davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
GERMAN ATTACK FAILED.
BROKEN UP BY HEAVY ARrII..
LERY FIRE.
united States Infantry Comes Out to
Meet Germans Byt Enemy Fails 10
Appear.

With the American Army in France
March ~ tBy the Associated Press)
Whst promised a German attack on
the American lines northwest of Toul
THIS morning was broken up by
Amsrican artillery fire.
The enemy had heavily bombarded
e<rtain positions of the American lines
ana then had sent a sweeping bar
nge across No Mans Land. Enemy
trench mortars. firing from the west
81 kichecourt. started box barrage
and from enemy machine guns came
aIrain OF bullets.
the American infantry emerged
mont their underground covers at the
proper moment and advanced to meet
the expected assault. Meanwhile. the
sounter barrage against the German
aide OF No Mans Land apparently was
enective for although the Amer.
leans waited no Germans appeared.
What happened on the other side Of
The line is not known.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
Insect Foresight.

On a eertain evening last autumn
says the Washington Star a groun or
FARMERS sat around the stove I'm the
Eenesal store and joined In a general
and heartfelt complaint about the
ravawes OF the potato bugs.
The pest ate my whole potato
crop In two weeks" said one farmer.
They ate my crop In two DAYS"
said a second farmer. "and then they
roasted on the trees to see IL ia plant
more"
A salesman who was travelling for
n seed house cleared his throat.
That's remarkable" he said. "but
iet me tell you what I saw in our
own store. ! saw couple of potato
bugs examining the books about a
week ago before planting time to sec
who had bought seed"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
CLAIMS IN TEXAS.
Some OF the Cases the Boards Have
Hand to Consider.

Dallas, Texas, March 27.-While
some exemption boards have been
weighing the claims of objectors to
military services who had revived long
forgotten dependents, at least two
Texans willing to serve have received
honorable discharges because the
army decided it would put 30 great a
strain on the United Sta govern
ment to keep them in shoe,.
The recruits recently were discharg-
ed from Camp Travis at San Antonio
because Of the high price of leather.
Both were negroes from the Texas
bottoms and both were valiant in their
wishes to get the German emperor.
II either could have stepped on him,
it would have ended the war. Each
would have worn shoes number Is if
the army could have supplied them.
1T was estimated that shoes would
have to be made to order for them at
a cost of $40 a pair and so they were
sent back to the farms.
Some Of the exemption claims have
been freakish. l. Dallas, a fearful
claimant pictured the suffering of his
grandmother if his support were re-
moved. An investigation proved she
had been dead twenty years. and in
the opinion of the board members, it
was the first time the obJector had
thought of it. He was arrested and
is still in Jail.
Only few Texans now ask exemp-
ton on conscientious grou ads. Train
ing camp customs are becoming fa-
miliar to persons in all parts Of the
State and the conscientious objector's
knows he is sure of safe, if not saw
ory. job with the kitchen Police.
A Dallas negro. suspicious of the
virtue of written claims, took his evil
dence with him. When called before
the board, he herded in seven chill
dren and his wife. and professed q
perfect willingness to serve in the
army if the board would promise to
take care of his family. He was
granted exemption.
Another Dallas man asked the board
members to read a packet of love let
ters in order to convince them Of the
acute suffering his wife would UNDER
go if he left her to serve with the coll
ors. The board was vissbly affected
and was weakening rapidly when an
investigator brought in wcrd that the
man had married after the first call
and that the letters had been made to
order by dutiful and obedient wife.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
DESTROY GERMAN WARSHIPS?
Hun Rammcd Amidships and Cut in
Half by the Destroyer Botha.

