Newspaper Page Text
THE BRIDGEPORT TIMESi The Marines Make a L and - Story of the In Active Copyright, 1918, The INCE THE United States Marines first went Into the trenches in France and took over a front line sector, fragmentary accounts have been reaching this country to tell of the way in which the "leather necks" now "devil dogs," If you please have been living up to the glorious traditions of the Corps, and making a new chapter of its romantic history. A thrilling description of an en counter in No Man's Land when the first Marine was killed in active con flict with the Hun has just been re ceived from an eye witness, and is here published for the first time. With characteristic daring the Marines went through with their raid, and, true to the sea-soldier law, they ex acted heavy toll of the enemy for the loss of their man. The correspondent writes: "France, at the Front: The first Marine to be killed in No Man's Land in an active encounter with the Boche was Corporal Charles K. Toth, belong ing to a patrol party, which left our lines for the purpose of collecting in formation regarding the enemy's ac tivities. The party spent five exciting hours between the German first lines and our barb wire, part' of the time In shell holes under a barrage. Upon their 'return, Just before dawn, the Corporal was missing. His body was recovered the following night after a seaFch. and it was found that he had been shot through the head with a machine gun bullet. Four Germans were killed and brought back as a result of the night's work. Out Into No Man's Land "Numerous patrols have been out since the occupation of the sector by the Marines, and all of them returned safely, experiencing various degrees of success. Not any of them, however, encountered as much action as this detachment. Following the usual preparation preliminary to this risky work, and after leaving all personal . 41 h War Work of the Women of the Nation Divided Into Twelve Departments Much Accomplished in First Year Copyright! luls 'j'he CPS WOMAN'S COMMITTEE of the Council of National Defense is probably the most remarkably endowed body of women in the world, and it was appointed under unique conditions and circumstances. Consisting of eleven members it de signs to bear close and cooperative relation to every one of the 44,000,000 women in the United States. The Woman's Committee was or ganized to coordinate the war activi ties of women and advise and direct the development of the work of Amer ican women in this war. Its year of work stonds as its own tribute to the ' manner in which that work has been accomplished. Not a woman in the remotest corner of any one of. the forty-eight Slates of the Union, or of Irs territories, but has had oppor tunity to do her share of the Nation's war work. There is none but has had a chance to obtain information in re gard to her Government's part In this, Its greatest crisis, and none but has had a way open to make connection with that Government in whatever line of war work she may choose and for which she may be fitted. A Three Sided Question To-day .one hears again and again the three-sided question, "What are the specific functions of the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense; why was it organized, and whd are the women composing it?" ' The answer takes one back to a month "preceding the entrance of this -country into the world war and the organization for business of the Coun cil of National Defense on March 1, 1917. The Woman's Committee was ap pointed by the Council of National Defense, April 21, 1917, in accordance with its powers to create committees of specially qualified persons for de fense purposes. The object for which Raid Into No Man's First Man Killed Conflict International Syndicate. belongings, identity tags and all other marks of identification with their company commander, the party left the front line trenches, went over the parapet, crawled through the path cut in our barb wire entanglements and entered No Man's Land shortly after midnight. "The night was particularly dark, only the lurid flares of an occasional star shell appeared on the distant horizon, not sufficient to penetrate the inky blackness of the portion of the sector in which our party was operat ing. Save for the dull rumble of heavy artillery, many kilometers dis tant, no sound could be heard. Ac cording to the preconceived plan of action, certain members of the patrol were posted at important points, to prevent any surprises by the enemy. The remainder of the party proceeded cautiously across No Man's Land. "The utter darkness, favorable to the success of the undertaking, also has its disadvantages and makes prog ress across the shell holed area diffi cult. The party moves slowly, each man in a stopped position, half walk, half crawl, ready to drop flat into the mud should the whizz of a rocket an nounce sudden illumination. Every few feet or so they comfc to a halt and ' everyonelistens intently. There is no sound except a slight swish as a trench rat scoots through the mud. "From somewhere 'out of the dark ness comes the slight noise of a muffled cough. .They stop and listen. It was one of the party -and the officer mutters a "damn" under his breath. They move on again, slowly. Further down the. line a machine gun spits out half a dozen shots in -rapid suc cession. Then absolute silence. After a short wait the parly proceeds once more and so, for two hours, they work ahead, through the darkness and the silence. Caught Between The Barrages "It was about, two o'clock when a International Syndicate, the committee was appointed is to ascertain the woman power of Amer ica for the purpose of: 1. Coordination and centralization of the organized forces of the women of the country. 