davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

recommending that his troops be
used to smash the Marine pocket in
to which the Germans had thrust
themselves. He says:
Inherently Weak.
"The Marine salient was inherent
ly weak and offered an opportunity
for a counter offensive that was OBJ
vious. If successful, such an opera
ton would offer immediate relief to
the allied defense, would remove the
threat against Paris, and free the
Paris-Nancy railroad. But, more i'm
portant than all else, it would restore
the morale of the allies and remove
the profound depression and fear
then existing. Up to this time our
units had been put in here and there
at critical points as emergency
troops to stop the terrific German
advance.
'In every trial, whether on the de-
fensive or offensive, they had proved
themselves equal to any troops in
Europe, AS early as June % and
again on July 10 at Bombon, l had
very strongly urged that our best
divisions be concentrated under
American command if possible, for
use as striking force against the
Marine salient. Although the pre-
vailing view among the allies was
that American units were suitable
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

General Pershing had refused ut
terly to drop his plan for a single
American army, acting under its
own flag, but consented, because
of the existing emergency, to lend
the combat divisions at hand to help
stem the German offensive of 1918
which, the allied war council fore
saw may very quickly place the
allied armies in a serious situation"
Rush Was Expected.
The German rush developed as
expected, the report shows, but the
enemy's~ success was far greater than
had been feared. At Amiens, the
British were driven in on a 40-kilo-
meter front; between the >Oise and
Berry-au-Bac, the French lost 50
kilometers on a 35-kilometer front
in four days. And Immediately the
Germans utilized the Marnc "as
defensive flank and the advance was
directed toward Paris"
fThe gravity Of the situation"
the report says, led to the famous
orders for holding up all supply and
troop shipments except infantry
and machine gun units" General
Foch who was now made general
issimo, estimated that 100 American
divisions would be necessary for al
lied victory.
General Pershing at this time was
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

the l1th engineers joined the Brit
ish in successful attack which was
part of general operation designed
ito hinder the. German conquest of
Russia and to prevent; if possible,
an attack on Italy, or in the near
east" ~
So afterward, however, came the
collapse of Russia and the Italian
debacle at Caporetto, with the re-
suit that the enemy's leNons began
to gather thickly in France. Allied
commanders viewed the situation
with frank apprehension, General
Pershing's report indicates, and the
pressure for an accelerated move
ment of American divisions was
felt from all sides. At the same
time came the suggestion that
American units be brigaded with
French and British in order that no
time be wasted in training. In this
connection, the general reports:
Under Our Own Flag.
"My conclusion was that, although
the morale of the German people
and of the armies was. better than
it had been for two years, only an
untoward combination OF circum-
stances could give the enemy de-
cisive victory before American sup
port as recommended could be made
effective, provided the allies secured
unity of action. However, a situa-
ton might arise which would neces-
state the temporary use of all
American troops in the units of our
allies for the defense, but nothing
in the situation justified the relin-
quishmentN of our firm purpose to
form our own army under our own
flag.
"While the Germans were prae-
ticing for open warfare and concen-
trating their most aggressive per-
sonne1 in shock divisions, the train
ing of the allies was still limited to
trench warfare. As Our troops were
being trained for open warfare,
there was every reason why we
could not allow them to be scat
tered among our allies, even by
divisions, much less as requirements,
except by pressure of sheer neces-
sity. Any sort of permanent ANAL
ganation would irrevocably COM
init American fortunes to the hands
of the allies. ~
Difficult to Maneuver.
Moreover it was obvious that the
lack of homogeneity would rehder
these mixed divisions difficult to
maneuver and almost certain to
break up under< stress of defeat,
with the consequent mutual recrim-
ination. Again, there was no doubt
that the realization by the German
people that independent American
divisions, corps, or armies were in
the field with determined purpose
would be a. severe blow to German
morale and prestige"
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

