Save the Food and Help the Fighter Fight!
Pioneer
ONE DOLLAR PER MONTH IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAA MORNING, MARCH A1, HH*_2o CENTS PER
BIG GERMAN SMASH IN FRANCE IS TEMPORARILY STOPPED
Paris, March 23 —Niue thousand five hundred Ger
man shells, including many gas shells, were thrown
into Rheims Tuesday and Wednesday, the newspapeis
of Euclaire and Delest reported today.
The Germans began firing upon Paris at H o clock
this morning. The shortest distance from Paris to the
frontier at the beginning of the German offensive was j
more 100 kilometers. The announcement that Paris
was being bombardment was made officially this after
noon. Measures are counter-attacking the enemy can
non are under execution.
Paris, March 25. —French troops went te the assist
ance of the British last Saturday, and took over a sector
of the battlefront. In the region of No.yon, and on the
right bank of the Oise river, heavy lighting with the
enemy is progressing. The long-range bombardment
of Paris was resumed at 6:30 this morning, but was in
terrupted after the second shot, and after two moie
shots were tired the bombardment was again suspended.
Paris, March 26.—Noyou was evacuated during the night. '1 he
war office reported today that the retirement was made in good
order. The French are holding solidly on the left bank of the
Oise. The way to Paris is blocked by the powerful French army
under a general of proven capacity. Every hour brings nearer
the moment when the Allied armies reserve will be ready to in
tervene in tne struggle.
Paris. March 27.—“Within 48 hours the Allies will he masters
of the situation,” declared Premier Clemenceau t«day upon his
return from the front. M. Clemenceau made the statement be
fore the Ministerial Council, and at the same time he did not at
tempt to conceal the seriousness of the situation. 116 said that
Amiens is well defended, and that it is improbable that the Ger
mans will be able to break through.
Paris, March 28.—The war office announcement today concern
ing the loss of Montdidier says the fighting took on an extraordi
narily ferocious character. French regiments fought hand-to
hand with the enemy, inflicting heavy losses. Finally the French
fell back to the heights immediately west of Montdidier.
BRITISH
London, Saturday. March 23.—The Teutons forced
their way into Mory, but dashing counter attacks drove
them out. Reuter’s correspondent at the British head
quarters telegraphed that a large party was surrounded
and probably captured. Unless the British are able to
restore the situation by counter attack, withd rawal on a
wide front may be necessary, with open-field warfare.
The point at which the British line has been broken is
near the southern end. The Germans are attacking the
front which extends from Ai-ras to La Fere, 15 miles
below St. Quentin.
The Teutonic offensive has developed with almost un
paralleled rapidity. One reason for this is indicated in
Gen. Haig's report showing that the enemy is constantly
bringing up fresh troops in large bodies. The kaiser
is said to be in command at the Western front, and it is
believed has staked bis all on this offensive. He is re
ported to have said that his would be the last battle be
rore peace.
Powerful German attacks, delivered with great
weight of infantry and artillery, broke through the
British defensive system west of St. Quentin, is offici
ally reported. The British on the northern line are
holding their positions. The British wesf of St. Quen
tin are falling back in good order to prepared positions
further east. Fierce lighting is in progress night and
dav, with the enemy continually bringing up fresh
forces. It is reported that 60 German divisions are en
gaged, with 110 divisions in reserve. The British under
tremendous pressure are slowly falling back in excel
lent order. The Daily Mail says a million Teutons are
participating in the attack on one sector, with guns
every few yards, and using gas bombs. It is unknown'
how serious the break is. British commanders send
messages saying everything is going as well as can be
expected.
British Headquarters in France, Monday, March 25.
A further advance was made by the Teutons Sunday
afternoon at some points.
During much of the recent heavy fighting the Ger*
mans used a division for every 2,000 yards of front,
there being approximately one enemy division against
every British battalion. The heaviest fighting today
continued around Bapaume, near Peronne, and wTheie
the British and French fronts join. So far ©very Biit
ish counter attack has succeeded.
London, March 26.—Gen. Haig’s forenoon report closes: “The
Pershing Wants Americans in Battle
Paris, Marrli 29.—General Pershing, in con
ference with French officials at the front yes
terdav, asked in his own name and in the name
of his country, that the entire American forces
in France be used in the present battle. (The
above was announced today by the war office.)
General Pershing said the American army
was entirely at the disposal of the French, lie
made his request of General Foch, while Pre
mier Clemenceau, Minister of Munitions Le
cheur and General Petain were in conference
with General Foch.
