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ItDC 8?MTKR W ATCHMAN, KflUUri Consolidated Aug. 2,1 WAR FRONI REVIEW. INTENSE ARTILLERY DVELS ALL ALONG THE FRONT BIT ONLY MINOR ACTION BY THE INFANTRY. Allied Line* arc Being Reinforced at Atl Points to Meet Enemy When He Strike*. Still anothef day has passed with? out the Hermans on the western front attempting to commence a new phase of their offensive. Everywhere alon\' the line there have been artillery duels, at some point? of considerable Intensity, and the Allied armies are lying In their positions waiting with expectancy and also with perfect con? fidence the blow that they realise soon will fall at some point in Flan? ders or Picardy. Nowhere have there been any in? fantry operations which arose in im? portance above raids. Southwest of Arras. Neuville-Vitasee, the Canadians Monday night carried out a successful stroke, killing a number of Germans and capturing three machine guns. The French in ths Amiens sector also were successful in a similar ma noeuver. Doubtless the heavy ground, due to the rains, is holding back the preparations of the Germans, for it Is no easy task to move up men. guns and supplies over the morass. Mean? while the Allied line everywhere (b being reinforced to meet the enemy when again he unleashes his infan ry forces. M. Clemenceau, the French premier, ho has Just returned to Paris from a visit to the battle front, is author? ity for the statement that American troops are continuing to arrive in the battle sonea In force. An Indication of the heavy fighting the British are being forced to with? al stand is contained In the list of cas ualtles reported during the week end tog Tureday. This list shows a tota of 11.611, of which number 6.555 of fleers and men were killed or died of wounds. In the aggregate the cas? ualties are the heaviest reported In ony single week of fighting. It b? probable, however, that the figures do n?t represent losses on the western front alone. Considerable political tourmoll has arisen In England over charges made by Gen. Frederick B. Maurice, who recently was removed from his post and sent to aotive duty in the field after he had made statements which were considered to be a reflection on Oen. Foch. In a letter appearing In t) e London newspapers. \?en. Maurice charges Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, and Lloyd George with having made mlastatements in tin house of commons regarding military matters. A special court of Inquiry Is to investigate the charge*. Bombarding Back Areas. With the British army in France May 7. ? Yesterday and las' night the Germans kept up a considerable bom r.ardment of the back areas in Flan? ders with high velocity gurs. The Al? le?, on the other hund, were bus\ hammering the enemy's roads am) concentration points. It rained again last night and thb morning, making the Flanders battle ground still more difficult for the en? emy to work over In carrying ou preparations for a further attack. TWO AVIXTOHs RESCUED. Picked Cp at Sea by Steamer Off Miami. Mo. Atlantic Port, May 9.?Two naval aviators In a staje of exhaustion af? ter remaining afloat with a damag" I hydroairplane. fl\e miles off Miami Fla., were rescued by a coast steam ship, which brought them here todoj TIM rescuing ship took the ROTS tui. raft aboard and it. with the avla * i nut ishoi ?? at the ?juai m tine station here Iditei fhey will be taken buck to Florida. The men were Ensign Arthur Iwi %erent*. naval aviator, and C. G Gotten, observer. They were rescued 35 miles off Miami, after floating on the plane for H hours, without fool or water. IMKItM'W CVSI .W.TY I is l MrtcHt) hIx Name* Mentioned?Ten Killed In \ctlon. VYuxhtngton. May 6.?Today's OOS uslty list contained 76 names. Kill ed In action. Ifj died ?.t wounds. ?Sd of ncctrlem. |j djSSd of dMSOSO, I wounded severely, in. wounded slight ly. 11] prisoner. I. Southerners In OtVstod ar*\ ?'iivat* Forest II liarrl son of lifuiinir. Ga.. killed In urtion Private Ahrs M Caller, Pet horn, fig \\ otlfuled MllabM\ ?feed April, 1850. 88L "Be, flan mi ARMY IN FRANCE. HALF MILLION AMERICANS HAVE BEEN SENT OVERSEAS THIS YEAR. , Cabinet Member in Charte?