New Britain Herald Newspaper, March 22, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL 'NEWSPAPERS PRICE THREE CENTS. EW BR .\ NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1917. —TWELVE. PAGES. | EFFORT BY GERMANY TO SPLIT CONGRESS AND | ESTABLISHED 1§ EMBARRASS WILSON SEEN IN MEDIATION OFFER | REPORTED COMING FROM EUROPEAN NEUTR ington-—Proposal, If Submitted, Will Be Flatly Rejected and No Discussion Permitted-—Washington Stands Firm | Demand That Germany Must Abandon Ruthless Submarine Campaign to Return to Good Graces of United S LA FERE AND ST. QUENTIN [HARMONY IS SPIRIT [R. . GATES WEREUP: . WITHIN RANGE OF BIG GUNS; . GERMAN LINE THREATENED %{Ftench ‘Drive:, Wedge ' Into Hindenburg’s De- lieves Him Outwitted forcés. The Germans are making a ‘stand on a line running- south of La Fere, from ' the Forest of Coucy, a di it about twenty miles, < The position selected by. the Ger- 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 La Fere and 'reaching to "within two rhiles of that important town. On this wedge is based the 'hopes of French military critics that | |70 STANDARDLZE ATRPLANES General Nivelle has out-maneuvered Field Marshall Von Hindenburg snd that La Fere is doomed and with it .the whole of the famous Hindenburg dime, * Paris reports that the speed . srith which the French have advanced ifids disconcerted the German plans And Tenders probable a continuation of the retirement to the Belgian er. Theofficial Berlin reports throw no fight on the situation but it seems certain that a few days or even hours f must decide the fate of La Fere. " The situation on the British front jie somewhat more obscure owing to e rather vague character of the British reports. The latest reports % from London say that General Haig pushed ten miles east of the Somme ot some points. Measured from Pe- ronne this would place the British § within four or five miles from the aftal point of St. Quentin and this f¢ estimate 18 supported by unofficial de- spatches from the front. The German retirement is pivoting from thelr positions east of Arras and 4 this pivotal region General Haig | #eports steady\ progress but no lo- {“ealities are mentioned which might " give a clue to the relative importance of the advance. - Apparently the spasmodic fighting 41; the Champagne and Verdun sec- tions has ceased, for -the time "being ‘st Jeast, but important news comes . amother and far distanct field ! ot the world war. The Russians, ‘driving forward from Persla, have ?m the Mesopotamian border at e point while a second army is con- , Hinuing its advance from Kermanshah i support of the British ‘advarce jom Bagdad. This means that the EX. retreating Turks are being menaced " grom three sides and, according to lied military observers, are threat- _ened by far greater destruction than | the loss of Bagddd. o German Retrograde Movement Stops. Paris, March 22.—The German re- treat to ‘the Arras and St. Quentin 'and La Fere line is now practically mpletd since the French are now thin artillery range of'St. Quentin fd La Fere. The movement has carried out by echelons, accord- “to approved principles, one 'sec- SPELLACY INQURES - FOR HOLCOMB DATA U. S. Dist. Atty. Investigates : Governor’s Charge of Drilling By Foe. Hartford, March 22.—Governor Holcomb today declined to .amplify his statement made yestérday to the offect that men hostile to the United States were engaging in imilitary drills’ nightly in Connecticut. i “I .do not intend to give, out in cdvance any information that will be -0f benefit to the ememy,” sald the governor, ‘When ' pressed .to be. & little more | | forth into a fresh revoit. ' He said: ' : “Fo tNH government to ‘back’ up’ the A grave statement . of hostile drilling. ‘The district attorney calls the, governor’s attention to the fact that government agents have -been. at work in the state for gome time and have had the assistance of theé state police. These agents Know nothing of any such hos- tile drilling, nor do the state police; says the district attorhey, The governor referred to Hartford, as a place in which such drilling was being -done. The 1local police said they know nothing of it nor had the department been asked to investigate. Five Modecls Favored By Manufactur- ers—Twelve Plants at Complete Dis- posal of Government. o ‘Washington, March 22.—Airplane manufacturers in conference with war, navy and post office department representatives today proposed that the government choose not more than five models of airplanes for various purposes and that ' builders concen- irate their efforts on these as a ineans of standardizing and hastening the output. Nearly thirty different mod- els are produced now. ! The makers suggested that two kinds of light, speedy planes for army and navy reconnaisance work, a heavy ‘armored battle flyer, a cargo carrying l machine for mail transportation and a lighter machine for commercial pur- 1 poses should pe sufficient types for all ! present needs. “OF DAY IN RUSSIA Workmen, Soldiers and Govern- ment Favor Prosecution of War UNITED - IN. ALL AIMS Regular Trial For Members of Old Government, Says Mmma-‘ of Jus- tice—Petrograd Police .Encourage Arson and Robbery. Petrograd, March 22, via London, March 22.