NIGHT EXTRA-.-Business Heart 'of Thompsortown Wiped Oat by frre-'-NIGHT EXTRA
HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH M
Sty Star-Independent • •!, 9 . j- >
LXXXVII— No. 76 16 PAGES
YANKEES TAKE THEIR PLACE IN
LINE THAT IS STOPPING HUNS
British Launch First of Their
TEUTON LOSSES
REACH 400,000
WITHIN 5 DAYS
German Advance Held Up Everywhere During Night,
Says French Official Statement; in North Enemy Has
Been Definitely Checked; in South Teutons Have Been
Unable to Push West of Roye and Noyon
GERMANS REPULSED IN LOCAL ATTACKS
FROM ALBERT TO THE SOMME RIVER
Enemy Unable to Make Gains West of Noyon; on This
Front Americans Are Assisting British and French to
Drive Back German Assaults; French Hold Strong
Positions Along the Oise
By Associated Press
London, March 27.—The zone of open warfare is continuing
to enlarge as the entente forces fall back fighting under the enor
mous weight of the German numbers, says Reuter's correspondent
at British headquarters in his dispatch to-day.
It is now clearly established, he adds, that the present offensive
is the great main effort of the Germans and that it has not been
as successful as they anticipated, the enemy being a long way be
hind his time table and having failed to break through and begin
rolling up tactics.
The Germans are now pushing against the British line with
the full pressure of their masses. They have thrown in their
reserve more rapidly than they intended, it is declared, and are
therefore wearing themselves down although they are naturally
tiring the defense in process.
The general feeling, the correspondent reports, is that the days
of trench warfare are definitely past.
Germany's supreme effort to break the allied front in the west
apparently is no nearer accomplishment to-day than it was on
the day the great drive started, and she is estimated to have lost
400,000 men in the futile effort during less than a week's fighting.
Forces Massed For Drive
She has not given up the attempt, however, the advices from
the front indicating her forces are massed for a drive in the region
of Roye and Noyon in an effort to break through there as a pre
liminary to a rolling up process either to the north or to the south.
As'against the chances of her accomplishing this purpose may
be counted the factor of forewarning for the allies. There seems
no doubt now as to where the heaviest hammer stroke is to fall
and the opportunity is offered of disposing the vast allied reserve
forces to meet it —an opportunity lacking in the earlier stages of
the drive. .
The entente line as it now runs, with British, France and
Americans standing together presents an unknown front through
out the battle area. There has been a slowing down in the Ger
man pressure north of the Somme, except possibly in the vicinity
of Albert, where the British are holding doggedly. In the Noyon
region and along the line of the Oise "to the jeast the French,'by
their valient defense, have likewise compelled the Teutons, weak
ened by their ceaseless efforts and heavy losses, to relax the force
of their pressure.
Success Not Decisive One
Meanwhile it is clear that the Germans themselves are being
compelled to admit that their success in driving back the Entente
lines for such great distances on so wide a front is by no means
decisive one. "Nobody can foresee what will result from it,"
General Von Ludendorff declares in an interview in alluding to
the victory he claims.
Positions in East Not Secure
Concurrently the Germans apparently are finding their position
in the cast, where they were supposed to have insured peace with
Russia and the Ukraine none too secure. Odessa, the Black sea
port upon which they relied to insure them the shipment of
sorely needed grain from the Ukraine byway of the Danube, has
been recaptured by Bolshevik and Ukrainian troops, the Russian
semi-official news agency reports- Tlisi follows shortly upon the
news of the recent recapture of two other Black sea ports, Kher
son and Nikolayev, by the Bolsheviki.
It was upon Odessa that Germany also was reported as relying
as a key point on the "direct route to the East" she boasted of
having secured in her scheme of penetration into the Orient. Ger
many is reported to have left control of affairs in Ukraine largely
in the hands of the Austrians while she was engaged in her great
effort on the western front, and apparently thev arc making none
too good a job of it.
