New Britain Herald Newspaper, April 26, 1917, Page 1

4HERALD “ADS” MEAN BETTER BUSINESS PRICE THREE CENTS. o 20 DRAIN ON GERMAN ~[EXPECT RENEWAL OF |FAVORABLE REPORT " ARMY MAY GAUSE | STRIKE IN GERMANY| ON NEW R. R. STOCK COLLAPSE IN WEST " Use of Reserves Must Result in Accelerating Process of Ex- haustion, Observer Reports ALL ATTACKS ON ALLIED TROOPS WITHOUT SUCCESS Associated Press Correspondent. De- scribes Fearful Carnage When Gray- Clad Legions Charge Big Guns in Mass Formation—Curtains of Fire Holds Them Back While British Gunners MOw Them Down. GERMAN ARMY DRAINED TO PROVIDE RESERVES London, April 26.—Tele-, graphing today from British headquarters in France Reu- ter's correspondent says: The Germans are still hurry- ing up fresh reserves to press their counter attacks. They are fighting a great delaying battle, notwithstanding our well prepared systems of defense and advance by using up great masseB of troops whose breasts -have taken the place of para- pets, % The policy must result in greatly accelerating the - pro-- cess of exhaustion and, if con- tinued long, the situation will resolve itself ‘into’ the ° simple problem of . whigh . side . can longest maintain the deadly Prisoners declare that the German army is now being drained at a rate which brings collapse within a measurable distance. Munitions Workers May Quit Again on First of May SWEDEN AND SPAIN, T00 Labor Elements Threaten to' Upset Equilibrium of Those Countries— Turkey in Bad Straits—German Censorship Becoming More Rigid. The fourth day of the terrific strug- gle on the British front in France has opened with both sides still striv- ing vainly for a decision. The Ger- mans have resorted to the terribly costly tactics of massed attacks and apparently succeeded in checking the British advance. This partial success has been won, British reports say at a staggering toll of human life. It would seem as if the revolution- ary mutterings which were ominously. swelling through Europe prior to in- ception of the great battle were drowned in the thunders of the bat- tlefleld but indications are not lacke ing that momentous events are about to occur behind the fighting lines. The summary adjournment of the Reich- stag, when its sittings had barely opened is given added significance by hints in the German press that the strike agitation in Germany may burst forth with renewed violence on May Day. A nation-wide labor dem- onstration in Sweden also is planned for that day and may have its coun- terpart in Spain. No news of any importance has come from Austria in several days, a fact which has given fresh life to the report of intentions of the dual moénarchy to seek a separate peace. No confirmation of this is available from any reliable source, but there is more definite tidings of the status of affairs in Turkey. Returning travelers tell appaling storles of the devasta- Jtians wrought by disease and starva- tion in the Ottoman empire. They also repeat the oft told story that the that the Turkish people are weary of ‘war and its entalled miseries but are kept in subjection by the iron hand of Enver Bey and his German col- leagues. The rigidity of the German censor- ] ship is shown by the fact that no a AfAcks Repulsed. ' |G London, Aprit 26.—Renewed Ger- man attacks on British positions near Gevrelle were completely - repulsed last night, according to an official an- mouncement issued by the war -office | today. Terrific Fighting in Progress. Parls, April 26.—Terrific fighting " continued during the night on the front of the French offensive, The Germans renewsd "thalr " éountér’ at- tacks ‘on the -high ground near the Chemin des Dames but gained no suc- cess, the war office reports. An at- tack in great force east of Cerny was repulsed . with heavy losses for the Germans. 3 Berlin, April 26, via London.—The German .position at.Gavrelle, in the Arras battlefleld, 1s now situated at ‘the eastern boundary of the village, says today’s army headquarters state- ment. Urge Russians Not to Attack. Petrograd, April 26, via London.— A telegram received here from Riga indicates that the Germans are con- tinuing unremittingly their attempts to parley with the Russians. At one place the Germans displayed a placard on which was written: “Russians: Do not attack. also will not attack.” We Clouds Restrict Aviators. British Headquarters in France, via London, April 24.