davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
Has Never in All History Been
Taken by Frontal Attack.
Have Failed Since
Days of Roman Empire.
IS KEY TO EUROPE IRON FIELDS
Capture of Those Fields Would
Make Huns Helpless.
Is Protected by Forts and High
Wooded Hills.

Offensive operations toward Metz
strike at one of the most important
German bases in the west. The city
and the twenty-eight encircling forts
comprise what has been regarded az
one os the most formidable fortresses
in the world. Metz also is the center
of important iron fields. which before
the war supplied France and Germany
with more than two-thirds of the ore
used by their iron manufactures.
In Heart OF Iron Fields.
Metz is on the Mosse1le, ten and q
half miles west of the French border.
The city lays astride the MCselle river
as well as on both sides of the Seille.
Part of the city is on islands in the
MoseIle. To the east, north and north
west are the iron and coal fields OF
French and German Lorraine. De-
prived of these fields Germany could
not conduct the war another three
months, it is asserted.
The chief iron field of the Rhine
district is that of Lorraine, including
the Bassin de Briey, (the center OF
which is the little village of Briey).
the greatest iron producing re.ion in
the world 1t is located mainly In
GUM and Luxembourg. 1t extends along
the Franco-German frontier for thirty
five miles, almost up to Pont-a-Mous.
son.
Germany's possession of the major
portion of this productive area follow
ed the signing of the treaty Of Frank
fort in 1871. Previous to the present
war Germany obtained from the
mines on her side of the frontier
81 100000 tons of her total annual
pr ,duction of 2S,000,00o, while France
got 100000 out of total produc-
ton of 22,000.000.
Germans Hold French Mines.
Since her occupation in 1914 of the
mines on the French side of the from
tier Germany has added to her min
era1 wealth the 100000 tons an
| nually obtained by the French. bring
ing her total production from Lor-
raine alone up to 43.000,000 tons q
year.
The MoseIle the Only Road.
The only practical road to this i'm
portant region. military authorities
agree, is the valley of the Moselle. At
the head of the valley l barring the
way lies Metz. ral.king with Strass-
burg as one of the two great bulwarks
of the German southwestern frontier.
Metz is city of $4,000 population. its
chief industries being the manufacture
Continued on Page Two1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
SHELLED A HOSPITAL
Eight Wounded Yanks Killed When
Missile Struck Tent Where They Lay.
Cry the Associated PressA

Missile Struck Tent Where They Lay.
(By the Associated Press3
With the American Army on the
Lorraine Front. Thursday. Sept. 19.-
Eight Americans were killed when a
clearing hospital was hit by a German
shell on Wednesday night. The enemy
threw a large number of high explo-
s.ve projectiles into the region of the
hospital on two successive nights and
finally hit large tent where gassed
patients were confined.
A large Red Cross against a field of
', hite had been laid on the ground
before the hospital so that it could be
obFc~-ed by German aviators
The majority of the Americans
killed in the hospital were privates
who had been gassed recently west of
Wanderers. Several members of the
medical corps were among the in
jured.
The shell struck the hospital about
midnight and there was great confu-
sion owing to the darkness. Other
shells continued to fall near the hos
Ditals
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
Was HEARST IN IT
One of His Attorneys in Brew
cry Paper Deal.
Senate Is After German and
Brewery Propagandists.

Washington, Sept. 20.-Altho for
NAL Investigation by the senate judi
ciary committee into the political and
propaganda activities of the brewing
Industry will not start until next Mon
day interest in congress today centered
in the documents submitted by A.
? tchell Palmer, federal custodian of
alien property, showing that fifteen
brewers. whose names were given,
had, in co-operation with the United
States Brewers association. raised a
fund from which $375,000 was ad-
varced to Arthur Brisbane for the
purchase of the Washington Times.
Efforts OF German Agents.
The papers submitted by the alien
property custodian in answer to the
senate resolution requesting proof of
his statement in an address in Harris
burg. Pa, last Saturday, in which he
charged that within the shadows of
the dome OF the capitol was a news
paper purchased to fight the battle of
the liquor traffic" were regarded as
te- ing an making stery of the efforts
OF German agents and of brewing in
torests to acquire a representation
arso1 Z the press of the United States.
Furnished Brisbane's Money.
Letter; sent to the senate committee
by Mr.. Palmer show the source of the
money raised to purchase a newspa-
per, amounting in ell to $407.000. The
sum was arYanced to Mr.. Brisbane for
he purchase of the Washington Times
by c. w. Feigenspan, a brewer, thru
the Growing Circulation corporation,
having among its directors VIM. A. De
Ford, an attorney for VIM. r. Hearst,
and, according to a statement by
Fe-gnespan, believed to be either
owned or controlled by Mr.. Brisbane.
No interest was to be paid on the
sum advanced, altho Mr. Brisbane has
stated he declined to accept the loan
without interest
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
OFFER is STILL OPEN
Austria, Rejected, Sues Again for
Chance in Secret Peace Conference.

