davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
Germany Makes Greatest
Gamble in World History
in Present Stroke.
BRITONS CONFIDENT
OFFENSIVE WILL FAIL
London Press Unanimous in Belief
That Decisive Struggle Now Being
Waged on Fields of Flanders Will
Result in Allied Success-But Ono
Vulnerable Point in Defensive Line
Chief Danger Zone Below St.
Quentin.

London, March 23.-The attention OF
all England was centered today on the
west front. There was no boastful-
ness but there was feeling of con-
fidence in the army.
The newspapers warn against undue
optimism, but they point out that the
tish breast Notwithstanding years of
peace.
deed Is the great German offensive. the
most colossal struggle in the worlds g
animously of the opinion that Its fail
ure will mean the end OF the war The
Press says:
Germany has committed herself to
the greatest gamble in history. We be-
lieve she VII. fan
The Morning Post cautions the ma
tion "to keep a cool head and allow
no plausible argumentations up n
scant food to persuade 1t to premature
conclu sion."
The Manchester Guardian says:
If the Germans persist in attacks
and lose they will have lost the war
and the only thing left doubtful would
be the magnitude Of their defeat
But One Vulnerable Point.
This newspaper points out that al
no point except one would German
strategic victory be decisive. That
point is below ST Quentin. Here then
Is the CHIEF danger zone.
The point made by the Guardian Il
Of interest in connection with Field
Marshal Haig's report this morning
saying the Germans had broken thru
west Of st. Quentin.
The Daily News says:
"Altho the maximum Of the strength
Of the allies will be felt only with the
arrival Of the American forces, the
news OF the opening Of the creates,
battle Of the war is received with re-
lief. There Is satisfaction In
the thought that Germany now can
not afford to fail"
German Papers Reflect Confidence.
The German newspapers reflect a
feeling OF confidence concerning the
present operations in the west. tho the
seriousness of the :ic;ian: !s recog
nized, according to dispatch from
Amsterdam.
The papers insist that the leaders
have left. nothing undone to spare their
people this terrible blood BATH
Comment in the German press az
summarized by the Copenhagen cor
respondent OF the Exchange Telegraph
Company Is to the effect that the pre-
sent battle Is the last before peace
comes. The newspapers say German
need hold on but short time and
victory will behattained.
The Central News say all sort of de-
tails are being sent out by German
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

the Germans undoubtedly make much
Of these captures. But the Germans
suffered great slaughter.
The fiercest fighting was northwest
and southwest Of Cambria, Fighting
was severe about Rnllecourt. Hargi-
court is the southern center. A bright
sun came out at midday and the avi-
ators were active. The British used
their machine guns against the oppos-
ing infantry.
Before they attacked today on the
sector between tho Canal Du Nord and
Croiselles On the northern battle front,
the Germans for four hours smothered
the British with every conceivable
form Of hate which gun could throw.
British Troops JubiIant.
mortars to cut the wire entanglements.
The British had had warnings that the
Germans would use great quantities Of
gas shells and this proved true.
The British Tomnlies and their off,
GERS fought for hours with their gas
masks on but even this drawback
could not lampen the siubilation at the
havoc they caused as the German in
fantry presented themselves in the
form Of point blank targets. Nine
German divisions presented themselves
in this form.
AS on Thursday the Germans today
depended on great artillery lombard
ments and massed attacks with great
numbers Of troops to achieve results.
Thruout the night the battle front
extended southwark and 1t was re-
ported this morning that the French
army was now engaged.
The most intense fighting was around
Roisel and Trincourt. The slaughter
In the enemy ranks was appalling.
Many times every available gun In the
area was concentrated on solid masscd
bodies of enemy troops while the air
men grew weary with e1nptying their
machine gun drums and dropping their
bombs into the dense gray cloud OF
troops and returning for more ammu-
milton.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
HUNS L0NG-RANGE GUNS SMELLING PARIS
British Revsrse
Not Alarming