—(From a staft cor- respondent of the Amsociated Press)— There has been a comparative lull in the fighting east of Arras in the last twenty-four hours, the German counter attacks in the effort to re- take the positions captured by the British {n Monday’s push having worn themselves out. After each of these attacking waves had been thrown back the British managed to creep forward still further. Heavily overcast skies are giving the German airmen a brief respite from British aerial attacks, enabling them to make efforts to reorganize their badly damaged squadrons, for in four days fighting the British have accounted for nearly one hundred enemy machines. ‘The British airmen were praying for continuance of clear weather, as their worrying tactics had provoked the Germans into heavy fighting, but clouds gathered vesterday and today also the skies were overcast. In con- sequence the airplane hunt was re- stricted. Owing to the heavy inrohds made by British airmen, the German kite balloons are extremely timid these days, although the Germans depend mostly on them for artillery obser- vation. They seldom attempted over- head cbservation with airships. The only aireraft seen on this side of the Mne are fast-fighting scouts which at- tempt raids and scurry home again in the clouds. One German balloon (Continued on Ninth Page.) erman newspaper is allowed to leave charged with electricity have also been erected along the German-Swiss frontier and every possible precaution has been taken to prevent the details of what is tramspiring within the realms of the Central Powers from reaching the rest of the world. Apart from France there are few developments of importance in the war theaters. The British continue to drive forward in Mesopotamia but there is a curious silence in regard to the Russian armies in that region. An attack on a fairly large scale has -been made by the allles on the Sa- loniki front but there is nothing as vet to indicate whether a general offensive is planned in this region. Munitions Situation Unsatisfactory. Copenhagen, via London, April 26. —The protests of a socialist represen- tative in the Reichstag committee yes- terday called attention for the first time to the fact that the German new: papers must now submit to a prelim- inary censorship before being permit- ted to leave the country. For some time the radical socialist newspapers have been markedly behind other pub- lications in the time of their delivery here. The authorities evidently have resorted to this means to block the channels through which .disagreeable news and discussions have reached foreign ears.’ At the meeting of the Reichstag committee devoted to military ques- tions it was indicated that all is not satisfactory in the manufacture of ex- plosives. Deputy Gothein demanded information as to the status of the production of explosives and criti- cized as inadequate a confidential re- port of the minister of war on the mil- itary situation in the west. Labor Agitators Still Active. Amsterdam, April 26, via London. —*“Today’'s statement from headquar- ters comes just early enough to influ- ence the conscience of the munitions workers”, says the Berlin Lokal An- zeiger in a 'recent issue. “For the most part they have resumed duty again but they will also have to repair the. consequences of théir dereliction from duty and, above all things, these regrettable occurrences must be pre- vented from taking place again today or tomorrow. “We are informed attempts are still being made to instigate renewed ac- tion by munitions workers and it is openly threatened that we must be prepared for new outbreaks of ill- will if certain claims are not acceded to. It is also reported that on May 1 there will be another strike for four- teen hours. The reference in the foregoing, to a German headquarters statement, refers to that of April 24, in which the part played by the worker at home in promoting “the successes of the re- cent battles” is alluded to. The state- ment recounted that “the German sol- diers on the battle line knew that every man and woman at home is do- ing his or her duty and is working unceasingly to support him out there (Continued on Eleventh Page.) Railroad Committee of Semate En- dorses New Issue of Preferred RUSSIA _ CONGRATULATED Resolution, When Adopted, to Be Forwarded to Duma—Bills Propose Spending $1,500,000 on H?h\\'uys— Aliens Must Register. . Hartford, April 26.