been our front. feeble resistance on tin part of the enemy near Inzeem, north of th< railway, soon was broken. Our divisions ptmhed on from Dvinsk tc the nortlieast and to tiie east. Between Dvinsk and Lutsk they advance?. on wide sectors. Divisions which pressed for? ward beyond Lutsk are marching on Rovno. Prisoners to the number of 2,300, severa hupdred guns and a great amount of rolHiip stock fell into our hands. (NIGHT)?The forward movement con tinues in the east. German troop? have en tered Ksthonia. Werfer ha3 been passe? through in an easterly direction. AUSTRIAN VIENNA. Lob. 20.?In conformity will the peace treaty with Ukraine, the provisiol regarding restoration of the frontiers a they existed befon? the outbreak of the wa between Austria-Hungary and the Russia: Empire li8\e been fully carried out. On troops have occupied without incident lh, region extending to the original Austro Hungarian frontier. Spring Shirts, New, Rich Colors $1.50 to $12 A COLLECTION of dis /-k tinguished refinement, proffering the season's newest and smartesl elolhs. Oxweave . AV It i l o () \ t"or?i Basket weave I, eollarless <:>r with attached collar, $2. J?HND\VID 5lII^BlXX:KSMAirrG?OTHE5 Broadway at 32^?treet itaiian Front ITA LIA X ROME, il'.. 20. C;: the n hole iront. tb*> usual harassing actions >vere carried uut by the opposing artilleries. They were more intense ? ? t of the Frenze!? Valley ar.J along the ? ".<- ts I ? egion. ^t Messo Lago ami east of Pcrtica strong detachments attempting to reach on positions were repulsed. A fi v prisoners re? mained ?n ou ? liandi. \erial activity on bot! hides ? a.- marked r'or.K the front linps. M dawn n squadron of British machines surprised the aviation ground at C'asar-a. and K>nib.<] it with very good effect. An airship shed ?. ? ? destroyed. A: nixht one of our squadrons reached 11k- aviation oann? at I.u Comina end dropped two tons of explosives, causing a lar^e fir-, \!1 of our machines and those o?' the Allies returned ?? it out '...; l?ge. I.asl evening se enemy eirpla ?e returning ??? ' ' a bombing expedition was brought ? [ov a north of 'I've '? e. Diaz Parries Thrust At Monte Petrica LO?\'DOX, Feb. 20. The war office at Rome reports to-day that stronc enemy thrusts at the Italian positions on Monte Petrica, on Die Northern front, were repulsed by General Diaz's troops, who took prisoners. Vienna, on the other hand, refers to the de? feat of powerful Italian attacks ?:; the *;>.??:<? region. Tie artillen.- du"! was more violent west of the Frcn zella Valley and along Die eoast-tt reg on east of Venice. The fliers on both sides were active. A squadron of British machine?, fly? ing ;:' dawn, attacked the foe's avi ation grounds at Casarsa and destroyed a hangar. At night an Italian flotilla dropped two ton- <>f bombs on an ail camp, I.a ?.'omina. 3L Altaran Se Ca. Laces amid Embroideries are to foe the vogye ior the comuog seasop? Bo A?t-man & Co. are amply prepared'to meet the ?rceviitaMe deinr_a__d,a_-d, inanticipation of it, are already dlspllay.mig a marvelous assortmerat off the oiew creations, si ?eluding the nove, asud fase 5 mi at! ?? g wool Saces feat? ured ?im tike recent Exhibition. There fis a?so a choke se.ectfo:. of Ven.se .aces which inust infallibly co___?pe. interest arad admSrat.oi.. ( First Floor) Wxftif Attrratr-*f?adU.im Amo*. 34fJ? att? 35?} ?tttrta %m f^