2. Enlistment of the cooperation of the unorganized women of the coun try, in order: (a) To ascertain and report the patriotic work now being done by women and women's organ izations; Jb) To secure greater elfi ciency in defense work which women may do for the nation; (c) To secure the cooperation of all the women of the country in economic measures which the Government inaugurates from time to time: (1) .By furnishing a direct and speedy channel between the different departments of the Gov ernment and the 'women of the coun try. (2) By impressing upon them the vital importance of these weapons of economic warfare in the winning of the war. No Salaries Paid It is' to the credit of the whole womanhood of America that when the Council of National Defense selected nine of the most prominent women Of the country to form the personnel of this committee not one hesitated, but each one dropped her personal affairs and went directly to Washing ton to take up her new responsibility in connection with the Government. It is also to the credit of all the wom en that pecuniary remuneration was neither offered nor asked nor has ever been given this group of women ap pointed to represent the whole Amer ican sisterhood in beha!fcf the Gov ernment. That first group of nine women was later increased to eleven. The eleven women chosen to act as the agents of the Government in in terpreting its wishes to the women of the country are Dr. Anna Howard slight noise was heard somewhere ahead. The order to halt was whis pered and passed down the line of men. Suddenly the slop and splash of footsteps was plainly heard; simul taneously a rocket soared tip, explod ed high above, it glaring white light illuminating the surrounding country, and followed immediately by two more rockets, colored ones, this time," the signal requesting a barrage. "The. Marines dropped instantly, but had time to fire a few shots at the retreating German patrol before the flares of the rocket died out, plunging them again in total darkness. And then it seemed as if every machine gun along the line turned loose. A steady tattoo of sharp, cracking re ports started, and a storm of shells screamed over the head of the party. The barrage had commenced. "The shells were falling between our patrol and our lines. It was impossi ble to return, and there was nothing Shaw, honorary president of the Na tional American Woman Suffrage As sociation; Mrs. Philip N. Moore, of St. Louis, President of the National Coun cil of Women; Mrs. Josiah E. Cowles, of California, President of the. General Federation of Women's Clubs; Miss Maude Wetmore, of Rhode Island, Chairman of the National Leagve of Woman's Service; Mrs. Carrie Chap man Catt, of New York, President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association; Mrs. Antoinette Funk, Lawyer, Chicago; Mrs. Stanley McCor mick, of Boston, Vice-President Na tional American Woman Suffrage As sociation; Mrs. Joseph R. Lamar, of Atlanta, Georgia, President National Society of Colonial Dames; Miss Ida M. Tarbell, of New York, Publicist and Writer; Miss Agnes Nestor, of Chicago, Vice-President International Glove Workers' Union, and Miss Han nah J. Patterson, of Pittsburgh, Pa. The first meeting -of trie Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense was held May 2, 1917, and a plan was formulated by which the greatest number of women in the United States might be reached. In pursuance of this plan the Committee appointed in each S-ate a temporary chairman, whose duty it was to .call together the presidents or reprsenta? tives of all women's organizations State-wide in scope, including civic, religious, fraternal, patriotic, literary and philanthropic associations, with Till H. a fc K jfr1 tr if ' i - i hi 1 I 1 Vllll-K fi i 11 jer -t"s. rrTrrz f Vy 3SS. a . T A I s f " J ?V."H to do but to separate and crawl to shell holes and wait for the end of the rain of shells. A sentry at one of the outposts took in the situation and im mediately sent up the necessary signal for a counter barrage, which was promptly furnished. And between the two fires,' flat on their stomach in such shell holes as might furnish protec tion, were the members of our patrol. Marines Exact Heavy Toll "Star shells, which seemed to turn night into day, flared up, hung sta tionary in mid-air for a moment, and died out with a splutter.. The drum of the double barrage increased and changed into a qontinuous roar. Ly ing in the shell holes it seemed as if the pandemonium lasted several hours. But the luminous dials of the officers' watches showed thait just twenty minutes had elapsed from the time that the first rocket ascended un til the firing ceased. Things settled representatives of unorganized women for the purpose of forming state di visions and electing officers and executive committees. Each State Division is intended to include all the women of the State. Twelve Departments The war work of the women of the Nation has been divided into twelve departments by the Woman's