—The legislative committee on railroads today reported to the senate a bill to amend the charter of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad company by which it would be enabled to issue preferred stock to an amount not ex- ceeding 500,000 shares at par. At a hearing yesterday on the proposed amendment President Hadley of Yale, a director of the company, stated that authority to issue preferred stock to meet indebtedness was imperative. The house adopted, under suspen- sion of the rules, a resolution extend- ing the congratulations of the state to the newly organized government of Russia. A motion also adopted made by Jacob\J. Elgart of Colchester, the author of the resolution, was to the effect that ‘the resolution, after its final passage, be cabled to the Rus- sian duma. This was appropriation day in both branches. The committee reported to the senate the blanket bill making ap- propriations for the various tubercu- losis sanitaria in the state ana also one for $69,000 for a trade school at the Connecticut Reformatory and one of $10,000 for a wall at that insti- tution. $1,500,000 Highway Bills. In the ‘house the committee put in & bill for $1,000,000 for highways dur- ing the next ‘two years and another of $600,000 for completion of the trunk line highway system during the next two years- The proposition to abolish the present fish and game commission and to replace it with a single ¢ommis- sioner was killed for this season by the senate refusing to conmsider its action. The appropriations committee ported a sum by which the prison committee on a - new prison would be continued for next two years. The senate, by refusing to its attitude, killed the “bill ~ which would have required a permit to gather before a person offered moun- tain laurel or other foliage for sale. The bill requiring registration of aliens within twenty-four hours of ar- rival in any town or community was also adopted. WRECK AT BERKSHIRE JCT. Four Tracks Blocked When Fifteen Freight Cars Ple Up After Leaving Rails. Brookfield, April 26.—The four tracks of the Highland and Berkshire divisions of the “New Haven’” road at Berkshire Junction, at the point where the tracks of these divisions separate, were completely blocked early this morning by the wreck of a freight train, fifteen cars of which ‘were de- railed there. shire division was cleared sufficiently to permit the passing of trains and Highland division passenger traffic is sent by way of Brookfield Junctign and Hawleyville. A wrecking train from Waterbury is engaged in clearing the other tracks, but the heavy freight traffic on the Poughkeepsie bridge route will be de- layed the greater part of the day. The wreck is believed to have been caused by breakng of a car axle. The derailed cars piled up around the telegraph tower at the junction point, damaging the building and giving the operator on duty there a bad fright. No one was injured. RlfiTENLEN DENIES PLOT Captain in Genman Navy Pleads Not re- state state the change Guilty to Instigating Strikes in ‘ American Munitions Plants. New York, April 26.—Franz Rinte- len, a captain in the German navy brought back from FEngland, where he had been a prisoner of war, today pleaded not guilty in the federal dis- trict court to an indictment charging conspiracy to instigate strikes in mu- nitions q’ants throughout the United States. e made no application for bail and was remanded for trial to- morrow. Rintelen was indicted jointly with former Representative Frank Bu- chanan and others for alleged plot to disorganize the manufacture of war supplies for the Entente. QUITS NORWAY'S CABINET Christiania Despatch to Tondon Says Minister of Justicc Has Resigned Recause Press Was Not Gagged. London, April 26.—A Christiania |despu\ch sa, the Norwegian minister of justice has resigned on the rejection of government bill curtailing freedom 4 of the pre BRIT NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1917, —TWELVE PAGES. One truck on the Berk- | HERAL HERALD BEST OF ALL: LOCAL NEWSPAPERS; ESTABLISHED 1 GERMANY TAKESICAPITAL GENEROUS WITH CHEERS FOR FRENCH HER ELIHU ROOT IS CHAIRMAN WAR PRISONER OF COMMISSION TO RUSSIA FIRST AMERIGAN London, April 26.—Taking of the first American prisoner of war was reported to the American embassy to- day through the American consul at Glasgow. i It is usually the practice of the Germans to take prisaoner captains of merchantmen sunk by their sub- marines) - In view of this fact the above despatch may mean that an American vessel has been sunk, ARMY BILL DEBATE REACHES END TODAY General Discussion fo Close With Drop of Speaker’s Gavel VOTE BY Champions of Selective Conscription, After Canvass, Say They Wil Win ‘by Majority of 60 to 70—Prospects ‘Good in Senate, Washington, April 26.