davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-08-08
SUMNER

Mrs. VIM White is seriously i'll at
this writing.
Miss Mildred Harvey is spending
few weeks in Chicago with rea-
tives.
Geo. Allen was here on business
Tuesday.
Perry Pelton transacted business
in Alma Wednesday
Miss Olive Pelton and friend, Miss
Reva Barrows, attended the play in
Alma Wednesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs Nichols and daugh-
ter, Beulah, called on Mrs. Cleverdon
Friday
Mrs. VIM. Phillips returned from
Saranac.
Mrs. Sam Hicks, Mrs. VIM. Pratt
and Mrs. Sabin of Elm Hall and Miss
Nellie Stoughton of Duluth. Mimi.
visited Mrs. !. f. Tucker Friday.
Harry Graham visited relatives
here the last of the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Phillips, Mrs.
Tracy Stoffs and children, and Mr..
and Mrs. Richard Lang attended the
l. o. o. f. picnic at Crystal Thurs
day.
Frank Hicks and wife are enter
tanning the latter's sister and hus-
band, Mr.. and Mrs. Witter, Of Alma.
Arne Pease was in Alma on bust
ness Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Ewing and
daughter. Grace, and Mr. and Mrs.
d. j. Ayers autoed to Forest Hill and
Alma Sunday.
S. Cleverdon and family spent Sun
day at Carson City and Crystal.
Little Keith Saoffs Of Toledo is
visiting relatives here.
Mrs F. j. Graham and sons, Ber-
nard and Ford, spent the week at the
home of her mother. Mrs. Chas. Null
ford
Herbert King of Detroit. Mimi, is
visiting his mother, Mrs. VIM. White
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-08-08
VESTABURG ITEMS
BY Our Own Correspondent

Elton Hornbeck was in Grand Rap
ids Friday.
Mrs. Edna Hubbard and sons left
here Friday TO accompany her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Hannibal, and
uncle, Mr.. Hannibal, to their home in
Hillsdale county for visit. Her par
ents have been visiting here for some
time
Mr.. Rose, who is working in Alma,
visited over Sunday with his wife at
the home of her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Paige Throop.
Mrs. Joe st. Peters is quite sick.
The Misses Kathleen Cummings
and Winnie Wilson, who are attend
ing the Normal at Mt. Pleasant, were
home over the week end.
Charles Marlin was in Greenville
Saturday
Mrs Ethel Marlin spent Saturday
at McBrides with her sister-in-law,
Mrs David Marlin.
Mr.. and Mrs. Allie Evans returned
Saturday from McBrides where Mrs.
Evans has been helping care for her
mother, Mrs. David Marlin.
Miss Bessie Vance of Ithaca came
Saturday evening to visit her sister,
Mrs Ethel Marlin.
Mrs. VIM. Van Horn entertained
her son, Ira Howard and wife of
Ithaca from Saturday until Monday
Elton Hornbeck accompanied by
George Arts autoed to Crystal lake
and Carson City Thursday evening.
Twins, a girl and boy, were born to
Thursday August LIST. Mr. and Mrs.
Marlin, who were formerly Of Vesta-
burg, moved onto farm this spring
one-half mile south Of McBrides
Mrs. VIM Carts entertained her
cousin, Mrs. Emma Reed. and daugh-
ter. Nellie, of Riverdale Tuesday
Mrs. John Waterbury Of Toledo
spent from Sunday until Tuesday
evening at the home of her niece,
Mrs Della Sutton.
Miss Ella Manley went to Rose
bush Wednesday TO visit her aunt,
Mrs Anna Johnson.
Word has been received by Mrs
sam Shores that her son, Tom, has
arrived safely in France. Her son
Arthur, who enlisted at the age of
10 and left here a few months ago,
sent word ne was leaving for France
and his many friends wish him safe
trip.
George Sutton has returned from
his visit in Toledo.
Pats Pick" or the Junior band of
Nestaburg gave an hours concert in
the band stand Saturday evening,
Aug. B. and was highly complimented
by the large gathering as well as
greatly applauded for the fine music.
II was their first time in the band
stand and the public hopes to see
them often. After they left the Sen
Tor band of Vestaburg rendered their
usual hour of fine selections which
was greatly enjoyed by all.
Fred Brown and family, who have
been visiting his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs John Brown, left for their home
Sunday evening.
Eugene knight and D. o. Green
have gone TO Elwell to work on the
section
Ray Van Horn of Detroit came to
visit AZ the home of his father-in-law
VIM. Piffer. His wife and daughter
have been visiting her parents for
the past several weeks.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
French Reserves
Nozu in Position
For Counter Bl0lU

