davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
British and French
Now Fighting on Wide
Front to SaDe Italy

ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY. Dec. lit will be
,,serinr news 20 the Allied world that
Allied endorsements are to-day occu-
ryny trenches in the battered posi-
aoas held by the Italian troops, now
islieyed for a needed respite.
The British position is around the
Rights Of Monticello, on the Upper
Pave. where the batteries on the
sghts are already In action, and rihe
ire answsrs Tho steady snlplng from
isross the river. The French position
tlnrOt as vet be indicated, but u is
tssally important.
A the fornahties &C transfer the
Italians salu'ed the British flag and
he Tomuics chcered the men IN gray
they ert for their well-carned rest
This transfer d, significant. First, II
visible evidence Of Allied unity, not
aole in conferences. but on the hght-
~ lines il is evidence also OF unity
% the Western front, whether IN ltal-
"a, Venejia or French Flanders. Sec
I'd. Il is the infusion Cf new blood, new
be, new spirit 40 q tnGely moment
The italian, have donc wonders IN
rsistance ,u the last month, but there
"a limit % human endurance, and the
irral Of new men, materials. supplies
e'e gbc, brings reinsurance.
The arrival Of the French troops at
ne actual from. and their gradual as
isnp,ion Of one section Of the line
siier another have had an indescribably
stirring effect on the Italian troops.
vto Tor days have been fraternizinG
riih both French and British. Despite
ne difficulties Of language. they have
teen busy exchanging experiences. and
ne Italians are most anxious 20 proht
y the help their brothers-In-armS can
Fye them, especially in the technical
asiails Of modern warfare, Of which
ne French and British are masters
t,sr their longer experience.
Thus, the French have not only IN
esr.sken the defence Of their section,
~! have strengthened IL in ways they
Earned 10 France and which the ltal-
ans could not have employed hereto
iort.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
o., Gun Fighting Takes
T O1,ce of Infantry Move
n.nts on Haig Line
French Halt Thrusts
,.,,ns Thrown Back With
Heavy Losses in the
Vicinity of Verdun

.uDov. Dec. Q. Lively artillery
-, on the Cambria, Seorpe and
-. ,s.1-S fronts is reported to-day by the
w.. ~. and German War Offices, bat
H.-' -, There have been no infantry
since Friday where the troops
80 .c...rsl Haic face the enemy.
ns French front. tow'ver' the
W. " Prince continued his thrusts IN
-, sector where lis men sus-
s,arv losses and failed to gain
~ s i, assaults between BezonvauN
3'r p,.yroat. according to the Paris
o4ee. North of the Aisno
...,,s carried out q success
- y ~ near Au.zy-lc-Chsteau' Where
4. ' ,rcmy's trenches were oamae'd
y rri.ortrs brought back 20 me
gsrch lines. .-..s - cet,r-
y. ,,. received. claims gains on ootnl
az ~ Cra,rcourt. ln the Oamolei
So .bs, are NOT borne out by the
go. ~ thc British War Office. Gen
% R,pg's troops were driver BACK
.e 80 on either side Of GraincouGt,
y. ~ '.-.s,ement Says. and were repe!i.ec
:. m attempts 90 re'aae ground IoS.
.s-,s Of Ig Na,1ccne ,.
~ rri8sv and Saturday, according 10
c,rran statement, tee Germans
~ from Byrc fity-thrce prisoners
=. rs,roD and three machine guns.
y. lac. of guns by the British IN the
t.rbrai battle has been unusually
,,,Ty Previous 20 By0C's great smash
- single iaI~c calibrc British. gun
III fallen into the encmy's hands dur
h M whole year Of lighting from 81.
Qsatin 20 ;-c sea.
I, his respec. the German counter
..s,ss have been far more successful
.r- ct any time since the middle OF
The British aerial forces have shown
.,s,, activity IN the last three days
~ have ACCOMPLISHED valuable work
,srr The whole front, HGis reports.
C,-ra1 forutcaious have been bonn
S.rsed with tons of explosives, photo
r,ohs have been taken over an eN-
..-ayc area and the eneny's air forces
lave beer weakened 10 the extent OF
sixteen machines. eight OF which were
i,oueht down on Thursday. In all
asss operations the British lost Just
ge plane.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
British and Russians
Together Rout Turks