girl in the evening with a decent
box Of candy costs at least $l.50 to
$780,"
Here Romeo spoke up again. His
treats to his girl generally ran to an
evening downtown-show, a bite to
eat, ride home. ~
Think OF how theater tickets
have gons up he cried. when the
Boyd was at the heighth of its
glory, and the Brandefs was just
opening, you could buy the best seat
in the house for 81,
And in those days, chaperonc
was almost a necessity to trip
to the show. But even with her, the
tickets cost but S. altogether.
1t Knocks EN- Cold.
"Now, just for you and your
sweetie, blooie goes the best part of
a five spot-$2 each for tickets and
40 cents war tax.
'Just sit down and figure it out.
The high cost of loving is playing
havoc with all of us young bucks
in Omaha. Something's gotta be
done. Give a glance over these fig
ures I jotted down the other day.
The first list shows what it used to
cost to show a nice girl pretty
good evening, and the last list gives
you an idea Of the layout it costs
to just let her see Sixteenth and
Farnam streets after dark. Look
EN- over"
The following list greeted the
eager group. as they lounged across
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

for this two-can-live-as-cheap-as-one
stuff. All the old gang is disappear
ing. They've cut out this steppln'
out and arc all settling down to a
life of quiet and peace,
IF fellow was to follow out the
old custom of wooing a bride for
months before popping the question,
these days, he'd have to dodge the
sheriff most of the time. He'd be so
far in debt he'd have to look at divi-
dends instead of her eyes in picking
his life partner.
But Times Have Changed.
"Long before fellow thinks of
marriage, except as something his
father and mother did, he's busy
buying some girl ice cream sodas.
Why, / started-to do it when | was
still wearing short breeches.
Its easy to remember back in
1909 when all we had to spend to
throw party for kid sweetheart
was dime. Why, down at Beaton's
we used to buy coupla large thick
glasses, filled with thicker SYRUP
studded with strawberries-a gener-
Gus depth of carbonated water and
heavyweight wrestler's fstful of ice
cream. You could eat, and drink,
and fish around in the fool thing for
an hour and have a good time-all
on a dime.
'But now-phew-it kills a 50-cent
p;ece2to take girl into one of these
ice cream emporiums for 10 min
utes."
"And take candy" interrupted
Slim from Dundee. ''Ten years ago
you could get pound of Wood
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

Washington, Dec. 13.-General
Pershing, in his special report to
Secretary Baker, on the operations
Of the American army in France,
says in effect, although not in
terms, that the American a rmy won
the war.
1T was this spirit Of determine
tion anirnating every American
soldier" says General Pershing, re-
ferring to the Meuse-Argonne bat
tie, that made it impossible for the
enemy to maintain the struggle un-
til 1919"
twenty-five American and four
French divisions" says General
Pershing, had engaged and de-
cisively beaten AZ German divisions,
representing rs per cent OF the
enemy's entire divisional strength
on the western front. Of the enemy
divisions, 20 had been drawn from
the French front and one from the
British front. OF the % American
divisions, II had at various times
during this period (September 20 to
Nov. II, 1879 been engaged on
other fronts than our own. The
first army had suffered a loss of
about 10000, in killed and wounded,
it had captured 10000 prisoners, 847
cannon, 5000 machine guns and
large quantities of material"
Three Distinct Sections.
With the American army holding
the heights dominatin Sedan, the
report said, and the German line of
communications definitely sundered
recognizing that nothing but ces-
sation of hostilities could save his
armies from complete disaster, he
appealed for an immediate armistiee
(November g."
General Pershing's report follows
in detail the growth of the Ameri-
can overseas forces from the date
OF his departure with small staff,
May 28, 1917, until it numbered more
thane 100000 men. Every step Of
organization, every conference with
the allied generals and the important
decisions reached are recorded.
The document, comprising
pamphlet of about 100 pages, or
$4,000 words, is divided into three
sections: Period of Organization"
Operations" and Supply. Co-ofd-
nations and Administration.
Summarizing the military situation
which existed in the spring of 1917,
when the United States aligned it.
self with the allies, General Pershing
said:
Crowned With Success.
"1n the five months ending June
80, 1917, German submarines had
accomplished the destruction of
more than 3,250000 tons Of allied
shipping. During three years Ger
many had seen practically all her
offensives except Verdun crowned
with success. Her battle lines were
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

