davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
FRENCH ADVISE
US. ALLIES WILL
HOLD GERMANS
Official Dispatch Quotes Gov.
ernmentt Organ Declaring
Teutons Have Not Gained
Objective in Spring Drive.
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, March 26.--Franee's
confidence that the great German Of
fensive is wasting its strength against
the allied line, is voiced in an official
dispatch received here today from
Paris The message quotes at length
from today's Petit Journal to show
that the Germans, though suffering
tremendous losses in massed advances,
have failed to attain their objectives,
and that the present situation is salts
factory to the allies.
The dispatch says:
THE French press continues to
view with calm confidence the de-
velopments of the gigantic battle
which has been going onfor five days.
This confidence is based upon all the
experience of this war. Each time
that the Germans have attempted
movement against the troops in the
west the effort after certain amount
of success always of a temporary
character has ended in being broken
against the barrier Of the allied
armies.
"The great example before all
minds is that Of, the >Marne where
Germany had every advantage on its
side, thanks to its preparation to the
superiority of its man power and its
heavy artillery and its hidden attack
across violated Belgium, but it was
defeated.
To-day it is fighting against THE
powerful Franco-Britsh armies ac-
customed to war and we'll supplied: {:
its effort will again be stopped. Such
is the firm and calm conviction of
French opinion the expression of
which is seen this morning in the
DresS y
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
GERMAN MYSTERY
gun IS GREATEST
SURPRISE OF WAR
Accuracy Impossible at Such
Long Range; of Use Only
for Enormous Target,
Like PariS.>

London, March 26-In the '.'ipys-
terry gum" the name generally gwen
to the weapon with which the Ger
mans are bombarding Paris from a
distance estimated at Is miles. it is
frankly conceded by experts, the
enemy has sprung one of the grs4:est
surprises of the war.
General Sir Desmond O'Callagnan,
formerly president of the army ord
nance committee, says of the German
gun:
The projectiles must have hecn
fired from longer and heavier gyms
and with more powerful propellant
than we have any knowledge of "
From Paris has come the sugges-
ton that the extraordinary ranpe of
the gun is due to the /projectile be ng
provided with a sacond charge, which
explodes when the first stage ot the
flight is completed, giving it a fresh
impetus. This theory is secuted by
General OCallaghan, as is also the
variant of it. that the projectile is
fitted with a propeller, enabling i. to
continue its journey when it is no
longer driven by the projecting tcrce
from the gun.
"It would scem,s says General
OCallaghan, "that new departure in
ballistics can alone explain the enor-
nous range, which is three times that
of anything hitherto accomplished"
One expert estimates that the
weight of the projectile is about $50
pounds and that it leaves the gun with
muzzlc velocity OF about 1000 feet
per second, the gun having all eleva-
ton of about 65 degrees, which very
quickly takes the projectile into a
stratum of rarihed air in which resist
ance is greatly minimized." The
strain upon the gun, he says, must be
enormous and probably it would be
unable to survive more than hun
dred rounds at the most, the cost of
each being nearly 1000. y
All the experts agree that at such
tremendous range even approximate
accuracy is out of the question and
therefore the gun is only of use when
a target is presented on a vast scale,
like Paris. The object aimed at is
rather more moral than material.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
Kaiser's Official Statement t
Says More Than 100 British
Tanks Captured; 90 Air.
planes Destroyed.
(By Associated Press.)


Berlin (Na,London) March 26-The number Of
guns captured by the Germans in the battle now in
progress has increased to 963, army head quarters an
nounced today. More than 100 tanks were lying in
captured positions, it is added. Il
Biaches, Barlem and Etalon have been captured by
the German forces
The Germans are standing on the heights to the
north Of Noyon. They captured Busy, Bihucourt,
Biefeilers, Grevers, Ires and Mnaumon and crossed
the river Ancre.
Since the beginning Of the battle says the statement
% enemy arp panes and six captive balloons have been
broughtdown.
British troopsjus brought forward attacked the Ger
man lines violently from the direction of Albert. They
were driven back, the reports state, after bitter
struggle.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27

