Evening Star Newspaper, November 16, 1917, Page 1

Ne WEATHER. Partly cloudy tonight; temperature about 38; tomorrow fair. ‘Temperature for twenty-four hours ending 2 p.m. today: yesterday; lowest, 44, today. Fuil report on page 22. Highest, 63, at 3 at 3 am CLOSING NEW YORK STOCKS PAGE 22 No. 26,869. WASHINGT Che Fvening Star. D. C., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1917-TWENTY-SIX PAGES Sworn Net Circulation, Month of October, 1917, Dafly Average, 83,365; Sunday, 64,962. ——- PEACE OFFERED TO HUN BY RUSS, ADVICES INDICATE German Socialists Urge Imme- diate Reichstag Session to Take Up Lenine Plan. BOLSHEVIK! ARE STILL HOLDING PETROGRAD Kerensky Masters Revolt in Moscow. Movements of Forces in Region of Capital Cause Conflicting Reports. Germany is believed to have received & peace offer from Nikola Lenine, the bolsheviki leader. Communication with Petrograd again bas been restored, but no direct news has been received from.the Russian eapital. The bolsheviki are still in con- trol in Petrograd, while Premier Keren- sky’s troops are reported to be in flight, and, agiin, to be marching on the bol- sheviki stronghold. Efforts of the so- cialists to arrange a settlement with the bolsheviki and to bring about a new eoalition government have failed. Oth- er reports say that the maximalist lead- ers, Lenine and Trotzky, are losing their popularity. The bdlsheviki, in Moscow, are re- ported to have been defeated completely in street fighting, which claimed 2,000 lives. Heavy fighting has occurred at Kiev, where the Cossacks were said to have arrived several days ago. Reichstag Session Urged. By the Associated Press. LONDON, November 16.—The inde- pendent socialist group in the German reichstag has requested the president to convoke an immediate session of the reichstag to discuss the peace offer of Nikolai Lenine, leader of the Russian bolsheviki, the Amsterdam correspond- ent of the Central News cables. The independent socialists also ask that the reichstag take up consideration of the new state of affairs as regards Courland, Lithuania and Poland. “(No word has. reached the United States of a peace offer by the bolshevilt manics tion ues een ‘interrupted’ for mi a weel e program bolsheviki calls for an armistice, Dut it 18 understood their purpose is to ad- @ress their proposals to all the bel- ligerents and not to arrange a separate peace with Germany.) Kerensky Holds Moscow. The Wolff Bureau, the official German news bureau, according to an Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Geneva, ad- mits that the provisional (Kerensky) government has mastered the revolt in loscow. It says that Lenine still con- trols Petrograd, where the fighting was severe yesterday afternoon. pA Siecknolm, dispatch to Reuter’s says at telegraphic commu- uistiet : stored. with Petrograd has been re- An attempt to negotiate for the crea- tion of a socialist government in Rus- ala and the postponement of a railway strike there are described in an Ex- change Telegraph Company dispatch from Petrograd, dated Tuesday. The socialist leaders offered the boisheviki the following basis for an agreement: First—The disarming of the red guard. Second—The transfer of the control of the Petrograd garrison to the mu- nicipality. Third—The cessation of militry oper- ations, and in consideration of the ac- ceptance of these terms. ‘ourth—Full guarantee that Keren- sky’s army would be the only one en- tering Petrograd and would not fire a single shot. Fifth—The army would abstain from domiciliary searches and arrests. Negotiations Collapse. The negotiations for the armistice collapsed because, although the bol- sheviki agreed to the terms, the so- clalists insisted that the bolsheviki be excluded from the proposed govern- ment. Premier Kerensky, the dispatch adds, has issued proclamations declaring his adherence to the revolution and guar- anteeing the clearing out of the bol- sheviki, as well as to the transfer of power to democratic organizations, the preliminary parliament and the com- mittee for safeguarding the country and the revolution. The railway union has sent a dele- gation to Kerensky proposing that he should withhold aggressive measures against the Petrograd garrison and the workmen. The premier, it is said, re- plied that he would not pursue an aggressive course or apply repressive measures in the event of the socialist party arriving at an agreement. It is reported from Kief, the dispatch adds, that there is heavy fighting through: out that city. Airplanes are partici- pating on both sides and there have been numerous casualties. Retires to the South. COPENHAGEN, November 16.