the Meuse. The southern face fol-
lowed the heights of the Meuse for
eight klometers to the east and
then crossed the plain of this
Woevre, including within the Ger
man lines the detached heights Of
Loupmont and Montsec, which DOM
mated the plain and afforded this
enemy unusual facilities for observa-
tion. The enemy had reinforced
the positions by every artificial
means during period of four
years"
"The operation was carried out
with entire precision" the general
continues. "The rapidity Of our ad-
vance overwhelmed the enemy, who
apparently had started to
withdraw some of his elements from
the tip of the salient. We captured
10000 prisoners, 443 guns and large
stores.
Raised Yank Morale.
"The material results OF the VIC
tory achieved were very important.
An American army was an accom-
plished fact, and the enemy had felt
It's power, No form of propaganda
could overcome the depressing ef-
feet on the morale of the enemy OF
this demonstration of our ability to
organize a large American force
and drive it successfully through his
defenses. 1t gave our troops inn
plicit confidence in their superiority
and raised their morale to the high
est pitch. For the first time wire
entanglements ceased to be regarded
as impossible barriers and open war
fare training, which had been 50
urgently insisted upon, proved to b
the correct doctrine. Our divisions
concluded the attack with such
small losses and in such high spir-
its that without the usual rest they
were Immediately available for EN-
ployment in heavy fighting in a
new theater of operations. The
strength of the First Army in this
battle totaled approximately 100000
men, of whom about 10000 were
French.
Without pausing to recuperate the
now veteran divisions, Pershing
swung them to the east and pre-
pared for the Meuse-Argonne drive,
the strategic Importance of which
he believed to be "seeond to none
On the western 'front.' for "shculd
this system (of supply through
Sedan Mezieres) be cut before the,
enemy could Withdraw his forces
through the narrow neck between
Mezieres and the Dutch frontier.
the ruin of his armies in France and
Belgium would be complete"
Continued the Attack.
The entire frontal zone was "eiab-
orately fortified" consisting of prac-
tically continuous serieS of posi-
tieSs 20 kilometers or more in depth
Continued on Page Three, This Section.s
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

held on foreign soil and she had
withstood every attack since the
Marine. The German general staff
could foresee now the complete
elimination of Russia, the possibility
OF defeating Italy before the end of
the year and, finally. the campaign
Of 1918 against the French and Brit
ish on the western front which
might terminate the war.
Financial problems OF the allies
were difficult, supplies were becom-
ing exhausted and their armies had
suffered tremendous losses. Dis
couragement existed not only
among the civil population, but
throughout the armies as well"
Within one month of his arrival,
General Pershing recommended def
initely that 100000 men should Be
in France before May, 1918, it being
evident that "a force of 100000 is
the smallest unit which in modern
war will be a complete, well-bal-
anced and independent fighting Or
ganization." Plans for the future,
the recommendation added, Should
be based on three times this force"
Mission Was Offensive.
The general was equally specific
in choosing the ground for Amer
ican operations. He says:
"Our mission was offensive and
it was essential to make plans for
striking the enemy where a definite
military decision could be gained.
While the allied armies had endeav-
ored to maintain the offensive, the
British, in order to guard the Cham
mel ports, were committed to oper-
ations in Flanders and the French
to the portion of the front protect
ing Paris. Both lacked troops to
operate elsewhere ON a large scale.
ITO the east the great fortified
district east Of Verdun and around
Metz nenaced central France, pro-
tected the most exposed portion OF
the German line of communications,
that between Metz and Sedan, and
covered the Briey iron region, from
which the enemy obtained the great
er part of the iron required for
munitions and material. The coal
fields east of Metz were also COW
cred by these same defenses. A
deep advance east of Metz, or the
capture Of the Briey region, by
threatening the invasion of rich
German territory in the Moselle
valley and the Saar Basin, thus cur
failing her supply of coal or iron,
would have a decisive effect in force
ing a withdrawal of German troops
from northern France. The mill
tary and economic situation of the
enemy, therefore, indicated Lorraine
as the field promising the most
fruitful results for the employment
of our armies"
American arms drew first blood,
the report shows, at Passchendaele
Ridge, November 6-10 1917, when
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14