Chance in Secret Peace conference.
Amsterdam, Sept. 20.-Notwith-
standing the apparent rejection of the
Austro-Hungarian proposal for a con-
ference of the belligerents to discuss
the possibilities of peace, that gov
ernment's offer is still open, says an
official statement received from
Vienna today. The statement reads:
From reports received from
abroad, the rejection of the Austro-
that a preliminary discussion of the
peace question be entered into can
hardly be longer doubted.
Official Reply Not Yet Received.
THE official reply to Foreign Min
lister Burain's note has not yet been
received and therefore the reasons
which prompted the attitude of the
be discussed at present. Only from
Secretary Balfour is an exhaustive
discussion of our suggestion available.
His arguments show how correctly
Baron Burian's proposal judged the
situation and that only the adoption
of Baron Burian's line of thinking
could master the confusion of minds
prevailing everywhere until today.
THE peace question as discussed
by Secretary Balfour-and the same
applies to the debates in the French
and American senates-under the
pressure u plS CdtCuWOIdS dHo over
mastering passion, ccn naturally make
no favorable progress. Especially re-
garding Mr.. Balfour's speech, it must
be pointed out that it contains a
series of rash conclusions concerning
the attitude of the central powers
toward concrete peace questions
which he would not have arrived a,
| had he entered into a discussion. il
| the spirit of Baron Burian's proposal
only if discussed under conditions
| free from the influence of passion car
the peace question make that prog
ress which is in the interest OF
| humanity.
THE Austro- -Hungarian's govern.
ment offer is still open"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
ANOTHER HUN BLUFF
Reds Claim Germany Has Agreed IL
Evacuatc Occupied Territory.

Reds Claim Germany Has Agreed To
Evacuate Occupied Territory.
Stockholm. Sept. 20.-An agreement
has been signe at Wilma by Russian
and German delegates providing for
German evacuation Of occupied terri
tories. according to dispatches from
Petrograd.
Ukraine Insurgents Win.
Stockholm, Sept. 20.-Ukraine in
surgents have blown up German
military train and have captured ten
villages. according to dispatches from
Petrograd.
Dispatches regarding Siberian opera
tions declare the soviets ave occupied
Bindovsk and that the Czechs have
captured Bisertski. The Bolshevik
troops are retiring from Crasnofimsk.
Civil War I'm Finland.
Stockholm, Sept. 20.-Russo-Finnish
Red guards have begun operations
against the Finnish White guards in
the direction of Uhtsa, throwing them
back. according to advices today from
PetrOgrad
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
ARE SMELLING METZ
Nine-Inch American Guns Are Bonn
baF1ing Forts.

Dafufng tOrtS.
Washington. Sept. 2O.-The forts of
Metz, the German stronghold in Lor-
raine, are under the fire of American
guns of nine-inch and larger caliber,
members of the house military COM
mittee were told today at their week
ly conference with Acting Secretary
Crowell and other war department of
ficials. The identity of American
troops participating in the drive that
wiped out the st. Mihiel salient and
brought Metz within range of the
heavy guns has not been reported to
the department by General Pershing.
Production of Liberty motors and Of
ordnance, particularly eight-inch
howitzers. is increasing, the official
said. The production of motors was
said to have passed 1000, of which
$500 have gone to the navy and the
allies.
The Liberty motors now are being
used in tanks.
Metz Papers Tell of Bombardment.
Amsterdam. Set. 20-Metz newspapers
publish an official communique stating
that for several days the city has been
under bombardment from enemy long
range guns. The statement adds that
such a bombardment has long been ex-
pected.
Dispatches several days ago reported
, bombardment of Metz and its forts by
American artillery. A dispatch from the
ported shells dropping In the center OF
the city
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
STRIKER TO FUNSTON
Kansas City Draft Board Enforces
"Work or Fight Rule Promptly.