—A Hel- singfors dispatch to the Politiken says that the military committee last night received the following by telephone: “When the revolutionary troops re- conquered Gatchina, Kerensky with 3,000 to 5,006 men retired to the south. An order was given to cut off his re- treat and part of the northern army was dispatchéd to attack him in the rear. “The people seem to have lost confi dence in Lenine and Trotzky. It is in- tended to form a social revolutionary coalition government, with representa- SENATOR GALLINGER HERE FOR SESSION Says Republicans Will Support Administration and Foresees New Revenue Act. FOR LIBERAL D. C. FUNDS Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire, leader of the minority in the Senate, has arrived in Washington, accom- panied by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ralph E. Gallinger, and is occupying his apartment in Stoneleigh Court. The senator appears to be in robust health, having apparently fully recov- ered from his severe illness of last winter. He expressed himself as being of the opinion that the coming session of Congress will be an exceedingly im- portant and possibly a protracted one, as the war situation will doubtless re- quire much legislation and very large appropriations to meet the necessary expenditures for the Army and Navy. He also suggested that the revenue law passed at the last session will probably need amendment in some par- ticulars, and that a new and even a larger revenue bill will doubtless be enacted. He fears that the huge ex- penditures now being made are in some instances larger than is absolutely nec- essary, and in all human probability they will be carefully inquired into during the session. Asked if the republicans intended to demand inquiry as to how the large appropriations of the last session have been expended he said that if the facts seemed to warrant it they doubtless would do so, but the republicans will continue loyally to support the admin- istration in all proper ways. He said it was regretable that the proposition first advanced by Senator Weeks to have a joint committee to act in con- junction with the administration in matters of that kind was defeated at the behest of the President. Sees Burden of War on U. 8. As to the probable length of the war he said that one man’s guess is as good as another's. Of one thing he feels sure, and that is if the war continues two years more the United States will be called upon to furnish most of the men, and a large proportion of the money and food required to carry it on. He feels sure that Germany will be ultimately beaten, but it will be at_a great cost to this country. Inquired of as to his attitude on mat- ters connected with the District of Co- lumbia, in which the senator has al- ways displayed the warmest possible interest. he said that he will this year, as in former years, support liberal ap- propriations with a view to stiil fur- ther beautifying the capital and adding to the attractiveness and advancement of the District. In this connection he DEMOCRATS 10 TRY NEW ‘ZONE’ SYSTEM Will Put Into Practical Opera- tion Next Fall Plan to Con- duct State Campaigns. SENATORIAL CONTESTS ON The democratic national committee is putting into practical operation a dem- onstration of its new plan of “zone man- agement” of political campaigns, with a view to testing its efficiency for contem- | plated use in the next fight for the pres- idency. The first important “try-out” will be had next fall, in the zone com- prising the States Senate for which the democrats are contesting, and in one or two other zones on @ smaller scale. A senator 1s to be elected in each of the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico. Utah is the other state in this group, known as zone 7. An organization has been created, with former Gov. John B. Os- borne of Wyoming chairman and John T. Barnett of Colorado secretary. The campaign committee of the zone con- sists of the national committeemen and state chairmen of the states included in it. ‘The idea is to vest this management with full control of the campaign, free from the domination of the national committee, whose membership is un- familiar with local conditions and whose chairman Is from a state remote from the scene of action. With the power goes responsibility for results. All Campaigns Equal. The five states in which senators are to be elected will be campaigned by the democrats with the same vigor which they applied in the presidential election of 1916 so successfully. New Mexico is just as important=to the democrats as New York in this cam- paign, for the result means a vote in the Senate, where state representation is equal. There will in the future be no scornful reference to “pocket boroughs,” sometimes applied in the past to states of sparse population. ‘Wyoming will be the center of the most stubborn contest, for it 1s consid- ered fair fighting ground. Mr. Os- borne, the zone chairman, will be the democratic candidate for the Senate to succeed Senator Warren, who is de- clining renomination, and will have the undivided support of the democrats. The republicans, for their part, are al. ready in a bitter factional fight over the nomination. Representative