Gen. Haig’s Report Very Encouraging
London, March 29.—Gen. Haig's report this
morning the operations north of the Somme,
reads: “The enemy’s many attacks, made with
great determination throughout Thursday, only
succeeded in gaining our outpost lines after
severe hand-to-hand fighting. His reserves
sent forward against our battle positions were
thrown back everywhere with losses. Our ma
chine guns, artillery and rifles did great execu
tion.”
“Enemy Being Held at All Points”
Washington, March 29.— Maj.-Gen. J. Frank
lin Bell, who recently returned from the Euro
pean battle front, made a statement today to
the Senate military committee in which he
stated that the British withdrawal before the
German advance has been made in accordance
with pre-arranged plans, and is all over now.
“The enemy is being held at all points, was
the dispatch from Gen. Bliss, which was read
to the House military committee this morning
by Gen. March. This report from Gen. Bliss
indicated that the situation, although still
grave, was gradually becoming better and as
suming a favorable shape for the Allies.
WILSON CONGRATULATES GEN. HAIG
Washington, March 27.— President Wilson today cabled Gen.
Douglas Haig congratulating him on the British stand against
the German offensive, and predicting a final Allied ’.^;ory.
Washington, March 27.—Determination to fight on without
counting the cost until freedom of mankind is safe, was the
message cabled to President Wilson today b\ t*en. Ha.g. in
reply to the President's message of confidence.
enemy’s losses continue to be very severe. He has been obliged
to reinforce his battle lines from all parts of the Western theatre.
Over 70 hostile divisions are known to have been engaged in the
battle.” .
The Germans captured Roye from the British at 3 o clock this
morning. Afternoon reports reveal the British preserving a
united h-ont. The French are awaiting a favorable time to deliver
a counter blow. They are standing well back towards the edge
of their former battle lines on the Somme area, The German
wedge is being driven hardest in the Noyon region.
With British Army in France, March 28.—Heavy bombardment
occurred this morning between Acheville and Souchez river, west
of Beaumont Hamel. The enemy attacked in great strength, and
heavy fighting is ensuing. The Germans launched attack after
attack against the British positions in Rosignol wood, only to be
hurled back near Sailly Laurdette, five miles west and south of
Bray, on the Somme river, and northwards towards Aucre. The
British are taking prisoners
London, March 28.—The British front has been pierced at a new
point opposite Arras, is announced by the war office this evening.
The British forward line has been penetrated at this point, which
is on the extreme right Hank of tire German advance. The enemy
has crossed the Somme from tire north, near Chipilly, tire British
falling back toward Hamel, is officially announced.
In a death-defying forward movement today the French hurled
the Germans back over a front of eight miles to a depth of two
miles, south of Noyons. The French offensive followed a night
thrust past the Germans in this locality.
London, March 27.—'The British delivered a counterattack today
between Angle Ancre and the Somme, and recaptured Morlancotirt
and Chippillv, was announced by war department this morning.
The Teutons meanwhile took Albert, which they still hold.
The director of military operations announced today that in
formation was received at 1 p.m. that the enemy in a night attack
| and drive had driven the British back as far as Mericonrt and
: Saillv, south of the Somme. He said the Germans had also cap
i tured Morlancotirt.
AMERICAN
I American Army in France, March 23.—The Teutons
launched a heavy gas attack on our lines west of Toul
last night. There being no wind, fumes of mustard gas
from shells hung low over the lines for several hours.
With American Army in France, March 25-—No
American regiments have participated with the British
in meeting the German drive, it is stated here officially
today. American soldiers were indignant when they
picked up the German official wireless statement saying
that Franco-American forces had been defeated. Today
(Monday) on the Toul front, American guns shelled the
Teutons’ front-line pysitions heavily, and there was
considerable artillery activity during the night.
American Army in France, March 26.—The American
position along part of the Toul front was bombarded
with mustard-gas shells at the rate of six a minute last
Sunday night. The Yankee artillery replied with heavy
fire, and demolished segments of the German front lines.
Washington, March 23.—Estimates of casualties in
the great battle now in progress reached the British
embassy today and covers the period ending last even
ing. Teutonic losses total 150,000, and British 100,000.
Military critics believe the reported bombardment of
Paris is untrue.
SWITZERLAND
Geneva, March 26.— Long-range guns bombarded Paris this
(Tuesday) morning, according to a Vienna dispatch received here.