in construction of roads. railroads,
regulating stations and other install
lations looking to the use and supply
of our armies on a particular front.
The inherent disinclination of our
troops to serve under allied COM
manders would have grown and
American morale would have suf-
fered. Ny position was stated quite
clearly that the strategical employ
ment OF the First army as a unit
would be undertaken where desired,
but its disruption to carry out these
proposals would not be entertained.
"A further conference at Marshal
Foch's headquarters was held on
September 2, at which General Pc
tain was present. After discussion
the question of employing the Amer
ican army as a unit was conceded.
All the allied armies were to be en-
ployed IN a convergius action. The
British armies, supported by the left
of the French armies, were to pursue
the attack in the direction Of Cam
brai; the center of the French armies
west of Rheims, would continue the
actions already begun. to drive the
enemy beyond the Aisne, and the
American army, supported by the
right of the French armies, would
direct its attack on Sedan and
Mezieres.
Expected Only Montfaucon.
ut should be recorded that al
though this general offensive was
fully outlined at the, conference, no
one present expressed the opinion
that the final victory could be won
in 1918. In fact, it was believed by
the French high command that the
Meuse-Argonne attack. could not be
pushed much beyond Montfaucon
before the arrival of winter would
force a cessation of operations.
"The choice between the two sec
tors, that east of the Aisne including
the Argonne Forest, or the Cham
pagne sector, was left to me. In my
opinion, no other allied troops had
the morale or the offensive spirit to
overcome successfully the difficult
ties to be met in the Meuse-Argonne
sector and our plans and installa-
tions had been prepared for an ex-
pansion of operations in that direc-
ton.
Most Sensitive Section.
"The salient had been held by the
Germans since September, 1914. 1t
covered the most sensitive section
of the epemy's position on the
Western Front; namely, the Mezi-
res-Sedan- Metz railroad and the
Briey iron basin; it threatened the
entire region between Verdun and
Nancy, and interrupted the main
rail line from Paris to the east. Its
primary strength lay in the natural
defensive features of the terrain it
sell. The western face of the sa-
lient extended along the rugged,
heavily wooded eastern heights of
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

only for the defensive. and that at
Fail events they could be used to bet
ter advantage under allied command,
the suggestion was accepted in prin-
ciple, and my estimate of their Of
fensive fighting qualities was soon
put to the test"
Stemmed the Onslaught.
Although his suggestion was not
accepted, American forces found
glory in the action which was under
taken. At Chateau Thierry, when the
Germans first advanced, the Third
division commander reported.
Although the rush of the German
troops overwhelmed some of the
front line positions, causing the in
fantry and machine gun companies
to suffer. IN some cases a so per cent
loss, no German soldier crossed the
road from Fossoy to Crezancy, ex-
cept as a prisoner of war, and by
noon of the following day (July l6)
there were no Germans in the fore
ground of the Third division sector
except the dead.
"On this OCCASION" General Per-
sfing added, "a single regiment of
the Third division wrote one of the
most brilliant pages in our military
annals. It prevented the crossing at
certain points on its front, while on
either flank the Germans who had
gained footing pressed forward.
Our men, firing in three directions,
met the German attacks with coun-
ter attacks at critical points and sue
ceeded in throwing two German di-
visions into complete confusion. cap
turing 500 prisoners. i
First American Army.
"Due to the magnificent dash and
power displayed here and on the
field of Soissons by our First and
Second division, the tide of war was
definitely turned in favor of the
allies. -.
'"The force of American arms had
been brought to bear in time to en-
able the last offensive of the enemy
to be crushed"
Organization of the First Amer
ican army and preparations for its
maiden efort--the elimination of
the St. Mihiel salient was now taken
up. Again it was proposed that m
American troops reinforce the
French for the operation, but Per-
sfing again objected. He explains:
Direct to Sedan.
"The plan suggested for the Amer.
lean participation in these operations
was not acceptable to me because
it would require the immediate sep
aration of the recently formed First
American army into several groups,
mainly to assist French armies. This
was directly contrary to the principle
OF forming distinct American army,
for which my contention had been
insistent. An enormous amount OF
preparation had already been made
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
the huge table in the smoking room
at the University club:
Discovers It's True.

