davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Perfect Organization.

The story of the fighting is that of
perfect organization which worked
with clocklike precision. 1t was still
dusk when the British began the steam
roller advance, for 1ow-h hanging clouds
blanketed the country and light driz-
zle was falling. For days an intense
bonba rdment had been maintained over
the German front but the artillery fire.
which opened the great barrage
dropped, was appalling. Guns of all
calibers. from enormous howitZers to
light field guns. Joined in the Internal
thunder which shook the countryside
like an earthquake. Solid lines of vivid
fire belched from the earth and from
the murky sky above as the great
shells and shrapnel burst along the
German lines The ruins of the little
hamlets perched on the ridge stood out
in CHASTITY silhouette against the flashes
and over the whole scene the clouds
threw back a crimson glow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Held Positions Three Years.

For nearly three years-up to the be-
ginning of the battle of Flanders, July
31-the enemy had sat IN his strong
holds along the crest of this elevation
and defied the British armies to dislodge
him II has been tremendously strong
position, but the last weeks of bitter
fighting have shown that 1t is not in
vulnerable. Bit by bit the dogsed Brit
ish wrested the lower reaches of the
ridge from the invaders. Each thrust
brought them nearer to the complete
occupation of this gateway to the roll
ing plains of Flanders.
The Passchendaele-G Che luvelt eleva-
ton would not be characterized as a
ridge in America. At Its highest point
it is not more than 200 feet above sea
level, and the approaches to the crest
are gradual unduiations in most places.
AS a matter of fact, it Is really COM
posed of a series of ridges and hills.
There is a Passchendaele ridge proper.
upon which stands the town of the same
name Below this is Broodseinde ridge
and still lower down Gheluvelt.
From the village of Passchendaele it
stretches in a southwesterly direct ion
toward the old salient in long curves
like the letter $. At Inverness copse it
reaches its nearest approach to the
stricken city of Yprcs. which lies about
four miles to the west of it.
In their successive thrusts recently
the British either have taken over por-
tions of the ridge or pushed their way
forward to the lower slopes as far north
as Zonnebeke, which lies Just under the
crest Above Zonnebeke the ridge takes
turn to the northeast. while the Brit
ish line has gone we'll hack to the
northwest. \ portion of the ridge be-
tween Zonnebeke and Passchendaele
thrusts out toward the west d long arm
known as Gravenstafel ridge, within
which lie a Hill called Abraham Heights
and the village of GravenstafeI All
this area has been strongly held by the
Germans.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Tanks Do Excellent Service.

On the left Of the advance the ground
in the region of Poelcapelle was not in
bad condition. except along the Strom-
beck river, where it was very marshy,
necessitatinS slow advance. The
tanks operating with the troops here
did excellent service, reducing num-
Der of strong redoubts and concrete
pill boxes. Poelcapelle was well gar
risoned, but apparently did not offer
strong resistance. The British were
within reach of the town by 1880
o'clock.
Meantime others were making their
way over Abra ham Heights, near Ora
venstafeL. There was some cellar fight
ing here but it was brief. The main
trouble was encountered near the fort,
where the Germans had eight strong
concrete redoubts. Sharp lighting fol-
lowed, but the Germans finally were
forced. with rifles and bombs. to sur
render. Both Poelcapelle and Craven
reports show the British have swarmed
over virtually all of Gravenstafel ridge.
Meet Little Trouble.
South of the Ypres- Roulers railway,
which cuts the Passchendaele-G helu-
welt ridge where the Gravenstafel arm
joins. the British are on the crest of
the ridge or beyond throughout the re-
mainder of it's length They had little
trouble in reaching it. There was a
brief battle near Molenaarelsthoek
cross roads. which were fortified. Just
north of here the Germans held farm
from which they poured heavy ma
chine gun fire into the British ranks
until the place was subdued.
Prisoners We're secured in Polderhoek
and the chateau near there was carried
after sharp fighting. Joist farm, near
the southeastern edge of Polygon
wood which had been sore spot to
the British for days. still held out at
the latest reports, although the British
had pushed beyond it on both sides.
This was the only snag of the kind en-
countered. as far as is known.
Broods which lies on the ridge.
was the approximate center of the
Gav's attack. and here was the deepest
point of the advance. From this viii
laze the line tapered off gradually to
the north and the south.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Rear Guard May Fail.

