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w » MERRY TO ALL wsa
Slj c Atlanta Sowmal
VOLUME XX.
GM MIK
BELIEVED J PRELUDE
. TO GUEST OFFENSIVE
Secretary Baker Says United
States Must Speed Up
Armies to Constitute '* Re
serves of Victory’’
TVc. 24 —Germany's
insidious peace propaganda “should not
for a moment induce us to slacken oar
preparations for war."
Secretary of War Raker's weekly war
summary voiced this today,
pointing out clearly that Germany now
is trying to knock Italy out of the tight,
while at the same time she is testing
out the west front preliminary to what
has ben heralded as a big offensive.
He warned, too. that America's por
tion of the struggle is vast, and that
“our armies constitute the reserves of
victory.”
On the subject of Teuton peace feel
ers and America’s task, the secretary |
said: “It would appear that as a fore
runner to the German offensive herald
ed to be launched in the wesi an in
tensive peace propaganda is under way."
Officials here se in the Russo-Ger
man gathering at Brest Litovsk an ef
fort by Germany to effect separate
peace with Russia during the holidays
for the psychological effect on other na
tions.
-Careful examination of the situation
reveals that the enemy is preparing to
sue for "peace before victory,” Baker
eaid.
"information from various sources
confirms the reports that the Germans
would have the world believe that the
military situation is such that they are
able to dictate the terms of peace. They
therefore threatened that unles this die- 1
tated peace is accepted by the allied
powers and ourselves, the German forces
now being concentrated on the western j
front will break through the allied line |
in the west.
"It is only necessary for us to recall
that during the Christmas season of last
year the Germans put forth very simi
lar peace rumors.
•Tn considering the general military
situation in its true light, it must be
understood that the Germans realize
that within a short time our armies will
form the principal" body of fresh stra
tegic reserves remaining available for
action on the battlefields of Europe.
Thus no matter.what superiority in men
and guns the enemy may fqj the time
being be able to bring to bear in the
west and even admitting an eventual .
modification of the allied line in his
favor, nevertheless he knows that in
so far as it is humanly possible to fore
see. his effort will inevitably result in
merely a local success which can have
no determining influence on the final
outcome of the war.”
Reserves of Victory.
Pointing out that France and Eng
land have done a mighty task. Baker
added:
“It is our duty in looking to the fu
ture to realize that if we are to fulfill
the pledge we made on entering the war.
if we are to fight thia war to a success
ful conclusion, we must assume the
lull responsibility that rests upon us.
\Ve are the freshest ‘in the struggle;
we htve the reserve man power and the
reserve mechanical power. Our armies
constitute the reserves of victory.”
Noting the addition of fresh Teuton
forces in Italy, the secretary said the
Hun Is trying to get Ita4y out of the
war and is seeking to accomplish an
enveloping movement to effect the de
struction of Italian and allied forces,
while at the same time carrying on a
"subversive propaganda" within Italy.
"We can confidently rely on the fight
ing morale of the Italian people,” Baker
said.
"In considering the general military
situation in its true light, it must be
understood, that the Germans realize
that within a short time our armies will
form the principal body of fresh strae
teglc reserves remaining available for
action on the batlefields of Europe.
“It is our duty, therefore, in looking
to the future, to realize that if we are
to fulfill the pledge we made on enter
ing the war. if we are to fight this war
to a successful conclusion, we must as-’
mime the full responsibility which re=ts
upon us. We are the freshest in the]
is preparing a statement on the case
for publication.
Colonel KolpashnikofFs flat, the door
of which bears a plate with the words |
•American Mission of Red Cross for
Russia.” was raided at 2 o’clock in the
•norning by soldiers, sailors, red guards
md others. The rooms were ransacked,
struggle; »S have the reserve man pow
er and the reserve mechanical power.
"Our armies constitute the reserves
of victory.
“In Russia, the armistice negotiations
having been concluded, peace negotia
tiops are about to be entered upon by
the representatives of the de facto R’s
sian government and the German ne
gotiators.
“Reports of the dissatisfaction of a
large element of the Russian popula
tion. especially in southern and cent.al
Russia, with the terms of this armis
tice. hasled to the formation oft an ac
tive oppWdtion. which it is believe 1 will
endeavor to resist all attempts to enforce
the proposals agreed to by the Len.ne
government.”
