davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
us. Troops, UpSlopes
North of Vesle, Rout Enemy
Avoiding Gas Filled Ravines and Under Hot Fire From
Aviaors and Machine Guns, They Gain Heights
and Press Foe Back

sitions just in advance Of the patrols
1t failed, however, to bring such re-
sponse as might have been expected if
the Germans had been holding their
positions. The subsequent develop
ments seemed to prove that the enemy
already had moved back all his heavier
artillery and perhaps all, or nearly all
of even his lighter guns, for the artil-
lery reply appeared to be confined to
Aisne and beyond that river.
The resistance the Americans en-
countcred was from machine guns and
airplanes. Almost every cover on vir-
tually every slope sheltered machine
gun nest, the operators of which un-
successfully endeavored to check the
advance. The densest concentration
was along the ridges north of Bazoches
and Fismctte, and in at least two in
stances desperate efforts were made to
hold back the thin line of the advanc-
ing forces.
The Americans rushed the machine
guns only in exceptional cases. More
frequently they worked around the
nests until they had the Germans at a
disadvantage, the artillery in some
cases doing the work for the infantry
men.
Germans Burning Supplies
Fires which were seen at various
places had given rise to reports that
the Germans were burning villages and
farmhouses, but this has not been gen
orally accepted as a fact. the smoke
clouds seen being attri ibuted to the de-
struction Of ammunition by the Allied
shells in some instances and in more
numerous cases to the destruction of
supplies that it was impossible to re-
move, and temporary buildings. They
have not burned the French towns in
this region, perhaps because the build
ings are Of stone construction, and also
because most of them in the zone OF
the fighting are already nothing more
than ruins.
The German aviators contributed
materially to the rearguard defence.
Every yard the French and Americans
advanced was noted by the enemy avla-
tors, who also took an active part in
the effort to stop the Allied progress.
but in the long run their efforts we're
as Intellectual as those OF the line of
machine gun nests.
The airmen repeatedly bombed the
Americans and let loose with their
machine guns while flying low. The
Light forces advancing, however, we're
never more than momentarily checked,
as after disposing themselves for de-
fence in way their mobile formation
made possible their progress would be
resumed after a moment or so.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Fokker Shot Dozun
AS 10 Enemy PLANES
Attack u. s. Ai;yn,er,
(By The ASSOCIATED rress>


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Wednesday. Sept. 4.-Ten
German airplanes attacked a group of
American pursuit planes this morning,
and after brief fight one Fokker was
brought down by Lieutenant Stroso.
An American machine went down be-
hind the German lines, apparently un-
der control.
American airmen shot down an OBJ
servatlon balloon in the Woevre this
morning Another was forced down
yesterday.
American bombing machines in their
attack on CONTAINS and Longuyon yes
terday were successful. In Longuyon
the raiders dropped forty-four bombs,
and seven direct hits were observed at
me east end Of the railroad yard, two
on roundhouse and repair shop and
TWO on other buildings At Baroncourt
four direct hits were observed.
In the Con1ans raid more than 1000
Kilograms Of bombs were punched on
the junction OF the Brey-Conflans
Metz railway The bridge of the for
mer road was destroyed. All of our
machines returned safely.
Enemy bombers were active last
night in the villages far behind our
lines
American avators in battle with
Germans near Pont-a- Mousson TO-DAY
routed the enemy. One enemy machine
is believed to have been driven down.
Lieutenant Van Winkle Todd. Of the
American aviation forces. is reported
missing in action. His airplane was
shot down in the enemy lines Au-
gust 12.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Enemy Line Is Shortened
and Size Of Units
Is Reduced
Storm Battaliolns
Used to Fill Gaps
Fifteen Divisions Kept in
Trenches Continuously
for 2 TO q Months
Oh The Associated Prcss)