Kansas City, Sept. go. L. Cooper
of Kansas City, Kan, who was grant
ed deferred classification in the draft
on industrial grounds as an employe of
a plant doing work for the Emergency
Fleet corporation, joined a strike of
structural steel workers last week and
as result was placed in class 1 by
local draft board and will be sent
to Camp Funston next Monday. Union
laborers here today lodged formal
complaint with the draft board as
serting that the board vent beyond its
province in reclassifying Cooper.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
OCT. 12 LIBERTY, DAY

Washington. Sept. 20.-President
Wilson today proclaimed Saturday.
October IL. the four hundred and
twenty-sixth anniversary of the dis
covery of America. as Liberty day,
and called upon all citizens to cele-
brate it to stimulate generous re-
sponse to the fourth liberty loan.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
PRICE ON COTTON
President Declares His Inten-
tiOn To Fix Rate.
Will Also Order Control of Its
Distribution.

Washington, Sept. 20.-Senators
from cotton growing states disclosed
today that at their recent White
House conference President Will -on
made it clear it was his intention not
only to fix a price for this years cot
ton crop, but also to order government
control of its distribution.
The president gave no intimation of what
he would consider a fair price, it was said,
and any action will await the report of the
special committee which the president an
nounced last week would inquire into the
general subject, including production costs.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
Men To Be Trained at Fort
|! Zachary Taylor, Kentucky.
Applications May Be Filed Now
at State Journal, Topeka.
MEN OF FORCE ARE DESIRED
Must Have Good Education and
Leadership Qualities.
Where Blanks Are To Be OBJ
tanned and Procedure Necessary
Camp Taylor, KY, Sept. 20, 1918.

Camp Taylor, KY, Sept 20, 1918.
Frank P. Mac Lehman,
Military Training Camps Association. State
Journal Building. Topeka, Kansas.
We are unofficially INFORMED from relia-
BILE sources that all men within new draft
limits regardless of classification may now
be admitted to the school. All men. except
those in class one and deferred classifi "a
ton on industrial grounds, If unsuccessful.
will be permitted to return to civil life on
completion OF the course. This informa-
ton should be given the greatest possible
publicity and applications submitted to
COLONEL CARTER. Commanding.
A very large number of officers are
the number now in service. To this
end a training school has been estab-
lished at Camp Zachary Taylor, near
Louisville. Ky.
The school is open to men who have
been drafted, or to those who will en-
list and not over As years of age.
Only men who in civil or military
life have shown evidences Of force and
qualities of leadership are desired te
apply. They should be Is years OF
age or over and should have a good
high school or college education-in.
cluding some knowledge Of algebra
and geometry and have a likeness oI
aptitude for mathematics.
Applications will be received in per
son, or by letter, by the undersigned
at the State Journal building, Topeka
Kan. The examining board will be il
session nearly every day at the sans
place between the hours of p. m
and 5 p. m.
FRANK P. MAC LEHMAN,
Chairman Military Training Camp!
Association, Civilian Aide Adjutan
General, U. S. A.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
STEAMER IS AGROUND
Excursion Boat Stranded on Sand
Bar in Mississippi River.

Quincy. ILL.,, Sept. 20.-The steamer
st. Paul with 400 excursionists strand
ed on a sandbar in the Mississippi riv-
er four miles north Of West Quincy
last night and the boat2was still fast
aground early today. An expedition
vas organized on the government
.Seamer Dandelion and the federal
boat went at once to the assistance of
the vessel. The st. Paul was bound
from Quincy to Canton. Mo-, and re-
turn. No one was injured and the ex-
cursionists suffered only slight dis
comfort
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
ToDAY's TEMPERATURES.

The wind at o'clock was blowing
eight miles an hour from the north.
Light overcoats have been very
much in order for the last twenty-four
hours. AS to good nights to sleep, the
past few nights have all been cool
enough for any sleeping purposes. pro-
vided extra blankets could be found.
killing occurred in Kansas Thursday
night Light frosts occurred at st.
Joe. Wichita, Kansas City, Dodge City,
Lawrence and Macksville. Heavy
frosts occurred at Topeka. Concordia,
Continued on Page Two.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
CLAIM ENJOYS SEIZED
But British Foreign Office Says Am
bassadors to Rumania Are at Jassy.

