davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14


(Tho New York Yribmc)
VI OCH'S strategy of economy
r. was brought into play again
yesterday, when he increased
the pressure against the hinge of the
new Ludendorff line of defence-the I
positions about Lassigny.
The Ludendorff line--a provision (
al and hastily organized one-runs
almost straight south from the
, Somme through Chaulnes and Roye
to Lassigny. Then it turns east
southeast across the Matz Valley re-
gion to the Disc River. Foch is en-
veloping the Lassigny angle from
the northwest, west, southwest,
south and southeast. He attacked in
force yesterday all the way from the
upper Matt around to the big Ribe-
court bend in the Disc. Gains were
made everywhere in spite of obsti-
nate German resistance.
The fall Of igny-which is
near at hand--will have two results,
1t will imperil the temporary Ger
man line north TO Roye, Chaulnes
and the Somme. This line will be
subject to attack from the right
flank and rear. 1t could not be held
longer except at an eXorbitant cost
Abandoning it, the German armies
would have to fall back past Nesle
to north and-sOuth line based on
Noyon, and extending north through
Ham to Peronne. The Somme River
covers this front from Peronne down
to Ham. The Verse River covers a
part of it between Ham and Noyon
Such line could probably be sta
bllzed by the Germans.
The second result Of the fall of
Lassigny will be the clearing of the
Matz Valley salient and of the terri
tory on both banks of the Disc south
OF Noyon taken in the fourth Lu-
dendorff offensive. The results of
that offensive would be eh'aced, lust
as the results Of the third Luden-
dorff offensive were effaced last
month between the Marine and the
Vese
The French yesterday moved north.
ward everywhere west of the Disc.
They advanced northeast of Csurv.
capturing most Of the high ground.
the massif of Lassigny, which domi.
mates the city and the valley of the
Divette River beyond it. They have
penetrated to the rear of Thiescourt
Wood, strong German position.
about two miles south Of Lassignv.
On the eastern side of this wood
General Rumbert's troops reached
l. EcouvlllOn. Still further east the
French advanced mile and quar-
ter to the neighborhood of Dreslin-
court. Without waiting for an at
tack the Germans Withdrew from the
big bend in the Disc River above
Ribecourt.
ms retirement has also begun to
uncover the German positions east
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14

Of all kinds are being left as the Ger
mans retire
A stirring incident occurred during
the recent fighting. A general COM
handing French division, seeing a
battalion hesitate to throw itself into a
dangerous position under heavy ma
chine gun fire, directed his auto into
the centre of this position and, stand
ing up, shouted to his men: See, the
boches are gone!' His men thereupon
sprang forward and within the next
three hours advanced seven kilometres.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
FRENCH

PARIS (NlGHD. --During the DAY
our troops resumed their attacks in
the wooded region between the Matz
and the Disc. In spite of strong
enemy resistance we succeeded in
making progress to the north and
east of Curry. We have gained
footing in the park of LESSER de
Roye and reached Belval. Further
cast We have advanced our lines
about Two kilometres to the north of
the village of Cambronne.
PARIS O.-There were no
events of Importance reported during
the course OF the night on the bat
tlefront. Several enemy raids in the
Vosges and Upper Alsace were
without result.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
General Leads Attack

The spirit Of the French troops is
superb. In the front line for several
days, they have undergone great hard
ships in their advance Of ten kilom tire s
through fields swept by machine gun
FIRE. The enemy's tactics are intended
to delay the French until the main
German forces can withdraw, but great
stocks Of ammunition and war material
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
GERMAN

