davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
DEATH LIST GROWS.
hnown Victims OF Explosion Nov
Number slxty-two.

syracuse July 3.--The bodies @
forty-seven Victims OF the explosio
OF T. N. T. which wrecked tn
plant Of the semitt-solvay Co.. nee
here last night had been received
the morgue today. The last reno,
said that fifteen more bodies had bee,
taken from the debris. bringing tn,
total OF dead up to sIxty-two The in
tured number a least eighty. sever
OF whom are expected TO die. AZ lcas
ten buildings were DESTROYED and IN
property damage viii exceed mil
lion dollars.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
+. N. II. FACTORY WRECKED.
Syracuse Police Believe Casualties
VIII Exceed 100.

Syracuse. July 2.--Many persons
were reported to have been killed or
injured In two terrific explosions to-
night at the huge plant OF the semet-
solvay Company. located at Split
Rock. a suburb
The force OF the explosions rocked
this city. Plate glass windows In
the business section were broken. and
residences swayed perceptibly. caus-
ins their occupants to rush into the
streets.
All telephone wires were down and
the exact situation In the big muni-
ton plant was unknown at 1890
o'clock tonight. about one hour after
the explosion occurred.
Every ambulance In the city was
rushed TO the scene. and squads OF
police were hurried to the plant to
preserve order.
The output OF the Semet-Solvay
Company In largely "T. N IT," pow.
erfui explosive used In the manufac-
ture OF munitions.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
GERMANS ATTACK BRITISH.
NIGHT FIGHTING IN THE VICIN.
ITY OF ALBERT.
Enemy Gained FOOthOld In One Trench
but Were Repulsed With Loss Else
where.

London, July 2.-The Germans last
night, after a strong bombardment,
attacked to the northwest Of Albert,
and north of the Somme, in an at
tempt to regain the positions taken by
the British Sunday night. The ene-
my gained a footing in one of the
British trenches, but were repulsed
elsewhere. the war Office announces
Attempted enemy raids near Lens, on
the Flanders front, were repulsed and
the British took some prisoners.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

Baker said it was worthy of mention
! that the month in which German
submarines were operating off our
coast was the month in which we
made the record number of ship
ments."
In this connection it was recalled d
that not a single American transport
carrying troops to Europe had been
sunk by Germany's sea wolves, the
only two destroyed having been at
tackled when returning home without
the protection of American destroy
ers and other naval craft. Two Brit
ish vessels carrying American SOL
diers have been torpedoed and third
was sunk last month when returning
to this country without convoy.
Secretary Bakers letter reveals for
the first time the number Of marines
sent to France. They form about half
Of a division but they have been Civ
ing splendid account of themselves
since they helped to stem the German
thrust for Paris, and reports today
from France showed that they again
had battered through the German
trenches and then resisted furious
countera ssaults
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

ton which the navy has given our
..'ansport system, only 291 have been
lost at sea.
The supplies and equipment in
France for all troops sent in. by ou,
latest reports, is adequate and the
output Of our war industries in this
country is showing marked improve
ment in practically all lines Of neces-
sary equipment and supply.
'Resectfully yours.
Newton d. Baker,
To which 1 replied:
THE White House.
Washington. July 2, 1918.
my Dear Mr.. Secretary:
Your letter of July / contains
very significant piece of news and an
equally significant report of the for
warding Of troops during the pas.
year to the other side OF the water. It
Is record which I think must cause
universal satisfaction because the
heart of the country is unquestion-
ably In this war and the people O.
the United States rejoice to see their
force put faster and faster into the
great struggle which is destined to re-
deem the world
Cordially and sincerely yours.
Woodrow Wilson,"
Hon. Newton d. Baker,
Secretary Of War;"
The accelerated troop movement to
France has been designed to meet
the emergency created by the German
effort to achieve victory before Amer
lean man power could exert it's full
force. How long the present rate of
transportation will be maintained de.
pends upon developments in France
and the length of time the surplus
ship tonnage furnished by Great Brit
ain can be employed for the work.
In this connection Secretary Baker
said tonight regarding troop move
ments that he did not desire to have
past performances made the basis OF
speculation for the future"
AS reserves for the million and
more men i'm France, more than an
other million are i'm training i'm the
United States. 1t has been officially
announced that 100000 American
soldiers will be under arms by the end
or this month, while information re-
Gently furnished to congress discios-
ed the quartermaster generals DEPART
ment is planning to clothe 1000. .OOo
men January |.
General Crowder recently told the
senate military committee that Glass
one registrants would he exhausted bv
the first of the year and he added
the significant statement "evcryhody
expected heavy calls to he made dur
ing the first ak months Of next year"
In discussing the heavy movement
OF troops I'm the last months, Mr..
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
HARD FlGHTING AMERICANS.
WIN ANOTHER BATTLE IN BRIL-.
LIANT MANNER.
Capture Village OF vaux Near Chateau
Thierry. Capturing 27S Germans
and Much Equipment.

