EMfc m m. f- .- t $r KM l. 1 5c. I 364 bf & i w Wt &.' fc?ii Ptaf S& p4. pfiii' li? HW W :. , e n PSijW trot W to wrm t W isurroundtnir and reducing each lit separately and successively. i la no easy task, because the enemy out nu positions ions ago, so he i to defend them wun groups 01 machine gunners who have -which they Invariably obey to letter to resist until killed, onscauently every Inch of ground aires not only creat determination l overcoming, but experienced skill. iLTlWday'a fighting put the French Mere than a mile north of Cambronne, ?i'.Hos to Attlche and Carmoy farms, f ,tch are two blr machine-gun nests. n 7J , . ... ., .. . $& DY ne issocwtea i ress S&li?MJOna ' B An. iJiiiian iruups .wptimvii guinea runner pruunu uv uie apex m ''Jhettt the Lys salient in Flanders, says Lki'S'A.thB official statement from Field Mar- f'l?',Jl TTnlo- tndnv. Runt nt Mfilrmn ji'the line was advanwd slightly, while ?y'-Bt of Vleux-Herquln, south of Me- ,vteren, patrols esiamisneu a new line. ..? ,t,n ntrrVit nn tnn TlrlMeV, attain tt 'Wft ...(;,.. v.. ...w . ...... u.u. u CJtne i'learay Daineironi, says tne state- JMnt. xne uerman aruiiery was ac tive. XaTt Tuesday the British threw back Ger it"Jss,'lnan local attacks on the northern side of the Lys salient. Last night the .German, artillery was very active In j this region. By the Associated Press With Ihe British Army in France. Aug. 14. There was no change in the i tho 8th in6tant exceeds 28,000. Among Situation on the new Sommo battle thcm are 800 omcersi-including eight front this morning except for the fact regimental commanders. In the samo that a considerably increased artillery I 0rlod these armies have taken about fire indicates that the enemy1 has final, j 600 German guns. Including many guns iy decided to brlnit up more of his of heavy caliber, and also several thou guns. Allied guns havo replied vigor. sand machine guns, and also numerous 'OU-Oy. trench mortars, w hlch have not yet been Various small artillery conccntra counted. tlons have sprung up during the last "The material captured Includes three few hours and are now active In firing on some points within the Biltlsh lines mtch as Vnuvlllers, Framervllle. Proy art, Llhons, Dernancourt and the for ward areas south of the Vlllers-Bret-onneux-Chaulnes railway. The Germann havo also subjected the valley north of Morlancourt to heavy gas shelling and have similarly treated Harbonnleres and the Gres salre wood region. American troops are In the Gressalre Wood area. By the United Press raris, Aug. 14. While the Germans havo regained their equilibrium in PIcardy, at least temporarily, and apparently are de termined! to make a stand on the Bray-Roye-Lasslgny-Noyon line, they are showing unusual Jumplness on tho Whole front. A gun duel has been raging between the Avre and the Olse. The Germans have used 135,000 re serves In the Plcardy battle, FRENCH MARKING TIME BRINGING UP SUPPORTS Special Cable to Evening Public Ledger Copvriobt. 10JS, by AVw Vorfc Timta Co. With the Frenrli Armies, Aug. 14. A Indicated by the communique, the battle has entered a new phase, a phase of German resistance, and the French, to some extent, are marking time to en able supplies and supports to be brought up. In the first army the situation hai re mained to all Intents and purposes sta tionary, but work Is being carried on ac tively on the roads by Italian laborers land French engineers, who are busy re pairing bridges and generally facilitating the advance. Montdldier Is lltle more than a heap of ruins, even the .cellars having been .destroyed by gunflre. A significant note throughout tho .array Is the absolute French predoml- itol Vminwjm ! ..... nl V . fAVVMan nl,I.Haa Wt IWIIWO fit itiv tt,t ,.u ...v. ,.m, aiiiiiattivi lLV 1..IHS (.A,,t.. 4..1 V.tln .... tVltt mstn. fi jportlon of the front the German artillery irS.ia silent. On the French front generally lit can te staten mat enemy aviation has Ishown little activity.. 3 The enemy Is showing slgnsrf rfcov- Jerlng to some extent from his disorder and has brought up freeh reserves, which are trying to re-establish the broken morale of the German troops In tho sec tor and hold to the old" positions of the 'ISIS line. f Tnere is one wen marxeu and very 'encouraging feature In which for the I most part Is a stabilized situation. In the Thlescourt sector the lino runs to the f west of the St. Claude farm and around I. tm TIaIIa AbqIbqa fnrm At tHa 3r rlot.A Mff 'tarm the Thlescourt position Is seriously ffV - compromised on the west, for the farm is , h BVUU .11.11) ncav ui diuicuu, wiuitj near viiene assiso zurni me r rencn nave suc Tceeded In obtaining a considerable foot ling on the southern portion of the moun- tainous mass of Thlescourt. 