davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

and St. Quentin, in the northeast of
France. Through Arras runs the
canalized River Scarpe Upon this
river due east of Arras. are the
ruins of the village of Rouex. This
was the northern limit of the front
attack. South of st. Quentin, about
seven or eight miles and a little
east and in the marshy valley of
the Disc, is the little town of La
Fere. These marked the southern
limit, and it was clear that the
neighborhood of St. Quentin would
be the territory where the enemy
would put the great part of his
weight.
That weight, the concentration
of men and guns, was and is ex-
ceedingly formidable. The enemy
had altogether in France and Bel
gium 1856 divisions, about 100 of
which might be used for active
operation, though they were of va
rying rank, morale and value for
fighting purposes. Of these di-
visions not less than So, mainly
chosen from the best units, faced
the British line, and not less than
Is stood ready to deliver the shock
between the Scarpe and the Disc.
Of this number 40 of the best were
selected for the initial blow and the
remainder for feeding in" to the
advanced lines as their predeces-
sors grew exhausted from losses
and the strain of fighting and had
to be withdrawn for rest and re-
organization.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

FOURTH-Much the most inn.
portant feature is the geographical
position in the long line of the
Western front of the sector chosen
by the German General Staff. It
was the southern half of the Brit
lsh line which was especially Sc
lected with these strategical OBJ.
jects:
10 create a rupture at a
Ae point as near as possible
to the junction between the
British and French armies and
thus to separate them, and in
case OF distress to either pre-
vent efficient cooperation and
relief.
q To make the attack
@. where British communi-
cation with the seaports is
longest and therefore fnost
difficult, and to gain such ad-
vantages as might come from
the chance that the British
supply lines would be over
loaded, confused or broken
down in attempting to meet
the demands of the tremen-
dous conflict.
= To attack where success
~ would lead to the cutting
OF the main railway through
Amiens, which is the great ar
terry of communication be-
tween France and England,
and
A To make an immediate
r. threat to reach Paris.
which lies, at the nearest point
OF the German line on which
the battle opened, little more
than seventy miles away.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
The Kaiser's Power Weakens
From Loss of Blood
By HILAIRE BELLOC
elements of the Great War; Most
Military Critic

The front which the enemy had
chosen for his attack has certain
characteristics which we must
grasp before going any further in
the discussion of this action, for on
our understanding of those char
acteristics depends our ability to
comprehend the whole vast battle.
FIRST-It is much the widest
front, providing for much the most
extended operations of any chosen
for an offensive by either side in
the course of this war. Its whole
development in a straight line was
not less than $4,000 yards, or some
what over forty-three miles. Count
ing the sinuosities of the front it
was more like fifty miles. The rea-
son so large a sector was chosen is
that previous experience has shown
the futllity to the attacking party
of any partial breach of the de-
tending line upon narrow sector:
and further, that over so large a
stretch of territory the chances of
hndlng some weak place or places
here and there, which might be uti-
lized to broaden out narrow break
into wide rupture, were consider
ably increased.
SECOND-The ground chosen is
the dryest of all that held by the
British between the Valley of the
Disc and the North Sea. There is
here much less of the impediment
to ~action which comes from
marshes. flooded grounds and the
numerous intersecting streams
which characterize the line above
Ypres, for instance. An excep-
tlonal period Of dry weather. last
ing for many weeks, had increased
the value to the enemy for his -
fensive of this natural fea
While with the good luck which has
become proverbial for the Germans
in the matter Of weather, as affect
ing both their attack and defence,
the drouth continued during all
the first days of the attack, and is
yet unbroken. We must mention.
however, in this connection, that
another feature of the weather has
not been favorable to him. This is
the dense mists, unusual in this ter
rltory at this time of year. Though
they may have helped him in con-
cealing his concentrations, thew
have retarded his opportunities for
attack in the morning, especially
on the second and third days of the
main operation, hampering his air.
craft service, as we'll as direct OBJ
servation of field and artillery
officers.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

