St. John's Daily Star, 1918-10-08

              The St. John's Daily Star Netufontidl^nd VOLUME IV. ($3.00 per Annum) TUESDAY, OC OBEB 8, 1918. (PROBS: N. W. to W. Winds, Fine and Cool.) No. 220 ALLIED FORCES ANSWER FOE ADVANCES WITH FRESH BLOWS HUN REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE IS RECEIVED WITH HOSTILITY ALLIES ARE UNCHECKED Entente Forces Continue to Make Splendid Progress in Region North of St. Quentin. RHEIMS NOW SAFE FROM ENEMY GRASP DARIS, Oct. 7—North of St. Quentin, the battle continued throughout the day. Between Moncourt and Sequehart troops have taken Rern?court, Tilloy farm and many fortified woods and places where the enemy resisted with furious energy. I hey failed to check the advance of '~ur troops who conquered positions i'-'ot by foot and took many hundred prisoner?. North of Rhc>ms we have reached the Suippe at a number of points, i.erman rear guards along the river tr> the south made vigorous resistance and launched many.xounter att :cks. but out troops repulsed them* md inflicted sanguinary losses.'We bol dthe southern outskirts of Aguil court, and the village of Bertricourt on the north side of the- Suippe. Further to the right we have forcc\ the passage of the river to the east of Orainville and have taken Pont Givart. Combats no less violent have taken place in the region of Bcsancourt and Boult sur Suippe. These combats have permitted us to reach the outskirts of these villages. We have debouched from the vilr.ge of ' BetheWille in spite of violent machine gun and artillery fire, ?nd also have taken ground north of St. Clement. At Andres region our troops in the hold the southern outskirts of Aguilvery strong counter-attacks. Our ar tillery fire caught enemy battalions and inflicted heavy losses upon them. They were forced to retreat in disoraer.To-day's event;; have completed the delivery of Rheims, the richness and I historical associations of which excited the covetousness of the Germans.ALLIES MAKE GAINS AS GERMANS WHINE FOR AN ARMISTICE Central Powers Talk Peace But Entente Continues Its Aggres si ye Campaign ENTENTE FORCES A RE VICTORIOUS IN EVERY THEATRE OF STRUGGLE LONDON, Oct. B.—Although peace talk is still in the air ihere is no peace for the German and Austrj- Hurrgarian armies in the field. While attempts arc bdng made in well-ri' formed circles in Germany and Austria-Hungary to show that the latest peace proposals of the central powers arc honest expressions of a desire for a just pecyce. Marshal Foch's armias are proceeding without pause in th;<r task of clearing Belgium and Fran;c of the invader, and they are continuing to meet great success. Likewise in Siberia and Albania the Serbs and Italians are fast reclaiming enemy occupied territory, while at last reports the Eritish General Allenby in Palestine was st.li hard after the retreating Turks. While ; further good gains have been made by the British east of Airas -where the operations have in view the cap,ture of the highly important town or Douai, other advances have be-»:i recorded between Cambrai and Saiat Quentin. Champagne Battles. The chief interest for the presert centres in the fighting in Champagiic and between the Argonne forest and the Meuse, where the French ar.c? Americans are driving the enemy steadily northward, despite great resjstance on position* of high strateg c value. All along the front from Rheims to the Meuse, a distance of more than fifty miles, the enen v everywhere has met with serious re\erses and is  ing back under the heavy pressure that is being imposed against him at some places in disorder. Where the enemy is trying to "resist the French and Americans are meeting their counter-thrusts with splendid stamina and gradually forcing them to give ground step by step. East of the Argonne forest between that great wood bastion and the Meuse. the Americans have further advanced their lines. Successful Blow. The troops of che French  Berthelot have delivered a successf-il blow against the Germans northwest qf RHeiio* which tmWs materially to the menace that is hanging over the German front from the North Sea !o the Swiss border. This was the capture of Berry au Bac on the north side of the Aisne, about ten and 8 half miles northwest of Rheims and only a scant five mxiles from the ea.;t-ern end of the famous Chemin dcs Dames ridges at Craonne. A further advanre northward across the railroad alone will not only put the great stronghold Laon in danger, but also will outflank Neufchatel, another enemy stronghold in the west. The Turks also have suffered a serious blow in the loss to the French of Beirut, the capital of the villayet of Syria, which has been occupied. The occupation of this seaport on the Mediterranean by a French  division gives the allies a base for the landing of men who can operate in all directions against the Turks over the roads radiating fiom it. Laon Is On Fire. - Laon, the great sorehouse of the Germans northeast of Soissons, is reported to be on fire, indicating th; possibility of an early falling