Think and Act Only in Terms of America and for America
f :—•. ■ .. ■■■■ir |
VOLUME XVII. NO. 29 J. NEWPORT, ARKANSAS, MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1918. PRICE FIVE CENTg.
BATTLE STILL
i RAGES WITH
GREAT FURY
r .
V
BRITISH BRING DOWN 54 GER
; MAN MACHINES.
i -« I
Berlin Claims the Capture of Bapaume
y and Peronne, but British Stale
ys ment Says Only Slight Ad
| ranee Was Made.
HEAVY GUN IS INTERRUPTED.
Associated Press Dispatch.
New York, March 26.— Persistent
attacks by strong forces of infantry
and lavish use of artillery have not
enabled the Germans to breaq through
the British defense. HeaVy fighting
is in progress around Bapaume, near
Peronne and where the British and
French fronts join. Haig’s withdraw
al! previously planned in case of hea
vy enemy attack, was executed in
a manner described as masterly.
Great credit for success is given to
small units which, sometimes outnum
bered nine to one, clung to their posts
during the immediate German ad
vance.
The British made few counter-at
tacks, but all were attempted success
ful.
British efforts were centered on
withdrawing as the occasion required,
permitting the enemy to wear himself
out.
Sunday the fighting forces in the
north reached to the old battlefield
on the Somme. Bapaume, the center
of the bitter fighting, is the key posi
tion between Arras and Albert. Ber
lin reports a “gigantic struggle”
for its possession. The capture of
Peronne claimed by Berlin, between
i Bapaume and Peronne. The Germans
! reached Trinsloy-Combles-Maurepas
line where they were held up by the
British.
. At the southern end of the line the
sanguinary struggle has not halted
for many hours. The Germans reach
ed Chauncy, an important point on
the Oise river southwest of La Fere.
British aviators Saturday brought
down fifty-four enemy machines and
the British lost none. There is little
except artillery activity on the re
mainder of the western front.
Associated Press Dispatch.
London, March 25.—The following
statement this morning was issued
by the war office:
“The battle continues in great vio
lence on the whole front. Powerful
! attacks were delivered by the enemy
/ yesterday afternoon and evening
north of Bapaume, but were heavily
repulsed. At only one point did the
enemy reach our trenches from
whence they were immediately thrown
out.
“Elsewhere enemy attacks were
stopped by rifle and machine gun and
artillery fire. In front of our posi
tions his troops were driven back with
great losses. During the night and
this morning fresh hostile attacks
> developed in this neighborhood. Also
to the south of Bapaume. South of
Peronne Germans who crossed the
(Continued on Page 3.)
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
41 ♦ ♦
♦ ♦
MADALINE theater
w ♦
t — i
+ ROSE OF THE WORLD. +
^ A thrilling emotional war ^
^ drama adapted from the ^
^ book by Agnes and Edgerton ^
Castle, starring Elsie Fergu- ^
^ son, Ethel Martin and Ma- ^
▲ rie Bendetta. \ ^
▲, 5 reels—ARTCRAFT. +
♦ ♦
♦ -
♦ *
A A GOOD COMEDY
\ 4, 1 reel—VITAGRAPH
▲ Admission including
Tax, 10 and 20 Cents.
SAMMIES SHELL
EHEMT TRENCHES
4 ,
Many Shells Fall In Enemy Trenches
and First Two Lines Are
Abandoned.
With the American Army in France,
Sunday—American artillery in the
Toul sector continues to shell effec
tively the enemy trenches, billets
and dumps. North of Boqueteau
many shells fell in German trenches.
The first two enemy lines in at
least one place were virtually aban
doned.
Germans are bombarding heavily
a town behind the American lines
with gas shells. Many shells fell on
American positions.
W. S. S. DRIVE
HAS STARTED
More Than $2,000 Is Realized From
Sales Made By Young Ladies In
Newport Last Saturday. .
The big drive for the sale of war
savings stamps began here Saturday
with Mrs. J. O. Powell, vice chairman
for the county, assisted by young la
dies stationed all over the business
section. The sale was most success
ful, $2,300 being turned in to the
county chairman, W. A. Billingsley,
at the close of the day. The ladies
had the pleasure of selling a limit
member $1,000, in the person of Mr.
