The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 22, 1917, Page 1

The Weather CLOUDY THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 69 UNITED PRESS THE BISMARC BISMARCK, NORTH } NORTH DAKOTA, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1917. PACIFISTS WOULD f mee f ASSOCIATED PRESS AVE PEACE PARLET Battle Opens Before Gates of ‘Lafere HINDENBERG I$ ATTEMPTING TO STEM BIC PUSH Main Armies Grappling for Stra- tegical Positions on Western Front FEW HOURS TO DECIDE SUCCESS OF MANEUVER French May Force Teutons to Draw Line Back Into Belgian Territory (Assoclated Press.) French troops are in contact with the main German: army and what may prove to be the initial stage of the greatest: battle of history, has opened before the gates of Lafere, For the first time since the great German. retreat began, patrol and rear guard fighting has given way to the thunder of ‘artillery and the clash of major forces. Germans are making a stand on a line running north and south of Lafere, from St. Simon, to the forests of Coucy, a distance roughly estimated at about twenty miles, Protected Position. The position selected by the Ger- mans is protected by the Crozat canal and the Ailette river, a tributary of the Oise, but in this line the French have driven a great wedge directly in front of Laiere, and reaching to with: in two miles of that important town. On this wedge is based the hope of French military critics that. General Nivelle has out-imanenvered — Field Marshal von Hinderberg and that La- fere is doomed and with it the whole of the famous Hindenberg. line. Parls believes that the extraordin- ry speed with which the French have anced has disconcerted the Ger- matr plan- and reuders probable a con- tinuation’ of thé retirement to the Bel- frontier. ‘The official Berlin re- ports throw no light on the situation, but it seems certain that a few days or hours must decide the fate of Lafere. Situation Obscure, The situation on the British front is somewhat more obscure, owing to the rather vague character of the British official report. The latest re- port from London says that General Haig has pushed ten miles east of the Somme at some points. Measur- ed from Peronne, this would place the British within four or five miles from the vital point of St. Quentin and this estimates is supported by wi official dispatches from the front. Haig Reports Progress, The German retirement is pivoting from their positions east of Arras and in this pivotal region General Haig reports steady progres, but no localities are mentioned, which might give a clue to the relative importance of the advance. Turks Hard Pushed, Apparently the spasmodic fighting in the Champagne and Verdun sec- tions has ceased for the time being, at least, but important news comes from another and far distant field of the world war.. The Russians, driving foward from Persia, have crossed the Mesopotamian border, at one point while a second army is continuing its advance from Kermanshah in support of the British advance from Bagdad. This meang that the retiring Turks are being menaced from three sides, and according to Allied military ob- servers, are threatened by far greater disaster than over the loss of Bag- dad. DEFENSELESS KILLED. (United Press) ‘With the British Armies in the Field, March 22.—The horrors of the German retreat grew today when it became known that the Teutons at Rouy and Le Petit collected about 200 old people and children, in addi- tion to the usual population of the places, and then deliberately shelled the villages. A number of these de- fenseless people were killed. BERLIN CLAIMS SUCCESSES. (United Press) Berlin, March 22.—“In the district on both sides of the Somme and the Oise clashes between advance de- tachments resulted favorably to us;” today’s official statement said. “An aeroplane under the direction of Fred- erick Karl of Prussia has not re- turned from a raid over the hostile lines between Arras and Perrone,” declared the official war office state- ment. ENERGETIC RESISTA! (Associated Press) Paris, March 22.—The Germans made energetic resistance to the French last night, between the Som- me and the Aisne, but after spirited fighting north of Tergnier, the French forced them out of several strong po- sitions. The French occupied a num- ber of villages. (United Press) London, March 22.—The retrograde movement on the western front is coming to a standstill today, as the British troops are nearing the “Hin- denberg line.” Heavy fighting is ex- pected to occur shortly, military ex- perts believe. This may come in the movement hau: busm reperesd Hel movement. Frepoi - (Continued on ) % Details of in Sandwich Letter Concealed Disclosed Plan for Effecting Release of Gen. Gomez WIFE SOUGHT TO GIVE FACTS TO HER HUSBAND (United Press.) Havana, March 22.