'AMERICANS FOIL . RAIDS ON THE VESLE By the Associated Press Paris, Aug. 14. Alongi the Vesle, where French and American troops are stationed, the Germans have made vain raids, the War Office today reports. The French took prisoners In a raid In Cham pagne. . With the American Army on the Alsne-Veale Front, Aug. 14 (By I. N. , S.) German artillery has been extreme ' ly active against the American brldge- head position north of the Vesle River. iu. ? xne .Prussian uuara division lacing the Srfy "Americans has not been transferred from tlrt flu VamIa f-ftht dnartftai th. in!. .11.... tfT n the ilontdtdler region. Aviim uuatncia iciwn uiuci zne en- my Is establishing barbed-wire entan glements and organizing strong and elaborate defensive positions, German batteries emplaced north of the Alsne River are now registering tho new Amer ican! positions. Iftsplte violent fire from German , high-angle guns, American airmen have succeeded In making numerous photo 3 graphs of tho enemy positions. German fighting planes tried unsuccessfully to r, i but wjr me AinvriKixn ooservcrs. r4rirrrDr070, y&s$Tvn nuiLij iod,uuu Hal RKSERJFS IN TiATTTV. By the United Press ' With the IlritUh Armies In France, Aug. 14 Crown Prince Ilupprecht's hold on the west side of the Somme and J he Nesle-Noyon Canal remains extreme. y uncomfortable. The British Fourth nnfl h Cfa1, - First and Third Armies maintain their Aeavy pressure rrom Albert to Rlbecoun; i " . ana, uuiiou-fn lienerai von aer Aiarwita &.'' .t-mwtA l&nainl ,.n XT. (... ... I .- wvi-a .-.., .cvm. tun uuiicr aio uiuiiLinr in Ev the fulleat nr.wtfhlM rtnt fm. v. nA " Somme lines, along which narts of the VH .. . kAtflftfrant nnw win th.l opml. ..,. fejAjL1 dally smhten by the 'Allies' heavy artlt-. .MSX3F r. S.;Mrt"K Almost a. third of tha thirty norm or, :u&'r?'4ivUlona Identified on this front am ft, "S A . A-Jvi fw.m t2nttzt 1 vrin T iiifcnHnnWa -ik&.- I .-. 13551. ruarded reservea (Thirty divisions , r-i caw or ise ta.wuu men. Tn rPfurvAH Lucrerore. number 115.000.) DesDlte the ffAgih commanil'9 recent order to conserve jMnPOwer to the limit, no alternative I oDen but to thrcw everv available lTWkm.n. InrJudlnr orderl.PH rrmkii.nnH nfH , f5-''l.i ! coMra rta Intn 4Vin lln a nlm ,1.. J rtr"o WW 11 IUH. VMO HB I.W OtWVV UWWU r5?''?tfc Allies advance or perleh. 1 51N But for the desperate measures ap- PUV14 vo wkiuo ml least, icmyorary re "Met far greater disaster would have e & HW upuu mo uciiuaiiB niiti every m . til ua nivT tn r rno rnrnm Jkifkg west of the Somme and the Noyon OM.ai 1 would have fallen. Long Range Bombardment ' of Paris Believed Ended vfk H, By the United Press , tPjJra, Aug. 14. Tho American JU4 Cross has been notified from tm authoritative source thai, fear Wt "leac-raage bombardment of fiuia need no longer be felt, ac; tmrHug to the. Parte Journal, to- K'tMtoli.,f M-'YfiaHHL. x . " y ' EVENING PUBLI6 .LEDGER-PritliADELPHIA, WeDESDAY, Aflti-tJBT lft lfll8 V v-' I nttr!nl Wnr Rnnrf I nFFIf.F.RS HONOR WniTNnFT. AMFR1PAN IMITRSF. Url?'DTIf4 7 n A H17 TO TTT1 . I Official War Reports IIHITISIt London, Aug. 14. The hostile artillery was active dur ing the night on the battle front. There was no Infantry action. At midday yesterday local hostile attacks In the Dlckebusch sector were repulsed. During the night the enemy artillery has shown considerable ac tivity in this neighborhood, and also against our positions northwest of Kemmel. Wo secured prisoners last night In a successful raid In the neighborhood of Ayette. In the Vleux-Berquln sector our pa trols have continued to push forward, and have succeeded In establishing a line east of the lllage. A number of prisoners and machine guns were cap tured In the course of this operation. Our line has been advanced slightly can of Meteren. Tho olllclal communication Issued last night reads: "On the battlefront, except for some what Increased hostile artillery actlv lty, the day has passed comparatively quiet. We hao captured a few pris oners at different points. "On the remainder of tho British front some raiding and patrol activity Is re ported south of tho Scarpe, northeast of Itobecq. and In the neighborhood of VIcux-Borquln "The number of prisoners captured by tho French First Army and the Brit- t 1JV It A i otnAn n a vi n"l fri n mmplete trains and Mist stocks of en- :i .ring and other stores. "Work in the ill was actively carried on In all its blanches August 12. On the battlefionts our balloons were pushed forward close behind tno line ana sent drawn much useful Information. Our ar tillery and reconnaissance machines were busily occupied all day. "Enemy airplanes were active And there was much air fighting. Thirty hostile machines were brought down and seven driven out of control. Ono Ger man balloon was phot down In flames. "Forty-five tons of bombs were dropped by us during tho twenty-four hours, tho I'cronne and Cambral stations being heavily assailed. "Twelve of our airplane", Including one nlght-bomblng plane, are mlsslpg." TRENCH Turin, Aug. 14. Between the Avre and the Olso there Is great activity by both artilleries, especially In tho Roye-sur-Matz and Conchy-les-Pots sectors. On the Vcslo enemy raids were un successful. Prisoners were taken In a French raid In the Mesnll-les-IIurlc3 region (Champagne front). OKItMAN Iterlln, Aug. 13 (delayed). South of Yprcs early In tho morn ing there was v lolent artillery fighting. Under our fire enemy attacks were un able to develop, fouth of Mcrrls fre quently repeated English partial at tacks were repulsed. There was fore field fighting on both sides of La Basso Canal and between the Scarpe and Ancre Rivers. On the battlefield between tho Ancro and the Avre the morning was quieter. South of the Sommo, the enemy at tacked In the afternoon on both sides of the Roman road running from Foucancourt to