NAA<A\NX3&4N
BERLIN tDAY). South of Ypres
early in the morning there was VIC
lent artillery fighting. Under our
fire enemy attacks were unable to
develop. South of Merris frequently
repeated English partial attacks
were repulscd There was foretield
fighting ON both sides of La Bassee
Canal and between the Scarpe and
Ancre Rivers.
On the battlefield between the
Ancre and the Avre the morning was
quietet.
South of the Somme the enemy at
tackled in the afternoon en- both sides
of the Roman road running from
Foucancourt to Villers- Bretonneux.
He was repulsed
North Of the Amens-Roye road we
drove back strong enemy ATTACKS in
the evening. Between the Avre and
the Disc there was violent fighting
during the DAY with partially fresh
brought up French divisions Strong
forces attacked in the morning south
of the Avre as we'll as between
Tilloloy and north Of Elincourt They
collapsed before our line. At iso-
lated points we repulsed them by
counter tnrusts.
Between Tilloloy and Canny and
west and southwest Of Lassigny the
enemy continued his attacks until
late in the evening South of Tloloy
.on five occasions weak forces were
thrust forward from the region of
the Matz. We drove the enemy back
and very frequently his attacks were
held up by our concentrated artillery
fire.
North and east of Fsmes a local
undertaking was successful. 1t re-
suited in prisoners being brought in.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
The Official Statements

the ighborhood of Vieux Berquin
(Flanders). A hostile attack against
our positions in the Merris sector
was repulsed after sharp fighting.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14

signy, which already ere under menace
of imminent capture.
The disaster which menaced General
Won Hutier's army has been averted for
the moment The few narrow passages
which now are open for the withdrawal
of his stores are so harassed by the
bombs of aviators and the fire of heavy
artillery that prompt escape is impos-
sible, rendering probable desperate
effort by the Germans to cling to their
1914 line
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
Counter Blows Blocked

(Noon.) There was sharp fighting
yesterday on the heights of Thiescourt,
particularly in Logcs Wood, which was
captured at noon after it had been
drenched with gas. The division that
carried the woods fought in masks all
the morning In the afternoon the
Germans counter attacked and reoccu-
pied the woods.
A fearful spectacle of ruin is spread
out along the great sweep Of rolling
pasture lands behind Boulogne la
Grasse and Rollot, southeast Of Mont
didier. There the enemy is continuing
his desperate resistance. Heaps Of
German dead lie on every side and the
fields that were formerly green now are
torn up and strewn with masses of
debris.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
ITALIAN

ROME.-ln the Upper Zebru Val
ley one of our patrols attacked an
enemy advanced post on Height 1852,
killing some of the garrison and
capturing the survivors. Enemy
shelters were destroyed and the
patrol returned unframed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-14
Military Comment
By William L. Mcpherson

by WI[ilaTn 1. NICfherSOn
Copyright, 1913. BY The Tribune Associat'o,
(The New York Yribnnc)
OCH'S strategy of economy
A. was brought into play again
Evening star., 1918-08-25
The Witch's Prophecy.

Some strange tales have been set
afloat since the war began that have
travelled far and wide, with no means
Of tracing them to their source. In the
atmosphere of conflict these stories
gain credence and pass current with
little question. One Of them is now
on its rounds. According to this tale,
which is reported from various parts
of the country, a witchlike woman pre-
diets that the war will end on a GER
tain date following the finding Of a
dead man under an automobile. It
was recently told in this neighborhood
and accredited to one who himself had
found lifeless man under his car ON
the same day that the "witch" h"-given
a Tift" on the road-had made the
forecast. The story came into Wash
ington later from the north and on
repetition was echoed in still third
form. It is simply one of the war
stories on its rounds. If there are as
many witch readers of the future wan
dering about the country as there are
versions Of the tale the weird sisters
have indeed come ipto their own again.
Meanwhile the war continues, with no
immediate prospect Of ending.
Evening star., 1918-08-25

weH be preserved. Trench warfare i'm.
plies concentration in conditions thar
make air work especially easy.
In another respect the allies are
equipped to render the maintenance
Of German trench positions very diff
fcult. They have developed q quick
firing trench mortar capable Of such
an intensely efficient FIRE, with extraor-
dinary accuracy, that any given point
of the enemy line can be obliterated
within a few minutes.
In these conditions trench warfare is
unlikely to be maintained for any
length Of time along any considerable
sector. Here and there, no doubt,
lines may be formed as by mutual con-
sent, through lack Of desire on the
part of one side or the other to un-
dertake an offensive action. But there
will probably be no more long contin-
ued ciinging to narrow bitches dug
through the oozing soil, with men liv-
ing in them like burrowing animals in
the most intense discomfort and with
little chance for action or change.
That was a demoralizing, dishearten-
ing form of warfare, more terrible, in
deed, than the actual clash Of battle,
and the wonder is that the armies were
able to stand it so long and with such
bravery and endurance.
Evening star., 1918-08-25
czEcHo- o-SrovAKs.

