St. John's Daily Star, 1918-09-28

              The St. John's Daily Star Newfoundland VOLUME IV. ($3.00 per Annum) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ft 1918. (PROBS: S. Winds; Showery.) No. 212 BULGARS WANT ARMISTICE BALKAN KINGDOM READY TO DESERT CENTRAL POWERS HAIG'S MEN MAKE GOOD PROGRESS Over Mile Advance Made by British Troops in New Offensive — Canadian Troops Engaged. TANKS ARE IN VAN OF BRITISH DRIVE Nine German Divisions Oppose British Advance— Fall of Flesquieres Is Expected. BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN D FRANCE, Sept. 27.—Field Marshal Haig's farces at dawn this morning delivered an attack over a wide front. A heavy rain falling during the early hours made- the work of assembly most difficult, but some time before zero all the troops were in position, the rain had ceased, and had been replaced by a thick haze whch assisted in bewildering the enemy. About nine German divisions (122, 000 men) are understood to be opposing Haig's men. So far the battle seems to be going well for the British. With the coming of the sun the morning broadened to clear open weather, and the British airmen were able to report the progress of the Canadian troops, who pushed forward on the northern flank of the attack. Captured Foe Battery London, Sept. 27—British troops to-day advanced to a point within three miles of Cambrai. They took between 5,000 and 6.000 prisoners, and some German guns including a complete battery were captured by Field Marshal Haig's men. ■ « ' War Minister Resigns London, Sept. 27—Lieut-General Yon Stein, the Prussian war minister, is reported to have resigned, according to advices to the Exchange Telegraph Co., from Copenhagen. « ■  Hard Fighting in Progress London, Sept. 27—Very hard fighting was in progress to-day along the Franco-American front in Champagne and northwest of Verdun. The Germans were-still holding out at Montfaucon at two o'clock this afternoon, but in all probability that stronghold has since fallen. By 9.30 o'clock this morning the British appeared to have crossed the Canal dv Nord defences on a front of more than three miles and to have advanced to a maximum depth of approximately a mile and a quarter. As early as 8.25 o'clock one or more of the British tanks were reported by an airplane to have been seen near Flecquieres. Shortly before that the reports were that some ol the British were approaching Bourlon spur. The Canadians who drove forward across the Canal dv Nord about the Woeuvres were reported at 6.30 o'clock as having been seen about a mile west of Bourlon wood, which formed the chief obstacle to Cambrai for General Byng in his attack last fall. OVER TEN THOUSAND BULGAR PRISONERS Allied Troops Continue Victorious Progress North Thru Serbia SERB FORCES HAVE ADVANCED FIFTY-FIVE MILES IN THEIR DRIVE London, Sept. 27.— The Serbian official statement announces that Serbian cavalry have reached a point 55 miles as the crow flies, north of the line from which operations started. DARIS, Sept. 26—The allied troops in Macedonia have captured more than 10,000 prisoners, says a statement from the French war office tonight. More than 200 guns also have been taken. Reports at this hour from the battlefront in the Champagne between the Suippe and the Meuse rivers indicate that the attack of the French and American forces is progressing /under the favorable conditions. General Gouraud's fourth army in the Champagne resumed its attack this morning from the positions captured from the Germans yesterday. The assault is progressing satisfactorily. The French have attained all objectives. The prisoners captured by the French today have not yet been counted.  London, Sept. 27—In the successful continuance of their drive p.orthvard the Serbians have entered Ishtib and captured other important points, says the Serbian official statement of Thursday. A great number of additional Bulgarians and Germans have been captured by the Serbians who also have taken enormous quantities of war material. The Serbians now are west of the L-htib-Veles road and have captured the height of Bogoslovets south of the road north of Demirkapu in the direction of the Bulgarian border. The Serbians have captured the ridge of Belikamen. Serbian cavalry has entered Kochana, twenty miles northeast of Ishtib, and fourteen miles from the Bulgarian border, southwest of the important railway head of Kustendil.^ THE WAR SITUATION (ByJ.T.M.) AN all fronts the allies are forcing " matters at a great pace. They are meeting with uniform success. There is scarcely any element of the spectacular about their military movement these days. They are not playing to the international galleries or considering political effect of a brillian success achieved at some selected sector at the expense of some other section of their far-flung lino. There is a precision and definiteness about the whole plan of campaign now being unfolded from the Holy Land in the east to the borders of the irreverent Hun of Central Europe. The spectators of the great drama are getting the worth of their grand stand fee .alright now, and as a director of the stage Foch is exceedingly popular. Success in war more than in any other line of human endeavor is essential to popularity, and failure in that great field is the express route for the terminus of total eclipse. A successful revolutionary is a patriot, an