New Britain Herald Newspaper, April 25, 1917, Page 1

HERALD “ADS” MEAN |BETTER BUSINESS NEW BRITAIN, CONNEC’]‘ICUT. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25/ 1917 —TWELVE PAGES. ESTABLISHED 1 U. S. GUNNER SINKS U-BOAT i ym—— - ‘ : German Chancellor Target For Shafts . From All But Social- ists, Whom He Favors 5 %'OLD ENEMIES RETURN TO ATTACK POLICIES Pan-Germanists, Conservatives and National Liberals Give Him No Rest UPROAR IN REICHSTAG AS SCHEIDMANN TALKS Adjournment Without Dis- cussion of Pressing Food . Problem. London, Aprl 25.—Adjournment of after & the Reichstag until May 2, brief session yesterday, is reported in " a Central News despatch from Amster- socialist that the - Reichstag should be convoked and dam. | Philip Scheidemann, leader, expressed regret ——Socialists Accused of Accepting | then adjourned almost immediately. Graft to Foment Strikes Among Munitions Workers and Charged With Aiding Enémies of Country, Copenhagen, Via London, April 25, =The movement for the overthrow of Chancallor Von Bethmann-Hollweg, halted for a time .because. of the adoption of ruthless submarine war- fare, is again becoming evident in Germany. The agitation is en- couraged by dissensions over internal reforms, possible peace terms and food troubles. The Pan-German, conservative and national liberal organisations are to- day sharply campaigning against the socialist peace program and take the chancellor severely to task for nat dissociating himselft and his ad- ministration from Scheidemann and his propoganda. The conservative Deutsche Tages Zeitung demands a strong hand at the helm which alope, it says, can save the country from the breakers to which it is heading on the dangerous Scheldemann course. The liberal organs speak of the hope and fear that ruthless submarining has fn< troduced and declare a strong, posi- tive policy at home and abroad 1is much needed. Other papers accuse the chancellor of staking and - losing the imperial prestige “on the emperor's Easter manifest, which failed to satisfy any party. Von Bethmann-Hollwes’s * strength les in the fact that his enemies have no points of unity in their discontent. Socialists Fight Among Selves. Reports from the Berlin socialist conference indicate that there is trouble too in the ranks ‘of the socialist majority and that Scheide- mann is having increasing difficulty in keeping them in line in what has vir- tually been the principal government party. & The Pan-German annexationists have turned a trick against the socialists by exploiting an apocryphal peace program which they claim the German socialists will put forward at the Stockholm conference. This pro- gram, which specifies in detail the disposition of all occupled territories, s indignantly repudiated by the “Vor- ~waerts.” The socialist organ says that - mo program exists beyond a general - declaration against annexations and indemnities. The administration is evidently having no happy time in facing the ut- terly conflicting demands of its social- st friends and junker enemies, both clamoring for a definite statement as to war aims and reforms The evi- dent shakiness of Austria-Hungary is another source of concern and the en- couraging assurances of confldence support which the chancellor has been accustomed to receive in such times of trouble from press and parliament are lacking now. Socialists Accused of Taking Graft. Amsterdam, via London, April 25.— The recent strike movement in Ger- many was discussed at a meeting of the Reichstag auxillary service com- mittee at which Count Westarp, leader of the conservatives, welcomed General Groener’s declaration that ifurther attempts to interfere with munitions work would be ruthlessly suppressed. Count Westarp insinu- ated that money had played a part in the gtrike and accused soclalist minor- ity of playing the game of Germany’s enemies. He denied that the trouble was caused by lack of food. The so- cailists indignantly denied the insin- uation that bribes had been used, and placed the blame for the strike on the administration of the Spandau works, the fact that the bread ration had been decreased and agrarian policy. One speaker declared that the agra- rians, owing to the high price of cat- tle. fed them with bread and corn which the munition workers could not obtain. EX-ADJT. GEN- A PRIVATE. Boston, April 25.—Former Adjutant General Charles H. Cole enlisted last night as a private in the 9th regiment of the National Guard. He was as- signed to the mounted orderly section of the headquarters company. George Ledebour,, leader of the so- cial democrats, said that regret was not enough. He-demanded that the Reichstag should meect today for the discussion of food problems. '“Thousands of workmen have been forced to abandon work at their dis- tress,” he said. His words caused an uproar. Per- mission to continue his speech was re- fused. Swedish Workmen Aroused. London, April 25.