For the first time in a government
communication Mr. Baker referred to
the Bolshevik! regime in Russia a* the
“de facto government.” This designa
tion was applied to the .Mexican govern
ment for a long time prior to formal
recognition of it as a full government.
The state department stated it had ex
tended no recognition to tie Bcisheviiti
regime as the de facto government. It
was expected that none of the govern
ments had thus fa rconsidered the Bol
shevik! power as sufficiently stable to
constitute even a de facto government,
which is the lowest order in govern
ment. .
aL,ter Baker made it clear that by
mentioning the Russian "de facto gov
ernment” he had no thought of convey
ing the impression that this embodied
recognition of the Bolsheviki.
Full Associated Press Service
illffl SWINDLED ME
’ MEO FOR BUBCLMI
Bowling Green, Ky., Authorities
Have Charge Against Men
in Tower
J A. Bolton and Ross Howell, un
der indictment for attempting to work
a fake bucket-shop swindle game, .are
wanted in Bowling Green. Ky., on a
burglary charge, according to informa
tion, reaching the Fulton-county author
'ties.
Fugitive warrants were taken out on
Monday for the two men noW held at
the Tower in default of bond, and ' if
their trial in the Fulton superior court
does not result in their conviction, they
will be returned to Bowling Green to
face the charges against them there.
The two men are alleged to have bur
glarized two haberdashery establish
ments in Bowling Green several weeks
ago. securing approximately $450 worth
of merchandise, silk shirts, hosiery,
overcoats and other wearing apparel.
G. H. Griffin, a young hotel clerk
of Bowling Green, arrived in Atlanta
Saturday to identify Bolton and Howell
I in connection with the burglaries, and
as the result of his visit formal charges
have been preferred against them and
’.he fugitive warrants taken out.
Some two weeks ago the county po
lice surprised two men in the act of
burglarizing a gasoline filling station
near Bolton. Their automobile, which
they abandoned at the approach of the
officers, was 'found to contain several
suitcases and handbags filled with fine
wearing appai*! in original packages,
as though just taken from the store.
The loot was removed to police head
quarters and several marks indicating
that the stuff had come from Bowling
Green. Ky.. were discovered.
The county police then got in touch
with the Bow Ting Green authorities and
Mr. Griffin came down to Atlanta to as
sist in locating the burglars.
| ~ ~
Explosion of Gas Pipe
Fatally Wounds Two;
Hotel Damaged $ 10,000
(Special Dispatch to The Journal.)
MACON, Ga_. Dec. 24.—The explosion
of a gas pipe in the basement of the
Hotel Dempsey at 4:30 o'clock this
morning fatally injured Policeman John
Alexander and John A. Truman, proprie
tor of the poolroom in the hotel, and
badly damaged the basement of the
building. The explosion was the result
of a fire which started in the poolroom.
Three firemen were overcome by the
fumes of the” gas while fighting the
fire.
Plateglass windows along Cherry
street were wrecked when the gas pipe
blew up. The damage is estimated at
more than SIO,OOO. When the fire de
partment arrived. Chief Jones noticed
gas fumes. He phoned the gas company
•to shut off the gas, but this was done
too late, the* explosion occurring ,in
the meantime.
Policeman Alexander and Mr. Truman,
who were hurt by the explosion, and
who will probably die of their injuries,
were standing on the sidewalk outside
the hotel building. The sidewalk was
wrecked for a distance of fifty feet. The
two men were blown high into the air.
1,500 Killed, 4,000
Hurt, $50,000,000
Loss by Halifax Blast
HALIFAX, N. S„ Dec. 24.—Fifteen
hundred killed. 4,000 seriously injured,
20.000 homeless and total property loss
amounting to $50,000,000 was the esti
mate today of destruction and damage
caused by the explosion *of the muni -
tion ship Mont Blanc, December 6, which
wrecked and burned an area of tw<T and
a half square miles in the north end of
Halifax.
The estimate was submitted to the
general relief committee by J. H. Wing
field. an expert, who made a Retailed
examination. The figures were regard
ed by the committee as conservative.