unsuccessful one is a rebel who usually ends his journey in a black mask at the end of a rope. A successful general is a great strategist and a military genius, and an unsuccessful one a "washout?' who deserves to be half shot to death, partial strangled and then sent ;o Russia. The allied world has its hat off to Foch today, and the honor is dv? him, while the other side of  world, the opponents of the allies, are waiting for their great military strategists of last year and early this to explain how it happened that they are now the underdogs. While great battles are in progress on the western front progress is slow, and until the Hindenburg defenc-s are penetrated thoroughly and the Teutons are forced to retire to new positions the -advance of the allied troops north of Rheims must necessarily be slow. The British and French in Picardy, Artois and Flanders have a tough proposition ahead of them. They have their breasls up against the strongest field defences, and the most perfect trench system ever built since the Assyrians entrenched against the approach of the Persians under Cyrus. East of Rheims the German defences are also strong and will be stubbornly defended. The battles .n which the Franco-American armies are engaged there will be hard fought, and as predicted in these notes the day of the opening of the drive, only by means of a breach n the whole system of German defence on that battle field can rapid advance be expected. "Fair field and no favor" is what nature offers the contestants on the Champagne and Argonne battle field. The allies have opened their attack on a battle line of sixty miles which is practically straight from Rheims to Verdun, and the greatest length of straight line battlefield on the western front. Their advance will be over an almost level open country, practically unbroken except by occasional plateaus and forest patches between their line and the Ardennes. No strategical positions of importance in comparison with salient points west and north of Rheims exist along that terrain. The junction points of railroad and national highway of communication are REQUEST OF BULGARIANS VIEWED WITH SUSPICION Press Opinion in France Divided Over Significance of Mo ye. PARIS, Sept. 27.—Unofficial comment was divided on whether the Bulgarians' request was a sincere proposition for peace, or merely a sounding of the entente powers of what might be done. It was a step which some regarded as supplementing the recent Austro-Hungarian proposals and carrying it a little further. Involved with the subject was the dynasty Question of King Ferdinand and his family remaining on the throne. Some indications had reached the outside world from Bulgaria of a movement of considerable proportions for a republic. It was even predicted that one might hear of the proclamation of a republic in Bulgaria almost any day. One of the chief purposes ot a republican movement in Bulgaria was to renounce the war policy of the autocratic monarch, so as to be in a position to say to the entente allies that the republicans in Bulgaria shared the same democratic aspirations as the allies. Bulgaria's request for an armistice and an eventual peace was prominently displayed in the Paris newspapers, and aroused widespread interest and discussion. General Franchet Desperry's report was received this morning at the ministry of war, where Premier Clemenceau and several other cabinet ministers were gathered. It was received there as another notable evidence of the entente's success. Won't Stop Operations Allies' Commander in Macedonia Refuses to Suspend Operations. Paris, Sept. 27.—It is understood no instructions regarding the Bulgarian application for an armistice will be given the military commanders in Macedonia until there is an opportunity for consultation with France, Great Britain, the United States, Italy and other allies, and that in the meantime the military operations will continue. The French commander-in-chief in Macedonia officially reports that ths Bulgarians have asked for a meeting to arrange the conditions of an armistice and eventual peace. The French commander replied, refusing to suspend operations, but saying he would receive duly qualified delegates of the Bulgarian government. Unofficial comment dwells upon the important effect Bulgarian, secession from the central powers would have in severing the lines of communication between Germany and Austria in the north and Turkey in the south. It would tend to isolate the Turkish empire and put an end to the German dream of a route from Berlin to Bagdad. It is foreseen for these reasons thr-t the inevitable consequences of Bulgaria abandoning the conflict would be to compel Turkey to take the same course. • m »  Slight Advance Made London, Sept. 27—The British Hues w.ere a^a.ncied,sUghiij'vaorjtii oi the Sensee in a local operation during the past night and there were successful local attacks in Flanders. ARMISTICE PROPOSAL FROM BULGAR PREMIER Malinoff's Move Not Supported By Ki.ig Ferdinand or Cabinet. LONDON, Sept. 27—Premier Malinoff of Bulgaria has made an offer of an armistice to the allies, according to a Berlin message transmitted by the Exchange Telegraph correspondent at Copenhagen. The message states that the premier's pffer was made without the support of other members of the cabinet or of King Ferdinand: The Berlin message says that Malihoff's