—The army bill continued to thread its way through debate in both houses today |. under a constant attack from those who oppose selective conscription and ardently defended by those who sup- port the administration plan. First prospect of a vote appeared in the house where it was agreed that general debate should close.with | Journment today and leave only the | summing up by leaders of ecach side. Tomorrow Chairman Dent of the mili- tary committee will close the argu- ment for the committee’s volunteer amendment and Representative Kahn, ranking republican of the committee, will . gl :for the selective conscrips tien plan. Then the bill will be con- sidered by the house under the five minute rule with a prospect of vote probably Friday night or Saturday, Results of a canvass to ascertain the sentiment of the house on the bill providing for raising an afmy by se- lective draft caused renewed confi- dence amang champions of the measure of its passage by the house by a safe majority. Senate leaders were equally- confident of the bill’s passage by the upper houge. The house canvass, taken by friends of the bill, disclosed ,it was said, a majority of from 60 to 70 in favor of the measure. SUNK WITHOUT WARNING American Schooner Percy Birdsall De- stroyed by Gunfire of Submarine— Shelling Continued as Crew Departs. ‘Washington, April 26.—The de- struction withgut warning by subma- rine gunfire of ‘the American schooner Percy Birdsall of New York was re- ported today to the state department. Time and place were not named. The submarine fired numerous shots, seven striking below the water line, some of them while the captain and crew of nipe were taking to the boats. The survivors were rescued by a British patrol boat. The Birdsal] was of 1,127 tons gross and owned by Edward L. Holmes. New York, April 26.—All on board the American ship Birdsall sunk by a German submarine were saved ac- cording to a cablegram received here from Bordeaux' under date of April 24 by the Foreign and Domestic Transportation company, owners of the vessel. o GEN. WO0D GOES MONDAY Denies Rumor That Transfer to De- partment of Southcast Has Been Rescinded—Bell Takes Command, New York, April 26.—Major Gen- eral Leonard Wood today authorized a denial of published reports that an order had been rescinded .which di- Tected him to take command of the néw department of the southeast of the United States army, to take effect May 1. General Wood said he waould turn over the command of the department of the east to his successor, Major General Bell, on Monday and would proceed at once to Charleston, S. C., which will be his headquarters. S WEATHER. Hartford, April Hartford and vicinity ers tonight. Friday gencrally fair, 26.—For SATURDAY! EAST HARTFORD FIRE CAUSES $50,000 LOSS Cairns Wood' Working Plant and Near- by Dwelling Destroyed and Apastment Block Damaged: Hartford, April 26—Fire this morn- ing in the Meadow District of East Hartford destroyed the plant of the Cairns Wood Working company, the Duffy dwelling and damaged the bus- iness and apartment block of G. Ei- lery Darling, entailing a loss es. timated. at between $40,000 and $50,- 000. Its origin is unknown. The fire apparently started in one of the sheds of the wood working concern and it swept through the lumber and saw- dust. with rapidity. Despite efforts ol the local fire department. and help from Hartford, the fire soon spread™| to the Duffy house which was burned to the ground. The Darling block was next in the line but the firemen succeeded in saving this building, al< though the loss by water will be great. This’ morning’s fire recalls the Meadow fire of May 12, 1911, when a fire practically wiped out the Mead- ow section of the town, causing a loss of $200,000- * BLACKLIST LIFTED British Ban on American Shippers to Prevent Trading With German Bus- iness Houses Is Revoked. London, April 26.—The British blacklist of shipping has been with- drawn, so far as it concerns the United States. GERMANY DRAFTS MORE MEN Official Statement From Berlin Says Great Number of Men Previously Rejected Are Ordered Drafted. Amsterdam, April 26, Via London.