davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
GREATEST FIGHT
EVER STAGED IS
RAGING IN WEST

London. March 23.-The artil-
lery preparation of the Germans
in the drive against the British
lines which is now in progress is
described by those who took part
in it as the most violent they ever
endured, according to the Daily
Nails correspondent on the British
front. The thing that stands out
as characteristic of the fighting up
to the present. says TIE corre-
spondeut. lis that we d;u so well
unQer The territie tullQaf t.--vs4s-a s-aaaGas5sl
'ufT1s. the correspondent says;
Upon one corps front there was
a gun every 10 yards. Tho strength
of the mOrtars which the enemy
brought up in such great numbers,
sent over suCh an overwhelming
weight of iron and high explosives
that in most parts of the front wire
ceased to be an obstacle and
trenches were obliterated. At the
same time all of our known bat
terry positions we're dreu ched with
gas but their gas shells failed t..
reach all of our batteries, nor did
they succeed anywhere in breakiT *
down our fire. At one point where
the Germans found our wire m
broken they set to work with sciS-
sors until they had made a way
through, an incident reminiscent Of
the methods of fighting ihculcated
by Frederick the Great. All Of this
was done under our machine gun
fire.
- curious fact reported by our
airmen was that the Germans CON-
posing the special assault divisions
wore new uniforms. Got on their
best clothes for a visit TO Paris,
commented one Of our generals.
1T is estimated that altogether
nearly six hundred thousand Ger
mans participated in the offensive.
The enemy fought well and his
gunuers did good service. The
uuickness with which the guns
were brought forward into No
Mans land after the infantry hal
was marked. Ee had ir,
many places the advantage of US
in positions and he was at all
points largely superior in mum
beTs."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
9 a. m.

An official statement issued here
today says several airplanes at
tackled Paris last night dropping a
number of bombs. There were
some casualties. ...
The official announcement thar
Paris is being bOmbarded must re-
main unexplained until further de-
tails have been received. The state
ment in the dispatch that the short
est distance from Paris to the
front is over 100 kilOmeters indi-
Gates that there has been no breach
in the battle line above Paris such
as would permit of bringing up
guns to within what has been pre-
viously regarded as the extreme
range of heavy pieces.
Unless the Germans have some
new invention no such range as so
miles is conceivable. The most
powerful guns in action heretofore
have been able to hurl their pro-
jectiles only 20 miles or there
abouts.
The calibre of the shells reaching
Paris, 240 milimeters is equivalent
TO about 915 inches.
The heavy German siege pieces
fire 17-inch shells.
Paris has been under lombard
ment for about As hours at the time
the foregoing dispatch was filed,
AIS p. IN.
The greatest long range Ameri-
can gun yet developed is the 16-
IN. IL al,
possible elevation, it is estimated,
would throw a shell about nineteen
miles. Evidently it was said, the
German artillerists had devel-
oped some new world-surprising
weapon, although it was thought
possible thev might be using some
sort of aerial torpedo.
The following official announce
ment was given cats
AT 500 O'Clock 1lis morning a
few airplanes flying at a very high
altitude succeeded in crossing the
lines and attacking Paris. They
were pursued by aviators of the
entrenched camps of Paris as well
as by those at the front.
The dropping of bombs at sew
eral points has been reported.
There are several victims"
Found Way TO Beat Shell.
Washington, March 2%-Ameri-
can officers here recall that when
the Germans produced their gun
that would throw a shell % miles
into Dunkirk, the French soon
found a way to meet the attack,
partially at least.
4 French wireless station. 1t is
said, is located at a point in the
ground not far from the gun en-
placement. and at its position the
cOncussion can be recorded when
the shell leaves the gun. II takes
something like 60 seconds for the
shell to travel TO Dunkirk, but
wireless signal is recorded in the
city, a warning is sounded and the
inhabitants take to dugouts, gen
orally reaching shelter before the
shell strikes.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
I cutOnSPIQco
Peace Hopes
on Offensive

London, March 23.-Comment in
the German press on the new Of
fensive as summarized by the Cop
euhagen correspondent of the Ex-
change Telegraph company is to the
effect that the present battles are
the final and decisive eXertiOn Of
strength on the part of the German
people before peace comes.
The newspapers say Germany
needs hold on only a short time
and that victory will be obtained.
Much attention is being paid also
to the Italian front.
The Central News says all sorts
OF details are being sent out by
German war correspondents One
of them talks about 200, 900 yards
OF piping behind the front. An
other says the number of airplanes
has been increased tenfold. Accord
ing To still another, tanks, batter
les Tor projecting poison gas and
flames and other modern engines of
war in great number are on the
front
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
REPLY IN |. W. W
CASE is FILED
District Attorney CIyne Presents
Governments Answer in
Court Judge Lands.