LONDON. Dec. s.-The following off,
cial statement concerning operations IN
Mesopotamia was issued to-day:
after securing Sakaltutsn Pass on
Tuesday, the Turks we're pursued 10
the village of Kara Tepeh, twenty-five
miles north Of Deli Abbas. through
which the enemy was driven Wednes-
day. after a sharp engagement. The
pursuit was made over difficult country
containing boys and intersected by
numerous water courses. The British
and Russians fighting on our night
flank showed great powers of endur-
nnce. overcoming all obstacles.
"Friday our airplanes bombed luz
Kurmatli, with good results.
ut is reported the TURKS have set
fire 10 the Kifri coal mines. IS nres
were observed burning there THURSDAY.
"The total captures between Monday
and Wednesday were 227 prisoners. in
Guiding the commander of the Tooth
Regiment and six other officers. two
field guns and one machine gun"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
Germany and Belgium to
Exchange Civilian Prisoners

HAyRE. Dec. 9.-Through the inter-
vention of King Alfonso OF Spain an
agreement has been reached under
which Belgium will repatriate all Ger
man civilians removed from German
Fast Africa who are now interned IN
France. Germany in turn is TO set
free all Belgian women and children
interned in German camps who are
undergoing sentences for misdemean-
ors. They are TO be allowed to re,
turn to occupied Belgium, Switzerland
or France.
Germany is also to set free promri-
nent Belgian coionials arrested under
reprisal measures. Further mutual
liberations Of prisoners are 10 be dis
cuesod later under the agreement.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
US. Graduates of BayonetSchool
Thrill Officers Of the Allies
British and French Enthusiastic Over Energy and okll
Displayed by Pershing's Men-Now Ready
to Go Over the Top

with determination, thrusting, parry
ing, clubbing. 49,
Fyen more yieor was shown by the
men as they occupied the trench line
end. up with their officers, went over
the TOP in charge. meeting dummy
Germans on the way and finally occupy
ing the enemy trench. The operation
began BIZ firing from the trench AZ the
dummies in the enemy trench, ana tne
demonstration Of markmanship showed
the value Of practice wit the rue.
Some of the men recorded perfect
scores, while not more than three out
Of the whole class fell below 80 in
possible 100.
The men went furiously at the
charge, urged on b. the most emphatic
language tina. British sergeant-maJor
might be credited with having at his
command. He shouted 10 mis- men:
"Giye il to 'em-in the heart, in the
throat That's the way! II you don't
get them, they'll get you! On your
toes all the time! Quick! Quick!
Quick!
Knew What TO Do
The urging for speed appeared en-
tirely unnecessary. The men knew
what to do, and they we're so well
trained that orders were anticipated
and executed almost simultaneously
with the giving.
The French and British officers
watching the exercises we're enthusi-
astic. especially at the speed and en-
erpy of the Americans. Some % the
graduates will be sent immediately 70
i.ewly arrived units as instructors. A
new class in this school will begin work
at once.
Other bayonet schools, with the same
curriculum, have been or are being
established at many places IN the
American zone, and numerous other
classes will soon be turned out as pro-
6cicnt in this necessary art.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10

ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY, Dec. s. In the
course Of rather extended CONVERSE
tion to-day with General Armando Diaz,
chief Of staff Of the Italian army, who
is now directing the operations on the
Italian front, the correspondent drew
his attention 20 the recent statement Of
General Won Ludendorff, Of the German
staff, concerning Italy. The German
general had said that one effect Of the
Italian campaign was to shorten great
y the Austro-German front.
"Tha: is quite true" said General
Diaz, and it is equally true that It
has shortened the Italian front, for
when the cnemy's front is shortened it
automatically shortens the front Of
those before the enemy. II any. consola-
ton is to be drawn it is entirely mu-
tual."
With regard TO Won Ludendorff's allu-
sion TO Trieste in the same interview, in
which he declared it was now out o.
danger, General Diaz declared en-
phaticslly:
"The question OF Trieste will never
Re settled" And then he reiterated,
with q shake OF the mead: no; just
so long rs Trieste remains in the hands
of Austria Trieste will remain IN dan
ger. Trieste has been GermaniZed 70
some extent, but il is essentially an
Italian city. in an Italian province,
with an Italian population, and that
will make il an everlasting danger TO
those who hold It against It's natural
instincts and in defiance Of nationality,
which the American President has de-
fined cs the right Of every community
20 direct its own political des:inies.'
Weather FavOrs Teutons
General Won Ludendrof's assertion
that the mildness of the season had in
creased the difficulties Of the Austro-
German campaign, especially in the
mountains. struck General Diaz as
quite az variance with the facts.
con the contrary" he said, "the sea-
son has operated wholly 10 the adj
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
German Mine Field
Found OFF Australia
Extends for Nearly Five
Miles in Direct Route
of Vessels
[Specinl CorrespondenceI

