The Seattle Star Newspaper, March 27, 1918, Page 1

TWENTY-FIVE CENTS ‘That's all you need to start a dabit. It pays, It will pay that in lending your money to part of your bit to help win the war, Secondly, pay because you will yet interest on your loan, ‘Thrift card, Cultivate the tn the moral satisfaction Uncle Sam you have done it will The Seattle Star THE GREATE ST DAILY CIRCULATION OF ANY PAPER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST _ VOLUME 20 & ITED LL. LEASED WIRD SERVICE PRESS ASSOCIATIONS ~ SEATTL E, WASH., | WEDNE DAY MARC H 27, 191 a NIGHT EDITION Forecast moderate Tonight and Thursday, noutheasterly winds Weather rain ‘PRIC D : HUNS PUSH 0 Britons Will Make ! Stand on New Line BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS United Press Correspondent WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN| THE FIELD, March holding the line west 27.—The British are} of Albert, fighting) every rod, according to the latest report at the moment of cabling. The British apparently retired west of | the town yesterday.. (This is the first news of a retirement by the British | from Albert, where Haig’s local fighting “unchanged.” ) ‘Thus with the warmade desert of the Somme battlefield, now crossed. the fighting will begin to offer cer tain advantages to the British. who! have good communications behind) them. ‘The wooded hills. valleys, villages and towns offer good screens. The fighting is heavy between the com verging Ancre and Somme rivers. It fs hottest around Meulte, south of where one of Haig’s divisions ta holding its own early night. Germans Captured During the afternoon a fierce at against Auchonvillers, north of | Albert. was driven off, while north-/ went of Colincamps the entire Ger) man patrol was made prisoner | The enemy is reported heavily! shelling the line between Hamel and Beaumont-Hamel. At 4:35 this after oon 4 report they were in Henu/ turne was unconfirmed. Likewise a fumor that German armored cars @re advancing lacks confirmation Stabborn Resistance | | ‘This morning the enemy was at official statement reported north and northeast, with the situation | Ancre and the Somme | Between Albert and Bray, to the south, the rivers are about five miles apart. Thence westward they grad. ually converge and join just west of Corbies, which ix 15 miles southwest of Albert. This region is high and| heavily wooded | Meaulte, where the German line) is reported withstanding heavy as-| saults, isa mile and a half south of Albert, and between the Ancre and the Somme. Bauapume is about 12 miles north- cast of Albert. Warlencourt ts 2% | miles southeast of Bapaume. Leaars| is 1% miles southwest of Warten: | court. Courcellete is midway be | tween Albert and Bapaume. Mon. taub is three miles west of Combles;/ Longueval is three miles northwent | of Combies, and Flers is 1% miles north of Longueval. Strike for Amiens The next big city tn the line of the German advance is Amiens, 18 miles southwest of Albert, on a continua-| ON THE EVE OF THE DRIVE “Think they'll come over ’round here?” “Dunno, but I HOPE THEY DO! Can't you see that’s what these two British soldiers on the very edge of No-Man’s Land are saying? in a camouflaged dugout out The faces in this photograph, taken tacking the region of Aveluy wood./tion of the main Albert-Rapaume|When the Germans were getting ready to start their offensive, would indicate that the north of Albert. while north of this point the situation was unchanged gave for an attempted enemy raid wort of Arras All roads in the Somme region) converge on Amiens, but Hinden burg’s most desperate efforts to push forward to this place are meet ing with the most stubborn resist ance. | City Is Bombed Airmen bomb the city The famous cathedral was nearly hit by a huge bomb The weather was perfect. until shortly before sunrise, when the sky| was overcast | Germans Are Weary Along the Pozieres ridge, astride the Somme, across the obliterated villages of Ovillers, Warlencourt Fiers, Longueval, Montauban, Mam etz and Courcellete, the Germans are strewing their corpses as they slowly press forward. Hindenburg is striving desperately | 9 break thru-—now here, now there —unmindful of the huge gaps torn) fn his massed ranks by the British guns. The German storm troops are ro thick the gaps close automatically, like holes in soft dough. Simultaneously, with lunges in the Girection of Albert, the most furious attacks are being flung southwest. | ward against a line thru Rosieres and the St. Gobian forest, curving outward on the road to Roye and/ Noyon. Between the lagt two named, as- nauit