-—Hjalmar Brant- ing, leader of the Swedish socialist party, has telegraphed to the Daily Chronicle that the hostility of the workingmen in Sweden against the government is growing more intense. ‘M. Branting says: “Among the workingmen the hos- tile feeling against the ruling reaction- ist party is wing stronger. This par- ty has cau the lack of bread we are now suffering.” The soclalist leader expresses the belfef that May day will pass without trouble “unless the authorities are guilty of provocation.” LANDERS OFFERS LAND ‘Would Det Police, Military of City Guard Drill on His Property Near Center of the City. Tonight the City Guard will hold its weekly drill in Lithuanian hall, the officers non-com training school hav- ing been conducted in the city build- ing last evening. Plans are now being considered, unofficially, for a grand field day some time in July, in which the City Guard of ‘Waterbury and the City Guard of New Britain will join. These tentative plans call for field events, competitive drilling, etc. George M. Landers has notified iMayor G. A. Quigley that his property at the corner of Clark and Winter streets, formerly used as a city play- ground, will be turned over to the city for any use whatsoever it it is wanted. Mr. Landers states that he will loan this land for the drilling of policemen, of the military or of the City Guard. | The mayor thinks that if this old playground should be cleaned up it would make an’excellent drill ground for the City Guard- BALTIC FLEET T0 FIGHT Allies to Be Assured That All Re- sistance Possible will Be Offered Germans at Riga. London, April 25.—A Helsingfors despatch says that the countil of army and navy delegates at Sveaborg has decided to send a wireless mes- sage to the allied fleets, saying that the Baltic fleet and the army defend- ing its base is in complete readiness to fight to the last in defense to free Russia. This action is intended as a reply to reports circulated by German -agents that the Baltic fleet was disorganized and incapable of fighting. Despatches from Petrograd during the last few days have reported great activity on the part of the German fleet in the Baltic. Other, reports de- clared that the Germans‘were plan- ning a land and sea attack on rear of the Russians at Riga. FORTUNE IN DIAMONDS HERE | Shipment of Stones Valued at $2,000,- 000 Arrives on Dutch Ship Rotterdam for American Dealers, . from New York, April 25—A shipment of diamonds valued at more than $2,000,- 000, arrived at an American port to- day on a Dutch ship from Rotterdam. According to those in charge of the shipment the stones are consigned to American dealers. the Instances of Conliscation of Pro- perty by Peasants Reported : GERMAN . MENACE FEARED Threatencd Attack on Petrograd Spurs People Into Flight to Interior— - Hundreds' Scck Permits to Leave Capital Before Teutons Move on City. London, April 25.—Despatches from Petrograd report that the revo- lutionary spirit is manifesting itself in the rural districts of Russia, bring- ing the long" standing agrarian troubles ‘to a head, motwithstanding the organization of food committees which aré doing their best. The peas- ant land question cannot be wisely setfled until the constituent assembly i8 elected and the peasants are in- clined to take the matter into their own ‘hands. 3 Soldiers visiting/their rural homes, with or withqut leave, spready the news of the revolution .and lead the pegsants against the land owners. ‘This is chiéfly the case in the Saratov government, where the people often are inclined to be turbulent. The Ppeasants here, after passing resolu- tions of confiscation, have proceeded to take possession of the lands and drive the land owners away. The peasants announced that they will undertake the spring sowing themselves. The sowing is likely to be niuch delayed and a seriods short- age of crops is feared. The author- itles are taking the matter in hand and hope to prevent such a misfor- tune. Peasants Hold Conferences. Peasants’ conferences, to which del- egates are sent from even the smallest communes, are beimg organized in every province of Russia to discuss peagant needs. Those already held have insisted on a proper distribu- tion of land. One characteristic reso- lution demands that all land which private land owners cannot sow must be surrendered temporarily to the peasant soldiers’ wives to receive shares free and others to be fixed by the local community. Considerable ill-feeling is shown in some districts toward landowners. Bessarabian peasants in an instance sacked a country howse and estates belonging to a rich family. The peas- ants of the Tamboy government sur- rounded the houses of landowners and compelled them to sign documents surrendering their lands. ' In many districts the peasants have taken no action, waiting for the authorities to act. In some parts of Bessarabla the county people are highly reactionary and in one district especially the Odes- st military authorities have taken S'TONg measures to suppress a counter revlutionary movement. Civilians Fleeing Capital. An exodus of civilians from Petro- grad is reported in a despatch to the Express from the Russian capital- One permit o!fice was besieged on Tuesday morning by 800 people. In- quiries among them weré answered by a shrug of the shoulder and the fa- vorite RusSian reply ‘“who knows?” The Express correspondent says that the reluctance of the travelers to explain their motives is due to the necessity of giving an adequate rea- son to the officials before securing a permit and supicion that their ques- tioner was connected with the gov- ernment. He says the anxiety to leave the city is generally attributed to the fear of a German advance on the capital. In order to secure a'seat on a train for Moscow, it is now ne- cessary to book some days ahead. Troops to Share in Lands. Petrograd, via London, April 25.