davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-27
GO OVER AN EMBANKMENT.
Army Trucks Loaded With Gravel
Demolish Telegraph Poles.

Two big Army trucks, each carrying
ten tons of gravel, went over an en-
bankment on Good Hope road near the
German Orphan Asylum about $50
o'clock yesterday afternoon, taking
two telegraph poles with them. The
trucks were returning from test
run over the Marlboro road and while
on the steep grade the forward vehi-
Gle skidded, taking the rear truck,
that was in tow, with it.
Private William Koscher, United
States Engineer Corps. stationed in
the camp at Union station, who was
operating one of the trucks, received
slight injuries and was taken to his
camp. Corp. Joseph Spencer, in charge
of the other vehicle, was not hurt.
The disabled trucks were removed
from the bottom of the ten-foot en-
bankment this morning.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-27
Few Words of Appreciation.

They're a curious lot, these Ger
mans. The officers on guard tell me
that words of appreciation from the
Germans for the kind treatment
given them are very rare, either col
lectively or individually. The only
organization that has shown appre-
citation is the mandolin and guitar
club, which had besought the officials
vacant barracks. They had brought
aboard ship. Most everybody in the
camp, however, objected to the
stunning of string orchestra, and
the would-be glee club had been
driven from place to place. Their
only friends were the American of
ficers, in charge of the camp, who
made up their minds that they
wouldn't discriminate against any
kind of amusement the Germans
wanted to concoct for themselves in
the lonely camp. The players ex-
pressed their appreciation-but that's
about the only instance of its kind on
record. Some persons say that's be-
cause the majority are sailors, and
that seamen are a sullen lot, any
way. Other people say its because
they're Germans, and let 1T go at
that About the only appreciation we
care about, anyway, is in Rhineland,
where such Americans as are unfor-
tunately captured by the Germans
may similarly ask for sthe privilege
of amusing themselves and driving
away the awful loneliness and dread
monotony of prison camp.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-27
233,639 TONS SHIPPING
% DAYS TOLL OF U-BOATS

Allied and neutral shipping sunk by
German U-boats during the first
twenty eight days in May total 233, 500
gross tons. according to estimates
made by the Navy Department., Sem
ator Beckham of Kentucky announced
in the Senate yesterday.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-27
INTERNED GERMANS
ARE A SULLEN LOT


| idle in Hoboken for nearly three
years. The real German agitators.
plotters and propagandists are con-
| fined at Fort Oglethorpe and Fort
| MACPHERSON, and have the status of
prisoners of war. The men here arc
! still detained aliens" transferred
| from Ellis Island immigration station
but on the LIST of July. at the request
! of the Department of State, they will
| be released to the War Department
| 1t seems thai by grouping all the in
| termed aliens and prisoners of war
under one jurisdiction the State De-
| partment believes it can better handle
| such negotiations as may arise with
Germany, either for the exchange
| of American prisoners or their future
| treatment.
It's rather significant that those
Germans who are not interested in
| sports or in carving fancy articles out
! of scraps of wood or building little
| huts or planting in garden beds are
| studying Spanish. Indeed. the major
! ity here are a studious lot, using the
opportunity to add to their education
Not Instructed by q. S.
| Our government doesn't furnish
| them with instructions. but several of
, the Germans themselves with uni
versity training have volunteered to
! help their compatriots. They have
| mapped out especially a course in
! technical marine subjects, and they
| have established what they call The
| Hot Springs University" The Y. NJ.
c. A. helps them buy textbooks
| Through the Swiss legation in Wash
| ington. which handles the diplomatic
| interests of Germany in the United
| States. the interned students have
| sought to arrange with the Berlin
! government SO that n certificate or
| diploma from their improvised uni
versity here will be recognized after
| the war as proof of 4 completed cur
riculum. The idea is not new, / I'M
! derstand, as the English prisoners at
| Ruhleben, near Berlin. have done
! the same thing, and have secured rec
| ognition from the educational au
| thorities of Great Britain.
What the studying of Spanish may
mean is hard to tell, unless the Ger
! mans believe that after the war the
| real struggle for trade will be in
| Central and South America, and that
Germany's opportunity for economic
| recuperation will come in this
| hemisphere or that part of the world
| where the war has not seriously in
| terfered with German financial and
| commercial connections, as in certain
neutral countries of our neighboring
| continent.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
AMERICANS PUSH
ON IN RAIN STORM;
TAKE Z VILLAGES
Enemy Machine Gun Resistance
Quickly Crushed: All Day Long
u. S. Men in Grips With Foe.
CROSS HINDENBURG LINE
BY Associated Press to Every Evening