With American Forces on Marne
Front. July Am a brilliant opera
tion and after hard lighting the Amer
leans on this front last night captur-
cd the village of vaux. together with
a large slice OF the Paris highway west
Of Chateau Thlerry and two patches
OF wooded land. The Americans
took two hunred and seventy-fve pris-
oners. including Ave officers. n guam
'tity OF machine guns and other equip
nsnt.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
A HUGE COTTON CROP.
GOVERNMENT PREDICTS FTF.
TEEN AND QUARTER MIL
LION BALES.
Ii Government Forecast is Realized
Crop Will be Third Largest Ever
GrOwn-Acreage is Close to Record.

Washington, July "A huge cot
ton crop is in prospect this year, the
department of agriculture today fore
casting the production at 15,325,000
bales. A crop of that size would be
the third largest ever grown. The
condition on June 25th was sos per-
cent of normal, and 6 per cent higher
than the 10-year average.
The acreage this year comes close
to the record. The figures by States
show Florida, with an acreage OF 67,-
600, condition 70; South Carolina e.
$4,000. condition SO; ,Georgia 5,44S.-
900. condition 80.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

Lists arc smaller and Number O
Killed Only Eight.

Washington. July 2.-The army
casualty list contains eighty-on
names. Killed in action. s; died OF
wounds, 10; died OF disease. 1: wound
sd severely. as: wounded. 4; missing
In action. 10. Private Reuben Harel-
son. OF McCare. Ca. died of wounds
Corporal Freeman Blackwell, of Au-
burn. Ca. Private Hardin. of Dalton.
Ca. wounded severely.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
FRENCH CAPTURE HUNS.

Successful Attack Made ut Night.
Paris. July 3.-French troops last
night attacked German positions along
the front three kilometers north OF
Moulin-Sous-Toutvent, penetrated to
a depth Of more than eight hundred
meters and took more than two hun
dred and twenty prisoners. The Ger
mans attempted to advance north of
Moncel, in Alsace without result.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
AMERICANS SWEPT LINE.
COULD HAVE GONE FAR BEYOND
OBJECrIVES AT VAUX,
Captured German Guns and Turned
Them Upon the Fleeing Grey Coats.


Marne, July 2.-The attack by the
Americans on the vaux positions was
so terrific that they swept right
through the enemy lines and had
their object been to continue the ad-
vance they could have done so with
the greatest ease, as virtually every
thing before them had been cleared.
So great was the enthusiasm of the
men the officers in some cases had to
look sharp to keep them from going
beyond the set detectives.
1t Is not improbable that the Ger
mans are planning another counter
attack for the coming dark hours, but
preparations have been made to meet
them.
vast quantity Of material, consid
ering the size of the operation, is being
taken to the rear. but probably will
not be tabulated for several days.
In the fighting west of Vaux the
Americans stormed several enemy
nests and killed or captured the oc-
cupants then turned the guns the
other way. using them effectively
against the enemy rear areas.
The Americans penetrated the en-
emy's lines to a depth of about a kilo-
metre and half on a total front of
about four kilometres. All day today
the troops in the front line have been
subjected to heavy shell fire. They
had some shelter in one patch of woods
which they occupied, but those who
did not enter the wood have only the
protection which they had provided
for themselves with their entrenching
tools or by taking cover in shell
holes. From one crater slightly in
advance Of the line, but on it, from Il
technical point of view. American SOL
diers this afternoon let their comrades
know where they were when one OF
their party leaned over the tip of the
crater and waved his helmet.
The prisoners taken In the German
counter-attack say they marched 70,
three hours az fast as they could
when word reached the commander
Of an enemy battalion in the rear O.
Vaux, which town is on the right OF
the American attack. Observers re-
ported this morning that the Germans
were apparently hurrying to bring ur
reinforcements behind the line.
All the prisoners questioned todaH
expressed their relief at being cap
tured One speaking excellent Eng
lish said to the correspondent:
THANK the Lord, I'm out of there
The American artillery smothered u
more than once and the infantrymer
fight like wild devils without sim
gle fear, but when the fight is finish
ed they are gentlemen. One could
have killed me, but did not, and !
gave him my Iron Cross for my
thanks"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
QUIET DAY ON FRONT.