WITH THE AMERICAN TROOPS IN
FRANCE. Sept. a. Every bit of evil
dcnce obtainable by the Americans as
they press upon the German armies
points to the gradual, continuous and
evermoro- rapid weakening morale of
the troops and the lowering Of their
effectiveness to a serious point.
The American military authorities
draw this conclusion from the action
of the German command in shortening
the line by voluntary Withdrawals, its
enforcement OF longer tours of duty
in the front trenches upon the troops,
the combing Of the service for infan-
trymen. the disbanding of storm bat
talions to bolster up inferior divisions
and even the use of Austrian troops
on the Western front.
At least seven German divisions have
been disbandcd SO that .he men might
be used to replace losses sustained
during the summer campaign. Some
separate regiments have been broken
up also. Prisoners declare that the
practice of forming storm battalions
so weakened the infantry regiments
that it had to be given up.
The number of German divisions
classified as "tested,' it appears, has
dropped rapidly from eightythree on
July IS until it stood at fifty on August
"a Twerty-nine of these divisions
originally were designated as first
class, but only thirteen were so desg
mated on the August date
Seven cf these had only had two
weeks rest at that time In many cases
German divisions have had to remain
~ the line for long periods. Fully ff-
teen of the first line divisions have
been fighting continuously from, two
and one-half to four months
captured document shows that a
plan has been projected to dishand the
fourth company Of every battalion,
which had fallen below ESQ men, re-
oucing the battalion to three COM
panies. The advantage of this plan,
II is pointed out by German officers
Is that the arrangement would result
lii lessened needs for officers.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Tonale Pass Attack
Nets Austria Gains

LONDON, Sept. Sin a delayed re-
port received to-day the Vienna War
Office announces that surprise at
tack launched against the Italian line
in the Tonale Pass, near the west end
Of the mountain front, wrested Punta
San Matteo and Mont Nj ontello and a
summit glacier from the Italians The
report. dated Wednesday, reads:
"On the northern par of the Tonale
Pass our mountain detachments, by a
surprise attack, wrested from the enc
my Punta San Ma'tteo and Monte Mon
tello and a summit glacier. This feat
of arms among the eternal ice and
snow is remarkable testimony of the
fighting capacity Of the attackers. whs
are equal to the severest Alpine CON
ditions.'
In the Corno region and TO the eas,
Of Monte Pertica. in the Grappa sec
ton of the mountain front, the opera
tlons of Austrian storming troops were
completely successful, the statement
from Vienna adds
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
fBy The associated Press)

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY or
THE VESLE, Wednesday, September
Americans, with the French moving
with them on their left, have advanced
from the Vesle to the edge of the pla
teau, along line from Brenelle, Vaux
cerc, Blanzy and Baslieux. The Ger
mans nearest this line, along which
they might make q rearguard defence
of any consequence, are opposite the
edge of the plateau parellelling tht
Aisnc, over which it is obvious they
have removed their stores and heavy
artillery.
The advance of the Americans il
force began at 4 o'clock this morning
and patrols, one after another, have
been going over all day and meeting
sharp resistance at some points.
Orders reached the American com
manders before daylight to send ou
patrols to investigate, and their re
ports caused the immediate dispatch
Of supporting patrols. Before night
fall large part of the army which
had been camping along the Vesle wa:
in action on the slopes north of the
river. And there was action, notwith-
standing that the Germans already hac
taken the initiative in their with
drawal
The troors crossed the Vesle in three
ways-on the bridges which hele
against the German guns and all
bombs. on the trunks Of trees fellec
as substitutes for bridges and by alter
nately wading and swimming Although
officially characterized as patrols, the
aggregate Of troops sent across during
the day was quite large enough to hole
the advantage gained.
For a few hundred yards north o.
the Nesle there is succession ot
slopes cut by ravines extending dowr
TO the river. It was up these slopes
and not by way Of the ravines, that the
Americans worked their way Every
ravine and other depression was avoid
ed, for the Germans had filled these
with gas While they were able for the
most part to dodge the gas, the advanc
ing troops were not able to escape alto
gether the machine gun fire.
American Artillery Opens
Early in the day the American artil
lery had begun a bombardment tha
not only reached the hills beyond the
river, but also searched closely the po
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
400 "War Colleges"
Are Picked to Train
Droffees of I8 and I0

WASHINGTON, Sept 5.-Fraternity
houses and dormitories of the 400 col
leges which will be used in training
members Of the students army train
ing corps will be turned into barracks
Tor the period of the war. the War De
partment announced day. Plans are
rapidly maturing for the training
corps, into which men subject to draft
may be voluntarily inducted for special
education while awaiting the call for
active service.
More than 400 educational institu-
tons have been enlisted in the War
Departments programme for educating,
at the expense of the government. re-
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Long Lines of Men
Exhaust City's Supply
Of Registration Cards

