davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1918-08-21

even less substantial village than
Merris.
Further away stretched a brown land
scape stripped OF all vegetation by our
guns. Small though the height Is one
could guess how costly a frontal attack
would have been. Beyond the plain,
against tho skyline. one could sec the
squat. square church tower in Estaires.
This sector was entirely devoid Of life,
a mere empty Wilderness OF ruined vii
lagos Overt cad the air was alive with
our aircraft, while there were continual
bursts from the German anti-aircraft
guns As Ue watched we saw one Of
our fiers shoot down an enemy balloon
We could not see the airplane very we'll
as II was in the clouds. but we saw the
black cash appear in tho balloon, quickly
followed by burst OF flame, after which
1t pumped headlong, a blazing mass,
with great trails Of black smoke stream
ing behind. We did not see any para
chutes. so presumably the occupants
perish ed.
These balloons are all the Germans
have here for observation purposes.
Number of Gunners Captured.
Our prisoners were chiefly from the
Twelfth and Fourth divisions. while we
tliSo tOoh u VI we did
not get any guns. because scooping
southwark as we did our penetration was
not Aeep enough to reach the gun POSI-
tons. But we got all the observing off,
| GERS In the forward posts.
These captured officers seem more con-
versatlonally inclined than any we have
taken recently, particularly the artillery
officers. Among them, however, there
was one Prussian who was not only rude
but grossly Ill hammered, and seemed
proud of 1t. All the officers were very
hungry when they got into our cages
and were thankful for such remnants of
| food as had been left there.
The infantrymen, on the whole, are
not good lot. though their physique
seemed better than their morale. Among
| these we're a lot OF Poles, all OF whom
were glad to be taken prisoner. The
| infantry officers tell us they have SIT
fered heavy losses lately by their gun
ners sheiling their own lines. One ar
tillery officer. who heard this statement
dismissed 1t with O shrug.
Such accidents are bound to happen
he said. Others. however. protested II
was not their fault, as their weapons
were so bad 1t was absurd to expect any
one to do decent shooting with them.
The sun., 1918-08-21

appreciates the Importance of the ma.
that this line is to play is shown IN
despatch printed in an Essen ,rrr ava
reported from Amsterdam to-day IN ,s.
erect that Soviet troops had blown ne
"the Baikai tunnel" W
II was pointed out by officials fami,,.
with this railroad that there are thlr,'
three Baikal tunnels, all hewn Our =,
solid rock, SO that any attempts to blo,.
up one would simply delay transport,
tion for short time until the debr,,
could be cleared away.
members Of the American Engines.
Commission are In the vicinity OF III,
Baikal and haze been repairing bride,
destroyed or damaged, and doub,lss,
they will be able to repair any tenno.
rary damage done &c the tunnels
The sun., 1918-08-21
HARD DRIVEN ENEMY
DRAG GUNS TO REAR
Haig's Forces Glue Rstteatins
Germans No Rest.

WITH THE BRir1sH ARMY IN FRANCE,
Aug. 20.-Ffeld Marshal Haig's forces
continued to advance throughout the
day in the Merville sector Of the Lys
salient. They are closely following the
retiring Germans, who this afternoon
seemed to have gone back to an extreme
depth of between three and four miles
and are still showing no inclination to
come to a halt. Especially to the south
of this sector the Germans have left
behind them numerous lines OF retard-
ing wire entangiements. go.
The German guns appear to be fsS
behind the infantry in the movement to-
ward the rear. This Is indicated by the
extremely light enemy artillery fire. even
that of the smaller cannon. ....
By withdrawing their forces in the
Merville sector OF the Lys salient the
Germans definitely have given up one
of the points from which drive for
Calais logically would be launched. This
is taken to indicate that the German
High Command has. at least for the time
being, abandoned hope of reaching the
coast and now, perhaps. is chiefly con-
,cerned, with getting the German lines
back to place OF greater security.
The withdrawal here had been expected
for some time and 1t continued last night
and to-day even on slightly broader
tirement marked the conclusion and fall
cure of the effort which Germany
launched early in the spring to Finish
off, the British army by driving through
to the sea-
Other Withdrawals continue and the
British, taking advantage of the oppor-
tunity. have at various places pushed
forward where the enemy has left small
Earrisons. The British also have bat
tered in tho Boche at places where he
was not quite ready to retire, such as
between Vieux-BerQuin and the Haze
brouck- Bailleul railway. Here a local
operation gained all tho detectives. the
British advancing their positions some
distance and capturing one offlcer and
1S1 OF other ranks.
South OF the Scarpe River the British
etill further advanced their line, while
their positions south Of the River Somme
were improved by local actions. An
enemy attack which developed here yes
terday was complete failure in every
respect. the Germans suffering heavy
casualties.
( While the Germans managed to pene-
trate the British positions at two points
they were quickly hurled out and the
line this morning was completely re-
stored. Not a single foot Of ground wac
gained by the enemy.
Every day now some new document
or incident comes to light showing either
a weakening OF the morale in the Ger
man army or the anxiety of its leaders.
\ The latest is step to make the SOL
.Aiers cease whining when writing let
fers to friends and relatives at home,
as 1t is considered by the German COM
manders to be bad for home morale
1t is a secret captured order issued
by the commander OF the Second Ger
man Army. He states that special
examination OF homo going mails dis
closes a disregard for the army postal
regulations. Aside from disclosing the
exact location Of units many OF the
soldiers have told of successes Of the
enemy" The destruction of trains by
Entente aircraft especially has been
mentioned.
The sun., 1918-08-21