THE great German offensive
has now been under way for
nine days, but the result still
hangs in the balance as | write, and
in spite of the terrific fighting that
has taken place and is still continu-
ing, in spite of the extent of the
retreat of the Allied forces and of
the hundreds of thousands of men
who have been killed, the situation
remains unchanged. 1t will con-
tinue to be essentially the same
whether or not the Hun advances
further-even if he reaches the
main railway line about St. Just or
. Compiegne on the Disc. His vic
tory or defeat will still depend, no
matter how great an advance he
succeeds in making, upon the three
main tactics following:
The maintenance of the touch
between the British and French
armies.
The comparative weakening by
losses Of the enemy's forces in
attack and of ours in retreat.
The effect upon the German
line Of the impact of the main
Allied reserve when the Allied
High Command decides that the
moment to throw it into action
has arrived.
In regard to the first, the main
tenance of contact and the holding
of an unbroken line which will pre-
vent critical breaking through by
the enemy depend on the defen-
sive strength of the British and
French forces, with the smaller
American and Portuguese contin-
gents. This has been shown so far
by the fact that the defending line
is still unbroken and will continue
to be shown by the success in keep
ing that line intact.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Retreat Continues
Throughout Week

The third element is the action
which may be taken with the great
Allied reserve armies. These have
no1 yet begun to come into play
and are awaiting their moment for
such use as the high command may
think fitting.
Upon these elements victory will
depend.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
German Losses More
Than Double Allies

The second of these points, that
regarding the comparative rate of
losses, is the only one on which
even a rough judgment can be
made at present. The enemy has
already thrown into his attack
something like seventy-fve divi-
sions Of infantry, and he is prob
ably prepared to use half as much
again, because, although such an
expense will ruin him if he fails, he
is stalking everything on a rapid
success.
He has so far lost, perhaps, in
the neighborhood of one-third Of
all the infantry he has actually en-
gaged-certainly more than a quar-
ter, also certainly more than double
and perhaps nearly three times as
much as the defence, in spite Of
their counter attacks. The effect
Of this bleeding upon the enemy's
army Of assault and, what is almost
equally important, upon the re-
mainder of his line will be seen
only when the Allied reserves come
into play, and until that event all
estimates Of the results are with
out value.
This question of losses is in. it's
bearing on the ultimate result of
the war perhaps the first and most
important fact in the whole strug-
gle, because if the Germans ex-
pense in life does not warrant the
result which he obtains his des-
Derate gamble has been lost. He is
undertaking to pay a truly gigan-
tic price in dead, pressing his at
tacks almost without regard to
cost and a single eye to a very
rapid decision.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

All Staked on Breaking Line
Allies Hold Reserves
Copyright, 1918-The Tribune Association

forbade the use of the enemy air.
craft until comparatively late in
the day. But when the weather
cleared the British discovered that
the Germans on this second day
were making a serious effort in th..
vital southern portion of the front
of which St. Quentin was the
centre.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

France and Belgium, from g.
$4,000 to 2,41S,00O men.
Available for active opera
tions, from 1,92O,00O to 2,OS9,-
900 men.
Opposite the British, 1,152,OOC
to 1,24S,OO0 men.
Available for the attack, from
100000 to $4,000.
Used in the first drive, from
100000 to $4,000.
Available at first for rein
forcement, from 100000 to
455,O00.
Used for reinforcement with
in the first four days Gas men,
toned in the opening of this arti-
cle), from 100000 to nearly $780,
900.
Remaining available for re-
enforcement, from 100000 to
25QO00.
1t will be observed that the un-
:errainties of this calculation muL
,iply toward the end, so that no
5ery definite idea can finally be
reached as to the exact amount of
reserves remaining, but it is evi-
lent that they have been exhausted
very rapidly. -
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

The shaded portions of the map show
the day by day gains of territory by the
Germans in their great offensive The
black patches show successful counter at
tacks by the British in the north and the
French in the south: The areas, as num-
bered, show the German gains, SO far as
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Forcing Main
British Position