Gen. Pershing Reports That Ameri.
cans We're Not Engaged.
Washington, July 2.-Another quiet
day along the American fronts is
reported by Gen .Pershing in the COM
munique for yesterday, sent before
the successful operations last night
west of Chateau Thierry.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
Washington,

washington, July 2.-American
troops sent overseas numbered 1,01s,-
lis on July /.
This was made known tonight by
President Wilson who gave to the
public g. letter from Secretary Baker
disclosing a record of achievement
which. the president said. must
cause universal satisfaction and which
will give additional zest to our nat
ional celebration of the Fourth of
July"
The first unit, non- com batant, left
American shores on May 8, 1917. Gen.
eral Pershing followed IL days later
and at the end Of the month 1,71S
men had started for the battlefields of
France. June saw this number in
creased by 12.261 and thereafter
khaki-clad crusaders" from the Wes-
tern republic flowed overseas in a
steady stream until upwards of sOO,-
600 had been started when the great
German thrust began last March.
President Wilson's determination to
meet Germany's supreme efforts with
the utmost Of Americas available
man power to assist the desperately
resisting French and British armies is
sharply reflected in the movement of
troops during the last three months
The March sailing of 83,S11 were in
creased in April to 117,212, May saw
another 244.345 men embark and last
month 276,373 were sent away, max
ing total for the three months OF
S37.s29. This. Secretary Baker said.
later put the troop movement six
months ahead Of the original pro-
gram. Substantially 80 divisions now
are IN France ready to meet whatev-
er move the German staff has in prep
aration. Some of these divisions al
ready have been formed into the
first field army under Major General
Lggett. others are holding trench
sectors at important points along the
battle line. and still others have been
broken up and br'gaded with the
French and British troops. And, so
when the German thrust comes. the
Americans will be called upon to
play no small part in meeting 1t.
Secretary Baker wrote the president
that the supplies and equipment in
France for the million men who had
gone Is shown by late reports to be
adequate and added 1.-The output OF
our war industries in this country is
showing marked Improvement In
practically all lines of necessary equip
ment and supplies"
The presidents statement with the
letter from Secretary Baker and his
reply follows:
II have today received the follow
ing letter from the secretary of war
which seems to me to contain infor-
nation which will be so satisfactory
to the country that it's publication will
be welcomed and will give addi-
tional zest to our natinal celebration
OF the Fourth of July:
"'War Department.
Washington. July /. 1918.
my Dear Mr.. President:
"'More than one million American n
soldiers have sailed from the ports in
this country to participate in the war
in France. In reporting this fact to
you. feel that you will be interested d
in few data showing the progress
of our overseas military effort.
The first ship carrying military
personnel sailed May 8, 1917, having
on board base hospital No. and
members of the reserve nurses corps
General Pershing and his staff
sailed May 20, 1917. The embarka-
tions in the months from May. 1917
to and including June. 1918 are az
follows:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
roETY-FTvE CASUALTIES.
Revised List of Victims Of Syracuse
Explosion.

syracuse. July 3.-The revised list
OF casualties growing out OF fire explo-
sion OF It. n. T.. at Semett- -slovay
plant last night shows forty-nve dead.
nifty injured.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
Aggregating i.O19.115.