back. The Chemin dcs Dames defenses are outflanked at both ends. Rheims has been restored and the Germans pushed back more than ten miles north ."»f it, while eastward General Gourads army and the American first army are brilliantly carrying out their part of the great converging movement that seemingly at no far distant will force the enemy materially to rea~djust his lines. A further indication of the trouble coming in the German army is the repert that Field Marshal Yon Hindenburg has resigned after a stormy interview with Emperor William, during Hindenburg informed the emperor that a German retreat on a large scale was necessary. HERRING ON LABRADOR The schooner Mildred has arri#ed at Wood's Island with 1200 barrels of herring for a trip of only twelve days. The schooner reports herring plentiful at^Chatteau. • Owing to the poor supply of squid bait very little was done last week with codfish between Catalina South Head and North Head. Some forty dories and skiffs and ten boats are still fishing but prospects at present are not very good. The catch to date is 16000 quintals and for last week 400. On Thursday niglu jhe C.E.I, footballers who won this AelisWs championship will be tendered a aianer at Smithville in honor *j/ their victory* by a number of friends and supporters.A case of smallpox was reported from Bay Robert* this morning. FRITZ BEATEN TO FRAZZLE, AMERICAN SOLDIERS STATE London, Oct. 7.—American troops are among the wounded who are arriving in large numbers at a southern English port. Every day they are flushed with victory and jubilantly declare "The Allies have Fritz beaten to a frazzle." Wounded German prisoners on the other hand are most despondent. They admit the end is not far off and say it is impossible for Germany to held out much longer. The larger percentage of the Germans are bearded Landstrum troops with a sprinkling of boys in their teens. Won't Halt U=Boat War Huns Must Lose Coast Bases But Can Keep Up Sub Campaign. Washington, Oct. 7—Evacua-tion o fthe Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Bruges which it now appears certain the German leaders have decided upon will not affect materially the submarine situation what ever its military result ashore may be. "This it the judgement of both American and allied naval officials most fully acquainted with submarine war fare. News from adjacent neutral ports to-day apparently made it certain that the flotilla with which Flanders coast, formerly the base of the Flanders submarine flotilla with v/hich the Germans inflicted their heaviest tonnage' losses- were agafif being cleared out by the enemy. It is pointed out, however, that this flotilla was practically wiped out of existence when concrete laden block ships were sunk in the entrances of the two bases and a persistent bombing and bombarding campaign inaugurated which has denied the Germans the use of the bases ever since. A representative of the Christmas Gift Fund of the W.P.A. will be at Ayre & Sons this week from ten to six to 'receive donations. No Dickers With Enemy Won't Surrender Military Advantages They Now Possess. \ Paris, Oct. 7—Rene Vivani, President of the council, when the war broke out, and head of the French mission to the United States, interviewed regarding the peace proposals of the central powers, said to-day Germany has presented propositions to President Wilson, but are they real ly propositions of peace? The discourse of chancellor Maximilian appears to be merely the programme of the majority. It is not a question of discussing the fourteen stipulations made by President Wilson for the discussion of a basis for an armistice that would be in accord with the military advantages which we possess through the splendid services of our troops. Whether the enemy accords autonomy to Alsace-Lorraine is no longer a question, for we demand the return of the provinces to France, pure and simple, without any trap for a referendum. ' « «  The police are still on the hunt for liquor which is believed to be conceal ed in the city. They did not succeed in locating any more last night. Another case of influenza was reported from the S.A. Depot, George Street, yesterday. SORELY AFFLICTED I Mr. James O'Neil, of Bay Roberts who was dangerotisly ill for some time died Saturday afternoon, and was buried yesterday morning. Death was due to heart failure following influenza and pneumonia. Mrs. O'Neil, who is ill herself, has "B?\snsorely afflicted of late as in three weeks""sh*Jias buried her father, brother and ilow heft husband. Mr. O'Neil's chil«Hsalsj/ ill, while her sister and her liu]e"<sne is also under the doctor's care. GERMANY'S REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE RECEIVED UNFAVORABLY BY ALLIES Hun Proposal for Truce is Spurned By United States Senate=Wilion Preparing Official Reply-British Press Strongly Opposed to Immediate Cessation of Hostilities Opinion in Italy and France of Same Tenor. ARMISTICE ON ENEMY TERMS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ALLIES. WASHINGTON, Oct. 7—Germany's peace offer was peremptorily spurned today in the senate. In a spirited discussion of the latest enemy proposals, senators participating i na two hours' debate declared it art insidious attack, and voiced a com-i mon demand for its immediate  tion.. Inveighing especially against the proposal for an armistice the speakers were unanimous in declaring that a crushing military victory must be preliminary to peace negotiations.Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska,, chairman of the senate foreign rela-j tions committee, republican leader Lodge, of Majs., ranking minority leader of the committee,  Poindexter ,of Washington, McCumfy er of North Dakota, Pittman of! Nevada. Ashurst and Smith of Ariz-j ona. Nelson of Minnesota, and Reed of Missouri, were among the spe,ak-l ers representing both political par-i ties. . Won't Entertain Request London, Sept. 7.—In the view oi authoritative quarters in London it seems certain that President Wilson, through whom the peace offer of the central powers was addressed, will take the initiative in rep]y-< The official attitude to be adoptecj by the associated governments cart only be surmised, but it is safe to assume that they cannot entertain in any form the proposal for an armisf tice. Trying to Avoid Punishment j Washington. D.C., Oct. 7.—Dejciarations of Prince Maximilian, the new German chancellor, in regard t<? peace, have produced the impression in Italy that the enemy, realising (h'f danger of his position, has decided to intensify his peace efforts in ordejr to lessen the operations of the eritente nations, says an official despatch today from Rome. The Italian press, the despatcji says, expresses confidence that thj= central powers will not succeed iji convincing the peoples of the allied nations of their readiness to accept the allies' terms. ', No Association With Kaiser London, Oct. 7 (via Reuters Ottawa Ageney.)—Right Hon. Geo. fy Barnes of the British war cabineji speaking at Manchester described the German chancellor's speech as a greajt advance towards peace, nevertheless he said, the remarkable change had -teen caused by the allied armies. • When scrutinized the offer revealed the time v;orn German cynicism. Turkey and Bulgaria were left to their fates, Austria was cut up also. But Germany who caused the war was to be the only one to come out with a whole skin. A change of heart or system was not indicated. Restitution for devastated territories was not mentioned. Germany wanted to bargain for her colonies, yet retain her autocratic form of government.Britain was not going to make a colleague of the kaiser. The road towards peace would be greatlysmoothed if Germany cleared out of Belgium and France, and set up a real responsible government. Wilson Prepares Reply Washington, Oct. 7.—A prompt and decisive reply to Germany's latest peace proposal is indicated by developments in Washington early today. President Wilson cancelled his usual morning recreation fiour and remained secluded in his study at work. Must Acknowledge Defeat London, Oct. 7.—The Manchester Guardian considers that the peace proposals set forth by Prince Maximilian are vague, and that while the acceptance of President Wilson's fourteen points seem to be in good , faith, the new chancellor finds it convenient to slur one point in the President's statements in which he declared that no binding agreement could ,be made with the German governi ment as at present constituted. The ! paper adds: : "Nothing in the constitution of the I German state has been altered. TJie ■ kaiser remains absolute and su■ preme.' The Guardian believes there is no constitutional guarantee; and nothing t could give President Wilson the sort : of guarantee he demands or to make i Germany a safe .and serviceable mem- I ber of a league of nations. _ The : paper thirfks, however, that it is unrecessary or desirable to wait for 'a complete change in the German ma• chine of government before consenting to negotiate a serious negotia: tion, and presumes an armistice : would go far to give us also guarantees for the observance of conditions , of a peace. WILL REPLY TO THE REQUEST OF ENEMY FOR AN ARMISTICE FDSFDSFDSFDS Push Ahead Vigorously French Armies Wrest More Positions From Enemy Forces. . Paris, Oct. 7.—The advance of General Deßeney's aTmy in the St. Quentin sector continues, despite the desperate resistance of the Germans. The enemy is falling back to his water lines before Gouraud's army, which is maintaining active artillery action on the Chemin dcs Dames positions. Apparently the Germans have decided !o defend this line to the utmost. Gouraud's soldiers have crossed the Arties river at several points. The enemy is counter-attacking energetically and throwing his best divisions into the defence of the Suippe fords and the Arnes bridgeheads, but the French are slowly forging ahead. SNEERED AT MEN IN DIREST PERIL "Help Yourselves;7 Said Brutal Huns to Survivors of Torpedoed Ship. Stockholm, Oct. 7.