Having regained nearly all the devastated Sommc region in
their offensive the German armies now find themselves before
an allied defense which grows stronger each hour. In the north
the enemy has been definitely checked and in the south where his
1 -'-"nUnucd on Page R.) • ,
SIKGLIi: COPY,
5! CENTS
FIRE DESTROYS
75 AUTOMOBILES
IN CITY GARAGE
Spectacular Blaze in Early
Morning Guts Big Build
ing in Walnut Street
LOSS PLACED AT SIOO,OOO
Structure a Seething Mass of
Flames Few Minutes
After Discovered
Fire this morning gutted the en
tire second floor of the City Garage,
extending from Walnut street to
Strawberry, in River street. The loss
is estimated at more than SIOO,OOO.
Seventy-live Automobiles
The blaze started on the second
floor of the building near the Wal
nut street entrance. The origin is
not known.
C. K. Wolfe is the owner of the
City Garage. His losses were partly
covered by insurance, but about lif
teen Buiek cars owned by George B.
Zech, local agent, were destroyed,
Mr. Zech stating that he has no in
surance on the cars.
Seething Mass of Flames
The fire was discovered shortly
after 5 o'clock. It spread rapidly and
a general alarm - was sounded. At
5.30 the entire floor was a seething
mass of flames. It was only the
fact that the floor was concrete and
that prompt and efficient work was
done by the firemen, that saved the
building and those nearby. While all
the cars f>n the second floor, about
seventy-five in number, were burned,
sixty on the first floor were saved.
Paul Guyer, a fireman with the
Royal Fire Company, was overcome
by the oil smoke, but he was rescued
without further injury.
The building is held by the Com
monwealth Trust Company for the
Valley Railways Company, which
plans to convert the site into a ter
minal in the future. It adjoins the
llarrisburg Public Library, where
thousands of books wej-e stored. On
the opposite side of Walnut street is
the old historic Fager school build
ing. Both the school biulding and
the Public Library have large Red
Cross stores to be shipped to the
soldiers.
The Remington Typewriter Com
pany's district offices were on the
first floor of the building at the Wal
nut street entrance. A large number
of typewriters were in cases, C. C.
Merrill, district manager, states, but
these were not damaged, save by
water.
Watchman Discovers Blaze
The fire was discovered by James
Rogers, the night watchman at the
[Continued on Page 16.]
THIEVES SCATTER
GEMS ON FLOOR IN
JEWEL ROBBERY
Pass Valuable Diamonds to
Pilfer Rings From Show
Jewelry valued at close to $3,000
was taken from the display window
of the store of P. H. Kaplan at 206
Market street last. nighf. The
thieves took forty-three rings, rang
ing in value from $8 to S9O; two
scarf pins and a lavallere valued at
s£so from the display window, con
taining several thousands of dollars
worth of other jewelry. They over
looked a Howard watch bearing a
price-tag of $350.
Entrance was gained through a
v-indow on the second floor opening
on a balcony overlooking the store
room. A hole was broken in tho
window, through which the thieved
reached and turned the latch, police
say. Tlio thieves, it is said, made
their way to the display window
past the jewelry cases in the store,
containing much jewelry, without
touching the contents of the un
locked cases. The drawer of the cash
register, which was unlatched, was
pulled open a foot and the contents,
consisting of more than 20, were
undisturbed. Several valuable dia
mond rings were scattered on the
llocr.
There are footmarks on the win
dow in the rear. The window opens
on a very narrow alleyway between
two buildings. In the alley a ladder
is always standing. This was ap
parently undisturbed. Access to the
window could bo gained from a small
rt of above it, off of which roof a
window opens Into 'he third floor
of the building.
The loss Is only partly covered by
insurance. Detectives Murnnno and
Shulor are working on tho case, and
Chief Wetfcel gave the case his per
si mil attention this morning.
