The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 27, 1917, Page 1

Me ic e The Weather Fair and Warmer. HE BISMAR THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 73 UNITED PRESS Anti-Recruiting Demo INVESTICATING SEDITION AND INTIMIDATION Serious Charges Made Against Foreign-Born Residents Found Not Substantiated RECRUIT THREATENED FOR JOINING COLORS Young Man Reporting at Local Station Today Tells of Ex- perience in Rural District Information as to alleged anti-re- cruiting riots, the drilling of troops not organized under any state or na- tional military authority, and of sedi- tious utterances purported to have been made by various citizens of for- eign birth or descent residing in the southwestern part of the ate was filed with States Attorney ¥. Me- Curdy today by local ry eacitativen of the United States army, Similar advice probably will go during the day to United States District Attor- ney Hildreth at argo. A careful investigation which the Tribune has made of these rumors would indicate that the situation pos- sibly is not nearly so serious as it would appear at first glance. Fresh recruits for the coast artillery arriv- ing here to report to the local recruit- ing station told of threats which had been made against them by neighbors in the southwestern part of the state when it became known they intended to enlist. ‘T’ll_ shoot. you before you ever get. a chance to join the United States army,” a neighbor boy said to one of the recruits, the Jatter claims, but he admits no effort was made to carry out ‘the threat. Rather indefinite charges as to threats having ‘been made against. members of the nation- al guard, with a view to preventing them from: reporting for service, were not substantiated by. positive proof. |’ A number of names of persons alleg- ed to have ‘been: guilty of making threats and seditious statements have been filed with military authorities, and referred by them to the depart- ment of justice, and a thorough inves- tigation now {s under way. What Officers Say. f “Intimidation by speech’ is the di- rect charge against these people,” sid a federal officer this morning. “The people in the neighborhood, it seems, through ‘fears for their own safety, have kept quiet and have al- lowed a condition to develop which is most unhealthy. Young men enlist- ing for service in the United States army and the national guard have been threatened with physical vio- Jence and even death. ‘Numerous men have been heard to say that if war were declared they would do all in their power to aid our enemy. Troops have been drilling independent of any state and national authority, and the situation, to say the least, merits a promp and careful invesigation.” ‘Complaints Reach Frazier. Governor Frazier’s mail this morn- ing contained complaints from two widely separated sections of the state of sedition and intimidation. There was nothing very definite in the charges from either potnt, but the governor's informant attempted to convey the impression that much more might be said but for fear of discovery, The writers signed their names, and seemed very positive in their belief that something should ‘be done. ‘Church Societies. The drilling in the southwestern part of the state is reported by re- cruits reaching Bismarck today to have been practicéd by a church so- ciety, largely tomposea of foreign- born citizens or their descendants, for several years past. A motley col- lection of arms, principally confined to shotguns originally purchased for service on jackrabbits, is said to be used. The troops, it is said, have been drilled in military evolution and target practice, and have become quite efficient amateur soldiers, it is alleged. Watch N. P. Bridge. ‘Militiamen were last night station- ed at the Northern Pacific $1,500,000 ‘bridge spanning the Missouri river to offer postal protection. Twelve men and three non-commissioned officers of Company F, North Dakota First infantry, under Lieuteriant Ward Preston, guarded the structure last night and were relieved at an early heur this morning by‘members of A company of Mandan. Arrangements are only temporary until the arrival of Major Dana Wright of Jamestown, commander of thé Second tattalion, who is expected in the city this afternoon. Whether {Establishment Gas Plant, Appointment of Assessor, Administration Achievements ‘Editor's Note: With but a few days left before the city election, it is appropriate at this time to discuss the administration. The T-:b- une proposes, in a series of articles, to set forth the salient features for the guidance of the voters. Commissioners Lucas, Battey and Bertsch have made excellent records during the past four years. Bis- marck has had a clean, business administration and the record has been one of accomplishment and progress. Data for these articles have been secured from the official proceedings and every citizen should read them carefully. The only issue in this campaign is the expediency of retaining in of- fice men who have served the city well; men to whom the office makes no pecuriary appeal; men who have inaugurated policies and put into execution constructive measures for a bigger, better Bismarck. Some of these ventures are in the process of construction.’ The city needs these men to bring them to a successful and economical completion. It is not advisable to swap servants at this stage of the city’s devel- opment. Read the facts, Mr. Voter, and draw your own conclusions, marck has enjoyed two years of unequaled progress, Among the develop- ments of this period may be named the Bismarck Gas Co., operating under a franchise which protects the people and is at the same time fair to the company. Under this.franchise rates must be revised every year and re- duced as the volume of business increases. The franchise was granted under the present city commission, which has thoroughly safeguarded the} rights ot the city. ASSESSOR ON THE JOB. An annual assessor is an innovation instituted by the present commis- sion. The ancient system of assessing the city in 60 days was a physical impossibility. Such an assesment could not be accurate and complete, nor was it always fair. As a consequence, the board of equalization had a sev- eral weeks’ grind to correct defects in the work of the assessor, and finally the result was unsatisfactory. Under the present system an a: or is “on the job” the year round. It is his duty to be on the alert for people leaving the city who might forget to pay their personal taxes. He collects all licenses and special fees, the dog tax and the poll t and the apparent expense very little higher than under the old sy: while indiregtly the plan r Its in a decided saving, greater equity and more complete satisfaction in every way. During the two years the city commission has rebuilt and placed in first-class condition the detention hospital, which long had been in a dis- graceful, almost untenantable condition. The cost, $2,000, was paid out of the current expens is was $800 which invested in a permanent, fireproof home for the city scales and weighmaster, replacing a¥eansightly wooden structure which had encumbered the view in the vicinity of the BISMAROK, NORTH ALLIES PRESSING 0 Under the eflicient administration of the present city commission, Bis- | Be IN CRAIN PROBE George Smith of. Plaza and C. L. Boylan Among the State Witnesses SECRETARY OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUIZZED ;Defends System of Grading Now Used by Minnesota Commission (Associated Press) St. Paul, Mareh 27.—-J. B, Me- Hugh, secretary of the Minneapolis chamber of commerce, explained to the Teigen investigating committee today the method of obtaining sam- ples of grain for use on the floor of the exchange.: According to Mr. MeHugh, the rail- road and warehouse epinmission pro- for the ¢ if the panies reach lo} y move the seals &nd replace them with seals authorized by the state commis- municipal auditorium, sion, This custom has been followed ON A PAYING BASIS. for years, Mr. MeHugh declared and The Auditorium during the last two years has been operated as a|no criticism has never before been strictly high class theatre, and the attractions which have been presented | offered by shippers or other persons, there have been the best afforded by standard producers. ‘The Auditorium has never been considered a money-making institution, but it has more than paid expenses, and it has provided the people of Bismarck and vicinity an opportunity to see first-class entertainments at home at the same prices which, they would have been paid in any of the large cities, During the last two years comparatively few good attractions have been en tour. ‘Last yearin an effort to, meet the demand for wholesome, high- grade amusement, the Auditoriumj put on jirstclass vaudeville at. papular prices, together with a few auperiol Hearne ‘pictures, The Auditorium has°beon available at all times for popular public gath- er‘ngs and‘has been largely instrumental in enabling Eismarck to entertain durin the biennium ‘some of the state’s largest conventions, as well as an aid to.inducing other important organizations to select Bismarck as their meeting place this year. As a convention hall, the worth of the municipal auditorium cannot be overestimated. The annual report of the Auditorium, which has! jistbeen filed with the city:auditor, shows a balance on hand in the Auditorium fund of $800, after paying during 1916 more than $700 for permanent improvements, in the form of a moving picture machine and booth, and' ‘more than $300 for ‘1917 insurance, which, was cared. for out of last year’s receipts. After meeting all expenses, the Auditorium in 1916 will show an earning of $600, eee very good when the leanness of that year for all theatres is con- sidered. . CALL FORMER TO BRING NAVY T0 WAR BIS! (Associated Press) Washington, March 27.