The Chattanooga news. [volume], March 23, 1918, LATE EDITION, Image 1

About The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939

Image provided by: University of Tennessee

                
THE CHATTANOOGA NEW
March 23
IV. 5. Stamp Day
All Over Tennessee
Any Complaint on
Bad Delivery of
The News
Phone Main 373
Chattanooga, 4 p.m. Washington, 5 p.m.-i-London, 10 p.m. Paris, 10 p.m. Petrograd, 12 p.m. Tokio, 7 a.m.
VOL XXX. NO. 223
LATE EPITION
CHATTANOOGA, TKNN., SATURDAY EVENLNG, MARCH 23, 1918.
PRIPP TMnCC PCMTC Deliver By Carrier
, , ...fc.L. win , Twelr Cent Week.
LOSSES VERY' LARGE
S
GE
MAN
ARTILLERY FIRE
MOST VIOLENT
ENDURED IN WAR
i
Under Terrific Impact, How
ever, British Bore Up Well,
Correspondent Declares.
P
owerful
tin Attacks Break"?
POSTS DRENCHED BY GAS
600,000 Germans Took Part
in Offensive.
No Fewer Than Six Divisions
Employed South of St.
Quentin.
Defenses West of "St. . Quentin
London, March 23. Powerful enemy attacks delivered with great weight of infantry and. artillery have broken
through the British defensive system west of St. Quentin, the war office announces.
The British troops on the northern portion of the battle field are holding their positions. '
The British west of St Quentin are falling back in good order to positions further west. Very heavy fighting with
fresh enemy forces is in progress.
The war office states that there are prepared positions behind the British, to which they are falling back.
London, March 23. The artillery
oreoaration of the Germane in the
drive against the British lines which
is now in progress is described by those
who took part in it as the most violent
they ever endured, according to the
Daily Mail's correspondent on the Brit
ish front. "The thing that stands out
as characteristic of the fighting up to
the present," says the correspondent,
"is that we did so well under the ter
rifio impact."
Continuing, the correspondent says:
"Upon one corps front there was a
gun every' fifteen yards. The strength
of the mortars which the enemy
brought up In such great numbers sent
over such an overwhelming weight of
Iron and high explosives that in most
parts of the front wire ceased to be
ftn obstacle and trenches were obliter
ated. At the same time all of our
known battery positions were drenched
by gas, but their gas shells failed to
reach all of our batteries, nor did they
succeed anywhere in breaking down
our wire. At one point where the Ger
mans found our wire unbroken they
pet to work with scissors until they
had made a way through. All -of this
was done under our machine gun lire.
Wore New Uniform.
"A curious fact reported by our air
men was that the Hermans composing
the special assault divisions wore new
uniforms. Our relaying corps did val
uable work deRplte adverse weather
conditions. One of our men. in the
early morning reconnaissance spotted
several thousand Hermans moving
westward south of Bullecourt and re
ported 3,000 of the enemy In a sunken
road In the area waiting to advance.
"Kew enemy machines were seen
and they merely flew low, peppering
our trenches with their machine guns.
"This Is the first battle where Brit
ish gunners had to serve their guns
In gas masks and It was a d.fncuil
task. Fortunately, practices witl
masks have been taking place fre
quently for an hotir daily.
"I found every one I saw pretty con
fldent. At first they did have a hard
loh to meet the masses of Germans
who came in denser formation than
ever efore. yet all reports show that
they fought magnificently. For exam
ple, south of St. Quentin. one of our
divisions had to bear up against tne
repeated assaults of no fewer than six
German divisions, possibly 00.000 men,
and only when the assaults ceased
with darkness did our troops withdraw
to strong positions' behind the canal
svstem between St. Quentin and the
Oise.
Advantage in Positions.
"It Is estimated that altogether
nearly 600.000 Germans participated in
the offensive. The enemy fought well
and his gunners did good service. The
quickness with which the guns were
brought forward Into No Man's Land
after the infantry had advanced was
marked. He bad In many places the
advantage over us In positions and he
was at all points largely superior In
numbers."
Statement Follows.
The statement follows:
"Heavy fighting continued until
late hours last night on the whole
battle front. During the afternoon
powerful hostile attacks delivered
with great weight of Infantry and
artillery, broke through our de
fensive system west of St. Quen
tin. Our troops on this part of
the battle front are falling back In
good order across the devastated
area to prepared positions further
west.
"Our troops on the northern
portion of the battle front are
holding their positions.
"Very heavy flRhting with fresh
hostile forces is in progress."
DASHING COUNTER-ATTACK DRIVES ENEMY BACK.
London, March 23. The Germans forced their way into Mory, but a dashing counter-attack
drove them out, Reuters' correspondent at British headquarters telegraphs. A large party was sur
rounded and probably was captured.