At some time in the afternoon,
which has not been exactly speci-
fled in either the German or Brit
ish dispatches, but which probably
was between $3.50 and 5 p. m., the
Germans reached and forced that
portion of the British main defen-
sive system which lay from due
west to west by north of the town
of st. Quentin and about four miles
from its suburbs. There stands a
lump of high ground carrying the
ruins of the village of Holnon, with
the large Holnon Wood behind it.
On the further side, to the west
again, this wood falls away through
a descent of about $50 feet upon
general slope toward the valley of
the little river of Omignon. The
main British defensive position at
this point lay right across the high
ground of Holnon and it's wood and
traversed the open fields to the
south.
1t was reached and pierced, as I
have said, and this success upon the
part of the enemy compelled the
rapid retirement of the whole Brit
ish line in this sector and a CORE
spending modification of every
thing to the north in order to pre-
serve the line unbroken. All the
northern sectors had been held thor
oughly, and the line may therefore
be regarded as pivoting, on account
of the enemy's success at Holnon,
upon sort of hinge, which lay
east of Arras, and as swinging
back through an angle of about 20
degrees. This local break-through
(Which, of course, must not be con-
fused with a general rupture of the
line as whole) involved also a
larger capture Of prisoners and
guns than the enemy had attained
on the day before or than he at
tanned in other parts of the field
on this day.
When on Saturday morning the
fighting was resumed it covered the
great road leading from Arras
through Bapaume, and Peronne to
Ham and to the Disc River. The
enemy could claim in his report of
Saturday afternoon $4,000 prison
ers-that is to say, $4,000 more
than his original capture on Thurs
day-and total of 400 guns.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Standing on the
Line of the Somrne

We were not told, of course,
where the next stand would be
made after this retirement, but the
map clearly indicated the upper
valley of the Somme, south of Pc
rome, as portion of the next
British defensive line, and here on
Sunday the line was discovered to
be. 1t covered Peronne on Sunday
morning.
During Sunday the Germans
forced their way into Peronne and
cou-d claim before the close of the
day, with all the pieces found upon
the abandoned ground, 600 guns.
But the character Of the British
retirement to the eastern line is
best evidenced by the number of
prisoners, which during forty-eight
hours had swollen the total
claimed by the Germans by not
more than a further 5000.
From that time on the Allied re-
treat has been conducted with the
utmost steadiness, the French TAX
ing over the right of the assaulted
line, and both armies infiicting the
maximum of damage while sus-
tanning as little as possible them.
selves. The map shows the details
of the retirement.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

the same time exceptionally heavy
work was done against the defen-
sive barbed wire entanglements
by trench mortars, which were
pushed up to the extreme front
trenches of the German lines.
After three and one-half to four
and one-half hours of this prepara-
tion the infantry was launched, and
the terrific pressure, which has at
the moment of writing continued
almost uninterruptedly for four
days, began to be exercised upon
the whole of the front which had
been chosen by the enemy for his
attack.
The first days fghting-that of
Thursday-resulted in far less
than the enemy had expected, as we
know by captured documents. He
attempted to cut off the bulge or.
salient which faced the town of
Cambria, and failed. He attempted
at the same time, with eight divl-
slons, to exercise decisive press
ure upon the St. Quentin district.
He there compelled slow local re-
tirement, but achieved no definite
result. The Cambria salient was
evacuated without any very serious
loss. Immediately to the southeast
of Arras the enemy gained cres-
cent-shaped piece of territory, less
than two miles deep and some
twelve miles across the base. The
total number Of prisoners, both
wounded and unwounded, that he
obtained in these operations on the
first day was not more than 10000:
that is to- say, some 3 per cent of
the number of his attacking force
of infantry, and not 2 per cent Of
the total number of troops he had
brought up for the engagement.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Cost of Taking
British Lines

There was considerable loss in
guns by the British, through the
use of their field pieces Upon the
extreme front, and this jh turn was
due to a feature Of the German tao.
tics which appeared from the very
outset of the battle, which was to
characterize the whole of it, and
upon which, without doubt. the
Prussians' success or failure will
ultimately depend in this great
gamble. This feature was the de-
liberate sacrifice of exceptionally
large numbers of their men as q
price worth paying for rapid de-
clsion which should break the Brit
lsh line before reinforcements
could be, brought up or the de-
fence could be reorganized to meet
the developments of the early part
of the. engagement.
The universal testimony of eye
witnesses is that no assault has
ever been developed with such
dense masses Of men or with such
AN astonishingly high proportion
OF loss. There were places where
the attackers were thrown in with
a momentum of seven men to The
yard of front-that is, a whole
division of infantry on a single XII
lometre. Against such tactics the
obvious advantage to the British of
using every missile weapon that
could be pushed we'll forward is
clear, and the toll paid in loss of
guns where the enemy forced the
first lines and overran them was
we'll worth the result in the de-
struction of Germans that they had
caused before being captured.
On this first day the enemy no.
where passed the main defensive
tmrd position OF the battle zone,"
upon the maintenance of which de.
pended the question whether the
retirement of the British would be
forced or not. The fighting of
Thursday, then, on the results
shown had gone against the
enemy's effort and in favor of the
British defence.
But with Friday came a great
change. The night was very misty
on the southern part of the line.
although clearing in the north. The
fog hung we'll on into the forenoon
in the district of St. Quentin and
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