PARIS, March 29.-The great battle
is now raging over front Of more
than seventy miles. This extension Of
the line has increased the number of
German reserves engaged. Although
thus far no decisive success has been
obtained anywhere, there is increased
confidence here. The impression in
semi off cial circles is that the Allies
have not only held off the Germans,
but now are no longer compelled to
permit the enemy by his man9uvres
to shape the course which the battle
shall take.
The general feeling is that for Ger
many the battle is virtually lost; that
for the Allies the battle is about to
begin.
The operations thus far are accepted
as confirming the theory that Paris was
not the main objective of the German
offensive. but that the plan Of the
enemy was to break the connection
between the French and British armies.
in which he has failed. His main direct
attack was westward toward the sea.
The Germans seek Am;cns because this
town is an important railway centre of
communication with England. The
loss Of Amicns would be inconvenient,
but not vital.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Z axe AryQs at All
Cost, Was Order TO
Beaten Shock Tyoops

LONDON, March 29.-German at
tacks before Arras on Thursday fai.ed
says a Reuters telegram from the
British headquarters from the front
The enen1v succeeded in advancing his
line south Of the Scarpe to the ruin
of the old reserve trench system from
which the British elected him year
ago.
The telegram states that nortl, of
the river the enemy penetrated Roeux
;fter prolonged fighting in which q
BRUSH battalion made a heroic stand
until it was surrounded and cut of.
The British withdrew in this section
some hundred yards. German pris-
oners state that the attacking force
consisted of shock troops instructed
TO take Arras at all cost.
Il do not think the enemy has aban-
doned his intention to try to take
Arras,' says the correspondents. "bu.
he must bring UP fresh divisions be-
fore repeating the attempt. We re-
PEELED Il strong attack at Ayette. south
ef Arras, this afternoon. Some Ger
ms entered the village, but were
cr.ven out by brilliant counter at
tack"
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

One French battery of 75s was dragged
five miles with ropes by the gunners,
who succeeded in saving it.
Special Corps Salvages Clothing
German prisoner who was interro-
gated to-day said the German troops
were greatly surprised at the small
number of British dead found on the
battleteld They had been told the
British in front of them had been an
nlhliated. 1t was evident small groups
mad fought gamely to the last, giving
the Germans the impress ion that large
forces were facing them.
The same prisoner said the Germans
mad formed a special corps whose
duties were to advance behind the
lighting troops and strip all clothing
from the. dead. The bodies, he SAID,
were buried without any covering, and
the clothing thus obtained was served
out again.
Reports from other parts of the front
seem to indicate that elsewhere the
line is being held by mediocre divi-
sions brought from the Russian front.
the best troops having been Withdrawn
to participate in the battle. Every one
OF the divisions which has been identi-
tied since the offensive began had been
already classified as effective. Among
them are three of the famous Guard
divisions and some Of Bavarians.
Whether the Germans will hurl more
DIVISIONS into the furnace is. of course.
unknown It is considered possible
that they still have approximately fortv
divisions which may be used to replace
those that have suffered the most heay-
lly IN the recent offensive.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

tary men set their hopes again on the
counter offensive which they are con-
fidently expecting. They do no* regard
any of the counter movements so tar
as more than local.
The position of the Allies is unde-
niably critical But there are points
in their favor. The German wedge is
narrow and sharp. Unless the Ger
mans can widen it, critics do not be-
leve they can advance, and they be-
lieve that they can be thrown back
rather easily from the apex. which is
to narrow to hold.
Further, army officers express great
satisfaction with the way the French
have held their ground along the
south side Of the German salient. This
line the French have maintained makes
a sharp angle that lays the German
flank open to attack. This line is of
great length, extending virtually
straight from Montdidier to the old
salient the French have long main
tanned into the German lines on their
eastern frontier.
The whole battle line in France is
extremely unstable. 1t is now COM
posed of two sharp angles, one extend
ing west and inclosing Germans, and
one extending east and inclosing the
French. The latter is not SO sharp as
the new salient. 1t has been long es
tablished. And it is composed of posi-
tions that by nature are easily held.
1t wears the look of permanence. But
the other, newly formed and extremely
narrow, cannot long remain as it is.
The Germans will either widen it and
push it forward. or the Allies by a
counter blow VIII break it up. In
either way great consequences may re-
suit. The decisive movement Of the
war may be the break up or the fur
ther movement of the wedge. In either
way the rear of one army or the other
may be effectively exposed.
If the Germans have the power to
go forward the British right wing may
be utterly cut OFT. If the Allies can
throw a big army of reserves against
the left flank of the German wedge.
even out beyond st. Gobain on the old
line that stood before the present drive
began and still remains, they viii i'm
peril the rear of the whole German
army in tho wedge A retreat will be
difficult. The roads are blocked with
guns moving up. The terrain is shot
to pieces with shells. And across the
rear lies the Sommc whore II bends
The opportunity exists for Foch to
strike cruel and smashing blow.
The sole question is one of reserves.
/ E'yor thOl1ph co,rtnr i,lO,u boc c
been expected for three days and has
not come, belief that the Allies have
it in preparation still is firm. The
news from Paris that rain is falling is
unwelcome to those here who arc
counting upon big Allied blow Mud
will Interfere with the swift delivery
of such stroke
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