Early reports from the front have
shown the Germans to be surrendering
by hundreds. This may mean de-
terioration of morale to such an extent
that the rear guard will fail in it's
mission and spell disaster to the newly
chosen position.
Some observers are to be found here
who believe that the German army
spirit generally is badly shattered. In
support of this they cite the continual
peace cry in Germany. the expressions
of prisoners captured by the allies. the
youth of prisoners and the repeated
failure of German attacks during the
last few weeks to make any impress
sion on the British and French fronts.
In the view of these developments
officers believe a definite ascendency
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05

American Army officers have been
watching with intense interest the sit
uation on the western front, which ap-
parently is reaching a climax in the
latest great drive launched by the Brit
ish.
From the many reports indicating the
development of some important move
ment, coupled with the continual futile
attacks of the Germans along the Brit
ish front, some military observers here
have become convinced that the leu
tons Were covering a great withdrawal
of their line. Other officers, however.
believe that the German high command
has been hurting it's men at the enemy
with the desire to check an advance,
determined to hold it's present lines at
any cost until winter comes to the res
cue.
officers who think the German activ-
ity has covered a withdrawal to short
en- and strengthen lines and ease the
strain on the army expect that behind
the German divisions through which
Gen. Haig's men are cutting their way
will be found new positions fully
manned and strongly built against
which the offensive will crash.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05

ridge. Passchendaele. which now is Il
mass of ruins. was merely Il hamlet
South of it were little communities,
such as Nieuwemolen. Broodseinde and
All have disap-
peared in the deluge of breaking steel.
An infantry advance over territory
of this description would be difficult,
even If there were no enemy opposing.
Shell holes, many of which are filled
with water. form a serious obstacle to
a rapid advance. and any one of these
excavations may be nest for German
machine guns
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Tremendous Gun Duels.

Since last weeks drive tremendous
gun duels have been proceeding. cover
ing the battle zone with clouds of
smoke by day and turning the fighting
lines into vivid streaks of volcanic fire
by night
The Germans have been giving much
of their attention to Tower hamlets
and the section northward astride the
Ypres- Menin road. and the British. in
turn. have been pouring terrific
stream Of steel into the German posi-
tons opposite.
1t is in this section that the Germans
have been making such heavy counter
attacks since the recent British sue
cesses. apparently fearing to lose Ghelu-
Welt ridge, which they value highly as
an observation point.
That the Germans suffered severely
from the British bombardihent is borne
out by prisoners, who stated that the
ground between their front line and
the foremost of their battery positions
was badly torn up. In last weeks bat
tie more Germans were killed in pro-
portion to the numbers employed than
ever before. In one small area alone
\ thousand bodies were counted and
they represented only a fraction of the
n+aI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Defenses Numerous.

The top of the whole zone had been
prepared with such defenses. and the
shattered forests were choked with
rapid-flrers. Concrete pill boxes and
redoubts also had been scattered in
profusion throughout the line. and all
these divers fences were reinforced
with barbed wire.
Mud is one of the greatest enemies
with which the British have to contend
In much of this area little streams like
the Retelbeek and the Polygonbeek
have been bordered with veritable
morasses. in which the troops have
foundered desperately, knee deep. Even
few hours of rain turns large sections
into fields of liquid mud and pools
which may conceal shell holes of great
depth.
The British artillery preparation for
this offensive had been among the
greatest. if not the very greatest. seen
along the western front.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
$500 and $3.50 New Fall Suits
$3.50 Handsome Suits
$1,000 Models Hand !
- some Coats \

WASTED or uormal-wa!sted
styles. Made with shirred or
plpated backs. 6-inch belt,
caught with large buckles and
fancy hip pockets. All the
new fabrics and colors.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
Chance to Visit Fronts.

In preparation for this mission he was
given the opportunity to visit large
rart of the western front in an I'M
Usually thorough way. He thus viewed
conditions not only on the Canadian
front. but also ON ths British and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-05
$500 High-grade
Suits

\ wonderfully big and hand
some variety to select from,
including the pleated. the
SHRED or tailored models.
Some richly fur trimmed.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08

STRIVE TO SCUTTlE
DESTROYER IN PORT
WAS LYING AT PHiLADEl
NAVY YARD-SEA COCKS
WERE OPENED.

Philadelphia - An attempt wac
made 10 scuttlc the United States tor
pedo boat destroyer Jacob Jones b.
opening her sea cocks AT the Philadet
phia navy yard officials at the yard
refused TO discuss the matter
An officer OF the Jacob Jones found
that the ship was listing heavily 10
port as she was beint towed frune
her anchorage in the river TO dock.
aud all persons aboard were detained
and questioned The chief machinist's
mate, whose identity was not discioe-
ed. was arrested and placed In irons
on one of the battleships Whether
the prisoner is a German sympathizer
or fanatic Is not known
More than two feet of water WAS In
the Jones hold when it was discov-
cred that her sea cocks had been
opened. They were quickly closed
and the vessel was taken 10 pier.
The local navy yard virtually was
placed upon a war basis.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Bcrnstorf Is Guarded.