The total number Of troops re-
turned from abroad. lost at sea. and
casualties is S,1G5 and Of these by rea-
son OF the supcrbly efficient prOtcc-
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
FRENCH SUPPORTED AMERICANS


Paris. July 2.-The village Of vaux,
west OF Chateau Thierry and the
heights west OF vaux were captured
lust nisht by the Americans. operat-
Ing In conjunction with French
forces. the war office announces.
slore than three hundred prisoners,
Including Ave officers. were taken.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

Washington. July 2.-The marine
corps casualty list reported only three
names. all missing In action. including
Private Boykin w. Craft. of Elberton
Co.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
MARINES IN ACTION AGAIN.


Washington. July 2.-Twenty- six
are missing In action reported today
In the second marine corps casualty
list Two died OF wounds and on-
wounded severely are also reported.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
BANK STATEMENT CALLED.
National Banks Must Report Condi.
ton June Goth.

Washington, July 3.-The comp
troller of the currency issued a call for
the condition Of national banks at the
close of business on June 29th.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
81 SUMTER. s. G., SATURDAY, JULY g, 1918.
ALL NOBLE PATRIOTS
THE M'LAURIN- BLEASE - AUII,
VlLLIFTCATION MATCH.

Two More Chapters of Dirty Politics
Related by Men Who Played Lead
ing Parts-Blease and Aull Try to
Explain Away McLaurin's Charges
and to Create Impression That He
Lied in Toto.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
GERMANS RECAPTURE GROUND.
British Driven Out OF Positions Take
Sunday.

London, July 3.--The Germans last
night, after heavy shelling, attacked
and recaptured the greater part of the
ground taken by the British in local
operations near Bouzincourt, north of
Albert on Sunday morning, the war
office announces.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
DUTCH CABINET RESIGNS.

No Reason Given For Action in Press
Report.
Rotterdam, July 3.--The Dutch cab
met will place the resignation of its
members in the hands of Queen Will
helmina tomorrow. says the Nieuw
Rotterdamsche Courant.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06
MILLION IN FRANCE.
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY PRES.
IDENT WILSON, GIVING FIG.
URES FROM BAKER.

Achievement of Year Will Cause Uni
vcrsal Satisfaction and Add Zcst to
National Celebration OF Fourth OF
july Says Commander In Chief in
Announcement.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

Columbia, July 1.-Statements were
issued by both Jno. K .Aull and Cole
l.. Blease in answer to the McLaurin
address to the people of South Caro-
lima. The statement by Mr.. Blease
follows:
Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-16
Kaiser Will Keep Up Fight
Saw German War Leaders

Washington, Oct. l5.-Even be-
fore President Wilson's decision
had been announced, rumors were
current of the probable retirement
of Prince Macmillan, and these
were followed by reports that
Scheidemann might take his place
as chancellor. Such a development
would be regarded as important on
ly as an index to the leaven work.
ing in Germany. 1t was made very
clear again today that President
Wilson's opinion is that it matters
little who is the German chancellor
so long as the chancellor and the
government are answerable to the
kaiser.
Some observers here think the
Germans will make any sacrifice
rather than go through another
winter of war at or within their
borders, and that the next move
in erlin may come more quickly
than is generally expected.
Military officials here, however,
are almost unitedly of the opinion
that Germany has not yet been
brought to the point where it will
seek an armistice on the terms laid
Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-16
NDVANCE'TR TROOPS
drive SIX Miles

lied advance, now Is only three miles
from the important railway junction
of Courtrai, Once the allies master
the line Wervicq- Menin- Courtrai,
which probably will be only a mat
ter of few hours. the German sit
uation at Lille will be most perilous
and that at Client not much bet
ter.
The French capture Of Roulers is
serious loss to the Germans. Al
though the Belgian railway system
is dense enough to provide alterna-
tive routes TO a certain extent the
allied entrance into Roulers on the
FIRST day of the offensive is bound to
affect the German communication
system most unfavorably.
Summing up the situation on the
British front the Echo de Paris says
that Douai virtually has been taken,
that Valenciennes is threatened and
Denan only few kilometers dis
tant.
To give an idea Of the German
losses in Champagne the Petit
Parisien quotes the evidence of an
enemy prisoner who said that the
406th infantry regiment while engag-
ed in battle on October | was deci-
mated. The companies in two bat
talions, according to the prisoner
were reduced to 80 men and two
other supporting battalions suffered
heavily from artillery and airplanes.
Despite these losses the prisoner
said the regiment was ordered to
counter attack.
The French troops north of Laon
and in the Champagne have made
further important advances against
the Germans, according to the off,
cial communication issued tonight.
The Grand Pre-Vouviers road in
Champagne west of Grand Pre- is
now in the hands of the French.
Eight hundred prisoners were taken
in the davis fighting,
Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-16

