16 Apr 1918
Page 1
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Newspaper
Waterloo Evening Courier
Location
Waterloo, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Apr 16, 1918
Page
1
War front reports indicate German forces seized Bailleul and advanced in Armentieres sector while British lines retreated to Wytschaete and Lille ridge positions. Haig’s troops hold key hills like Mount Kemmel as fighting concentrates along a six mile stretch west of Armentieres toward Bethune and Hazebrouck.
Official reports state Bailleul a 13 600 population lace center of France fell to German forces last night after a heavy bombardment. British lines retreated to positions east and west of the town while fighting continued along the front near Hazebrouck. German Alpine corps fifth division and Lith Bavarian division led assaults as British defenders held a final line before the town.
London reports Bailleul fallen to German forces after a heavy three division assault. British troops retreat to positions north of Bailleul and Wulverghem amid new German attacks near Wytschaete and Vieux Berquin. German trawlers sunk in Cattegat. minimal British casualties. Paris and Berlin dispatch note artillery duels and local engagements along Montdidier Oise canal and Somme fronts with several prisoner takings.
The exemption board released the list of 45 men to be sent from Waterloo to Camp Dodge within five days starting April 26 as the first quota of the second draft. Most have passed A-1 physicals and all but two have been examined. if either misses a physical, alternates or extras will fill the spots. The document lists each man with addresses and affiliations, including Henry Eco rainer, John J. Heck, Henry G. Swiggets, George W. Carroll, Raymond J. McSweeney, and many others in Iowa and nearby towns, with several alternates named.
Washington April 16. A bill in the House aims to extend broad powers to supervise travel of American citizens to guard the country against spies and enemies. It would allow swift action at borders, especially the Mexican frontier, and serve as an emergency war measure.
Fire swept through the Harris Abbatoir plant laundry overnight in Toronto Ontario causing about 750000 in damages. Police investigate reports of mysterious explosions prior to the blaze as officials work to determine the cause and extent of the destruction.
Des Moines April 16. An adjutant general’s report shows Iowa Class 1 men comprise 27.4 percent of the total. Local boards below 25 or above 30 percent must report detailed reasons for the classification. The table lists percentages by county with Monroe at 14 percent and Pocahontas Buena Vista and Waterloo at 37 percent.
Washington reports describe German casualties from the western front. Twenty five trains with wounded pass Aix La Chapelle nightly. Aix hospitals overflow, wounded housed in schools and private buildings amid shortages of medical supplies and morphine. Morale flagging except among very young levies.
New York April 16. Germany faces severe manpower shortages with permanently disabled soldiers kept in service and cripples exiled to the front. Deputies in Berlin allege harsh conditions, hunger, and misused furloughs amid complaints of poor food, officers’ excess, and political offenders drafted as punishment. The motion to discharge older classes and transfer landstorm troops was adopted.
Washington April 16. Senator Chamberlain of Oregon introduced a bill to place all persons charged under the espionage act under military court martial. The measure, referred to the military committee, aims to speed trial of sedition cases. The senator urged congress to authorize the army to handle enemy activities.
About 100 men from various units escaped from Camp Logan in Houston on April 15 in rebellion against a transfer order. Only two were captured, likely facing conspiracy charges. Most escapees hailed from the old Fighting Seventh guard regiment of Chicago. Buy Liberty Boat.
Fire gutted the Zeppelin works at Maazel near Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance destroying the plant once used to manufacture Gotha airplanes. Reports say two large Zeppelins and about 40 airplanes were lost along with vast raw materials, leaving the fleet at the plant completely destroyed. Paris shelling added casualties with one woman killed and another wounded, and one man injured in the district.
The article previews the first week of a major World War I offensive. It notes German efforts near Armentieres, Hazebrouck, Givenchy, and Witschade, with British countermeasures and fresh troops shifting the balance. It argues the foe faces a strategic dilemma between Verdun-like pressure and a new front, while cautions against overextension on the Lys and Ypres sectors.
Waterloo begins the first day of the third Liberty Loan drive with about 300,000 pledged, far short of the 450,000 goal. Service League aims to oversubscribe quickly, despite grip affecting staff and substitutions. Voluntary subs total 170,650 with many homes showing bonds despite tight finances. La Porte City reports 36,200 pledged of 35,000 quota, with plans to reach 40,000.
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