5.-Tuesday, March 26.
6.-Wednesday, March 27.
7.-Thursday, March 2s.
8.-Friday, March 20.
The black arrow shows the point where
the Germans cut through the British lines,
forcing the retreat, on Friday, March 22.
New-York tribune., 1918-03-31

they be determined from reports re-
ceived, to:-
1.-Thursday night, March 21.
2.-Saturday morning, March %.
3.-Sunday morning, March "a.
4.-Monday, March 25
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
JAPs TO ACT IN SIBERIA
Long Prepared Plans Of Japan In 81.
IBERIA win Be Carried Out.

Hardin, Wednesday, February 20
The Japanese, according to reliable
authority, intend to take action in ST.
IBERIA at an early date, and there are
evidences that the Japanese have long
been preparing to carry out this move
The situation in Siberia is consid-
cred extremely grave, owing to the in
ability of the Cossack general Semen
off, head of the anti-Bolsheviki move
ment in that vast territory to secure
allied support, for which he has APP
pealed to the Japanese.
General Semenoff's movement now
is officially recognized, and general
committee has been formed at Har-
bin, which will act as a general staff,
divided into three department H.
nancial, military and administrative.
The Russian consul, Mr.. Popoff, has
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
MAYORS OF RIVER TOWNS TO
GATHER

Cincinnati, February 26-Mayors Of
Ohio valley river cities will be invited
to meet in Cincinnati March 20 to
consider river improvements and an
swer the governments questions in
regard to river trade restoration pro-
gram.
The meeting, which will be held I'M
der the auspices of the Ohio Valley
Improvement Association, was de-
cided on today at a conference of the
executive committee of the association
and Mayor Calvin. Mayor Calvin and
officials in other cities are confident
much good will result from the con-
ference.
"The conference planned by the
Ohio Valley Improvement Association
will give us an opportunity to get to-
gether on big program, said Mayor
Calvin. eve will answer the gov
eminent. 1t has asked us what we
will guarantee we will do. We will
ask 1t what its part Of the bargain
will be. Our plan is to urge the gov
eminent to go ahead with its big river
program and to pledge our support Of
that program.
1.-THE Cincinnati meeting will not
conflict with a meeting planned by
the Huntington, (W. Va.) officials.
Their meeting is to be one of ship
pers to consider the building and OPP
Grafton of boat lines"
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
DAUGHTER GAVE
AGED MOTHER
v|NO[
Now She is Strong and
Better Every Wav

Pitman, N. III suffered from a
weak, rundown condition so I could
not get around to do my usual light
duties, for I am 70 years of age and
past hard work. My daughter
brought me a bottle Of Vinol and
asked me to try it, and after taking
two bottles I have a good appetite,
rest well at night and am stronger
and better in every way."-Mrs F.
Anderson, Pitman, N. ].
We wish every feeble, aged man
and woman in this vicinity would
just try this constitutional cod liver
and iron tonic on our guarantee to
return their money if it fails to
benefit. Formula is on every bottle.
John c. PecOr Drug Co, Maysville.
KY, and at the best drug stores in
every town and city in the country.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
A POPULAR VERDICT
Based on Evidence Of Maysville
People.