Bfon- dell claims it by right of long and dis- ‘aid he would support liberal appro- Bilations for thq schools and hospitals, icf tire ieee ake ‘well avenues in all parts of the city. fe also expréssed himself as warmly in favor of a liberal appropriation for an armory for the District of Columbia, calling attention to the fact that in the public buildi bill of February 27, 1913, an ame! ent proposed by him providing an appropriation of $1,750,- 000 for an armory was agreed to by the Senate, but it fafled in conference. He said that so far as he knew every state in the Union has an armory, the state of New Hampshire having at least four buildings of that kind. He proposes to urge vigorously a bill for an armory here in the hope that it may become a law. Discusses Political Situation. ‘As to the political situation, he said that politics seemed to be quiescent for the present, everybody being interested in war matters. He expressed gratifi- ation over the result of the vote in New York on the suffrage question, and also said that he felt a very keen inter- est in the coming election of a senator in the state of Wisconsin. Asked if he had seen the interview of Senator Saulsbury of Delaware, he smilingly said that he had read that interview with much interest and a considerable degree of amusement. He sald that when Senator Saulsbury becomes non- partisan it is time for republicans to be on their guard, but he added that Sena- tor Saulsbury’s nonpartisanship seemed to consist in the expressed hope that all the loyal men in Wisconsin, rqbub- licans as well as democrats, would turn in and elect a democrat to the Senate. Senator Gallinger is chairman of a committee of senators which is expect- ed to look after the election of repub- lican senators in the several states, and speaking for the committee of which he is chairman, he favored the election of a straight-out and uncompromising re- publican from the state of Wisconsin, a man who would support the funda- mental principles of the republican party and be absolutely loyal to the best interests of the country in the con- duct of the war and in the matter of ap- propriations. PLAN STRICTER CONTROL OF ALL ENEMY ALIENS New regulations governing enemy aliens, much more drastic and planned to be more effective than those now operating, were up for final considera- tion at today's cabinet meeting. They are expected to deal efficiently with the menace of fires, bomb plots, the conveying of information to Ger- many and other activities intended to hamper the government in conduct of the war. The regulations have been drawn by Attorney General Gregory, who favors strong action to deal with the men- ace. When finally approved they will be embodied in a proclamation by President Wilson. The question of forcing all enemy aliens away from the vantage points of the seaboard, as well as forbidding them entry to cer- tain barred zones, is one of the princi- pal considerations. tives of all parties except the well-to- do. The first task of the new govern- ment will be to make peace with the enemy.” Garrison Loyal, Is Claim. STOCKHOLM, November 16.—A Rus- sian who arrived at Haparanda from Petrograd Wednesday says that Keren- sky's troops had not entered Petro- grad Monday and he did not believe they would enter, as the garrison, num- bering 50,000, remains faithful to the maximalists. - The cause of Kerensky’s unpopular- ity, according to this Russian, was his THREE U. 8. SOLDIERS DIE. Two From Illness and One From Accident, Reported From France. Deaths of three American soldiers, two from sickness and one by accident, were reported today by Gen. Pershing. They were: Private Edwin S. Linton, medical de- he said that for his part, and also! tinguished service for his atate in the House and his demonstrated ability as a legislator. Kis rm of, among the republicans ara feared, Regarded Safely Democratic. In. Colorado Senator Shafroth will be the democratic candidate for renomina- tion. The state is regarded at present as safely democratic. The republicans have not yet picked their candidate to oppose him. In Montana Senator Walsh will have no opposition for renomination by the democrats. This state will be fair fight- ing ground for both parties, too, as it 1s regarded as close. The democrats, however, expect to win the Senate seat and are also “going after” Miss Jean- nette Rankin’s place in the House, even though she should be renominated by the republicans, which at this time is held to be doubtful. New Mexico is where the democrats confidently expect to gain a seat. Sen- ator Fall, republican incumbent, may not run again, and at any rate the dem- ocrats are encouraged to hope for a victory. It is explained that in the past year or two there has been a great influx of immigration into eastern New Mexico from Texas, which, of course, is democratic. In Idaho, if Senator Borah, republican, concludes to stand for renomination, it is thought he will be opposed by former Gov. Goodrich. The democrats will nom- inate former Gov. Hawley and go after the republican candidate's scalp, whoever he be, as they feel very hopeful of gain- ing by alleged factional dissensions among the republicans. Zone Formed in New England. A _zone organization has also been cre- ated in New England, where there will be senatorial contests, but admittedly not of so favorable a character to the democrats as presented by those in -the western states mentioned. Dr. J. W. Coughlin of Fall River, Mass., has been made chair- man and Francis E. Sullivan of Provi- dence, secretary of this zone organization. Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will elect senators next fall. When all is said and done, the democrats will probably consider them- selves lucky to come out of the fight by holding the New Hampshire seat without making any gains. At a meeting of democratic national and state committeemen, to be held in Chicago November 26, ‘zone No. 4 is to be organized. This will comprise the states of Illinois. Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, “Minne- sota, Missouri, Nebraska. North Da- kota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Thereafter other zones will be or- ganized from time to time, so that if the plan works out successfully in the scene of its severest test, the mountain states, it will be ready for the great presidential campaign of Troops Escort Tank to Canada. NEW YORK, November 16.—Armed American troops today are invading Can- ada, but the “invasion” is a peaceful one, the troops comprising Battery A of the New York Field Artillery, acting as an escort to the British tank which is to feature victory loan parades in Ottawa and Toronto. The tank has been on exhi- bition in Central Park in this city. The troops left for Canada last night in a special train. You May Not Get It Transportation facili- ties are taxed to the limit. « partment, Base Hospital, No. 18, died November 14 of scarlet fever; Edwin Linton, father, 400 E. Maiden street, opposition to peace, and he further de- clared that if the maximalists could have made peace they would be mas- ters everywhere. All hope was in the Proposed coalition cabinet, and, he added: #“If such a government cannot be forgied we will have civil war.” According to a Petrograd dispatch to 4Continued on Second Page.) Washington, Pa. Private Claude E. Mieusset, Machi: Gun Battalion, Commonwealth avenue, Boston, Mass. Bugler Floyd N. Gramps, engineers, killed by railroad train October 17; Mrs. 3624 Park Anna C. Gramps, mother, avenue, south, Minneapolis, Minn, . died of broncho-pneu- monio; Mrs. GC. Mieusset, mother, 1082 Shop early and get the gifts you want while they are to be had, be- cause it may be impos- sible for the stores to re- lenish “sold out” goods tage Christmas. Rocky mountain states, | iwhere there are five seats in the United (LBOAT UNDEFEATED. SAYS BRTSH LORD Sir Eric Geddes Tells House of Commons Allies Must Not Relent on Sea. OPINION IS SHARED HERE By the Associated Press. LONDON, November 16.—In reply to a@ question in the house of commons to- day Sir Eric Geddes, first lord of the admiralty, said: .“The good return of tonnage sinking by enemy submarines 4, indeed the comparative- \_Fepult’ of the Inst two 1) dicating that the submarine menace is a thing of the past, or defeated.” Sir Eric recalled his recent speech in the house of commons, in which Hie said the enemy's attack on British trade was being held, but had not been de- feated; that the Germans were building submarines faster than the British were destroying them. but that with improved methods he looked for the eventual de- feat of this menace. He also reminded his hearers he had said mercantile ma- rine tonnage was not being maintained against the depredations of subma- rines. Nothing Left Undone. “I see no reason in what has hap- pened since, or in the favorable results of the last week,” he continued, “to qualify or modify in any way what I have said as publicly as. possible, that the calis upon the merchant shipping of the world for waging war are so great that nothing should be left un- said or undone which will bring home to the people of this and allied coun- tries that economy in everything which is seaborne has a direct, vital and early result in the successful prosecuton of the war; that shipyards are short of men and women, and that all labor which can be saved from unnecessary work and diverted to the shipyards will have a direct effect on winning the w “I ask the house and the country not to be lifted up or cast down by one good or one bad week or month in ton- nage sinkings. Are Mastering Submarines. “The steady downward curve since April shows that we hold and for the present are mastering the submarine. The rise in merchant shipbuilding at present and proposed shows we are counteracting the enemy’s efforts. But T repeat that we must have increased