These guns are of Austrian manufacture, and but two of them are
in use. The gun itself is not new, but its novelty comes from a
! new type of shell and the explosive gases used the guns.
NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam, March 27.—“The enemy holds strong reserves
south of the penetsated front, with which to attack our troops
from the flank,” declares the Berlin Vorwaerts.
GERMAN
Berlin. March 23.—An official statement of operations
on the Western front yesterday and last, night says the
Germans have captured 25,000 British prisoners, 400
large guns, and 300 machine guns.
Berlin, March 28.—Today's official report says the German
! crown prince’s army has advanced 37 miles due west from St.
! Quentin, in the direction of Amiene.
The war office announced today that the German losses since
i the beginning of the present offensive have been only normal.
----5
) RUSSIAN CHARADES L
RUSSIAN
Petrograd, March 23.—Soviet commissioners have
directed the foreign minister to make inquiries of Amer
ica, England and Japan regarding the Japanese mobili-1
Nation to occupy Siberia.
Petrograd, March 27.—The Bolsheviki declare that the German
| offensive on the Western front offers Russia a chance to reorgan
ize its army and declare war against Germany when the offensive
fails. War Minister Trotzky today proclaimed univeral military
training, and the highest grades were ordered to report immedi
ately. Old officers are reporting en masse. Russian military offi
cers who were delegates to the Brest-Litovsk peace conference,
declare that German officers there openly discussed the forthcom
ing offensive on the Western front.
Turkish Forces Defeated in Mesopotamia
London, March 28.—The entire Turkish forces in the Hit area,
in Mesopotamia, have been captured or destroyed by the British
army. The war office announced today that 3,000 prisoners had
been taken.
PLEADS FOR MOONEY
—
Washington, March 29— President
Wilson sent a telegram to the gov
ernor of California, renewing his ap
peal for executive intervention on be
half of Thomas F. Mooney.
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"NEWT” AND “LYDE" HAVE TALK
London, March 26.—Secretary of War
Baker conferred with Premier Lloyd
George for an hour today.
Emil E. Hurja, secretary to Delegate
Sulzer, has been given a commission as
second lieutenant in the United States
Signal Corps,
DE. H. E. ADRINGER HEARD FROM
A letter from Dr. H. E. Auringer to
Jay J. Smith tells of his promotion.
His present address is Lieut. H. E.
Auringer, M. R. C., Army Medical
School, Washington, D. C. He spent
three months at his home in New York,
and says the winter was unusually se
vere—20° below zero. He wishes to
to remembered kindly to his many
friends. _ __
Bob Cockburn and Dan McKenzie
passed thru the camp from Marshall
on their way Outside.
-♦—
Frank Larson is receiving treatment j
at the Bahia hospital,
PREPARE THE PEOPLE
Washington, March 27.—Official dis
patches received today say newspapers
in Germany are preparing the people
for a Franco-British offensive, forecast
ing the entry of powerful enemy re
serves.
SECOND-DRAFT BOYS
Seattle, March 29.—One hundred and
seventy-nine of the second draft from
Seattle and King county left for train
ing at Camp Lewis this afternoon.
Frank Keenan is assisting at the
Merchants Cafe,
GIBBS DIED OF^ HEART FAILURE
As a result of an attack of heart fail
ure George H. Gibbs, the well-known
Alaska and Dawson mining man, died
at Brooks, Alaska, on February 22. He
was stricken while attending a dance,
and had just sat down after dancing
with his wife when he was seen to fall
to the floor. He was 54 years of age.
Mrs. Gibbs is a sister of Mrs. Henry W.
Weir and Miss Lillian Smith, former
Iditarod residents.
-*
Max Simel, the pioneer trader, ar
rived in camp last Wednesday from his
trading post at the mouth of the Tolstoi
river.
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Job Printing at Pioneer offiee,
NEW YORK SHAKEN DP
New York, March 2G.—This city was
shaken with a great munitions explo
sion at the docks of the Erie railroad,
in Jersey City, this afternoon at 3
o’clock.
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FORMER FLAT CITY WOMAN DEAD
Nome Industrial Worker, Feb. 16:
Miss Maude Wallace passed away at
the Holy Cross hospital yesterday
morning. The deceased came to Nome
| last fall from Flat City.
-»
The Yukon Gold Co.’s thawing crew
will commence work about the first of
April,