The second day or the German OK
fensive in France has resulted favor
ably to German arms. From oil re-
ports chtainahle, however, the Brit
ish line has not been broken and tho
retreat to prepared defeGses In the
rear has been made In good orde-. Re-
verses of this character are to be ex-
pected as tho result OF massed at
tacks with men and heavy guns. Un-
less the advantage can be pushed the
advance might be turned into disaster,
as attestcd by the drive OF General
Haig last fall.
II the entire British defense zone
has been penetrated it would be the
first time in the war on the western
front since the opposing armies have
established trench systems that the
defense line has been broken.
Many military critics had reached
the opinion that on account OF the
strength OF the lines 1t would be i'm
possible to break them until one side
or the other had been so Worn down
that 1T was impossible to man them
strongly.
The statement Of the British wa- Of
fce that the troops west Of st. Quen-
tin are falling back to prepared posi-
tions indicates that the Germans. al
tho they nave broken thru the British
defensive system have not pierced
the entire zone of British defense.
The allusion may be only to the
main battle front positions. II that
is the case the Germans have done
little more than repeat what the Brit
ish did in the battle of the Somme
when they pierced the Hindenberg
line. forcing the Germans to retreat
to prepared positions in the rear.
British Line Not Broken.
AS the result Of the struggle on
that part OF the front just west OF
Camhrai. where the fighting was ap
nowhere been broken and Field Mar
shall Haig's men nave inflicted fright
full casualties on the enemy.
AS an indication of the sanguinary
nature of tho fighting. the Berlin for
eign office states that 10000 men and
200 guns have been captured This
may be compared to the British losses
IN the German counter offensive OF
Dec 4. 1917, when 5000 men and 100
guns were captured.
Plan of the Enemy.
The first reports Of infantry hght-
ing were indicative Of an attempt on
the part OF the Germans to drive
wedges into both sides Of the Cam
brai salient isolate the British troops
farther east, and. regain the Hinden-
burg line. from which they were driv-
en- on Nov. % 1917 by General Byng's
sudden blow.
Subsequent dispatches have proved
that this was. indeed the plan OF the
German general staff The fighting
on the rest Of the fifty mile front was
only a side issue to the terrific on
slaught aimed at Gauche wood and
Lagnicourt the south and north bases
of the salient.
Germans Use 100000 Men.
The concentration Of men and
artillery on the British front as shown
In official reports, demonstrates that
the Germans are making n determined
effort to smash the British front
Fifty divisions. or about 100000 Teu-
tonic troops, are In the fight. The total
number Of cannon the Germans are
employing can not be estimated. but
unofficial reports say that there were
1000 guns on one small sector.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
Kaiser Assumes
German Command
On Western Front

London, March o3,-Today's official
announcement received here states
that Emperor William is now in COM
mand on the western front.
THIS announcement Is regarded as
further evidence that the emperor has
staked his all on the offensive hoping
to win and so down In history as the
victor in this great world conflict.
Dispatches from Amsterdam picture
the emperor at Spa, Belgium, which is
being kept isolated
The German Crown Prince. Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg, General Won
Ludendorff and other prominent lead
ers are also reported there with him.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
The Waathar.

Iowa--Tair in north. partly cloudy
in south portion tonight and Sunday:
not much change in temperature
Weather for the week beginning
Monday for ali districts: No decided
weather changes Indicated during the
week Occasional rains in north Pacific
states. Temperatures will average
somewhat lower and more nearly sea-
sonal.
Range Of temperature at Marshall-
town: Friday. - and e6; Thursday. S.
and s34; Thursday. March 90. 1917.
s3 and 25. At this morning, 81: yes
terday. 35.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
GERMAN SHELLS
FALL IN PARIS

N1ach23
our under execution
wondng The
An ardaarm night
south but forced turn back by the fire our
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
ENGLAND NEEDS MORE MEN.
British Premier Tells Miners They
Must Contrihute 70 EnIistnenfs