By Associated Press TO Every Evening
American Army on the Verdun Front,
Sept. 30 n. m.-lhc American adj
vance continued during last night on the
front of the offensive launched yesterday.
The American patrols pushed forward,
maintaining contact with the enemy.
Stout machine gun resistance met during
the late night at one point WAS quickly
overcome with tanks and artillery.
The weather today was thick, light
rains having begun in the early morning
in the field of the American operation
observing observation.
Late information tends 10 confirm the
belief that the German heavy artillery
vos caught in the act Of withdrawal and
WIS unable 10 operate or reply salts
factorily It is not known Mt this hour
whether any of the enemy blg guns were
captured.
The machine gun opposition met by the
Americans was in the Bols Culses. fThis
may be the Cierges wood, three miles
northwest of Montfaucon, the capture OF
which General Pershing reported yes
tcrday.l :,
The IIindenburg line was penetrated
AT Nontfaucon, north of Verdun. he
Americans are now we'll north Of the
line from which the German Crown
Prince launched his famous drive against
Nerdun.
The American attack centered over a
front of twenty miles In the first rush
the Yankees captured n dozen villages
and more thnn ) 900 prisoners An ad-
vance of seven miles was made.
Tanks and airplanes supported the in
fantry Two separate American units
encircled the strong German position
Mt Montfaucon after our artillery had
sllnnced the German guns. American
soldiers quickly captured the village,
thus penetrating the so-called Hlnden-
burg line.
American artillery opened mp st II 30
o'clock Wednesday night east of the
Meuse river, where the Germans were
expecting the big attack At 2.3O this
Thursday morning the guns began to
thunder 10 the west of the Meuse. The
infantry went over the top at $50 o'clock
IN an irresistible rush They were favored
by n thick mist The biggest gain was
made ar Montfaucon.
All day long while the Americans were
at grips with the German infantry, the
great guns were roaring all along the
battle front. Among the prisoners was
one batch of 800 young Germans who had
bitterly opposed the American advance
at Cheppy and Couisy. Our men bril-
liantly wiped out the Germans machine
guns with hand grenades.
The attacking units were composed OF
men from Kansas, Missouri and Pennsyl-
vania.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
P.ANDS. HOSPITAL
MAY Be TAKEN FOR
INFLUENZA CASES
Committees to Consider PROPOSE
ton at a Special Meeting
This Afternoon.
REPORT FEW NEW CASES

Although alarming reports of the
spread of the dreaded Spanish influenza,
in certain sections of the country, have
caused much concern III this city, and the
number Of cases Of cold and grip here
are reported as reaching many hundred,
the situation, as far as facts could he
obtained this morning, were not such
as 10 give rise to hystenCal rumors, such
as have been common gossip III the last
day or two.
The Wilmington Council Of Defense
Committee, working in cooperation with
the Women's Committee of the State
Defense Council, and city and State
health officials have been very busy
since Wednesday, trying TO arrange for
the opening of an emergency hospital,
and have met with much success.
The directors of the New Century Club,
at meeting this morning, offered that
building to the Defense Council, If 1t
was needed.
In addition TO the generous offer Of
the Country Club, by its directors, in
case it should b needed, it was stated
today that the trustees Of the Physicians
and Surgeons hospital had agreed to
arrange to place that institution at
the services of the community, If 1t was
needed To do this, 1t viii be necessary
for the other hospitals TO take the pa
tients now at the p. and 5. hospital If
this was done, there would be acconmo-
dations for nearly fifty patients of the
"fiu'' at the p. and >. hospital.
AS far as new cases of the disease are
concerned, it was said at the Board OF
Health Offices today that there had
been but very few genuine rases re-
ported. The city physicians are gener-
ally reporting all suspicious cases, but
so far, the number really afflicted with
the disease is not enough to cause any
alarm
Health officials said today that be-
cause City Council had refused point
blank, 10 provide any money, with which
To procure a building or pay nurses, that
their hands were tied. That If bills
were contracted, there was no money
with which TO pay them.
The law .on the subject. however,
gives To city or State Boards of Health,
according to prominent attorney. full
authority in cases Of epidemic, to construct
temporary buildings, If necessary and TO
care for all cases OF contagious diseases.
A prominent official In discussing the
situation said it was Providence
that had protected Wilmington, SO far.
when the local conditions are concerned
When the housing conditions, sanitation,
and general health Of the city as q whole
is considered, he said it should not be
surprising if the outbreak here should
amount TO a serious epidemic.
Five cases cf the 'flu" among Pennsyl-
vATia Railroad employees are being taken
care Of at the county pest house. The
patients were sent there In an auto
truck. provided by the company yesterday
This afternoon at o o'clock, the local
and Womens committee workers will
meet in the Street and Sewer department,
at the Public Building, to discuss
further measures necessary to be taken.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
B0CHE HURLED BACK
ON 2O-ha|LE FRONT
General Petain Sweeps on, Driving
Huns Before Him; Foe Fighting
Desperately to Stem Tide.
By Associated Press TO Every Evening