troops were employed than in the bat
tie of the Marne, gives no indication
what the result will be. Nevertheless,
developments are awaited by the allies
without anxiety.
RUSH FRESH TROOPS.
-, London, March 26.-The fighting
died down during the night, the war
Office reports. The British established
themselves in new positions east of
Roye and Albert.
The Germans this morning began
new attacks against the combined
French and British forces south of the
Somme.
The German losses have been so
great that the enemy has been obliged
to bring reinforcements from all parts
of the western front. The war Office
has established the fact that more
than 70 German divisions Gn the
neighborhood of $4,000 men) have
heen engaged
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
FRENCH RUSH FRESH
TROOPS UP; GERMANS
CAPTURE 963 GUNS
Line Now Runs: Bray, Albert,
Beaumont, Hamel, Puissieux,
Ayett, Boiry, Henin, Wan
court, to, Scarpe.
(Ry Associated Press.l


London, March 26.-The war office tonight an
nounced that the Germans took Roye at 1890 o'clock
this morning. 4
The enemy has been checked west Of Roye and
Noyon, the announcement adds.
In the Roye area, British, French and American
troops are fighting shouderto shoulder, the official ans
states French reiforcements are rapidly
coming up. ..l x
'The enemy made no further attacks during the
night Of March 2526 on our front north Of the Som
me, the announcement says. During the afternoon
there have been local engagements on this part Of the
battle 'front.' in WI whch the enemy has been repulsed, but
he has attempted no serious attacks. =.....
'The line north Of the Somme now runs: Bray, AL :
bert, Beaumont Hame, Pussieux, Ayett Boiy,
Henin, Wancourt just west Of Monchy to the Scrape
and thence along our original 'front.'
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
LAWMAKERS
meet AT CALL.
OF GOVERNOR
Extra Session of Nebraska Leg
isIature Convenes at Lincoln;
Listens to Message of
Chief Executive.

Lincoln, March 26.-(Special.)-
Governor Neville addressed the spe-
cial session of the Nebraska legisla-
ture this afternoon, advocating the
enactment of law. providing for
gathering the soldier vote.
He suggested that the Mockett law
permitting instruction in foreign Ian
guages in common schools be re-
pealed and was loudly applauded as
he uttered the words.
The joint session of house and SEN
ate convened at o'clock and at 2:45
o'clock Lieutenant Governor Howard
announced the members ready to lis
ten to the chief executive.
The governor was escorted to the
hall by committee composed of Sem
ator Henry, Representative Taylor of
Custer and Representative Osterman
of Merrick.
MESSAGE APPLAUDED.~
The message was received with
marked attention., the first applause
coming when the executive urged the
repeal of the Mockett law permitting
the teaching of foreign languages in
the public schools.
The joint session adjourned after
hearing the message. +
Both houses of the legislature were
called to order at noon today, the SEN
ate by Lieutenant Governor Howard
and the house by Speaker Jackson.
Perfect Organization. \
Committees were appointed to no.
tify the governor that they were ready
for business and each branch appoint
ed a committee to notify the other
body that it was ready to transact
business.
Short addresses were made by the
presiding officers of each body and
adjournment was taken until 2 o'clock.
When the roll of the senate was
called 80 members were present, and
in the house 78-members answered to
the call. -
Sandal of York. Douthelt Of Buff
falo and Howell of Douglas were the
absent senator's.
Howard Chief Clerk.
>Jhe house caucus, composed OF
both republicans and democrats, met
this forenoon and agreed upon the folI
lowing officers to fill vacancies exist
ing by reason of former employees
having left the state: Chief clerk,
Arthur E. Howard, Lincoln; first as
sistant, Horace M. Davis, Ord; chap
lain, Frank Mills.
There was considerable of a fight
on the election of chief clerk and as
sistant, Morton of Polk, nominating
Howard, Auten of Boone, Decker. and
Continued on Page Two, Column one.)
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
HAIC'S LINE STIFFENS
WHEN FRENCH RESERVES
RELIEVE WEARY BRITISH
Germans Gain Littlein Advance Over War Devastated
Country; Allied Withdrawals Made Voluntarily;
English Fire Eats Into Enemy Divisions
With Frightful Results