HARRISBURG, PA.,
ODESSA RETAKEN
i BY SLAV TROOPS;
NAVY TAKES PART
Kiev Bankers Refuse to Float |
Loan Requested by
Germans
| KAISER'S GRIP WEAKENS
Important Seaport Slips From
Grasp of Teutons in
Fierce Conflict
By Associated Press
London, March 27. —Odessa has j
been recaptured by tho Soviet and ■
■ Ukrainian troops after a bloody]
: battle in which naval forces took!
part, says a Moscow dispatch from
the semi-oftlcial Russian News
Agency.
The German war office on March
13 announced that Odessa had been
entered by German troops.
Odessa is the most important sea
port of Southern Russia and the
fourth city of Russia in size.
Press reports say that when the
Germans captured Odessa they
seized two worships and large sup
plies of artillery, ammunition and
arms. In the shipyard as Nikolayev.
according to these reports, the Ger
mans took possesion of many ships,
including uncompleted dreadnaughti
[Continued on Page I.]
Pershing Has Nothing
to Report on Action
of Troops in France
By Associated Press
Washington, March 27.—General
Pershing cabled'the War Department
early to-day he had "nothing to re
port" so far as the American troops
were concerned in the progress of
the battle on the western front.
It was said at the War Department
that the dispatch received from Gen
eral Bliss in Paris last night and
vhlch was sunposed to contaiit some
information on the battle was con
cerned entirely with the routine of
the American participants in the
inter-Allied war council.
JI'DGB M'CAKHKIiI, IMPROVES
Judge S. J. M. McCarrell. who has
been 111 at his home, 121 Locust
street, suffering from a severe cold.
Is Improving, it was said to-day.
SCORES SEEKING
CITY'S PLOTS FOR
WAR GARDENING
Chamber of Commerce Be
gins • Allotment of Space
Window
This was a big, consequential day
for 1-larrlsburg—War Garden Day. At
an early hour Superintendent Shir
ley Watts was on the job at the
Chamber of Comemrce offices in the-
Dauphin building to receive appli
cations, which came in at a lively
rate when the news spread that the
throttle had been pulled wide open
In the war garden engine, the reli
able machine which will eventually
plow through Germany. At the
Dr. Muck Spends Day
in Jail While Officials
Host on, March 27.—Dr. Karl Muck,
the Boston Symphony Orchestra, con
ductor, now in federal custody as an
enemy alien, spent to-day in the
ICast Cambridge Jail, while agents of
the Department of Justice examined
number of letters and documents
seized at his home here. Officials in
charge of the investigation stated
that the activities of a close friend
of the orchestra conductor were be
ing investigated and that another ar
rest might follow.
Dr. Muck made no effort, so far as
was known.'to appeal against his de
tention, on the ground that he was
a citizen of Switzerland, but friends
declared counsel had been engaged
to protect his interests. Hans Sul
;:cr, Swiss Minister to the United
States, declared at New York last
night that If any representation in
Dr. Muck's case were made to the
legation he would proceed as in the
case of any Swiss citizen.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 27, 1918,
For Raising Foodstuffs
[Continued on Page 16.]
Examine Private Papers
THOMPSONTOWN
BUSINESS HEART
IS WIPED OUT
Fire Destroys Dwellings and
Stores in Early Morn
ing
LOSS IS PLACED lIIGHj
Several Women Flee From
Flames in Their Night
Clothing
The entire business district
central part of Thompson
town, a village of several hun
dred inhabitants in Juniata J
county, about 40 miles west of
the city, was destroyed by fire
early to-day.
Telephone lines into the town
were destroyed by fire and defi
nite information as to the losses
is lacking. It is known, however,
that four dwellings, two general
stores, a drugstore, music store,
and half a dozen or more barns
and outbuildings were wiped
[Continued ou Page 10.]
Harrisburg Man Is
Reported Killed in
Monocacy Explosion
By Associated Press
Heading, Pa., March 27.—Bert
Martinson of Harrisburg, was killed,
Ralph Lobach, of Monocacy, was
fatally injured and three other men
were injured, one seriously, by the
premature explosion of a heavy
charge of dynamite in a drilling at
the Birdsboro Stone Company's
quarry at Monocacy to-day. The
dynamite exploded without an elec-'
trie connection while another drill
hole nearby was being charged with
the explosive. The man badly in
jured is Dominic Pensel, an Italian.
