New Britain Herald Newspaper, April 17, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF / LOCAL NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1917. —TWELVE PAGES. U. S. WARSHIP ATTACKED BY - U-BOAT SOUTH OF NEW YORK “Torpedo Shot at Destroyer Smith, Off Atlanti'c.Coast,' Misses By Thirty Yards---Na { ) ‘GER MAN LOSSES PUT AT 100,000 * French Smash Through Defenses on Front of | vy Help Boom Celebration Forty Miles and Battle Line Now Extends 150 Miles—Paris Jubilant at Success of Attack, Fxpected By Enemy Paris, April 16, 12 p. m.—Germany suffered another crushing blow upon the western front today when forty miles of the strongest part of her line were wrested from her with an estimated loss of nearly 100,000 killed, ,wounded and prisoners. All France hails the victory as a;. ‘brilliant demonstration of the courage of her troops. Measured by the amount skill of her generals and of territory freed the victory does not compare with the Somme offensive, which opened .a month ago, but viewed from the amount of destruc- tion done to the enemy’s armed forces and the damage to his military prestige it is a far ater success. Here - theére can be no question either of a previously planned ‘mad ‘Uné runs along a series of hills of an average height of 500 feet, with deep valleys between. attackers advanced up the valleys under a cross fire from each flank but the artillery curtain, on a new plan invented by a British general, was so effective that the operation was carried out at less cost than might be expected. : ' The weak point of the German line . is from Craonne to Rheims, where the ground is more level. Here the at- tack made more progress and the dan- ger of a rupture of the line became so imminent that the Germans threw in all available reserves. The reserves ‘were smashed by the French field ar- tillery, which' kept close on the heels of the waves of infantry. The result of today's operations is that the great western battle has now joined along a front of close to 160 miles, more than one-third of the mighty line from Switzerland to the sea. The great offensive opened by the French along a twenty-five mile front, Soissons to Rheims, is likely to ex- tend still further tomorrow or the day after. The tremendous assault on the German lines had long been carefully planned and for a month past French artillery had been pounding the ene- 4 amy’'s position, The Germans were well aware of what was coming, as they showed by & number of furious attacks made notably at Sapigneul and Godat farm with the object of finding out some- thing definite In regard to French preparation. The inwvaders had manned naturally formidable posi- tions with effectives amounting to at least twenty divisions and an enor- mous number of guns, well supplied with munitions. Prisoners Soon Begin Coming In. The battle opened on the left of the line where, shortly after 8 o'clock in the morning, the French infantry swept forward in an irresistible wive. In spite of a stiff' resistance the Ger- mans were driven back and inside of half an hour prisoners began stream- ing toward the French rear by hun- dreds. The struggle was hottest east of Loivre as well as in the whole sec- tor of Berry-au-Bac and to the east of Craonnelle, but the French heavy shells were too much for the Germans, and before noon the whole first line On the right the execution began a little later in the morning. The French - met- with determined resistance and the fighting was terrible. After sev- eral hours of homeric struggle the French infantry, thanks to the support of several hundrcd quick firing guns, forced their way into the enemy's an attack and SALOONS T0 CLOSE |Fo0D DISTRIBUTION | BLAME INCENDIARY DURING BIG PARADE| AND PRICE FIXING FOR FACTORY FIRE Liquor Dealers Assn., Unsolicited, PAGEANT STARTS AT 230 Many Organizations Meet and Vote to Participate in Procession—Every- one Invited to Get in Line and March Behind Old Glory. | The extent to which the entire pop- ulace of New Britain is to co-operate in the “Wake Up America Day” cele- bration on Thursday is shown by the voluntary action of the New Britain Liquor Dealers’ association when, un- solicited, they voted this morning to have all saloons, cafes and bars closed on Thursday afternoon between the hours ‘of 1:30 and 4:30 o’clock while the patriotiz exercises are in prog- ress. Previously the factories and stores had ngreed to suspend busi- ness during the afternoon, and the su- perintendent of schools had agreed to permit the school children to take part. - With the monster parade planned, tonthz- ‘wifh the elaborite exercises, everything now points to.an 2’| event such as the Hardware City never IN HISTORY NOW RAGING Berlin, April 17, via London. —“One of the greatest battles of the war and therefore also in the worid’s histOry,” says the official statement issued today by the German army headquar- ters staff, “is in progress on the river Aisne.” PEACE ONLY DESIRE OF AUSTRIA-HUNGARY But People Will Insist on Territory Remaining Intact. Berne, Monday, April 16, via Paris, April 17.