PACT UNNECESSARY
No Slackers Found Hiding in
Either Country.
Special Cable DesposcA TO TIE Sun.
COPYRIGHT, 1915: all rioh,s rsserpsd.


COPYRIGHT. 1915; all rights reserved.
PARIS, Aug. 20.--A military conven-
ton similar to the Anglo-American pact
which went into force recently, is un-
likely between France Ind the United
States. according to information re-
ceived here to-day from a private source.
While such negotiations are said to
be in process of formation with other
allied countries. one with France Is
said to be unnecessary. as there are not
sufficient number Of French subjects
in the United States liable to military
service, and vice versa.
Americans in France are practically
all engaged in military work, while the
Frenchmen in America responded to the
call to the colors almost to a man when
the war started.
A similar convention concluded be-
tween France and England some months
ago is yielding satisfactory results.
The Paris afternoon papers learn that
az the recent conference between the
two Emperors Charles refused to prom
ise military aid to Germany on the
ground that Austrian public opinion
would be hostile to such a project.
The sun., 1918-08-21
OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE BATTLES.


FRENCH (NIcHT)-south of the Avre have captured
after bitter struggle In the of advance
terday between the Matz and the Disc took prisoners
East OF the Disc troops this morning attacked the German
lines on front of about twenty-five hometers from the region Of
Baily a far the Asne. g.,
On left
camp Forest and also the outskirts of CaepOnt and Canes
In the centre Lombray Beancourdele and
gained footing on the plateau north Of Vassens
On right villages vezaponn, Tartiers
mont osly and Courtil have fallen into hands,
On all the fronts Of attack have advanced to
depth of four kmeers prisoners
The number taken since the 18th between the Disc
and the Aisne is more than 10000.
FRENCH tDAY)Thre reciprocal bombardmsnt, in the
region OF Lassgny and Dreslncourt during the night
Between the Disc and the Asne occupied the vii
lag Of vassens, to the northwest Morsai,
surprise attack by the west of Maonde Champagne
was without result. ''
I The night calm of front
German arpanes Nancy night reported
that six of the civilian population killed and wounded
BRITISH (NIoHT)Loca fighting taken place to-day
both banks OF the Scpe River South of the river hostile attacks
upon certain posts which troops succeeded establishing
east Of the former lines repued North the
Fampoux after fighting a prisoners
In the of the day further ground has been gained by
ade the Ly Our troops have gained LEpette and the
Mervle
Couonne raid attempted by the early this morning north
east of Locre repulsed.
BRITISH (DAYA successful minor
by US last evening vux Beun and the
right of advance that line brought
took 1872 prisoners
northeast of Chilly On each occasion repulsed.
We successfully raided a German post Bray
the Lave and the Ly rivers and the
vile road. , -.........
GERMAN (NIGHT)-A breaking through attempt
of the French which had
preceded August s and
day between the Disc and the Ane The first assault broke
down in our battle positions after bitter struggle
GERMAN (DAY)Souhwest of Baleu the artillery activity
frequently increased strength Monday the
renewed his attacks the battlefield Sunday South Meern
they unable develop fire. North
Vieux Berquin they epused in hand fighting
On both sides of the without fighting
withdrew which had forward
Mervie line thereof Merye occupied
detachments.
Near Lens and the Sarpe British hrusts repulsed
North of Lhons Shock attacked the front line British
captured the defenders warded
attacks Southwest of Chaulne beat back attack
Roye French their rpulsed
throughout the Here
peatedy strong attacks partly with divisions which had
freshly brought South Of
before lines both sides Frenres
attack.
In violent hand hand fighting the repulsed
Lagny and Thescurt nes which
had temporarily penetrated cleared In the
held adjacent lines to the Disc against stubborn attacks
kept until evening The thrown
positions department Between the Disc Asne
dus again increased in the afternoon great strength
Toward continued his
Carlepnt and Nouon. both
repud hand to hand fghng In the
fire held down the infantry before positions
the Mouse and the Mosele econnong
penetrated several times the enemys
The sun., 1918-08-21
would do harm to those for whom the
shots were not intended,