Commit tee of the Council of National De fense, each . member of that commit tee serving as a director of one or more of these departments. It is the duty of this director to analyze the problems presented to her depart ment, to formulate an elastic plan of work, and, as far as she may, to supervise the execution of the work. The twelve departments into which the work of the Woman's Committee is divided are: State Organization, Reg istration, Food Production" and Home Economics, Food . Administration, Women in Industry, Child Welfare. Maintenance of Existing Social Serv ice Agencies, Health and Recreation, Education and Propaganda, Liberty Loan, Home and Foreign Relief and News. State Organization Department Some idea of the scope of these departments of endeavor may be gained in a brief summary. The es sentials of the plan of State Organiza tion outlined, at the, first meeting of the Woman's Committee have been com piled with in the States with few ex . r0 --- A 1-5 I II down to comparative calm, with only desultory firing during the remainder of the night. "The members of the party returned to the lines in small groups, the last ones coming in just as dawn was breaking. One Corporal was missing. During the subsequent search his body was recovered as well as four Germans who were shot and killed during the encounter." The baptism of fire that the Amer ican Marines got . when they moved up to the front was not without its humorous element. One dark night when the first detachment was " de training in the yellow mud of a sta tion not far from the line, a Boche aviator spotted them and tipped off his artillery that troops were arriv ing. The Marines got the signal too, and they discreetly evacuated the plat form before the first shell dropped. It missed widely, the second came closer. The third found the platform, 4 7k ceptions were found in Colorado, In diana, Michigan, Maryland, Minne sota and Wyoming. In these States patriotic work of women was arranged for by State Organizations originating in the action of the Governor or Leg islature, before the Woman's .Commit tee was appointed. The machinery so established, in each ' instance, merged with the Woman's Committee and became the State division. Alaska and Porto Rico have formed local divisions which correspond to the or ganization within the States. Registration Department The Registration Department has prepared for the registration of wom en and girls over sixteen years of age. The status of the women, whether trained or untrained, those desiring training, or those speoially adapted to certain lines of activity are recorded. In some instances courses of draining are provided for those wishing to pre pare themselves for service. Food Production And Home Econo mics Department The Food Production and Home Economics Department is working with the Department of Agriculture and the State Agricultural colleges to increase production and decrease waste in food. In some States this department has been combined with' the Department of JPood Administra tion, and the State Demonstrator for .the. agricultural college is usually, the chairman. ,. -. . smashed a lieutenant's trunk, convert ed some of the Regiment band instru ments into war relics, and cratered the platform. French aviators chased the Boche observer away, the excitement ceased, and the Marines laughed. The first detachment of Marines to "go in" the one whose welcome from the Boche has just been described was of the first regiment of Marines which landed In France. The men were hardened by eight months of strenuous training in summer heat and rain and mud, and in the snow and cold of winter. Hard As Nails And Fit To Fight At five o'clock on a certain after noon a battalion of Marines swung through the winding streets of the village, where they had been billeted while in training. They sang and whistled the larine Corps hymn, "From the halls of Montezuma to the chores of Tripoli." The inhabitants of the. village, from the old folks to the kiddies, lined up to bid them fare well. The marching column passed by Brigade Headquarters, where the Brigadier General commanding the Marines, and some of the officers of his staff, were standing outside; then out of the village, and up the road to the next town to entrain. Sunset and duskr and no longer the sound of marching feet. The first outfit of United States Marines was "going in." The trains were made up of the usual French troop cars, and the movements of troops, especially as they approached the front, took place at night, so that the train entered the war zone toward evening. Steaming hot coffee was served at a station, and the train went forward. Now all doors and windows were carefully shuttered to conceal all lights. The rumble of the big guns could be heard long before midnight. Some of the Marines, especially the youngsters, were fascinated by the novelty and 5 R ySSJ w Food Administration Department The Food Administration Depart ment was organized for the purpose of cooperating with the Food Adminis tration in assuring an adequate supply of, food for the Army, Navy, the Na tion's Allies and the people of this country. The food pledge campaign, which has aimed to enlist every family in the land in the food conservation plan, was carried on largely in some States by the machinery established by the Woman's Committee. Women In Industry Department In