Berry Best, of our city, and it is
piobable they will land one or two
more in the big class. The cam
paign will continue for several days.
PROTECTION FOR OUR
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
Special to Independent.
Little Rock, March 25.—The Sol
diers’ and Sailors’ Relief Act is now
in force and the civil authorities
throughout Arkansas are being noti
fied of its provisions.
Its aim is to protect persons in
military service from excessive hard
ship due to the forfeiture of sundry
claims and rights and the maturing
of legal obligations during their ab
sence in military service, and due to
their inability to look after their bus
iness and property interests left be
hind.
This act wias drafted in the office
of the judge-advocate general of the
army, and received a thorough over
hauling in the light of hearings before
senate and house committees, at
which were present representatives
of the various interests affected. It
therefore represents the result of
several months careiul scrutiny by a
large number of competent persons,
in addition to the authority given by
its consideration and enactment by
the two houses of congress.
In view of the serious hardships
likely to be suffered in their affairs
by thousands of men who have made
the great act of sacrifice by entering
military service, and in view of the
wisdom of forestalling that natural
dissatisfaction which might arise if
such a measure of relief had not been
extended, it is hoped that all news
papers, judges and lawyers will take
an active interest in giving wide pub
licity to this law.
There was a meeting of Liberty
Loan workers at the ounty court
house yesterday, mention of which
will be made in this paper tomorrow.
Better to sacrifice luxuries than
sacrifice lives. Sacrifice the luxur
ies—Buy War Savings Stamps.
PRE-EASTER SPECIALS.
See Show Windows.
Several thousand yards of new laces
at 25 per cent discount.
40c lingerie cloth-26c
25c bleached domestic-21c
25c lawns a special at-19c
10,000 yards new spring ginghams at
one-fourth off.
Children’s gingham dresses from
49c to $1.98.
Rit soap, washes and dyes___--10c
89d6t wit Bowen’s Cash Store.
MAY SELL SPACE
III PRESS PAPER
Representative of Arkansas Press
Association Here In Interest of
Advertising. «
James B. Miles, of Little Rock, rep
resenting the Arkansas Press Asso
ciation, spent today in Newport, and
called on a number of the leading
citizens of the town in the interest of
a publication which the association
will issue in honor of the visit to
Little Rock in May of the National
Editorial Association.
Mr. Miles met with splendid en
couragement here, and it is believed
Newport citizens will subscribe to
one or more pages in the paper,
which will be circulated throughout
the United States and be of valuable
aid to this section.
An effort will be made to have the
editors stop here for a short time in
May whqjj they pass Newport on
their way to Batesville.
ROCS COMMAND
FANCY PRICES
[Blooded Poland China Hogs Belong
ing to Late C. G. Walker Sell At
Auction Last Friday.
County Agent George H. Banks .at
tended the sale of Poland China hogs
at the farm of the late Chas. G. Wal
ker at Grand Glaise Friday, and Mr.
Banks says this was one of the big
gest sales, from point of purchase
price for single hogs, ever held in
Arkansas or the south.
The hogs were on exhibition at the
county fair last fall, and commanded
much admiration. Their owner, Mr.
Walker, died at Grand Glaise in Feb
ruary.
One hog, named Fay Wonder, with
ten pigs, brought the highest figure,
being sold to U. S. Cazort for $485.
Black Giantess was sold to C. A.
Tucker for $275, Long Tim to J. E.
McDougal for $140 and Miss Wonder
to R. H. Dark for $100.
All the stock was of pedigree.
Late Wire Briefs
Associated Press Dispatch.
Washington, March 25,—Col. Dou
glas McArthur, chief of staff of the
Rainbow division, was among the se
verely wounded in today’s casualty
list, which contained thirteen names.
Associated Press Dispatch.
London, March 25.— The capture
by Germans of the towns of Nestle
and Guiscard announced by Berlin
was confirmed in this evening’s Bri
tish official statement.
BATTLE IX BUTS
|
J. W. Lindley of That Community
Joins the Limit Club and Many
Others Make Purchases.