—A letter con- cealed in’a sandwich, which the wife of one of the revolutionary prisoners sought to give to her husband disclos- ed a widespread plot to effect the re- lease of General Gomez and his asso- ciates, awaiting trial. Secret police officers arrested the captain of the guard and a number of men. The let- ter gives the full details of the plot. General Gomez was leager of the Cu- ban revolution and is in jail in default of bond of $1,000,000. Several more associates are awaiting court-martial. CALL ISSUED FOR 74,500 MEN: MANY RECRUITS Stations Are Working Overtime Getting Under Way for Pos- sible Hostilities WOMEN ANXIOUS TO ENLIST AS RESERVES (United Press. Washington, Marek —The navy department needs 74,500 (men, and needs them now. Secretary of the Navy Daniels sounded an unofficial call for that number today and appealed to the press to stimulate recruiting. WORK OVERTIME. New York, Mar. 22.—Recruiting sta- tions began to work overtime before getting under way today, trying to e: plain ‘to women that they could not enlist. as regular seamen in the navy. sived from Philadelphia ‘s Loretta Walsh had enlisted sa yeoman, there, women flocked to enlistinent places here. Miss Walsh was the first woman taken under the orders of Secretary, of the Navy Dan- jels to recruiting officers to entist wo- men as yeomen, ‘the nearest the fair applicants can get to becoming regular seamen, is doing stenographie work in the navy rds. DR. LADD DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SENISTER PLOT (Associated Press) Fargo, N. D., March 22.—Dr. E. F. Ladd today denied any knowledge of the plan for his removal, declaring it all new to him. Dr. Ladd’s statement follows: “T have had absolutely no informa- tion regarding any preposal for my removal.” FRAZIER’S LETTER, New Rockford, March 22.—The New Rockford Center prints a letter today from Governor Frazier in reply to one sent by its editor, J. H. Worst, relative to the Ladd removal fiasco. Governor Frazier tries to fix the re- sponsibility for the report of Ladd’s removal upon the present board of regents. Fraizer’s letter follows: “Your letter at hand. The informa- tion came to me a few days ago that inquiry of the nature of which you speak had been sent out, but I assure you none of those letters were sent by me or with my knowledge. They have evidently been sent out by the de facto board of regents. “What their purpose is I cannot say We hope to have the board of regents question settled in the near future. (Signed) “Lynn J. Frazier.” PRONBITION URGED WN WAR MEASURE (Associated Press) Columbus, O., March 22.—“If war is declared, the resolution for nation- al prohibition will be urged as a part of the preparedness ” said a statement issued today at the na- tional headquarters here of the Anti-| Saloon league by Wayne L. Wheeler, | general counsel. {War Involves Every Worker Plot Found | And Factory Says Leader of Big Industrial Mobilization Howard edness of the defense. tory in Detroit. He was born at West (SECRETARY OF. STATE “PANS” FARMER LEAGUE Minnesota Official Declares Clerk Erred When He Ailowed In- corporation of Nonpartisans ISSUES INTERVIEW ATTACKING MOVEMENT (Associated Press.) Paul, March Ulterior mo- | and a move to di edit an “hon- rarian organization,” are seen by Secretary State Schmabl in the in- corporation of the Minnesota Non- partisan league yesterday, which filed articles in his office. In a statement ay, he explained that if the ineor- poration articles had been submitted to him first, they would not haye been filed yesterday. His Statement. Schmahl’s statement fol- tives est ug! | Secretary lows “Had the clerk in this office, who received the articles of the Minnesota Nonpartisan league submitted the same to me as he should have done for ap- proval, they would never have been + | filed, except by mandamus proceedings. “The scope of the principles enun- ciated therein is entirely at variance with the common sense and good judg- i ment of the men representing the in- | terests of Minnesota farmers, who com- posed the unincorporated organization of the Farmers’ Nonpartisan league of Minnesota, ‘and those stated princi- ples prove, too clearly, that there is an organized move on foot to discredit an honest aggragarin organization. Names Discredit It. “The names of the incorporators of this already discredited corporation movement, when coupled with their daily political associates, are sufficient to indicate the ulterior motives of the corporation, and others who were re- sponsible for its organization under the Minnesota laws.” MICHIGAN PLANS TO GIVE WOMEN LIMITED VOTE} (United Press.) Mareh 22.—A bill extend- Lansing, ing presid ge to women of Michigan through the y state legislature. today The bill pass- } ed the senate 22 to 7, and is now be-! fore the house. REBEL AGAINST TURKS. (Associated Press.) | London, March 22—Another im- portant chieftain in Arabia has arisen against the Turks, Foreign Secretary Balfour announced today in the house of-eommons: The Turkish force near. Aden has been isolated from the ‘Turkish tes ieee ie: PER en ‘offin, as chairman of the committee on industrial prepar- naval consulting board, has done more than any other one man to make the nation industrially prepared in case of war. ed a nation-wide campaign to mobilize the industries of the country for He is a trained business man, the head of a big automobile fac- | dustrial activity By HOWARD E. COFFIN. (Chairman Committee on Induttrial Preparedness of Naval Consult. ing Board of United States.) Wars, as now waged, involve, every human and :material resource of a belligerent nation. Every fac- tory and every man, woman and child is affected. Every sinew of industry, of transportationand of finance must be harnessed in the country’s serv- ice, to the one end, and for the com- mon good, In England two and a-half years ago there were three government ar- senals, Today thousands of Kngland’s industrial ‘plants are being operated ag government factories, for the pro- duction of war materials, and many SRS He direct- Milton, O. NEWSPAPERS BITTER AGAINST THE ROMANOFES Revolutionists Demanding Some Action Against Conspirators in Separate Peace Plot BERLIN DISPATCH SAYS RUSSIA IN CONFUSION Indicates That Provisional Gov- ernment Has Poor Control Over Situation TO SEND GREETING. London, March 22.