The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-06
War Cross in Pocket.

shall / do with my war cross, Is the
question which is agitating sergeant
from Rochester, n. Y. He received the
war cross in the presence of Dattai-
ion in recognition Of his recent ex-
emplary leadership in an expedition
carried out by patrols near German
lines. After the impressive ceremony
the Rochester sergeant put the war
cross in his pocket.
Some time later he wandered back
to his trenches. His comrades looked
for the war cross. But 1t was stlil
bashfuIIy nesting in his pocket.
Pershina's Maneuvers.
by ]. w. T. Mason, Written for the
United Press.l
NEW YORK, Feb. 6.-The capture
OF Metz and the bending back Of the
German salient south of Verdun will
be the first detectives of the Amer
lean expeditionary army in France II
General Pershing concentrates his
major strength along the salient no"
held by United States troops.
Camouflage, however, may be Cen
eral Pershing's purpose in the d1slo-
sition of his men, SO as to keep Won
Hindenburg in the dark concerning
the direction of the main American
attack. Three months ago the Amer
leans were located by the Germans
along the Rhine Marne canal, just
across the French border from Ger.
man Lorraine. Six weeks later Swift
erland formally requested assurances
that American troops would not VIC
late Swiss neutrality. The state de-
partment replied that America would
respect the neutrality OF Switzerland
in Germany and the Swiss people
themselves did the same. This diplo-
matte exchange was interpreted to
mean that General Pershing's spring
drive would be near the Swiss bord-
er in southern Alsace, about 100
miles south of the Rhine-Marne can
al.
And now six weeks later still,
there are indications that the Ameri-
cans are holding part OF the French
front east of St. Mihiel, about twenty
miles south of Verdun and not asso.
ciated with either the Rhine-Marne
canal nor the southern Alsace front.
So far apart are these three sectors
that the German general staff dare
not concentrate at any one OF the
points it's newly formed armies, gath
cred along the Rhine to resist the
forthcoming American offensive.
Won Hindenburg can only wait I'M
til the attacks begins before moving
the mass OF his troops forward from
this present reserve position.
But If General Pershtng decides to
move forward from the St Mihiel
area, his purpose will then be to
plant the American flag over Metz.
which would become the first German
fortress to be captured during the war.
l.
German system of railways that sup.
ply the army OF the crown prince, and
all the other German forces in east
ern France. It's occupation by the
Americans would bring about grave
disorganiZation in the German army
and would produce serious distrus'
OF Won Hindenburg's invincibility
among the Germans at home.
Only One on List.
OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 6.-The fol
lowing American Is mentioned in to
days Canadian casualty list.
wounded: J. II. Wilson, st. Cloud
MINI.
Violent ArtIIlerylng.
PARIS, Feb. 5.-Violent artillaryina
around Fosses wood last night was
reported by the war office today. A few
prisoners were taken by French pa
trolls near the Woeyre.
Enemy Raid Repulsed.
LONDON, Feb. G.-Attempted en-
envy raids were repulsed in the neigh
borhood of Mericourt and Avion las
night, Field Marshal Haig reported
today. A few German prisoners wert
taken There was mutual artilleryins
in the vicinity Of Hargicourt and Lens
Prohibition Campaign.