—Speaking in the energeti- cal and forceful manner which char- acterizes all his utterances the new minister of justice. A. F. Kerensky, in an interview with the correspondent of the Associated Press, decried all ru- mors of friction or discord between the workingmen, soldiers and the gov- ‘ernment M. Kerensky, who i{s a mem- ‘ber of the radical workingmen’s par- ty, emphatically denied that there was 1y latent dissatisfaction in his or y other party which might burst have the best pledge that the radical element of the nation are in accord ‘with the government. If any serious disagreement existed at the beginning between the workingmen and the du- ma committee it was only a passing symptom of fever attending the birth of a new nation. I ‘can assure you that every difference has dropped and that every element of the country stands behind the government, Nat- urally, differences of opinion exist be- tween that and other members, ' but each conflict has resulted in -a firm agreement on all: the main issues.” All Eager for -War. The ‘minister said all suppositions that the soldiers and the workingmen was opposed to carrying on the war were baseless. '“My visit to Moscow, whence I returned this morning,” he continued, “satisfiled me that the whole army, from the commander down to the last soldier, are eagerly jdevoted to a continuance of the war. I found there 4 better demonstration than one could get in Petrograd of the new unity of the nation, The ac- clamations which follawed my decla- ration before large gatherings, of the co-operation existing between all classes and the government, left no doubt as to the sincere desire.of the population. There are on the other hand groups throughout the world which are against the war, but the majority in Russia is determined to finish it, and not a single soul stands out for a separate peace.” Answering a question regarding the final form of the new gavernment, M. Kerensky said: “I am a republican and think I know what kind of a government Russia wants. but as a member of the government I will mnot try to bring any pressure upon the popular opinion which will Tender the de cision.. The keynote of the new gov ernment will be tolerance towards all, The members of the old government' who are under arrest will be given a Assurance was given the govern- ]rcguln.r trial. There will be no sum- ment representatives that the entire {mary military procedure, output of twelve American -plants making airplanes is already guaran- teed to fill war and navy department orders and that no machines are be- ing exported. POINTS:- OUT NEW DANGER. Tageblatt Says American Ships May Sink Wrong Submarines. Amsterdam, March 22, via London, 9:36 a. m.—The Berlin Tageblatt re- ferring to the arming of American merchantmen, says: “A very extraordinary situation may arise if American sailors in their excitement fire on the first submarine they see, for it possibly might be French or English. A German sub- marine would not come to the sur- face in the danger zone as long as £ steamer was in sight. “America must not think she can convoy merchantmen by warships with - impunity. ~The declaration of London foresees the possibility’ of such action but this antiquated legis- lation, which does not recognize “fto ms.” . b- ‘marines or danger zonee is vnhla. no court martials and I believe that I can promise you that capital punishment will be definitely abandoned in the near future. 3 Among other reforms will be the establishment of freedom of the press, and the Russian press will -soon be- lcome, I hope, as liberal and outspoken !as the American press, which I have |always admired, {ment will be based on respect for the The new govern- rights of mankind.” Police Encourage Vandalism. London, March 22.—Robberies, in- cendiarism and some murders have oc- curred in Petrograd, according to a despatch to Reuter’s from the Russian capital. The disorders were started by rowdies who were encouraged. by the police, the despatch says, but were quickly suppressed by the militia force composed of soldiers and work- men, who disarmed the police. Arrest of Former Rulers Ordered. Petrograd, March 21, via London, March 22, 6:10 a. m.—An order for the arrest of Nicholas Romnnot‘._nd ¢Continued on-Seventh Page.) TWO WOMEN MAY DIE Passenger Train Runs Down Auto At Curtis Street Crossing WOODEN LEG TO BLAMR Artficial Iimb of Gate Tender Tangled in Chair Prevents Lowering of Gates Before Injury to Occu- | Pants of Machine. Terribly bruised, suffering greatly from general shock and multiple in- juries. that cause their condition to { be regarded as extremely grave with recovery unexpected, Mrs. Susan Tryon, aged 65, and = her daughter, Mrs. Richard B. Viets, of 48 Clinton street, are at the New Britain General hospital as a result of the automobile in which they were returning home last night being run .down at the Curtis street railroad crossing by the locomotive of the 10:62 westbound train for Waterbury. Mr. Viets, who was the when-the impact came, to the hospital suffering greatly from shock and abrasions but his condition was such as to allow his discharge today. The automobile was reduced to a mass of wreckage, automobile men being in doubt as to whether it is ‘worth repairing. ,A *“death trap” grade crossing With view obscured to drivers and autoists coupled with alleged négligence on the part of Martin S. Phillips of 24 Crown street, crossing tender, in failing