Shot Through the Arm
Sheriff Kills Convict
CORDELE. Ga., Dec. 24.—Aaron Ross,
a lifetime escaped negro convict, is dead,
and Sheriff J. H. Ward, of Crisp coun
i ty, was painfully wounded in the left
arm as ajresult of an attempt last n’ght
i of Sheriff Ward and his deputy. N. V.
Peavy, to arrest the negro at the farm
of Tom Slade, five miles of Cordele.
The sheriff is now resting well an-1 w 11
recoved in several weeks unless compli
i cation deevlops from his wound.
Sheriff Ward and Deputy ePavy went
out early last night to arrest th.? negro,
locating him in a tenant house. The of
ficers advanced into the negro’s hous?
together. The negro was seated oefore
a fire.
“W.ho is this?” the sheriff inquired.
The negro answered with a «hor front
a Colt special.
Sheriff Ward fired four shots and
J Peavy one. Three bullets struck the ne
gro, one in the head and two in the
body. A coroner’s jury returned a ver
dict that the negro came to his death
by resisting officers. The negro had
made threats among negroes in the com
munity, brought out at the inques*. that
he would kill or he killed before he was
arrested again. He escaped fr »m lhe
i chaingang three months ago.
Shipping Hereford Cattle
(Special Dispatch to The Journal.)
COVINGTON. Dec. 24.—Mr. Evans
t Lunsford, one of the Hereford cattle
I breeders of Newton county, is today
shipping another car of very fine regis
tered cattle to Floyd brothers, of Creek
Stand. Ala Included in shipment
is Mr. Lunsford's herd bull. Royal Tom.
famous and well known throughout the
state.
SUNDAY MEETINGS
MAKE RECORD FOB
CITY ACHIEVEMENT
Number, of Trail Hitters Is
15,518 and Freewill Offering
$20,126.14, With More Con
tributions Coming In
While Billy Sunday sped toward Jel
lico, Tenn., the home of Homer Rode
heaver, his choirister, where he will
break his trip to his Winona Lake home
by holding a meeting Monday night,
Atlanta awoke to the realiza
tion of another big achievement in an
evangelistic campaign that has surpass
ed all expectations.
Recapitulation showed Atlanta in the
forfront with free will offerings and
trail hitters that make this city one of
the most prominent in the list of those
in which Mr. Sunday has held cam
paigns.
Everyone, connected with the meetings
expressed the utmost gratification over
■the results.
Official figures place the number of
trail hitters at 15.518 and the free w'ill
offering at $20,126.1 1. The honorarium
is being swelled several hundred dol
lars by coutributions that are being re
ceived by the treasurer, WaPer T. Can
dler, from out of town, and these will
be forwarded to Mr. Sunday.
Os the trail hitters 14,527 were white
pe0p1e—13.629 adults and 898 children.
There were 981 negroes,—B33 adults
and 158 boys and girls.
All Denominations Helped.
Every class- of people was touched
by the meetings and churches of ev
ery denomination have had hundreds
of accessions. Protestants and Catho
lics alike received additions through
the meetings and there were several
members of the Hebrew faith who made
new resolutions. The close of the cam
paign finds many thousands of people
with their faces set with a new determ
ine .on.
Atlanta enjoyed everything that the
Sunday meetings could produce.. Every
member of the was here
and the campaign was conducted on just
as big a scale as that In New York
City.
The campaign—ninety-eight ser
mons by Billy and dozens of other ad
junct meetings that combed the city and
Camp Gordon cost an average of ten
cents apieqe for every person who heard
Mr. Sunday, at the tabernacle. The ex
pense totalled approximately $52,000,
and there were virtually 500.000 ad
missions to the tab -nacle, scores com
ing from distant cities.
The expenses within SI,OOO of
the estimate of the cost made by George
Sunday in a letter to the local commit
tee on May 24. Os the approximate
$52,000. which does not include the hon
orarium. $25,000 was spent for the
tabernacle, the remainder being for the
eight weeks of advance work; tae two
thirds portions of the salaries of the
members of the Sunday party; their ex
penses, including transportation one
way from Atlanta; general office ex
penses; the upkeep of the tabernacle
etc., etc.