There is reason to believe fifty German divisions are flowing into the struggle, the correal
spondent states, and probably half as many more are in close reserve. Under the tremendous on
slaught the British troops are falling back very si owly and in excellent order. At many places they
are withdrawing voluntarily so as to maintain an unbroken front.
WELL-ORDERED ORGANIZATION EVIDENT.
The scenes of action behind the battle front baffle description, but everywhere there is the
same well-ordered organization and quiet confidence.
The weather is wonderfully fine, although the visibility is handicapped by local mists.
Mory is on the northern battle front, fifteen miles below Arras. It is about four miles back
of the line held by the British before the Germans began their offensive.
The Germans this morning were pressing hard the British forces defending Ilermies (about
two and one-half miles back of the old line, in the region southwest of Cambrai).
Throughout the night the battle front extended southward, and it was reported this morn
ing that the French army was now engaged.
SLAUGHTER OF ENEMY APPALLING.
The most intense fighting appears to have been around Roisel and Trincourt. The slaughter
in the enemy ranks was appalling.
Twelve times every available gun in the area was concentrated on solid massed bodies of
enemy troops, while the airmen grew weary with emptying their machine gun drums and dropping
their bombs into the dense gray crowds of troops and returning for more ammunition.
LA TES T WA R DISPA TCHES
ENEMY LOSES GREAT
NUMBERS IN SYSTEM
OF MASSED ATTACKS
Visibility Became Excellent Late in the After
noon and Whole Battle Front Was Turned Into
a Veritable Hell With Artillery Action as
Guns Cut Loose Their Freight of Death.
VIENNA CLAIMS
GREAT SUCCESS
WW WEST
Berlin War Office Announces
Capture of 10,000 Prison
ers by Crown Prince.
SHELLS FROM LONG RANGE
ENEMY GUNS REACH PARIS
Ten Persons Killed, Fifteen Wounded by Missiles
of 240 Millimetres Fired by German Artillery
on Western Front, Air Forces Co-Operating
Counter-Attack to, Be Made.
FALLING BACK TO
PREPAREDPOSTS
Unsound Theory to Attempt to
Hold Front Line In Face of
Great Attack. '
ORGANIZE RESISTANCE
Warning Proves True as to
Quantity of Gas Shells.
Germans Depend on Tpemen
dous Artillery Bombardment.
and Masted Troops,
4
Paris, March 23. The Germans have been firing on
Paris with long-range guns.
Since 8 o'clock this morning shells of 240 millimeters
have been reaching the capital and suburbs at intervals of
a quarter of an -hour, killing about ten persons and wound
ing about fifteen. The shortest distance from Paris to
the front is over 100 kilometres (52 miles.)
The announcement that Paris was being bombarded
was made officially this afternoon.
.Measures for couuter-attackimr tne enemy s cannon
are under execution.
Vor the first time in the war on the
western front since the opposing
Armies established themselves In their
trench systems the defensive zone has
been broken throuch. In other jrreat
attacks, the Uritlsh. French and Ger
mans have hern ahle to bend hack the
line, but not t strike through the rone
of defense. Many military critics had
reached the opinion that on account of
the strength of the lines It would be
Impossible to break them until one
side or the other had been worn down
In such a point that it would be no
loreer able to mon It strongly.
I'nlees the British are able to re
store the situation by a counter-attack
a withdrawal on a wide front may be
necessary with open field warfare.
The point at which the British line
lias been broken is near the southern
end of the German ..Hacking front,
which extends from Arras to La Fere,
ffteen miles below St. Quentin. Below
this sector is the jrreat are In the front
where ) l:ne, approaching nearest to
I'ar's. t irns sharp'y to the east.
The German offensive has developed
rlh almost unparalleled rapidity. One
reason for this is Indicated In Field
Marshal Hale' reports showing that
(Continued on Pag 13.)
British Headquarters in France, March 23. It was reported
this morning that enemy infantry had pushed down across the Canal
De la Somme and had driven forward against the positions to which
the British had retired. Germany cavalry was seen advancing be
hind the infantry.
There was small doubt but that the attacking forces intended
to make a supreme effort to rupture the British line in this sector.
Certainly the Germans are putting all their available strength
into the assault and fresh troops are constantly appearing.
The fighting yesterday was of the most sanguinary character
and the enemy continued to lose great numbers of men through his
system of massed attacks. That does not mean that the British
have not suffered casualties. They necessarily have, but their
losses are much smaller than those of their opponents.
The visibility became excellent late yesterday and the whole
battle front was turned into a veritable hell with the artillery ac
ton as the unprecedented concentration of guns on both sides cut
loose their freight of death.