Chicago, March 23.-The gov
ernment's answer to the petition
OF counsel for the l. w. w. for the
return of papers seized by federal
agents was presented to Judge
Lands in the United States dis
trict court here today By Charles F.
Ciyne, the United States district at
torney.
The answer presents an elab-
crate marshaling of facts and court
decisions supporting the legality of
the espionage act and of the seiz-
ures.
1t brands l. W. W. propaganda
as expressive of unremitting
hatred of all employers. of labor
'Fhe organizations sayss rffrss answer
has schemed and plotted for the
overthrew OF the government and
workedN to destroy the morale of
army camps.
The answer discIoses the i'm
menSe range of the seized records.
They include 27 account books,
hundreds of pamphlets listing the
names of authors devoted to the
spread of propaganda, thousands of
stickers bearing such lines as
why beA soIdier?" and the like;
minute books, records of conven-
tion proceedings; correspondence,
kilograms and bulletins; 102 trans
fer cases containing correspond
ence between Chicago headquar-
ters and various units and individ-
uals and a list of all the strikes in
which the l. W. W. was implicated
The answer asserts that all of
this great mass was part of the
machinery by which the l. W. W.
sought to overturn the government
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
EYES CEhTERED
ON WEST FRONT
EngIaIHi Looks On Giant Struggle
With No B0astfulness But Only
Quiet Confidence.

London, March 23.-The atten-
ton OF all England was centered
today on the western front There
was no boastfulness but the feel
ing was one of supreme confidence
and pride in the army which stands
on the first line of defense, between
democracy and autocracy.
The newspapers warn against
undue optimism. But they point
out that the fighting instinct still
lives in the British breast, notwith-
standing the long years of peace
and ignorance of military train
ing.
Since it has developed that this
is indeed the great heralded Ger
man offensive the most colossal
struggle in the worlds history, the
public and press are unanimously
of the opinion that its failure will
mean the end Of the war. The
Times says Germany evidently is
resolved to stake all her chances
on the western front and adds:
"She has committed herself to
the greatest gamble in history. We
believe she will fail and it is pre-
ciseIy because the failure of the
present attack must react disas-
trously upon Germany that we de-
rive encouragement from the mill
tary position as it is disclosed to-
day"
The Morning Post cautions the
nation Ito keep a cool head and al
low no plausible augmentation
upon scanty facts to persuade it to
premature conclusions"
The Manchester Guardian says:
"If the Germans persist in attacks
and lose they will have lost the
war"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
LATE BULLETINS

Amsterdam. March 23.-
Vienna newspapers state that
the new Rumanian premier,
Alexander Marghiioman. is
striving for an alliance be-
tween Rumania and the GEN.
tral powers. This idea is being
discussed sympathetically in
the Vienna press, says dis
patch from that city.
Paris. Friday, March 22-
Premier ClemeHeeau appeared
for few minutes in the lobby
of the chamber OF deputies to-
night and told the deputies
that the news he had received
from British headquarters
gave him a most satisfactory
impression
London, March 23.-NeWt0n
ID. Baker, the American secre-
tary OF war. visited King Al
bert OF Belgium. and the Belg-
ian front yesterday. Mr.. Baker
has arrived at a British port.
Vienna, March 23.-The war
Office announces that great
success has been won In the
west
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
VAR Summary

Berlin claims the capture OF
10000 men and 20O guns in the
German offensive against the
British in France.
London in admitting Il slight
enemy advantage states that
powerful enemy attacks de-
Iiycrcd with great weight of
infantry and artillery have
broken through the British de-
femsiye system west Of St
Oucntfn.'' The British troops
are said 10 be falling back in
good order 10 prepared posi-
ti0ns. behind the abandoned
line.
The Germans have made no
attempt TO attack on any other
part 0f the front while atten-
lion il concentrated on the
Cambria front although the IN
tense artillery bombar,iIuent in
the Yerdun and Ypres sectors
continues.
What was evidently meant
fer an attempt 10 raid Paris
last night was defeated by the
French. German macnlnes
crossed the French lines and
dropped bUmbs on C0mpeigne
and other towns in that region
Before they reached Paris. they
were met and driven back by
French airmen.
The Germans launched
heavy gas attack against the
American front. and the fumes
hung over the lines for several
hours. Ihe German batteries
firing the gas shells were To-
Gated and the American gum
ners turned IA steady i0W OF
shells their direction.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
YANKSACAIN
ARE E'CASSED
BY GERMANS
Fumes Hang Over Trench
es for Hours, Then u. S.
Guns "Clean Up"

