Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-11-18
Big Guns Turned Over by Ger
mans Who Express Relief
That War Is Ended
ENTRY MADE INTO SpINCOURT
March Toward Rhine Contin-
ues Without Interruption
- PopuIace Timid When
Americans Make Their Ap-
pearance; Remain in Homes
IN Anlnninfed Presa.


BD Asaootated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHEAST OF VERDUN, Sunday,
Nov. 17:-Two sixteen-inch cannons
which were turned over to the Amer
leans at Spincourt on Saturday were
guns used by the Germans to shell
the Verdun region. Forty-two guns
of various calibres were turned over.
The sixteen-inch guns were taken
apart by the Germans in three Sec
tions, each section being drawn by a
tractor.
The entrance of the Americans into
Spincourt on Saturday afternoon was
one of the most spectacular features
of the American advance.
Lieutenant Emmett Gruner, of st.
Louis, represented the first army with
Lieutenant Robert Nicolson, of Sails
bury. N. c., going as artillery expert
to see that the guns were all in good
condition. They were accompanied
by an infantry sergeant and four
privates. Lieutenant Gruner, the SER
geant and one private went ahead in
an automobile carrying white flag.
Lieutenant Nicolson and the other
privates followed. Upon reaching the
outskirts of Spincourt they were met
by a lone German lieutenant who
spoke English. He conducted the
Americans to the village hotel. where
billets had been provided. After say
ing he was glad to see them and ex-
pressing his relief that his RESPONSE
bility was passed, the German said:
II am damn glad the war Is over"
As the Americans entered Spin
court the rear guards of German di-
visions which had held the place
were just Withdrawing, the Germans
rejoicing as they marched away. A
few artillerymen were pottering
around the big guns as IL they dread
ed leaving their tasks behind. All the
cannon were camoufiaged and some
had names. One eight-inch gun was
named Martha and had a prominent
place on the front line.
The German lieutenant escorted
the Americans to the hotel and en-
deavored to make them comfortable.
Lieutenant Nicolson and the German
began checking the guns and eoytics
ued the wosl-y -. -
German enterta5 -
ants at dinner. X
The German col ks
side arms until after a.. &
leans also wearing theil ~ RI
ner the German said that Re
he did not need arms, but ~ - S
that he had felt nervous durin, e
afternoon after the German Infantry
had retreated. 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 fin
ished checking the guns, after which
Lieutenant Gruner gave the German a
receipt for them. Just before noon
the German ordered the hotel to serve
chocolate and began packing up his
effects He told the Americans that
$500 machine guns awaited them at
Longuyon. Two orderlies brought up
his horse. and, tucking the receipt in
to an inside pocket. the enemy officer
mounted, saying good-ble.
Then he added: II hope my troubles
are over for a while. / hope to forget
all about guns, war and battlefields,
forever. He rode away his orderlies
following him in a horse-drawn cart.
Americans Advance on Rhine Today.
By A ssocfdfsd Press
AMERICAN ARMY IN LORRAINE,
morning the American advance toward
the Rhine viii be resumed and an
other big step on the road to the heart
of Germany will be taken. Today's
advance went without a hitch.
The roads over which the Ameri-
cans marched were frozen during the
greater part of the day. This made
the walking bad. but not nearly so diff
ficult as ii was in the region passed
when mud and wire had to be nego-
tiated. The troops have moved out
of a shell-torn area, where the roads
Continued on page five.)