—The United States Marine corps needs more than 4,000 men to fill up its ranks to a war strength of 17,400. The need is urgent. An appeal to the press of the coun- try to awaken interest in recruiting the additional men was issued yes- terday by Secretary Daniels, follow- ing an executive order by President Wilson authorizing the increase. The secretary today expressed confidence that there would be an immediate response. Explaining that the president au- thorized the maximum strength of the marine corps was 14,981 men, Secre- tary Daniels said that more than 25,- 000 additonal men would have to be recruited to give the navy the 87,000 bluejackets and the marine corps the increases sought. To Need Militia, Every step that is possible to in- crease the navy personnel has now been taken, except the calling out of the naval militia. This arm of the! service will be needed, it is said to assist in manning new vessels. The fact that government has no present intention to seek the intern- ment of any resident aliens, so long as they are obedient to the laws of the nation, was made clear by Sec- retary Baker today. He added that this applies to German army reserv- istg as well as to other resident aliens. President Wilson was expected to RUSSIA. MAY BREAK CRIP ON BALKANS: (Unitedt Press.) Petrograd, March 27.—The new Russia may ‘break the grip of the Central Empires in the Balkans and may even bring about the withdrawal of Bulgaria and Turkey from the war, jaccording tu developments today. 'wo moves by the new government leaders are cited to likely have a far reaching effect to this end. “Dicker” With Turks, The first is a plan of. Minister of Justice Kerensky for internationaliz- ation in Constantiople. Minister Kerensky agrees with President Wil- son as to free outlets to the sea, and with his plan for neutralization of such oulet. His plan, it is said, is also to bring about the retention of the Dardanelles and Constantinople ‘by the Turks. The second’ plan is! popular negotiations with the Bulgars reported in progress today. When the new Foreign Minister Milovkoff was exiled to Sofia several years ago, he won the friendship of the Bulgars. Later, when he was permitted to re- turn, he declared in a speech in the Duma that Bulgaria had been unfair- ly treated. German Attacks German gas attacks on the western bank of the Chara river compelled the Russian forces to fall back in an easterly direction, today’s official statement said. The Germans _ first attacked wihout gas, but were re- pulsed. The second attack with gas compelled a brief retirement by the take up with his cabinet today the ad-| Russians, dress he will make to congress next Rael week. Another subject for discus- RESERVE BANKS TO HONOR CHECKS OF QUARTERMASTER sion was the suggestion of a big loan to the Entente Allies. state troops would be placed at the federal building in Bismarck and at the state capitol cculd not ve learned from an official source this morning. Guard the High Bridge. It was reported from Jamestown to- day that, while no official orders had ‘Deen received by Captain Gray of Company ,H, members of the guard there expect to be ordered to Valley City to protect the Northern Pacific: high line structure. .Major Dana ‘Wright -was-said +o-have left -that-city. ~{ Continued on: Page KING CHRISTIAN (uilied® J Press) BIDS HIS FORMER * Washington, March 27.—The feder- SUBJECTS | FAREWELL | a! reserve board, it was learned to- day, ordered all federal reserve banks (United Press) to cash United States quartermasters’ Copenhagen, March 27.—King Chris- [vouchers held by government credit- tian formally bade his former sub- jects in the Di nish West Indies a} farewell today, wishing them a “hap- py future,” under the United States! flag.” He issued a formal proclama- ors pending additional appropriations by cong:ers. In a further announce- ment, it was learned the board had informed the banks of the federal re- serve system that the government tion’ thanking the residents of the is- Tand, now sold to the * Upited States, for “centuries f loyalty.’ will stand behind them and ‘discount the vouchers that have a current 15 days’ discount rate. Plaza Smith on Job. George Smith, editor of a newspa- per at Plaza, North Dakota, a candi- date for the Republican nomination for governor of this state last. fall, and now an opponent. of the Equity exchange, is to testify late today, Myarlos. 1. Boylan. fopmerly gengral | (Continuedon' Pare" on Page Three.) MORGAN LOANS MILLION 10 HELP PREPAREDNESS New York, March 27.—Under ord- jinary circumstances to walk into the | office of J. P. Morgan & Co., and an- nounce that he had come to borrow $1,000,000,000 without interest for an lindefinite time upon security legally | worthless would find a cold reception. But this is just what Edward Page did and he got the loan. Mr. Page is chaimnan of the New York Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States ap- pointed to co-operate with the New {York Depot Quartermaster in the purchase of supplies for he army. {After congress failed fo pass the army deficiency bill, Mr. Page laid the situation before the Morgan firm, which advanced $1,000,000,000 with- jout interest. DAMAGE CASE GOES OW. TRIAL AT HILLSBORO ( Special to The .Tribune.) Hillsboro, N. D., March, 27.—The pleas are (being heard this afternoon in one © fthe most important cases on the calendar of he disrict court in which Alex Monroe, a fatm laborer, is suingg Dan Engle, a prosperous for injuries sustained while working on Mr. Enlges farm. The plaintiff claims that his injury which resulted from falling off a hay rack while loading hay into a mow, was coused by Mr. Engle’s. careless- ness in not warning him of the dang- er failing to properly instruct him in the use of the hay fork which he, was operating at the time of the accident. MAYOR MITCHELL MUST SHOW PROOF (Associated Press) Albany, N. Y., March 27.