quarters that General Sir William r.
Robertson, chief Of the Eastern COM
mand, who many believe is the coun-
try's ablest organizing general, ought
rather to be at the helm. There are
reminders also that Redmond and
Dillon might have brought all the
manhood Of Ireland into the fighting
ranks had they been listened to- But
the general feeling is the errors of the
past should be forgotten and the
shoulders Of all should be put to this
days work in so far as it can be done
Look for American Aid
An unknown factor in the battle
toward which the English people are
eagerly looking is the American army
in France. "Whcre are the Ameri-
cans? When are they coming in ?'
are questions being asked everywhere
All the Americans in London are being
asked by their English friends for an
swers to these queries.
i. America has been depended upon tc
fill the gap left by Russia The popular
belief regarding the number of Ameri.
can troops in France probably is great.
ly exaggerated. Many believe there are 3
million, or even two million, Amer.
cans already on the European side ot
the ocean, and the actual weight ot
American support is likely to prove :
sharp disappointment.
Some criticisms that the British
Official reports are lacking in details
meet little sympathy. The British peo-
pie are patient. They are willing tc
wait for the news. They know that
their casualties must be appalling a.
compared to all previous wars. but they
willingly consent to delay in the re-
ceiDt Of those lists
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

terday morning. To say it has been a
week of the greatest strain and stress
the British people have ever known
would be to make q futile under state
mcnt.
fractional Disputes Forgotten
The fate Of England, indeed Of the
whole British Empire, has been com
mittod to the test of one clash of
arms. Every enc has realized this.
The most impressive effect Of The
crisis has been the sweeping aside OF
all political fnctional disputes. To-day
there is only the united nation, whose
hearts arc with the soldiers in France.
Pacltist journals have fallen into line
with the others. They have dropped
their criticisms Of tho management OF
the war and ceased to talk Of peace b.
negotiation.
There are few suggestions that the
policy of "sideshows" meaning diver
sions Of military strength to distant
helds bike Mcsopotamia and Salon;ca-
has proved mistake; regrets are en-
pressed that those forces are not in
Franco. There are feelings in some
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Peril Of Army LTnifes All England;
Criticism of War Conduct Forgotten

LONDON, March 2o.-Thc spirit Of
devotion pervaded England this Good
Friday Thoughts were centred on the
battle in France, and the news Of the
critical fighting in the last few days
gavG particular significance to the
services held in all churches. Tho
preachers oxhorted their CONGREGATIONS
to face the immediate future with
courage and confidence. st. PauI's and
Westminstcr Cathedral and Westmin
ster Abbey were crowded notwith-
standing the bright sunshine, which in
other years would have taken the peo-
pie to the parks or country.
Queen Mary and Princess Mary ut.
tended the service at st. Pauls. Tho
Bishop of Winchester preached. In
the afternoon q great open air service
was held in Hyde Park The Bishon
Of London was one of the preachers.
The battle to which no one ATTEMPTS
to give name, because it is on n
scale too great for any geographical
designation, began one week ago YES.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Greatest Crisis Is
Believed To Be Ouer.
Says "Morr1irag Posi-

