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TffK si Mi l Ii WATCHMAN, KatalVI OoDsolidated Aur. a,1 LINE HELD MAGNIFICENTLY. BRITISH MAINTAIN DEFENSIVE WMtlWmt Ml THHOVGH At Only One Point Were They Forced to Fall Back He fort* Pressure of Ku pcrtor Numhrrn. London, March 30.?The British forces held the line magnificently throughout Friday, according to Reu tare' correspondent st British head? quarters. "At one point only," he aaye "where the Germans crossed the, rrver In force about Cerlsy, taking troops in the Proyurt,-Merlscourt nei? ghborhood In the rear, have we fallen back, but that retirement was gallantly done. This section of the Una then swung back to new positions tunning by Hamel and Lamotta." HIN ATTACK BR?K I DOWN. Attempt to Capture Demuln Defeated. London, March 30.?The Germans attacking yesterday at Demuln and Maslaras, pressed back the British from Master, the war office announces. Attempts to capture Demuln broke down, after sharp fighting, which last? ed throughout the afternoon. KM TENTE SITI ATION BETTER. German Advance* C hecked and Brit Kb Front Quiet, British Army Headquarters in Franca, March 30.?The situation to? day from the entente viewpoint re? ported was more satisfactory. Along the British aactlon of the battle front last night waa comparatively quiet. The British lines have be?n strengthened rapidly everywhere along the front. In the vicinity of Al? bert the Germans were today report? ed to be digging themselves in along a Una from Thiepval to Laboieelle. ? _ FRENCH RKSEHVES IN ACTION. Offermg Desperate Resistance to New German Attacks. Paria? March 30.?French troops, supported by reserves, are offering desperate resistance to powerful as sja^ltejof the enemy, the war of?ce, announces ' * ftnj battle which waa resumed with renewed violence during the night is progressing on a front of twenty-flvs miles, from Moreuil to beyond Lus elgny. ?IX TEEN GERMAN AIRPLANES DESTROYED. English Airmen Had a Successful Day. London. Friday, March 28.? Six? teen German airplanes were put out of action yesterday by the British. It la announced officially. FMH'R STOCK SEIZED. Food Administration Takes Over Stock of Klherton, Ga., Firm. Waahlngton. March 30 ?The) Food Admlnlatratlon announced today that It hsd arranged to take all the flour the Copeland Grocery Co., of Klhert? on, Ga , has in its warehouse, and distribute It among the dealers of At? lanta ttnd nearby places. COLI Mill A CANAL SIT T. Governor Signs Bill Empowering < om mission. Columbia, Murch If.?Gov. Man? ning yesterday sign ?d the act, passed at the recent session of the general assentbly, empowering the State ca? nal commission to continue its Inves? tigation Into the ownership of the Columbia canal. By the provisions of the net, the commission is empower? ed to summons hefore It such person oi persons us the commission may deem proper and to require such per Hi Of peeesjOSl to answer upon oath any and all questions they may deem H . nt to Uli Investigation. Power la also granted to require the produc? tion or any and g|j books, papers or other documents. In determining the v.hious rnnill ?tions of the canal pi operty. Thomas 11 Peaples, attorney gen? eral. Is chairman of the eommi**tot OllMSJ members are: Nells Christen aen. Keuufort. haiiunm of the nu? ance committee or the St itr senate Huk?t Smkler. Charleston, chairman of the senate Judu lary. committee, .f t laies. f?iiBjgafesjig. ohaliinan at the wsys ami m< oammlttee In the house, und J, W. Boyd, spartan burg, shalroaaa al Um hegnsj judiciary committee. A meeting of the louinilt tee was held vesterday, when routine m <??ers re'atlve to the continuation of Ihe investigatlOH wer?- eonsnbi.,1 Another meeting is to be held at an early data. tated April, mo. "Bo ?ort? 881. f IN THE BIB FIGHT. AMERICANS ON THE MARCH TO HEU? TERN TIRE OF IN? VASION. Washington Thrilled With the New* Tliat 1'nited States Troop* aro Now Actually on Their Way to Picnrdy. With the American Army in France, March 31.? (By the Associat? ed Press).?Great activity continued Sunday throughout tho zone where the American troops are quartered. I , began at 4 o'clock this morning when heavily loaded motor camions began rumbling through the streets and over the roads, which by noon were crowd? ed with camions, both motor and horse drawn, marching men, horses and artillery. As on Saturday some parties were | going in one direction, and some in another. The Americans passing were cheered hy others who stood along tho roads watching the virtually endles procession, some of which were miles long. Out on the open roads the men in the camions sang everything: from the battle hymn of the republic to the Tlpperary. They exhibited the great? est enthusiasm