—The state senate has decided to summon Mayor Mitchell of New York before the bar of its members, and demand proof of his recent charge against Robert Wagner of New York city, Democrat- ic leader in the upper house, in con- nection with the Rockaway Point fort site legislation. The mayor stated that in blocking plans for the acquisi- tion “of this site, by the government, Senator - Wagner apparently was working more in the interests of Ger- many than of the United States. RI RCH 21, 1917. OPPONENTS OF ‘BELGIUM ASKS UITY TESTIFY | NEUTRAL WORLD FOR ASSISTANCE Germany Forces 300,000 Work- men Into Absolute Idleness by Dismantling Factories ARTISANS VIRTUALLY TAKEN AS SLAVES War Levy Upon Belgians Already Has Reached Two Hundred Million and Is on Increase (Assoclated Press) Washington, March 27.—An appeal from Belgian workmen for organized assistance by neutral government and laboring classes in neutral nations, was made public at the Belgian lega- tion today. It says that 300,000 men have been thrown out of work and kept in forced idleness, which has led the Germans to decr that “either you must sign a contract for work in Germany, or you will be taken as slaves.” As a result, it adds, “the whole of the working classes of Bel- gium are threatened with slavery, starvation or death,” Condenmed Victims, “Germany,” the peal ys, “hag condemned her victims to pay an im- mense war levy, which already amounts to more than $200,000,000 and which is increasing at the rate of $10,000,000 monthly. 4 “She has carried off and ‘transport- ed into ymany by pillage, confisca- tion, requisition and forced sale food- stuffs and merchandise to the value of more than $1,000,000. She has seized and sent to Germany the great- er part of the raw products in our factories, the machinery and all ac- cessories; she has thus stopped our Mrvjustry and se fine an almost -gen- eral ‘aiid enforced state of idleness of the working classes,” The plight of those deported is ple- tured as painful. NATIONAL GUARD FOR PREPAREDNESS (United Press) New York, March 27.—Endorsement of universal service is planned as one of the first actions of the National Guard associations convention at the opening session here today. Despite the determined opposition of the members of the national guard, offi- cials said the plan would bring the desired result. National guard officers from 81 states gathered at the Seven- ty-first regiment armory tod: Mo- ation orders issued yesterday started many of them hurrying back. The purpose of the convention is to erystalize public sentiment on the preparedness movement. RUSSIAS GRAND DUKE SURRENDERS ALL CROWN LAND (Associated Press) Petrograd, March 27.—The grand dukes and the royal princes in a joint telegram addressed to the provisional government today, not only formally associate themselves with the abdica- tion of Grand Duke Michael, but also turn over to the new government their official wealth; namely, their holdings of crown lands and_ other state grants heretofore attaching to their station. RAMBLING. NOTE farmer of his community for damages: LEFT BY FATHER WilO KILLED FIVE (Associated Press.) Wabeasso, Minn., March 27.—A cor-| oner’s jury, which killing of the vife and four children j of William Kleeman, and himself, an- nounced today a verdict of murder and suicide. No evidence other than} a rambling note left by Kleeman was} found to indicate, in the jury’s opin- investigated the | P' ST. QUEN strations in State VANDERBILT HEIR ENLISTS IN NAVY ova vote matters WILLIAM 21.VANDERBILT Young Vanderbilt, heir io part, of the. fortimes -of- the Jamon Vanderbilt damily, is 15 years age and too young to enter An- napells, so has taken: the tirst op- portunity to enlist in the naval reserve. He is the youngest mid. shipman in the service, CONGRESS 10 BAGK WAR MESSAGE WITH COMPLETE AUTHORITY President Wilson Statement While Works on Resolutions Preparing Committee STATE OF HOSTILITIES EXISTS WITH GERMANY (United Press) Washington, March 27.—The resolu- tion to be introduced in congress April 8. one day aiter that body meets in extra session and after the presi- dent has concluded his address to the joint session, will declare that the time has come when the United States must vindicate decisively its honor and its right. It will declare that by acts of Germany a state of war exists and that congr place at the dis- position of the president the means of prosecuting the war, thereby hasten- ing the restoration of peace. While the president is completing his mes- sage, the house foreign affairs is pre- paring the war resolution. mittee will draw the resolutions along the following lines: Features of Resolution, That wanton violation of rights of Persons and property of our citizens has been committed by the Germans; that her repeated acts of bad faith and utter disregard of solemn treaties have instituted ample cause for war on our pa that the G have been such as to justify the United States before the whole world in resorting to remedies, however ex- treme; that with the anxious desire to avoid a rupture we forebore for months to assert our rights by force aud continued negotiations to seek re- dress for the wrongs suffered in the hope that Germany might yield to cifist council and demands of jus- tice; that it was in this hope that }the United States was disappointed; |that the time has come when this country must vindicate her honor, right and interests, and that the con- gress of the United States place at ion, that the farmer had not killed his, family wih an axe, and then hanged, himself. HANNAFORD BOY ENLISTS" IN CANADIAN REGIMENT Hannaford, N. March 27.