LONDON. March pa hopeful
view of the situation is given by "Thc
Morning Posts correspondent at the
front, telcgraphing Thursday night.
"The greatest crisis is thought to be
over he says. "FreSh troops are com
ing up steadily and new batteries are
laying the foundations of formidable
protective barragcs.
There are signs that the enemy is
being pushed for reserves. He has
thrown in one Of his naval divisions.
which he has not done hitherto unless
caught short handed in an exciting
situation. Tho men of this division.
according to prisoners, were told that
they would not be called upon to fgbt
hard, as they were opposing tired troops
who could not make much resistance.
They already have learned to their
sorrow that British battalions, all
though tired may fight as we'll as ever.
qnd the lesson has cost them heavily,
in casualties"
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Smith College Girls Brave
Shells to Save Refugees
With the Goodness of Tried Soldiers They Work French
Villages, Aiding Terror-strcken Folk-Rescue One
Woman by Loading Her and Her Bed on Wagon

lacking. "Dut every one Of the girls
is heroine " said my informant.
Cavalcades Of refugees, generated by
the Smith girls, marched or rode from
their abandoned homes to Roye, where
a special train was waiting to carry
them westward. Even COWS, chickens,
dogs and cats helped to form the cav
alcade which reached Roye on satur-
day morning. Here the refugees vain
ly tried to crowd the animals into the
train.
Latest advices make it certain that
all the humans reached safety, al
though the animals are not mentioned.
The girls Of the Smith College unit
then proceeded to Montdidicr. There,
with ". 4. Jackson, of Washington,
former Red Cross delegate at Ham,
assisted by q group Of American Quak-
ers and Red Cross workers. they organ
ized a canteen and began giving out
blankets and other comforts and max
ing marvellous bean soup and a spe-
cial food FOR babies, the basis Of which,
was condensed milk. AS the refugee
trains some containing as many as
LOO men, women and children, poured
INTO Montdidicr the arriving refugees
were fed until the supply Of food was
exhausted.
Then Montdidicr became too hot un-
der the increasing shclltire and the
workers were forced to split, some
going to Amicns and others to Beau
vais, where they continued their work.
Since then practically all the Smith
College girls and some other workers
have gone to Amiens, where they are
wcatherng the enemy bombardment in
cellars, but carrying on their work as
usual.
My informant insists that the great
est credit should 60 to the Smith Girls
but mentioned that it should not be
omitted that there were French. Eng
Ish and other American workers whose
efforts were most admirable.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
LStnf Correspo3adoncel

WITH TIlE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, March 29.-Of the multifold
feats Of hcroism performed by relief
workers during the recent events those
of the Smith College girls unit viii
undoubtedly occupy prominent place
when, in saner, quieter days, their
deeds are detailed " Working unceas-
.nely under a constant she'll ire, Tor
days without sleep, the girls demon
atratcd admirable initiative and ablllty
and the extreme coolness OF the tried
soldier.
They are still in the field to-day min
istcring to cid men, women aHd chill
dren. | have talked TO the first person
10 come in from the front, who saw
them last Saturday, when shells were
falling at Grccourt, the tiny Somme
village where the unit has been quar-
tcred for months, aiding the folks of
a dozen surrounding villages.
When it became evident that the
Germans were coming the girls worked
lrantically with auto trucks gathering
together ali tho humans IN their terri
tory. In one village they went three
times to try to persuade an aged wom-
an to leave, but she refused to move
unless the ancestral bedstcad OH winch
she lay could he transported with ner.
In final desperation the girls brought
a big supply wagon and loaded the bed
stead ana the woman into it. leaving
the village fifteen minutes before the
first of the Uh ans arrived.
The girls organized themselves into
small units and each unit was charged
with the evacuation of single viii
luge The story Of their heroic work
can be told now only in the ensemble !;
details of personal experiences are yet
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
London Editorials Are Confident
Express Urges II. s. TO Rush Troops