Vlllers-Bretonneaux. He was repulsed. North of the Amlens-Roye road we '.drove back strong enemy attacks In the evening. Between the Avre and the Olse there was violent fighting during .the day with partially fresh brougnt up French divisions. Strong forces at tacked In tho morning south of the Avro, as well as between Tllloloy and north of Ellncourt. They collapsed be ' fore 'our line. -At Isolated points we repulsed them by counter-thrusts. Between Tllloloy and Canny and west and southwest of Lasslgny, the enemy continued his attacks until late in the evening. South of Tllloloy on, five occasions weak forces were thrust forward from the region of the Matz. We drove the enemy back and very frequently his attacks were held up by our concentrated artillery fire. Yesterday twenty-nine enemy air planes were shot down. Kaiser Orders Finns to Fight Allies ronttnneil from Tore One authority over this Alllee. and belligerent army." DECLARES BOLSHEVIKI DECEIVED RUSSIANS By the United Press AVahlnton, Aug. 14. Husslan peas ants are ranldlv awalcenlnir to th danger of German aggression and will euuii icucn iiic i in nit ucnei or lean ing Russians here, Including Alexis F. Staal. prominent In the Kerensky gov ernment, who has Just escaped to Amer ica after months In hiding from the Bolshevlkl In Russia. "The Russian people are being unde ceived as to the purposes of the Ger mans In making the Brest-Lltovsk treaty," Staal said today. "They were misinformed by the Bolshevik! at the time the treaty was signed and did not realize that It was against their Inter est. "When they are fuly awakened, as they probably will be by the new Gov ernment, they will be glad to renew the fight against Germany If It seems tech nically practicable from a military point of view." Mystery surrounding the new pro visional government Tn the northern provinces was cleared by Staal. x v. Tchaikovsky, a Liberal leader nationally known in Russia, lb presiaent. Other members of the government are former delegates to the constituent assembly, who were elected laat November under universal suffrage and, therefore, ac cording to Staal represent virtually all classes of the Russian people. Tchalkocsky, who Is nearly seventy, has been a lifelong leader In movements of the Russian people and was one of the fathers of the revolution. He is a friend of Kropotkln, the famous Russian radi cal, and also of Kerensky, who Is soon to go to Archangel to help establish the new government. Russians here expect Tchaikovsky's government to spread throughout Rus sia. Kerensky is expected to lend his support. Staal was chief attorney of the Court of Appeals In the Moscow district under the Kerensky regime. CALLS THRONE CRAZE, A POLICY OF CRIME By the Associated Press machinations going on In Finland amyl w.o u.,,11. fiuiuio ,u iiuiue uironcs for German princes, the Socialist news paper. Vorwaerts. of Berlin, glvea out a note of warning. 'The new thrones to be erected In the east are not only threatened from with in, but from without," the newspaper says. 'The world war Is not yet ended. The new monarchies are based on the quicksands of the Brest-Lltovsk peace and he who desires to make the Russian border provinces a branch establish ment of the German dynasties must con. senuently acknowledge as their aim the military domination 'of the world by Germany. "This craze for thrones In the east shuts the door upon a peace by under standing and stakes everything on a military decision. The question Inevitably arises whether the situation In the west Justifies such a policy." Blaewhere hi this lira Tsrwsarts m ainnwsa yji bi OFFICERS HONOR WOUNDED AMERICAN NURSE . K&Sma&MS Copyright. International Film Service. Sister Chaules, an American nurje, who has been at the front for three years, being showered with garlands of roses by wounded British officers at the Royal Free Hospital in London -v- MEXICO REJECTS BRITISH PROTEST Denies Right of That Gov ernment to Object to Oil Decree ASSERTS SOVEREIGNTY By the Associated Press Mexico City, Mex., Aug. 14. Replying to a protest from Great Brit ain against the provisions of the oil decree of February 22, which was de clared to be confiscatory and In viola tlon of the rights of English companies holding oil claims, the Mexican Govern ment has declared that It does not recog nize the right of any foreign govern ment to protest against decrees of this nature. It holdi that by virtue of Its sovereign rights the Mexican Govern ment Is free to adopt such fiscal legisla tion as Is'necessary. It.suggests that re course to the courts would be the proper method of determining whether the oil land decree Is unjust and confiscatory. The Mexican reply follows. J "Without Judging the exactness or in exactness of the qualifications of estab lished taxes, the Mexican Government can only express the surprise caused by the note and the protest of his Britannic Majty-for In the capscltyof an In dependent natlbajn the -legitimate exer cise of her sovereignty, Mexico Issued a decree against which the only recourse that Mexican laws concede Is when they Judge onerous and confiscatory taves decreed by public power. "The surprise of the Mexican Govern ment is legitimate, as would be that of any other Government of a free country, Including that of his Britannic