THE AMERICANS.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 January 1918, Page 6

THE AMERICANS.

CAPTURED ON WEST TRONT

GERMANS GLOAT OYER CAPTIVES

San Francisco, November 20.

Washington army authorities have been greatly puzzled by the capture of the first number of the American troops by the Germans on the French front, in the course of a trench raid committed by the Boches. An air of mystery seems to have surrounded the untoward event, and the only information obtainable is that the Yankees were trapped in their dugouts and were forced to surrender or be blown to pieces with hand grenades without a chance for their lives.

The American trench raided was an advance post with only about twenty men in it on a front of not more than sixty feet. It is said to have been the head of a sap driven out into No Man's Land at right, angles with the general trench line, and used as a listening, and observation post. In that case it was easy for the barrage of a few guns to cut the sector off absolutely from support, and the thin line of the communicating trench was made passable under a shrapnel shower The three killed and five wounded were sentries overwhelmed by the rush of the German raiders in the dark whilst the remaining 12 were in their shelters at the time of the raid. Faced with the order to come out of have bombs hurled among them compelled the Yankees to surrender. TERMED “NORTH AMERICANS. The first announcement of the capture of “North Americans” was made from Berlin. It was stated that a “reconnoitring party” had them in from a point on the RhineMarne Canal. This indicated that Pershing’s men were on one of the main roads to Lorraine, where the Germans advanced in their great drive in 1914 and where, early in the war, some of the fiercest"* fighting of the period took place. For two years the sector has been more or less quiet. The principal point, so War Departmental officials in Washington argue is that all Germany now knows that Americans are in the front line trenches —a fact that Germany has been trying to keep secret. The German attitude is indicated by her succinct statement that “North Americans” were prisoners, not specifying that they were the first captures of Pershing’s men. Having located some of the American forces, officials believed that Crown Prince ■whose army is opposite the point where the skirmish took place, might attempt to stage a spectacular attack in the sector. The Washington War Office at once took steps to assure that further reports on engagements in which Americans figured should reach American headquarters first —not by way of official communiques (from Berlin.

Counting sailors taken from merchant ships sunk and others, there are now about 120 American prisoners in Germany. The twelve taken in this opening however, are -jthe first infantrymen from the shores of the U.S. to find their way to the Teuton detention camps.

GERMANY JUBILANT Outside the brief reference in the general staff report, no details were available in Berlin with regard to the capture of the first American troops in France. The official bulletin in Berlin said they were made prisoner in the region of the Rhine-Marne Canal, in the section of the front defended by the Crown Prince’s army. While the German newspapers have played up the capture of the Americans in their headlines, the only comment was made by the Lokal Anzelger, under the caption, “Good morning, boys!” The newspaper then said: “Three cheers for the Americans! Clever chaps they are, if cannot be denied. Scarcely Save they touched this putrified Europe when they are already forcing their way into Germany. Before long they will cross the Rhine, and also enter our fortresses. That is express train speed and American smartness^ “It is our good fortune that we are equipped t 6 receive and entertain numerous guests, and that we shall he able to provide quarters for these gentlemen. However, we cann'o'tT promise them doughnuts and jam, and to this extent they will be obliged to recede from their former standard of living. They probably will become reconciled to this, for soldiering is •ever a risky business. Above all, they will find comfort in the thought that they will be rendering their almighty President, Mr Wilson', valuable services, inasmuch as it is asserted that he is anxious to obtain reliable information concerning conditions and sentiments in belligerent countries, in this way ho will obtain first-hand information about the state of things in Germany % PILING IT ON UNCLE T • M. As Americans are accustomed to travel in luxury and comfort, we 'assume that # these advance arrivals merely represent couriers for 'larger numbers to follow, We are sure the I

.after will also come and be gathered In by us. At home they believe they possess the biggest and most coioaggj everything, but such estimates as we have here they have not seen. Look here, my boy, here is the big firm of Hindenburg and Company, with which you want to compete. Look at its accomplishments, and consider whether it would not be better to haul down your sign and engage in some other line Perhaps your boss. Wilson, will reconsider his newest line of business before we gran off more of his young people'