offer has created great dissatisfaction in Bulgaria and that strong military measures have been taken to support the Bulgarian front. According to statements from Sofia by way of Jassy, it is added, a counter-movement against the action of the premier has already been set on foot. This would seem to indicate that a revolution is in progress in Bulgaria. The Berlin message to Copenhagen gives the first indication of any move made by Bulgaria to approach her enemies with conciliatory proposals. TKe message in its bare outlines would seem to indicate that the premiei had taken matters in his own hands and- attempted to initiate a peace move for Bulgaria independent of the dynasty. A move so made might ordinarily be considered in a broad way to amount to a revolutionary act and possibly points to the execution of a coup de tat in Sofia. The indications in the news from Bulgaria recently have been that the country was in a somewhat disorganized state with widespread discontent manifest over the prolongation of the war in the further prosecution of which the Bulgarian people were able to see little advantage to them. There can be no doubt that the successful offensive of the allies now in progress in Macedonia has accentuated this tendency. FRENCH IN CHAMPAGNE GET 7,000 PRISONERS General Gouraud's Army Takes More Foe Prisoners and Positions GERMAN LINES ARE PENETRATED TO A DEPTH OF OVER THREE MILES Paris, Sept. 27.—The French have captured the Butte Dume snil, the Butte Dv Souait, the Butte Dv Tahure, and the villages of Tahure, Ripont, Rouveroy, Cernayen, Demois and Servon Mozicourt... More than 7,- OQO prisoners were taken by the French. The French forces resumed their attack this morning.pARIS, Sept. 27.—The army of • General Gouraud has just taken by storm in the sector between the Suippe and the Argonne, not only his old positions, but all of the German first positions, says an official review of the Franco-American operations issued today. A large portion of the old front here had been stabilized since 1915 with the barrier behind which the enemy thought his army was absolutely safe, the statement adds, has been shattered and captured. On July 15th General Gouraud's army achieved a magnificent defensive victory. By abandoning a narrow strip of its advanced positions, it broke the German drive and made possible all the successes obtained on all fronts since that day. The front of General Gouraud'j attack ran from north of Marazee and Vienne Les Chateau, straddling the Aisne at Melzicourt, bordering the Torb river north of Ville Sur Tourbe through the centre of the main De Maissiges, the edge of the Butte De Mesnil, then north to Le-Mesenil-les- Hurlus, Perthes-les-Hurlus and Souvain, thence running along the Roman road to St. Pilare Le Grande to the v.est of Prosenes and through the non>an's-land and Prunay. The famous positions of Mesnil, Souain and the Navarin farm were captured during the early hours of the attack strictly according with the schedule mapped out. Continue Advance With the French Armies on the Champagne Front, Sept. 27.—Gen. Gouraud's men were continuing their advance tonight along the front west of the Argonne forest. Greater resistance was being encountered and fresh obstacles were found to impede their proiress. Ahead of them is a belt of country seven or eight miles wide over which there is a laybrinth of trenches. Many blockhouses have been built by the Germans there and the ground seems as difficult to capture as that wrested from the Germans to-day. The Germans by their reKrement have gained a little time in which to bring up reserves while General Gouraud is bringing up his guns.. This is an advantage in which is is difficult to find sufficient compensation for the ground and men lost to-day. Advance of Three Miles Paris, Sept. 27—Successful development of the French offensive begun yesterday in the Champagne is reported to-day by the war office. Over the entire field of attack by the French between the river Suippe and the Argonne forest the formidable German positions to a depth of more than three miles were brilliantly carried.1 ■  ' Yesterday's west bound express left Clarenville at 8.30 a.m. today. BULGARIANS ASK ALLIES TO GRANT THEM ARMISTICE British Government Re ceives From Official Authoritative Source Request That Armistice Be Granted Bulgaria, Which, Reports Say, Is Now Bordering On State of Revolution Because of Length and Privations of War SECESSION OF BULGARS WOULD TAKE MOSLEMS OUT OF WAR AS WELL London, Sept. 27.—The British government today received from an official authortive source an application from Bulgaria for an armistice. MEW YORK, Sept. 28.