hohdon, March 26.-In the engage
ment between Allied and enemy de-
stroyer squadrons off Dunkirl< last
Thursday the British destroyer Botha
cut German warship in half and took
ieading part in the fight, although
her main steam pipe had been severed
oy stray shell. Early last Thursday
morning the British destroyers Botha
ana Morris and the French destroyers
Capitaine Mehl, Magon and Rouclier
were patrolling the eastern waters of
the English channel when thew heard
enemy ships bombarding the coast of
Dunkirk. They fired star shells. which
mad the effect of slencing the bonn
bardment and scattering the enemy.
The destroyers started in pursuit of
the Germans in a northwesterly di-
rection and discovered eventually that
the enemy ships were making for
their base. A grim fight ensued, ac-
cording to stories of eyewitnesses.
None of the German torpedoes
round a mark, but the Morris, emerg-
ing from an enemy smoke screen. cut
OH German destroyer of q large type
ana torpedoed her at range Of 500
yards. There was an explosion in the
enemy vessel and she sank Immediate
ly.
Meanwhile the Botha had been
crippled and she began losing her
way. The crew determined to do
what damage they could and fired
Doth their torpedoes at the two lead
ing enemy boats. Then. her helm hav.
ing been put hard over. the Botha
rammed another boat cleanly amid
ships. cutting the enemy vessel in
half.
Swinging around, the Botha at
tempted to repeat the ramming ma
noeuver on the next German astern.
The enemy craft, however, eluded the
effort of the crippled Britisher, but
only to fall victim to the French de-
stroyers. Ablaze, the German boat
lay disabled while the Frenchmen
pounded her with torpedoes and, gun
fire.
The Morris lost the rest of the
quarry in the mist and took the lame
Botha in tow, while the French de-
stroyers circled around, picking up
prisoners. From the statements of
prisoners it appears that eighteen Ger
man craft participated in the raid.
and when they fled from the French
coast, leaving three of their number
pehind' they were attacked by a Brit
ish naval air squadron, which pelted
them with bombs and scattered them
in disorder in all directions.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
was peculiarly fine and yet

companist, was peculiarly fine and yet
amusing.
Light refreshments were served af-
ter the meeting by u committee of
charming ladies and school girls and
teachers. County Superintendent of
Education j. III. Haynsworth, and
Secretary r.. /. Reardon of the Sumter
Chamber Of Commerce were present
but not on the program, but each of
these gentlemen ate twenty-three diff
ferent kinds of wheat substitute cakes
and drank twenty-three glasses each
of lemonade. one glass and one cake
for each Of the twenty-three brave
soldiers honOred with a star in the
service flag, and were about to take
u little refreshments for themselves
when the meeting adjourned.
substantial sum was yoluntori,v
contributed for the Red Cross fund
now much the dear ladies haven't
given out as yet as they say there are
others' to be yet interviewd who
were unavoidably absent Wednesday,
Wedgefeld has right to feel big. and
proud, and patriotic, and South Car
oiina, the United States, and last but
not least the Gamecock County. Sum
ter, all have just cause for feeling
proud of Wedgefield, it's people, it's
brave soldier boys and men. it's
school, and it's teachers and pupils.
III every school does half us well as
Wedgefeld the Kaiser is clicked tn q
FRAGILE" and the victory for human
liberty will surely be won.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

Hams Claim Capture OF Nine Hundred
Guns.

Berlin. March &c (via London)
March 2s.--The number of guns can.
snred by the Germans In the battle
now In progress has increased to s6s
army Headquarters announced today.
BiacheA Barleux and Etalon have
been captured by the Germans.
81 41rs than 100 tanks were lying in
eopfared positions. 1t is added
The Germans are standing on the
ne'ehis to the north of Noyon. They
coptufed Bussy. Bihueourt. Biefviilers,
ofehillers. Tries and Miraumont and
crossed the River Ancre. Since the
beginnins OF the battle. says the state
ment. 30 enemy airplanes and six
eaptivs balloons have been brought
dbwh.
British troops Just brought forward
stacked the German lines violently
rom the direction OF Albert. They
we're siriven back. the reports state,
after a bitter struggle.
The text OF the statement reads:
In continuation of the great battle
IN France our troops yesterday
schitvsd fresh successes. English di-
Visions brought up from Flanders and
Italy and French divisions threw
tnemHlves against our troops In des-
perate attacks. They were defeated.
The armies of General Won Beulow
and Don. Won der Marwitz have final
~ maintained themselves In Ervillers
after . hot and huctuating battle. and
IN their advance against Achiet ie
Grand captured the villages of Bihu-
court Biefvillers and Grevillers. They
Also have captured Irles and Mirau-
mont and have crossed the Ancre Riv-
<r.
English troops. freshly brought
forward. attacked violently on a wide
tront from the direction OF Albert.
me enemy was driven back after a
bitter struggle.
/. We nave crossed the Bapaume-Al-
~" road near courcelette and Poz-
eres. :, the south of Peronne. Gen
erai Won Hofaker has forced a pas
sege across the somme and has taken
oy "crm the height OF Maisonette.
which was so hotiy contested in the
somre battle of 1916. as well as the
villages OF Biaches and Barleux.
strons enemy counterattacks wore
themselves out before our lines.
The army OF General Won Hutier
after hard fighting drove the enemy
hack near Marchelpot and Hatten-
court across the Peronne- oye Rail
way. The tenaciously defended Etal-
Ion was wrested from the French and
Engilsn."
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