Grateful thousands tell it
OF weak backs made strong
OF weak kidneys made we'll
Urinary disorders corrected.
Maysville people add their testi-
mony.
They praise Doan's Kidney Pills.
Maysville evidence is now COM
plete.
Maysville testimony is confirmed;
Reports Of early relief substant-
lated.
Merit doubly proved by test of time
Let Maysville citizen speak.
Fred Dresel, tailor and Justice Of the
peace, 1888 East Second Street.
says: II was troubled by inflammation
Of the bladder and annoyance from
my kidneys. The kidney secretions
burned in passage and often were re-
tarded. had severe pains across the
small Of my back which greatly inter-
fered with my work. Doan's Kidney
Pills, which l got at Wood & Sons
Drug Store. gave me prompt relief"
Mr.. Dresel gave the above statement
on February 6, 1908, and on November
IA, 1916, he added: II have had the
same faith in Doan's Kidney Pills to-
day as ever, for I haven't had any trou-
BILE with my kidneys since last recon-
mended them"
Mr.. Dresel is only one OF many Mays
Vile people who have gratefully en-
dorsed Doan's Kidney Pills. II your
back aches-if your kidneys bother
you, don't simply ask for kidney rem
edy-ask distinctly for DOAN'S KID
NEY PILLS, the came that Mr.. Dresel
had-the remedy backed by home tes-
timony. Coo at all stores. Foster-Mil-
burn Co., Props, Buffalo, N, Y. when
Your Back is Lame-Remember the
Name"
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
Park Lake and WallingfOrd

Miss Myrtle Stages very popular
young, daughter Of Charlie Stages,
Of this place, in company with her
better half, Mr.. lack Hamm of Cincin-
natl, drove to Flemingsburg Saturday
and was made one They were both
well known here. We wish the happy
couple prosperous voyage over the
matrimonial sea.
C. P. Stages is poorly at this writ
ing with neuralgia.
H. l.. Saunders a well known man
here is very poorly with lung trouble
at the home of his sister, Mrs. Tom
Walton at Sutton.
Miss Grace Lightner closed her
school at Pea Ridge last Friday with a
nice treat and a very appropriate ex-
ercises.
Erastus Gardener closed a very sue
cessful term of school at Wallingford
last Friday with an excellent enter.
tainment which was enjoyed by all
present.
Thomas Reeves of Fernleaf was in
this vicinity last Saturday looking for
hands.
Herbert Anthersop and wife and
Miss Hazel Carpenter of Wallingford
have each purchased piano from o.
|. Ralins of Flemingsburg.
The J. r. o. U. A. NJ. of this place
are arranging for an oyster supper in
the near future. Good music. Watch
for the announcement.
Charles Yarnall of Park Lake
leaves Tuesday morning for Camp
Taylor, Loui3ville. having filled a sick
boys place, who was called. May he
return back safe.
Mr.. Richard Gulley returned home
Saturday after a visit Of two weeks
in Mason county. While there he pur-
chased a fine Jersey heller OF Mike
Brannon Of Lewisburg for SIS.
Charles Yarnall Ii spending Sunday
r. Y. Mckee OF Park Lake. has been
having bad luck with his sheep, sew
eral have died recently.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27

Grman people will be forced to make
when the offensive starts in the West,
the Central News correspondent at
Amsterdam reports.
Both the military critics and the
war correspondents are joining in this
verbal battery work.
"a most monstrous terrible thing is
awaiting this continent" the vossiche
Zeitung says. Never in history will
the memory of this February be eff
faced"
In the Tageblatt, the military ex-
pert Of that newspaper, Lieptenant-
General Baron Armand Won Ardenne,
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
HORROR AWAITS GERMAN PEG.
PIE, NEWSPAPER SAYS

London, February 25-There is ev-
cry indication that the German War
Office has given word to the newspa-
pers to begin a campaign to prepare
the public for the fresh sacrifices the
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27

says that from the meeting of the
German and Austrian Emperors with
their military advisors at headquar-
tiers it may be concluded that the
pause in the fighting soon will end.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27
,een appointed chairman of the CON-

been appointed chairman of the COM
mittee.
Two thousand Germans have been
armed and are drilling at Irkutsk,
capital of the Government of Irkutsk,
in eastern Siberia, and, according to
an official report received from for
eign consul, the Germans are making
all preparations to bring much larger
forces there.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-27

Z. Frank Nash about your Insurance.
G. Frank Nash about your Insurance.
&. Frank Nash about your Insurance.
&. Frank Nash about your Insurance.