In advance of the meeting a fund of
approximately SIOO,OOO was underwrit
ten. Free-will donations were such
that only one-fqurth of the amounts
underwritten was called for. The ne
groes insisted on having a part in the
offering to Mr. Sunday, contributing
$163.12 in addition to the amounts of
the offerings at the various negro meet
ings.
The tabernacle building has been
placed on sale, and. bids on it will be
opened at the Sunday headquarters at
the Y. M. C. A., Wednesday at noon. All
bidders are required to state the purpose
for which they want to use the struc
ture.
Building For Sale.
Atlanta came anea-d of many other
cities of approximately the same or even
greater population, both in the offering
for Mr. Sunday and the number of trail
hitters. Comparative figures follow:
Trail- Free will
City. Population. Hitters Offering.
Philadelphia 2.000.000 . 41.724 $51,136
Pittsburg 500.000 25,757 46.000
Trenton 108.000 16,603 32,358
Scranton 120.000 16.999 22,398
Syracuse 153,000 21,135 23.714
Columbus 182.000 18.137 20,939
Omaha 124.000 13,022 19,000
Paterson. N. 1. 125,600 14.225 25.328
Baltimrite 558,485 28.085 . 32,500
I Kansas City 248,381 20,640 32.000
Ihtroit 465.776 27,192 46.097
Boston
Buffalo 423.71'5 32,258 42,204
T.os Angeles 310.19$ 18.814 18,000
ATTANTA 2C0.000 15,518 20,126
On account of a late train Mr. Sun
day did not leave Atlanta until 1:45.
Just before his departure he was the
honor guest of Governor and Mrs. Dor
sey at a luncheon at the executive man
sion. He was escorted to the train by
the governor, Charlie Outlaw and other
friends. Accompanying him to Jellico,
Tenn., were Bob Matthews, his secretary;
Albert Peterson, Miss Saxe, George.
Brewster and Homer Rodeheaver. From
Jellico Billy will go to his home in
Winona Lake, Ind., which he expects to
reach Tuesday night. Mrs. Sunday and
the children, with the exception of
George, who is in Washington, already
are at Winona Lake.
Mr. Sunday goes to Washington early
in January to open his campaign there.
Dr. Isaac Ward left Sunday night for
New Jersey. Mrs. William Asher has
left for West Palm Beach., Fla., where
she goes to visit relatives: Miss Gamlln
has gone to Asheville, N. C.. for the hol
idays and Miss Miller to New York.
Check Is Given Billy.
The free will offering was presented
to Billy at the High home Sunday night
in the form of a check for $20,126.14.
The check was drawn at the tabernacle
Sunday night immediately after the
offerings was tabulated. It was filled
out by C. r. Hunter, one of the tellers
of the Central Bank and Trust <>rpor
ation. <ind signed by Walter T. Candler,
treasurer of the campaign.
Present at the presentation were Wal
ter Candler, Mayor Candler, Charite
Outlaw, H. Y. McCord, John J. Eagan.
W. W. Qrr, J. K. Orr and others, all
indefatigable workers during the cam
paign.
The presentation was made by Wal
'tfef 'Caindlcr who told Mr. Sunday that
words could not be found to tell what
(Continuad on Page 6, Column 3.)
ATLANTA, GA.,(TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1917.
■i S’
I -J-* —
g_ | 1 I TH 1 / -7
1 / X\\T— L
f /
J
i Y WW® •
RUSSIAN-GBRMAN
PEACE TERMS ARE
BEING DISCUSSED
No Annexations, No Indemnity,
Keynote—Germans Score by
Making Von Kuehlmann
Chairman
NEW YORK Dec. 24.—(Summary of
European cables.)—Peace without an
nexations and without indemnities, the
formula adopted by the German reich
stag in its peace resolution last July,
is the keynote of the Russian peace
terms now being discussed at Brest-
Litovsk. The Russian terms have been
submitted to the representatives of the
central powers, wh(j have taken them
under consideration.
No compulsory annexation of terri
tory seized during the war and imme’-
diate evacuation of it and no contri
butions to be required from belligerent
countries are proposed by Russia. This
is similar to the reichstag resolution
which, however, was not accepted by
Dr. Michaelis, who was then German
imperial chancellor. Russia suggests
that countries deprived of their inde
pendence during the war be reinstated
and that national groups not indepen
dent before the war shall decide their
status by a referendum.