LONDON, March 90 Editorials in
the newspapers to-day comment in
grave but confident tones on what the
majority charactcrizes as a fresh crisis
in the battle. "The Daily Mail" allud-
ing to the new enemy thrust at the
French, says:
'The question is whether the French
can beat back this new and terrific at
tack. Southeast Of Montdidicr they
recovered nearly two miles Of ground
yesterday by dashing counter stroke,
but Montdidicr still remains in the
hands of the Germans.
1.-The new German advance not only
threatens the southern flank Of the
Amiens position, but menaces Paris
also and cndangcrs the stability Of the
whole line. The task Of the Allied ar
mics will be to try to hold the Ger
mans to the utmost"
Serious" Says Express"
Emphasizing that the Germans con.
tlnuc to hold Montdidier and are "aD
parent!y astride the main railway line
from Amlens to Paris" "Thc Daily Ex-
press" says:
This is serious if the ADVANTAGE can
be held; yet it is Of great Importance
that the French line is still unbrokcn
IT would be as great q folly to take a
100 optimistic as q too pessimistic view
OF the situation. The struggle is not
over. we must abide the issue calmly
ana go about our business unpcrturbcd
IN the snirt which animated our fore
fathers in kindred emergencies"
Ife newspaper then briefly sums UP
Amcrlca's effort since entering the war.
nearly a year ago, and continues. :.
with this record many Americans are
by no means satisfied 1t hurts them
to think that in this battle of battles
they are not playing a greater part.
We think their sclf-reproaches cxag-
gerated, but undoubtedly the German
offensive viii not have been without its
use II 1t spurs America to concentrate
on the problems of raising and landing
IN Franco the greatest number of
trained soldiers. That is the main as
slstance America can render US at this
crisis"
"The Evening News" says it learns
OF high authority that nothing has oc-
Cured on the Western front within the
last twelve hours to nccessitate rcvi-
sion of the confident views held ofli =
cially.
"Thc Hun mass attacks on the north
OF our line are being stubbornly met" !"
it adds. "and the enemy is not gaining
anything worth tithc Of the enormous
losscs inflicted on him The French in
the south also are doing extremely
well. The possibility Of further retire
ments ls not ignored, but, taking tho
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Infantry Fighting Beginning
To Giue Place to Artillery

and delayed the German advance for a
consde rable time.
Since then about forty-nne further
German divisions have been hurled
into the battle a total Of eighty seven
divisions, or, at the present estimated
strength of the German division, about
one million men).
Not only the army of the Bavarian
Grown Prince, but also that of the Ger
man Crown Prince, is now engaged.
The German generals Immediately com
the south Of the front attacked, are
von Below, Won Marwitz and Won IIutior.
The army Of General Won Hutier faces
the French along the Oise. 1t is very
quiet day, after tho bloody defeat of
It's attempt to cross the river. Most Of
the bridges have now been blown up.
The fighting has been much more Sc
we're in the sectors of Won Below and
Won Marwitz. 1t is evident the Allies
are gaining the upper nand and master
lng the enemy with artillery.
Owing to the terrible casualties
among his aviators, the enemy is COM
PEELED TO feel almost blndly for weak
spots IN the Allied lines, which he has
peen seeking constantly, so as to throw
against them some OF his dense masses
"hcn 1T is remembered that the enemy
has more than division for every
/ thousand yards Of the front on which
ne attacked, an idea may be gained of
the dif!icultcs with which the Allies
have been bcsct
AT one point on the Crozat Canal
"here the Germans eventually gained n
crossing. they made sixteen different
attacks In one day. Finally the Brit.
ish corps which was holding the posi-
,!on fe!l back, absolutely exhausted
ana the Germans crossed over a bridge
OF piled-up bodies Of their own com.
me Gcrmhn advance has been more
,@p'd h' some points, and tho Allies
W W schIcciy md time to get away
! their canyon. az no horses wcrc near
New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
lEy &c Asso.Is,eA rreesl


WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
FRANCE. March 2s.-At many places
along the front Of attack the enemy is
being driven back, and at others the
French and British arc offering firm re-
sistance. Infantry fighting has begun to
give place to artillery battles. and in
the next few days the guns may he ex-
pected TO speak loudly. In this re-
spect the British and French have the
advantage, in as much as the Germans
have been unable to drag much artil-
lery with them. They are engaged in
establishing themselves in the posi-
tions to which they have advanced,
but have not had time to thoroughly
organize their defences.
The main portion Of Thursday's FIGHT.
ing was around the northern sector Of
the battlefield. where bon the rrencb
and the British had successful dav
Inc French counter attacked with
great Yigor where the Germans threat.
ehed 10 push most deeply into their
lines. AT present the front Is mos,
uneven. During the frat ruah the Gar.
mans succeeded at some places in in.
den,ing the lines go that here and
there we're formed pockets which soone,
or iater must be strengthened out
British Divisions Fought 3s
Further details concerning the frs,
part Of the battle show that no fewe,
tnan tnirty-eight German division,
were thrown simultaneously against q
'front.' held by only eight British di.
yisions, overwhelming them and forcina
them back. Behind tbese British di,
Visions were thonl2 three others in re
sefye, but r. troops fought yaliantly