From the Pittsburgh Dispatch.
The allies formally pledged to the
establishment Of the Cxecho-Slovak
nation they now recognize cannot con-
slider any continuation Of Austrian
sovereignty over these peoples. The
declaration must dfsheArten Vienna
as much as 1t will encourage Prague.
From the Indianapolis News.
The people of Archangel and victn-
ity were glad to cooperate with the
allies. The Cxecho-Slovaks are de-
lighted. OF course. but their approval
is important since they seem to be
supported by many Russians.
From the Charleston News and Courier.
There isn't much doubt about the
pleasure with which those American
troops arriving at vladivostok are
looking forward to their job In ST.
IBERIA.
From the Savannah News.
Austria Is to treat Cxecho-Slovak
soldiers as traitors. Austria had bet
ter begin to let up on harsh treatment
for anybody The time u coming
when she will be on the receiving end
and h&rshness does not. as . rule, be-
get mercy.
Evening star., 1918-08-25
Utter Savagery.

Afidavits have been filed in London
by escaped British soldiers who were
captured in the German offensive of
last March showing conclusively that
Germany was then guilty Of most
horrible method for the determination
of prisoners. According to these sworn
statements the captives were crowded
in trenches and liquid fire was turned
upon them. There is no reason to
doubt this fendishness. 1t is in keep
ing with the German character as
manifested since the war began.
Every abomination committed by
Germany during the past four years,
and for the remainder Of the war,
must be taken into reckoning in the
writing of the terms Of peace. There
is in truth no adequate punishment
for such cruelties and outrages as have
been authentically proved against the
Hun. In the aggregate these diaboli-
cal practices weigh upon the German
people and government. They should
be made to suffer for them.
It cannot be believed that the Ger
man people disapprove of these bar
barities. They must know of them
throughout the empire. No effort has
been made by the Hun high COM
mand to prevent the soldiers from
telling of the deeds they have COM
mitted, though they may have justified
them on the score Of necessity" The
whole point of view Of the enemy has
been wrong from the start-so wrong
that drastic means must be adopted to
correct it.
The burning Of unarmed men taken
prisoner in the course Of action would
have disgraced any savage people.
Committed by the representatives of a
nation Of supposed culture, such dis
play Of fendishness is proof of an
utter national Generalization.
Evening star., 1918-08-25

in accordance with the conditions a.
they develop, to hit here and there and
elsewhere as Foch sees an opening, to
give the enemy no rest, to wear him
down by the capture Of prisoners and
guns, to lower his morale by wrestling
from him territory he has lavishly
squandered man-power to gain.
Foch is moth braggart. He has never
been guilty Of vGinglorious statement.
When he sent his message to Joffre at
the Marne he did not guarantee re-
suits, but merely announced what he
proposed to undertake. He has never
made a promise. He has simply an
nounced his plan in general terms. The
allied people have the more confidence
in him for his restraint of declars-
tion. He has not failed yet, and there
is no reason to expect that he will
fail. That seems to be ono word he
has not learned.
Evening star., 1918-08-25
Will Trench Warfare Returna

Conservative opinion is frequently
voiced to the effect that the German
forces upon retirement from their
present positions in France win fall
back upon previously prepared lines
Of great strength, and there, digging
IN, win resist allied advances for an
indefinite period. But it is to be
doubted If trench warfare such as pre-
vailed during the last quarter Of 1914,
all Of 1915, the greater part Of 1916
and to some extent in 1917 can again
be maintained
Weapons Of defense have developed
70 render position warfare much
moro difficult Of maintenance. Gas
shells Of high degree Of efficiency,
tanks and airplanes have come. It is
true that tanks were used two years
age in tho British Somme offensive,
but they were not nearly as efficient
n the new tanks, which are stouter,
faster and more dependable.
With all the gas defense measures
tha4 have been devised an onset pre-
esded by bombardment of noxious
vspor finds the defensive force greatly
demoralized- The attackers, prepared
for ehe situation, can go through their
en- gas effectively and safely.
Aplane observation has reached a
pse1t At which no secrets, Of trench
construction or troop assemhla9e can
Evening star., 1918-08-25
HAAlMERnqc THE HUN.