would do harm to those for whom the
shots were not intended
1t IL contrary TO the Geneva conven-
ton to use shotguns In actual combat
Just as II Is a violation of the convention
to use explosive bullets, liquid fire, poi
sonous gases and instruments of n bar
barous nature, all of which actually
have been employed by German troops
In the fighting.
Early In the war. before the United
States entered one of the protests
against Great Britain which the German
Government made to the United States
was that the British army had bought
largo supply of shotguns and buckshot
cartridges In the United States. 1t was
shown conclusively that. the arms were
being used In a manner common to all
armies and not in violation of any Of
the laws of humanity or nations.
The sun., 1918-08-21
GERMANS GIVE UP
COSTLY TERRITORY


Of positions around Outtersteen. In this
operation We took go prisoners, inolud-
Ing eighteen officers and sixty machine
guns. Outtersteen spur is q little ridge
running southwark on the further side
OF the little stream Metern Beck, which
runs north and south 1000 yards east
of Merris.
When speak of the spur az being
high ground 1t must be understood that
the expression is merely relative, as the
spur Is barely q hundred feet above sea
level. but as the further side slopes
down into the mud fats and low country
II has been OF great Importance to the
enemy for purposes OF observation.
Prisoners told us that il We had at
tempted to take tho hill we would have
met stiff resistance. and SO we would
have II we had not outwitted the enemy
as we'll as outfought him.
The Germans expected us to attack
this spur. but they had no inkling the
attack would be made yesterday. All
during the early hours. when attacks
are usually made. they stood at arms
In their positions.
Foo Taken Entirely OFF Guard.
We didn't attack, however. until the
unusual hour of IL o'clock, which took
the enemy completely on his guard.
Moreover, the Germans had figured out
that we would attack frontally, across
the spur top. Instead. we went in from
the north. parallel to the stream.
Our barrage did not start until one
minute before the time set for the at
tack, and IN addition We had a heavy
smoke screen TO conceal the movements
Of cur men. The attack coming from
the north and protected by the smoke
screen actually caught the Germans
from the rear. Finding themselves In
front of our smoke screen they sur
rendered.
Our troops, composed mostly OF
Scotch and Welshmen. had one sharp
burst of fighting at the start, when oui
men had a chance to use their bayonets
Otherwise our advance carried to it,
detectives without much OF a check
In the afternoon the Germans shelled
oyr newly won positions heavily, but
our loss was small, being far less thar
the Number OF prisoners we took. II
awas, in fact. an extremely satisfactory
minor operation.
The sun., 1918-08-21
u. S. AlRMEN OPEN
DRIVE ON U-BASES
Fliers PROVE Skill in Mich,
Bombing at Osfend.

LONDON, Aug. 20.-The America,
navy's air campaign against German
submarine bases in Flanders began An.
gust 10 with the bombing of os,.,a
While details are lacking II Is said m.
operations generally were successful and
that the Americans are particularly good
at night bombing.
The sun., 1918-08-21

MONTREAL, Aug. 2o.-RcacHinc civil.
cation after an absence OF five year'
among the Eskimos IN Grant Land IN
the Arctic circle Frederick Smithern, a
f,ir trader. has just learned OF the war
Smithern passed through Montreal to-
day en- route Tor his home in New York.
The sun., 1918-08-21

DETROIT, Aug 2o.-The flying cir
GUS of eight airplanes piloted by Amer
lean and British aviators arrived here
from Toledo this afternoon. Exhibition
fiiqhts will be made tomorrow.
The sun., 1918-08-21
GERMANS RAISE CRY
AGAINST SHOTCUNS
Accuse Americans of Violat-
ing Geneva Conuention.

