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Denies Damage Done By Legion Gharleaton.?Frank P. Morton, manager of the Francis Marion Bote) ?aid today reports reaching him con' earning damage done the hotel during the American legion convention here are false. Humors have been spread throughout the city, he said, tliat the e*'?efvice men had adopted Argonne tactics during their visit. "I feel that in justice to the Legion I should explain that there was practically no damage done," Mr. Mortov said. "'I*hero was no more minor breakage than would result from having any crowd of similar size quartered in the hotel. Any number of persons have asked me the extent of the damage as a result cf the widespread rumors concerning mattresses ripped, pillows demolished and general huvoe wrought. There is no foundation for these rumors. "Both the local posts co-opera tel with us in every way and I consider it only their due, and that of u the department, that the stories be ' -^nrfected." A Shanghai dispatch of Wednesday said that vast areas of central China were under water, hundreds, perhaps thousands were dead and that prices of foodstuffs had soared 30 per cent in many cities, as the result of the worst flood in sixty years. Accurate estimates of the dead could not be attempted because of disrupted communication lines. Yangtae river at Hankow, the Associated Press reported, was higher than it had ever been before in the history of modern records. There appears to be an outbreak of infantile paralysis in Greater NewYork the past week or two, a total of 517 cases being reported to the health department up to Tuesday. Asps ri n llllllllllllllllilllllllllilillllllfl^ _BEWARE OF IMITATIONS Q22QS L.OOK for the name Bayer and the word genuine on the package as pictured a^ove when you buy Aspirin. Then you'll know that you are getting the genuine Bayer product that thousands of physicians prescribe. Bayer Aspirin is SAFE, as millions of users have proved. It does not depress the heart. No hamiful after -effects follow its use. Bayer Aspirin is the universal antidote for pains of ail kinds. Headaches Neuritis Colds Neuralgia Sore Throat Lumbago Rheumatism Toothache Genuine Bayer Aspirin is sold at all druggists in boxes of 12 and in bottles of 24 and 100. * Asptnn is the trade-mark ol liayer manufacture of monoaceticacidester of salicylicacid. WOMEN: watch*your BO.WELS What should women do to keep their bowels moving freely? A doctor should know the answer. That is why pure Syrup Pepsin is so good for women. It just suits their delicate onjanism. It is the prescription of an old xamily doctor who has treated thousands of women patients, and who made a special study of bowel troubles. It is fine for children, too. They love its taste. Let them have it every time their tongues are coated or their skin is sallow. Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin is made from fresh laxative herbs, pure pepein and other harmless ingredients. When you've a sick headache, can't eat, are bilious or sluggish; and st the times when you are most apt to be constipated, take a little of this famous prescription fall drug stores keep H ready in big bottles), and you'D know why Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin b the favorite laxative of ever a mBhow women! Dm. w. B. CAtawial V SYRUP PEPSIN A Docterlt Family Laxative My, Experiences . the World War My General Jobs J. Pershing .f IHI.b?M??wn<MW ?*> NsAlawtw ^ . v M ? H Mwsi?n Aflha?. WwU #a iswid. IwMbi Uc K ?' . % Iwildrtii Iimi *?!? h> wbhUotpxt ptnhhxi J *' 1 l?????? ?nWWSgsa?? CHAPTER XXXIV Now that ilie supreme effort must be made on our part and when unit* were sorely needed for Immediate active service it wiim found, mulch to my surprise, that, although the division* then coming to France had been under training for six months or even more, t hey mi 111 contained a large percentage of untrained men. Ah already pointed out, the general staff. when called upon to provide men for Hpeclal services, had relied upon taking them from Combat divisions Inuiead of anticipating such requirement* and uegregatlng theue apeclallata from the utart and training them an Hueh. Thl* wan a most vicious application In time of war of a very objectionable practice that had grown up tn our army In time of peace. It apimars that during the preparation of our armies In the World war no other plan was followed and the practice was carded to such an extent that divisions with, say, 25,000 men, which should have been held Intact and each one perfected as an organized team, were constantly called upon to send large groups of their trained soldles to other duties. ?? Inspects Available Divisions. In view of their possible early employment I wanted especially to look Into the general state of efficient^ of our available divisions and give some personal Instructions about training. Going the rounds, I met General Illrschauer, who was one of the able French generals, and found him very enthusiastic about the Second, which had been In line at Sommedleu under his commnnd. confirming my own opinion formed from observation and reports. He said that without doubt it was then as efficient as