—Peace and spring weather are what the Austrian and Hungarlan Ppeople most desire. During a ' long stay in Vienna, whence the Assoclated Press correspondent has just come, there was absorbed every indication that the government and the people are willing to accept any peace pro- posal leaving Austro-Hungarian ter- ritory intact and making no claims for war indemnity. By the same token there appeurs to be no doubt that the armies will continue fighting unless these conditions are met. ‘While the public is extremely weary of the war its mind 18 made up to persist in the struggle to the end rath- er than accept humiliating terms. The demands made on Austria-Hun- gary’s economic resources and human reservoir by the war are beginning to reach the limit of endurance and the severe winter, whose after effects arc still felt, tended to increase the great burden borne by the population. The sowing of crops is about three weeks behind, which causes considerable i anxiety nothwithstanding the fact ! that the winter crops are reported as in good condition. b 1 Berlin, April 16, via London, April 117, 8:35 a. m.—Emperor Charles or Austria is quoted by Bjorn Bjornson first line. It was a fine success as the | as saying in an interview at - terrain was most difficult and the po- ! burg, near Vienna: agem sitions formidable. “I believe I know wi Germans in Futile Counter Attacks. | most of the men who ut: :‘\’:‘lt):: }tn:fl:‘i In the afternoon the Germans coun- i of the enemy powers today. 1 know ter attacked with extreme violence al- | not only the financial and economic most everywhere along the tront. The ; effects of war but I know also what it majority of their rescrves were en- | mcans to die in the trenches. I have gaged south and east of the Brimont ! lived a long time in the field and have ridge. It was from the Brimont fort. seen men fall and dle at my fect. built on a crest which dominates all Therefore T know also, maybe better { than any other emperor or king what beace means.” (Continucd on Eleventh Page.) beforo experfenced. All Societics Are Invited. Many social, political and fraternal organizations held special meetings last night and voted to participate in the parade. Among the societies that had agreed to march in the parade, | and who had so reported to the mar- shall at 10 o'clock were the Elk#, the New Britain Rifle club, New Britain council, O. U. A. M., the Columbian society, Washington commandery, P. O. 8. of A, the Polish Falcons, the Polish Political club, the Polish Rifle cclub, the Slavak club, St. Joseph's club, the Boys’ club and several others. Other clubs and societies dye to get into communication withiMarshall A. L. Thompson during the day and eve- ning. Others which will take part are the K. of C., the A. 0. H,, the Tabs, the Eoy Scouts and Tierney Cadets. Although the general committee has sent invitations to over 150 socleties inviting them to join in the celebra- tion and parade, all have not been re- ceived. The committee states that if any soclety or organization whatso- | ever has not received an invitation as yet it is not because of negligence, but is due either to misdirected let- ters or to the fact that at short notice it was impossible to locate and get into communication with the proper soclety officers. The general commit- tee is anxious that every organization should underfstand and appreciate the fact that they are cordially invited to take part in any way they see fit. Parade Starts at 2:30 P. M. Col. A. L. Thompson, grand mar- shal, has made some of his plans for the parade. The hour has bheen changed to 2:30 o’clock and those who are to take part will assemble at Franklin Square at 2 p. m. The tenta- tive procession will consist of the marshals, a platoon of police, city offi- cjals and guests, uniformed organiza- tions and then the school children and all others who are to take part. Tho propused line of march is down Franklin Square to Rockwell avenue to Arch street, to Main street, to East Main street, to Spring street, to North street, to Main street, up West Main street to Russell street, counter- march back to Central park where the procession will stand at attention dur- ing the exercises and be dismissed later. Grandstand Erected. Work of erecting a large grandstand for the chorus of singers was begun today. It will be located just south of the monument. The United bands will render patriotic music during the exercises and there will be the sing- ing of patriotic airs by choruses and by the entire gathering and for this purpose 10,000 programs are being printed for distribution. During the flag raising exercises there will bo cheering for three minutes, during which time church bells will ring and factery whistles will blow. The com- mittee also requests that all houses and bulldings along the line of march Dbe decorated with the national colors. | (Continued on Eleventh Page.) 1 Government May Set Costs Through Council of Defense. ‘Washington, April 17.