— A Berlin official announcement re. ceived here says that the German war | office’ has ordered a great number of exempts to be drafted for field service, They will be replaced in the war in- dustries by women and those liable for the national auxiliary service. INFANTILE PARALYSIS CASE Alicc Hummcll of 756 East Street, 3 Ycars Old. Taken With Convul- sions Developed Dread Disease. Alice, the three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Hummell of 756 East street, is critically ill at the New Britain General hospital with infantile paralysis and Dr. T. Reeks, superintendent of health, has made arrangements to have the little victim taken to .the New Haven isolation haspital. The little girl was taken seriously il with convulsions on Sunday night amd was removed to the hospital where paralysis developed. The girl’s right side is completely paralyzed and the doctors consider her case a serious one. Dr. Reeks states that this case’is a sporadic, ar isolated one, and there is no occasion for alarm on the part of the public. He states that each vear there are several similar cases, but this may cause more alarm now because of the recent epidemic. NEW HAVEN JAIL A DISGRACE Commiittee Reports on Conditions Sanitary and Otherwisc and Calls It Mcnace to Health of Community. Hartford, April 26.—The committee of New Haven county which investi- gated recently the conditions at the New Haven county jail reported to the county meeting this afternoon that conditions, sanitary and otherwise at the jail are a disgrace to the county and a menace to the health of the community. SUES FOR HEART BALM. Young Woman Asks $1,200 For Al- leged Breach of Promise. Attorney Joseph G. Woods, acting for Sophia Salicki, has brought an ac- tion for $1,200 against Stanislaus So- becki, alias Stanley Sobecki, for al- leged breach of promise. The papers were given to Deputy Sheriff Stock- well for service and he attached money in the Savings Bank of New Britain. The writ is returnable in the court of common pleas on the first Tuesday in May. B Republican Statesman Select- ed By President Wilson to Visit New Republic and Advise As to Future. ‘Washington, April 26.—Elihu Root, former secretary of state, after con- ferences early today with President Wilson and Secretary Lansing for- mally ccepted the chairmanship of the American commission to Russia. Mr. Root spent an hour with the president at the White House discuss- ing the Russian situation. The presi- dent outlined fully what he desired to accomplish, The commission will be composed of three or four members and a staff of secretaries and assistants. It is ex- pected to leave for Russia within a few daye. The needs‘of Russia, as outlined to President Wilson, are for political, financial transportation and commer- cial advice and advantages. IN HONOR OF LAFAYETTE: New York State Observes 140th Anni- versary of Sailing of Marquis From France to Fight for America. New York April 26—France day was celebrated throughout the state to- day in honor of the arrival of the French high commission. On this day 140 years ago La Fayette sailed from Bordeaux to offer his sword to ‘Washington and the cause of liberty. President Wilson’s war message to congress was read in more than 14,- 000 public schools. The school chil- idren heard the story of La Fayette and sang the ‘“‘Marseiliaite” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” Patriotic mass meetings were Meld ih & number of: oities. . The- tri<color -of France waved from many buildings in New York city. New York will be a mass of color by day and a blaze of light by night, vhen the members of the British and ‘rench high cosmissions pay the city a visit. Elaborate preparations have been made to greet the dis- tinguished guests although the date of their arrival is not yet known. The program includes receptions and banquets and a variety of eritertain- ments, AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT ‘Will Convenc May 80 for First Time Since War Began and Will sider Economic Questions. Vienna, April 26, via London.—A Con- statement was made here today that | the Austrian government had decided to convoke parliament for May 30 to deal with questions of food supply and with ecoriomic social and financial problems. The Austrian parliament has not been in session since before the war. ' AMERICANS IN COURT. Three Attempt to Avoid Payment of British Income Tax. London, April 26..—An official re- port of the proceedings in the Bow street police court yesterday against Princess Edmond dePolignac, an American; Washington Merritt Singer,. her brother, and A. C. Bird, a solicitor, in an income tax case, shows that the defendants were not committed for ‘trial as eppeared, from the abbrevi- ated report at hand yesterday. The official report shows that the attorney genera] asked for committal because they conspired to evade the 'payment of the tax. The magistrate adjourned the case until May 8. COSTA RICA TO HELP. Cancels Letters Patent of Germans in Its Consular Service. San Jose, Costa Rica, Apil 26.