for the work they have In hand and seemed to be anxious to get it started. Frequently during the day heavy motor trucks skidded from the mud? dy roads Into ditches but they were quickly and literally picked up by as many Americans as could get a hand on them and set back on the road and started again toward their destina? tion. A little thing like lifting the end of a five ton motor truck from a ditch means nothing to the Americans who are anxious to get into the fight. The acceptance by France of Gen. Perahlng's offer of all American men and material for* the present emer? gency has in effect virtually resulted In a unified army command, so far as the French army and American forces are concerned. This is shown by the fact that the orders Issued to the American troops are of French origin. Great activity continued Sunday throughout the zone where the Ameri? can troops are quartered. L , t . - WnS%|a|0ISgi L: r..? Washington, March 31.?Washing? ton was thrilled today by the news that American soldiers actually are on their way to the fighting lines to take places beside their hard-pressed Brit? ish and French allies. The Americans previously referred In the official dispatch as being in the fighting are believed now to have been engineers or other auxiliary troops which probably were caught at their work, as they were a few months ago at Cambrai. MaJ. Gen. Mures, acting chief of staff, said tonight the war department had not been advised that Pershlng's lighting men were moving to places in the British-French line, but the news has been expected ever since the creation of a unified command under the Frer.ch chief of staff, Gen. Foch, and Gen. Pershtng's formal of? fer of all the available American re? sources. Too much may not be said about (he number of the American troops because of military reasons. It is no violation of the censorship, however, to say that probably 100,000 or more American fighting men fully equipped and ntenslvely trained in the school of actual battle conditions are avail? able at QOOi to be thrown into places to st-engthen the British and French lines wherever they threaten to buck e under the ferocity of the Ger? man onslaughts Kv^ry officer of the American gen? eral staff arid every member of Presi? dent Wilson's administration have been looking forward to the day when Amnlcan troops would actually take their places In the battle now raging Laster crowds on parade on Pennsyl? vania avenue about the White House grounds heard tin- news and gathered about newspaper bulletin boards where the Associated Press dispatches were posted and read the newspapers With be greatest enthusiasm. Waf department officials had no knowledge tonight of the measure taken by c.en Foch or his Instructions to Qen, IVrshiug. Until detailed re? ports seme from the American com? mander they will be nnable to ap? prise congress in their plans ertlich the situation In France mi) call for Tim Amerlcanlsatlon of ? large sec lion of Franco, of railways ef ports of debarkation and of ? portion of Ihe i buttle trout has been under way. The apparent German determination to bring the waf to an issue %\ once In d lea ted bj the terrible power already dlspl i ed in the German offensive, inn) upset all these plans The sneers with which American! od Fear not??et nU the ends Thon AM JUMTER, S. C... WEDN WM] STAKES EVERYTHING DESPERATE BPFOBT TO END TUE WAR IN SPRING CAMPAIGN. War Department Says Allies May Ex |KH-t Fi^esli Assaults at Other Pointe If Germans Fall on Somme. Washington. April 1.?Germany has staked her whoJe fortune on the spring campaign, says the war de? partment's weekly review ef the milt-! j tary situation, issued today, and the' Allies and the United States must be prepared for fresh attacks at new points, if the Teutons fall to achieve victory in the present fighting. Oesplte the successes gained by the Germans, says the review, "the enemy has been unable to force a decision," and so long as the Allies are able to mar.auver "with the consistent unity and flexibility which they have shown during the past week so long will [victory elude the enemy." The placing of American resources unreservedly at the disposal of the Allies Is noted and the statement an? nounced, "such of our troops as have received sufficient training will as? sume their share of the burden now so valiantly borne by the French and British armies." The review also points out that American troops are taking the places of others In parts of the line, thus re? lieving veteran French units for emergency service. FRENCH GAIN MUCH ?ROUND. Parle Annouuoe? Rxvapture of Ayen court and Monehel. -1 Paris, March 31.?On the southern battle front the French have recap? tured Ayencourt and Monehel and gained