—Legislation to empower the Council of National Defence ‘to supervise distribution of food and if necessary fix maximum and minimum prices wgs being framed today as one of the results of yes- terday’s conference between the great Chicago meat packers and Secretary Houston of the Department of Agri- culture. Headed by J. Ogden Armour, a del- egation of the foremost packers, in- cluding Edwin Morris, E. A. Cudahy, Thomas E. Wilson and L. F. Swift, assured Secretary Houston of their utmost, co-operation and voluntarily proposed that the government take steps to fix prices through the Coun- cil of National Defense. The licensing of food distribution agencies so that the government may trace any move- ments of middlemen or others to monopalize supply or force raises in prices is one of the features of the plan the packers proposed. As their own “bit” in defending the nation, the packers offered a plan to distribute the products at a min- imum of profit to themselves and one of ‘them: estimated the saving to public; would ro3 e ‘at $100,000,000~ = yenr; -~~~ " Secretary Houston favors the pla: and will have a part in drafting legis- tion to put it into effect. The power to be invested in the Council of Na- tional Defense, it is said, would be used only when the national interests required it. Whenever there was evidence of price fixing or monopoly of supply the council would fix max- imum and minimu prices to check it. NGLAND TO WELCOME AMERICA INTO FRAY Government to Offer Resolu- tions When Parliament Convenes Today. London, April 17.—When parlia- ment reassembles this afternoon after the Easter recess one of the first acts of the government wil] be to of- fer in both houses resolutions wel- coming the entry of America into the war. These will be moved on Wed- nesday by Premier Lloyd Georgo in the house of commons and by Lord Curzon in the house of parliament. It 18 expected that former Premier Asquith will second the resolution in the commons. The business before the house of commons today will be the second reading of the bill to prolong the life of the present parliament fox seven months from Apfil 30. The bill must be passed by the latter date or a general election becomes inevitable. The government seems confident of its ability to put the measure through at a single sitting, but it is said that certain currents are tending to force | an extra session. The pubiic is ignorant in regard to the whole question of an Irish settle- ment and everybody is awaiting in- formation as to the stand of the gov- ernment. The attitude of the national- ists toward the prolongation of the parliament depends upon this in- formation. According to some of the Dublin correspondents the outlook is regarded pessimistically there. At a meeting of the Irish national- ist party today it was decided to op- pose the bill for the extension of the life of parliament. CLASH IN BUENOS AIRES STREET Buenos Aires, April 17.-——Supporters of the Allies and the advocates of neutrality clashed last night during a street demonstration. Several persons were injured: For Tartford and vicinity: Fair tonight. Wednesday fair and not quite so cold. O e e e Edwin H. Hills, Plainville, Suffers Loss of About $40,000 NO MUNITIONS MADE THERE Flames Originate in Part of Building in Which Therc Had Been No Fire Since Saturday—Watchman Over- corite By Smoke. (Special to the Herald) Plainville, April 17.—Loss estimated at nearly $40,000 was sustained by Edwin H. Hills in an early morning fire, believed to be of incendiary orig- in and possibly the work of the pyro- maniac whose activities have.periodi- cally thrown Hartford county into a state of terror during the past few months, which totally destroyed the main plant of his factory on North ‘Washington street, threatening other buildings and resulting in loss of em-~ ployment to over fifty men. The blaze, which was discovered about 2:30 this morning, completely wrecked the | largest of the shop builldings, which THills Operates, totally @éstroyed large quantities of goods, which were ready for shipment, and reduced to charred embers the walls of the struc- ture. Firemen spent most of the day flooding the ruins with water to pre- vent a spread of the fire to other buildings in the neighborhood. . Admitting that the origin -of the blaze was mysterious| and that there was perhaps good reason for suspect- ing that the fire was caused by an in- cendiary, Mr. Hills was' unwilling to lay