SYDNEY, Nov. 10 by maiD.-Aus-
tralia is greatly excited over an ex-
.ensive German mine field just diseov-
cred of the coast here. There Is
great deal OF speculation as TO the cir
cumstances under which the field was
planted.
One Of the officers Of the vessel which
discovered the field said that the mines
we're the latest and most powerful Ger
many was known to possess. They were
oval shaped, measuring four feet six
inches long BY two feet seven inches
vide, and constructed Of quarterback
steel. Weighing ABOUT 200 pounds, they
were filed With T y T. one Of the most
powerful explosives made.
These mines" the officer went on,
"werc laid out in proper and scien-
tifc mine field, extending for about
I'VE miles. They were situated right
on the direct route for vessels In thai
vicinity"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
American Troops
Very Earnest and
Helpful, Says Byng
Victorious British General
at Cambria Pays Trib-
ute to Our Men

VERY earnest, very modest and very
helpful
This is the way General Sir Julian
Byng, hero of the recent British drive
in France, described the American SOL
diers he has seen in that country TO Sir
Walter Roper Lawrence, c. B., G. c.
|. t., K. c. |. T., c. |. F., recently ar
rived in this country on special war
mission.
"And," added Sir Walter, who has
had the opportunity o. studying the
American soldier in France at first
hand, 81 must say that is my opinion,
too. They are fine fellows to look at
as good looking soldiers as any man
might wish 20 see. They have a won
derfully springy step, much more
springy than one sees in other sol
ders. They are clean, well set up, and
they are always cheerful. They have
been having some nasty weather over
there, but | did not see one that did
not look cheerful"
"They are splendidly fed are your
boys, and we'll quartered," Sir Walter
continued, "and they are desperately
keen 70 learn, and as desperately keen
20 get into the thick OF things. II they
seem TO have any worries II is that
they are not getting in as quickly as
they would like TO.
II asked Sir Julian Byng what he
thought Of Americans as soldiers. You
know, he had some 600 or 700 Of them
with him at Vimy Ridge. and men who
could take that ridge could and can
take anything He walked up and
down the room for a moment, and then
he said: They are very earnest, very
modest and very helpful
Great Deal from Byng
THAT frcm Byng is great deal, FOR
he i, the type OF officer that insists on
knowing his men. Do you know that
Byug once studied up and took a meat
inspectors license? lie was then in
command Of cavalry regiment. Some
FOLKS did not understand why he should
want a meat inspectors license. IL was
very simple. He had an idea that he
should know the kind Of meat bis men
were being served, and as the one
way Of best knowing. decided TO qualify
~ an inspector, so that he could judge
for himself.
THE American troops have every
where made a decidedly favorable i'm
preston. am extremely proud of my
British citizenship, | have been all M
life, but il were an American would
De insufferab,y proud of my citizenship.
in view Of the wonderful work that
America has set about 10 do. In all
history there IL nothing tina. ap-
proaches her transporting such al
enormous army so great distance over
sea 10 fight for an ideal.
~ might be pardoned for saying that
some Of us in Europe who have been
through the thing for the last few
years appreciate more than many
Americans do how well your country is
settling down 20 the task. Some folks
tell us that you are not prohting By
the mistakes We made, but | am not so
sure Of that. At any event. you avoided
one OF our greatest blunders-you be-
gan CONSUMPTION right az the very
start.
Americas handicaps have been the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Dec. 9.-The graduation ex-
ercises" Of the large bayonet school to
day we're witnessed by several generals
and their stats. The men, who had
been trained in the British system by
British instructors, gave a demonstra-
ton of energy, speed and accuracy
which was truly American. They are
now ready to go over the top.
The scene of tire graduation was in a
broad, grassy valley, with mountain
like hills walling all Che sides. A Brit
ish sergeant major, in charge Of the
actual instruction, put the men through
the bayonet drill 70 vigorously that
more than one man was hurt. But their
wounds were not serious. One had a
hand cut with the bayonet and several
were bruised on the body and head, and
the instructor himself 50 narrowly
escaped bayonet point in the hands
OF charging young American that his
tunic was cut.
"Now, then" the sergeant. with n
heavy, long stick in his hand, would
say, when | tell YOU men 10 turn try 10
get the point to me. Now, turn! Yeah!
Yeah Give 'em he'll! That's good"
Worked Like Football Players
The Americans worked as though
they were players on a football fed,
every nerve and every hardened muscle
straining. The sergeant. by reason o.
long practice, was able to ward off
some thrusts with the point or butt,
but from many he had TO jump out Of
the way TO escape. His pupils went at
the work as if they were actually fac
ing the Germans, with jaws squared
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
Perkins to Begin Red Cross
Leadership at Once in Italy