many States the Deparf'nent of Women In Industry is composed of experts in that field. An effort is made to obtain the. highest standards for the welfare of women employed in, industrial plants, and to enforce laws for their protection. Child Welfare Departn:CRt The Department of Child Welfare is cooperating with the Children's Bureau of ths Department of Lr.bor and the General Medical Board of the Council of National Defense to pre vent the breaking down of existing laws for the protection of children and the exploitation of child labor, also for Increased public health service. Maintenance Of Existing Social Service Agencies Department The Department of Maintenance of Existing Social Service Agencies was organized to safeguard existing char ities at this time when new needs are making demands and may deflect con tribution for their support. Health And Recreation Department The work of the department of Health and Recreation has been to furnish entertainment and recreation of soldiers in camp; to maintain pro tective agencies for girls, and to dis seminate knowledge of social hygiene. Education Department The Department of Education is primarily interested in patriotic propa ganda. Classes in Americanization haye been started in practically every State. While history, civics and Eng lish are -the subjects largely taught, an attempt has been made to cenvey to citizens of foreign birth and par entage .n understanding of the Eu ropean background of the war, why we are at war, and the democratic Ideals for. which this country and its 1 i: fo'-'-- Anh-s-s zji t , ' 4 JZcVStsvi? J33-fy- &f?ss" the thrill of it. Discussion and con jecture were rife. But the old timers took advantage of the chance for a sound snooze on the blankets and straw. It was disappointing to the noviti ates to find no trenches or barbed wire entanglements at the detraining point. But when the Boche artillery made a perfect hit on the bass drum, they were convinced that they were headed right. The villages here were in ruins. Civilians were nowhere. Automobiles, motorcycles, bicycle couriers, picturesquely camouflaged ambulances and ammunition wagons swarmed the roads, with occasionally an officer on horseback.. Dust rose in clouds and lay thickly over everyone and everything. Into this whirling cloud the Marines plunged eagerly, and did their last bit' of hike to the goal. And so they got to the front. To the dust and mud and hardship of trench life they adapted themselves good-naturedly. They were happy and determined. At last they were "in." And from the time that they went In, and through their classic share in the second battle of the Marne, they have given the cor respondents cause o employ once again the well-known phrase, "The Marines have landed, and have, the situation well in hand." "In Fine Shape," General Said After the Brigadier General com manding the Marines in France had made an inspection throughout the trenches in the sector occupied by the regiment of his brigade, he said: "The men are in fine shape physical ly, seem in the best of spirits, and have adjusted themselves remarkably well to their new mode of living in the short time that they have been here. I am pleased with the way the men have taken hold and the closo operation between them and the French forces. Things are working very smoothly." ." jtC t allies are struggling. Liberty Loan Department The chairman of the Liberty Lo:in Department of the Woman's Commit tee in each State is nominated by the National Woman's' Liberty Loan Com mittee of the Treasury Department and the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense. These State Chairman organized their States for action in connection with Liberty Loan and War Savings Stamp cam paigns. Home And Foreign Relief Department Cooperation in Red Cross activities have been largely the work of Home and Foreign Relief committees in every State. An effort has been made to stimulate the adoption of French and Belgian orphan:--, and assistance is being rendered the wives and chil dren of Ameri'-;in soldiers, where need lias been felt. This committee is largely a clearing house for existing war relief organizations. , News Department '? The organization effected by the Woman's Committee is the medium of direct communication between the Government and the women of the country. The, plan of organization provides such a union of the State, city, county and local units that' in general any order or piece of informa tion issued by the Government through the Woman's Committee may be delivered to individuals in arfy part of the United States twenty four hours after it is issued. As a medium of communication be tween the Woman's Committee and tho women In the club or in the home, the News Letter is issued fortnigMjv from the Woman's Committee head quarters in Washington. Through tiii,s Committee messages from Govert ment officials and offices are converts to the women in every section of t.n country, and through its agency valu able intercommunication has been mainfained among the women workt ers of the various States and betwosn the women of every section and th& Woman's Committee. The fact that the women raised oyCr 50 per cent, of the latest Liberty Lfiaa stands as its own evidence of t'H'g splendid cooperation with the Govera ment effected by the Woman's Conv mittee of the Council of National Den fense. V I 4 1 4