any of his French divisions. The First was further advanced than any of the others and its morale was high at the prospect of going Into the battle lineRecent developments bud brought the question of the employment of American troops Into Immediate consideration. The President's qualified approval of the recommendation of the supreme war council, as embodied In Joint note No. 18, was seized upon by the allies and construed as a concession for the unlimited absorption of our troops In their armies. No doubt my offer to General Foch lent encouragement to the allied view. On the day of Secretary Baker's departure General Wblghara and General Hutchinson came over from the British war office to discuss arrangements for transportation of American troops In accordance with the provisions of Joint note No. 18. The conversation Indicated that the British understood we were to send 00,000 men per month to train with them and that they were bringing over the same number, making a total of 120,000 per month, beginning with April. They held that the approval of note No. 18 had superseded agreements nravlously made. Ineluding the six-division plan. Baker Speaks Plainly. The British referees entirely Ignored the specific condition that the final arrangements as te training and disposition of all our units were to be left In my hands. Their error was pointed out and Mr. Baker then said: "What Is pertinent to the present discussion If that American troops are going to tne ariusn ror inumugr i don't want th British public or army or the French public or array to get an exaggerated idea that this scheme provides or will provide a means by which their losses will be made up In the future. I "I want no fooling <>f disillusionment when (General Pershing calls for the troops Intrusted to them for training." Mr. Baker's visit to our armies during tills critical period was fortuitous, as the problems that confronted us could then be seen In their true perspective. lie had an opportunity to meet the allied leaders, both civil'and military, and got In touch with conditions In the different countries. Of still greater importance, he saw with his own eyes the building of our organisation. He was a keen observer, with clear understanding and a logical mind, and obtained in a short time an accurate conception of our task and Its difficulties. As ta our relations, he gave me from the start Oat strong snd sympathetic support wjUch means so much to a military cpmmander In the Held. Feared British Wsre Lagging. Before Mr. Baker mailed for home I hat* sent him the letter quoted be tow. and. although wo tutor discussed Ith content* briefly, It I* given us show tug the reaction of at toast part of the British press at the time: "April ft. 1918.?- Dear Mr. Secretary: I noticed the other day that oho of the British papers, In referring to the fact that plans had been made to send American troop* to the assistanoe of the allies, stated that this would re lleve the British of the necessity of depleting the strength of the forces kept at home for defensive purposes, j "This suggests to my mind a certain political phase of the British situation which may give us additional explanation as to why Mr. Lloyd George and British representatives are s* urgent In their appeals for assistance from America. "Following this further, may I suggest that you give the matter serious thought? There is so very much at stake for us that It seems to tne very frank representations should be made to tho British government as to the urgency of their putting Into the army very possible man that can be mustered to meet the Immediate emergency. . . , "It may be that you would think It advisable to go to London, or else to Intimate to the President by cable the urgency of Great Britain's putting Into the ranks every possible man to wlthstund the present German onslaught,-even If they have to promise to withdraw them In six months, and of their doing so without waiting on us or counting on us In the slightest degree. There will be few enough ine.n even with the best we all can do. It will he time enough for Great Britain to consider the defense of Kngland after she bus put forth every possible energy on the continent. Here Is the place to boat Germany, and not on British soil. In writing this I have In mind what you told rue regarding available men In England." . t r -i CHAPTER XXXV On April 12. 1918, Washington reported a 140,000 Increaso In cargo tonnage by the use of Dutch ships. Infantry and machine-gun personnel of four divisions were promised for that month. The allies were at last thoroughly alive to the necessity of an extraordinary effort to provide tonnage for transporting our troops. After months of delay and discussion they realized fully that the superiority of forces vitally necessary to avert defeat must come from across the Atlantic. America had become their sole reliance, not only for the forces necessary to save them from defeat but for unlimited financial aid as well. Mr. Baker's first-hand knowledge of the situation In Frunce ennbled him to ijlve a fresh Impetus to the efforts of the War department. With Gen. Peyton C. March as chief of staff, the general