Working upon Romeo's sugges-
that of keeping a small tab on ex-
penses in the course of "fussing" a
girl just now and then, Slim from
Dundee, the next week discovered
the following to be true. and at the
next meeting Of the party at the
University club expects to improve
their slender minds with the inn
portance of the alleged High Cost
of Loving.
Only the wealthy young man may
convers in flowers. Corsage bou-
quets cost from $l.50 TO 81 a decade
ago. The present day minimum,
however. is said to be So, while there
is a rich maximum of SIS for or
chids. American Beauty roses gave
out their aristocratic fragrance in
1909 for $l2 dozen. Two dollars
for a single red American Beauty
rose now, giving it every reason to
blush.
Fifteen cents each was high
price for full, rotund chrysanthe-
NUNS in 1909. Dealers ask 50 cents
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

Desperately, the young man
ftoundered through his vocabulary
tor suitable inoffensive refutation.
He finally mumbled something
about having a girl, being in love,
and having the desire to honor the
object of his affection with gifts at
least equal to those showered on
other girls by his acquaintances.
Romeo got his raise. But he had
caught his chief at just the right
time.
Only the preceding afternoon had
the boss sent 4 dozen American
Beauty roses to his wife, in recog-
nition of their 10 years Of unity.
Oh, Fragrant Memory
In his courtship days those roses
had cost him but $12 a dozen, but
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

But now there are few brands
Of the kind of candy you can give
her which do not cost more than ST
a pound. A half pound of Huyler's,
Apollo's or Martha Washington
knocks you off for six-bits. To visit
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

there is a sob i'll every line of the
story of buying way for two
through an evening, it is a merry
tale compared to the tragedy of buy
ing her silken things in those months
before she consents to wear any
calico he may buy her for lfe.
A Brandeis advertisement in The
Bee of December, 1909, spoke glow
ingly of black thread silk stockings
at ST pair, with good wearing
cashmere stockings at so cents. For
81 the youth obtained two simmer
ing lengths of softness which were
TO be on intimate terms with her.
The other day a conservative firm
quoted in an advertisement the
radical figure of $3.50 for pair of
silk stockings.
Under the price was a lengthy
quotation giving reasons, such as the
buyers erudity and the large lot
purchased, for the modest price
named The firm advertising, it
seemed, didn't want to show up its
competitors. Hayden's in 1909 ad-
vertised kid gloves at $l75 a pair
tor her little hands. =
Her hands are still little, but the
kid gloves to protect them range far
into and beyond the SIS mark. The
proximity of Christmas brings home
the striking advance in the cost OF
those things for her, things which
evoked the same pleased guryle
when they were 81, as now, when
they are s..
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
High Cost Of Loving Big Aid to- Cupid
Benedicts Prefer Taking Chance on Living
Cost---It's all H. C. of L. Anyway

Omaha Youths ot Stove Continual
Prices Things Thought Essential by Deutanes Before They Will Con-
slider Taking Strains Officials
Are Criticized Mconrung Letters LFuel
Big Aid to Pocetbooks
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
Credit for Ultimate Victory Goes to American Army Overseas
nGenera Pesngs Special Report Secretary War Bake
"A. E. F. Commanders Chief Commends
All Branches of American War Activity

Tribute Soldiers of the Line for Unflnchg Fortu and
and Loyalty of Those Home Inspired Troops Abroad
With Obligation Appreciation of I'm
qualified Support Accorded Him by President Wilson and Secretary of War
-Valor and Sacrifices Will Live Forever.
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14

this fact to calculations that their
chiefs were limiting their gifts to
their wives to wearing apparel and
staple, foods. =
And thereupon started a sob
party.
Every once in while the United
States Department Of Labor issues
a group of statistics showing that
the cost<of eggs has advanced 20 to
50 per cent, as the case may be, while
the cost of baby shoes has climbed
five sizes in the last three years"
said young Romeo.
just One Advantage.
"This is married mems propa-
ganda. The worker with mate has
only to write to the secretary of
labor to get eloquence for the raise
boost appeal. He'll get material
with every whistle of the postman."
Whereupon the slim friend from
Dundee interposed:
THE single man has no bureau
to turn to for official proof that the
candy he gives his girl a coup1a
times week is more expensive by
$50 per cent than II was decad.
ago. No government agency will
come forward for US with remarks
concerning the silk stockings price
ascendancy. The high>cost Of loving
gets little or no publicity"
mo, the preference of the girls of
lovable age has not altered in the
past 10 years." chimed Romeo, with
a grimance. "They still have long
ir.gs for silk stockings. yearnings for
silk gloves, hankerings for ice cream
and candies, desires for flowers, for
theaters, for everything that Uncle
Sam has declared luxury"