With the French Army on the Cham
pagne Front, Thursday, Sept 26-l0
d. m.-Three years and day after launch
ing their memorable Champagne offensive
of 1915. the French again attacked the
German front along the line of the battle
field from the Suippe river to the Verdun
battlcGel today.
The attacking army was led by Cen
eral Gouraud. with General Petaln IN
supreme command. In the first hours of
the battle some of the highly important
buttresses of the fortress which the Ger
mans had dug for themselves fell.
Along the whole battle front of forty
miles the enemy already has been dis
lodged from his advance stroughOlds.
General Goraud's men were continuing
their advance tonight along the front of
the Argonne forest Greater resistance
was being encountered.
The Germans by their retirement to-
day, have gained little time in which to
bring up reserves, while General Gouraud
is bringing up his guns. The lines they
retired TO are no stronger than those they
abandoned.
Enemy airmen made several spectac cular
attacks on trench observation balloons
today Only one balloon was destroyed,
but the observers in three others were
forced to descend by parachute One
German airInan attacked three balloons
in quick succession, plungDe down upon
one and firing and then rising to dive at
another.
One Of these burst into flames only an
instant before the observer had jumped
with his parachute. Shrapnel shells then
began TO burst close about the enemy
machine and it turned and sped away
for the German lines.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
FLU EP, ,DEM|C
BEYOND CONTROL
IN MANY CITIES
Washington Says Disease is Ex-
pected to Sweep Westward With
Increased Fury.
WEEKS DEATHS DOUBLE
n, ,.s..,a,aa Press - Every Evening

nv Associated freSs - iA'S's it'ts
Washington. Sept. - spanish IN
fiucnza. sweeping through NIL but thirteen
of TIE army camps and apparently De-
yond control of local authorities I'D hitiy
eastern communities, has caused ire
mcndous INCREASE In the ueath faes9 -
the army nj home 10
For the week ending September, 20
,bo S,rpron Generals Office reported
tod,v the death rate wns "A per cent,
c,,nnar,,d with 23 per cent the preceding
u-ccL This increase was attributed IN
tary, moas,rr, to Influenza, but the re-
,y,rt rointc,. out that the figures do not
~, ,bo seriousness of the situation
as since last Friday there has been
further rapid spread OF the epidefhc,
with MANY deaths.
Whilc the epidemic heretofore has been
pvryalcnt chiefly near the Atlantic oea-
hoard the Surgeon Generals oice
said Il nav be expected TO sweep west
ward with still greater increaase
nortal,tv in the next few weeks
Orders issued last night by Provost
Marshal General Crowdcr cancclllng calls
for cntrainnent of 142 900 draft regis
trants between October and III were
due 10 the serious conditions IN many
carnns and were said by health oihciais
10 be absolutely necessary at TINS tIine;
I1nlcss the disease obtains unexpected
foothold IN sections not previously
affected. however. it IS belicved here
that the next few days may show de
cided improvement. This VIII oepeha
on weather conditions.
Continuation of rain and cold IN New
England is regarded as extremely detri-
mental TO the effort to subdue the epl-
demic there.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
BAKER SEES OUR MEN
ROUT HUNS At VERDUA
Watches Tanks and Airplanes Go
Into Action-Drive Launched
Without Hitch.
BY Associated Press TO Every Evening