STOCKHOLM. Aug. 20. German war
correspondents report to their newspa-
pers that they inspected guns taken from
the Seventy-seyenth American Regiment
and found them to be shotguns. each
carrying five cartridges loaded with
bucisshot. They declare that the use of
such guns 10 contrary to the Geneva con-
venuon.
II is well known that certain troops of
all armies are equipped with shotguns
for police duty behind their own lines.
1t is customary to use shotguns for arm
ing patrols who guard prisoners and do
similar duty because 1t has been found
That the use OF the high powered fighting
rlne Tor that purpose is dangerous. Hav-
ing long range and a high power bull
lst' rife, II II became necessary TO fIre
IN course of guard duty. probably
The sun., 1918-08-21

This morning looked at the battle
field from the high ground. Directly In
front of US stood what was once the
village of Merris, but what is now a
mass of tumbled ruins. with broken
angles of bricks sticking up here and
there. and with a row of branchless
poplar trees On the lower ground could
be seen the remnants Of outtersteen, an
The sun., 1918-08-21
RICE RIOTS SUBSIDE
IN PARTS or JAPAN
Mods Still Using Torch in
Northern Portion.
By the Associated Press.

TOXIC, Aug. II (delayed) The dis
turbances over the high price OF rice are
reported to be subsiding except in north
Japan. where they apparently are
spreading Mobs have burned several
houses at Sendai.
The Rice Exchange announces that
thirty houses were burned in the
Tsumiye Prefecture on Thursday.
wAsHIEoToN, Aug. 20.-Profiteering
ON a great scale ia the cause of the un-
rest and rioting in Japan, accord ng to
an explanation In official quarters here.
Not only wholesalers and middlemen
dealing In food products. and especially
rice. but even the Japanese farmers
have been holding back their stores
and demanding greatly inflated prices.
Now that the Japanese Government
has seized these stores of rice prepare
tory to distributing them to the people
at reasonable prices 1t IL believed here
the popular discomfort will be allayed.
There also has been some difficulty
in the matter Of transportation, Japan
sharing with the Allies In the need for
sufficient ocean bottoms. Consequently
the procurement OF rice from the usual
sources In British India and Siam has
been 'obstructed.
The sun., 1918-08-21
shot Eight Germans Himself.

Sergeant Robert II. Donaghue. Ma
OF Chateau Thierry,
France, in the Bois de Belleau, June 8,
1918, he led his platoon against violent
fire TO destroy a machine gun position.
killed or wounded eight Germans HIM
self and did not cease firing until over
come from loss of blood from his own
injuries"
Corporal Isaac Valley. Infantry
"When, on July 90. 1913, hand grenade
was dropped among a group of soldiers
I'm a trench, and when he might have
saved himself by flight, attempted to
cover 1t with his foot and thereby pro-
tect his comrades. In the performance
of this brave act he was severely
wounded"
Second Lieut.. +. Bongardt, Field Ar
Nllery-"Duriny the fighting at Vaux
July /, 1918, while serving as tele-
phone officer. he crossed an open field
in full view OF the enemy and under
constant bombardment. three times, to
repair telephone line vitality necessary to
keep six batteries In operation"
Private s. j. Kendry, Field Artillery
"He performed his duty OF telephone line
repair man with great bravery and
The sun., 1918-08-21
Rescued soldier Under Fire.