considerable ground in the region of Orvillora according to the official communication from the war office tonight. The text of the statement reads: "The Germans, exhausted by their sanguinary check of yesterday, made violent local attacks today only at certain points on the front. "North of Moreuil the enemy gain? ed no success except in the region of Ilangard-Kn-Hanterre, where alter stubborn fighting he succeeded In gaining a foothold in that village. "Between Moreuil and Lasslgny our troops, according to the latest infor? mation recaptured Ayencourt and Monehel last evening, taking about 100 prisoners and fourteen machine guns. Today in the course of spirited engagements they made a notable ad? vance in the region of Orvillers. . "On the Oise front enemy detach? ments, consisting of a battalion of storming troops, after having crossed the river near Chauny attempted to establish u. bridgehead on the left bank. In a vigorous counter-attack that battalion was completely anni? hilated or taken prisoner. The num? ber of unwounded Germans remain? ing in our hands exceed 100. "Our long range guns caught under their lire and destroyed an enemy train of heavy artillery In the region of Laon." PRESIDENT TO SPEAK. Will Enlist In New Liberty Loan Cam? paign. Washington, April 1.?President Wilson is considering enlisting to aid the new Liberty Loan campaign. He may go to Baltimore to make a speech Saturday, the day the campaign opens there. It Is considered certain that if President Wilson does speak he will take occasion to touch on the inter? national situation. Col. E. M. House, the president's advisor, has been at the While House during the last few days. His visits often before have preceded the president's declarations concerning foreign affairs. I troops greeted the news that they WSrs going Into the fighting in Picar dy were reechoed in the expressions and comments of officers here. Officials here are hopeful that the orders given American troops will set them In the offensive columns which Ihey believe (Jen. Koch Is organizing for this counter blow. They are con? fident that Hen. Fershing now has available s sufficient force of sea? soned veterans of trench life on the American sector tO render effective aid Ifl the counter attack. At the w.n department, meanwhile. officers are studying every angle of the transportation problem anew with a view tO expediting delivery In France ol additional American divis? ions. The) are preparing t?> short cut previous delays In every possible way. i Wt M be U17 UonnfTT**. Tkr God'l ai iSDAY. APRIL 3, 1918. BUTISH FORGED BACK. BIG HEAVY ATTACK NEAR DE? Ml IN GERMANS GAIN GROUND. At Last Reports They Wer? Moving Slowly Westward Along Lure River Beyond Morcuil. British Army Headquarters. France, April 1.?The Germans last evening made two attacks in quick succession against the British west of Albert, but on both occasions they were thrown back. At 2 o'clock yesterday the Germans made a heavy attack between Moreuil and Demuin, and after heavy fighting gradually forced their way forward until they penetrated the large forest northeast of Moreuil. A little later the Germans were reported to be en? tering Hangrade and moving west? ward along the Luce River. HCNS FORCES ACTIVE. Automobiles of German Staff Officers Been In Tool Sector Held by Americans. With the American Army in France, March 31 (By the Associat? ed Press).?Even more activity was observed behind the German lines op? posite the American front In the Toul sector today. An entire battalion was seen on the march this morning. In? fantry at other points was being shift? ed about while the cavalry was seen again. Numerous automobiles of members of the German staff made their appearance behind the lines. Throughout. Saturday night signal lights were flashing from Montsec. Three American patrols penetrated the enemy's line last night. One patrol went in until electrically charged barbed wire was encountered. Thte was cut. Enemy sniping posts took warning and opened fire on the Americans who were forced to retire No casualties were suffered. Another patrol inspected German front line trenches, but did not en? counter a single German. 