— The grand committee of the Alllance of Peasants has addressed the follow- ing petition to the peasants at the front: “Do your duty. Do not fear that the land will be divided without you. Only the constituent assembly, in which you will be represented, will decide this important question.” Scal avian Kings Mcet, Pledge E nal Friendship and Exchange Ex- pressions of Appreciation. London, April 26.—A Stockholm de- spatch says that the kings of , Den- | mark and Sweden .exchanged pledges of friendship at a banquet on Tues- day night. Ging Gustave said, in proposing a toast to his brother monarch, that their sincere friendship was increasingly precious in the ser- jous times in which they were living. In his reply King Christian dwelc upon the great importance to Den- mark and Sweden of the personal friendship which existed between the. rulers of the two countries. 1 GUSTAVE TOASTS CHRISTIAN 'HOLLWEG'S STRENGTH WANES SPIRIT OF REVOLT |Captain of Mon- ‘AS POLITICAL CLAMOR FOR| SEETHES IN RUSSIA| golia, American “CHANGE IN ATTITUDE GROWS ‘ ! Steamship, Re- ports Firing First Gun of War for United States . London, April 25.—4:45 p. m.—Captain Rice, of the American steamship Mongo- lia,.which has arrived at a British port told the Asso- ciated Press today that the Mongolia hag fired the first gun of the war for the United tates and sunk a German submarine. The submarine Captain Rice . said, was about to attack thé great liner, in British waters on April 19. He declared there was absolutely no doubt that the U-boat was hit and that there was every reason to believe it ,was de- stroyed. The naval gunners on board made a clean hit at one thousand yards. The periscope was seen to be shattered. Bwven more pertinent a fact as re- gards the ultimate fate of the subma- rine was that the shell disappeared immediately after the hit was made. The captain stated that a shell always ricochets in the waters ani can be seer again unless it finds the mark. Oil also was seen on the water after the submarine disappeared. The Mongolia was going at full speed and was a long distance away when the spray and foam subsided, but from the bridge the -officers observed the shot through their glasses and they are confident the submarine wus sunk. The naval gunners on board the Mongolia are under command of Lieu- tenant Bruce Ware, U. S. N. The periscope was sighted dead ahead, on the last afternoon of the voyi The captain gave the order for full speed ahead with the inten- tion of ramming the submarine. The periscope disappeared and a few minutes later reappeared on the ship’s starhoard. The gunners fired, hitting the periscope squarely and throwing up a mountain of water. New York, April 25.—The American steamship Mongolia, a vessel of 13,638 tons, owned by the International Mer- cantile Marine, company left an Am- erican port for England on April 7, on her second trip since Germany’s sub- marine declaration of February 1st. BATTLE ON WOTAN' HANGS IN BALANCE Monchy-Le-Preux One of Bloodiest Spots in Entire World ENGLISH CAPTURE 3,029 Fifty-Six Officers Included Among Prisoners of British Soldiers— French Continue to Push Ahead Slowly—Germans Bag ’Planes. British Front in France, April 25, Via London, From a Staff Correspon- dént of the Associated Press.—The town of Monchy-le-Preux which lies about five miles east of Arras, will stand out in history as one of the bloodiest spots of the world war. The fighting north, east and south of this little Artois village, perched upon a high knol, has exceeded in intensity any of the individual struggles of the Somme. Efforts of the Germans to retake the .village apparently have subsided on account of the sheer ex- haustion of their available forces. British Take 3,029, London, April 25.—The British have taken 3,029 prisoners since Monday morning, including 56 officers, ac- cording to an official statement issued by the war office today. British forces captured the hamlet of Bilhem, east of Havrincourt wood, last night | | French Gain Ground. Paris, April 25—Ground was gained by the French last night in the (Continued on Eleventh Page,) (R R A WEATHER. Hartford, April 25. — For Hartford and vicinity: Fair tonight. Thursday probably rein, continued cool. ENGLAND RECEIVES FIRST INSTALLMENT OF BIG LOA FRENCH COMMISSION SETS FOOT ON AMERICAN SOIL RAILROADS MAY FILE NEW RATE SCHEDULES L C. C. to Study Tariff In- creases Proposed By Carriers. ‘Washington, April 25.