The Germans this afternoon were pressing the attack hard on
the British right flank, near Ham, while on the northern end of the
battle field there has been desperate fighting since yesterday about
Mory, which changed hands several times.
Vienna, March 23. (Brit
ish admiralty per wireless
I press.) The war office an
nounces that a great success
has been won in the west.
28 CASUALTIES REPORTED;
FIVE OFFICERS INCLUDED
Lieut. E. R. Wheatley, Lieut.
Foigl, Lieut. -Col. Wells, Capt.
Gow, Lieut. Booth on List.
VTashinRton, March 13. Only
twenty-right name, five of them
officers, were Included In tolay'a
casualty list. Lieut. Jefferson Koigl
was killed in action. Lieut. K.u
pene It. Wheatley died of acci
dent. Lieut. -Col. William H Wells
died of "other causes," and Capt.
Arthur 8. Gow and Lieut. Arthur
Pooth were among the slightly
wounded.
Todnx's lit was divided as fol
lows: Killed In action. I; died of
accident. I: died of disease. ; died
of "other causes," I; wounded e.
verely, I: wounded slightly. K.
Kilted in Action.
Lieutenant Jefferson Fi igl.
D'ed of Accident.
Lieutenant F.ugene R. Wh'atley.
Mugler .lame I). Galtaday.
Private-Herbert .V Tucker.
Died of Diseate.
Corporal Reynold A. Praeder.
Privates Chiirlca Harrow. Jacob Or
ton. Kugenc Helm, Alfred Mcleod. Coy
Overstreet. William Ktitr.no Parker,
Geo. H. Wllklns. F.dward Wirth.
Died -Other Causes."
Lieutenant-Colenel Wm. S. Wells,
.Sergeant Chas. J. lllltmrg.
Wounded Severely.
Pugler Chnrlis K. Dubois.
Private Arthur Knochenbauer.
Wounded Slightly.
Captain Arthur H. Gow.
Lieutenant Arthur Month.
Sergeants James J. Puchanan. WII
liti m ftogi rs.
Corporals John M. Hunt, Karl P..
Stnuffer.
Private Charles F. powers, peter
V. Fabian. P'rnhard tlr.lz. Lav C Hei
ririr, F.wnrt . Nelsr.n, John Ua!ezk.
Jlrrlin, March SfS. ( Itrittsli
admiralty per wireless press.)
The capturca so fr reported hy
llic nrmv group of Crown Prince
Kuppreclil are la, 000 prisoners
anil 250 k,i"'' hv !" army group
of I lit- firrmnn crown prince, 10,
000 prisoners, 150 gun and 300
iiuicliiiie giitiH.
The s!nl( incut rrad:
"Artillery linttlr. continue be
tween the l.ya and I.altassee ca
nal, on both aides of Ithcitin, be
fore Verdun and in I.orrnine."
AMERICANS VICTORS
Two Fliers, From U. S. Bring
Down German Airships.
Washington, March 23. Two
American fliers are named In an
official dispatch from Franca to
day as t.rlngln down German air
ships. Lieut, turner downed a Ger
man opponent In the Champagne
reglon.and Corpl. Ilayles brought
down one near Courlecon.
The official announcement flint Paris in beinj? bom
barded must remain unexplained until further details
have been received.
The caliber of the shells reaching 1'nrin (210 milli
metres) is equivalent to nbout UVi inches. The heavy
Oernian sicgo pieces fire 17-iiich shells.
Paris had been under bombardment for about eight
hours at the time the foregoing dispatch wns filed,
1 p.m.
Dispersed in Woevre.
The communication follows:
"An intermittent bombardment of considerable vio
lence was carried out against our front lines and positions
in the rear north of flu Chemin des Dames, in the region
of Kheims and in Jyorraine. An enemy laid east of Loivrp
was without siicceiss. There were patrol encounters north
of .hill fill (Verdun front).
J 1 1 the Woevre in the region of Illemcray the Her
mans made an attack which was dispersed by the French
fire. They suffered considerable! Josses and left prison
ers in our hands.
44 Fist where there is nothing to report.
British Army Headquarters In
France, March 23, 11 ajn. (By
the Associated Press.) The
British, gallantly fighting, are
still presenting a solid front to
the fiercely attacking Germans,'
although the defensive troop
have withdrawn their lines in cer
tain places for strategic reasons.
All day yesterday and much of last
night tha conflict continued to rag
with inorsssing violence, frh Oaf
man divisions war hurl ad lr
fray In an attempt te smash through
the Brltiih defenses.
Mora Intense fighting is eapacWd. I
With Kalaidoieoplo Rapidity.