The patriotic meeting at Battle Axe
Saturday afternoon, held unde? the
auspices of the Jackson County War
Savings Committee, was well attend
ed, and the sale of war savings stamps
equaled the expectations of the com
mittee. J. W. Lindley joined the
limit club. Due to threatening weath
er the meeting at Diaz was postponed
until next Monday night. Meetings
wil be heldi at Shoffner at 7:30 to
night, Cow Lake, Tuesday night,
Pennington Wednesday night and
Dunn’s school house on Thursday
night.
E. V. Holt and Charles Smith, rep
resenting the two banks of Tucker
man, attended the Liberty Loan
meeting here Sunday.
TO DEMONSTRATE
WAR BREAD HERE
.
Miss Sallie Chamberlain, Formerly of
Jackson County, Will Be In New
port Next Thursday.
”1 1 " **
Mrs. George .JJ. Banks, who has
charge of the woman’s department of
canning and county demonstration
week here, announces that Miss
Sallie Chamberlain, former agent of
this county, will be in Newport next
Thursday for the purpose of holding
a war bread demonstration.
Mrs. Banks will announce later the
place where the demonstration will
be held.
The coming of Miss Chamberlain,
who is now district agent with head
quarters at Little Rock, will be of in
terest to all housewives, who should
avail themselves of the opportunity to
attend the demonstration.
TO ORGANIZE NEGROES.
Special to Independent.
Little Rock, March 25.—The Coun
cils of Defense of the country are con
sidering plans for the organization of
the negroes, who can render valuable
assistance in the present crisis. It
has been demonstrated that commun
ity councils among the negroes are
more important in accomplishing war
work than organizations of state
units. It is also suggested that ne
groes, who are accustomed to work
together in fraternal and religious
organizations, can best be organized
for war work in councils composed of
both men and women. The local or
county councils will be expected to
give them every aid and assistance.
i— -——*-*-—> I
| ARKANSAS
i BANK Q
I TRUST
!COMPANY
| E NEWPORT, AR1C.
II Huns Bombard Paris ||
Are your DOLLARS helping combat
the German drive? Every War Savings
i§| Stamp you buy will help the Allies hold
i §j , the line. g i
Our boys are giving their lives in France >
i H for you and America. g!
!| WHAT ARE YOU DOING? ||
Buy your maximum amount of War
Savings Stamps today, and let your
conscience be at ease.
® Safeiy-Sa tisfa ctory Service jj®, \
AMERICAN SHIP
ITIM OF SUB
Chattahooche Is Sunk Off English
Coast, But All of Crew Is
Landed.
Associated Press Dispatch.
London, March 25.—The Admiralty
announces the American steamer,
Chattahooche, has been sunk by a
submarine off the English coast. Th#
crew was landed. <
PREDICTS FALL
OF.PETROGRAD
' * • - * > - " * ■ ' '
American Consul Said Wednesday
Germans Would Occupy City in
24 Hours.
i
Associated Press Dispatch.
Washington, March 25.—The Amer
ican consul at Tredwell in a dispatch
dated Wednesday, predicted German
occupation of Petrograd within 24
hours.
DESCRIBES AIR RAID.
Associated Press Dispatch.
London, March 23.—The Manches
ter Guardian prints the following de
scription of the recent air-raid over
London as seen from a height, by a
correspondent:
“It was some time after the burst
ing of the maroons that the first
sound the attack was heard. It
came from the northeast, a series of
quiet, separate noises—plop—plop—
plop—plop, like porridge boiling.
The firing died down and started
again from the north in the same
gentle way. Then it became quicker,
and then died away in soft, flannelly
noises.
“Suddenly the firing burst again to
the northwest and also to the south,
and some near guns began to bay.
Then there was activity in the west,
and we heard four or five harsh
noises that we took to be bombs, ac
companied by faster firing. The
last movement was to the south and
southeast, and the noise of the guns
was near and loud, till the whole
earth seemed full of barking and the
skies of explosions.
“At the same time the unseen en
emy, that had been buzzing around
our defense like mosquitoes round a
net, tried again on the north. It was
the last wrestle, and could not contin
ue long. The enemy fell back, and
the firing died down until only a few
distant guns were firing softly, plop
—plop—plop—like a sigh of relief.
The raid was over.”
CREATE EMERGENCY SECTION.
Special to Independent.