—The Inter- state Commeerce commission today prescribed the methods of procedure in the fifteen per cent. rate advance cases by permitting the railroads to file supplemental tariffs covering the increase. The new tariffs will be subject to protest, suspicion, complaint, investi- gation and correction, the commission announced, and their filing is only preliminary to detailed consideration of the application and does not . dis- pose of the cases. The commission, in making public the order, issued the following: “Following requests by the carriers throughout country to be permitted to file supplements to existing rate schedules, = proposing general in- creases in rates of fifteen per cent., ex- cept as a few specfied commodities, the commission has recently heard in conference a large number of repre- sentatives of the carriers and shippers respecting thie matter. The purpose of these requests is to avoid the expense and delay-incident te the-full and de- tailed preparation and republication of all of the existing tariff schedules, substituting in detail the proposed in- creased rates for those now in effect. “The commission deems it to be the public interest that the question of propriety and reasonableness of these proposed increases should be reached, considered and disposed of as prompt- Iy as may be feasbible and practicable, consistent with the ends of justice. Therefore, acting under the discretion with which is vested by section six of the act to regulate commerce, the commission h4s issued the permissive orders announced today authorizing the filing of rate supplements as there- in stated. “In view of erroneous reports that have been published, it seems proper to state that the commission has reached no determination and there- fore expresses no views on opinion upon the question of the reasonable- ness or propriety of such proposed increases.” The effective date of the order should it finally be approved is changed from June 1 to July 1. NAVY GUNNERS RETURN Lieut. Gresham and Eleven Bluc- l jackets, Who Were Aboard Aztec ; ‘When Torpedoed, Return to America New York, April ' 25.—Lieutenant Willlam F. Gresham, U. S. N.,, and eleven American bluejackets, survi- vors of the American armed steam- ship Aztec destroyed on April 1 by a German submarine, arrived here today from a forelgn port. Lieuten- ant Gresham' declined to discuss the sinking., IMMORAL CONDITIONS AT CAMPS. Mothers and “Teachers Decide to In- vestigatc Conditions. Washington, April 25.—Reports of immoral conditions at many military training camps prompted the Na- tional Congress of Mothers and Par- ents’ and Teachers associaions today to establish a commission of mothers which will investigate the camps and seek to promote better conditions. Mr, Frederick Schoff of Philadel- phia, president of the congress, de- | clared she had inspected many camps yand found immoral surroundings- | | DISCUSSING WOMEN’S VOTES. Boston, April 25.—A recommenda- tion by the majority of a committee appointed last year that the constitu- tion and canons of the : church in Massachusetts be changed to allow the admission of women as lay delegates to. conventions was con- sidered at the annual diocesan con- vention today. Another committee recommended that the minimum wage for a minister in this diocese Episcopal | be Come to Consider Sending Expeditionary Force to France and to Arrange for Share in War Loan. / ‘Washington, April 256.—The French commission headed by Gen. Joffre and former Premier Viviani landed safely at the Washington navy yard today, soon after noon. the beginning of formal conferences between the representatives of allied nations and American officials over the part the United States may play in the war against Germany. The French commissioners are vest- ed with complete power to discuss with the American government all sub- Jects, including military, naval and fi- nancial. They came prepared to take up such questions as to the advisabili- ty of sending an expeditionary force to France, particularly for its mord] ef- fect, and France’s need -of a monthly loan of $100,000,000, to be spent in the United.States. i The series of entertainments by the American gecvernment in honor of the British commission ended last night at a dinner given by Secretary Lans- ing, attended by President Wilson and others. 4 i Swiss Anxious About Food. Berne, April 24, via Paris, April 25. —The Swiss press, becoming dnily more worried lest the United States cut off Switzerland from imports, to: day discussed the advisability of eith er sending.a commission to America or establishing a bureau of informa- tion in the United States to keep Americans accurately informed of conditions here. ‘Washington, April 25.—Dr. Paul Ritter, Swiss minister to the United States, will confer with President Wil- son within the next few days on food conditions in Switzerland,« which are understood to be serious. Switzerland, in common with other European neu- trals, is fearful that in provisioning the Entente allies, the United States may divert food supplies now going to those countries. The policy of the American government, as explained to several neutrals, is not to interfere with the food supplies of the nations unless it is absolutely necessary. Other Commissioners Arrive. New York, April 25.