with the American Army IN
France, Friday, March 22. tBy
the Associated Press The
Germans launched a heavy gas
attack against certain town
in our lines northwest OF 1OuI
last night. No wind was blow
ing and the fumes OF mustard
gas from the shells hung low
over the lines for several hours.
The batteries firing the shells
were located to the right OF
RichecOurt and our artillery
was busy all morning with a
rctaliatOry shellIng.
The town shelled in the gas at
tack contained a certain number OF
Americans. Our artillery today
dropped a number of large shells
into JOli wood and after firing a
few minutes secured direct hits in
the target causing a tremendous
explosion followed by dense col
umns of smoke as big enemy mu-
nitions dump blew up. The first
explosion was followed by two 9th
ers less severe. Our shells also
made direct hits in the enemy s
first and third line trenches.
Huns Get Dose of Steel.
The Germans again have been
szsh " sss&aEHpie--O the accuracy
OF thakflre Of our 81 Hilimetre guns
An enemy machineg gun emplace-
ment which has heen annoying the
Americans for the Mast two days
was located and then the battery
of little fellows" as they are
known along the front, got into ac-
ton, firing rapidly. They secured
a number of direct hits and put
the emplacement gun crew out of
commission.
These small guns which are
about the size Of a one-pOunder,
are easily moved from place to
place even in the trenches. They
also secured direct hits on the
junction of communication trench
es as men were passing and into
the entrance of the dugOut which
a number of the enemy were seen
% enter and from which smoke was
issuing. None of the enemy was
seen to come out
Intermittent artillery duels have
been in progress all day, both on
our Toul front and in the Luneville
sector where American troops are
in training
Yankee Patrol Stopped.
Three of our patrols reached the
enemy's line early this morning, but
in the brilliant moonlight they
were discovered and were driven
out by brisk machine guns and
automatic rifle fire.
Our infantry discovered one en-
emy patrol inside our wire. These
Germans were driven off and it is
believed he suffered casualties.
There was increased aerial activ-
ity today. The weather was warm
and it was generally clear except
for a haze which obscured visibility
above the low ground One ma
chine with an American observer
ar its gun emptied a stream of bull
let's into a German airplane which
was observed descending rapidly as
though in trouble behind our lines.
Ten German machines crossed
our lines last night and circled
around. apparently seeking out tar
gets which they intended to bomb
but American anti-aircraft guns
kept the enemy so high that no
explosives were dropped.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
THE WEATHER

Partly cloudy tonight and Sun
day. not much change in tempera-
ture. with the Lowest tonight
slightly above freezing.
Temperature at a. m, 81; high
est yesterday, so, lowest last night,
81.
Velocity OF wind at a. m, 13
miles per hour.
Precipitation, none.
Relative humidity at p. m, As;
at a. m. 79.
Stage of water. SIS; a rise of =
in last "a hours.
J. NJ. SHERIER, Meteorologist
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
BRITISH ADMIT DEFENSE
CRACKS UNDER PRESSURE:
700 GUNS TAKEN BY HUNS
STALKING ALL ON
RESULT, KAISER
LEADS BIG DRIVE

London, March 23.-Today's Ger
man official announcement received
here states that Emperor William is
in command on the western front.
This announcement is regarded
as further evidence that the emper-
or has staked his all on an Of
fensive, hoping to win and go down
in history as the victor in this
great and decisive world conflict
Dispatches from Amsterdam pic
ture the emperor at Spa, Belgium,
which is being kept isolated on a
radius of 10 kilometers. The Ger
man crown prince, Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg. General Won Lu-
dendorff and other prominent Ger
mans also are reported there with
him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
c x 7 r 4! !!
HunGuns Shell
French Capital;
Also Air r aid