—Henry the disposal of the president means of | prosecuting the war vigorously and thereby hastening the restoration of peace. The resolution will also authorize provision for an increase in the army and navy. The com-; erman acts | TWO FORTS OF LU FERE HELD BY THE FRENCH Entente Foroes Gain Railroad Leading’ to Center of Hind. enberg Line 5 ALLIES TRY TO ENCIRCLE THE ENEMY ABOUT COUCY Stiff Teutonic Resistance Checks. Advance of British in Region of Arras Sector (Assoelated Press) Driving forward north and south of St. Quetin, heart of the Hindenberg line, the Allies have cut two of the four main railroads which feed the city, while a third is well within reach of the French guns. While La Fere, inundated by the retreating Ger- mans, and two of its dominating forts are in the hands of the French, chief interest in the tremendous battle which has been raging for a week on an 80-mile front shifts to historic St. Quentin, The Germans are making desperate and bloody attempts to wrest from the French the Esingny- Benay plateau from which General Nivelle’s guns command the southern approaches to the city, and render its position, in the opinion of military critics, one of grave peril, Forge to West. Further to the south, the Freneh have forged well to the west of St. Quentin, hammering a great ‘dent in the German .line between that town and La Fere. The advance of this salient three\miles further would the French possession of the direct, railwaly- dine. between ithe Carte towns. ‘ Swing in Great Cn FVO, South of Lfa Fere the French troops have swung, in a great curve around the forests of Coucy, and St. Gobain, the formidable natural barrier, which lies between them and. Loan, the southernmost fortress on the Hinden- berg line. In the center of the curve, General Nivelle has forced a wedge into the forest, but about 10 miles of heavily timbered country must yet be conquered before he reaches his goal. General Haig Checked, On the northern section of the great battle line, the situation is somewhat obscure. Neither the Brit- ish nor German official communica- tions throw much light on the opera- tions there. Some progress has been mede in the direction of Cambrai by General Haig, but apparently the de- termined resistance of the Germans has checked the British advance along the whole Arras sector, Turks Hard Pressed. While the issue of the titanic strug- gle in France remains in doubt, the stage is set for sensational possibil- ities in Mesopotamia. In: the plains of the Tigris five armies are converg- ing on the Turks in the hope of deal- ing a death blow to Ottoman power in its eastern empire. The Russians are advancing from Persia in three divi- sions, driving the Turks before them and have already crossed the Turk- ish frontier at two places. To the south, General Maude, conqueror of Bagdad is pressing forward. up the Tigris and the Diala rivers. Outside of the possibility of decis- ive victory over their encircling foes, apparently the only road of retreat open to the Turks is to the west. Here they are confronted with the desolate wastes of the great desert of Bl Jez- ireh, according to military caus an impassable barrier. SEEKING FOOD. (United Press) The Hague, March 27.—Four thous- and German soldiers have crossed the line into Holland seeking food. MAKE GAS ATTACKS. (Associated Press.) Petrograd, March 27.—Attacks by German troops on. the Russian line along the Shara in the Baranovichi region, southeast of Vilna, were at first unsuccessful, the war office an- nounced today. A discharge of eas accompanying the second attack, how- ever, compelled the Rusians to fall back. PLAN TO AID FRANCE BY BILLION OF BONDS (United Press.) Washington, March 27—One plan under consideration by administra- tion leaders is to ask fora bond issue of one Dillion dollars or more, the proceeds from which will ‘ve used for the purchasing of French bonds. and thus aid France in prose cuting the war, That the old Rus- sian treaty will be abrogated was tek- en for granted by the tenor of yester- RETURNS FROM BORDER HIS INTERESTS ARE SOLD Robinson, son of a pioneer family of} Sioux City, Ia:, March 27.—When this couny, has enlisted in a Canadian| Harry Le Resches returned from the regiment and expects to sail for Eng-| border where he had spent several land on his way to “somewhere in/ months with the Iowa national guard, France”. early next month. He has|he found: that his business partner been living in Canada for the past|had sold his half interest in a flour- eight months and is 19 years of age. | ishing little ower store. : day’s note to Germany ov the sub ject. The war departmcat. said pub licly that it had no plans for arresting aliens if they observed the Jaws of the country. Many Germans are flee- ing from this ¢ovatry to Mezieo, not to join the ai but to dodge inters- ment. What will be done ia. ‘ing extra session. of conctess ternment is not. revealed,