'the American artillery has kept up a harassing fire on the Germans, ef j^i>vely Shilling work parties and still targets. The enemy gas shelled the American batteries today but without effect. SPOKE IN COLUMBIA. Dr. Newlands of Camp Jackson and S. U. Edmunds Bring Strong Message. The State, April 1. The battle cry of the campaign to be pressed in Columbia this week to raise $10,000 for the Young Men's Chritsian Association was sounded at the Columbia Theater yesterday after? noon when two addresses filled with patriotic fervor were delivered by Dr. William Newlands of Camp Jackso and S. H. Edmunds of Sumter. The canvass will begin with a banquet -of 1 workers at the Young Men's Chris- j tian Association this evening, when! the guest of honor will be Major Gen? eral Bailey, commander of the Eighty drst Division at Camp Jackson. Sev? eral soldiers are on the campaign committee und will assist in the can? vassing. Dr. Newlands emphasized that giv? ing had hardly begun in connection with the war work. The Y. M. C. A. was doing a magnificent work and the duties of the city and the camp asso datlons were closely correlated. The war was one for democracy and no greater agent in democratizing the world was the American army, where the millionaire and the most humble man stand shoulder to shoulder, all faiths and creeds, battling in common cause. Mr. Edmunds spoke eloquently of the righteous cause for which America entered the war. Those who were genuine patriots would support the association as a distinct branch of the army service. The call upon Columbia was more imperious than ever, as) thousands of young men from all; sections of the State are now at the [ Columbia cantonment. They who harbor disloyal senti? ment were bitterly scored by the speaker. The man who would prolong] the war would he a minderer. The guiding principle of the American people should he: "Loyalty to the country in which you live or live in I the country to which you are loyal." This was the judgment day of nations. It Was 0 war not only for sell' preset- I vatlon, but the Justification of ideals ( The situation in Russia is sum? med up In tii" brief statement thai 1 the Germans are getting the boot) ' ami the Russians the bum -Chicago 1 Herald. 1' Ml Tratte1* TUB TSUI THREATEN TO STRIKE. | UNION LABOR MEN REMAN. THAT INCREASE IN WAGES ASKED FOR BE GRANT? ED. I Auk ?2 Cents nn Hour?Mobs Meet? ing Held Under Auspices of the Carpenters* and .Joiners' Union. Norfolk, Va., March It.?At a mass meeting of union labor men here to? day, under the auspices of the Car? penters and Joiners' Union, an agree? ment was reached for a general walk? out at both the Hampton Roads naval base, Pig Point ordnance depot and the army depot base at Bush's Bluff unless the demands of the men, made last week for a raise in wages are granted. The men ask 62 1-2 cents an hour, on an eight hour day basis, time and a-half for over time, and double time on Sundays and holidays. They now receive 58 cents, on a nine hour day basis. The meeting was behind closed doors, with J. B. Oberman presiding, and the decision was announced to newspaper men at its close. It was de? clared that every union man at the two bases, where extensive rush work is underway on work essential to v/ar preparations, will go out. Union leaders asserted that between five and six thousand union men are employ? ed at the three bases, and that all will promptly quit work. Officials are in? clined to think that not more than half of the men employed are union members. The demand of the men was pre? sented last week to a federal war ac? tivities board here, of which Rear Admiral Harris is chairman. Admir? al Harris declared tonight the men had been told that the Washington authorities were considering their de? mands, and that as the work wag be? ing done by the contractors on a per? centage basis, that any increase In the scale had to be approved. He declar? ed that in his opinion the demand would be met. The men refused, he said, to delay action longer than Mon? day. v. ^-j-.-: ? Mf'KWNG AT <feWBGQ._m -; Patriotic Rally Held Last Friday Night. The patriotic meeting at Oswego last Friday night was not largely at? tended but those ladies and gentlemen who did take sufficient interest to go were intensely interested patriotic citizens who assured the speakers that Oswego section of Sumter county, men, women, boys and girls can be de. pended upon in the future, us in the past, to do their full duty towards helpihg to win the war. The Rev. J. W. Elkins, of Oswego, fourth vice president of the Sumter County Council of Defense, presided and introduced each of the four speakers In a happy and cordial man? ner, after welcoming the visitors in a short but appropriate and patriotic speech. Mr. P. G. Bowman, chairman of the Four Minute Men; Mrs. Nina M. Sol? omons, chairman of the Woman's County Council of Defense; Senator R. D. Epps, and Assistant County Food Administrator, E. I. Reardon were the speakers. Mr. W. D. McLeod, of Os? wego, member of the Sumter county Council of Defense, responded in be? half of his section and explained that weather conditions, some sickness in several families, and a misunderstand? ing as to the date of the meeting were the causes of no more Oswego people than there were being