party of Jocks" were partaking
OF bully beef and biscuits i'm the
trenches. They sighed as they cheWed,
and then one burst out:
Just think OF, boys, twa eggs fow-
er slices O. bread and bowl of tea
for half franc!"
There was a sudden silence, and
when the little party had recovered
from their dizziness one asked:
"Where can you get all that?"
Nae place." answered the first
speaker sadly. mae place. But lust
think O't!'-Kansas City Star.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
ALSACE-DORRAINE.

London, March 25 (Correspondence
oil The Associated Press s)---Symptom
regarded in some quarters here as in
dicating that the German government
is preparing the public for some
change of front on the Alsace-Lor-
raine question are found in some of
the German newspapers. Macmillan
Harden recently launched the first
suggestion of this in his Zukunft and
his condemnation of the traditional
German attitude was neither censor
ed nor challenged. Professor Del
brueck followed in the same strain i'm
one of the leading reviews. apparently
feeling out the public pulse.
AS there was still no serious reac-
ton, another leading publicist, Prof.
Martin Fassbender, has just added an
other contribution along the same
line, which is particularly significant
owing to the factt hat Fassoender is a
close personal friend of tine German
emperor, and has often been spoken
or in the list of private advisors
Prof. Fassbenders article appears
in the Deutsche Politk. 1t says i'm
part:
THE French base their claims to
Alsace on the fact that the Alsatians
are alta ched i'm their hearts to France.
This unfortunately is only too true.
The reproach levelled at us, that we
do not understand how to assimilate
conquered territories, is we'll founded,
and it is phenomenon wfsich merits
our best attention.
"In 1853 Colbert wrote to his BROTH
er. the first Administrators Of Alsace,
eXhorting him to treat the Alsatians
better than the inhabitants of Ger
many were treated by their rulers.
At the same time he urged the clergy
to use their influence to induce the
Alsatians to become good French
men. The consequence was that i'm
1915 when the German troops entered
they met not with complete
Indifference, but active hostility on the
part OF the inhabitants of chat prov.
nee.
with us Germans, an administra-
ion of such n nature is impossible
Ours is a regime which admits OF no
change. Hence, when the function
'ries of such II regime treat the in
labitants badly. 1t is difficult TO con-
'iliate them and even more difficult
O assimilate them.
THAT is why Alsace- Lorraine will
always remain an open sore in tho
ierman body polite"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
Rascais and Rascals.

"A negro who was well known to
the judge had been hailed into court
on charge of having struck q rela-
1--WE with IL brick. After the usual
prcliminaries the court inquired;
why did you hit this man?"
"Jedge. he called me u black ras-
cal"
q We'll, YOU are one aren't you?"
essah, maybe I is one. But
Jedge, s'pose some one should calls
you dc kind of rascal you is. what'd
you do ?''-OutlOok.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
Boys High.


Money value of stamps bought by
the four schools for white children OF
the public school system, $1.O02.51.
This is splendid record and shows
that the youngsters Of Sumter, of
both sexes, know that there is a better
use for money than to spend it in idle
pleasure. They are helping the boys
at the front.
Winn school is just outside the city
limits little way up the Broad
street road. The few children that
attend divided themselves into two
teams for" selling stamps, and the
Gamecocks under Capt. Truesdale
Mosely sold 112, and the Swamp
Foxes under Capt. Vera Fox sold
l26. The proceeds were therefore
$4,000, that these few children gath
cred in for the nation. They have not
stopped working yet.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

encourages the agency to better ef-
forts. If you think that the agency is
Indifferent about selling, has not made
a tasty and catchy display of his pos
ters, or otherwise is not alert to help
ing the work onward, give MIN a gen.
tie lecture. If you find store that
does not keep the stamps ut all-well
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

You simply cannot trust any
body. Everyone seems so dishonest
nowadays" declared the woman. "My
maid. In whom i had the utmost con-
ldence, left me suddenly yesterday
ana took with her my beautiful pearl
brooch"
Thats too bad" sympathized the
TREND. which one was it?"
That very pretty one / smuggIed
'hrough last spring. "-Pittsburgh
Chronicle Telegraph,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
lie Found Out.