Amsterdam. Sept. 20.-The former
French, British and Italian ambassa-
dors to Rumania have been arrested
in Petrograd, according to dispatches
printed in copies of the Rheinish
Westfalische Zeitung, received here
today. The diplomats left Jassy at the
conclusion of the German-Rumanian
peace negotiations. the newspaper
stated.
London, Set. 20.-The British for
e1gn office today declared reports of
the arrest of British, French and
Italian ambassadors to Rumania at
Petrograd were untrue. All three en-
voys, it was stated, are still at Jassy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
7. R. WILL SPEAK
Will Come to Kansas City for
Liberty Loan.
Scheduled for the Afternoon OF
October Third.

Kansas City. Sept. 2o.-Col. Theo-
dore Roosevelt will be in Kansas City
October 8 to assist in the fourth lib
erty loan campaign, it was announced
here today by the Rev. DR.. E. E. Vio-
let.e. director of speakers bureau of
the Kansas City liberty loan commit
tee. He will probably address a mass
meeting in the afternoon of that day,
it was stated.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
COTTON PATCH SOCIETY

Atlanta, Ga, Set. 20.-Atianta
society women are picking cotton.
A group of women today are
working on a plantation near the
city for a planter who has been
unable to get necessary help The
women will be paid $1.20 per hum
dred pounds All proceeds Of their
work will go to the Red Cross.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
STOPPED WRONG TRAIN
Motor Bandits Fooled Near lola by
Arrival of a Freight,

lola, Kan. Sept. 2O.-A change in
train orders is believed to have frus-
trated an attempt by motor bandits
to hold up a Missouri, Kansas &
Texas passenger train at Durham,
switch near Moran. late last night, ac-
cording to Sheriff Dunfee of this
county. Torpedoes which had been
placed in the track were exploded by
freight trains running ahead of two
passenger trains and the robbers fled
in motor cars at the approach of the
freight crews.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
FIELD TURNS TO MUD
Troop Movements In Lorraine Impos-
sible Today on Account Of Rains.

tBy the Associated Press)
With the American Army in Lor-
raine, Sept. 20 I'll a. m.)-Continued
rain, which transformed the front into
bog, making troop movements diff
ficult and transport almost impossible
slowed down the activities today.
There was scarcely a movement on the
ground, not eeven a patrol operation
being recorded.
The aerial activity continued in the
unfavorable weather a1tho in 1essened
degree. Some air patrols scoutedioyer
the enemy lines in the rain.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
WAS NOT OFFICIAL
Only an Informal Peace Offer Was
Made to Belgium by Huns.

London, Sept. 20.-Germany's offer
of separate peace to Belgium was
not formally made. according to state.
ments Of the Belgian foreign minister,
published here. The proposals, he
was quoted as saying, didn't mention
a possible cessation of hostilities.
They cannot be taken as q basis
for serious discussion" he declared,
according to the dispatch
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
SHOT DOG, THEN SELF
Z Son OF James Mann. Republican
Leader, Suicide.

Chicago, Sept. 20.-After shooting
and killing his pet dog James r. Mann,
jr.s son of the Illinois congressman and
Republican leader in the house. shot
himself to death here today. In a
note addressed to his mother. who is
in Washington, the young man said
he did not expect to live much longer.
land that might as well end it now. %
He was suffering from tuberculosis.
He was 2s years old
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
CHILDREN IN WRECK
Many Killed and Injured In Bad Rail.
road Accident in France.

Paris, Sept. 20.-Thirty persons
were killed and more than a score in
jured In a train collision between
Dijon and Daroche yesterday. Three
cars, filled with passengers who We're
mostly children returning from their
vacations, were telescoped. American
soldiers lent vigorous assistance taking
out the bodies and transporting the in
jured in ambulances to a canton
ment near the scene of the accident
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
AFTER CHICAGO VICE
Navy Sends Expert To Clean Up Sur
roundings of Training Station.