the blame to enemies of the coun- try or to a pyromaniac when seen to- day. Hardware specialties have been manufactured in the plant'and ac- cording to Mr. Hills orders for muni- tions have neither been solicited or ac- cepted. He couldn’t understand why a German or a sympathizer of the Kaiser would select this building for his nefarlous work uniess it was his object to start a reign of terror and frighten the people of ‘the United States into submission. He would not indulge in theories as to the cause of the blaze but he felt positive that the torch had been applied to the build- ing. Although the place was well in- sured, Mr. Hills stated that there was a larger amount of stock than usual in the building and he personally would sustain a substanticl loss. While he could give no accurate figures con- ! cerning the damage he estimated that it would be between $30,000 and $40,- 000. Plans for new brick bufdings to take the place of the wooden struc- ture consumed by the flames had been prepared two years ago and Mr. Hills sald today that they would probably be used for a new factory. It will take several months to erect and equip a new building and heads of the fac- tory this morning expressed the belief that operations on’a normal scale can- not ho, resumed before early fall. Starts in Blacksmith Shop. Starting in the blacksmith shop in the northeast corner of the building the fire guickly communicated to the main part of the plant, eating its way through the oil soaked woodwork with such speed that the structure was a veritable secthing furnace by the time the fire department arrived. The blaze ‘had gained such headway by the time the alarm was sounded that nothing could be done to save the building and the firemen devoted their ; attention to other property which was | in danger. The heat was so intense that several buildings in the immedi- ate vicinity caught fire repeatedly but in ecach case the firemen succeeded in extinguishing the blaze before it as- sumed very serious proportions. In the blacksmith shop, where the blaze was first seen, Mr. Hills declares ' there has not been a fire - since last, Saturday. The men in the department | gave up their time yesterday to cold forging and fire was not required. The floor of this room is of dirt and except for some split wood there was nothing of an inflammable characier within its walls, There was nothing to indi- cate that spontaneous combustion could have been responsible. Neither was there a chance that defective | | - Believes Blockade of American Ports By German Submarines Has Begun Attempt to Sink United States Vessel Mk at 3:30 A/ M. By Undersea Craft, Ruag Submerged—Wake of Torpedo Plainly —U-Boat Disappears Following A Washi fired on the New York. The presence ters indicates that of .enemy ‘April 17:—A German submarine : destroyer Smith about 100 miles sq submarines in American the threatened German submarine b ade of American Atlantic ports has begun, Announcement By Navy Dept. This announcement was made ‘at the navy department: “Reported from Fire iIsland light- ship to the naval stations at Boston and New York at 3.30 a. m., on the 17th, an enemy submarine was sight- ed by the U. 8. 8. Smith running ap- parently submerged. Submarine fired a torpedo at U.8.8..Smith which missed her by thirty yards. The wake of the torpedo was planly seen crossing the bow. Submaripe disappeared.” First information of the encounter came to the navy department in a roundabout way from the Boston navy yard, which picked up the Smith’s report, saying she had been fired upon by a German U-boat. The navy department, -after com- municating with Fire. Island, Boston, New York and some other points on Atlantic coast, anmounced the report of the :Smith’s encoynter had peen su tiated by official investigation. -+ Whether the presenee.of the Ger- man submarine megely foreshadows a sporidae raid such as the D-58 con- cucted off the New England coast or whether it is the signal.for the begin- ning of a general submarine blockads of the Atlantic c¢oast, is not known: First K of State of War. The. attack by the U-boat is Ger- many’s first recognition of the stato of war declared by the United States. It was stated in Germany soon after the action of congress that no aggres- sive steps would be taken against the Unite@t States. i Virtually no American officials be- lieve this statement, however, and steps to meet aggressive steps were at once taken. The probability of sub- marine attack on unprotected sea- board cities and towns, on shippings in sight of American shores, and a submarine blockade of the principal Atlantic ports with the purpose of terrorizing shippiig and people were expected. Prohibited Zone Oft Coast. Last week word came to Washing- ton in a roundabout way that Ger- many was about to declare a prohibit- ed submarine