Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-18
GUNS OF FOE
TURNEDOvER
TO YANKEES
Germans Surrender All
Size Weapons as Vic
t tors March Forward.

With the American Army in Lor-
raine, Nov. 17.-(By the Associated
FreSs) Early tomorrow morning
the American advance toward the
Rhine will be resumed and another
big step on the road toward the
heart of Germany will be taken.
Today's advance went without a
hitch
The roads over which the Amer
leans marched were frozen during
the greater part of the day. This
made the walking bad, but not
nearly so difficult as 1t was in the
recent past, when mud and wire
rad to be negotiated. The troops
have moved out of a shell-torn area
where the roads have been hastily
and temporarily repaired. 1t is 8
relief to the men, because behind
The German lines the roads are in
excellent condition.
Towns Are Peaceful.
Villages and towns along the
route looked peaceful. except for
some here and there which had
been SCARED by explosions OF aer-
ial bombs. These were the only
physical traces OF warfare A deep
silence broods over this area for the
people were nearly all moved out
by the Germans. In some cases
less than fifty persons remain in
village.
The people generally were quite
timid when the Americans made
their appear. They remained in
their houses until assured that the
Americans were not another form
of enemy The Germans had told
them that this would be the case
Once assured that the Americans
were friends, the welcome given by
the village was sometimes hysteri
cal in it's earnestness.
Germans Hand Over Guns.
With the American Army North
east of Verdun, Nov. 17.-CBy the
Associated Press) Two 16-inch
cannon which were turned over to
the Americans at Spincourt on Sat
urday, were guns used by the Ger
mans to shell the Verdun region.
Forty-two guns of various calibres
were turned over. The 16-inch
guns were taken apart by the Ger
mans into three sections, each sec
ton being drawn by a tractor.
The entrance of the Americans
into Spincourt was one of the most
spectacular features of the Ameri-
can advance.
7 iau,arap+ ED1,a+ Hrupar oF St
Louis, represented the First army
with Lieutenant Robert Nicolson Of
Salisbury, \. c., going as military
expert to see that the guns were
in good condition.
The lieutenants were accompan-
led by an infantry sergeant and
four privates Lieutenant Gruner,
the sergeant and one private went
ahead in an automobile carrying a
white flag Lieutenant Nicolson
and the other privates followed.
"Damn Glad It's Over"
Upon reaching the outskirts of
Spincourt, they were met by lone
German lieutenant who spoke Eng
lish. He conducted the Americans
to the village hotel. After saying
he was glad to see them and ex
pressing his relief that his respon-
sibility was past. the German said:
4 am damn glad the war is
over"
AS the Americans entered Spin
court the rear guards of German
divisions were Withdrawing. A
few artillerymen were pottering
dreaded leaving their pets. All the
cannon were camouhaged and some
had names. One eight inch gun
was named Martha and had a
prominent place on the front line.
Discard Side Arms.
Lieutenant Nicolson and the Ger
man began checking the guns and
continued the work until dark.
Then the Germans entertained the
two lieutenants at dinner. The
German continued wearing his side
arms. the Americans also wearing
theirs After dinner the German
said that he thought that he did not
need arms. but remarked that he
had felt nervous during the after
noon as he was uncertain as to
what the Americans might do. All
three took off their side arms and
spent the night at the hotel. The
German slept on the first floor and
the Americans directly above They
had breakfast together and finished
checking the guns, after which
Lieutenant Gruner gave the Ger
man a receipt for them.
Through With Guns Forever.
Just before noon the German or
dered the hotel TO serve chocolate
and began packing up his effects.
He told the Americans that $500
machine guns awaited them in
Longuyon Two orderlies brought
up his horse and the enemy officer
mounted. saying goodbye. Then
he added:
Il hope my troubles are over for
a while. | hope TO forget all about
guns and war and battlehelds for
ever"
He rode away. his orderlies fol-
lowing him in a horse-drawn cart.
CELEBRATE ALSACE-L0RRAINE
Paris Nov 1S~AlSare-I lorraine q