Paris, March 23.-The Germans have been
firing on Paris with long range guns.
Since o'clock this morning shells of 24O
milIirneter have been reaching the capital and
suburbs at intervals of quarter of an hour, kill
ing about ten persons and wounding about IS.
The shortest distance from Paris to the front is
over 100 kilIometers (62 miles).
The announcement that Paris was being
bombarded was made officially this afternoon.
Measures for counter attacking the enemy's
cannon are under execution.
An air raid alarm has just been given. Now
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
SUCCESS OF HUN
ASSAULT KNOCKS
STOCKS TO BITS

New York. March 23.-The news
OF further German aggregation ON
the western front was an influence
In today's stock market, stocks re-
acting at the opening.
Reading, Mexican Petroleum,
American Smelling, Texas company,
Central Leather and General Eiec~
trio fell point each Other active
war shares equipments and spe-
cialtles sustained large fractional
losses. Rails as group were but
slightly affected.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
WAGE BOOST FOR
POSTAL WORKERS
PASSED BY HOUSE

Washington. March 23.-The
house yesterday afternoon voted
lSS to ~ for permanent increases
ranging from to 25 per cent for
postal employees in all branches.
An amendment by Representative
Madden of Illinois striking out a
clause that would have limited the
increases to the period OF the war,
was adopted.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
Germans Claim to Have
Driven Three Miles
Into Haig's Line.

Berlin, March 23.-Be-
tween Fontain Is Croisel-
les and Moeuvres, Ger
man forces penetrated in
to the second enemy po-
sition and captured two
villages, army headquar-
ters announced today.
So far, the statement an
nounces, $4,000 prison
ers, 400 guns and 800 ma
chine guns have been
taken.
The two villages taken
on the Fontaine-Moeu-
vres front were Vaulx-
Vraucourt and Morchies.
(The former village is
about three and one-haIf
miles and the latter two
and one-half miles behind
the former British front. }
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
e. 600 MEN CAPTURED BERLIN CLAIMS
Tran sport of
Kaiser BIOUr1
Up; Is Second

Stockholm, March 23.-An-
other German transport has
been blown up by mine
near the AIand islands. at the
same point where the trans
port Hindenburg was sunk, the
Dagblad reports.
Shortly afterward the transport
Frankland came up and rescued
the men on the transport, but was
damaged severely by another ex-
plosion.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23
EIUTCH HBREA AK
WITH u, S. Is
BEING URGED
Bs7erance of Relations
With America Is Agi-
tated in Holland.

London. March 23.-A report
fiat inlucnliu interests in Rot
rrdam have commenced agila-
ion 10 have the Dutch govern
nent requested So br ak oil re-
htions with the United STATES
because Of the TequistiaRiHg oi
Dutch merchantmen. is con-
ainaI in AN Exchange Tcie-
graph comVany's dispatch re-
eeifed from Copenhagen which
qHotes tile FolitikeH's Roster
dam correspondent.
The Hague Friday, March 92--
|imre of Dutch shipping by the
|Hsd governments was unjust, Or.
|azdon, the Dutch foreign minis
I, declared today in. the upper
zmber.
Without a shred Of justice" he
+, the associated governments
E7e carried out the proposal, al
Elgh the Dutch government in
Ereply went as far as postpone
M of the demands Of the associa-
i powers The resoundinE pro-
+ Of the government viii find an
b in The two chambers and
Eang the whole Dutch people. 1t
d protest imbucd with the print
bic Of right. The government
b not have TO Teproach itself, if
{ country is scheduled TO severe
Hsls, with not having done its ut
la1 TO prevent this injustice"
spare Us From Friends.7
In the upper chamber Senator J.
Cremer att0cked the United
22ies after the foreign minister
ai completed his statement
Referring to President Wilson,
E senator declared:
President Wilson calls himself
b friend. Well. heaven preserve
+ from our friends"
The senator said he hoped the
1eh would not take reprisals.
Fsieh could be carried out easily
|ainst the unfortunate iuterned
|aNners in Holland, but they
|-o1ld return good for evil Other
Isakers also criticized President
-son. Deputy Van KeI. a Social
said:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23