down. On the contrary. they think
the military elements still in control
will hold up the presidents COM
munication to the German people
as proof of their contention that
their enemies are determined to
bring about destruction of the ma
ton and do not desire any peace
short OF that. Then they will con-
tinue the retreat of their armies on
the western front in the hope that
an early winter will find them be-
hind shorter and very much more
powerful lines of defense. close to
the German border, but still on its
enemy's soil.
The supreme war council in
Paris has considered the program
to be followed when the time does
come for cessation Of hostilities. 1t
also is said to have been consider
ing plans for dealing with the Bal
kan provinces. the Russian border
states and Finland in the event Ger
many should undertake to evacuate
those territories. Ample precau-
tons will be taken to guard against
an outbreak Of bolshevism and
anarchy.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-16
Number Of Flu Cases
Grows All Over Land,
With Many Fatalities

New York, Oct. 15.-With The
number OF new influenza cases or
the increase in this city, Health
Commissioner Copeland announced
tonight that he had called for to,
morrow a meeting of 100 social well
fare organizations to prepare plans
for carrying relief work into the
homes to prevent further over.
:rowding OF hospitals.
Announcement was made at po-
lice headquarters, by order of the
chief surgeon of the department
about 10000 members of the force
will don gauzei masks when they
sleep in the dormitories at the vari.
Gus police stations.
Chicago, ILL.,, Oct. l5.-In the 4s
hours ending at 9 a. m. today, 3.
ia new cases of influenza and 68e
new cases of neumonia were report.
ed in Chicago. During the same
period there were ZIG deaths from
influenza and 202 from pneumonia.
Cleveland, O., Oct. 14.-Every
public parochial and private school
in the city and all public Ii
oraries and art museums will close
for an indefinite period tomorrow
under an order issued today by City
Health Commissioner lockwood, in
view Of the increasing spread of the
Spanish influenza epidemic here.
Los Angeles, Cal. Oct. 15.-Cities
and towns throughout southern Cali
fornia with few exceptions, have fol-
lowed the example of Los Angeles,
in closing schools, churches and the
aters and forbidding the holding OF
public gatherings as measure to
prevent the spread of influenza.
March aviation field. near River
side. was placed under quarantine
today.
Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-16
RESIGNATION
OF PRINCE MAX
Seems CERTAIN
SoIf or SCheidemann May Be
Made German Chancellor;
KaiSer's AbdiCation Said
to Be Imminent.

ondon. Oct. l5.-Dispatches
from Holland indicate there is a
probability of another turnover
in the German chancellorship. The
Berlin National Zeitung prints a
report of a discussion, by an inter
party committee, of the letter
Prince Macmillan wrote to Prince
Alexander of Hohenlohe, which
showed a markedly different atti-
tude in political affairs from that
proposed If his Reichstag address
The committee, according to the
newspaper, recognized that the sit
uation rendered Prince Maximil-
ian's retention in office doubtful.
The fact that rumors are current in
certain circles in Berlin that Prince
Maximiian's retirement is newt
able also is reported in the National
Zeitung.
Rotterdam reports to the Tele-
graph that Prince Maximilian's
probable successor will be Dr.. w
S. Solf. the new foreign minister. or
Philip Scheidemann, secretary OF
state without portfolio. The cor
respondent attributes this develop
ment to the imminent abdication
of the kaiser which, he says, the
kaiser wished to announce two
months ago, but was dissuaded
by the empress and others.
The text of the letter referred to
above showed that Prince Maximil-
lam was reactionary in his political
attitude and that he was at that
time, January II, 1918, a firm sup
porter of the German royal family.