British Premier Tells Miners They
Must Contribute to EnIistments.
London, March 22.-Premier Lloyd
George in an exceedingly outspokcn
speech to deputation of the miners
federation yesterday In connection
with the miners ballot on the combing
out OF men for military service de-
clared that to>avoid defeat In the field
1t is absolutely necessary to have more
men.
"I am utterly at loss to know where
the men are to be found. If first tho
engineers and then the miners say we
will not find the mon. Other trades
will quickly take the same course.
II have just had news that the Ger
mans have attacked us on a front Of
nearly sixty miles. 7 am amazed that
1t should be considered dchatahle
whether miners and engineers are go
ing to make their contribution TO the
country
The premier declared It would be
better that the government go out OF
office than to be disobeyed.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
Gel ms 1, Batteries Shell
Tow !, n American Line,
4 ,rthwest of Toul.
SAMMIES LOCATE
BOCHE GUNNERS
RetiIiatory Fire From Amorican
Artillery Continues Thruout Morn.
ing--Yankec Gunners Also She'll Jolj
Wood Securing Direct Hits and
Destroying Enemy Munition Dumps.
tBy the Associated Press.l

With the American Army In France.
heavy gas attack against certain
town In our lines northwest OF Toul
last night. No wind was blowing and
the fumes OF mustard gas from the
shells hung low over the lines for sew
eral hours.
The batteries firing the shells were
located to the right OF Richccourt and
our artillery was busy ali morning
with a retaliatory shelling. The town
shelled contained certain number OF
Americans.
Our artillery today dropped num-
Der OF large shells into Joli wood, and
after firing a few minutes secured di
rect hits on the targets causing a tre-
mendous explosion. followed by dense
columns of smoke as an enemy muni-
ton dump blew up.
The frst explosion was followed by
two others less severe Our shells also
MADE direct hitS on the enemy nrst
and third line trenches.
Example Of American Accuracy.
The Germans again have been given
an example OF the accuracy OF the Ara
of our 81 millimeter guns. An enemy
machine gun emplacement which has
been annoying the Americans was
located and then the battery OF Little
fellows as they are known. got into
action, firing rapidly They secured
a number of direct hits and put the
emplacement gun crew out Of COM
mission.
These small guns are easily moved
from place TO place even In the
trenches. They also secured direct
hits on the junction OF communication
trenches None OF the enemy was seen
to come out.
Intermittent artillery duels have
been in progress all day. both on our
Toul front and in the Luneville sec
tor.
American Gunner DisabIes Enemy.
Three OF our patrols reached tho
enemy lines early this morning but
in the brilliant moonlight they were
discovered and driven out.
There was increased aerial activity
today. A haze obscured visibility
above low ground. One machine. with
an American observer at It's gun,
emptied a stream OF bullets into a
German machine. which descended in
trouble.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

pieces fire 17-nch shells.
Paris had been under bombardment
for about eight hours at the time the
foregoing dispatch was flied, 4:f5 p. m.
The greatest long range gun Of the
American army is the 16-inch rife.
which will throw shell about nine
teen miles.
Evidently. it was said. the German
artillerist had developed some new
world surprising weapon. altho 1t wac
thought possible they might be using
some sort OF aerial torpedo.]
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

1.-THE official announcement that
Paris is being bombarded must remain
unexplained until further details are
received. There is no breach in the
battle line before Paris to permit Of
the bringing up of guns within what
has previously been the maXlmur1
range. The most powerful guns have
been able to hurl their projectiles only
twenty miles or thereapours.
The caliber OF shells reaching Paris,
24O millimeters, Is equivalent to about
9k inches. The heaviest German siege
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

Paris, March 23.-The following Off
cial announcement was given out:
AT 500 this morning alrp1anes fly
They were pursued by French ma
chimes.
"The dropping of bom,e at several
points have been reported. There have
been several victims:
An official statemens today said air
planes attacked Paris last night, drop
ping number of bombs. There were
some casualties
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
E!ou: For Ha rdtack

Washington, March 23.--The food
administration and army and navy
purchasing department today reached
an agreement to allow manufacturers
OF hard bread and navy biscuits such
percentage of flour over the allotment
as to supply the fighting forces
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
German Tran,por+ eIown LIN

Stockholm. March c2.--Another Ger
man transport has been blown up by
u mine near the Alhnd islands at tho
same point whore the transport Hin
denberg was sunk the Dageblad re-
ports Shortly afterward the trans
port Frankland came up and rescued
the men on the transport. but the ship
was damaged severely by an other ex-
plos!on.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
CLAIM 25,ooo PRISONERS.
Germans Report Penetration Into
Second British Position.