sutput in marine engine shops and ship- yard American naval experts, it was made plain today, do not agree with the view that the lull in submarine activ- ities indicates a collapse of the U-boat! campaign or that anti-submarine measures have proved wholly effective. They agree that progress is being made against the menace, but prefer to_post- pone judgment on whether the U-boat has been eliminated as a factor until the theory has been more thoroughly tested. Meanwhile the American Navy will continue its preparations to deal with the menace. Secretary Daniels authorized the fol- lowing statement: “The submarine menace has not proved the decisive factor in the war that the Germans predicted it would be. It has done great harm, which should not be underestimated, and is still a menace. Its purpose was to starve England by August, and this, of course, it has failed to do. BRITISH FLIERS’ BOMBS STRIKE CRUISER GOEBEN HEARD ON PAYS HONOR TO MEMORY OF FORMER DIPLOMAT President Wilson Heads Party of Distinguished Officials at Fu- neral of Johr® W. Foster. President Wilson headed a distin- guished party of government officials and members of the staffs of various embassies which attended the funeral services held this noon at the Church of the Covenant for John W. Foster, former Secretary of State and dean of the American diplomatic corps, who died yesterday morning at his home, 1323 18th street northwest. Rev. Dr. Charles Wood, pastor of the Church of the Covenant, officiated at the services. Mr. Foster had been an elder in the church since its founda- tion. The pallbearers were the elders of the church. ‘The body will be taken late this aft- ernoon to Evaneville, Ind. the old home of Mr. Foster. Secretary and Mrs Lansing, the latter Mr. Foster's daugh- ter, will accompany the body Evansville. FRENCH HALT ENEMY ATTACK IN BELGIUM Germans Try to Capture Point of Support North of Veldpoek—Ar- tillery Blazing at Verdun. By the Associated Press. PARIS, November 16.—A German at- tack in Belgium was repulsed last night by the French, the war office announces. The statement follows: “In Belgium the Germans attempted to capture one of our points of support. north of Veldpoek. The attack was re- pulsed completely and appreciable losses were inflicted upon the enemy. Elsewhere on the front the night was quiet, except on the right bank of the Meuse (Verdun front), where heavy ar- tillery firing continues. “German aviators bombarded the re- gion south of Nancy. There were no victims.” British Official Report. LONDON, November 16.—The official statement from British headquarters in France and Belgium issued last night read: arly this morning the enemy bom- barded heavily our positions north of the Menin road and shortly afterward its infantry attempted to advance. The attack was successfully repulsed by our fire. Another party of the enemy which endeavored to approach our lines north- east of Passachendaele also was driven off. “The hostile artillery again has shown great activity in the neighbor- hood of Passchendaele and also north and south of it.” PLEA TO CENTRAL EMPIRES. Pope Benedict Asks Observance of International Law. ROME, November 15.—Pope Benedict has asked the governments of the cen- tral empires to instruct their military authorities operating west of the Isonzo to follow the rules of interna- tional law in respecting the lives and property of civilians and in the pro- tection of women and children, the clergy hospitals, churches, bishops’ palaces and presbyteries. The pontiff also has ordered the papal nuncios at Munich and Vienna, if neces- sary, to appeal personally and directly to Emperor William and Emperor! Charles to obtain the fulfillment of his wishes. LONDON, November 16.—During a re- cent ajr raid over the Gallipoli penin- sula and Constantinople by British aviators the former German ne Goeben, now the Turkish war- ship Sultan Selim, was hit and a large explosion caused, it was officially an- nounced today. FORD TO AID SHIPPING PLAN. To Become Assistant to Manager Piez of Fleet Corporation. Henry Ford has agreed to give his aid 0, the government merchant ship build- ‘ings program by becoming an assistant to)General Manager Piez of the emer- gancy fleet corporation. , Ford will deal especially with ization and speeding up pro- parent the merchant fleet, and al- is building in his Detroit motor Ly fet ‘small ship parts. He will give factergvernment most of his time and will serve without pay. THE AERIAL HIGHWAY. EE EXPLAINS DENIAL OF MAIL PRIVILEGE Postmaster General’s Answer in Court to Milwaukee Leader’s Complaint. UPHOLDS ESPIONAGE ACT Postmaster General Burleson today filed in the District Supreme Court an answer to the mandamus proceedings recently instituted by the Milwaukee Social Democratic Publishing Company to compel him to rescind his order re- voking the second-class mailing privi- lege’ of the Milwaukee Leader, cxgepefetipe-social democratic