— (Via Reuters Ottawa Agency)—The captain of the Swedish steamer Helge which was recently torpedoed in the English channel, only four out of a crew of 17 being saved, says that the German submarine commander displayed incredible heartlessness. The Helge was one of a convoy of four steamers bound from Londoi to France and escorted b> two British armed steam yachts. A French steamer was fust torpedoed without warning and sank in a few minutes. The Helge was then torpedoed, breaking in two. The survivors clung to the -wreckage, but the submarine came up and asked the name and nationality of ihe steamer. The survivors appealed for help but the crew of the submarine replied "Help youn elves." The survivors spent twenty-four hours in the water enduring terrible hardships before a French mine sweeper picked them up. » »—.  The Portia left Marystown at 6.45 am. She is due tomorrow. One inebriate was before the Magis trate this morning. He was fined $1. Mr. Rowley, the artificial limb specialist at the general hospital, arrived in the city yesterday and will resume his w"*t in that connection immediately. - Hindenburg Loses Job ? German Leader Resigns After Row With Kaiser Over Retreat. , London, Oct. 7.—Field Marshal Yon Hindenburg has resigned as chiet of the German general staff, after a heated interview with the emperor, in which the held marshal declared that a retreat on a large scale was impossible to avoid, according to a Central News despatch fiom Amsterdam today. The correspondent based his despatch on reports from the frontier. FRESH ADVANCE OF 5,000 -YARDS Splendid Gains Are Secured By British on French Front. London, Oct. 7—(Via Reuters Ottawa Agency)—Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters in France cables, under date of the evening of October sixth, as follows: Since the afternoon of October fifth we have advanced from four to five thousand yards across the Terrier Platefcu. This morning the ling ran east of Aubenches aux Bois io past the Western fringe of Bois de Morte, then westward to Bonabus Farm and then north through Lauroy and LeCatelet Farms. From Sequehart we extended our front *o Mannequin Hili, thence to Neuvilles Cross. During the fighting on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front we took prisoners down to last night to the cumber of between eleven and twelve hundred * In Flanders the Germans continue their hard pressed retirement. No little credit for the existing situation in this region is due to the fifth British army under General Birdwood of Azan who" for long weeks has been harraSsing and punishing the Germans. By Command Of Officers Berne, Oct. 7, (Havas)—The German government took its latest peace step upon the advice and with the approval of the high command of the army says the Stattgart Neves Tagblatt Germany. The newspaper adds Germany has decided to consent to further heavy sacrifices. ' ' ~ -—-—  THE WAR SITUATION (By J. T. M.) WHILE the German chancellor and diplomats are endeavoring o cajole the allies into a cessation of hostilities the allied armier- are driving back the Teuton forces, all along the line from Nieuport to the Meuse. Gradually but with rrres-stible force the allied troops are dislodging the Germans from evory one of their strategic positions, and they are falling back on every sector of their line. From Roulers to Cambrai, a front of 65 miles, they are abandoning the strongest positions they have on the western front, and from which they have not been di? lodged during the whole course of the war. It is but a matter of a few days when the towns and cities of Courtrai, Hourcoing, Roubaix, Lille, Seclin, Pont-a-Marcq, Douai, Aileux anc? Cambrai\illbe in the hands oi the allies. The capture of these appears a foregone conclusion, and their loss will compel the Germans to fall back to a -line 'approximating that outlined in ikese notes on the sth instant.Withdrawal beyond these points will place in jeopardy the whole ut the Belgian coast line.. The immediate effect of the loss of Couvtrai on the Lys will apparently be the drawing back of the German line to Ostend, this being made necessary to avoid the danger of an outflanking movement from Roulers sector via Thourout Junction. The results of the Franco-American drive east of Rheims are becoming visible now. Referring to this sector of the tine a few days ago it was pointed out that the apparent i (CeatiMiei «o Page 2) —j|l lllllUlllllHllilllllllllllllllllllllllllliilllllllllHllllllllllllllllllillllllilllilllllllli (SPECIAL TO THEf 1 DRESS SILKS | Taffeta and Mousseline 36 in. wide?' g ! SHADES : Navy, Sax, Green, Pink,jj H Veßose, Champagne, Browns, White = s and Black. W- I THIS LINE WHICH IS OF AN I EXTRA GOOD QUALITY | I RANGES IN PRICES from { I 2.70 to 530 yard. | J ALSO FULL RANGE | I SEALETTE | 150 inch wide. Nothing more Dressy =| 5 and Comfortable for ,  I LADIES' COATS 1 Note the price 17.50, 9.00 to 11 -00-1 J MAKE NO DELAY i 1 i SEE THEM TO-DAY *| I Bowring Bros., Ltd. | ffilHlHlHlHlttllfilltllltlllllllllllllfllllllflllllllllltUUiUlllUUlllltlllfllllUlUlll^^J