Frsn tie New York Times.
1t seems to be Marshal Foch's de-
sign not only to press the whole Ger
man line back. but to keep 1t on the
move and not permit It to select VIM
ter quarters.
From the New York Hsrsld.
Everywhere In the west the Germans
are giving way, sometimes withdraw
ing precipitately, sometimes fighting
q stubborn rearguard action. but al
ways retreating. This shows loss Of
morale as well as lack of man power.
From the Albany Journal
Tho war news will make even better
reading when names OF German cap
tured towns appear In 1t.
From the Chariestou News and Courier.
Maybe there's only ons wsy In which
Germany can be beaten. but, unfors
tunately for Germany. we are adbpt-
ing that way.
Evening star., 1918-08-25

From Tia Raieigh News and Observer.
The Czecho- -Slovaks. tho newest ma
tion, will prove themselves worthy OF
the recognition which several OF the
powers have given them They are
doing their bit to defeat the world
menace, the central powers.
rrom the New Orleans Times-Picsyune.
Forced to tight in their own defense,
tile Cxecho-Slovaks organised . move
ment which now seems destined to
work out Russia's salvation as well
as their own.
From the Boston Transcript.
It will not be Japan's fault II the OBJ
struction Of an army OF 100000 boil
sheviks and armed German and Aus
trian ex-prisonsrs is not speedily
pushed back from the Usuri front.
near vladivostok, and the way made
clear for allied and anti-bolshevfk
control clear through Siberia to the
Urals.
From the Detrsit Free Press.
We need not be especially surprised
Il some day in the neT future we
learn that . large held force OF en-
tente soldiers is in Sfberta, co-operat-
ing with the Csecho-Slovaks and sup
porting them.
Evening star., 1918-08-25
"And We Shall Continue.

Marshal Foch said yesterday to the
war correspondents at the allied front:
Eve have begun our action and We
shall continue" Foch has . way Of
putting q proposition that makes q
deep impression and that commands
confidence. His first famous state
ment to Joffre in the course Of the
hattie of the Marine to the effect that
his right and left wings were failing
back, but that he intended to strike
in the center, thrilled the allied forces
and lighted the spark Of confidence
that led to victory.
There is = deep significance in this
assurance by the commander Of the
allied armies that the action is to con-
tinue. It means that the campaign of
offensive is now definitely in progress
and that these recent actions are not
mere spasmodic undertakings to
strsighten lines or to remove local
menaees. They are part Of . general
campaign Of attack. to be conducted
Evening star., 1918-08-25
At HOME
New York.

The fight against the renomination
Of Gov. Whitman makes no hesdway.
It discloses too much personal rancor.
Tho people are not favorably i'm
pressed. They refuse to see in him
either q mere boss operating q state
machine for his own ends, or an am
bilious man figuring on the presidency.
His record in Office entities him tc
much appreciation, and he is receiving
it. No serious doubt exists as to his
success in the primaries.
The governors opponents failed
completely in their efforts to draw Mr..
Roosevelt into the contest. He prompt
iy declined their request to stand for
the nomination himself. He did not
declare for the governor, but there is
no doubt of his position. He will
support the republican nominee, and
endeavor to have his friends do so.
The opposition to the nomination Of
Mr.. Smith, the Tammany candidate for
governor, is not taken seriously, and
will not grow. He will win in the pri-
maries with ease. But afterf
Something will depend on tho Presi-
dent and his friends. Will they sup
port Mr.. Smith for election. As gov
ernor of New York Mr.. Smith could
not possibly develop into a presiden-
tial quantity. The bare suggestion of
Tammany in the White House would
cause protest everywhere.
But, for other reasons, the President
would entertain no fear Of Mr.. Smith
on that score. He is too completely
tho master Of the national democracy
to make fear Of anybody possible to
him at this time. As matters now
stand, he has the game as to his
party's presidential nomination in 1920
in his own hands. If he should not
care for the prize for himself, he will
be able to bestow it ON Q man Of his
choice.
The President has no love for Tam
many, nor has Tammany any love for
him. The Endorsement at Saratoga of
the administration was probably sim
cere enough, but it did not wipe out
old scores. Tammany is still the Tam
many Of the Baltimore convention, and
still the Tammsny which "laid down"
on election day in 1916.
There are politicians who sum up
the situation in this way: Roosevelt,
actively behind Whitman, and tho
President Indifferent as to Smith.
And SO they give the race to Whitman.
Evening star., 1918-08-25