follows assault in rapid succes: gion. (Haig bas admitted the capture of Roye and Noyon since Simms’ dis patch was filed.) Fight Body to Body ‘The French and British are fore: {ng the enemy to pay déarly for ev-| ery inch of ground. Nesle was tak en only after furious combats, the French resorting to bayonets, gren andes and. knives, fighting body to body in a death lock. Much the same scenes have been enacted by the British at Gerauvil lers, Ligny-Thilloy, Montauban and elsewhere, withdrawing only when ordered, or sticking until the last man, fighting lke wildeats, until overcome by sheer weight of num-| nightly very| i German Spies Busy German spies continue to spread ic among civilians, Refugees x Bom one village alarm the people in, the next with the most absurd ru- mors, which become as facts five! ings have been issued against Munchausen tales. Civilians have| been asked to turn over suspects to the authorities. Inevitably, refugees are war's mont | pitiful spectacle. The military has, encouraged their exodus, owing to | shelling and bombing | Mowns tar behind the fines. The ref-| ugees are given every pousible ald. | Simms’ dispatch would indicate] that the British, after retiring from Albert, will attempt to make a stand southwest of that city, between the, | after four months of the most in | tensive work in , tension | French sectors. highway. Amiens ia 54 miles north| of Paris, on the Somme, and marks! the high tide of the German invasion in 1914 at this point. Amiens ix a| city of about 100,000 population, and| is an important center. ‘UNS FAILING TO FOLLOW OUT PLAN OF DRIVE BY HENRY woop United Press Correspondent WITH THE FRENCH ARM. IES IN THE FIELD, March 26. Night. Germany's offensive appears to embrace two great objectives—an effort to break up Great Britain militarily, and an effort to break down the French civilian morale by ter. rorizing Paris and other open cities, I have just returned from Paris and other cities, where bombs have been dropped. There I ascertained that the civilian morale is equally as high as the army's. Both are determined, at any sacrifice, to insure vic- tory. The poilus on the entire front defensive prepara awaiting ex to the tions, today are keenly of the offensive Poilus Are Eager Inspired by the British resistance, (Continued on Page Five) TEUTONS BOAST NOW OF DIFFERENT PEACE AMSTERDAM, March 27.—"It is self-evident that we no longer can conclude peace on the terms accepta- ble to us a week ago,” the Koelnisch | Zeitung declares, according to copies received here today. WILHELM SENDS THANKS TO SON AMSTERDAM, March 27.—The kaiser today telegraphed the Ger. man crown prince the following, according to dispatches received here: “Fine! The great success your troops achieved against the Brit- ish army affords me a welcome opportunity to express to your highness my hearty recognition of appointing you chfef of the Gren adier Guard regiment, I am con vinced this brave regiment will always prove worthy of its prince- ly chiet.” | Quentin, was killed in action Friday, Tommies weren't anxious over the outcome. dugout by camouflage artists. The old broken wagon was placed over the Get Ready For the 20th Round The great Frestine PeRry i ‘still raging on the Western front. The Germans are playing their trump card. They will stop at nothing. Every resource of the central powers is concentrated on that line. Men, at the time this is written, are dying like flies in that mad maelstrom of blood and mud and fury. The fate of nations hangs on the outcome. The long, terrific struggle between civilization and is coming to its cri Who will win? CIVILIZATION, EVENTUALLY. The allied line may be bent, cracked, Henge P. may be ground to powder. be invaded and ravaged as was Belgium. It ‘will not matter, so far as the final outcome is con- cerned. THE ALLIES WILL NEVER QUIT. They are reinforced by the — mightiest of na- tions—our own America! Right now they and the United States are lick tt we're only in the 10th round. German strength will be sapped in ‘this heavy Western stroke. We have great reserve strength. In the 20th round, or the 30th, we'll deliver a knockout! Don’t take that struggle lightly, but don’t get the wrong ive on it. Help put your Uncle Sam into training for that 20th-round knockout. Lend strength to his strong right arm. You at home here in Seattle can help push the Hun back from Paris. You know how—Thrift Stamps, Liberty bonds—a dozen ways. |GERMANS HOPED TO TAKE PARIS BY JOS. SHAPLIN United Press Correspondert PETROGRAD, Mareh 27.