—With the welding of the armies of the entente into a compact whole under command of the inter-allied war council, guided by the master strategy of Marshal Foch, apparently has come the first break in the united front of the central powers. Bulgaria, the smallest of the Teutonic allies, seems to have struck her colors. Premier Malmoff has asked for an armistice to consider terms of peace. Whether he is acting upon his own responsibility as the representative of a revolutionary party or with the approval of King Ferdinand and the government, remains in doubt. In either case, however, there is little doubt that Bulgaria has ceased to be a military factor in the war. Her armies are in full retreat and her soil has been invaded. Would Be Severe Blow. Secession of the Balkan state from thhe thraldom of Germany will be almost as severe a blow to the Teutonic allies as was the collapse of Russia to the allies. If Bulgaria lays down her arms, Turkey, her armies shattered by the cup of General Allenby in Palestine, will be cut off from her allies, and her line of communication will be severed, except across the Black Sea through Rumania or over the mountain peaks of Transcaucasia into Russia when the grip of the German controlled Bolsheviki is becoming steadily weaker. With her supplies of German made munitions and raw materials hanging by such slender threads, military observers believe the Ottoman Empire will have no course but to follow the example of her Balkan neighbor. But it makes little difference to the entente whether the Turk abandons Germany and Austria. If Bulgaria quits she cannot longer be a menace to their plans. Door Opeu to Allies. The back door of Austria will stand apar before the victorious British, French, Serb, Greek and Italian armies plunging ahead thru the mountains of liberated Serbia. Only 230 miles ahead of their advance guards is Belgrade. Across the Danube from the plains of Hungaiy they already have pressed forward a quarter of this distance since the great Macedonian offensive began on September 14. Once over the river they would be passing through territory occupied by the oppressed nationalities of Austria who have little love for the dual empire, and there would be no great natural obstacle between them and Budapest. The early winter in the Balkans, with the limited means of communications available, would present the most serious difficulty and one which could not be overcome before spring. Menace to Austria. With the defection of Bulgaria it would be necessary for hard pressed Austria to throw an army across  southern frontier, thus making another serious inroaa upon her waning man power. The bulk of her forces is facing the eager Italian army along the Piave and mountain region. Emperor William has already called upon Emperor Charles for help on ths western front, and Austro-Hungaria.i divisions are fighting beside the Germans against the steadily advancing British, French and Americans. Italy still has large reserves of men and any weakening of the Austrian front to send forces to the other fronts of the empire probably would be the signal for a general attack io recover not only the invaded Italian territory but the lost provinces »s weil. Huns Still Retreat. Wilh Bulgaria evidently fallen by the wayside,- with Turkey staggering and with Austria a welter of internal discord and discontent, the shaken armies of Emperor William are grudgingly falling back upon their own frontiers before the irresistible blows of Marshal Foch's British, French and American troops. The French and Americans plunged forward again between Rheims and Verdun while the British attacked on a wide front in Cambrai sector. Between them they already have taken more than 20,000 prisoners and many guns of all calibres. Wilson's Pronouncement. While the tide of victory was running so strongly for the gallant armies of the entente, President Wilson was again voicing the determination of the United States to battle until German militarism and autocracy is forever crushed. Speaking in New York upon the eve of ths opening of the greatest popular loan ever offered by any government iie laid down the five cardinal principles upon which Americans will stand lo the last man and the last dollar. The price of peace will be impartial justice to all nations, he declared. The world does not want terms, it wishes the final triumph ol justice and fair dealing. , ~-* FOE NEWSPAPERS ADMIT REVERSES Military Effect of Allies' Successful Operations is Considerable London, Sept. 27—The Frankfort Zeitung, in a review of the military situation in Macedonia and Palestine admits that in both these theatres the enemies of the central powers succeeded by means of well-planned campaigns, in surprising and inflicting serious damage on the frohts of Germany's allies. Even if we maintain our conviction that the eastern battles do not essentially affect the main strategical decision, nevertheless the purely military effect of the enemy's operations is very considerable from the point of view of prisoners and material losses, the newspaper declares. » « —. It is pleasing to note that the price of rabbits has dropped consider ;ibly while some of the stores are still charging 75 and 8o cents per brace. A gentleman informs us that he bought a splendid pair fbr fifty cents while a lady of Circular Road purchased them at thirty cents. ■ » ■  The Portia left Curling this afternoon for Bonne Bay. A case of diphtheria has been rc•portea from John Street. The patient, a little girl of $H years, is being nursed at home. (Continued on Page 8) pilOlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllHllllUll I Home Furnishings! ( I Lace Curtains, | Very Neat Design, I From 9OC. pair, to $9.50. | I Dutch Sets of 3, J I Make a Pretty Decoration. | 1 $1.85, $2.30, 3.00, and $5.00 Set. | 1 Half Blind Nets, | I 18c. 22c. and 30c. Yard. | I Casement Cloths, | In V. Rose, Pale Creen, Champagne, Saxe Blue. |$1.20 Yard.l J SCRIMS, J I Plain and Fancy Border, j I 20c. to 35c. a Yard. [ 1 Bowring Bros., Ltd. I St. ......•■••iiiMMimiiimiiiiiiiiiimiiimiiiiiimimiiiiimiiiimiimEr