— The government has cancelled the letters patent of all Germans in fits consular service. This action was taken in view of the state of war be- tween the United States and Ger- many and this government’s convic- tion that it should contribute to fa- cilitate the efforts of the government at Weshington in such emergency- The government also is maintain- ing a watch over Germans in the country vnunm HIMSELF DER TRAIN. Torrington, April 26.—George Ros- ka a Rumanian, 28 years old, com- mitted suicide this morning by hurl- His body was cut in two. ing himsel? in front of a passenger train, Gen. Joffre, Savior | France, is Warml Greeted in Streef of Washington ¥ COMMISSION MEETS PRESIDENT WILS! Viviant, Cocheprat and Others ‘White Housc and Arc Introd First Citizen of United * tates-— and Navy Officers Resplendent’ Full Dress Uniforms—McAdoo Balfour Reach Agreement. p Washington, April 26.—The F commission began its first ‘day} ‘Washington with a round of of calls. The first was at the state, § and navy departments. Former Premier Viviani, h the mission, Marshal Joffre, Adn Cocheprat and Viscount deCham] called first at Secretary Lansing's fice. Former Secretary of State Root conferred with Mr. Lansi the time. The clerks of the # building lined the halls and gave/ Frenchmen a reception of contin cheers and handclapping. b M. Viviani, Marshal Joffre and miral Chocheprat went over to ‘White House to be formally by President Wilson. As the ty the building, the corridors rang hurrahs for nce. The visitors took motor cars f short ride to the White House. dreds of automobiles decorated | the French tri-colors sounded sirens and people lining the - & added to the din. At the main trance of the executive - mani large party of the president’ and navy aides in full dress yn met the Frenchimen. Salutes changed and the distinguished were ushered into the blue room the president was waiting, to them. A An_automobile trip to the p interest in the national ca arranged for the entire party - afternoon. Vs Visitors Carefully Guarded. Meantime subordinate ‘membey the commission planned to hold ¥ liminary conferences with Amel naval, military and financial sentatives. Secret service op and police in plain clothes we tioned at the various places - by the Frenchmen today while tachment of soldiers remained stantly on guard at the White The British war mission, hi Foreign Minister Balfour, held! liminary meetings today with §0) ment officlals in preparation joint wonferences among the 4can, British and French re tives which begin tomorrow. The White House reception'f French commission differed fro! accorded Foreign Minister and his associates in that it § all the members of the French: | sion. 3 Minister Viviani, Marshal Jo Inspector General of Public I tion Hovelaque entered first a followed by the others. X Sifice neither minister Vivi ni Marsha) Joffre speak Englisl Hovelaque acted as interpretei ‘president shook hands warm! Marshal Joffre and the other m and they chatted for about tem: utes. 4 Immediately after seeing | ident, M. Viviani went to ti accompanied by Assistant Phillips. Leaving an automobile set le hig use, Marshal Joffre, accom by Col. Spencer Cosby and’ mander Berry of the ni from the executive mansion ‘to state, war and navy building.. fnarshal wes dressed in the full form of his rank, with red t o red cap, leather boots and &4 orders glistening on his b . When the American officers | ota to mount the long stairs to trance of state, war and navy ing, Marshal Joffre, despite ‘higs and weight, ran up lightly and companions trailing after him. Marshal Joffre and Admiral cheprat returned to the bujldi pay calls on the secretary of Wi navy. The reappearance of the was marked by a reception no ciferous than the one a few min before. President Wilson was deeply. pressed by the members of the Frél commission, particularly with Viviani and Marshal Joffre. President Wilson said the Ame! people deeply appreciated the ing of the French commission to country, and M. Viviani replied the French people felt deeply the, of friendship cemented by th trance of the United States in war. 4 Whhile Marshal Joffré and his were calling on Secretary Bake the' American army officers, Adms & (Continued on Eleventh