Private BegtraIn l.. Ream, machine
gun battalion-'1n the Bots de Belleau.
France. on June II, 1918. he and a
comrade left shelter and went 200 yards
in the open under fire of the enemy and
carried a wounded infantry soldier back
to his lines thereby demonstrating
heroic and voluntary disregard of self
to save one who could not help him
self"
Major George F. Roxelle. infantry
"For three days near Cant.gny. France.
May $3.50, 1913, he wtthstood German
assaults under intense bombardment.
heroically exposing himself to fire con-
stantly in order to command his bat
talon effectively, and although his com
mand lost half It's officers and 80 per
cent OF its men, he held his position
and prevented a break IN the line at
that point
Capt. Clarence r. IIuebner. infantry
For three days near Cantigny.
France. May 1880, 1913, he withstood
q, man assaults under intense lombard
NJ At, heroically exposing himself to
fire. constantly In order TO command his
battalion effectively and although his
command lost half its officers and 30
per cent, OF it's men, he held his posi-
ton and prevented a break in the line
at that point"
Sergeant Albert 8. Elsea. machine gun
battalion--"While acting as machine gun
leader near Hilsenhrst. France, July O..
1918, was wounded in the face by a
bursting shell. but continued to direct
| his men until the attack ended and then
insisted on walking to dressing sta
ton"
Corporal Clayton Fl. Moore, infantry
I-"During the attack on 1iilsenfirst
France, July 6. 1918. while carrying
wounded soldier through machine gun
fire to shelter was wounded, but by
! unus,al MUCK he nevertheless brought
/ his oou<ade to safety and realizing the
scarcity of stretchers.~ insisted on 9TH
ers being carried 10 the rear. and walk
| ing himself"
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-12
BRITISH naval
| FLYERS Make IT
| HOT FOR ENEMY
Drop Fourteen Tons of
Bombs and Fire on Enemy
Posts.
fBy Associated Press.)

(By Associated Press)
LONDON, June 12.-Durfng the per-
iod between June 6 and 9, inclusive.
ten bombing raids were carried out.
according to an admiralty statement
| today. The detectives were Thourout,
Zebrugge lock gates, the Burgeoise
works. Bruges docks, Bruges canal,
| Ghistelles airdrome. Mayialter air
drome. ST. Denis-Westrem airdrome.
| and the Mostacker airdrome.
In ALL" the statement says, -FOUR
teen tons of bombs were dropped.
Fires were started in the Brukes
docks. the Marialter airdrome. and the
St. Denis Westmer air dome. -Four
fires and two explosions were caused
in the eastern basin at the Bruges
docks. Two direct hits were observed
on the mole at Zeebrugge. Heavy an
ti-aircraft fire was experienced and
attacks by enemy aircraft were yen
Off
Airmen Bomb U-Boats-
"In home waters during the same
period numerous antisubTarine and
hostile aircraft escort patrols were
carried out by seaplanes, airships and
airplanes Submarines were sighted
and bombed, enemy mines were locat-
ed and floating mines sunk
ION occasions while on patrol single
British machines have been attacked
by enemy formations. In one case
a stray bullet shot away the tent and
a British machine was forced to alight
The crew subsequently were rescued
by another British seaplane. which
which had been sent to search for
them
"In another instance our machine.
after being disabled was sunk by hos
rescued"
Bomb Foes In Battle.
The official statement on aerial op-
erations tonight says:
I'm spite of the cloudy weather yes
terday our airmen on the French bat
tie front worked early and late, drop
ping eight tons of bombs on enemy
dumps, guns and trenches. Direct hits
were obtained on the railway at Roye-
Sur-Matz and concentration Of In
fantry in the triangle comprising Mont
didier. Ricquebourg and Roye.
Flying low, our machine attacked
with machine gun fire every target
that offered itself along the roads be-
hind the fighting line and an immense
number of rounds were fred from the
air with good effect.
Down Fifteen Planes.
"In this area we shot down six en-
envy planes and drove seven down
out of control, we ourselves losing i've
machines.
"On the British front there was
little aerial activity. One German air
plane was destroyed and one was
driven down out of control We lost
two machines
During Monday night we dropped
seven tons of bombs on Cambria and
Bapaume. All our night bombers re-
turned"
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-12

efficiency. The government is paying
such girls well.
Very often when l hear people say
they are sensitive / wonder if their
sensitiveness is genuine or mere touch
mess. A sensitive person is as careful
about the feelings of others as she is
of her own. When you are hurt stop
to think whether or not you have been
unkind to the person who is hurting
you. Genuinely sensitive persons can
be very much loved because they are
so thoughtful of others.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: l am young
girl twenty-three years old A short
time ago an old beau of my sisters
called to see us and seemd to like me
very much. He asked to come over the
following week and then took me to
places just three or four days apart.
| haven't seen him for over three
weeks and I cannot understand why.
| know | did not offend him in any
way My mother says l should not let
him come to see me if he phones again.
How do you think should treat him ?
| like the man very much. but am not
in love with him. I would like to keep
his friendship because al my other
friends have gone to war and | get
rather lonely BYRLE.
You have no claim on the mans at
tentions and so you have no reason 10
resent Lis absence of few weeks. If
he asks to see you again | think it
would be all right to let him since he
is only a friend. Do not let him call
so often that he will tire of you.