to lower the gates are credited as the cause. He has admitted to the police that he was unaware the train was approaching until just as the Viets' automobile reached the crossing. He says he heard no signal of warning from. the engineer, that he was unable to see the train and a steam crane working for a night shift at a nearby factory made so much noise that a crossing signal from a locomotive would be apt to pass with- out notice. As he becamie aware. of the ap- proaching train, according to his story, he also realized that Viets, un- warned of the danger because of tha raised gates and the covered top of the automobile, was driving directly into the path of the passenger loco- motive, rapidly picking up speed af- ter the stop at the Jocal station. ‘Wooden Leg Tangled in Chair. Attempting to get out of the cross- ing house in time, his artificial les, became entangled in the rounds of his chair, nearly tripping and delay- ing him. As he reached the door, he shouted a warning but it was ap- parently unheard by Viets above the sound of the automobile, the steam crane and the approaching train. Running to the gate handles, he found that they were ‘“dogged,” the catch of the ratchets being in place and causing a. féew seconds of delay be- fore the gates could -be lowered. It was too late. Too late, Viets saw the rapidly ap- proaching locomotive and likewise it. was too late when Engineer Leo De- beauchant noted the trapped auto- ists. Emergency air was applied but too late to stop the heavy train al- though its speed was checked. Pas- sengers were tossed about in the cars ly the emergency stop but none was injured. Attempting to get across in time, Viets nearly succeeded in saving him- self and his passengers. The pilot of the locomotive hit the rear right wheel of the automobile with ter- rific force, crumbling up the car, as if an egg shell, tearing off the wheel, mud guards, part of the body and wrecking the motive power while the occupants were tossed into the air and thrown with great force, bleeding and unconsclous, to the frozen ground. Tires on three wheels were about the (Continued on Eleventh Page) Hartford, - March 22.—For Hartford and ¥ \and the: drill sergeant is Ashley BERLIN MAY TAKE THE INITIATIVE London, March 22— “According to private tele- rams from Berlin to the msterdam Bourse, it is expected that a state of war with the - United States will be an accom- plished fact within 48 hours,” says a despatch to the Exchange Telepragh from Amsterdam. “American journalists in Berlin,” the despatch adds, “have been warned to this effect by the for- eign office.” GUNS AND UNIFORMS FOR THE RIFLE CLUB {-beund the-United States to imaction’ Within a few days the New Britain Rifle club, recruited to 150 men, will be ready to engage in active work in defense of the city should the emer- gency arrive. ' This has been made possible through Mayor George A. Quigley who, today, announced that patriotic citizens had contributed suf- ficlent funds to furnish uniforms for the Rifle club members, to provide Krag rifles for each man and also to provide for 10,000 rounds of ball cartridges. The Rifle club now has a hundred or more members and within the next few days it will be recruited to such an extent that a. military company of 150 men can easily be organized, leaders state.. The Rifle club will be similar to the City Guard of Water- bury. While it will have many things in common with the Home Gu;l‘d. its range of activities will be restricted to strictly local territory, while the Home Guard is being recruited for service anywhere in the state. In case any unforseen emergency occurs, in which the police force is unable to cope with the situation, or the Na- tional Guard is away, these Rifle club members will be sworn in as special deputies to protect life and property in New Britain. While some of the members of the club have already purchased their Krag rifles under a government provision, In order to hasten the organization, the others will be supplied with guns at once. Uniforms will aleéo be supplied to the members through the generosity of patriotic subscribers. ‘It ix estimated that to fit out the Rifle club for mili- tary purposes will cost about $2,000, yet the money has been cheerfully pledged. % Tonight tha Riflé club will meet at the State Armory on Arch street at 8 o’clock to complete its organization. W. W. Bullen is major of the clug, Griffin, formerly of the United States army, who joined the National Guard at Noguales last summer. Tonight a captain, lleutenants and other officers will be elected. Further plans for the organization of a machine gun company will also be considered. It is also understood that an engineers’ corps, under the direction of City Engineer William H. Hall, may be or- ganized. There is also some talk in certain quarters relative to asking Dr. T. Eben Reeks to organize a san- itary corps as a part of the Rifle club contingent. It is thought that Dr. Reeks would .accept such a position and it is believed that in case of any emergency there would be need for a sanitary corps with full military or police powers, such as would be given the Rifle club. AMERICAN SEAMEN IN SPAIN. "f,,5r¢ and Ohio and Pennsylvania rail- Barcelona, Spain, March 21, via' Paris, Mar¢h = 22.