Majestv, If It found that acts of Interior legisla tion such as the right of Imposing con tributions were called Into question by the diplomatic protests of the countries of subjects affected by the Imposition. The Mexican Government is sure that the Government of His Majesty would not permit diplomatic protests against tne high contributions that the war has caused him to decree In all his domin ions, and which should weigh equally, not only upon British subjects and sub jects of conquered nations, or tnose sub jected In any form to his dominion, but upon foreigners alike. Denies night of Protest "In virtue of Its freedom of fiscal legislation. It Is opportune to declare that the Mexican Government does not recognize the right of any foreign coun try to protest against acts of this nature coming from the rlgnt to exercise In terior sovereignty, and. In consequence, cannot accept the responsibility which It Is pretended will be charged to her account as supposed damages as a con sequence of this legislation. 4i "Such a decision Is founded uponnnTe equally which the Mexican Governrc.fnt desires should exist between Mexicans and foreigners regarding contributions decreed In Its territory, because It Is deemed that, conceding the preferences to which all diplomatic Intervention tends, such a decision Is fair to Mexico In Its strictest terms. Courts the Proper llerourse 'The course to be taken by foreigners and nationals alike to free themselves from impositions which are deemed con fiscatory consists in submitting the case before tribunals, which are always found ready to administer Justice, applying the law, which Justly guarantees Individuals against confiscation of property. Furth ermore, It Is generally admitted that diplomatic representation should be the last recourse taken and only when the last resources have been exhausted. "If the provisions of the decree are openly against the laws and In viola tion of contracts previously made, ac rordlnc to the concept of his Britannic Majesty, such could not rationally con stitute an ODstacie lo ine iree ueveiuii ment of Mexican property, and this de velopment can demand, as has happened, certain changes of legislation beneficial to the country. This is eviaeni wnen Is considered that the modern concept of property is that It Is a social function bound closely to the property of the State. "The Mexican Government has a firm purpose In respect to foreign Interests. It gives them guarantees facilitating their development and believes that Its program can only be realized through the laws and Institutions of the republic by applying dispositions equally, "Esteeming that it Is. the best guar antee it can impart, the Mexican Gov ernment cannot see a way to accept the diplomatic protests from his Brit annic Majesty, which would have the effect of diving English citizens un equal preference over Mexican nation als." The reply Is signed by General .Can dido Agullar. Minister of Foreign Af fairs. Founder of French Theatre Dead By the Associated, Press New York, Aug. 14 Luclen L. Boh heur. founder of the French Theatre In New York, died today at his home at Great Neck, L. I. He waa fifty-four years old. Coming to this country thlr iv vn niu Mr. Bonhsur waa a leader mane Frwetua..g. "0'nJJ1ly ha l-fwu'vte n miwt -jfv p vjummp AMERICAN WOUNDED NEGLECTED BY GERMANSWHO LACK SUPPLIES Britisher, Who Escaped From Bochc Prison Camp, Gives Vivid Description of Treatment by Foe Now Safe in American Lines By EDWIN Special Cablclto Eveninp Public Ledger Copurlohl, lilt, bv New York Times Co. With the American Army in 1'ranee, Aug. 14. Whllo the German Imperial propa gandists are spreading lies alleging mis treatment of captured German wounded by the Americans, I got some first-hand Information today about how the Ger mans treat American wounded. My Information comes from Corporal M. P. Purvis, of the British army, who was captured at Craonne on May 27 and who, escaping, entered the American lines near Flsmes Monday. The prison camp In which he was held Is at Ram court, thirty-five kilometers northwest of Flsmes and near the main railroad which ran from the German Solssons Rheim3 salient. The work he did took Purvis onto this railroad. He said he saw American wounded men on flat cars. They told Purvis they had been wounded seven days before. Purvla Bald (150 words deleted here). ' The Germans were very short of medical supplies, and all they had were used for their own soldiers. There were no anesthetics for the wounded prison ers. They hays almost no cloth bandages, but paper ones ' are usedl Instead, even for their own wounded, , --V wounded-American prisoners also are treated terribly, as are the English. Around the prison camps he had seen a number of signs "Gott Strafe England " After the Americans helped to drive back the Germans from the Marne, some of these were changed to "Gott Strafe America." Ituislan Captives Not Freed Corporal Purvis was a bank clerk be fore the war and Is an Intelligent man. I believe the utmost rellanco can be placed In his story. All he said was cor roborated by Private Isaac While, of the British army, who escaped with Purvis. Purvis also revealed that while Ger mans who were captured by the Rus sians are fighting for Germany In Rus sia, the Russians who were