--(ireetings from “the mother of all parila ments,” to the new Russian par- Mament was moved in the house of commons today by Chancellor of the Exchequer A. Bonair Law. “It is too soon to feed confident that the new Russian government, has been lald on a foundation Uberty, wisdom and Justice, Bat It is not too soon to send friendly greetings,” the chancellor said. He said he compassioned the for- mer czar, “who for three years was a loyal ally,” and whose bur- den had been too heavy for him. Former Premier Asquith, in see- onding» Chancellor Law’s move, said the momentous situation de- serves special and immediate re- cognition. (Associated Press) Petrograd, March 22—The Russkia Volia exposes what it terms the treas- on of the court clique and alleges that Tsahskoe-Selo was a “nest of Ger- other thousands of plant-, still under private. control, are ce, :ering their energies in this same, ci section. Munitions Mak, 3G. ccs “apie teathing of the “aitnitions mak: ing art to these thousands of indus- trial workers, both men and women, has called for a work in industrial or- ganization and education such as the world has never before seen. In France, in Germany, in Italy, in Ja- pan and even in Russia, this same education and organization of the in. dustrial forces is going forward. We have in the United States vast resources in manufacturing and pro- ducing equipment, but they are unor- ganized and uneducated for the na- tional service. Our observations of the European war have taught us that it is upon organized industry that} we must base every plan of military defense. In event of trouble with any one of the several first class powers, be- tween 80 and 90 per cent of our in- would, of nece: ing cf sup: be centered upon the ma iplies for the government. We have learned also that from one to two years of time and of conscien- tious effort are needed to permit any large manufacturing establishment to change over from its usual peace time | commercial line to the quantity pro- duction of war materials for which is had no previous training. man spies.” The article says in part: Nest in Palace, “The first crime was treason, and espionage and had its nest in the pal- ace... The court was partly and chief; ly German, and the. pitiful..role of: Sturmer, in his efforts to drag Rus- sia toward a separate peace, was known everywhere. The press of our Allies accuse Russia of giving Ger- many Russian military secrets, Refused Offer. “We know from the letter of Gen- eral Guchkoff, minister of ‘war, to General Alexieff, that Sturmer and Belaief¥ refused England's offer to give half a million rifles to the Rus- sian army. We know the conse- quence of General Sukumhomilinoif’s doings when he was only governor of Kiev and when he surrounded himself with spies, The result of his treason was a Russian defeat, cost- ing millions of lives. Hostile to Nicholas, “What are we to do now? Allow Nicholas to live in beautiful Livadia, among the flowers he was so fond of and among the conditions of freedom he always denied to others? Allow him to do this so that he may organ- ize other dark forces for the re-estab- lishment of the Romanoffs?” ATTEMPTED PEACE, Petrograd, March 22.—Correspond- ence between the czarina and former Minister Protopoff has been discover- ‘Loss cf Men. Delays of this kind in time of emergency cannot but result in closed plants, in the disruption of labor or- ganizations built up over a period of years, in a loss of skilled men through | enlistment for the fighting front, in, great financial shock to manufactur- ers, and in those same chaotic con- ditions. which wrought nea national disasters to several countries at the outbreak of the European struggle in 1914. Each manufacturing plant must be taught now to make that particular part or thing for which its equipment is best suited and for which, by a carefully prepared classification, it is to be held accountable in time of war. Where necessary annual education- al orders, om such small size as not to interfere with commercial prod- ucts, must be delivered each year un- der government inspection. Skilled labor in every line must be so enrolled in an industrial reserve as to insure against its loss to industry through enlistment in the fighting forces. There exists no other means of har- nessing industry in the defensive ser- vice of this government. War Insurance. Every manufacturing institution in the country carries fire insurance— for the future it must demand that it