- of War Preparation Told Senate Commit? tee In January That Five Hundred Thousand Would Co. Washington, May 8.?More than half a million American soldiers have been sent to France, said Secretary Baker today, authorizing the state? ment that his forecast to congress in January that 500,000 troops would be dispatched to France early in the present year now had been surpassed. Mr. Baker dictated the following statf ment: "In January I told the senate com? mittee that there was strong likli hood that early in the present year 500,000 American troops would be dis? patched to France. I can not either now or perhaps later, discuss the number of American troops in France, but I am glad to be able to say that the forecast I made In January has been surpassed." As a result of a personal investi gation of machine gun production during the past few days, the secre? tary announced that there is no pres? ent shortage of light or heavy typev of these weapons either in France or America, and no shortage is in pros? pect. Mr. Baker said there has been no question brought up as to the sup? plies of light type Browning guns, which were coming forward in quan? tities. He would not say whether shipment ol these guns to France had been s.arted. As to the heavy Brownings, he said: "Early manufacturers' estimates as to the production of the heavy type perhaps were more optimistic than was Justified. The intimate of the or? dnance department in January has been met ar d is being met. Some of the heavy gjns are being produced and there is evidence forthcoming that production will continue in in? creasing and substantial number. The secretary chose his words about the troops in France with ut? most care. He would not amplify the statemer t in any way and specifi? cally asked that the press refrain from speculation as to what precise figures his guarded remarks covered I or as to what possibilities of early ad? ditional increase in the force on tL other side there might be. There has been repeated official an? nouncement however, that the gov? ernment is bending every energy to I rush men across to back up the al? lied lines in France and officials di? rectly In charge of transportation have expressed satisfaction with the progress made. There are indications that the WO* department had adhered strictly to its policy of equipping fully before his departure every man sent across That Is the consideration in check? ing off supplies of clothing and arms Secretary Baker's conclusion as to machine guns follows on the heels of pessimistic statements by mem? bers of congress in this regard. In the discussion of the production of Browning machine guns, contracts lor other types both here and abroad apparently have been lost sight of. These contracts preceded the placing of orders for the Brownings and that] supply was designed to meet the | emergency until the new gun was! available In quantities. The present practice of brigading American units with French and Uritish divisions, it is pointed out, makes the artillery question less pressing as an immediate independent supply. The allied divisions to which the Americans are assigned already have the artillery necessary and the fact that American Infantry is added to them dors not mean a proportion? ate Increase in Kuns. Today*i statement regarding the movement to France is the Ihst ol Acini utterance made during the war Indicating even Indirectly the number of men sent abroad The first force, to ico over was never described ex? cept as a division, although as a mat? tet of fact it was constituted in two divisions soon after Its arrival on the other side The faet that more than 100,004 have ?f?ne this year also shows ? lie accelerated rate at which the men hari been moving forward since the winter BOaaod and eased the shipping ;md embarkation situation. The effect of Ml Biikci's BR nouneement bi Oerronny and Auatrta, If it is allowed to reach those OOUfl? irte*, will t>e watched with Interest Tl.? is little dOUbl that the Herman ? ?ner-'l vt;iff" Ii is I> nown that some hundreds of thousands ??f men have boon sent aorom ? >>' the United State?, id Fear not?Let all the ende Thou All SUMTER, S. 0., SATU BRITISH COUNTER-ATTACK. GERMANS DRIVEN OVT OF AL? LIED POSITIONS IN FLAN? DERS. Heavy lassos Inflicted on Two Ger xitan Divisions In Wednesday's But? tle?Attack North of Kenuncl To? day. London, May 9.?By a counter'at Uick last night the British drove the Germans from the portions of the al? lied front line which they had enter? ed on the Flanders front in the La elytte-Voormezeede sector, it is offi? cially announced. Yesterday's attack on the Flanders line wu8 carried out by two German divisions, on whom heavy casualties were inlllcted by the British. A new German attack was made this morning north of Kemmel. The enemy pressed back the line slightly at one point. BATTLE ON AVRE. Heavy Artillery Fighting Reported on the Somrac Front. Paris, May 9.?Heavy artillery fighting on both sides of the Avre riv? er last night is reported in today's official