Tha operation it vaat and is
changing with such kaieidoscople ra
pidity at tha tins surge baakward and
forward that it is Impoatlbl to visual
iia tha acans eurrieisntly to giva a eon
necttd and accurst account of it at
praasnt.
Forty-nine Gorman divisions hav
boon idontlfisd thus far on tha battl
front and prisoners hav boon taken
from aightssn of them. Soma estimates
plac tha- number of Gorman division
engaged at high ninoty, but it i ,
impossible to say whathor this is au
rat.
British Army Headquarters In
Franco, Friday, March 22. (By th
Atsoolatad Pros.) British troops b
twoon tho Scarp and the Oiso hav
fallen back in placet, but tho British
generals had foreseen thit eventuality
and made proparationa accordingly. In
tho face of a groat attaek it it net nly
Impossible, but quite untound, to at
(Continued on Pag Two.)
ENCOUNTERS .?
REPORTED ON
ITALIAN60RDER
Increase in Artillery Fire on
oMuntain Line Advance
Posts Exchange Fire, i
ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF
DEFRAUDING GOVERNMENT
I'hilad'-lphin. Marrfi 23 Frederick
S huler,, vir... president and f-nersl
rruin.-itror of the I'nlted States Gunge
company, was arrested l.y federal
attents at Kellervile. I'n, todsv in
finne 'Cm with th alleged conspiracy
t' df.'raud the Ku er ru ti l; t h ''.i Mull
ing ckfecttw high pressure p:uip. f.ir
IftiHwu. This makes the fi.iirth ex
ecutive of the rornpany tsWen Into
custody. Schubert, s ho Is IM. arreed The Sfrat'-er?
through his counsel, to furnish ISO'" 'day fair and
l.xil.
Showers, Sayi Billy 'Possum.
The kaiser's
t t thlnrs twist
ed; he thinks It's
'hrlstmaa day.
and his dlnner'a
getting frigid In
some 1'arla
Frnr) cafe,
hut hy tho time
hr a ready to alt
him down to eat.
he'll find It'a
ines'leiia Christ
mas and the aa
nsla to retreat.
Shosrera tonlfht; Kun-srtner.
GIVE AIR RAID ALARM.
Paris, March 23, 9 a.m. An air raid alarm has just
been given.
An official statement Issued here today says sev
eral airplanes attacked Paris last night, dropping a num
ber of bombs. There were some casualties
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
Tlio following official announcement wns given out
"At 8:2i o'clock this morning a few airplanes, flv
i i . i .ii!i.. i t i i
mg jii ii ei v ini niuiuoe, riiiccceoeu in crossing Uie lines
and attacking Paris. They were immediately pursued lv
aviators of the entrenched camps of I'aris, ns well as ly
those at the front.
"The dropping of liomh at several points lias been
reported. There are several victims. A later announce
ment will give further details of the raid."
Sing "Marseillaise" in Cellars.
President Poincare, Premier Clemeru-eau. the pre
fer t of police and other officials visited the places at
which bombs were dropped while the raid was still in
progress, doing to a school in whose cellars six hundred
pupils were installed, they were greeted with the ".Mar
seillaise." The president and premier responded with a
cheer for France.
Rome. March 23. Numerous
patrol encounters hav occurred
along the Italian front, the war
office announced today, and there
Iia been some increase in the ar
tillery fire on the mountain line.
The statement read:
"Our advanced pot ex
changed lively rifle fire with re
connoitering parties north of Val
di Ledro and the Lagarina val
ley. There were patrol encoun
ter at the small island of Folina
and east of Gavaiuccherina.
"There were slight artillery ac
tions which grew in intensity at
intervals in some portions of the
mountainous area.
"Our aircraft dropped bomb
on railway lines in the Lagarina
valley."
DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT
Elections Ordered for New Ru
manian Cabinet.
Amsterdam Vt I.ondm). March
;i Tiwlnv'a oltli'lal Vommuniqua
titrs that tiecauxe or the delay In
the formation t the new Rumanian
i-shtiiet the armistice with Rumania.
Iiss hern estetiiled ty three rtaya.
A Herlln t!aatrh
stmonmeit thiit the
Itumtnla hsl h.rn
Msrrh 13 at mMtiuht
on WeJnesd.nv
arm!at!r wltn
estiv1e.1 until
The toT'Koing
m-C In.lli'fltr 1 hut the nemly tx
tm.teil artnlstii'f therefore will e-
liie at mi Iniuftt of March T5.
Jv, Ituiiuini.i. Thursday. March
The iiewM'itjHws announce) that
the Itiimantui parliament la t be)
dissolve I an t that new elections
have tr. n ordereJ.
LET EVERYBODY HELP WIN THE WAH BY BUYING WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES AND THRIFT STAMPS NOW IS THE TIME TO DO YOUR SHARE!
i