captured by the Germans were kept in prison camps and used as laborers by the German army. Purvis said that the elaborate rail ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN ALPS IMMINENT Artillery Fire Opened in Mountainous Zone Along 25-Mile Front By the United Press t Washington, Aug 14. An Italian of fensive In the Alps appears Imminent, according to a dispatch to General Emiilo Gugllelmottl, military attache of the Italian embassy from the hea'dquar ters of the Italian supreme command today. The Italians are reported to have opened an Intense artillery Are In the mountainous zone near the Swiss border along a front of approximately twenty- five miles. The sector Is the highest of the entire battlellne and has been vir tually free from fighting since the be ginning of the war. The Italian attacks center against .us enemy positions in the zone ol vai telllna, on the Tonale. and at the head waters of the Val dl Genova, Alpine storm troops have taken Mount Man tello and were reported as belmr ad- vaitelng up Mount Alblolo and In the regions oi me neaawaters of the Val dl Genova. Home, .Aur. ,14. Loral operation1 and artillery activity In various sectors all along the Italian front were reported by the War Office today, "In the Montello region we occupied Punta dl Matteo SDUr. southeast of Clna- zlgolon, taking more than a hundred pris. oners, in audition to machine guna and other material," the statement said. "In the upper Zbru Valley the enemy last night attacked advanced posts at Payerloch and Konlgspltze, but was re pulsed. "In the Tonale region, between the head of Noce Torrent and the head of the Genova, Valley our artillery was ef fective, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. "On the left bank of the Plave supply depots were set afire by our Intense aerial bombardment. At Fuoino and Val dl Sole we effectively bombed hut ments, magazines an railway estab lishments." Austrian forces on Tuesday evacuated all occupied points south of the Semenl River, In Albania, it was announced here today Italian and French troobs cleared virtually the entire region south of the Semenl In their recent offensive. Standard Oil Magnate Dies Aorora; m. Aug. "J 4. W. B. Cowan. president of the Standard OH Company of Indiana, died at his home at Wheaton, 111., last night, according, to wrd re ceived here today. He was sixty years yo. ,-.-,Mllt -mi oU. ,.H-,.MMM-WFttartft.tiM'MMMt w L.' JAMES road system built by the Germans In the Solssons-Rhelms salient was constructed by 2000 Russians and a number of Eng lish prisoners of war. He said the Eng lish also were used for harvesting the wheat back of the German lines. I asked Purvis to tell me exactly what the Germans red him. He Bald that at 4 o'clock In the morning, when they started to work, they received one pint of "cof fee" made from hawthorne berries. At 2 o'clock that got one pint of soup made from dried vegetables, and at 6 o'clock "coffee" again. Each day they re ceived three-fourths of a pound of black bread, which smeled like swill and felt like rubber. "The boche Is In a terrible predica ment," he said. .'They use substitutes for all foods and for everything except three things men, guns nnd ammuni tion. Thank God, they can't get a sub stitute for these." Purvis said that the morale of most of tho German troops was deteriorating. Ho also said that the success of tho Americans was worrying them. . Exciting Time tn Escaping Purvis and his partner had an exciting time escaping. On August 7. when they started out to 'work, if was nof yet light. He nnd White slipped Into some bushes and hid In a dugout all day. Tiiat night they walked toward the south. They kept this up until Monday morning, when they got In front of tho American lines. Dressed In dirty German prison garb, they looked In the early morning light like German Infantrymen. An American doughboy rushed nt Purvis with a bayonet. Purvis grasped the rifle and got it away from the American, who leaped upon him with his fists. With White looking on, they rolled 'about In the mud until their profanity caused each to recognize that the other was not a German, for Purvis thought that after his sevep days' night he had run into a German patrol, while the doughboy thought he was trying to repel a Ger man attack. When they'recognlzed one another the American escorted the two Tommies back to his mess and fed them. TIOGA BUSINESS MEN HOLD ANNUAL PICNIC Tub Race of JCouncilmen Among Features Girl Run ner Breaks Arm A tub race between three Common Councllmen of the Forty-third Ward was one of the features of the patriotic field day outing of the Tioga Business Men's Association this afternoon at Hunting Park. The contestants wcro Thomas Bluett, Henry Wolfe and William Scargle. There were many other exciting events for all. No one seemed to mind the heat, and many good records were made In the sack, potato, egg and spoon and other novel events. jjuring a seventy-dve-yard dash for girls Margaret Donnelly, fourteen years old, 1322 Kerbaugh street, stumbled and fell and broke her arm. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Several thousand residents of North Philadelphia attended the big picnic, and eacn received a souvenir. The souvenirs, contributed by the business men, included everything use ful and ornamental. The proceeds will be used to provide comfort kits for the Boldlers of the ward and also to give them a good send-off when they leave for camp. Tiio committee In charge la composed of Michael Walker. Edgar R. Hobson and John Shuster. Tonight there will be a big Liberty Bins as a concluding ceremony. ARMY DEATH RATE VERY LOW Health Conditions at Home and Uverseoa Better Than Ever Washington, Aug. 14 (By I. N. S.). Combined health reports from overseas ,iorees and from companies and canton, ments In this country show that the health records of American troops have never before been surnassed. so lnw in the death rate, Surgeon General Oorgas announced this afternoon. The combined hospital death rate of forces heie and overseas Is 1.9 per 1000 men. The death rate of men of the same age In civil life Is 6.7. These ngures are based on a total of 2,000,000 The death rate for the Mexican War iuu per, l(w Wi GERMAN GAME IS UP, CAPTIVE "Can't Win Now," Shows Depression Caused by Defeat Transport Is Foe's Big Problem By WALTER Special Cable to Evening Public Ledger CopvHpfit, ltIS, tu -Veto l'orfc Times Co. With the French Armies, Aug, 14. "Thp situation Is extremely satis factory," said a high French officer to your correspondent today. "Although the advance is less rapid, that does not mean that tho Allied pressure is re laxing." Thero are several features which warrant high hopes for the future. Perhaps the most'important Is the un exampled depression In the enemy ranks caused by the dramatic change from success to disaster. For tho first time slnco the war began German officers say freely: "We can't win now," or "the German game Is up," or "the best thing We can do Is to make peace na soon as possible." Here or there one Is found who cher ishes the dream that Hlndenburg may yet rescue tho situation by a stroke of genius, but the tone In which the suggestion Is proffered shows that it Is hope against hope, like a condemned man praying for an impossible re prieve. Secondly, the Germans are suffer ing terribly, not only from appalling losses In men, but the vast quantities of guns and material abandoned in tho last month. The life of their cannon Is already greatly shortened by tho shortage of certain elements, such as manganese In the composition of steel. The Allied capture of not far short of 1200 pieces slnco the whole counter-offenslvo began must Increase this difficulty enormously. Germans Lack Transport Doubtless munitions, machine guns and artillery can bo replaced,' and to a less extent, men also, but the need to do ho multinlles ten-fold what per- haps is the most serious German em barrassment at tne present juncture. I mean the question of transport. The Germans are already faced by a short age of rolling stock, horses and grease for trucks and wagons, and hampered, by the impaired quality of their rail road beds and material. The enemy is now compelled to put an entirely disproportionate burden on his communication service, long ago strained to the utmost. Even far behind the front, tho problem is a very grave one, but as the firing line Is approached it is veritably agonlz- lng Even in favorable conditions tie-ups KING PINS MEDALS ON OUR FIGHTERS British Sovereign Decorates Generals Pershing and Bliss and 19 Others IJNPRECEDENTED EVENT With the British Army on the Ticnrdy Battlefront, Aug. IS (delayed). For the first time In history United States soldiers were personally decor ated hy the King of England today. Honors were conferred upon General John J. Pershing, the American commander-in-chief; General Tasker H. Bliss, four lieutenants and fifteen sol diers, amid Impressive ceremonies. The decorations were In recognition of bravery shown by the Americans when they helped the British capture Ilamel (on the Plcardy front) from the Ger mans on July 4. A rousing reception was given to King George by the doughboys. There were flags, music and cheers and an Impos ing detachment of American Boldlers and British officers stood by while the cere monies were In progress. The Americans stood In line while the King fastened the medals upon the la pels of their coats, afterwards' shaking them heartily by the hand and con gratulating them upon their bravery and natrlotism. Nine of the honored Americans were In, the hospital where they received their Insignia. Afterward a number of Australians were decorated. The nineteen Americans of the rank of lieutenant and downward who were honored were: Lieutenant Frank Schraw, Lieutenant Albert G, Jefferson, Second Lieutenant Harry Yagle, Second Lieutenant Michael Komorovvskl, Sergeant James E. Krum, Private Christopher Keane, Corporal Thomas A. Pope, Corporal Andrew C. Shablnger, Corporal Lester C. Whltson, Corporal Raymond II. Powell, Private William F. LinsKy, rnvaie narry nnei ly Corporal Albert C. Palnslpp, Private Fred E. Wllklns. Sergeant Frank A. Kosjane, CoTPoral John DeSmldt, Ser geant A. Erhard, Corporal" H. Zyburt and Corporal J. Sweredo. All were from the Middle West, chief ly In the region of Chicago. DECLARES GERMANS RULE AIR Congressman, Back From France, Says Supremacy Is Disastrous Wohlnton, Aug. 14 (By L N. S.). Germany has met the American promise s year, iuprem- and In consequence today holds suprem acy ot tne air on all American sectors of the front. rr-v.1.. ..