communication. AMERICAN PATROL AMBUSHED. Raiding Party \\ iped Out in the Toul Sector. With American Army in France, May 9.?An American patrol in the Toul sector fell a victim to a silent enemy sometime lest night. The Germans evidently used bayonets and butts of rifles. Nothing was heard of Americans who went out early in the evening, until another patrol hap peued across the spot where the oth? ers were ambushed. BATTLE IN FLANDERS. Fighting Still In Progress Today Southwest of Y'pres. With the British Army in France, May 9.?Fighting was still in prog? ress this morning near Vierstraet, southwest of Ypres. At one time the British were forced back slightly by machine gun tire. All the rest of the original defenses, however, appeared to be again in the hands of the de? fenders In the Voorcmezelc-Larlytte sector. HOW ABOI T Ml RPHY? Are You Eating Potatoes to Save Wheat For Our Soldiers. Columbia, Muy S.?"Did you eat a potato with your breakfast?" This 1h the question that the Food Administration is asking of every person in South Carolina. Hapsburg Liebe says that the homely Irish potato has cut, and is cutting and will continue to cut al? most va great a figure in this world war as the submarine. In Germany, it is said, potatoes have been planted even between the ties of railroad tracks. Potatoes have kept the people of Germany alive. Probably Germany would have caved in except for the potato. The argument is put forth by the Food Administration that if the po? tato will work for Germany, it will likewise work against Germany; and considering that food will Win the war, there is no article of food that may be prepared ip so many ways as the potato. To make the potato work against Germany, in view of the present .shortage of wheat, is to eat more po? tatoes and less bread so that more wheat may be sent to the comrade peoples of the allied countries in F.urope. Potato prices are low throughout the State; but patriotism OS well as price is to be considered, says Ihe Food Administration. ? MAY DISSOLVE REICHSTAG. Von Hertllng Threatens to Dissolve Prussian ChnmtK'r. Amsterdam, May f*.?German Chancellor Von Hertllng, who is g so! Prussian premier, has decided to dissolve the Prussian chamber if on1 third reading the franchise reform bin' is rejected, the Cologne Gazette ro POI Is. ? I _! l>Ut the si/c of the force has been I carefully U?? pt from the rank and fie r>f the Gciinan nrmv as Well as fron the civilian population. To date I.SIT,000 Americans have >een called to the colors under the leleettve service act, Provost Marshal lenerol Crowd er todas gave this llgure ;is the npproxlmate strength )t the National Army. ?Ml at be thy Country'*, Thy God'f I RDAY, MAY 11, 1918. MAY RAISE DRAFT AGE. TALK OF FORTY YEARS IX HOUSE COMMIXrEE. Appropriation of Fifteen Million Dol? lars Asked for Expenses of Year More Examinations. Washington, May 8.?Legislation raising the draft ago to 40 years was discussed as a possibility within a few months at a meeting today of Provost Marshal General Crowder and the house military committee. Although General Crowder made no special recommendation members of the com? mittee said afterwards that the war deparment was considering a plan for changes. An appropriation of $15,762,000 was asked by General Crowder for ex? penses of the draft for the next fiscal year. Registration of men reaching the age of 21 will require the exami? nation of half a million more men that originally was provided for. Class 1, the general said now has a total of about 2,265,000 men, of whom 2,000,000 are effective. Chairman Dent, of the committee, announced today that he would ask the house to eliminate from the draft legislation pending amendments giv? ing States credit for volunteers. In a letter to Mr. Dent President Wilson today came out in opposition to the credit plan and asked that the meas? ure be passed as approved by the war department. The conference on the bill for reg? istration of youths becoming 21 will be called up in the house tomorrow with prospects of a lively debate over the proposal to exempt ministers from the law. General Crowder explained that of the $15,000,000 asked. $4,370,000 is for allowances to draft board mem? bers for additional registrations and classifications. $8,000,000 for clerk hire and $3,000,00 for physical exam? ination. "It is estimated," he said, "that It will be necessary to examine 1.000, J00 men in addition to those already I examined, including men who were minors at the date of the first regis I tration and who will have to be class? ified in Class 1 before June 30, 1919." CONGRESS WAS SURPRISED. i Raker's Statement as to SUe of Army in frYancc Widely Discussed. Washington, May 9.?Secretary Ba? ker's statement announcing that hi* prediction that more than a half million American troops would be in France early this year had even been surpassed, was widely discussed in congress today. How many more than a half million have been sent may not be disclosed for military rea? sons. AMERICAN CASUALTY LIST. I Seventy-live Numes, Thirteen Killed? Kingstrcc Man Wounded. Washington, May 8.?The casualty list contains seventy-five names. Killed in action. 