Germany scored a point in the selec
tion of Dr. von Kuehlmann, her foreign
secretary, as permanent chairman of the
conference. Emperor William, it is re
ported unofficially, intends to go to
Brest-Litovsk if the diplomats now there
arrive at an agreement, to attempt to
assemble all European rulers in a peace
conference. The German ruler is said
to have declared that everybody wants
peace.
Trotzky Talks Peace
With French Ambassador
PARIS, Sunday, Dec. 23.—Leon Trot
zky, the Bolsheviki foreign minister, ac
cording to a note Issued by the Havas
agency, called on Joseph Noulens, the
French ambassador to Russia, and ex
plained that the Bolsheviki wished to
keep the principle of a "democratic
peace.” leaving the people the right to
dispose of themselves. The ambassa
dor having asked him what he would do
if Germany refused such a peace. Trot
zky answered that then the peace would
not be signed and that the maximalists
might be led to “wage a revolutionary
war.” Trotzky added that "if public
opinion was opposed to such a war the
question would then be carried before
the constituent assembly.” He conclud
ed by saying that if the Bolshevik’, suc
cumbed to the rsistance they are meet
ing within Russia the country would be
given over to anarchy.
The Havas note concludes:
"This conversation, which i:« correct
throughout, must be considered as cre
ating no»new relation between the
maximalist government and us”
First Savannah Woman
Given Law Credentials
(Special Dispatch to The Journal.)
SAVANNAH. Ga., Dec. 24. —Miss Stel
la Akin, the first Savannah woman to
be admitted to the bar, was given her
credentials today by Judge P. W. Mel
d-lm, of the superior court
M’ss Akin was employe! as a stenog
rapher in the office of a local attorney
and studied law during her spare .mo
ments.
WINTER SPORTS AT WASHINGTON
OFFENSIVE SPOUT STILL
EFFECTIVE. KAISER SAYS
Reported Again That Emperor
Will Make Peace Move
Christmas Day
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 24.—"1f the ene
my does not want peace, then we must
bring peace to the world by the bat
tering of our iron fist and our shining
sword,” Kaiser Wilhelm declared in a
speech to the second army.
‘‘Despit three years of war and suffer
ing,” the kaiser continued, "our old of
fensive spirit is still effective.”
"This is shown,” the German emper
or added, “by our recent great victor
ies in Flanders and at Cambrai, where
the arrogant British first felt the crush
ing power of our offensive blow.
The kaiser, continuing, extravagant
ly praised the tactics, strategy and val
or of the successful defense of his
troops on the west front. He referred
specifically to the defense which Ger
man troops interposed “against the at
tempt to advance toward Brusels” as
the “most gigantic feat in history.”
“The year 1917,” the kaiser said, “has
proved that the German people have in
the Lord of Creation above an uncondi
tional and avowed ally, on whom they
can absolutely rely.
"Without him all would have been n
vain."
The kaiser’s speech was made Satur
day to the second army, somewhere on
the west front.
Reported Kaiser Will
Offer Peace Christmas
ROME, Sunday, Dec. 23.—The report
that a new German peace move is at
hand is supported by apparently reliable
information which has reached high
quarters here. It is said that on Christ
mas day Emperor William will issue a
declaration containing peace proposals,
but whether explicit conditions of peace
may be expected or merely another ma
neuver intended to throw on the allies
responsibility for continuance of the
war cannot be ascertained
International War Bonds
Advance on Peace Talk
NEW YORK, Dec. 24. —The recent ad
vances in international war bonds on
the stock exchange, which continued to
day, were the subject of comment in
connection with the persistence of peace l
rumors in the financial district. Some
observers thought the demand, reported
to have come to a considerable extent
from abroad, was of more than usual
significance.
Paris six's rose 4 per cent over Satur
day’s close or about 11-per cent from
their last week’s minimum. The group
of French municipal six-per cent notes
were up 2 1-2 to 3-per cent, or from 10
to 12-per cent above last week's close.
The I'nited Kingdom issues made fur
ther fractional gains as did the French
government 5 1-2’s. Anglo-French s's,
while they reacted slightly, were today
5 or 6 points above last -week’s mini
mum.
More U. S. Sailors Dead
Dec. 24. —The sea has
claimed two more American sailors.