Soon after Count Won Bernstorrs
passports arrived. United States Sc
eret service men threw a guard about
the ambassador and his suite IL make
certain that the hospitality OF thu
United States is not violated while
he remains on American sol The
status OF Count Tarnowski. the
Austrian ambassador VAS undecided,
although he called at The State M
partment TO arrange for presenting
his credentials TO President wilson
Tor months, ever since relations
with Germany became acute there
have b#en ominouS signs % fbra.fen-
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
KAISER DESPERATE,
SAYS LLOYD GEORGE
THOUSANDS HEAR PREMIER
ACCOUNTING FOR STEWARD
SHiP-FUAYS SEA POLICY.
LAND DEFEAT RECOGNIZED
Germans Knew Allies Would Break
Their Military Machiae, British Pre-
mier Declares, and Resorted
to Barbarian Methods.

Carnaryon. Wales.-Four thousand
ii rPemier Lloyd Georges constit.
uents focked II Carnarvon to hear his
accounting Of his stewardship. Owing
to the recent plot against the pre-
mier's life, extraordinary precaution-
AIRY measures were taken TO protect
him.
In his address Mr.. Lloyd George
SAID the coming imperial conference
would consider the question of the dis
posal OF the German colonies which
have been captured by the entente
allies
Peace without victory would not
mean peace, but rest for the central
powers with time 10 rccuperate. Mr.
LLOYD George said
Peace would come in 1917. said the
premier If Great Britain's enemies
knew that by holding out until l91S
they would be worse of. not better
off
The premier said he had never had
any doubt n 10 The ultimate victory,
before thai is reached there VII be
many bread turbulent rivers To cross.
ana he nation must help 10 bridge
those rivers
Germany had tho crac'ousness To
announce u 4 favor to the great re
public Of the west said Mr LLOYD
George That she would allow an
American passenger ship 90 ply Ia one
British port provided IT bore The mark
of Dutch paddle steamer Was
there ever such insolence9 II amounts
10 insanity
In resard 10 Germany's new sea
policy the premier said:
II is, after all. only development
and advance along the road 10 com.
plefe harharism, which is crushing ct;
Of that country the last shreds of eli
vilization.
The enemy Is getting desperate
The rrHssian thoroughly understood
that the resources al our disposal
We're adequate TO command a victory
on land
The Germans knew" he continued
that the allies. given time would
break their military machine. hui
they knew il they could destroy Brit.
ish trans or's. the British armies
would languish and the people would
die Of hunger
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Austrian Freiahter Wrecked

New York Word reached ths
police today that coincident with the
publication OF the news of the rupture
with Germany, the Austrian freightes
Himaiaya. which has been living in
Newark Bay. an estuary of New York
harhor has been put out of commits
sion The report had II that the pls
ton heads and other parts OF her en-
gsnes had been smashed with crow
bars and axes
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
German Crew Removed

Washington Lieut. Hans Berg and
his German prize crew We're removed
from the liner Appam at Newport
News by coast guard cutters undes
The ship is in the custody OF the
federal court pending appeal 10 thu
supreme court from decision award
ing her 10 her English owners. Lieut.
Berg notified the embassy here BY
long distancy telephone. He had bees
allowed TO retain possession OF the
vessel under bond given by the Gee.
man government.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Blockade Limit Chained

Berlin. The following official state
ment was given out here: The east
ern limit OF the blockade in the xons
around England has hesa altered as
follows. The line now runs from the
point - degrees. 80 minutes north lat
ltude. degrees east longitude, 10 the
point Sc degrees north latitude. I do
sfees 30 minutes east longitude 9th
erwise the line remains rs ALREADY an
nounced
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08

Washington News OF the sinking
Of the Housafonic created sensation
here but state Department officials
pointed out that il would depend en-
tircly upon the circumstances wheth.
er the incident would affect The pres
ent situation
The ship vas carving contraband.
aud II SHE VA. destroyed with proper
warning aud provision for the safety
Of her crew or in an attempt to IS.
cape, the United States would merely
have claim for damages as in the
FRYE case
The first Meet OF the incident in of
fetal quarters was 20 direct attention
anew to the presidents declaration IN
his address 10 Congress that II Ameri
can ships and lives were sacrificed
in needless contrayention Of the lust
and reasonable Understandings OF in.
ternational law" he would again 20 be.
fore Congress for authority to use
any means that may be necessary ~,
the protection of our seamen and our
people
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
COUNT BERNSTORFF
HANDED PASSPORTS
IN ALL HISTORY SUC1 AN ACT
HAS LED TO WAR-ALL CON
SULS RECALLED.
PLAN AGAINST ANY PLOTS
Question of Conveying Merchantmen
Through War Zone BY Warships
Has Been Taken Up-Break At
ter Two Years Negotiations.