—Rus sian military officials and delegates according to dispatches here from t_ the recent Brest-Litovsk peace SGeER, pepeoes, Seer nee declare German officers Blotinitz probably is capable error |openly diactissedy the forthcoming for Blottwits, | West front offensive, ¥ Teuton General Dies in Battle, AMSTERDAM, March 27 Von Plotinitz, commanding one of the German divisions attacking St confer GERMAN HORDES FALL BEHIND IN DRIVE SCHEDULE BY ED 1. KEEN United Preas Correspondent LONDON, March 27.—The sev enth day of the big German drive finds no reason for pes- simism and increasing reasons for confidence, of which the fol- lowing are outstanding: Altho they have regained most | they as Mericourt and S. captured Morancourt. ODESSA IS TAKEN BY Threatened in New Russian Drive MOSCOW, March 27.—The Ukrainian Bolshevik forces have recaptured Odessa from the Teutons, after a bloody fight, according to an official ceived here today. The Black | sea fleet co-operated. Nickolaieff and was also Kherzon grain 75 miles recaptured Kherzon, it nounced today. an_ important and shipping point, is per river. Nickolaieff north of Ode: river. The capture of these is 20 miles TROTSKY CALLS FOR NEW DRIVE BY JOSEPH SHAPLEN | the territory had lost since 1916, the Germans are three or fou days behind their “time table.” Notwithstanding the fact that j they are using a third of all their | weet rn forces on an eighth part of| | the lin neluding two-thirds of their Jentire otrategic reserve, the indica-| tons are now that the enemy's mera jobject—a wedge between the French | | and accom | plishea pw Junctioning is | most firm | Reserves Are Ready The allied reserve army is not yet | participating, presumably awaiting a favorable opportunity to strike the weakest point in the lengthening| German flanks. | All authorities agree that the British retirement is perfectly order-| ly. There is no flight, no panic. | They are maintaining their align:| |ment thruout. It is stated authori. | | tatively that most of the losses in men and material have already | been replaced. Meantime, British The cannot be the attackers must be losing three times as many | men as the defenders. The overwhelming premacy is obvious home mor ale ix splendid, ‘The only press loriticism of the government ts for! |continuing to allow the Germans to| make the first announcement of | their achievements | | There is a disposition here to an: | ticipate unflinchingly the possible \fail of further established positions, |wuch as Albert, as well as the Ger man shelling of Amiens, preparatory |to effort to break thru in that direc |tlon. There is reason to believe the | Germans will not essay desperate as saults against Arras and north of |that city, despite the superior strength of the defenses there. French participation on a big scale is forecast, possibly in connection with the open battle which is rapidly developing; also in connection with the possible carrying out of the French command's own strategy elsewhere. lied air su-| ee " More War News? on Page 10 1 United Press Correspondent PETROGRAD, March —(Night.)—The declare the German offensive offers Russia a chance to re- organize and declare war against Germany when the offensive fails. War Minister Trotsky to- day proclaimed universal mil- itary training. The highest grades were ordered to report immediately, the old officers reporting en masse. The conflict between the Ukrain- jan rada and Germany is assuming the most serious proportions. Only four members of the rada are willing to accept the German demands for sugar and bread. M. Pettlieur and M, Golfiboviteh refuse to withdraw their resigna tions. The remainder of the govern- ment also is split. The ‘Ukrainian sugar refiners have informed the rada that acceptance of the German demands will ruin the sugar indus. try Germany's intention to transfer agriculturists t jermany is certain to accelerate a revolt. WILSON GETS HAIG MESSAGE WASHINGTON, March 27.— “Determination to fight on with out counting the cost until the freedom of mankind is safe,” was the message cabled President Wilson today by 4 Marshal Haig in answer to the president's message of confidence. “Your message of generous ap- preciation of the steadfastness and valor of our soldiers in the great battle now raging has great ly touched us all. lease accept our heartfelt thanks. One and all believe in the justice of our cause and are determined to fight without count ing the covt until the freedom of mankind is safe “DOUGLAS HAIG.” 2 3. Bolsheviki | RUSSIANS: : ru, OTHER TOWNS RETAKEN| telegraph agency dispatch re-| . 