present. Each speaker seemed to be little af? fected by the small audince and thev enthusiastically appealed to their hearers for a continuance of Oswego's well known patriotism, and stressed the importance of community organ? ization among men, women, boys and girls until the victory for humnn lib? erty is won. Mrs. Solomons urged the ladles to connect themselves with the Woman's County Council of Defense, and invited Oswego section to send a large delegation to the next Woman's Council of Defense meeting In Sum? ter on the fourth Saturday in April. MONEY ABOVE LOYALTY. Union Oarpentcra Strike at Norftdk and Stop Army Work. Norfolk. April 1.?Union carpen :crs employed on government con? struction work at the army and naval buses, at Lamberts Point and Pig Point, Struck today for an increase in wages of lour ami a-half ccn*s an hour, it was announced, The strike trough I to a standstill important war work. BOUTHRO* ? MM ?na, VMk Vc /*.VI. No. 14. prizes. m f >T ^BOnO YOUTH GETS FIRST ^ PRIZE. I airfield County Boy Raises 157 Bush? els to /I-ere?York and Colleton Next. Columbia, March 31.?Bryan Wil lingham of Winnsboro was yesterday declared the winner of the first prise in the boys corn club contest in South Carolina. The Fairfield County boy produced Wst year 157.8 bushels of corn on oi s acre of ground. James W. Draffln, of Leslie, York county, wo second place, his yield being 119.5 bushels. Third place was taken by Hallum Smith of Smoak, Colleton county, who produced 1*4.1 bushels. Announcement of the winners in the contest has been somewhat delay? ed by the loss of certain records which necessitated the collection of dupli? cates. Prize winners in the pig club contest will be decided next week and a dinner for the prize winners in the two organ'-.tions will be given by L. I?, Baker, x. rector of the club work in South Car dina, within the imme? diate future. Young YVillingham produced his corn at ar. actual cost of 17.6 cents per bushel. His prizes will be a gold medal by Congressman A, F. Lever, and an International Harves? ter Compni y No. 4, six shovel, pivot axle, riding cultivator, valued at $70. Estimate d cost of Draffln's corn was 25.5 cents ;aer bushel. He will re? ceive a bee itiful gold watch, the gift of the Mix: an Seed Company of Char? leston. Smith's i om cost 35.6 cents per bushel. A chock for $25 will be the reward, th; ? bDing the gift of the H. C. Hastingr Seed Company of Atlan? ta, Ga. During the year more than 1,000 boys were enrolled in the com clubs of the different counties of the State, j Fewer than one-half of the boys com? plied with he rules and regulations of the club. The 501 reporting raised 26,813 bus) els of corn, valued at $10,936. The average yield vas 53 bushels per acre and the average seat , W. W. Lor work at Clemson College, follows: "I beg leave to submit here? with my annual report on boys' corn club v ork in South Carolina, for the yenr 1 U7. It shows that clubs were organized in 36 of the 4 5 coun? ties of the Htate. We failed to secure organiza ioi.s in Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Edgelield, Georgetown, Greenville. Calhoun, Kershaw and Lauren*, fcr the reason that the first six counties were without county agents, and ;n the latter three we failed to se- ure the cooperation of the county agents. "In the 36 counties organized, we secured an anrollment of 1,056 boys, j Reports we>-e received from 32 of ffet j 36 counties organized. Counties faR i ing to reporr. were: Bamberg, Hamp? ton, Lancaster and Oconee. Five hundred and one boys completed re? ports in these 32 counties, the?e be? ing 4 7 per cent, of the total enrol? ment. The 501 boys reporting pro l duced 2?,813.20 bushels, thus aver? aging 53 bushels per acre, at an av eiage cost of 4 0.7c per bushel. "Putting com at $2 per bushel, which is a conservative price, the net wealth added to the State as a result of the boys' corn club work is $42, 689.47." ~? 11 ? RATTLE AT MONTDIDIER. French and British Broke Up Violent Attacks. Paris. April 1.?The battle contin? ued with extreme violence last night In the sector north of Montdldier. and the war office announces that French and British troops broke up the ene? my's assaulting waves. REPl f ED AT ARRAS. two German Attacks on British Base Defeated. London, April 1.?Th? Germans made two attacks on British positions in the west err. outskirts of Albert last evening, but in both cases were re? pulsed, the war office announces. South of the Bom me the enemy per? sisted In Attempts to advance along the Luce and Avre valleys, but made little prog ret PARIS UNDER EIRE. Paris. April 1.?The bombard bat dment Of Paris by the German long range gun ?was resumed this af? ternoon. g, director of extension