—Seven addi- tional members of the British and one .additional member of Frénch commis- sions sent here to confer with Ameri- can officials arrived at an American . port today on a passenger liner. The : members of the British party were i Messrs. Goodwin, Heron, Longhorn. i Leming, McGowan, Puckle and Vigor. ; Captain M. E. de Jarny of the French { artillery arrived to join the French i delegation, which landed yesterday. SHIP REPORTED SUNK' SAFE IN NEW YORK Vessel of 32,120 Tons. Believed Tor- pedoed While Transporting Troops, Arrives in This Country. New York, April 25.—The 82,120 ton passenger ship, built for the Hol- land-American line in England under the name of “Statgndam’” and taken over by the Britith government in 1914 for war purposes, reached an American port today under a White Star line name. The arrival of this vessel refutes reports received hers from Berlin in March indicating she had been tor- pedoed and sunk. The German report told of the alleged sinking of a 34,494 ton transport” and marine men were inclined to believe she was the Statendam. Designed as a modern passenger liner for New York-Rotterdam trade the ship was never completed: Where were intended to be magnificently carved and decorated stairways, saloons and cabins. now only rough woodwork appears. The vessel has: been used as a transport for troops but her present service is that of a freighter. BARGE AND COAL SUNK. t New Haven, April 25.—The barge E. G. Stoddurd of the Keeler Trans- portation line of New York, bound for Providence with 600 tons of soft coal, foundered off Pond Point, Milford, carly today. The captain and his wife were taken off ‘safely and brought. to this city. The barge was in tow e~~~ | Dlaced at $1,500 with use of a rectory. of the tug Elmer Keeler. The arrival of French leaders marks Treasury Warrant F D $200,000,000 Givel | to British Ambass l dor by Sec’y M’Ad SIMILAR LOAN TO ITALY TO BE ! House and Senate Resume Debate g Army Bill With Little Prospedt Early Vote As Many Members to Express Opinions—Uppe X May Set Time Limit an Deb Vote on Cloture; Test of kv" . ‘Washington, April, 25 —Secr McAdoo today handed the British. bassador a treasury warrant for. §8 000,000, the firet loan made to any'| tente government by the Ui States under the $7,000,000,000 nance uteasure. i It is likely most, of it Wi spent in this country for fog munitions and supplies. A loan may he made to- Italy saon other sums will be credited to Gf Britain or her allies, in\ the | future as parts of big leans thorized by the seven billion do loan measure. S The first $200,600,000 is avall from proceeds of the issue of 000,000, treasury certificates, June 30, proceeds from whieh wen be called today by Secretary. M Just as scon as the money i3 dép in various reserve banks, the su bo transferred to the credit British government, which will’ its own bonds hs security. - Future loans will hc based United States bond issues. , The of these may be for $2,000,00( and proceeds miy be collected in. monthly instaliments, giving ' §i 000,000.a month with which' te, Anieriean war needs and lcang tes allie ) S0 Lord Cunliffe of the British mission was invited 'to lunch to the federal reserve bodrd 4 ferences on ~money qucstions: arranged among Sccretary '~ Ma the reserve board and the financier, Debate on War Army m!l.’ 1 The house dnd senate resumeds bate today on the war army bill. N leaders hoped to ¥ a ‘vote LE day, but this appeared by no certain, since more n Kixty bers still were to be i Speaker Clark, who was in opposition to a. drafts In the senate a simil isted. Many senators i press their views on h!gl Fick: consenting to a vote leaters like to resort to the New -rulp which debate may be limited, . C} man Chamberlain of the military mittee expected to ascertain sent in the senate today, however, agreement to set a time for vois A anied TURKISH VIZIER AT BERLIN Copesihagen Believes He 1s Ap) for Assistance. Copenhagen, via LZondon, Ap —The visit of the Turkish Taal-at-Bey, to Berlin, 'accordi the Lokal Anzeiger, will ocet ot discussion at German headquartén the situation as affected by Rus developments. The ' Constant| correspondent of the Tageblatf attributes high importance visit. The fact that Taal-at-Bey received on his arrival by Chan Von Bethmann-Hollweg or ¥o Secretary Zimmermann caused: S servers here to take a different The ‘opinion is expressed th: vizier's trip is most likely to nected with Turkish troubles the nature of an appeal for he A. P. UPHOLDS PRESID) News Gthering Organization Support to Administration,: New York, April 25.—The anny convention of the American newi per publishers association opened this morning. A discussion on new print paper is the principal event the aftérnoon program. The reorganized board of dire of The Associated Press meets elect officers and the executive © mittee for the ensuing year, concluding the buginess of ttfit ganization- 5 A resolution was adopted pied support to the executives of that ernment in carrying out the N