WASHINGTON. Dec. 9.-Robert P.
Perkins. Of New York, president Of the
Bigelow Hartford Carpet Corporation,
who has been appointed Red Cross
Commissioner 10 Italy by the Red Cross
War Council. will serve without salary.
Mr.. Perkins will take over permanently
the Red Cross relief work. which re-
Gently was organized on a temporary
basis by Major Grayson NJ. p Murphy,
head of the Red Cross forces in
Europe.
The permanent commission will find
on It's arrival in Italy that relief work
is we'll advanced. The quick response
Of the American Red Cross in meeting
the situation precipitated by the Ger
offensive mas done much
70 buoy up the Italian spirit. according
10 cabled reports 70 the Red Cross
headquarters here.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10

hardicaps every peace loving nation
must suffer when entering into war.
The American people, like the Eng,lSh
people. are not fond of war They
neyer have been military people, and
they never will be, but just now we are
warlikc, and for the present We IKE
var. Il is the business in hand for the
moment and it must be attended to IN
a businesslike way.
Not War OF Conquest
"Tbjs is no war of conquest. Meth
o. the United States nor England seeks
any additional grandeur or territory.
England. | know, has all she wants TO
care for now. She does want indepen-
dence: she does not propose TO De
bossed by the Germans any more man ma
YOU do. There is but one war IN MS
iory like this, and that is your own
war for independence. This 10 inc
same kind of war, with this difference En- &c
of ono country; the stake now IS the
irdenendence Of the world.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
Official Statements
West
BRITISH

LONDON. Dee 9.-Last night the onomy's
artillery was active south OF Cambria. on
the right bank OF the Scsrpe. south Of Lens
and in the Passchendaele sector.
On Saturday forenoon naval aircraft car
-ied out bombing raid upon the Aertlyeke
.i-d-ome. The weather was cloudy. but many
bombs were dropped upon the oslectives'
The bcmbers were attacked by emery air
craft scouts. two Of which were brought
down completely out OF control. ard ap-
peared 70 be damaged.
During patrol flights two hostile mafhlnes
were destroyed and one put out OF control
an Of our machines returned safely
On Thursday our sirpianes continued thelI
reconnaissance and Photographic WoI. over
he enemys positions, lines Of communication
and airdromes. A particularly success vi
raid was carried ont against ne 81 NL'eh-
cicnne5 railway station and s'dings' "heFe
G-es we're started. +.
4 arest deal Of lighting took place IN
which FIVE hostile machines were brouRh.
down and three others driven down OUT OF
control One Of our machines Is missing.
tNJGHTI. On the Cambria froht heIc
have been encounters between our outpost
and small parties Of the enemy duIing tne
dav Wet Of G-sincoUrt the hostile aruI-
Iery was active az many points. .-,,
a raid attempted by the enemy iast hiy u ~
south OF Lens was successfully repo!Seu' We
secured few prisoners. ,-,
The enemy's artillery has shown inereaseu
activity in the Messines sector.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
Deaths Among
Our Troops Abroad