jtaff and the supply departments began to exert more energy. The war industries;board, reorganizedunder the leadership o*B. M. BarucH, had taken definite control and direction of the nation's Industries with the sole aim of aiding us to'wln the war. In the face of the crisis, activity at home had at last replaced the apparent deliberation of our first year in the war. Our hope for an Improvement In methods and a more competent co-ordination of effort seemed about to be realized. First Division Moves Up. At Petaln's request the First division was withdrawn from the line near Toul and sent to Chaumont-en-Vexln, northwest of Paris, to go Into an ac-, tive sector. I visited the division April 10 to witness the division's final maneuver in open warfare before taking its place on the from. 11. th officers and men were In splendid condition, notwithstanding their long rail Journey, and all were ready for the test of actual battle. Oeneral Mlcheler, who commanded the French Fifth army, to which the Flrer had been assigned, came along to witness the maneuver, and spoke highly of the troops and their efficiency. The weather was clonr. but still rather sharp. The countryside was radiant with Its green meadows and early flowers, and one could not k help thinking how different would be those other flelds on which this unit would soon be engaged. Lack of Rogular Officers. It la a comparatively simple matter to, absorb partly trained recruits In veteran organisations, but it is an enormous and difficult tusk to create organisations entirely of new mate uitir officers in our organisation in Itui it MfNfT mikI lift*. The ( corp* IihiJ only 7 per <-oul ??f officers from iIih regular wrmy. Letts limn I p?r cwit of nil captains or the lino In the A. K. Y, m( thut time had been In the eervlce * year, nnd the thought of possible Immediate activity with ?uch Inexperienced lenders waa not ressvu ring. It vim a source of roul regret te me not to command the First division In person. and thla. coupled with the fact that Ha entry Into the buttle ( waa of considerable moment, ied me to apeak a word of confidence and encouragement. When the officers, about 900 In all. were aaaemhled In the grounds of the chateau occupied division headquarters they formed a rare group. These aplendld-tooktng men, hardened by the strenuous work of the fall and by two months in winter trenches, fairly radiated the spirit of courage und gave promise that Amerlea's effort would prove her sons the equals of their forefathers. The First division saw Its first major offensive some six weeks later, a brilliant counterattack at Cantlgny, in the Amiens sector Wanted the A. E. F. United. That afternoon I ?Mft*?N?d to Harcus to nee Oeneral Foch and sound hlru out regarding the prospects of uniting our divisions 1n a sector of our own. I told him that the secretary of war when In France had expressed an eurnest desire to hasten the formation of an American army and that this whs also the wish of the President. It was my opinion, I said, that early action would he of great Importance In stimulating the morale of our troops and of our people. Now that the First division was to go lato line the people at home would expect soon to hear that an American army was engaged on Its own front. I suggested the possibility that the corps might be assembled near the First division as a beginning. Oeneral Foch agreed in principle to the suggestion, hut was uncertain when the other divisions could be spared, which I, of course, fully appreciated. He pointed out that the enemy was very aggressive and referred to ttie severe attack against the British on the Lys between Lens and Ypres, which began on the 9th and was still in progress. But looking beyond, I Insisted that the Twenty-sixth and Forty-second divisions might be withdrawn at any time from quiet sectors, to he followed by the Second and the Thirty-second and also the Third a few days later. 1 pointed out thut this force of six divisions. Including the First, would equal twelve French divisions, and gave It as my opinion that it would be better to use this American group for active operations than to detain the units In quiet sectors and send French divisions to the battle front. My understanding after this discuso aiou vras very definite that the plan would soon be carried out, leaving the exact time and place to be determined. It was immaterial to me Just where it should occur, the point being to get It done. Hard Fighting on the Lye. The German offensive on the Lys was another formidable effort to break the British line. The attack was made to the north and south of Armentleres on a front of 24 miles by 27 German divisions. The exhausted British, though they fought with most ? COinmendahlft murage nnH *11111, were forced again to yield with heavy losses to themselves and the Portuguese, consisting of two divisions, who were with them. Several French divisions were hurried to the Lys front, but It was a #eek after the attack began before they were put Into the line. They then relieved British dlvtstons at the famous Kemmel hill, only to be sur1/riBuU HUU Utrirn i en Uicrnnci rtJo nykix ' 26, much to their chagrin. The battle was practically ended -by the last of the month, with a gain by the Ger- I mans of ten or eleven miles and the capture of Important territory from the British, but with failure to take Uazebrouck. CHAPTER XXXVI It was always stimulating to one's morale to visit the headquarters of the Canadians, where one soon caught the fine spirit of that superb body. I made such a visit in the spring of 191S und talked with their corps commander, Lieut. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie; his chief of stnfT, Major General Y\ eber; his chief of engineers. Major General Lindsay, and others and hqd tea with tliern. 1 tie alertness and confidence of these neighbors of ours and the excellent record they bad made am! were still making gave us ns much gratification as though they had been our own. I remember this visit with much pleasure and recall the prediction of the Canndihns that Americans would soon pl.t; sr. Important part In the war. General Currie deplored the fact that the British had so easily given up I'aschendaele ridge, which the year before he had heen told must be taken flt all costs and for which the Canadians made the treifieodous sacrifice of lft,000 casualties. Calls at British G. H. Q. At the invention of Sir Douglas Halg, British commander In chief. I went to the British genornl headquarters April *J0 to discuRs the training of our troops with the British and study operations In progress. NVe were always made welcome at British headquarters It so happen,>d Mint on the day ??f our ar.,val Lord Ihrby, win* I fad m-! beep relieved n minister ?r w.,r In |.,?S| Milner there en |:,rs ?? p.ri.,s| Wi ,MM*?<lor. During dinner tM <ou vt'lMrtllon run uiong freely. M though we were iKMitlwri of the official family. At length Lord Iand Wr Douglas drlftiH] to the subject of Britlull polltlHwn* l! would betray no conttdeuce to say titer iliere was considerable criticism (?f some who held prominent places. The coalition government came I* for Its share because of Its attitude to ward the military high command. 1 took advantage of the opportunity while on the British front to visit tlie Nordaque* area to Inspect the ltdvunce elements of the Seventy-seventh division, sue of the divisions selected for training with, the Hritlsh. We took luncheon with Hrig. Uen. Kvati M. Johnson, then temporarily In command, ami Ids atitlT officers. He praised the soldierly qualities of the .uen, but said they were very much t.ehind In their triiinlng. Makes Agrssment With Hslg. At Sir Doughix' headquarters he and I reached an understanding as to the training and adminlHtrutlon of ?ur troops that were to he temporarily with the British. In the first place, (hey were to he allocated by regiments to Hritlsh skeleton divisions under such u schedule as might be agreed upon. The training staffs of. Hritlsh divisions were to be St tht disposal of these regiments, especlalfy for Instruction In the use of the rifle and machine gun and the handling of gas. After that, and with the approval of their American division commander, the regiments were ' to be attached to a British division In line, so each of the three battalions of the regiment would have the opportunity to serve with one of the three brigades In each British division. These battalions were to be commanded by their own officers as a part of the British brigade, while the staff of the Americau regiment was to be attached to that of the brigade. In the next stage the American regiments, with their three battalions united under the regimental commander, were to act as a brigade In u British division. The final stage would find the four American regiments of each division united as such under Its own officers, the artillery being British until the arrival of Its own urtlllery brigade. "In carrying out this scheme the tendency at first was for British officers actually to assume command of our units in training. Our officers In most cases permitted this to be done until It was checked by my orders that "American units must be commanded In training by the officers and noncommissioned officers who are to command them In buttle," and that American troops would In all cases be commanded In battle only by Americans. Talks Shipping In London. Following a suggestion by Lord Mllner, I went to London April 22, 1918, to consider further the shipment of American troopers. At our first conference there were present Lord Mllner and Gen. Sir Henry Wilson, who had succeeded General Robertson as the chief of the general staff; Ilarbord and myself. The main point of difference that had developed In previous conferences as to Just how far the Americans should be committed to serve In active operations was again considered. I stated that the main thing was to get our units trained, and that while I was opposed to amalgamation, yet lf^durlng the period of instruction the units with which they were serving should be attacked or, if another great emergency should arise, of course, our men would go in. Naturally the British wanted unlimited Infantry and machine-gun units, but 1 would consider nothing further than a limited extension of the six-division plan. During the conference a cable from Lord Reading to the prime minister was brought forth, which stated that 4- rK??