Berlin, March 23.-Between Fontaine
les Croiselles and Moeuvres, German
forces penetrated into the second en-
emy position and captured two vii
lages. army headquarters announced
today British counter attacks failed.
So far the statement says. $4,000
prisoners, 400 guns and 800 machine
gurs have been taken.
The two villages taken on the Fon-
tains-M ocuvres front were Vaux
Vraucourt and Morchies.
1.-THE former village Is about three
and one half miles and the latter
about two and one half miles behind
the former British front.1
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
rBy the Associated Press.1

[ey the Associated Press.
British Army Headquarters in
France, II a. M, March 22.-The
British, vaIiantIy fighting, are still
presenting a solid front to the at
tackina Germans, aitho the defen-
sive troops have withdrawn their
lines at certain PLACES for stra.
tesie reasons.
British troops, between the
7 st.rps and the Disc have fallen
back in places but the British
generals had foreseen this proba-
biiity and had made plans ,accord.
insly.
Good defensive tactics usually
aim at organizing resistance 80
that the farther the enemy ad-
vanees the stronger will be the>
opposition he meets.
9 London, March 23.-Powerfuls enemy
attacks, delivered with great weight Of
Infantry and artillery. have broken
thru the British defensive system west
81 st. Quentin, the war office an
nounces.
The British troops on the northern
portion Of the field are holding their
positions.
The British west of st. Quentin are
,alling back in good order to prepared
positions.
Very heavy fighting with fresh
enemy forces is in progress. The state
lnent follows:
I Heavy fighting continued until late
hours last night on the whole battle
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

war correspondents. One talks about
100000 yards OF piping behind tho
front. Another says the number OF air
planes has been increased ten fold
Another says modern engines Of war
in great numbers are on the front
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
Huns Plan Balkan Hs,ooI.nd

Amsterdam. March 5.-[By MALL
A new Helgoland to command the
commerce OF the Black sea Is to be
constructed by Germany on Snake Is
land about twenty-five miles from the
mouth OF the Danube, according to the
Nachrichten of Hamburg. In connec-
t!on with this proposal 1t Is planned
to build a German commercial port on
the northern bank of the Danube. The
advantage OF this port would be that
1t would enable Germany TO limit
Roumanian control In Bessarabia."
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
MUNDAY FOUND GUILTY,
Convicted on Charge Of Completely
Bank Wreckino.

Chicago, March 22.--Charles r. Mum
day. on trial Mt Morris. Ill. for COM
plicity In the wrccking OF the IaSalla
Street Trust and Savings Bank, was
found guilty by Jury which reported
today. The penalty Is Imprisonment
from one to three years and $500
f1nc.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23


finally have succeeded in bringing the
Fiction at point into the open
Field Marshal Hag reports that the British defense section
Quentin broken thru by the great weight of the
\ Eder
That yielding withdrawal here expected indicated
the statement that the retirement prepared positions fur
her west the devastated district.
There nothing the to indicate that this movement
m affect seriously the strong defensive lines to the north as it
stated that these positions continue to be held by the British
orces.
Just what the effect will be the entente line the south is
ot APPARENT The British the river Disc
bout the of LaFere where the French line begins
No reports Paris to whether the
forces have become involved the great battle From the
of the point of German penetration to their lines IS
probable they will be taking part in the struggle
There another factor to be considered should the German
thrust develop seriously There created last winter
10y the supreme council at Versailles ary of maneuver
of of all the allies designed to be available for
action front where be needed It unquesonably
ready emergency and might easily the vital
HSactor in any engagement.
The battle still is along the British front with the
continuing to throw of troops into the battle
estimated that fifty German divisions (roughly 100000
men) already are actively engaged.
British falling back in excellent ORDER voluntarily
points, to maintain unbroken front.
Field Marshal Hag has deemed expedent dulge the
location of the British battle line but the most intense fight
has been around Coisees the north and Levege the
south
the CENTER the northern half of the tyme 'front.'
the Bapaue Cambra high road the British have held against
the enemy.
Near Croisees the Germans used nine divisions in their attack
south of St. Quentin they used Here the British retired
protection of the Disc and the flooded ground
The Germans announcing the capture of $4,000 prisoners
do not specify the place of fighting
The initial German efforts aimed Lagcourt at the
northern end of the sharp Cambria salient Gouzeaucou
the southern point of the salient After the first assault the
Germans firing great quantities of shells into the British posi-
TONS heightened the attacking front several miles at both
They apparently gained the first line positions but
their solid ranks.
The Germans have not yet taken advantage the concentrated
defense about the Cambria sector make another
west
Along the Chemn des Danes and in the Champagne the Ger
have been firing violently but three small
tacks in the Champagne repulsed by the French.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23