Thousands Of men applied YESTERDAY
at the Hall Of Records for duplicates o.
their registration cards under the stats
military registration. The applicants
were all above the draft age and had
mislaid their cards.
The applicants formed lines from the
door Of the Hall of Records, extending
around the corner OF the building.
They were required to fill out an ap-
plication blank. then present it TO 4
notary public, before whom they swora
to the truth of their statements. The
officials at the Hall OF Records ran out
Of registration cards ar noon and the
long line OF waiting men We're told to
go home and call again to-day.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
American Air Unit
raised by Pershing
(Ey The associated Press }

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. Sept. 5-The commander in
chief has sent the following letter to
the chief of the air service commend
ing the first pursuit group:
"rhc commander in chief has learned
with great satisfaction of the work of
the first pursuit group of the air ser
vice and desires to commend it espe-
cially for its praiseworthy record.
"The handicaps under which this
initial pursuit unit of the American
Expeditonary Forces has been organ
ICED and begun the discharge of its
duty are well known and recognized.
With fine spirit and determination it
has overcome obstacles and already
achieved an erviable record. It's COM
mander and personnel are congratu-
lated for their effective and daring
work"
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Half Of German Army Has
Been MauEed by Foch
Since July Is
By Arthur S. Draper
Special Cable to The T,-ibune)

Especial Cable to The Tribure)
Copyright 1918. by The Tribune ASSOCIATION
New York Tribune)
LONDON, Sept. 5.-Nearly half the
German army, some 81 divisions, has
been mauled, hammered and battered
in the last month. and rest, however
brief, comes as a godsend to it. That
it will be brief is clear to any one who
has studied Foch's tactics since July is.
Since August the British have capt
ured more than 10000 and the French
and Americans 10000 prisoners. The
British losses are still remarkably low,
hardly more than the number of pris-
oners taken.
Observers agree that the morale of
the enemy has been greatly weakened
and that most of his divisions have
gone stale from the long siege of de
fensive fighting. Much depends on the
weather. If conditions continue favor
able there is reason to expect further
big developments shortly.
Some extravagant forecasts suggest
that Ludendorff intends to withdraw
voluntarily from Belgium and France
and then offer peace terms. The Crown
Princes interview, in which he de-
scrbed German victory not as the an
Inhalation of the Allied forces, but as
the ability to "hold our own and not
be vanquished," gives some substance
to the forecast. In this connection the
decision of the Trades Union Congress
at Derby demanding the opening of
negotiations the moment the enemy is
driven or retired from Belgium and
France is interesting
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
4 on Torpedoed Boat
Saved by a Coffin

A sailor called at Police Headquar-
ters yesterday to tell Parrolman
Charles Wilhelm that his son, Walter
{. Wilhelm, had been the means OF
saving his life and that of three other
sailors, although the young man had
died weeks before from appendicitis
while on his way to France with al
artillery regiment
Wilhelm's coffin was being shipped
back to the United States on the YES.
sci on which the sailor was member
of the naval guard The boat was tor
pedoed and sunk The sailor and three
of his companions who were thrown
into the water. found the heremeti-
cally sealed coffin floating high in the
wreckage, and sat on It until they
were rescued. The coffin was saved
with them
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
400 Marks Offered
For u. S. Prisoner
tBr The Associated Pressl

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
LORRAINE. Sept. 5.-Orders captured
by American troops in the Toul secto-
and signed by the commander of 81
German division offers q reward of 400
marks to the German soldier bringing
in the first American prisoner.
The German commander is arpar-
entity unusually anxious. for in another
order he threa to send an entire
regiment out on parole if it continues
to fail to produce any American pris-
oners.
There has been much speculation re.
Gently over a possible American often
slve IN Lorraine. where the front cross
es the German border.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
E5acmy N &C saire Gun
Nest Secrets Barred
By American Scout
Oh The .lssociafcH Press

7D7 TEs Ts-o7'a-e7 TTe5s1
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Sept. J. The American
troops operating in the Nosges Noun
taIne are n possession OF valuable in
formation concerning the Germans OPP
poslte them and the enemy machine
gun nests.
the intreplGity OF scout, wno, not sat, at,
isiied w.th nereiy reaching the en-
emys first and second lines, went
through the wire labyrinth and pene-
trated more than thirds Of mile
TO the rear.
lie reported His observations so mi
nutely th~J the American artillery was
able 10 play havoc with the enemy 5
rear line arrangements..
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
u. S. Orders Chewing Gum
To Aid Soldiers on Marche:

WASHINGTON. Sept s.-More than
100000 packages of chewing gum
have been ordered ty ths War De
partment to help the army keep off
thirst during long marches
Lemon drops made from a special
formula and canned tomatoes also have
been ordered in large quantities for
the same purposes, says statement
to-day from the War Department. More
and more open warfare in France is
increasing the demand, not only for
thirst quenchers, but ~'so for hard
bread for marching ratiouS.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
apart that from some angle cross.
fire could not be effectively used
Only Twenty Captured


fire could not be effectively used.
Only Twenty Captured
Some sharp engagements did occur
These were brief, however, the Ger
mans who were not killed or seriously
wounded withdrawing along little COM
munication trenches into large trenches
leading to ravines, through which
they escaped. This was not day for
prisoners, the whole number taken be-
Ing less than twenty.
The movement Of the Americans
over the plateau was effected without
material loss, because instead of ad-
vancing in regular formations, they
were filtered into and through the
zone. never presenting a satisfactory
target. The progress down into the low
lands was similarly carried out.
1t would be no surprise if the Ger.
mans extended their evacuation to the
region south of the Aisne. which they
hold in the direction of Rheims. 1t is
considered possible that had a push
been made there that part, too, would
have been included in the gains of the
past few days, but it is regarded as
inevitable that the Germans will find
that the newly made salient is unten-
able If they do rot withdraw they
will be IN serious position, as at any
time pressure may be eXerted from the
south and northwest
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
BRITISH

LON DON (NIGH T).-On the
southern part of the battlefront.
both north and south Of Peronne.
our troops are advancing and driving
in the enemy's rearguards. They are
approaching the high ground on the
front between Athies and Nurlu.
Between Nurlu and the River Sensee
engagements of a minor character on
different parts of the battlefront are
reported.
Our lines have been advanced
slightly on the spur north of Eouan
court and local fighting has occurred
about Neuville- Bourjonval and Moe
uvres.
South Of Marquion our patrols have
crossed to the east bank of the Canal
du .Nord and brought back prisoners
from a German post
On the Lys front the enemy again
attacked strongly this morning on
the sector north of Hill 63 and was
repulsed after sharp fighting. We
pushed our lines forward a short dis
tance during the day south and south
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Peru Adopts Plan
To Use Hun Ships

LIMA, Peru, Sept. 5.-Congress TO-
day approved an arrangement between
the Peruvian and American govern
ments for the use of the German ves-
sells interned az Callao.
Eight German vessels interned at
Callao were taken over by Peru last
June. The include several large steam
ers with passenger accommodations.
Peru broke off relations with Germany
in October, 1917.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Foch Says He'll Keep
On Chasing Germans

DARIS, Sept. 5. In telegram re-
l. plying to congratulate of the
Paris Municipal Council, Marshal
Foch, commander in chief of the En-
tente Allied forces, thanked the coun-
Gil in his own name and on behalf
of the French and Allied armies, and
added:
"The German rush which menaced
Paris and Amiens has been broken.
lie will continue to pursue the enemy
implacably."
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06

lage of Frapeles. They evidently were
planning on being able to take prison
ers.
An American lieutenant saw the enc
my party coming and proceeded into
No Mans Land with scouts in an at
tempt to surround the Germans The
enemy was put to fight. leaving two
prisoners in the hands Of the Ameri-
cans. No casualties were suffered by
the Americans.
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
U. S. and Allied Refugees
From Russia Believed Saf,

WASHINGTON. Sept American
consuls, members of Allied missions
and civilian refugees, who recently left
Nussla on special train, have crossed
safely into Finland and should have
arrived yesterday at Haparanda
This word came to-day from Consul
haynes at Helsingfors under date of
September 3,
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Army May Enforce
u. S. Wage Award

WASHINGTON, Sept 5.-Steps to
enforce acceptance by employees of mu-
milton factories in Bridgeport, Conn.
of the recent award of the War Labor
Board are under consideration by the
Secretary of War. In making this an
nouncement tonight, the War Depart
ment said Secretary Baker had taken
the matter up with the War Labor
Board as the result of an appeal by the
ordnance department, whose contracts
are being delayed by strikes
BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Sept. .
Strike conditions among the tool max
ers and machinists of Bridgeport mu-
milton plants were unchanged to day.
Word was received that an interpreta-
tive decision on the wage award of the
War Labor Board had been made at
Washington.
Las night eleven meetings of work
ers-nale and female chose delegates
thirty-siX in all, to a convention to be
held later to select community COM
mittee Of three to represent the sixty
thousand workers in sixty-tive plants
in negotiations over wages and hours.
Miss Leary, employed at the Bridge
port Brass Company, was one of the
delegates selected
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
FRENCH