COunsel-COme, sir, do you mean
to tell me you didn't see the COM
plainants cow on the land? How
near should you be to the beast to
recognize it?
Witness-About the distance I am
from you.-EverybOdy's Magazine.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

The fishermen are beginning to get
the spring fever, the only remedy for
which is fishing tackle and u can of
bait. The other article that used to
he considered necessity for q fish
Ing trip IL non est comeatibus.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

There are more than 70 authorized
agencies in the city of Sumter for
stamp selling. but very few Of them
are yet awake to the fact that they
can really do effective and patriotic
work for the country by calling at
tention of the shoppers to the fact
that the stamps are there and are for
sale. Even fewer turned in reports.
but in the few were:
Sumter Gas & Power Co.. -. sS42s
ID. j. Chandler Clio. Co...... 1O4.s6
DeLorme's Pharmacy. -. o.. 215.0O
warren "A. Smith. :. .. .. $1,000
or the amount sold by Mr.. Smith
and his associates little Miss Reba
Spann sold stamps to the extent of
1910.
The Patriotic Club. which is a social
group of eight young ladies, is not an
authorized agency, but deciding that
they wished to help in the general
work, few weeks ago they decided
10 canvass for War Savings. They
sold through Tuesday evening $3S4.25.
or which Miss Natalie Norman had
$21O to her credit.
Merely to stimulate others to good
oeeds the Following list is given Of
purchasers of 500 or over:
I. w. McCollum, through
PEOPLES Banl, e,oo m
{. j. Dwyer, through va
rious agents .. .. o. .. 10000
Robert Shelor .. .. 100 90
Mrs. G. M. Bryan 100 90
L. Scott DuBose, through De-
Lorme's Pharmacy. 10000
Mrs. e. ~ Frierson. through
National Bank of Sumter -. 275.O0|
"A. d. Knight .. .. .. 10000
GOV. Manning :. =. .. >. .. 100000
Major Wyndham NJ. Man
'i"5 's &c .. -. 1,UUU.VO
or this latter $500 was through the
sumter postOiiice, $500 having been
bought some time previously. No one
Is allowed to buy over 81, 10000 worth
OF stamps, maturity value.
Chairman Moses asks that all large
sales be reported to him, and the
agency through whom the purchase
was made, so that they can be publish
ell from time to time for the encour-
agement of others.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

War IL run on n cash basis. but
the cash has 70 be borrowed from the
people. buy thrift stamps--Mem-
phis Appeal.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

Among other things tho Germans
nro ff1ding That Russia is country
N magnificent distances. Knoxville
Qurfial and Tribune.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
SOME BUYERS OF THRIFT STAMPS
what Some OF the Sumter People Have
Done to Help the Movement to Lend
the Nation Money.

Through Tuesday 2Gth the four
schools of the city system had bought
stamps as follows:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30

When you want to buy stamps buy
them from an agency. This relieves
the postotfice OF part OF the work, and
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04

him unlimited opportunity to depelop
all the Prussia,,tsm that there ioGs Il,
him.. 1t is said that eVen the Ger
mans hate him. He directed thecoUer-
running of Serbia, and b0Gsted that he
had utterly crushed that small count
try. A year later, he destroyed Ron-
mania IN the same manner, and in 1917
he Saperinteaded the Cdporetto disds-
ter which so nearly sent Italy to ruin.
But the Italians turned the Germans
back at the PiGve, and Gen. Byng aDith
his tanks at Cambria Shotoed the Ger
mans that they did not dare to take
their troops out OF France. MGcken
sen. therefore, 1cas sent back to the
out Of the helpless people, and Leave
the aOestern front free to his riudls.
Hindenburg and LudendofJ .- ..
When the present Balkan offensive
started Don Mackensen telegraphed
frGnticdllu to the Kaiser for more
troops, but got in reply a demand to
furnish soldiers for the fighting IN
France. ,Himdenburg's lines tocre crpnp--
every available soldier aoas needed to
stiGen the defense. So, aoith a hand
fnl of troops scrdped together from
R0MnGftid, Macheitse,, rushed to Sofia,
trying to stem the fnsh,--baf he tCds
too late. Bulgaria 4Uas tchipped aud
oct of the f0Gr, tohen he got there. and
the Austyidns a0ere IN 4Oild retreat,
apitk German nnits leading in the
fight. 41hile the Serbiuns, Italidns,
French aud British tCere hotlg pnrsu-
ing the broken army. .Mackensen
ground his teeth, but could do no
more, as he sa,p his Serbian condne't.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04
DIDN'T VISIT PRESIDENT:
STACKER SIGNS REGISTRY:
FAILED OVER RELIGION