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9-The death
Of four enlisted men, three from natu-
raj causes and one through accident,
was reported By General Pershing to-
day 20 the War Department They
were.
MALLADY. JOHN A., private, Head
quarters and Supply Company, Coast
Artillery Corps, December s. menin-
gifts; brother, Edward Mallady, Jer-
sey City, y. J.
BARNETT. GEORGE s., private. En-
gineers. december ;. measles ana
pneumonia; friend. Dave J. Peddy-
carty, Balm, Minn.
BENNETT. ALBERT r., private, Coast
Artillery, December 6. motorcycle
accident; mother, Mrs. L. W. Hughes,
Tuscola, Ind.
SalITH, ROY A, private, Engineers,
December 6, pneumonia; mother,
Mrs. Anna Smith, Coda. ore.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10

battles. they expect 20 be able TO hold
or any force that opposes them or at
tempts % break through
The Austro-Germans have advanced
80 two points-on the Asisgo Platesp
and in the neghborhood Of Monte
Grappa and Monte Tomba, just west OF
the Piave-until they nearly overlook
the plains below. leading into Central
and Northern Italy.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
100 Ambulances for Italy
Purchased by Poets Fund

Robert Underwood Johnson, chair
nan Of the Poets Ambulance Fund.
imhounced yesterday that Sl62 242.Ob
,ad been subecribed 20 the fund thus
az Nelson Gay. representative Of the
'snd IN Rome. has already purchased
hundred smbulances. seventy-si1 oil
taieh are IN commission on the Italian
iost, and the remaining twenty-four
sm 30 into commission on Decem-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
AUSTRIAN

VIENNA. Dee. 9.--In the Italian theatre
our brave troops TO the east Of the AgiEso
yesterday stormed strong vantage points OF
Steuhe and maintained them against violent
attacks.
The prisoners captured by Field Marshal
Conrad Won Hoetzendorf since Tuesday eS-
coed 1900.
Our aviators yesterday fought numerous
aerial battles and shot down six Italian air
plane.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-10
Italian Front
ITALIAN

ROME. Dec S delayed ON tho Asisgo
Plateau yestei day the infantry action was
limited 10 patrol encounter. Between the
As.ago and III, head Of the Franzella Pass
movements Of enemy troops, which always
kept cut Of ou. rife range. were shelled for
a long time by the concentrated fire OF our
batteries, and they also served as objectves
for n big bombardn.ent by our air squadrons
and those % or allies. Altogether $50 ma
chimes dropped BOMBS on the enerny's lines
causing damage and lcsscI ard explosions IN
ammunition dumps. The valiant airnen' hy-
ing low. attacked enemy troeps with machine
guns.
On the rest Of the front there were srtil-
Trey actions only. which were rather intense
on the lower Pisye. Last night our airfhip5
in the neighborhood Of Quero and Motta d
Liyenza bombar'cd with several tons OF
boubs biyouacJ and moor iorry columns IN
movement Tire, enemy machines were
brought down during the day.
Dec. 9.--From Stelvio 20 the Brenta River
the fighting generally was limited. In the
Laearina Valley our patrols captured some
enemy soldiers. and on the Asihgo Plateau
our batteries repeatedly heavily shelled hos
tile forces In movement.
Between the Brenta and Pave rivers the
artillery fire, which had been very violent
during the afternoon became normal again
IN the carly evening. a French recon-
NOTHING patrol brought back ten prisoners.
On the Piaye Plain and In the SAdola VAL
ley the artillery activity by both sides was
very noticeable Numerous enemy patrols
we're rcpused by our rife Are.
Our Caproni machines effectively lombard
Cd the enemy's lines Of Communication on
the Asiago Plateau, aftrrward firing with
machine guns on troops leaving the bombed
places.
Last night our airships repeated their dar-
ing raids. dropping more than four tons OF
bombs on enemy encampmeuts near Quero
Motta al Liyenza and PortOgruAro. Two
enemy airpianes we're brought down. and a
captive balloon which was on FIRE fell in the