13; died of accident, I two; died of disease, 3; wounded se? verely, 13; wounded slightly, 41; mis? sing in action, 3. Lieut. Edgar B. Noland, of Leesburg, Va., previously reported missing, is now reported wounded. The other southerners in? cluded are Wagoner Daniel D. Mc Connell, of Kingstree, S. C, and Pri? vate John Phillips, ot Griffin, Ga? slightly wounded. PRESIDENT GIVEN BROAD POW? ERS. Overman Rill Formally Reported to House. Washington, May 7.?The Overman bill granting broad powers to the president, to reorganize and coordi? nate government departments was or? dered favorably reported to the house today by the judiciary committee The vote was 15 to 1. BILLIONS FOR SHIPS. Shipping Board Asks Congress for Washington, May 8.?Estimates submitted to congress today by the ?hipping board call for appropriations totaling two billion, two hundred and twenty-three million .eight hundred thirty-five thousand dollars. TAMPA LAUNCHES SHIP. Florida Shipyard Completes First Wooden Veeet. Tampa, May s The Nameoki, the first Of four WOOden steamships be? ing bnilt here, Will be launched this afternoon. The hull was lud las (totober. ?4 Tnttt'i" TB CE TR?I CRISIS IN PARLIAMENT. LLOYD GEORGE CABINET FACES VOTE OF CENSURE. Former Premier Asquith Leading The Fight on Lloyd George and Support? ers of Government Have Been Sum? moned to Attend Sitting of Com? mons Thursday. London, May 8.?The government lias issued summons to its supporters requesting their attendance on the House of Commons Thursday, when "Mr. Asquith will move a resolution which, if carried, will be vote of cen? sure of government.' The call says a "division is absolutely certain." REUNION IN ABBEVILLE. Confederate Veterans of State End Meeting. Abbeville, May 8.?Following the concert of the One Hundred and Fif? teenth Infantry Band, the business meeting of the South Carolina Divi? sion, United Confederate Veterans, opened in the opera house this morn? ing with prayer by the Rev. G. W. Swope. The roll was called and 36 camps reported delegates present M. M. Buford of Newberry offered a resolution bringing up the Tillman resolution, which refers to the re? funding of the war tax imposed on the people of the South just about the close of the war. W. A. Clark of Columbia offered a resolution indors? ing the Wilson administration and the secretary was instructed to send a copy to President Wilson, to the secretary of war and to the secretary of the navy. Resolutions were passed condemn? ing the terrible cruelties of the Ger? mans on the civil population in cap? tured territory. The McLaurin committee on pen? sions was continued. The pension board was reelected and consists of Carlton W. Sawyer, comptroller gen? eral; Capt. B. R. Flenniken, Dr. W. M. Weston, Col. W. H. Edwards and Col. R. J. Morris. Gen. B. H. Teagur declined reelection as commander ol the division and was elected honorary commander for life. Gen. W. A. Clark of Columbia was unanimously elected major general to succeed General Teague as commander of the division Col. J. Fuller Lyon was elected to command the First Brigade, suc? ceeding General Clark. Gen. C. A Reed was reelected commander of the Second Brigade. After voting the following resolu? tions of thanks to the people of Ab? beville the division adjourned: "Resolved, That the thanks of the South Carolina division of Confeder , ate veterans be and are hereby re? turned to the Chamber of Commerce and to the citizens of Abbeville' for their generous hospitality and de? lightful entertainment extended to the old soldiers, to the committees which planned and so effectively carried into effect the excellent arrangements fO( ! the comfort and pleasure of the vet erar.s. to the press for courtesies, to the ladies who graced our reunion at all times, to the soldierly Boy Scouts to the owners of automobiles whos< kindly attention has been very help ful to the old men, to the railroad officials for reduced rates, to the banc1 and to all others who have contrib? uted to the pleasure that the reunion has been to each one of our com? mand." The people