Chicago. Sept. 20.-The United
states navy's vice destroyer was or
dered to Chicago today to assist in an
investigation now proceeding under
direction of Commandant w. A. Mof-
fett of the Great Lakes Training sta
ton. The navy is interested in sur
round7ngs of the 10000 sailors at
Great Lakes.
Maj. o. B. Hatch of the marine
corps was detailed here by Secretary
Daniels who said Hatch hadAdone ex-
cellent work at Pensacola, Philadel-
phfa "and elsewhere where similar
Nharges have been made
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20

(Continued ON Page Two.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
1,811,00O TONS OF SHIPS
That Quantity Hes Been Built o,
Shipping Board This Year.

Washington, Sept. -20.-Ship tom
mage actually delivered to the emer-
gency fleet corporation so far this
year amounts to 1871, 900 tons. with
2.596, 900 tons launched and keels laid
for 4.103.000. General Manager
Piez of the fleet corporation, giving
these figures to the senate commerce
committee today, said. deliveries for
the month of September probably will
reach 100000 tons
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
OFFER FAKE FREEDOM
Austria Seeks To Pacify Subject Peo
pies With Empty Concessions.

Washington, Sept. 20.-Bosnia, Her
zegovina and Croatia are to be formed
into a single provincial government
under the Austro-Hungarian empire.
with Count Tisza, former Hungarian
premier, at its head, according to an
official dispatch today from Switzer-
land.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
Is DEAD AT GREAT LAKES
One Thousand Cases of Spanish In
fuenza at Training Station.

Chicago, Sept. 19.-Great Lakes
naval training station sailors were de-
prived OF shore leave" today until
the danger from Spanish influenza is
over.
Reports from the station showed
more than one thousand blue jackets
were suffering from the influenza.
Twenty-Five were reported to have
died of pneumonia
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
TO MOVE on BOlSHEvlKI
Czecho-SIovak and Allied Forces Con-
centrate for Attack on Reds.
tBy-ths Associated I.ress

Toxic, Wednesday. Sept IL
Czecho-Slovak forces from the west
and those from Vladivostok. after hav-
ing effected junction at Tchita. are
concentrating at Irkutsk in prepara-
ton for an advance to the relief of
the Czecho-Slovak in European Rus
sia, says a war office announcement
today. The relief force will be COM
manded by General Gaida. the Czecho-
Slovak leader
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
DRAW men FROM POLAND
Germans Withdraw Garrisons for Use
on the French Front.

Washington, Sept. 20.-Apparently
in desperate need of manpower as
result of the military events on the
western front. Germany is cutting
down the garrisons maintained hereto
fore in Poland and sending the troops
to the front. A dispatch from Cracow,
sent thru a neutral country and re-
ceived here today, said the reduction
in the forces of occupation of Poland
affects even the smallest garrisons
In some places the ordinary detact-
ments of twenty men have been re-
duced to two or three
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
No SERBIAN PEACE
Rumor OF Negotiations Between Aus
tria and Serbia Without Foundation.

London, Sept. 2o.-A. report pub
lished in the Deutches Zeitung that
Austria and Serbia were carrying on
peace thru a Swedish diplomat were
characterized here today in well in
formed circles as entirely without
foundation
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
IN PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS
German Social Democrats Stir VI
Trouble for Hun Rulers.

Amsterdam. Sept 20.-Social Demo-
Gratis in Germany are trying out nu-
merous peace demonstrations. accord
ing to dfsr atches from Cologne
Demonstrations have been held in
Essen. Cologne and at many places in
Saxony.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
BANDITS IN CHICAGO
Held Up Bank in Suburb and Got
Away in Automobile,

Chicago, Sept. 20.-Five bandits
held up the Argo State bank today and
escaped with $4,000. Argo is a su-
burb of Chicago. Details of the hold
up were lacking.
Chicago police, armed with rifles.
took up the chase. Last reports had
the bandits speeding in an automobile
on the road TO Joliet
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
A CURT REPLY
France Merely Enclosed Copy of PRIV
mier Clemenceau's Speech.

Paris, Sept. 20.-France's reply TO
the Austrian peace discussion pro-
posal, handed to the Swiss minister
consists of Premier Clemenceau's
speech to the senate refusing the offer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-20
SCHE|DEMANN FOR War
Socialist Leader in Germany for Fight
to the Last Man.

Copenhagen. Sept. 20.-Discussing
the refusal of the allies to listen to
Austrian peace proposals, Philip
Scheidemann. writing in the Socialist
newspaper. the Berlin vor%aerts. de-
clares:
What will happen when the en-
tente refuses peace?
There is only one thing to do
mobilize the last Of our manpower.''