New York-Main incidents of
U-boat war that led to rupture:
The main incidents. including
the loss of American lives and the
destruction of ships by subma-
rines. that led up to the diplomat
ic break are cited below
First American Killed Leon
T. Thresher. passenger aboard the
British steamship Falaba, torpe-
doed March q. 1915, off Milford
England
First American Ship Sunk The
Leelanaw of New York, destroyed
of the Orkney Island, July Is,
1915.
The Outright OIL tanker, tor
pedoed off the Sicily Island May
l. 1915. two men drowned captain
died of heart disease
The giant EusItania. torpedoed
without warning MAY : 1915. eff
the Old Head Of kinsale Out of
1887 passengers 1.19S were lost.
including - Americans. many of
them of national prominence.
The Italian steamship Ancona.
. sunk in the Mediterranean Ne
. vember :. t9l5 out OF a total of
30S passengers lost. nine were
Americans
Tho British s+aafushin Persia
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08

Washington President Wilson has
broken off diplomatic relations with
Germany and warned the kaiser thar
ruthless sacrifice Of American lives
md rights means war
The president made formal an
nouncement of his action to the coun-
try and to the world at joint SEES
sion of Congress.
Passports have been handed to
Count Won Bernstorff Ambassador
Gerard, with all his staff and all
American consuls have been ordered
out of Germany All German consuls
In the United States are expected TO
withdraw, that the severance Of rela-
lions may be complete American
diplomatic interests in Berlin have
been turned over to Spain. German
diplomatic interests in the United
States have been taken over by Swift
srland Foreign diplomatic interests
which the United States had in
charge in Germany have been turned
over TO various neutrals.
Two years of diplomatic negotia-
lions, marked with frequent crises
and attended with the loss OF more
than 200 American lives on the high
seas. have eliminated with an act
which in all the history of all the
world always led to war
Will Check conspIracies.
Every agency OF the American gov.
eminent has been set in motion to
protect the country against acts of
German sympathizers.
With the notice OF severance of re.
lations the United States sent to Ber-
lin a demand for the immediate re
lease of 81 Americans taken from
ships captured by German raiders in
the South Atlantic.
At the request of the president.
Congress. Immediately after hearing
his address. began work on new laws
framed by the Department of Justice
TO check conspiracies and plots
against the United States which can
not now be reached under existing
statutes.
The question Of conveying Amerl-
can merchant ships through the sub
marine blockade has been taken up
and Is being considered as one OF the
next moves.
Nuetral governments have been no.
tilted OF the action of the United
Stntes and have openly been invited
10 follow its action il the new subma-
rine camuaign violates their rights,
The breaking off of relations came
with n crash despite the fact that II
had been discounted and practically
determined upon. The president.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Ten OF Crew Drowned

London Ten members OF the crew
Of the British steamer Essonite. prsvl
ously reported sunk. were drowned.
Lioyds announced that the eaptaie
and TWO men Of the crew have bees
landed
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Charge Demanded Passports


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Noh'H''reoafse acts can he passed
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WV" 'H' hit'a states ana Ger.
i'"iS Nu'h ACTS were passed against
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iHSp'a>s oi toioa have he'n fro-
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The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
DANGER THAT WAR MAY FOLLOW
ACCENTUATED BY DIPLOMAT
&c HISTORY OF WORLD
TREATIES NOT SUSPENDED
II the German Vessels Tied Up in
American Ports Should Be Put
into Use, German Owners
Would Be Compensated

Washington 1t vas reported in
diplomatic quarters. bur uncontrmed
in any American official source. that
President Wilson. IN advising neu-
trails of his action in severing diplo-
matte relations with Germany had in
sited other neutrals TO follow his
course
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Spanish Shin Sunk.

Madrid The Spanish steamship
Butron and the Greek steamship Elo.
kon have been torpedoed and sunk by
the German submarine U-67.
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
Nieuw Amsterdam Recalled.

Amsterdam The Handelsblad says
that the Holland American liner Nieuw
Amsterdam, which was on her way te
America. had been recalled by wire
less. and arrived off the Hook o. Ha
land
The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-02-08
HOUSATONlC SUNK
OFF ENGLAND COAST
Fretohter Reported Torpedoed With
cut Warnins-Oficers and
Crew Saved.

London The American steamer
liousatonie has been sunk by i Ger.
man submarine.
Later information confirmed the
report thai the lousatonic VAS sunk
near the Sicily Islands.
The rumor Is current that the Hons-
atomic was sunk without warning
fhe uousatonic was summarized al
noon All the officers and crew We're
SAVED by British armed cruiser