With The American Army on The
Champagne Front Thursday Sept 20
10 p. N. Secretary Of War Newton
Baker witnessed the beginning of the
American drive along the front north
west Of Ncrdun this morning At $50
O'Clock after the enemy positions had
been bombarded with high explosives
and gas shells, the american infantry
advanced.
Squadrons Of tanks again formed an
effective part Of the attacking force,
especially in the region Of Cheppy
These land battleships" moved up
with the infantry, smashing down wire
entanglements and routing the enemy
from machine gun nests. The work OF
the American airplanes was one of the
features Of the combat An aerial barrier
was maintained over the line preventing
the enemy from observing the move
ments of troops. In spite OF the fog, the
airmen swOoped low over the enemy's
trenches and materially assisted the
advancing infantry.
Without hitch and absolutely ac-
cording to schedule the entire line was
moving right into positions paralfefng
the line OF attack.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
NEW AMERICAN DRIVE
DUPLICATES ST.MIH|EL
Puts German Army in Jeopardy
Freneo in Front and Our Men
at Back of II.
By Associated Press to Every Evening

Paris, Sept. 27.-Ameriean troops in
their attack northwest of Nerdun appear
to have attained all and more than all
they attempted The Americans were
confronted by the German Fifth Army.
This force had been diluted which ex-
plains the relatively small number of
prisoners taken.
The American advance over most
difficult ground amidst woods is looked
upon here as fine feat of arms. Mont
faucon whose heavy silhouette dominates
the horizon was passed by the Ameri-
cans and now is we'll within the newly
conquered ground.
THE Argonne forest itself IS dead
ground" between the two attacking
fronts but the capture by the Americans
of Montblainville ION the eastern out
skirts of the forest) bottles up the Ger
mans holding the positions in front
of Four de Paris. Germans there now
have the French in front of them and
the Americans at their backs
The Germans, it is believed, here,
have only one division in the Argonne.
This force now has no other means of
retreat but over the rough roads leading
northward through the woods,
Ry taking Varennes and Montfaucon
with series of positions that General
Won Gallwitz considered so impregnable
that he could not have taken indespens-
able precautions, says Marcel Hutin
in the Echo de Paris, the Americans
have given magnificent new edition
of their ,-ictory in the St. MIhiel salient
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
SHELLS FLASH, GUNS
ROAR. AS u. S. STRIKES
Spraying the Way for Drive a
Magnificent Spectacle Staged
in Cloudless Night.
By Associated Press TO Every Evening

With The American Army on The
Champagne Front, Thursday, Sept 20
Last nights bombardmcnt of the Ger
man lines preparatory TO the attack
begun this morning was a magnificent
spectacle. II was a cloudless night and
thousands of guns. all firing furiouslv,
wreathed the hills in ceaseless sparkle
OF fame like myriads of fire flies. For
SIX hours the roar of the cannon, like
the roll of giant drum, was unbroken.
The enemy, during the 4S hours pre-
cedng the attack, had increased his
reserves in this region from four to
,twenty-three divisions.
Prusstan guards defending Nauquois,
there being three divisions IN the line
and one in reserve, strongly resisted
the advance of the American troops
early today. They were instructed TO
hold the town at all costs.
By general review Of the fight after
MANY hours, it is evident the enemy
is stubbornly retiring to prepared lines
to which all his heavy artillery has been
withdrawn. This was the reason that
his artillery reaction was Inadequate
during the early phases of the battle.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
ELLIS F. BANKS KILLS
HIMSELF WITH Gun
Despondent, Presumably, HeCum--
mitted Suicide Yesterday xIss
Home IN Newport.

Ellis +. Banks, 43 ysrs old, eornuncssd
suicide yesterday afternoon at hs huns.
on Main street, Newport by shooting
himself with shotgun Deputy Cor
oner McCrery, who made an invest
igation, believes despondency SsaS the
cause.
At about $50 O'Clock Banks went
to the third story OF hss bona Tskng
s. shotgun he sat down on bed, and,
after making a moose Of a nssckte, which
he had fastened 20 the trigger of the
gun, he placed the gun ON the floor.
back Of him, with q muz2le against his
neck. With his foot he tripped the gun
BY means Of the neckhe-nose.
The charge from the gun produced
a gaping wound in the back Of the
neck, causing almost instant death
Banks was a son Of Edward Banks
Of 400 West Seventh street, Wilmington.
Father and son operated taxicab
business in Wilmington. About two
wears ago the wife Of the deceased died
but there are five children, the HEST
being a daughter II years old.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
WAR uNIFYING DEMOCRACY,
GOMPERS TELLS FRENCH