First reports were that four men
had been killed.
While the name Martinson could
not be found in the city directory,
friends of Fred G. Martienssen, 2024
Derry street, are anxiously awaiting
more definite information from
Reading, as it is believed lie Is the
person who was killed in the ecci
i dent. Mrs. Martienssen was in Read
ing to-day, it was said.
AMERICA VIEWS
BIG DRIVE WITH
ALL CONFIDENCE
Turning Point Close at Hand!
in Great Struggle Is Belief |
at Washington '
Washington, March 27.—Belief that
the turning-roint of the battle in
France is near at hand pervaded
Washington to-day and American
military observers who are closely
> following developments in the ter
rific struggle centered their attention
on the front held by the French in
r.nticipatlon of a powerful counter
thrust.
Hints in the British press that I
some change in the situation may be
expected goon have strengthened the
view here that the steady British
withdrawal is part of a definite bat
tle plan, the ultimate object of
which is the launching of a great l
counter-offensive. The most prob
t able place for such a movement, it
! is believed, is from the flunking po
rition the French held last night
clong the left bank of the Oise
liver.
War Department officials to-day
r.wa|ted confirmation from General
Pershing of British official state
ments that American troops were
fgliting side by side with the French
and British. Nothing to show Amer
ican participation reached the War
Department last night and General
Pershing's reports offered only de
tails of fighting in the region of
Nesle and Npyon, previously reported
ir. dispatches to tho Associated
Press.
FAVORS WAR AGAINST TURKFY
London, March 27.—There Is a !
strong movement in progress In the
Caucasus for a declaration of war'
against Turkey, says an Exchange j
Telegraph dispatch from Moscow, '
dated Saturday. Reading members,
of the Caucasus Diet are quoted as
declaring the nationalists will never'
agree to the passing of Caucasian I
districts into the hands of the Turks,
HUNS PREPARE
TO MEET GREAT
ALLIED BLOW
Press Prepares People For
Reverses When Entente
Strikes Hard
jUAIG TWICE IN DANGER
British, Troops Pass Through
Two Crises in Big
Battle
HUNS REALLY PLAN
TO BOMBARD LONDON
l.ondon, March 27.—Lieuten
ant General Von Rohc, a German
authority on ordnance, says in
the Vosslsche Zeitung of Berlin
that the bombardment of Paris Is
merely in the nature of a trial for
guns which are really intended to
bombard London, says an Ex
change Telegraph dispatch from
Copenhagen.
London Is about 125 miles from
nearest point on the front.
By Associated Press
London, March 27
The British delivered a
counterattack to-day
between the angle of
the Ancre and the Som
me, and recaptured
Morlancourt and Chip
illy, the war office an
nounced this evening.
Washington, March 2 7.—Official
French dispatches received here to
day say the newspapers In Germany
are preparing the people for a
Franco-British offensive, forecasting
the entry of a powerful army of re
serves.
By Associated Press
l.ondon, March 27.—There have
been two critical moments thus far
in the battle raging in France, Ma
jor General Frederick B. Maurice,
chief director of military operations
at the War Office, said in an inter
view to-day with the Associated
Press.
"The first was on Saturday when
the enemy got across the Tortille
river and nearly reached the line on
the Somme," General Maurice de
clared. "The second was on Monday
when he took Councelette and a sim
ilar danger of breach was present."
Bolsheviki to Transfer
Ex-Czar to Ural Region
[ l.omlon. March 27.—The Bolsheviki
government has decided to transfer
i Nicholas Romanoff, the former Em
j peior, and his family from Tobolsk
to the Ural region, says an announce
ment in Petrograd newspapers trans
mitted in a Reuter dispatch. It was
decided to take this action in view
of the possibility of complications in
the Fur East.