be given war insurance, as well. To each community must be brought home the part it must play in the event of national emergency. To urge and aid in pushing to speedy completion comprehensive plans for the education and organiza- tion of American manufacturers, for the production of governmental] mate- | rials, would seem the dictate of plain| business sense. There is no mystery in the job of preparing this country for defense. Secrecy in movement and accomplish- ment is largely buncomve. We de- ceive and can deceive the American people only. Our national safety lies in the thor- ougbness with which American busi- ness men do their “bit,” and in the manner in which we’ advertise to the other nations of. the:-world. our busi- ness-like plans for the national de- fense. * ed, the Bourse Gazette asserted to- day, proving that Protopoff and oth- ers of the royalist government at- tempted to conclude a separate peace with Germany. IN CONFUSION. Berlin, March 22.—-Russia is in con- fusion. Anarchistic agitation against the continuance of war is growing. The workingmen have refused tu re- spond to appeals that they resume jtheir work. This information reached ‘here today via Stockholm. It plainly indicated that the provisonal govern- ment is far from being in control of |" the situation; that discipline in the army has relaxed and that the fac- tional differences now smouldering may break out anew. PRISONERS RELEASED. (Associated Press) London, March 22.—A Petrograd dispatch to Reuter’s says that politi- cal prisoners released from the Hert- (Continued on Page Three.) EQUITY EXCHANGE SELLS GRAIN 10 MILL CITY CHAMBER (Associated Press.) St. Paul, March 22.—Evidence bear- ing on the affairs of the Equity Co- operative exchange will take up much of three weeks, Chairman Tiegen ex- pects, his special legislative commit- tee to continue investigation of grain exchanges. Following testimony by D. L. ‘Logue, secretary of the St. Paul Grain exchange, that he handled the “hedging” for the Equity and that he placed its future trade with two mem- vers of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Board of Trade, J. M. Anderson, president of} the Equity, and J. D. Diefenbach, for- mer sales Tr and now secretary of the St. Paul Milling company, were to testify this afternoon. Ycongress, jof action will be a: , the slate is clean between the United Smallpox Rages in Germany Socialist Member of Reichstagg Declares Rich Have Fat While Poor Starve CONDITIONS CONSIDERED RIPE FOR BIG REVOLT (United Press.) Washington, March Thirty-two thousand cases of small pox rage ip and the disease is still spreading, according to a speech by a Socialist wember of the Reichstaff and received in full by the state depart- ment today. The full text of the speech showed that Hoffmann charged that the rich were getting the fut while the poor had none, “The rich are hoarding while the poor ought to be fed. Smallpox is spread- ing rapidly and the vaccination of the victims has proved futile,” the speech said in part. The speech shows a more dist situation in Germany than any thus far reaching the state, depart- ment. It strengthens the befief that conditions are ripe for a revolt in Ger- many. WILSON WRITES WAR MESSAGE FOR CONGRESS Telegrams Pour in From All Parts .... ofthe. Nation Offering Sup. port in Any Action “ Germany FIGHT FOR CONTROL OF HOUSE TO BE FEATURE IR PLANES, ited Press) Washington, = Mareh mammoth ileet of 5,000 standard. ined t; of air craft to augment the t aerial forces of the United States is p National Advisory Committee of Aeronauts, it was stated here to- day. The committee, army and navy officers and some manufac- turers of the air erait met today to decide the quickest. possible way to turn out these air craft in an effeetive shape. (United Pre Washington, March 2 -President Wilson today begin preparing his mes- sage to be delivered before the war April 2. Simultaneously senato and representatives of all faiths. are wir in new pledges of support in action against Germany. Among those wiring in- their support are several members of the little group of wilfull men, charged by President Wilson with attempting to place the United States in a contemptible light before the world as a result of their filibustering tactics during the last congr Owing to the nature pf the present situation, it is believed the fight for organization will be short in the house. Probably some course ‘eed upon by the lenders before April 2. JULY EARLIEST DATE. While confident that the entrance of the United ates into the great strug- gle will serve either to directly or in- directly materially shorten the war, of- ficials believed it will be July, at least, before even the first step toward peace is registered. The Russian situation in the mean- time is being closely watched now that the United States is on the verge of war. The revolution in Russia dis- posed of many sinister elements, but it is helieved there may still be a further movement planned by the more radi- cal revolutionists. The order for the t of the former czar created un- here, but fall, recognition will soon as its establishment on a firm foundation is beyond doubt. ‘Call For Men. Men, and more men, is the