French Front in France, Monday March 25-Entire conf
dence eigns that the Germans last trump the world battle
will be over-trumped when the proper moment
The allied military authorities fully cognzant that
the enemy effortwoud until
could be taken to check the rupion into the allied positions
AS always the attackers the advantage of know
exactly where they would launch their while the
defenders compelled await development the battle
before meeting the onrush with counter
GREAT ATTACK SLACKENS
There every sign in todays situation that the terrific
attack which apparently somewhere the neshborhood
Germans of all engaged is being sackened
The resistance of the allies frmer and the arrival
the of French reserves the southern flank
brought welcome support to the British who sustained the
first powerful rush.
The German divisions, which began what evidently in
tended to be irresistible forward movement
that they replaced by fresh formations these d-
foreseen by the allied general that would be made
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
British Start Recruiting
To Fill Cans on Battle Line

London, March 26.-To fill the gaps
caused by the German advance in.
France the authorities have decided
to place the recruiting machinery in
motion again throughout the country.
The miners have placed the organiza.
ton of their Unions at the disposal
of the recruiting officers.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27
BRITISH WILL LA,sTCH
COUNTER THRUSTSOON
Forty Reserve Divisions Rushed to Front tC
Fill Gaps Mowedi in Teuton Lines by Haig's
Terrific Artillery and Machine Gun Fire

British Army Headquaers France March 261hee believe
important events will be recorded within the few hours which lead
betemn the position the which steg the German onslaught
The enemy fighting desperately hard against time In the first day his
serves were reduced 81 divisions the end the second day 40 d.
visions F. ON the reserves had been putin.
~ BRITISH RETIREMENT VOLUNTARY Il
London March 26Exactng the heaviest toll for every foot ground the
British line continues withdraw slowly before the pressure of the German
masses Reuters correspondent at British headquarters wires
Over large part the battle the retirement being made voluntarily
50 to maintain an bokn 'front.' Prisoners say the advance Of the Germans
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27


BRITISH RESISTANCE WONDERFUL
The enacy ofNhe British resistance, the prisoners
exceeded anything the Germans deemed possible They
plain great prvaons account of lack of supplies and
wearines also is telling heavily Owing to the dense
of supporting troops however, the is able to
plenish his forward line with fresh units.
The weather remains dry, thus favoring the enemy
British last night made veritabe pandemonium of
center of concentration of traffic behind the German
Tens thousands of rounds fred point blank into
enemy formations while armen fulfilled effectively their role
eyes of the artillery
SMASH GERMAN ATTACK.
heavy German attack yesterday about Ervllers
completely smashed by the British artillery fire.
withdrawal due against this sector
of the line.
Reports from along indicate that the
loss life yesterday heavy The advanced against
allied gunners who firing with open sights
Last night British amen took heavy toll from the German
No official figures hand compilations made
personally the correspondent convinced that least 130 Ger
apanes have been brought down the last FIVE days.
BRITISH GUNNERS SCORE
Yesterday was the supreme day for the British gunner
Attacking north of Ervers the point of British
with the French the Germans held nearly everywhere
by ceaseess intensity of the British artillery fire.
Masses of enemy troops which, coming forward in
again and again attempted reach their obectve with
lor sapgnes did they succeed in bending the British
front back was to conform the front with this ndentaon
BRITISH FALL BACK SLIGHTLY.
During the night there comparatively little change in
the ne No heavy attack this morning had been reported
o'clock The British still holding the enemy strongly
about half way between Conbes and Albert
Further north gains achieved by the assaung
troops.
British during the night fell back from
line through Ervers and Sapgnes in order sraghen the
front, which buged inward just to the south
FRENCH EVACUATE NOYON.
Paris March, 26-The battle continues with the greatest
violence and the Germans making still efforts along
the whole front between Noyon and Chaunes the office
Noyon by the French during the night The
left bank of the Oise being held firmly by the French
The statement issued by the office says:
ENEMY LOSES HEAVILY.
The battle continues with violence During last evening
and in the night the enemy multiplied his attacks the
whole front between Noyon and Chaulnes.
The French artillery we'll established in the region of
Noyon and supported effectively by infantry, reardn
the German thrust Frequent have been made
and heavy losses inflicted on the enemy
Noyon evacuated during the night in perfect order
The French holding the left bank of the Disc firmly
GERMANS TAKE BRITISH TANKS
Copenhagen, March Fisherman correspondents report
that six British tanks have been captured.
Still farther south the Germans pounding the
hard endeavor push and get grip Nese
swing the British right flank back while the determined de-
nes battling doggedy to force the back and
claim the positions previously held by them along the
Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-27

