The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-25
YANKEE AIRMEN
HOLDING SECTOR
/ ALL THEIR own
Pursuit Squadron Takes Over
Z Line Near TOuI.
German Artillery More Active
: in Lys Salient.
TRANSPORT SUNK WITH LOSS
Main Battle Front Remains
About the Same.
Cuba and Mexico Break Off
Relations.
Nain Battle Front Remains
About the Same.
tBy the Associated Press,

) London May 25.-The German
Artillery was increasingly active last
hight on the westerly side of the Ly5
salient in Flanders in the neighbor-
hood of Strazeele, the war office an
nounced today. The district east OF
Bethune was again subjected to gas
bombardment. The British captured
numerous prisoners and two machine
guns in raiding operations.
Z with the American Army in France,
Friday May 24.-An American aerial
pursuit squadron is now operating
Over the American sector northwest
Of Toul, it is now permitted to an
bounce. All the pilots whose air ex-
bloits have been recorded up to this
tme belong to this squadron which
has a special insignia. The squadron
Is, flying in Newport chasing ma
Chimes.
Mexico Breaks With Cuba.
/ Mexico has severed diplomatic re-
htions with Cuba. This action by the
Mexican government comes unexpect-
eddy in an announcement from Mexico
City Official confirmation from the
Cuban government is lacking but it is
reported that there have been rumors
hn Havana of strained relations be-
tween the two republics. The Next
can charge to Cuba left there this
week for home.
Z American troops on the way to the
Battle fields of France to the number
Of Sc have been lost in the torpedoing
Of the British ship Moldavia by a
German submarine in the English
channel. Few details of the tragedy
have been received. The American
soldiers are believed to have been
sleeping when the vessel was attacked.
The attack came early Thursday
morning and the submarine succeeded
tn getting away unseen. According to
survivors, the Moldavia was near the
Southeast coast of England on her
way to an English port.
Survivors Rescued.
Escorting destroyers rescued the
survivors, who had fallen into line on
the deck of the ship Immediately after
the torpedo struck near the bridge.
The soldiers lost all their belongings.
The loss of the Moldavia parallels
the sinking of the TuScania off the
northern coast of Ireland last Febru-
airy, with the loss of 101 American
soldiers. The calmness of the soldiers,
most of them new to the sea, and the
prompt work of the rescuing destroy
ers were the same. More than 1000
American troops were on the Tus-
cania, while the other troop ship with
Americans sunk by the Germans. the
Antilles, was returning from Europe
Seventy were lost in the sinking of the
ANTILLES.
In the same territory where the
Moldavia evidently went down. the
Cork steamer Innisca IRA was sunk
Tuesday morning while on the way
from Fish Guard to Cork Thirty
seven lives were lost, only five mem
hers of the crew being saved.
I. Battle Front the Same.
There has been no change in the
linn i'm m "a hnf laf ~ n
Ern France. Both sides continue theiI
Padding operations with the Germans
paying most attention to the line be-
tween the Somme and Albert. Else
where on the front between Ypres ant
Rheims British and French patrol:
have captured prisoners.
y The weather has changed for the
Morse and rain is reported generally
on the Somme and Picardy fronts
This imposes additional hardships OF
the Germans who occupy the shei
tprn lowlands while the allies hold thu
high ground, most of which is un
Spared by war. If the Germans wer,
not prepared to attack when tn,
Meather was most favorable, it is no
likely they will essay a new offensiv,
Operation while rain and mud retarc
their movements.
Is American Airmen Busy.
American airmen now patrol tn.
sector northwest of Toul and a squad
ron is acting as the eyes for and pro
hector of the American troops on thi:
front. The recent activity of Ameri.
can airmen in the region east of st
NTihiel, was carried on by this squad
RON which also is aided by other Amer.
Jean aviators. Two American ma.
shines have fallen, while at least si1
Germans have been brought down b,
the Americans.
The sector northwest of Toul nov
American
Americans as are the men in tn.
trenches. while over their heads fl,
dther Americans with a distinctive
Insignia on their machines.
American troops also may be soor
fighting the Austro- Hungarians in tn,
mountains of northern Italy. As tn,
iclimax to the celebration of Italy's en-
france into the war, in New Yorl
Secretary of War Baker announced
that machine gun and artillery unit
soon would be standing side by sid
with General Diaz's men.
~ Strong patrol and artillery activit,