—The fifty-nine American _ssllops whp. were interned in ny after having been brought e on the prize ship Yarrowdale have arrived here on their way back 10 the United States. Preparations For War Continue All Over try While Official Washington Is T Awaiting Special Session of Cong April 2—Germany May Act First. Washington, March 22.—Offers of mediation, ' vent actual ‘war between the United States and Geny are expected among the next developménts. ) Administration officials heard today that a Eurg neutral was contemplating such a plan, and they frankl garded #t as another effort backed by Germany to ‘di sentimenit in congress and to. embariss the presiden: It was declared authoritatively today that no pra ' of mediation or for discussion will be'+ considered 'usg Germany first abandons the campaign of ruthlessn All administration officials, from,the president took the position that the United States never ' hds! does not now desire war with Germany but is bei into it to protect lives and rights of its citizens agaii - lawful aggression. ; . e Unless Germany is prepared to completely ch position, it was decided today, offers of mediation. cussion are useless. Germany, it was recalled, n ceptsd»former Secretary Bryan’s proposal to sign his “peace investigation” treaties, ch = would 1 | for a'year, commission investigated the situation. - . . 3 . gei i 3 Country. Hurrying to Pr e GAYALRY m Achon )t-nwh!lo'every preparation’ 3 eventiality is being carried’.fo LATED by the‘army and’ navy, and X German Horsemen Clash With | 1dent ‘Is awaiting the a Unless there is British and French Mounted Troops | 257 : = change in the situation be and End of Trench Warfare Is Seen. 2, it is expected he will de Berlin, Tuesday, March 20, by |2ddress how Germany has Xirelfiss ;«; the Assoclated Press Via |been making war against the yville, arch 22.—German cavalry States by the ruthless operation is now in touch with the French and|y.boats, snd leave it to con British mounted troops, which have, declare a state of war been in gction for several days in the !yota money and’ men to territory evacuuated by the Germans, |interests of the Unitea so that for the first time since ' the Government officials ben autumn of 1914 cavalry on both sldes | 4101 energies to mm""’ 2 is being employed - on the western by putting the nation’, cond front. This is regarded here as an in- | ;7 mfircu in o ;l' g : dication that great events are taking |gvencomt, readitigiy fom place and that a real battle is in pros- | * o Bl probably will approj P e varfare woeing over fof!about half' a billion dgllars. for front, g L © | tional defense and authorize the - ident to use the armed fo; : The French and British attempted e United States against @er: to use cavalry on the ' Somme last Technically, this would 0 year, as well as the time of the g m s . | & declaration of war, b ull sense will depend on. tmnftl;di;fm:y ‘i"m‘ L"‘”-,fif,";m';:z tent to which Germany eo:tln” situation is a different one because ;‘“"‘"“l aggressions of her neither side is mow protected by [TES: congressional circles today circles to e Jugsestion was heard that o or organization of the house: . 1,000 RIFLES A DAY. :;mld penling action by co; ) e international crisis. Thi Output at Springfield Armory t0 B® | ;00 4y hag organised. - Greatly Increased. Steps to put the country Springfleld, March 22.—Col. W. S, | of preparedness went forwa Peirce commandant at the U. S, Ar- ‘0"1:7- L mory here had today authority to ‘in- lans for rendering fingncial crease the hours of operation from lllllt«lt nce to the Entente allies in. 12 to 20 a day. Two ten hour shifts .g war between the United Sta/ will be employed as soon as po-m:: { t:"m;';' fi;; “';:" c::;'g:lflm . lans announced rmal = o 1 and ttl!;i-£nw’m Ptha number of em- (POATd and other government offic ployes, is expected to more than prf.‘Z"f;’.“";' are said to have dptible the present outit eral credits to Bhtonts Bovtrsuy o o on e “aait Pl | this country by individual bania large number of men sought emp(py- or:-;::er ;]x‘f:?t tzm heretofore. ment today as a result of the call is- Ys"‘t“' :ovemn::nto?nwpl::;;g sued yesterday. 4 {sums at the disposal of the Ent % SINKS OWN SUBMARINE, French Destroyer Mistook It for U-Boat, Beriin Claims. officials were ordered today to Berlin, March 22, Wireless to Say- |into service high powered navy s ville.—“A French destroyer in the bay {launches armed with picked men at Marseilles last month sank a sub- §can—y1ng rifles, machine guns, marine, believed to be a German 'cannon and powerful searchlights boat,” the Overseas News Agency an- |patrol Boston harbor and the nounces. front of the navy yard, from “In reality it was a French sub-|to sunrise until further notice, marine which was thus lost.” To Patroi Boston Harbor. Boston, March 22.—Navy. GUARD ON RAILROAD BRIDGES, NAVY SHORT 18,514 MEN, Baltimore, March 22.—The: Balti- i Wuhinm" n, March 22.—The is short 18,614/ men of its . piy road bridges over the Susquehanna PN river at Havre de Grace, Maryland, |authorized ieniisted strength of ! were placed under guard of state and, effort¥ o specd up the reem trodps today by . direction of Gover- (are being . redoubled. The nor Harrington. All the north and {month: has seen the largest : south trafic -of the two ' railroads [on rdcord, with a net in passes ‘over these bridges. 1,947, 3 2