party in which involves the ‘validity the espionage act, was continued by Justice Hitz until November 26. ‘The answer sets forth that the action of the Postmaster General was in pur- suance of authority of law and in- volved an exercisé of his judgment and discretion, which is not reviewable im_a court of law. Mr. Burleson in- sists that the espionage act is valid and constitutional, but asserts that his denial of the privilege to the newspa- per in question was not based entirely on that enactment. United States Attorney Laskey and Assistant United States Attorney Van Fleet appear for the Postmaster Gen- eral Attorney Charles Poe of the local bar and Attorneys Cochems & Wolfe |.of Milwaukee represent the publishing company. Mr, Burleson’s Statement. Mr. Burleson denies that the Leader has complied with the provisions of the espionage act, and says: “From the date of the declaration of war and continuously down to the ac- tion of the respondent (Burleson) com- plained of by the relator (Leader) this respondent avers that from matter re- ceived at the Post Office Department from various sections of the country he finds that there exists an organized propaganda to discredit and impede in every way the government in the prose- cution of this war, with the purpose of defeating the objects for which this government is spending billions of dol- lars and will probably be called upon to sacrifice thousands of lives. The publications forming this propa- ganda in any cases subtly guard their utterances in the attempt to avoid the criminal labilities of their acts under the espionage law, they are nevertheless united in publishing the same character of matter, whether partially true or en- tirely false, and are daily accomplishing resuits in clear violation of law. Includes the Leader in List Among these publications is that of the relator, the Milwaukee Leader, whose editor and controlling spirit is Victor L. Berger, an Austrian by birth, but by later naturalization and adoption a citizen of the United States, owing it allegiance and loyalty. Two Trapped in Room Perish in Fire KENT, Ohio, November 16.—Jacob Roth, jr., and his wife were burned to death in their home here early toda: as a result of a fight between Roth's father, who lived with his son, and three friends of the elder Roth, who were visiting him. During the fight a stove was overturned and Jacob Roth, ijr., and his wife were trapped in an upstairs room ana burned to death. Ja- cob Roth, sr., and his three friends are being held as witnesses by the coroner pending further information. of The Sunday Star. Washington and the War in Pictures ht pages of photographs of things and people of in- terest in Washington, and the best of the war photographs— such is the unequaled array you will find in our enlarged Planogravure Section, printed artistically and clearly. It ap- peals particularly to the old Washingtonian and to those who have come here recently and still have many delightful things to learn about the city. Convince yourself by securing a copy the! Germans Increase Artillery Activity on That Section of the Front. SENATORS WATCH TRAINING BY JUNIUS B. WOOD. -<ram ning Star and Sauce ‘Daily News. Copyright, 1917. WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, November 16.— The German artillery fire is daily growing more in- tense on that part of the front line held by American troops. lery, as well as the infantry, is getting its baptism of steel, which is rapidly hardening the men into veterans. Hitherto the shelling on this sector has not been heavy, but it is livening up, the incentive being the unusual efforts of the American batteries and the ap- parent desire of the Germans to inflict telling blows, in the hope of demoraliz- ing the new American contingents. The men are holding their own under the severe ordeal, and express their satisfaction at being given an oppor- tunity to show their mettle and to have experience in genuine active fighting. Casualties Result of Chance. It 1s believed that all the casualties in recent weeks have been the result shrapnel hurled at the American lines. Several privates from the Engineer Corps were wounded while digging new trenches in front of the advanced lines in daylight. \¢rom the German observation posts, and ithe enemy batteries started shelling. \Gntl the shells began falling too fast, when they retired, carrying their wounded with them. Infantrymen have been killed or wounded at various times by exploding shells on different parts of the line. Slight cuts and bruises from flying shell explosions are of almost hourly occurrence. A corporal was killed by a bullet fired by a the American inadvertently raised his steel-capped head above a trench em- bankment. Cheering Message From Home. American expedition yesterday, when Senators Kenyon of Iowa and Kendrick An encouraging message from home| "PP: : was received by the etaff officers of the | tegic value and the danger of the Piave VRE AGAINST U.S. OPEN FLOODGATES SOLDIERS GROWING, CHECKING GERMANS ON LOWER PIAVE Italians Release Water Over Plains Forming Triangle 12 : Miles on Each Side. ,.