Paris. Sept. 27.-'1 see that a Ger
man official announcement says we
are the most bellicose Of all, said Sam
uel Gompers, President Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, at a luncheon
al the American Club yesterday.
We'll MIR Gompers continued, "what
did We get into il for? Did they expect
70 have a tea party, with Us as the IN
vited guest?
''Ihose who have lived by the sword
must be destroyed by the sword. | do
not regret that the war has come, for
never otherwise could the democratic
nations have become so thoroughly
unl;ed."
MIR, Gompers' speech was received
with ,,outbursts Of applause His war
aims swere characterized by Walter
Berry former Judge Of the Interna-
tiQnai Court Of First Instance at Cairo,
as the Gompers peace, which is in
evitable."
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
BISHOP NJ M'DOWELL
APPEALSTO CHURCH
FOR LIBERTY LOAN
Urges All Methodists to Do Full
Duty to Aid This Holy
War"
COUNTY QUOTA sl2,lel,76o

Bishop William f. Mcdowell, under
whose charge the Wilmington M. h. Con-
ference rests, has sent letter to every
pastor in the conference calling upon
him, to do his full part for the Fourth
Liberty Loan. The letter reads as follows:
"To All Methodists in Delaware
"My Dear Brethren: You will receive
the letter concerning Sunday. September
20 and doubt not, will make full and
hearty response tn its appeal. unite
with the committee in asking, that In
every church, services be held In loving
memory of heroes already fallen, IN tender
remembrance of those still In service ana
preparing 10 90, and in devout con-
sccration To the sacred purposes OF thus
holy war. And in every place, ! trust
the subscriptions for Liberty Bonds shall
be prompt and generous. God and hu-
manitv calls us to the full measure OF de-
votion and sacrifice in this hour OF need
And we will not fail III any measure, God
helping us. Ever yours, -,
William +. Mcdowell.
As result Of this appeal, many OF the
NJ T. churches of this city are preparing
for special Liberty Loan services on sun
day. Al Grace NJ. + Church, Hero Day
has been arranged for in response to the
bishops call f,
Chairman Scott this morning received
the statement of the quota that New
Castle county is expected to raise III thus
campaign. 1t amounts to Sl2, l9l 200
In connection with the massmeeting to
h,, held in the Queen Theatre on Sunday
evening, there will he moving pictures
shown Of the British Italian and Russian
fronts These pictures, taken under the
Offices Of the British government, have
been officially o. k.'d by American
generals at the front and also the British
authorities.
The purpose in sending the pictures to
this country and showing them at the
various environments, Is to make our
troops ACQUAINTED with the situation, as
il really exists on the firing line
The pictures are views OF the men
in action, and gives some idea OF what
the fighting is like in the trenches. The
outfit is in charge Of Count de Bessa,
who tomorrow will show the views NJ
Camp Dix They will be shown sun
day evening Immediately after Former
n : Senator Theodore Burton of Ohio
has finished speaking,
"Norrie" Robinson, leader of the
Delaware regimental band, who did not
90 over to France with the boys from
this State, has offered to provide a band
for the meeting at the Queer on Sunday
evering October S. Norne says that many
of his former band are in this city, work
ing at the shipyards, and he volunteered
to Josiah Marvel, chairman OF the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Committee
on Patriotic Addresses, TO make up a
band of between 50 and 90 for that oc-
casion.
Tomorrow morning at lu CLOCK,
the attaches Of the Prudential Insurance
Company Will meet at their offices on
Continued on page
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-09-27
SERBS CAPTURE ISTIB;
BULGAR LOSSES HEAVY

London, Sept. 27.-In the successful
continuance OF their drive northward, the
Serbians have entered Istib and captured
other important points, says the Serbian
official statement of Thursday
A great number of additional Bull
carianS and Germans have been captured
bv the Serbiaps who also have taken
enormous quantities of war materials.
The Scrbians now are west Of the Istib-
Veles road and have captured the height
OF Rogoslovets, south of the road. North
of Demirkapu in the direction of the
Bulgarian border, the Serbs have captured
the ridge of Bell kamcn.
The Serbian official statement an
nnunces that Serbian cavalry have
reached point ffty-five miles as a crow
flies north OF the line from which the
offensive was started.