front. Late In the afternoon hostile
attacks. with great weight Of infantry
and artillery. broke thru our defensive
system near st. Quentin. Our troops
in this section are falling back in good
order to prepared positions west of st.
Quentin. Our troops on the northern
front a-e holding their positions"
Germans Use Fifty Divivisions.
The Germans forced their way into
Moery, but dashing counter attack
drove them out, Reuters correspond
ent reports. large party was surround
ed and probably was captured.
There Is reason to believe that fifty
German divisions are flowing into the
struggle and probably half as many
more are in close reserve.
The British are falling, back very
slowly and in excellent order. In many
places they are withdrawing. volun-
tarily to maintain an unbroken front.
The weather is fine but the visibili-
ty is handicapped by mists.
[Moery is fifteen miles below Arra.s
1t 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 against Hermies, about
two and a half miles back Of the old
line in the region south west Of Cam
brai.
Most Violent Every Known.
The artillery preparation Of the Ger,
mans in the drive Is described by those
engaged as the most violent they ever
endured.
"The things that stands out as char
acteristic Of the fighting up to the
present" says the correspondent Of the
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
French Renu,se German Attack.

Paris, March 23.-The Germans
launched an attack on the French
line in the Woevre district last night
which was dispersed by the French
fire. The Germans suffered appreci-
able losses.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-23
BRITISH Line
\ IS PENETRATED

Succeed Forcing Hags Retreat to Rear De-
fenses-ass Thousands of and Heavy Guns and Com
pei Retirement-British Retreat in Good Order and
Battle Continues With Increasing Intensity
4 Bombardment Most Intense in
World History.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-09

quirements for the year ending March
81. 1919; provided, however. that orders
of six tons or less may be filed in full.
"(e) Car load or barge load lots shall
not be delivered to a single domestic
consumer or to a group of consumers, ex-
cept with the permission of the local
fuel administrator.
80 Dealers shall file with the local
fuel administrator on the first of each
month a statement containing the names
and addresses of consumers to whom de-
liveries have been maded uring the previ-
Gus month and the quantity delivered to
each.
amy dealer or consumer who violates
5toa- foregoing regulations will be sub
/ .scled to the penalties prescribed by the
lever act.
such further regulations will be issued
as may be necessary to enforce the fore
TSiag
rwhe purpose of the plan is to secure
i broadcast and most equitable distrbu-
1871 possible during the coming year. The
4 Ell administration is assured by the rep
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-09
Labor Committee Will
Hold Special Meeting
Books and Journals for Soldiers in
the Army Cantonments to Be
Discussed

The cooperative and educational COM
mittee will hold a special meeting to-
night at o. clock in the Painters hail.
Lyon-Terry building. One of the mat
ters that will be discussed is the send
ing of reading matter TO men in the va
rious environments, and the Importance
Of giving the local committee who have
charge of this matter the full support of
labor.
There are many men in these camps
who are from the ranks of labor states
Secretary H. o. McClurg, who would APP
preciate light literature, and trade jour
nails and then this would be a good OPP
portunity for labor to assist in this mat
ter. Charles X. Hall, chairman, will pre-
side