After his abdication last March the
former Emperor and his family were
imprisoned Pt Tsarkoe-Selo. J,ast
August they were taken to Tobolsk,
Siberia.
Wilson Summons War
Council to White House
Wuxhlngton, March 27.—President
Wilson summoned most of the ex
ecutive officials who are members of
the War Council to the White House
Tor a conrerenc,. at 2.30 o'clock this
afternoon,
Among those called were Secretary
McAdoo, Food Administrator Hoover,
I<uel Administrator Garfield, Chair
man Hurley, of the Shipping Board;
Secretary Daniels, Chairman Baruch!
of the War Industries , Board, and
Chairman MeCormick, of the War
Trade Board.
THE WEATHER
►'or llnrriaburx and vletnltyi Fair
to-night and Thursday; not
much chanter In trmprraturr,
lowest to-night about 30 de
crees.
This is the
Last Week
That $4.14=55
£2TBuy Your War-!
Stamps at Once
: ; !'ONLt UVICMftU ASSOtJIA I'UIJ |-|tb.SS
NKWSIPA I*loll IN HAIt It I SHU HG
! LATE NEWS £
5
|j • FRENCH WITHOUT BREAD * J
"*• ington—Shortage cf wheat in France i .is he- * f
T
4, i us that the .bread ration of the Fr< „
1J advices *■ jj
•j* The food administration is ei *
A* h abroad. J |
| ONLY ONE AIRPLANE SHIPPED •
4* <
T SI
I
4*
J* terc -h v *®r
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XROTZKY PLANS NEW ARMY T
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X 1 *
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4 MARKET CLOSING IRREGULAR J J
X 1 1
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I *
H *
4 rHS FOR FLYING HUN FLAG *
X 1
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f *
£ V cut . .
X 9
¥ " I
" ! HOG ISLAND COST $35,000,000 •
* the governmen ,
€ , ' .'pyard at Hog Island, Pa., vhef if
F., I •
' * ed.ateel ships are to be built under the agency
k n will be between $35,000,000 and J *
nerce Committee was told to-day b; John
ft
4 an, of Providence, R. 1., an expert naval archi
c 4
T here to testify by the contractors. *V
4* • NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDED '
<A Wa Negotiations for the transfer o£ 150,* :
4 * *
- tons to the United Statehave *
j
sis of two tons of ;• , •
4 1
| J FORTY-FOURTH AVIATOR KILLED '
< * !
55 lis plane crashed to earth at Everman
•; STEEL CORPORATION GRANTS INCREASE J
j* Nc ■ York—The United States Steel Corporation to "
' % I
e at ' manufacturing plants, effective April 15. ,
! IJQNOVAN BURIED WITH HON* [
* * Nev/Yorf?—With military honors and wearing a uni- |
form of the Grand Army of the Republic, Prof "Mike" X
J - Donovan, once boxing instructor of Theodore Roosevc! 1 A
f * White House, was buried at West Chester to-da T
' • after funeral services Here.
J STRIKE TIES UP KANSAS CITY. $
* Kansas City, Mo.—Kansas City, to-day was in the fl
MP
of a general strike, begun at 8 o'clock this mom-
* * . labor leaders declared it would res *
a tieup' of all industry by to-morrow night, reports indi- i
lj | cated that so far only several hundred union men includ- t
jj jj lr.g bi ewers, <bar tinders, barbers, some cooks and waiters Jj *
** uibers cf certain building trades unions had quit 4
work. > • * *
* * COL ROOSEVELT LEAVES FOR PORTLAND ♦
| New York—Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, accom- , k
J * panied by Mrs. Roosevelt left here to-day for Portland * '
*G* • , ♦
jH Maine, vh'cie he i„ to deliver a speech to-xn no\ night ♦ *
a at the Republican State convention. ,
jt MARRIAGE LICENSES
t £?.'"•. 's;v:r.iv ass t ssssrwusa; ?
(JitT C ' S " ,,k ' WftHikjftkifl, and Vivian T. Wallace, Sfclrratnaa-
NIGHT EXTRA