- thA ntntement this afternoon of Representative Reavis, of Nebraska, who has Just returned from a months tour of the American sectors in France. The effect of the German air supremacy 13 QlSilB.. uu. no -'-" The only thing the American troops fear Is a German bombing plane," he as- serted. They are frankly critical of.the fail ure to give them better aerial protec tion The commander oi ono Bector wm me ne nas oniy ura u"j . w.-.--French machines with which to protect his men." GIRL FALLS TO HER DEATH Crashes Through Skylight and Head Hits Anvil Reba Nathanson. twenty yars old. 2524 South Ninth street, waa killed this Annnn whan hIia fpll from a second- story window In the National Label Cortpany plant, 3S43 North Carlisle street. .... .. i,n , The girl crasnea inrousv oj"B"i over the first floor and , landed nn a workbench. Her head struck an anvil. FALL FATAL TO WORKMAN Gub Angle Dies When Skull Is fractured Qus Angle, sevnty-two years did. 1606 Chestnut, street, died this afternoon fov the Pennsylvania Hospital from a trac Mil, rejeivea uns OFFICERS SAY DURANTY are Inevitable when any extensive transport operation is in progress. Al lied airmen aro ever on the watch and tho moment a tie-up occurs it is sig naled td tho airdrome nnd bombing squadrons assail the point Immedi ately. No discipline can face a mass attack from the air and the resultant confusion often blocks important junctions of railroads or highways for several hours. It is essential unless tho morale of an army is to crack completely that the wounded be evacuated from the danger zone without delay. Nothing depresses soldiers so much aa the sight of injured comrades uncared for or In pitiable circumstances, for each man thinks that may be his fate be fore long. Imaglno tho task of re moving 10,000 wounded along a bom barded transport system! Now Forces Are Needed Meanwhile, new forces of resistance must be grouped in the rear to meet tho unremitting pressure on the bat tlefront. That sums up the tactical position at this moment. The enemy is clinging desperately to ground with every available man, gun and machine gun to give himself time to offer moro solid resistance later, probably fur ther back. Tho Allies in return aro occupied In reducing the front-line positions as rapidly and Inexpensively as possible. Tho battle for Thlescourt Wood Mos sif, called little Switzerland, which Is now In progress is a most salient example. This Massif defends the Roye and Lasslgny lino in the cen ter. The first move of the French was to advance along tho Matz Valley, north of the Massif to Canny-Sur-Matz, which is dominated by the Logos AVood. Hero tho Germans launched a furious counter-attack Monday after noon, accompanied by a very heavy bombardment. In which gas predomi nated. The French managed to retain their hold on tho greater part of the wood, but further progress was slowed up for the time being by the enemy's superiority In numbers and weight of artillery. " . Further south the French took Gury Und held It against strong attacks. Its occupation gave a flank protection for the next move, nn attack on the Saint Claudo Farm, on the edge of the western crest of the Massif, to which it is the key. U.S. TROOPS HOLD LINES ON VESLE Beat Off Foe in Six-Hour FightWhen Two Attacks Meet ONCE FORCED TO RETIRE By EDWIN L. JAMES, . Special Cable' to Evening Public Ledger CopvrtoM. 101$, bv'Xew York Times Co. With tho American Army in France, Aug. 14. With the evident desiro to maintain their front along the Vesle, perhaps more for propaganda purposes than strategical reasons, the Germans Mon day launched two violent attacks against tho Americans north of Flsmes. One of these attacks met an attack which was being made by tho Americans and bloody flshtlng fol lowed. The net results of six hours of fighting leaves the lino Just where It was before. One hundred and ninety-two dead Germans were counted' in a small region where temporarily they forced their way into our front line. We launched an attack of a local nature Just before dawn. Our force had moved forward about a kilometer when at 6 o'clock they met a German attack In force which, as tho artillery work gave evidence, had been prepared before. The two forces met and before superior numbers we retired to where we started from. The Germans kept up their artillery work on a large scale until 10 O'clock, when they launched an attack of a violent nature against the line between the Bols du Dlable and FIsmette, using much gas and flame projectors. Tho Americans had gotten up re-enforcements. The German onslaught carried them a few yards insldo our line, but they were repulsed with considerable losses and we maintained our linos Intact. The Germans had been ordered to retake Fismes, orders which of course, were not carried out. Some of their snipers, under cover of darkness, got across the Vesle into the outskirts of the town, but they were exterminated by our men. The enemy kept up a harassing ar tillery flro all day, which continued Monday night. Considerable gas was sent over. German aerial activity continues marked. With an apparently limitless supply of planes they for the time have air superiority over the Americans on the Vesle front. Matt for Dead Hero Solemn requiem high mass was 'cele