@' NATURAL BARRIER NOW “ SEVERAL FEET DEEP. The artil-|Menace of Venice Bombardment Lessened—Berlin Claims Capture of Cismon on Northern Front, 4 ROME, November 16.—Alll along : | the mountain front from Asiago to the Piave river the attacks of the Austro-German forces which ; are seeking to crush in the Italian ; line have been repulsed, it is ane nounced officially. All the posi- - tions attacked yesterday remained ; in the hands of the Italians, =: Embattled for the protection of Ven+ ice and Lombardy, the Italians have of chance shots, and it is not surpris- | pened the floodgates of the Piave and ing, in view of ‘the tons of shells and |Sile rivers, northeast of Venice, to keep in check the Austro-German force which has crossed the Piave near Grisolera. They were easily seen|In inundating the triangle, whose apex is near San Dona di Piave, the Italians They stuck to their work under fire | have prevented any enemy movement to flank the right wing of the Italian army, along the Piave. In the mountains between Asiago and the Piave the great pressure of the in- stones and dirt thrown about by the|vaders has not brought great results, though Cismon has been taken. On the erman sniper when | Asiago plateau the Italians are straight~ ening out their line gradually, and it is here that the Austro-Germans have pro= gressed slightly. These gains, howeverg apparently have not been of great strae line being outflanked, although still of Wyoming were completing their | present, probably has not become serious visit to the war zone. Its substance was that the nation was solidly behind the fighting men. “Everybody at home is doing well,” said Senator Kenyon at a luncheon “All are united, and there is no longer any north, south, east or west, but one country. The that bothers them ie SAY GuaE iS BSr te de and how odo given by a. general. it most quickly. “We have been impressed by the re- \MeoereRs made in training th soldiers who were the frst to arrive. Tho later arrivals arem to be’ excellent material. are in fine shape and will assuredly make equally good fighters. The best part of it is that we have many more thousands like them and can keep sending them over as they are needed. Viewpoints Have Changed. “We did not come as mere sight- seers, but to find out the real condi- tions. Our viewpoints have changed completely. Two results have been ac. complished. We are able to speak au- thoritatively as to conditions here and we are also loaded up with ammunition with which to boost the néxt liberty loan in February.” Under the guidance of one of Gen. Pershing’s staff officers the senators made a tour of the training area, talk- ing to officers and men. Later they called on Gen. Pershing and were shown the system of work at headquarters. They were disappointed at their ina- bility to enter the lines where the American soldiers are fighting. Before starting for home the sena- tors left for the French front, near Verdun, to put in another day of ob- servation. They have already seen the British front. The British method of intensive training was especially in- teresting to them. Senator Kenyon paid particular attention to the daily Tum ration. “I have always been a prohibitionist, but the trenches are certainly cold and wet places,” was the only comment he cared to make. PARIS, November 16.—Representative George H. Tinkham of Massachusetts has arrived here and will join United States Senators Kenyon and Kendrick in a five-day trip along the French ron United States Patrols in Clashes. By the Associated Press. WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN France, November 15.—There have been further encounters between American patrols and Germans in no man’s land. Last night there were a number of clashes, but the night was dark and showery and the firing was at a dis- tance. There were no American casual- ties. The Germans placed machine guns in several craters and sprayed streams of bullets on our communi- cating trenches. The American artil- lery hurled shelis from 75s at the posi- tions and silenced the enemy. American patrols have worked up to the German wire entanglements. The artillery fire day and night continues lively. A number of American infantrymen. suffering from shell wounds, have ar- rived at the base hospital. All the casualties were caused by the same shell. Shell Drops on Shack. A group of Americans were in a shack in the reserve when the Ger- mans began shelling heavily. The of- ficers ordered the men to a dugout, but before they could get there a large shell dropped on the position and ex- ploded. The American artillerists con- centrated their fire of the communi- cating trenches of the enemy and it {| is believed that their shells caused con- siderable casualties and damage. Maj. Gen. Sibert’s fifth son is now in the Army. Two of his sons are captains, one is a Meutenant and one a West Point cadet, and the general instructed his fifth and youngest son to keep away for the present. He has been advised, however, that his young- est felt he.could keep ‘out of the Army no longer. He has just enlisted as a private. Makes Locomotive Every Hour. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., November 16. —The Baldwin locomotive works is building one locomotive every working hour of the day, according to Alba B. Johnson, president of the concern. Most of the business is for the United States and foreign governments. “The Bald- win locomotive works,” said Mr. John- son, “is turning out seven’ loco- motives a week. ‘This is at the rate of more than one for every working hour of the day. It is not a maximum ac- icomplishment. We shall do more,” _ ‘They enough to cause any changes in the Ital- ian plans. The Teuton pressure between the Sugana valley and the Piave is very, strong, but the Italians have been able. points along the sector. Huge By the Associated Press. ITALIAN HEADQU: ber 15.—The flood gates of the Piave and Sile, or Old Piave, rivers have been opened by Italian military en= — gineers, and the enemy is now faced by another Yser of inundation. ‘The flood was loosed at the point where the enemy succeeded in crossing the Piave near Grisolera (four miles from the coast) and the whole region where he gained lodgment is now under water. The inundated territory forms a huge triangle about twelve miles on each side, with the apex at Dona Di Piave. The enemy had been driven back, but still held on within this triangle until the dykes from both rivers released the water over the low-lying plain, The chief menace at that point was that the enemy might be able to ap- proach Venice through the lagoon or bombard the city from his position be- tween the rivers. The inundation in- terposes a barrier of water twelve miles across and several feet deep. Reports which have reached head- quarters from other points on the front are also favorable. Inspects Battle Front. The Italian general staff gave the first opportunity today to see the Piave battle front, and the correspondent was among the first four civilians au- _ thorized to take the trip. «It came at an opportune moment, when the enemy had succeeded in getting small parties - across the river at two points and * when the holding or breaking of the Piave line promised to bring the whole issue into the balance for Italy, and to some extent for the entire entente. An officer from the headquarters staff was in charge of the party, which gave it free access through the rear lines to the Piave, where the chief points along the thirty miles of front were visible and a view obtained of the whale range of the gigantic operations. Solid Miles of Troops. Some ten miles back from the river the correspondent passed through solid miles of troops coming and going to the front. Those going to the rear were mud covered and tired, but not disheartened. Those going forward aj peared resolute, and some were sin; ing. Refuges afoot and in ox carts crowded the fields and roads, seeking safety from this sudden onrush of the enemy. The party passed Riete, a little ham- let where Pope Pius X was born, and a small cross-roads church marked the place where he used to be a curate be- fore his elevation to the papacy. An air raid took place as the passed near the church. Five shots were fired, but the raider got away. Knots of soldiers filled the streets and villages as they stood gazing at the black pall of smoke in the east. At the outskirts of the village there were long lines of chevaux-de-frise ready to ob- struct infantry rushes. Along the road toward the front mili- tary telegraph lines were strung on the tops of buses, as there had been no time to erect poles. View From Queen’s Castle. The first stop was made at Asolo, ten miles back from the river, where the ancient castle to which Queen Catha- rine of Cyprus retired on her adbica- tion, located on a high hill, gave @ commanding view of the whole pano- rama of the battle front. The climb to the castle was 700 feet, and from this to the west, and the battle line to the east. - The Piave lay straight ahead. tI ap- peared rather wide at this point, al- though farther on it was so narrow that it was dificult to believe a des- perate foe could be restrained by such — a barrier even in the face of the Ital: fans’ heroic resistance. Across the rive! five small villages, now held by the enemy, could be seen. Houses, churches and towers stood out plainly, were on the plain bordering the east bank for a half mile back where the foothills rose to high hills on which the German and Austrian batteries were Jocated, The cannonade hed pow to check violent attacks at various NORTHERN ITALY, Thursday, Noveme ‘ 3 eminence spread out a peaceful plain» — Theso