Governor Neville's message
to the special session of the
legislature is printed in full on
Page a.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29

Uncle Sammy told the German Ambassador
to pack up his duds and clear out Of Germany.
I couldn't concentrate on my studies after
that. The print on my lesson books became
blurred. and all I could see. were marching
troops and maneuvering battleships.
But the bottom dropped clean out of my
education when Congress bucked UP to the
occasion and declared the United States at
war with the German Empire
Wow! Every fighting De varila in the
whole list of De Varlas seemed to rise up be-
fore me in spirit and announce:
Now is the time 10 get in, my boy"
That settled me: I determined to get into
the scrap while the getting was good. I was
eighteen then, and big for my age. All
needed was my mothers signature to pre-
cipitate me into the biggest war in history.
l packed my suitcase. went home and told
my mother was going to enlist in the United
States army.
She was game and didn't even blink tear.
And why shouldn't she be game? She was
Irish. her father had fought under Grant, and
besides she had married De Varila.
You are a De Varla." she said. "and I'd
be ashamed of you II you didn't want to go.
Your father and both your grandfathers
went in when they were eighteen" -..
Her voice shook a little bit, and the next
morning I noticed her eyes we're trif1e red
/ enlisted in Battery c. Sixth Field Artil-
lery, U. S. A.. April 25, 1917. ninteen days
after the United States jumped into the war.
] was proud as a six-year-old boy just
learning to whistle when the army doctors
looked me over and decreed was sound
as copper from head to toe.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29
Battery e. c)EM H.
who tired the H7cof shot Of 1

interned In Sing Sing prison, and the nations
Of the world have returned to peaceful pur-
suits. we are going to show our appreciation
for what these lads have done for their
adopted country. or I'm poor prophet
There was only one f1y in our ointment on
the trip over. and that was the chow, which
for the first few days was about the worst
ever ladled out of a ships kettle 1t smelled
to the heavens. did that chow, and before we
were two days out. a third Of the outfit were
groaninp in their b,,nl,s with dysentery and
other ailments of the digestive organs.
We beloved long and loud to the head
chef, a big, fat .darky who didn't know as
much about cookery as a loneshoreman.
We might just as well have complained to
the ships anchor or the keel Of the transport.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29

was hustled off to the recruiting barracks
at Angel Island in Frisco Bay, and was
inoculated and vaccinated. I pretty
miserable for about week from the different
brands of anti-disease virus which they
pumped under my hide, and on the whole I
felt like animated fever blister But
just as soon the effects of the virus wore
away ! developed the appetite of army
mule. and took on weight like a woman who
is kidding herself with one of those anti-fat
treatments.
Early Training
We were given full equipment, including
uniform. underwear, leggings, shoes. mess
kit and blankets, and shipped to Douglas.
Arizona. For eight days we raw recruits
were kept shut up in a quarantine camp, and
after that followed weeks of arduous training
on the Mexican border. 1t a tough
grill. but 1t made every man-jack of us hard
rocks
Our training embraced bareback riding,
instruction In the use of equipment, and the
grooming OF horses. We were given an idea
of the various parts of the field pieces. and
engaged in battery drill and target practice
with three-inch guns. We put in lot of
work on those guns. little thinking that we
would handle an entirely different kind of
field piece when we arrived in France.
became the driver of the lead team of the
first section field piece, and before many
weeks had passed l could maneuver that
piece like veteran. BY listening to the
merry rhetoric OF some OF the OlQ-tlfne drivers
in the battery. / learned there certain
cuss words which have a special and most
. effective meaning to artillery horses, and
sometimes used them with wonderful result
But, say, l hate to think about the early
stages of that bareback training. It was
fierce. worse than anything I encountered
later on the battlefront Our battery was
afflicted with positively the most evii-minded,
devilsh- -dispositioned horses on earth. Hon
est. believe that German propagandists
had been working among every one of the
nags for how they did hate US!
No one can tell me that the horse doesn't
possess the power of thinking like human
being The way my nag used to scheme to
break my neck rivaled the Vaccinations of
the villain in a melodrama. Every time the
nag tossed me into the desert sand among the
cactus, he would grin and toss up his heels
in the most hendish manner ~
of for France
During the first few days Of the bareback
riding / hadn't the slightest desire to sit
down. and couldn't have IL had wanted to.
There was little comfort in knowing 1 had
company in my misery, for all of the raw
recruits ate their chow standing up did
But as time wore on became toughened to
the work, and developed a contempt for a
nag that lacked ginger.
All this time. as you can imagine, we were
getting keyed up for war. We longed for
action and waited impatiently for the day
when we would receive orders to move east
ward.
The latter part of July. 1917, one Of my
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29