Leo B. Murphy. Oroville, Cal., and
George O. K. Vidahi, Arlington. N. J.,
second-classs seamen, were lost aboard
from a transport December 17, the navy
department announced today.
RAINBOW DIVISION -
WANT SANTA CLAUS
TO BRING A BATTLE
Christmas Finds U. S. Men in
Good Spirits, but Anxious to
Fight Prussians, Says Offi
cial Statement
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—“ Over
there,” where hate and horror dwell.
Americans of the Rainbow division and
Cither units this Christmastide are anx
ious for battle.
Only a small portion of the United
States forces has been tested by fire,
but reports to the war department
showed today that training is proceed
ing so well that when the call of bat
tle comes, the Rainbow —showing the
colors of nearly all the states —along
with other organizations, will give good
account of themselves as Americans
have always done.
The Rainbow boys are well and happy
—at least, as happy as a set of men
could be whose steps stray far from
nome in the holiday season. They are
well supplied, too. The knick-knacks
from home have arrived and have been
distributed, but even .were they not,
the Sammies would not want.
“We can get everything here that we
would have at home,” wrote the son
of General Frank H. Mclntyre, army
censor, today, responding to a letter
asking him to say just what he really
needed or wanted.
Incidentally, both Mclntyre and Sec
retary Baker approved the idea of a
story of the Rainbow troops. Secretary
Baker held it would be proper to have
a Christmas announcement that “the
Rainbow division in France for some
time is doing splendid work there.” Gen
eral Mclntyre, censor, thought, too, a
Christmas message abolit that body
was proper, despie restrictive rules on
publication of arrival of units abroad,
numbers and location.
That the Rainbow men’s training
proceeds well was his statement.
"Have they been under fire yet?”
“No, I believe not," he replied.
All his information, however, is that
the American units are shaping up well.
They are enthusiastic and apt. Training
in the open, and hard and constant drill
are putting muscles of stee' on their
frames and sending rich, clean blood
through their veins.
They have plenty of good, wholesome
food, the equal of home cooking, and
without the stint that conservation
rules apply to American homes. The
Yourg Men's Christian association is
providing them with clear, amusement
and their rules are such that they are
less exposed to vice, than they would
be in the average Ameriefan city.
Secretary Baker and his aides are
mightily pleased with the spirit and
development of the men. Their push
and unity “assure that America's par
ticipation in the war will be whole
souled. earnest and vigorous and that
the tremendous task of achieving vic
tory will not fall into unwilling hands.”
Baker voiced his confidence of vic
tory in a message to the troops, and
< xtended the season's greetings of him
self and the war department to the
men in training and "over there.”
Vote Against Conscription .
MELBOL’RN, Australia, Dec. 24.
Partial returns in the referendum on
military compulsion give 922,000
against compulsion, and 749,000 for it.
The soldiers' vote is now being count
ed in London.
NUMBER |
HUNS DRIVEN BACM|.!
ACROSS PH M
BY ITALIAN FORCES 1
it O ■ jj
Further Victory Achieved by
Britons in Palestine- With -
Their Concerted Land* Naval
and Aerial Forces,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—Three Teu- ’
ton divisions—approximately 60.000 men
—were literally cut to pieces by the
Italians in the German offensive against a
Colberreta and Monte Asolone, accord- j
ing to Rome dispatches today. Com- -J
manders of the Seventh and" Eighth
Austrian brigades and General Pfeffer, j
commander of the Fourth Austrian divi- '
sion, have been seriously wounded,
captured prisoners declared.
“With the recapture of positions on |
Monte Asolone the Italians have re- 1
established their positions over the men
aced portions of the Italian lines. For |
three days the- defenders fought under
a terrific artillery fire and against
asphyxiating gases. Losses on both ■
sides were enormous. • -5
ROME, Dec. 24.—'Enemy forces which
had crossed the Piave river at Piave
Vecchia, have been driven back over
the river, the war office announces.
On the mountain front, the statement
says, the AuStro-Germans passed the
Italian positions in the, Asiago sector
in the region of Buso Monte Valbella,
.but, stopped at the Italian rear positions
from the Italians are counter at
■tacking with sati:sfhctory results.