4 } Russian soviet forces have an-| w center) east of Odessa, on the Dnie-| sa, on the Bug, cities seriously threatens the} Techy control of the ee ‘office reported tod | MEN TO COLORS | Battle Crisis Due > in Next 48 Ho LONDON, March 27.—Gen. Maurice, operations, announced today that information was received at p. m. that the — a night attack drove the British back as fi illy. director of South of the Somme, he said, they | ALLIES WILL SOON GAIN WEST _ FRONT MASTERY—CLEMENC. PARIS, March 27.—“Within 48 hours the allies will” masters of the situation,” Premier Clemenceau declared day, on his return from the front. Clemenceau made the statement in a report to the # n \isterial council. At the same time he did not attempt to conceal seriousness of the situation. He said Amiens is welll: fended and that it is improbable the Germans will. | The Berlin Lokal Anzieger publishes a dispatch |Lausanne declaring the British saved their entire comp Teuton Control of Black Sea ment of heavy artillery, HAIG TELLS MEN TO STAND VALIANTLY DURING CR LONDON, March 27.—Field Marshal Haig per following general order Saturday to all troops in and Flanders, it was announced here today : Z i “To all ranks of the British army in France and F ers: a “We are again at a crisis in this war. The enemy | collected on this front every available division, aiming at th destruction of the British army. “We have already inflicted on the enemy in course | the last two days very heavy losses, and the French | sending troops, as quickly as possible, to our support. “I feel that every one in the army, realizing how n nds on the exertions and steadfastness of each one Of i 1 do his utmost to prevent the enemy from attaining fi | object.” ENEMY CHECKED EVERYW SAYS FRENCH WAR STATEMEN: PARIS, March 27. Enfeebled by considerable |dep te and forced to slacken his efforts, the enemy was chee! everywhere yesterday evening and last night,” the lay. “The valor of our troops, who defended the ground, fo | by foot, is above all praise. “We hold the line from Echell and St. Aurin to raignes and north of assigny and southward to Noyon | the left bank of the Oise. “Strong enemy patrols attempting to reach our tions northwest of Noyon during the night, were “An intermittent bombardment is continuing along ti whole front.” [BRITISH MASS RESERVES FOR COUNTER BLOW AT PARIS, March 27.—“Only a few French divisions 27.— engaged,” Sub-Secretary of War Abrami declared today. “The bulk of the French army is awaiting events, while the most powerful British reserves are just arri on the field.” on a AMSTERDAM, March 27.—‘The enemy holds s reserves south of the penetrated front with which to att our troops from the flank,” declared the Berlin Voerw: in copies received here toda: TODAY’S BATTLE ANALYSIS Hindenburg’s monster war machine is slowly grinding to a pause, under the battering of the allied forces and the exhaustion of its da and night pace, both British and French communiques indicate today, As yet no appreciable weight of reserves has been thrown by the. allied commanders in the path of the enemy advance. The diminution, of German driving force, therefore, is due to enormous casualties and fatigue. The French communique specially states that the enemy, “enfee bled by losses, was checked everywhere yesterday evening and ast night.” At the same time the expected allied counter offensi hinted at both from German and French sources. HOLDING RESERVES The Berlin Vorwaerts declared the allies “hold strong re south of the penetrated front with which to attack our troops from flank.” M. Abrami, the Fretich sub-secretary of war, in the first offic intimation of the French plans, says that only a few French diviaio fare engaged and announced that the bulk of the French army is “awaiting events.” The most ee of the British reserves, he says, are “just arrive ing on the field.” The French continue to maintain their positions on the south bank of the Oise—the only point at which the allies have refused to give way an inch before the German attack. FORCE DIMINISHING The allied counter offensive, according to the most evident strategy, will be struck along this line. The German drive against Albert continues, but with diminishing force, From the fact that this city is almost surrounded, its fall 4 not unlooked for. Any continuation beyond Albert—in the direction of] Amiens—must require an added impetus, however, which Hinde at this time appears to lack, Haig today said the situation aroui Albert is “unchanged,” ‘The British commander further reported the repulse of a heavy attack south of the Somme last night, but admitted a short retiren around Bray.