The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-08-05
GERMAN BOOTY IS
WORTH MILLIONS
ALLIES CAPTURE ENORMOUS
STORES OF AMMUNITION,
GUNS AND PROVISIONS

With the American Army on the
Aisne-Marne Front.-(By the Associ-
back toward the nick 3sWoiado.9 Gid
ated Press. From Rheims to Sois-
sons and far back toward the Marine,
the Americans, French and British
are being concentrated today for the
battle of the Vesle. All the indica-
tons were that the great chase of
the Germans, which began July 18
is nearing an end.
Beyond the Vesle the enemy has
planted his artillery, and at different
points has challenged the allies to
pursue him Along the southern
bank General Foch's armies have
slowed down to give an opportunity
to those outdistanced to catch up.
The cost and gain Of the big drive
are being estimated There is no
doubt that the Germans lost large
the allies are considered negligible,
especially in prisoners. Aside from
the strategic gains made by the allied
armies the morale of the men has
been wonderfully reinvigorated.
At one depot near Fere-en- Tarde-
nois it is estimated that more than
$4,OOO,OOO worth of ammunition and
general stores fell into the hands of
the allies, while the volume of sup
plies destroyed at this same depot
is believed to amount to several times /
that value.
On hill near one of the American
positions stand two German tanks
only slightly out of order. Reports
are coming in of the quantity of auto
mobiles, tanks, clothing and food.
North of Fere- -Tardenois along
the railway the Germans had con-
structed acres of storage buildings of
wood, covered with tar paper and
sheet iron. Most of these were de-
stroyed by dynamite or fire. The
Germans felled large trees across
roadways and stretched some barbed
wire They also exploded dynamite
lnder bridges and placed explosives
n houses in the villages. In Mareuil
,n-Dole there was not single win
low pane left. The houses were pill
aged The damage was almost I'M
United. Everywhere they made eff
fforts to destroy ammunition depots.
In scores of villages from the Ourcq
o the Vesle, the French and Amer ,
can troops encountered scenes of
emolition. Everything that could be
urned had been set on fire. The ).
rops were not extensively damaged p
wing to the rain which had put out ,
he fires.
On hill northwest of Dravegny the
american heavy guns upset two Ger
ian armored cars. Each had one !.
ounder and a machine gun in its :,
urret One car had been turned on
IS side along the road. The other
yas hundred yards away i'm ditch.
t had been damaged by fire, appar- :
ntly due to nexplosion of the large :.
upply of ammunition which it was
arrying. Infantrymen found three :
cad Germans inside the car. They :,
ad been burned to death. The
hauffeur and the gunners of the
Their car apparently had escaped. ;,
The Americans had many narrow
scapes from explosives attached to
oors in villages an dconnected with
ectric batteries. This was partic- :
lar1y the case at a magnificent cha :,
eau where the Germans had been =
taking their headquarters. AT =,
ouse in Marcuil-en-Dole an Ameri- =,
IN officer had partly opened the door q,
hen he encountered the wires at =,
lched to a bomb. In a chateau a,
orthwest of Loupeigne the Ameri- f.
ms encountered barrels filled with ce
lplosives with decorating wires at cr
ched to them.
The Americans have captured many re
achine guns. These are being used f.
,ainst the Germans. Pieces of artil- f.
ry which were unchanged and left sh
hind by the Germans already have fri
en- brought in action against their VIZ
rmer owners. we
On hill north of Mont St. Martin we
American fell, the victim of Ger ed
an shell. On the canvas bag of his fire.
S mask was printed in ink "For God Pr
d Humanity" The gas mask was WI
,ked on the improvised cross over
} soldiers grave. G.
In the forests of Nesles and Dole, the
munItiOn worth hort a m iJ1ioy, do1 M,