George Grau, residing about two
miles out of Tenstrike, decided today
not to 60 to Washington to explain
to President Wilson the reason for
his not having registered when he
should have. He registered with the
draft board and filled out ques-
tionnaire, instead Of interviewing
the president, and will return to his
habitat.
On Sunday, Chief of Police Essler
went to see the "slacker,' being In
formed before hand that Grau was a
bad 'un," but the chief automatically
discussed farming and finally got
around to the failing to register.
Finally the chief informed Grau
that he would have to go to Wash
ington and explain it to his presi-
dent, whereupon Grau was agreeable.
He cleaned UP, changed his clothing,
packed a grip and came to Bem1dji
in company with Joe Herman and
w. A.. Rice and landed in the court
house.
The exact status Of Grau is uncer-
tain, but he seems to be somewhat
twisted on religion.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04
DyiUi1tg the Germans back step by
tsp, mile by mile, this apeek sees the

DriUing the Germans back step By
step, mile By mile, this week sees the
Allies occupy the str0ngholds of OS-
tend, Zeebruge, Lille, DouGi, Conrtrai,
and Meaiat. All important key stones
ia. the arches of the German lines IN
france and Belgium. France is aloto
almost cleared of the deteSted Hnhs.
The victo,ious Allies are s1ueepin0 the
German drnieS back in Belgiltnl aUith
broad. attacks. But the end Is not
net. : . i , - IT,. gz4..- 81. ~. .. -. -.-.,. q
With the peculiar Uie,o point of the
German mind the military leaders
headed By the Kaiser talk of sitting at
the peace table Nth Cipilised nations,
prate Of their dignity, talk OF their
mar Of defense; It seould seem. from
BRUCE 1cere left behind untouched by
time to destroy or they are needing
the cords of President WILSON Pres
ent indications are for a stand By the
Germans on q line of defense drGtoat
from Ant1oerp south to Metz. This
tCiH enable them to retreat in better
order to the frontier defe9tses OF Ger
many ,ohtch toould seem Imminent.
The present dassling allied successes
IN the Bdlkans hos had a certain spec
.tdtor on the German side 4nho- must
feel the irony of the situation, keenly.
That person is Field Marshall voas
Mackensen Yet, u, the 410rking of
the destruction Of Germany, It is alto
gether fitting that Don Mackensen
should suffer first. He began his mil
ttary career some 1orty-fUs years ago
bH numbering four French toonten trho
trusted him. Tho nresent .car gave
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04

The sight of a uniformed police
man patroling St. Philips Catholic
church Sunday forenoon evoked con-
siderable comment pro and con, the
officer being assigned to duty at the
order of the mayor, acting in COM
pliance with the order issued by the
Bemidji board of health upon the
public closing order Of the state
oard Of health to prevent the spread
the Spanish influenza.
Only One Exception.
The order for closing all public
places in Bemidji included the
churches and ali complied and re-
mained closed with the exception of
st. Philips church. Chief of Police
Essler asked that the church be
closed and, it is asserted, the request
met with refusal. Then the mayor
acted and enforced the order by the
of Officer Tibbetts.
Father Philippi today brought to
The Pioneer copies of Catholic news
papers. one of which contained an
article by Cardinal Gibbons, in which
he declared the order issued broad
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-11-04
POLICE PATROL CHURCH DOOR
TO insure CLOSING ORDER

cast by health bureaus for closing of
public places, including the churches,
giving as his reason that he "be-
lieved it would be much needed
relief to our church-going popula-
tion if they could be allowed to
attend brief morning services" and
he took issue with the closing of
churches and allowing stores, fac
tories, office. buildings, banks, ETC.,
to remain open.
Many Kicks Made.
Calls to the police department
were many Sunday and Chief Essler
was kept busy. One Of the pro-
testers was woman who informed
the chief that the pastor of the
church has power to remove the
mayor, the police and any officer in
the city. The chief had some doubts
but took. it good naturedly.
- AT any rate, the mayor and board
of health acted on the campaign of
the state board and in the best in
terests of Bemidji and its people, and
it was matter of conserving the
health of the entire citizenship Of
the city and nothing else.