Fssn ths Isdianapolis News
Il must be . terrible shock To- the
Hun 1tsuperman" to ind that gas has
the Same effect on him - on his enc
mies, who are mere mortaia
mn tAe Detssit Fres Press.
The kaiser ID NO longer concerned
about what he'll take for peace, but
what he'll have to give to get It.
Fron the Phfladelphis Press.
Foch is keeping Ludendorn 90 busy
that he probably never win have time
to explain to the German people what
has happened.
Frvm the Atianta Consultation.
After . while there will hardly be
enough. "Hindenhurg line" left to hang
the kaiser.
yssa he rhiladslphia inquirer.
And what . homecoming It will be
for Ffitx when he finally beats It
across the Rhine!
Evening star., 1918-08-25
HEARD and SEEN.

bit too eager to talk canned cher
ries.
Then one day she took a prize can
of cherries to a meeting where tneIe
was a demonstrator OF the Depart
ment of Agriculture. a canning ex-
The woman was pointing out the
merits of her champion jar OF chef-
ries when along came the expert;
MAY l see your cherriesT asked
the expert in her sweetest tones
with the intuition of her sex. the
cherry Gamer sensed that the expert
wanted to find fault. But she felt
perfectly safe. This was her prize
jar. She proudly passed over the
.They are beautiful cherries" said
the expert, turning the jar this way
and that.
The woman beamed.
But" continued the expert, sweet
ly. what about this worm?"
What, indeed!
CHANGED to witness a case OF
strained international relations the
other evening.
It happened on a busy street in the
residence section, on one Of these
new business streets that have grown
up by necessity to supply the daily
needs of those whose homes lie all
around It
The shops were still open. 1t being
a hot evening, shopkeepers. both male
and female, were sitting in front of
their stores. Passersby from time to
time stopped and walked into store.
whereupon the particular shopkeep-
er concerned would arise and go in
A Japanese shop. however, was
closed up tight Even IL you had
wanted to buy the genuine Jap tea
tastefully displayed in the window
you would have had to call a police-
A band of boys dressed in khaki
suits came along just then. They
were small boys. not a one over ten
years old. seemingly. Prominent In
the gang" was a little Japanese, his
straight black hair and cleaning.
dark Eyes strangely different from
the blond heads of most of his COM
panions.
Just as the boys went by the jap
anese store the door of that estab-
lishment. seemingly shut forever.
suddenly shot open, and a japanese
woman appeared.
Come in here" said the woman, in
She grabbed her son by the arm and
yanked him through the door, talking
excitedly the while.
The door shut with a bang.
Outside. the boys stood looking at
the tea in the window. and at the
Then the leader spoke In tones
Of woe and utter disgust he said to
the others, and in his tones I seneeA
an accusation:
There, now. we've lost him"
CHARLES e. TRAcEWELL
Evening star., 1918-08-25
Germans Losing.
hon the New York Hsrsld.

When things are going their way
the Germans are naturally buoyant,
like individuals Of other races, but
when the tide turns they have neither
the dogged endurance OF the British
satility Of the French to turn them
aside. So with one defeat following
another. It can be accepted as certain
that yesterdays fighting will tend to
further deInoralization and confusion
behind their front ana to the accAl-
Grafton Of their flight, which already
seems to be developing into . rcut.