nation’s call today. The nation wants them and the army will soon need them under the expected call for volunteers or compulsory war service. The navy is doing all it can to speed up prep- aration for hostilities. The army waits on congress and will heed what it may say as to the calling of men. The navy department is speeding up its recruiting and is filling up its va- rious reserves. In the influx of men under stimulus of a patriotic wave, of- ficials in charge of the work are grat- ified. Squelch Sugestions, The state department today squelch- ed all suggestions of neutral media- tion between the United States and Germany and it will continue to be the attitude of the government until States and Germany. Admniistration leaders, including Secretary Lansing, ADMINISTRATION TURNS DEAF EAR TD COMPROMISE Will Enter No Conference With Germany Until She Abandons Ruthless Campaign CONGRESS MAY DECLARE STATE OF WAR EXISTS Navy Actively Preparing to Meet Any Emergency That Extra Session Imposes (Associated Press.) Washington, March Offers of mediation to prevent actual war be- tween the United States and Germany are expected among the next develop- ments, Administration officials heard to- day that a European neutral was con- templating such a plan and they frank- ly regarded it as another effort, backed by Germany, to divide sentiment in congress and embarrass the president. No Proposals Considered. It was declared authoritatively to- day that no proposals of mediation or for discussion will be considered un- less Germany first abandons the cam- paign of ruthlessness. All administration officials from the president down, take the position that the United States never has and does not now desire war with Germany, but is being forced into it to. protect. the lives and rights of its citizens against unlawful aggression. Unt jermany is prepared © com- pletely to change her position, it, was declared today offers of mediation and discussion are useless, Germany, it was recalled, never accepted former Secretary Bryan's proposats to sign one of” tik’ “peace investigation” ‘treaties, which would have bound the United Stites to Inaction for a year:while @ commission investigated the situation. Congress, Unless ther some great change in the situation before April’ 2, it is ex- pected the president will detail in bis address to the special session of con- ress how Germany bas in fact. been making war against the United States by the ruthless operation of her U-boat, and leave it to congress to declare a state of war existing and vote money and men to protect: the interests of the United States. It is realized that before the assem- bling of Congress, there arc days preg- nant with tremendous importance to the United States. Congress” probably half a billion dolls for national de- fense, and authorize the president to use armed forces of the United States inst Germany. Declaration of War. ‘hnically, this would amount to # deciaration of war, but whether the United States shall enter the war in its full sense will depend on the extent to whiel rmany continues the un- lawful a: ion of her submarines. In cor ional circles today, the suggestion was heard that the fight for organization of the house he deferred pending action by congress on the in- ternutions! crisis, The senate already has organized, and will be ready for business upon assembling, Steps to put the country in a state of preparedness went forward rapidly to- day. Me activity was in the navy, where big preparations are being:¢made ro mect the submarine menace. Because of the uncertainty as to what part the army may take, plans for that arm of the military service are not quite se definite, although steps to meet vary- ing contingencies have been formulated. ‘Plans for rendering financia! assist- ance to the Entente Allies in case of war between the United States and Germany, are under consideration in- formally, by the federal reserve board and other government officials. Two courses are said to have been presented: One, the placing of gen- eral credit to Entente governments in this country by individual banks. to a greater extent than heretofore; the other, officia] action by the United States government in placing a large sum at the disposal of the Entente. Should the latter course be adopted, it is thought probable the government would raise the sum desired by a bond issue for a sum to be designated for that purpose. NEUTRALS ACTIVE. Washington, March 22.—That neu- tral nations may renew their previous efforts at straightening the difficulties between the United States and Ger- many was suggested by the state de- partment today. Several neutral .di- plomats called at the White Honse for a conference with Secretary Lan- sing shortly before noon, claimed to be taking no part in such a move. When diplomatic relations were severed with Germany, the meu- trals then offered their services to do anything “we can” to prevent trou- ble. If war comes, as now seems inevit- able, the withdrawal of the submar- ine decree then will be too late. FREIGHTER SUNK. Washington, March .22—T. will appropriate are frankly displeased with the medi- ation talk, branding it as pro-German ( Continued on Page Three)