Four Palestine Towns
Captured by British I
LONDON, Dec. 24.—General Allenby's I
troops in Palestine continue their ad- ■
vance on the plain of Sharon, north of
Jaffa, and have occupied four more
towns. The official statement on the
operations issued tonight reads; H
"On Saturday morning with naval co
operation our left continued the ad
vance north of the Nahs-El-Auja, reach
ing the Sheixh-El-Ballutahel, about four Ki
miles north of the river. Pushing east- !■
ward and south of the river, we occu
pied Fejja and Mulebbis. This was fol
lowed by the capture of Rantieh on the
Turkish railway to the north, and Khel
in it,.i Kheibireh, four miles southeast of
Rantieh. Effective aerial work was car
ried out on enemy transports and infsAi
tr * ” . i ■
Gen. Sarrail Will Be V
Ren|a&ecLat Salonik J
PARIS. Sumfay; Dec. 23—General M. W
I'. E. Sarrail. the government has de
cided, according to an official announce- :■
ment, will be replaced as head of tho 1 I
allied armies at Saloniki by General S
Marie Louis Adolph Guillaumat. G«nentl I
Sarrail, who had had to struggle against
serious difficulties and has rendered
great services, will be called to other •■
duties as soon as circumstances per
mit. J
General Guillaurriat arrived at Salo
niki on Saturday. He is one of the
heroes of .Verdun, where he command
ed an army corps which was mentioned i'S
in army orders as having "distinguished ’ B
itself by the methodical precision of "W
its preparation and the vigor of its at- I
tacks.” ■
A London dispatch last Wednesday ||
said that announcement had been made I
in Athens of the recall of General Sar- 9
rail, who has been in command in the <*■
east since October, 1915. His successor’s
name was given at that time .-.s General
Guillemet. The ~reat French victory at
Verdun last summer was under the im-
mediate leadership of General Guillau
mat.
German Raid Beaten j
Off by British Forces B
LONDON, Dec. 24.—German troops B
yesterday afternoon attempted to raid ■
the British positions southeast of B
Epehy. on the Camhral front, but were 'B
driven off, the war office announced to- jB
day. The statement .reads: jij
“Last night hostile raiding parties lB
which attempted to approach our lines
in the neighborhood of Monchy le Preux
and west of La Bas«*ee were repulsed.
' Yesterday afternoon the enemy en
deavored to raid our positions southeast
of Epehy. but he was driven off"
<
FARTS. Dec. 24—Intense aerial activ
ity is reported by the war office. In
the course of one hundred combats In
the air during the last few days the
French have brought down 18 German
machines. The announcement follows:
"On the right bank of the Meuse
fVerdup front) the Germans made two
raids against ‘ our small posts near
I’.ezonvaur and Caurieres wood. Their.
efforts were repulsed by our fire. The
artillery fighting was rather vigorous
on the left bank of the river, in the
sector of Btthincourt. On the remain
der of the front the night was calm. -B
“On December 21, 22 and 23 our pur- fl
suit aviators were very active. Onr
p lots engaged in one hundred
most of them over the German lines,
Eighteen German machines were
brotigh down. Os these 17 fell in
Tames or crashed to the ground and
were destroped. During this period
r,;r bombardment squadrons dropped
ts.anfi kilograms (nearly twenty tons)
I roiectib s on railway stations, fax-
t ■ - mv- i mp'-m-n's and other object-
ives Itehind the enemy's lines.”
‘
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 —Germany
I- <s started a powerful offensive in Mac*
edonia. pro!,ably to anticipate the al
lied campaign about ready to begin.
Mong the Cerna river three violent at-
..- (gainst the positions held by
ions have been repulsed with heavy
b'S'ses, WM;ai dispatches stated
The fighting continues.
Military officials interpret the briewfls
report as presaging the long-expected
activity in the Balkans. More than
Hi.i.noo Greek troops, mobilized* neajf
Saktniki. are now ready to be thrown
:).e Dulgars, it is known. Gen
oral Sarra J’.\ French army at a Greek
port Las been greatlv reinforced, it
said. , M
A blew against Bulgaria now would
great!.- . ricour the beleaguered RuJ
rnani in forces, and would lessen the
•h- -arians in
military attaches declared. The
• rmy, fi'u.OOd strong, is
cut off.