for the jokester, but ne was wise enough to
stay out Of sight until L had cooled down.
One Of the breeziest, brightest little per-
sonalities on the ship was our chaplain. q
man by the name Of Dixon from Illinois
That fellow was just one, human bottle OF
sunshine with the cork out 70 that the elad
stun could pour out and warm UP the whoie
boat
well the chaplain sure ala love that song
Uncle Sammy" Every time he found
bunch of us together he would say with one
OF his blithe smiles:
"A cigarette for every boy who will sing
Uncle Sammy" A.
:. We would obediently yelp all three verses
Of the song. and after we had roared forth
the last stanza the little chaplain would deai
out the cigarettes We dubbed him Uncle
sammy" though he didn't look any more
like Uncle Sam than the man in the moon
He really looked like pocket edition OF
Theodore Roosevelt, with his eyeglasses
rnustache and cleaning teeth, which he dis-
played abundantly when he smiled
: It was the ambition of the chaplain 20
have US 60 ashore in France singing the
''Marseiliaise" in French, and he drilled US
with this song every afternoon. There Weie
a few in the outfit who had good voices.
but the majority couldn't have qualified ior
the choir of the corner church in Podunk.
And the way we slipped and slid over those
French words would have worn the nap on
any ordinary mans patience. But tne
chaplain had patience that made JOBS
seem thin in comparison He kept at US
hammer and tongs until once In wniie
we made a direct hit on a French word Tne
chaplain would reward US with one OF MS
f.o6seveltian smiles and hand around the
smokes. -, T.,
The ship vas athrob with excitement on
August 18 when we sighted "a thin blue line
on the horizon-the coast OF France.
Hip hip hurrah France" yelled gun-
ner, and we Joined him in a deafenins roar
OF cheering. -
Now for the Hun" said to my buddy
the sergeant.
wen soon be in his bailiwick," he replied
with a glad grin. r.
The Prophecy
Then my buddy said something which
have thought Of good deal since that merri-
orable day.
~~Do you know, Reddy." he said. II be-
lieye you are going to do well over here"
Not any better than yourself or anybody
else" replied, trying to be modest
"Oh, ! don't know" he said with an air
OF seriousness; 1--WE hunch you are going
to do something big" ~
Can that stun. buddy" observed, try
ing not to show my pleasure at his words.
On the day after I opened the war for
Uncle Sam, my friend the sergeant grasped
me by the hand and said:
Didn't / tell you old man, you were
going to do something real over here?"
But that is getting ahead Of my story.
The excitement grew as our transport
swept nearer the French coast. Soon we
could make out dozens Of neat little white
houses with red tile roofs-all against a
background Of beautiful green. 1t was a
sight good for sore eyes. ... 81;
A warlike touch was given the scene as
we neared the entrance Of the harbor.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29
CHAPTER III
With Pershing in France

A DYNAMIC thrill ran through every
"A mothers son of us. "
Here. at last. we were face to face
with that dread mechanical monster Of the
deep--the German. submarine.
Singing with excitement, we crowded to
the rail and strained our eyes to port over
the dancing sea. Ell.
All was a-bustle on the transport; officers
issued sharp quick orders. while the Eunners
swung their pieces and felt for the range.
Sailors in blue yanked the lids from muniton
bsxes and lifted out smells.
The cruiser ahead swung about, pointed
her prov due north, and forged along swiftly
in response to the quickening of her engines.
The guarding destroyers darted about like
eager hounds searching for a quarry that had
temporarily eluded them.
This is the lfe," heard comrade say
through gritted teeth.
stood tense, expecting every second to
hear shell go screeching out into the brine.
About quarter of mile away could see
something sticking up out Of the sea-