line held by the British before the
Germans began their offensive).
Still Present Solid Front.
British Army Headquarters IN
France, March %, Ill a. M, (By
the Associated Press. The Brit
ish, gallantly fighting, are still
presenting a solid front to the
fierceIy attacking Germans, al
though the defensive troops have
withdrawn their lines in certain
places for strategic reasons.
.----lll~5ay yesterday and much OF
last night the connict continued to
rage with increasing violence as
fresh German divisions we're hurl-
ed into the fray in an attempt to
smash through the British de-
fenses.
More intense fighting is ex-
pected.
(By Associated Press).
First Break of War.
For the first time in the war on
the western front since The oppos-
ing armies established themselves
in their trench systems, the defen-
siYe zone has been broken through.
In other great attacks the British,
French and Germans have been
able to bend back the line but not
to strike through the zone of de-
fense. Many military critics had
reached the opinion that on ac-
count of the strength OF the lines
it would be impossible to break
them until one side or the other
had been worn, down 10 such q
point that it would be no longer
able to man it strongly.
May Mean Big Retreat.
Unless the British are able to
restore the situation by a counter
attack, a withdrawal on a wide
front may be necessary with open
field warfare
The point at which the British
line has been broken is near the
southern end of the German at
tacking front, which extends from
Arras to La Fere, 10 miles below
st. Quentin. Below this sector is
the great arc in the front, where
the line approaching nearest to
Paris turns sharply to the east
The German offensive has deveI-
Gped with almost unparalleled ra-
pidity. One reason for this is in
ulCated IN Field Marshal llalg'S re
ports. showing that Germans are
constantly bringing up fresh bod
les OF troops,
Whole Defense Not Pierced.
The statement of the British war
office that the troops west OF St.
Quentin are falling back to prepar-
ed positions indicates that the Ger
mans, although they have broken
through the British defensive sys-
TEN, have not pierced the entire
British zone Of defense The allus-
ion in the British statement TO the
defensive system may he only the
main battle front system behind
which other lines have been pre-
pared. If that is the case, the Ger
mans have done little more than re-
peat what the British did in the bat
tie Of the Somme when they pierced
the Hindenburg line and captured
long stretches of IL, forcing the
Germans to retreat 10 prepared po-
sitions in the rear.
Resistance WIN Stifien.
The experience OF the attacking
CONTINUED On Page Seyen.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-23

lie announcement IOllOWS.
Under the command of the en-
peror and king the battle of at
tack against the British front near
Arras, Cambria and st. Quentin has
been proceeding two days Yes
terday also good progress was
made.
$4,000 Prisoners.
"The captures so far reported by
the army group of Crown Prince
Rupprecht are $4,000 prisoners and
250 guns; by the army group Of
the crown prince, 10000 prisoners
$50 guns and 800 machine guns"
the statement reads.
artillery battles continue ba-
tween the Lys and La Bassee ca
nal, on both sides of Rheims, be-
fore Verdun and in Lorraine"
London, March 23.-Powerful en-
emy attacks delivered with great
weight of infantry and artillery
have broken through the British
defensive system west OF st. Que1-
tin, the war Office announces.
The British troops on the north
ern portion of the battlefield are
holding their positions. The Brit
ish west of st. Quentin are fall
ing back in good order 10 positions
further west. Very heavy fighting
with fresh enemy forces is III
progress.
The war Office states that there
are prepared positions behind the
British lines. to which :hey are
falling back.
Foe Breaks Through.
The statement follows
Heavy lighting continued until
late hours last night on the whole
battle front. During the afternoon
powerful hostile attacks delivered
with great weight Of infantry au1
artillery, broke through our da-
fensiye system west OF St. Quentin.
Our troops on this part of the
battle front are falling back in
good order across the devastated
area to prepared positions farther
west.
our troops on the northern por-
tion Of the battle front are holding
their positions.
Very heavy fighting with fresh
hostile forces lG IN progress
Dash Into MOry
The Germans forced their way
into Mory. but a dashing counter
attack drove them out, Reuter- s
correspondent at British headquar-
ters telegraphs. y large party was
surrounded and probably was cap
tured.
There is reason to believe 50
German divisions are flow ing into
the struggle. the correspondent
states. and probably haI as many
more in close reserve. Under the
tremendous onslaught the British
troops are falling back very slowly
and in excellent order. Al many
places they are Withdrawing VOL
unfairly so as to maintain an un-
broken front.
The scenes o. activity behind the
battle front battle description. but
everywhere there is the same vel.
ordered organization and quiet con
fidence.
Four Miles Behind Front.
The Germans this morning Vera
pressing hard the British forces
defending Hermies (about two anc
a half miles back OF Ghe old line
in the region southwest OF Cam