FARlS tNIGHT) Our troops con
tinued their pursuit of the retreatng
enemy to-day along the Canal dl
Nord and the Vesle and made an
important advance despite resistance
at certain points.
Southeast of that village our front
passes through the outskirts Of
Cuivry and Gallon el-Crepignv, north
of Marest Dancourt and The southern
outskirts of Abbecourt. At certain
points our advance covered dis
tance Of six kilometres.
Along the whole Alette front the
enemy, exhausted by hard fighting
snce the Goth, began about 3 o'clock
this afternoon to give way before our
troops. Pursuing the German rear
guard, our troops made rapid pro
sress. North Of the Ailette, Pierre
mande and Autrevllle are III our pos
session, a we'll as the greater part of
the lower forest of Coucy.
On the north bank of the Sommc
Canal we hold Falvy and Offroy To
the south we have brought our lines
nearer to the road to Ham, along
which our front extends from Plessis
Patte dole to Berlancourt.
Further east we occupied Folem
bray Coucy-le- Chateau and Coucy-
le-Ville. We have advanced to with
in about kiometre south of
Fresnes.
On the right our front passes east
of Landricourt.
South of the Ailette we hold the
line Of Neville-sur- Margival, Vregny
and the western slopes of Fort Conde
More than thirty villages were re-
taken in the course of the day on
this part of the front
North of the Vesle our line extends
along the Aisne between Conde and
eilArcy. To the east our line
passes north of Dnuizel to Barbonval
and the plateau of Beauregard Farm.
PARIS DAY During the night
French troops maintained contact
with the enemy rearguards and
made progress east of the Canal du
Nord and in the direction of the
Aisrc. East of Vesle they crossed
the Somme Canal in TIE region Of
Voyennes and Ohfoy Further south
they went beyond Hombleux. F,s-
rery-Hallon and Flavy-le- Heldeux,
carrying their lines north Of Guis-
card as far as the outskirts of Ber-
lancourt.
Between the Ailette and the Aisne
the French captured Clamecy, Braye
and Missy surAisne. Late yesterday
the French repulsed two violent Ger
man counter attacks south of Mont
des 1ombes and east of Leuilly,
maintaining their positions.
On the front of the Vesle Franco
American troops reached the heights
dominating the Aisne. Enlarging
;hcr action, the troops made another
crossing of the Vesle between Ven
teaux and Jonchery
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
Americans Break UD
Energy Roidi57g Party
And Take Prisoners

81 The lssocicted Prcss)
WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES IN
LORRAINE, Sept 5 2::3O y. m.).
German patrols made a sortie from
their lines late yesterday. following
several hours of shelling of the viii
New-York tribune., 1918-09-06
GERMAN

BERLIN (NIGHD The fighting
activity was restricted to-day to
minor engagements in the area front
ing our new positions.
BERLIN Between Ypres
and La Bassee the enemy Yesterday
pressed forward against our new
lines. Detachments which had been
left behind in the forefeld withdrew
20 these lines in accordance with
orders On both sides of Wytschaete
enemy partial attacks were repulsed.
Between the Scarpe and the Somme
The enemy felt his way toward our
new line. There have been infantry
engagements al our outposts.
On the Somme there was artillery
activity.
Between the Somme and the Disc
we continued our movements out of
the region of Roye. which were COM
menced August 26, and during the
night before last we freed ourselves
from the enemy without a fight.
hearguards which were left behind
to retard the enemy followed US
slowly yesterday afternoon During
the evening the enemy, with weak
attachments, had about reached the
line Voyennes- Guiscard APPLY.
On the Ailette plain enemy thrusts
were repulsed. Strong enemy at
tacks due south Of the Ailette, near
ferny-Sorny, Clamecy and Bucyle-
Long, also failed Vice Sergeant
Major Schoele in the recent fighting
here destroyed eight armored cars.
East of Soissons we withdrew our
defence from the Vesle. Our move
ments were carried out in accordance
with plan and undisturbed by the
enemy.
Yesterday we shot down thirty 1.-TWO
enemy airpanes.