zone about the harbors at Boston, New York, the Delaware Capes, Chesapeake Bay, Charleston and Savannah. This would have in- cluded all the important ports on the Atlantic seaboard. It was said then that an official warning to neutrals of the prohibited zone would be issued | from Berlin. Some American officials | wore disinclined to credit the report | but the Entente diplomatic corps here believe it, and predicted that Germany would soon carry the submarine cam- paign to this side, principally for the : purpose of scaring neutral shipping away from American harbors and to raid the great squadrons of merchant ships which are moving ; food and supplies to America’s allies on the Xuropean battle Some of these are inclined to be- lieve that the lack of a decision on a prohibited sone in American waters may be due to the crippled condition of communication with Germany since the United States entered tho war. ‘Without a decharation ‘they pointed out, Germany will incur great claims of damages to neutrals and will carry on a new campaign without the color | of legal authority which she contends | the declaration of a barred zone lends | to it. By declaring a prohibited zone around any of the American ports and limiting it to these waters, Ger- many would escape the necessity of declaring and maintaining a general blockade of the Atlantic coast line. When the task of the Unlon navy during the Civil war in. maintaining an effective blockade of the southern ports is recalled the difficulties of & submarine blockade of that vast coastline. may be estimated. May Have Bases Here. With submarine war brought close to the doors of America the possi- bility that German U-boats have bases on this side of the Atlantic is again ! revived. The raid of the U-53 and the two trips of the Deutschland dem- (Continued on Eleventh Page.) ° onstrated that it was impossible for | est and best known men. a German submgrine to e British cordons in the North make their way to Am'rlo!. N a submersible could make such & and return without. having & @ base somewhere on this side. { Atlantic is grayely doubted. officials here have believes U-63 had a mather ship down on the horizon. The that merchant submarines Deutschland type, now convi carriers of fuel oil and supplies accompany flotillag for the on their transatlantic raide & by nized as being ever present, sibility of bases having been -pi by the German raiders cent] large in the south Atlantic is the foremost problems. ‘It @ been- suspected: that parts of rines have been shipped to assembled there, but by ‘) informed officials that ia The possibility of a German. rine base in the Gulf bf Mexirs ever, has long. been recomiigeds many officials: have “been cuny thot when the raiding began-—ais were sure it would .soon after: laration ‘of war—the raiders come from'that quarter. ' - There also have been many of secret German bases establ the rocky and inaccesstble ‘ca: Maine and Northgrn Canada, 8o boats could be. supplied to ‘Taid lunes of steamships. 8 ‘here has been no eviden of such bases in more the of war, it is considered unfik if they exist, they can now be'b into use in German warfare ' the United Spates. 1 The navy 'has taken all the % ures it now has at hand i submarine menace and is taki as they become available. Naval cers are confident ‘of ability with the submarine menace 8o is possible at this time. ' ) Expert opinion is that some ping is bounad to be lost £ the 3 is extensive but that submari ating 3,000 miles away have most of the disadvants contend with. Debate on ' the $7,000,000, revenue bill already passed house and. approved with modification by the senate committee, began in the senate § Its passage before adjournmedt the day virtually wmm\i” v & was expected. . Before taking yp the senate republican senators held ference to discuss this and | mreasures of the administration’ program. i As soon as the bill is dispe democratic lenders of the senate to take up the measure which i roilitary committee is drafting raising a large army, e D. A. PARSONS VFRY' i Dean of Local Insurence M Expected to Survive. ‘While the condition of D Parsons of 22 Park Place ig this moon as more/ comfort: attending physicians hold out 3 for his ultimate recovery, afternoon and last nighi his co! was very grave, butr the patien lied temporarily today. 3 Mr. Parzons is one of the city's Ha garded as the dean of the lnqm_ men in New Britain and untif § months ago, when he entcred thfld fice of W. L. Hatch, he had condtue his private business. He was ol the oldest members of the old voll | teer fire department and is also’@ of the oldest members of tho F Baptist church, INSULTED PRESIDENT AND Middletown, Apy Frankenburger, ° fined $25 and coul in the city court o ing made insulting President Wilson and flag. He was put on prob six months alse. ¥