Little Rock, March 25.—To make
sure that there will be ample labor
to cultivate and harvest the largest
crops which American farmers can
plant, the U. S. public service reserve
will create an emergency farm labor
section. W. G. Sprague, of the state
labor bureau, who directed a cam
paign for U. S. shipyard volunteers
that yielded much more than the quo
ta, is the director for Arkansas. It
is announced that a campaign will
soon be started to enroll at least five
hundred thousand workers for this
purpose.
This force is to be essentially a re
serve, composed of men who are
working on farms in their neighbor
hoods.
Men who are able to start at once
and give all their time during the
greater part of the farming season
should not go into the reserve, but
should find work on the farms imme
diately. Those men who have had
farming experience are to be en
couraged to return to agricultural
pursuits to aid in the increased food
production so needful to help win the
war.
i
Albert Hite, one of the good farmer
citizens of Auvergne, was a visitor at
the county seat today. Mr. Hite stat
ed that rain was badly needed in his
section and farmers were being re
tarded in their work. u. ( , .
i\ - ' 1
2 SUSPECTS
ARE HELD IN
COUNTY JAIL
LOCAL BARBER AND LAWYER
ARRESTED SUNDAY.
R. A. Bahlche Made Dielayal Remarlpft'
and When Searched Sodattatte
Literature Written by F. 8.
Hannan la Found.
FEELING RAN HIGH ALL DAY#
R. A. Bahlche, a barber employed
in a shop near the Columbia hotel on
Front street, and Frank S.
a lawyer who came here recently front
Iowa, were arrested Sunday and plac
ed in the county jail, following inves
tigations by local committees. Each
man is charged with disturbing the
peace, the charge growing out of the
alleged disloyalty of both. The date
for their trials has not been set.
About 9 o’clock Sunday morning
Bahlche engaged in conversation on
Front street with one or two men.
Presently the conversation attracted
the attention of a few other citi
zens who resented the barber’s re
marks. Bahlche challenged tho pa
triotism of the boys who have volun
teered for service in the army, dis
counted the patriotism of those who
have purchased war savings stamps
and made the statement that the Ger
mans are not as barbarious as thp
newspapers would lead the public to
believe.
■rt-uoui, one nour later me Darner
was located in a Bhop. on Walnut
street and escorted to the court house.
He admitted having made these r$-’
maiks, but attempted to explain them
away on the ground that he was dis
cussing what he called Acts, denying
that he was out of harmony with the
allies and professing a hatred for; .;:
Germany, from which country his fa
ther came to the United States sever
al years ago. Bahlche said his fath
er was a full-blooded German, but
said his mother is an American. *
The man was searched after having
been questioned.
All articles found on his person,
proved harmless with the exception p
of some socialistic literature bearing'*"
the name of Frank S. Hannan as au
thor.
The barber was detained and per
sons went in search of Lawyer Han
nan, who was promptly brought to
the court house. Hannan admitted
the authorship of the literature found
and admitted a close acquaintance
ship with the barber, saying Bahlche s
was a guest in his home a week ago.
Hannan admitted his affiliation
with the socialist party and said he
had written the literature in 1915-16
and had distributed it among the
working people for the money he
could realize from his efforts.
Attorney Gulick, associated with
Hannan in the practice of law, waa
called in, but he said nothing nor
gave any information that would
connect him with the question con
cerning Hannan or Bahlche, and he
was not detained.
A committee went to the home of
Bahlcho and after a search located
anarchistic literature.
A committee went to the home of
Hannan, where a newspaper pub
lished in the interest of the Interna
tional Workers of the World was
found, together with several copies of
socialistic papers, such as the Appeal
to Reason and The Truth, a book dis
approving the military program of
the United States and a recently pub
lished volume on conditions in Rus
sia, favorable to the Bolsheviki.
There was no evidence to prove that
Hannan had published literature con
trary to the policies of the United i
States government since 1916. Last*
Christmas he was requested to con
tribute an article to the Newport
Citizen, the article appearing on the
first news page of the Christmas edi
tion of the Citizen. Examination of
the article disclosed nothing disloyal,
the writer dealing principally with
the birth of Christ, though there was
frequent mention of social work and
International Brotherhood, which
to the reader would carry the imprea
^ (Continue^ on Page 3.)