* ? -a a 4.1 ? I. _ gamation of Americans with the British. I had nothing official at hand later than the President's conditional approval of Joint uote No. 18 of the supreme war council as suggested by Secretary Baker, so I promptly said that It could not be possible that any such concession had been made and that the classes of our troops to be shipped" over and their disposition must be left to me. Agree on Troop Shipment!. As a result of these discussions we reached an agreement which provided for the shipment In May by British and American tonnage of the Infantry, machine gun, engineer nnd signal troops, together with the various unit headquarters, of six divisions for training with the British army. It was provided that any shipping In excess of the amount required for this number of troops should be utilized to transport the artillery of these dk, visions; also that such personnel as might be required to build up corps organizations should then follow, it being understood that the artillsry regiments would train with the French and Join their proper divisions when this was completed. To meet any emergency that might require an excess of infantry after the completion of this program, it wag agreed that all the American and British shipping available for the transportation of troopa was to he used under such arrangement as would Insure immediate aid to the allies, and thereafter aa far as poaalhle provide other units necessary to complete the organization of our divisions and corps. It was further agreed that the combatant troops mentioned in connection with May shipments should We followed by such services of Supply and other contingents as we ourselves might consider necessaVy, the Shipment of a largo number of these troops hould t>? lilted at 1 ?*Pt Oat th. Ml d?Mo .:? British w?Tf to trtncnor* trained wffb them. Washington M?kt, Co_ i Uf' ite?.ehing ' | ?-?M?Waro dated April ?J received, transmitting ? m ',M< W. d?t?.l April III. ?K?t Jll*"# direction of the lYenidont tT? leh amUHWi(|(.r at WMMl,|,llctot\ , W forinlty with lile approval of 18. In thta memorandum ? of 120.0(g) Infantry and unite per month for follr *^fl conceded, with the undurath?,ii,!? their assignment for training should he left to my discretion '^K It wfent^ on to Say that t|,? ij uH* States, until the silinmoj, had no Intention of d?i.arn? **Bl ^is full compliance with ti,e mediation of the |a?Fo?MhMIt representatives mm the nature J!Hi >cuse would permit, ^fl This was the tirst official infJHj Hon I had received tfiHt the adZ^t tret Ion bad agreed to send aay ij numbers of Infantry and miichlnH j units to France. Lord Reading's lnflutnCi This concession went further t^B It was necessary to go and tnuehfH ther than I had expected. pti|iJ '! the complications that might 3&i' from commitments so far In the fiS and the delay In forming an Ani&l: army that would follow. | dldj^B agree In later discussions nt thtfl! preme war council with all thnt I ' allies now felt justified in detuao^ I was opposed to the action <7*. supreme war council* In assumin|l power under auy circumstances toBl pose of American troops. it ?u?v' in any sense a prerogative of th|X: preme wur council. , r||i There can be little doubt th?t (H Heading received the distinct taXC' slon from President Wilson rWtW fantry and machine-gun units wfl be sent to Franco at the ratilg 120,000 men per month for flh months, beginning with April. B ; the President agreed to this "hi fl. | clple" Is practically certain. It B not be further emphasized that H i a concession, even though proqfl by the most generous Impulse, ?Bf only add to the difficulties of our^H of building up an army of our eiB It Is probable that Lord Redfl skilled advocate thut he was, dldqfl while ambassador at Wushingtoifl Influence the administration to (ifl allied requests than any other tfl (Continued next tzeek) The new liner Rex, the largest ifl yet built in an Italian, shipyard, fl launched at Genoa on Saturday, fl ship has ten decks, is 897 feet frfl with a 99-foot beam and will cartfl 1;550 passengers of all classes, ifl ship cost $>16,000,000 and is exptcfl to malce the run from Italian portfl New York in seven days. Clarence McArthur, 21, claims fl world record for parachute jumgfl before opening his chute. At Tamfl Fla., Sunday, he leaped from a pltfl at an altitude of 18,500 feet andfl claims to have deferred opening ifl 'chute until he had descended 'lJjH feet. |j: 1RORT. W. WTCBAlI Architect i Crocker BuildingM j Camden, S% C. ] Hazebro^^^^^^^^^^Vment^res ( J \ D^thun^b^^ ^Mons Ground Pained byGermanOffensive April y-26.1918 9 25 " SQMiiea EYES EXAMINED 1 and Glasses Fitted I THE HOFFER COMPANY! Jewelers and Optometrist! I >_y? . ... R. E. Chewning & Sod! General Contractors I and' Builders S Phone 386 Camden* 8* Estimates Furnished on Al Classes of Work 1 Floors Sanded on /ft DeKALB COUNCIL a Junior Order U. Afc;j wirir Regular council seooawj fourth Mondays of M month at 8 >.m.' VisitingJBwJ: are welcomed. A. W. HUMW'-II L. H. JONES. CofiljM Recording Secty. .. I., a lit ai i in i i NO-MO-KORg FOR CORNS AND CAtWflfl