of Abbeville and the various organizations of the city have worked to make the reunion a pleas | ant one for the old soldiers, realizing I that for some it will be the last. I: was an Inspiring sight to see In the parade today the grey haired men I with their banners flying, marchinK behind the khaki clad band t' will soon be in France. The annual reunion ball was danced on the stage in the opera house, bringing to a close an enjoyable occa sion. GUNNERS KILLED IN EXPLOSION Eight Soldiers Meet Death Near Fori Worth. Fort Worth, Texas, May 8.?Eight American gunners were killed and seven injured more or less seriously near Benbrook, a few miles west of Port Worth, when a three Inch shell exploded late today. One Run crew, composed of men of the headquarters company of the One Hundred and Forty-first Infantry was entirely wip? ed out and a second new from headquarters company of the One Hundred and Forty-second Infantry suffered heavy casualties. six of the men wore instantly killed and two died within a Short time after the ? \ plosion. C SOUTHRON, ??arnt 'U*. >?M. VoLXLVI. No. 26. SEDITiON MEASURE PASSED. OFFICIALS DECLARE LAW WILL ENABLE THEM TO CHECK WAVE OF MOB OUT? BREAKS. In House Only Representative London Voted Against Conference Report on Measure. Washington, May 7.?Final legisla? tive action was taken today on the sedition bill, giving the government broad new powers to punmh disloyal acts and utterances. Adopting a con? ference report already approved by the senate, the house sent to the presi? dent for his signature the measure which has been before congress for weeks, assailed as a menace to free speech and championed as essential to order at home. The president is expected to sign the bill promptly and officials of the department of justice say they will be able to do much toward checking the wave of mob outbreaks for which unpunished disloyalty and enemy ac? tivity are blamed. Penalties of twenty years imprison? ment or a fine of $10,000, or both, are provided in the bill for those con? victed of uttering c printing disloyal, abusive, profane, scurrilous, con? temptuous or abusive language about the United States or the government, or the form of* government, or the flag, or for those who are convicted of favoring Germany or her allies in the present war. HITCHCOCK SUCCEEDS STONE. Senator From Nebraska Made Chair? man of Foreign Relations Commit? tee. Washington, May 9.?Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska, was today made chairman of the senate foreign relations committee, succeeding the late Senator Stone. APPROPRIATION FOR BRCNS WICK. Senate Commerce Committee Re* stores Item to Rivers and Harbors Bill. Washington, May 9.?The senate commerce committee today adopted a resolution authorizing Chairman Fletcher to restore to the rivers and harbors bills the item appropriating $13,000 for improvement to the Brunswick, Ga., harbor, provided Brunswick interests establish the necessity of the- appropriation. Sen? ators Smith and Hardwick today pro? tested against the elimination of the item. GREAT HAUL OF BOOZE. Officers Seize $85,000 Worth of Whis? key Near Savannah. Savannah. May 9.?The greatest catch of liquor was made last night When a solid carload of bottled whis? key, valued at $85,000, was seized near here. Four men, six automo? biles ,two wagons and three mules were also captured. TWENTY MILLIONS PLEDGED. Seven Other Banks Yet to Complete Reports. Columbia, May 9.?South Carolina's subscriptions to the third Liberty loan yesterday passed $ JO,000,000. Seven banks remained to make complete re? ports at 7 o'clock last night, the figures tabulated then being $20,044, 000. The State's apportionment was $14,625,000. The seven banks to report are: Enterprise of Bamberg; National Ex? change, Chester; Citizens Bank, Ma>esville; Farmers' and Merchants.' Monck's Corner; Bank of Norris. Nor? ds; Bank of Ruby and Mt. Croghan, it Ruby; St. Matthews National. The largest subscription reported from Columbia was by K. W. Robert? son, State chairman. Mr. Robertson ook $30,000 worth of bonds and also subscribed $500 to the apportionment of Kennebunkpott. Maine, where he has a summer home. NOT MOVING CENSURE. Former Premier Asqulth Says His Ac* tlon Misconstrued. London. May 9.?In the House of Commons today Former Premier As QUlth denied that his move respecting the Maurice affair was designed to obtain I vote of censure of the gov? ernment, saying it was absurd to do? se? ibo it as such. He declared that should he And it his duty to censure the government he hoped he would have tho courage to do so in direct and unequivocal form.