brated this morning at the Church of the Transfiguration, Fifty-fifth street and Cedar avenue, for Private Stephen Ryan, 624 South Fifty-seventh street. Whose death In Prance was reported a few days ago. Father McGettlgan, rec tor of the church, was the celebrant. m Washington Bar Harbor Express Withdrawn after August 17 The Washington-Bar Hsrbor. Ex press.' Through Train to New Ens land via the Hell Oat Bridge, carry ing sleeping carsto Portland, Rock land and ,Jlar Harbor. Me., and Bretton Vods. N. II.. will be dls. continued.' last trip leaving Washing, ton. Baltimore and Philadelphia Saturday. August 17: last trip front Bar Harbor. Portland.etc..Auust 10, Through Train BerylM from Grand Central Terminal. New Tork City, via thi New York. New Haven and Hartford. Railroad, in connection with the Boston and Valae, Railroad and MalneJCentral Railroad, will be continued. Pennsylvania R. R. ?V'f? EIITOPI? tfTPlT.f2fII'7 .1 FIERCE STRUGGLE A M Germans Make " Obstinate fj Stand in Woods" With J Machine Guns - M BRIDGES ARE DESTROYED J. Foe's Resistance Stiffening, but Allies Are Gradually Improving Positions By HENRY W. NEVINSON Special Cable to Evening Public Ledger Copvrioht. ills, bv Jteto York Times Co. With tho British. Armies, Aug. 14. I again made a'long Journey through' Amiens, down tho straight road that leads- to Roye, though ono still has to stop Eomo miles short of the town becauso tho enemv holds the rldra and the wood commanding it. ,'j It appears to me that for dlgtln,o tlon tho recent push of four days " " should bo called the battle of Boy ' Road, for, although the southern . boundary of tho Fourth Army's action had been in tho neighborhood of that road, yet tho co-operation of tha French beyond, and s far as Mont dldier, makes the road a kind of' cen tral radius to tho great arc from Der- , nancourt, on tho Ancre, southward. When I passed over It the road wa' quieter, and for the last few miles, from about Quesnel onward, it was almost ominously deserted. Tho -solitude warned ono that the enemy's re sistance was hardening and that his artillery or machine guns commanded tho main approach. This warning was soon Justified. A series of overgrown trenches crosses tho road, marking the Allied lines after the battle of the Sommi, Standing in old No Man's Land, some distance in front of last year's trenches and about four miles from Rovet, ono could understand tho situ, atlon fairly well. Close at hand upon the eft or north of tho road were some small woods that conceal tha villages of Parvillers and Damery; and that the enemy still occupied both was evident from an occasional sput ter of machine-gun flro in. our djreje tlon. almost omnlously deserted. ,Tho soil tack fiom Parvillers toward Lesquo noy, which lies barely a mllo west of it, but, as a soldier coming out from the line remarked to me, "Ho wasn't no good against our barrage." ' nKATHS COCKIIOFT. AUB. in. MAIITHA, widow of William t'ockroft. formerly of 38H0 Mana vunk nve. Relatives and friends Invited to funeral services Frl., 10 o'clock: a. m.. 1630 Falrmount ave. Remains may be viewed Thura eve., 7:80 to 0:30. Int. private, SMYTH At renldence. 216 S. 20th t.. Ave. 13. WILLIAM J. SMYTH. Notice of funeral later. IlKf.P WANTED FKMAT.B , OIULS Strong and able-bodied for general factory work. . - ' s "" ELECTRIC SERVICE SUPPLIES CO." ITttl and Cambria Sta. ", -at..- ncrc.ii.xi.- ' . ', IIF.T.r WANTED 'MAT.I. DRAFTSMEN WANTED , Mechanical, architectural, and tracers. Call or apply by latter, statin? ave, experl ' enca and salary desired. National Aniline On , Marcus HooVr. Pa. DRIVERS, for single teams. Cattls Pros., 1708 N. Howard nt. Apply nearest United States Employment Office, llrlns this ad with vou. STENOGRAPHER wanted, about 18 years of nen. for executive office of larcre steel cop rorstlon; splendid opportunity for rlitht party. ivaaress. in uwn .laiiuwriiiuv. u 1 ,ca. ger Central --' ROOKKEHPER Experienced, mlddle-sced man. with some knowledge of lumber huslnees wanted Immediately. M 1246. Ledger central. FINISHERS AND HELPERS on ornamental Iron, i-iumpnries c vjo.. rroni ana -ms- cuium sts. Shop entrance Indiana ave, rarest u. o. jsmpioyme iflce Bring this aa with you BUSINESS OPTORTUNITIES HOSIERY TLANT COMPLETE HOSIERY PLANT FOR 8 AUB OWNER ENTERING THE SERVICE GOINO PLANT DOINO GOVERNMENT i WORK F 724. LEDGER OFFICE I J TO BE SOLD BYTfIB ALIEN PROPERTY JU B1UUIAW Cocoa Beans Notice is hereby given" that the undersigned,' A. Mitchell Palmer, as alien 'property cus todian,. on the twentieth dayf August, 1918, at 10 o'clock a. m., at the warehouse of F. -A. Page & Co., Inc., 166 Perry' street, New York city, -N. .Y., will offer for sale at public sale i1 to t"he highest bidder all orluiy part as shall be determined W tne saie ox ij-uu uujjh vi toco "':,; cated at the said warehouse of $ - . T. P -. V XV w v. A. rage a, ju inc., new .?y - .. rvi York city. A. MITCHELL PALMER, Alien Property Custodian, Hi For further information con cerning terms and condition! OI W auuye bhio apply m Horace 0. Kilbourn, Boom" 518, i 110 West 42d street, New Ybvkt city,- -Joseph F. Gulfy,vaki manager,', alien pfopw-tyufts V 3.1 A I - ii m l h V? sv .4 4 f( '. '1 . ,31 si a" ! " - iei . . . r ya"T: ,i.Aijr v n-, m$ WP "V iWPnaqijmeTyfyn"" ' ' '' '' ' & flR