New Britain Herald Newspaper, August 28, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS NEW BRITAIN HERALD HERALD “ADS”.} BETTER BUSI PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1917. —TEN PAGES. ESTABLISHED! AUSTRIA HAY MAKE [REPLY T0 VATICAN |KORNILOFF REVEALS WAR ON' AMERICA FOR AIDING ITALY Washington Admits Expectation of Declaration From Vienna and Probably Other Governments UNITED STATES WILL NOT TAKE INITIATIVE British Troops Punch in Flanders and Make Gain Along Front of 2,000 Yards—Paris Reports Heavy Ar- tillery Battles—Russians Flit From Trenches as Germans Approach in Force. Washington, Aug. 28.—The possi- bility that Austria and perhaps other allies of Germany may possibly soon declare war against the United States becuse of the financial aid given to Ttaly is recognized by administration officials. It was carefully explained today that there is nothing in the existing situation, either diplomatic or mili- that would cause the United States to take the initiative, but that the anamolous state of affairs my re- sult in’ broadening the war does exist was not denied. British Hit Again in Flanders. London, Aug. 28.—As the result of a British attack on the Flanders front Vvesterday the British lines have been advanced along a front of more than 2,000 yards astride the St. Julian-Poel- capelle road, the war office announced today. Artillery Active on French Front. Paris, Aug. 28.—The French offi- cial report on the progress of hostili- ties given out today refers to artil- lery activity on the Californie plateau and says that French troops pene- trated German trenches at Butte de Souain, and took some prisoners near Arracourt. There was considerable artillery activity on the Verdun front. Tdttle Gained, Berlin Reports. Berlin, via London, Aug. British made only slight gals MAY BE ON ITS WAY Secretary Lansing Declines to Affirm or Deny Story DISCUSSION IN BERLIN Leading Men of Country Confer i on Reply Berlin Will Dispatch—Catho- lic Societics Do Not Urge America to Endorse Terms. Washington, Aug. 28.—Secretary Lansing in response to questions to- day would neither deny or affirm that a reply to the Pope’s peace proposals had gone forward from the United States. It was generally expected that the subject would be discussed at today's cabinet meeting and the government has by this time had the advantage of knowing what replies would be made by the Entente allies. Note Discussed in Berlin. Cojenhagen, Aug. 28.—Pope Bene- dict’'s peace note will be the principal subject of discussion at a meeting in Berlin this afternoon in which Chan- cellor Michaelis, members of the German parliament and ’representa- tives of Pruss’y, Bavaria, Saxony and ‘Wurtemburg will participate. Reports from the German capital add that Dr. Michaelis will leave for Belgium im- mediately after the meeting where he will have a conference with the gov- ernor general, Baron Von Falken- hausen. Catholics Acclaim Note. Kansas City, Aug. 28.—Resolutions “acclaiming” the peace proposal of Pope Benedict and pledging all Cath- olics of this country to the war pro- gram of the United States but con- taning no clause urging acceptancs by the American government of the Papal suggestions were reported fa- vorably here today by the resolutions committee of the American Federa- tion of Catholic societies. CHINESE WANT T0 FIGHT Three Generals Offer Troops for Fu-' ropean Battleficlds—Uprisings Die 2 Tl;le Down and South Is Reconciled to gofi = east of Frezenberg in their ati ng President. the Flanders front yesterday, headquarters announced today. army Russians Quit Under Fire. Petrograd, Aug. 28.—Russian infan- try left its trenches before an enemy attack in the Boyany region and is retiring eastward, the war office an- nounces. The retirement was occasioned by the beginning of an offensive near Czernowitz, Bukowina, yesterday by the German and Austrians. The troops retreated without waiting for the at- tack on their trenches, which were occupied by the enmemy. Ttalians Continue Advance. Rome. Aug. 28,—The Italians made * further progress yesterday on the Bainsizza plateau, on the front north of Gorizia, the war office announces. The Austrians made violent counter attacks but failed to recover positions taken by the Italians. GUNMEN KILL TWO; ESCAPE WITH $8,100 Custodians of Payroll of Chicago Con- cern Slain by Five Bandits Who Seize Cash and Flec. Chicago, Aug. 28.—Two men carry- ing $8.100, the payroll of the Winslow Brothers Iron Works, were shot to death in front of the plant today by five bandits who escaped with the money in an automobile. Louis Ozenberg and Barton Allen, the slain payroll messengers, were re- turning from a bank in an automobile, As they stepped out in front of the entrance to the iron works an automo- bile containing the robbers drew up. Three bandits leaped from the ma- chine and opened fire with revolvers. Ozenberg and Allen fell with bullets in their heads. The bandits fired more than 20 shots. A score of per- sons witnessed the Killing. LABOR CONFT Seventy Delegates, Mostly British, Present at London Discussion. London, Aug. —-The inter-allied socialist and labor conference was opened in London this morning under the presidency of Arthur Henderson, member af the house of commons and former minister without portfolio. Some 70 delegates, representing t Eritain, Belgium, Ru 4 Portugal, Greece, South Africa and Ttaly, are present. More than half of them are British, repre- senting various sections of the socialist and labor parties. The figures are of little significance however, as the con- ference not ta vote but to consult and if possible, agree on the policy to y be followed in regard to the intern tlonal socialist conference at Stock helm. If it proves to he impossible to reach an asreemeat fhe tions will put forward thei at 8tockholm. Gre France various Ty fev s - | officers Peking, Aug. 23 (delayed)—Gen- erals Lo Pei-Ching, Lung Chi-Kwang and Ku-Chin-Tao, commanding 50,- 000 troops of Yunnan, Kwei-Chow and Kwang-Tang provinces, have of- fered forces for service in Europe. The provisional governors of Yun- nan and Kwang-Tung have given of- ficial recognition of Peking’s declar- ation of war against Germany, ap- parently having been reconciled to the government of the acting presi- dent, General Feng Kwo-Chang. The hostile movement in the southern provinces is now plainly a fiasco. Eighteen provinces have approved the order for a national council, which probably will be established within a fortnight. The press gener- ally is weighing China to present an undivided front to the enemy. RATSED SEVEN TO BE SOLDIERS. Hoboken, Aug., 28.—With seven sons in the service of the Allies, Mrs. William J. Tisdall, a widow whose father fought in the Napoleonic wars and whose husband served in the English army, said today she was proud that each one of her sons was fighting against Germany. The self- sacrifices of the mather so impressed another man, Samuel Tarento, who boarded with Mrs. Tisdall, that he enlisted in the Italian army. DROPPING GERMAN NAMES Many Residents of Fairfield County Find Teutonic Patronymics Unde- sirable and Ask Court to Permit Substitution. Bridgeport, Aug. 28.—German sur- names will decrease considerably in Bridgeport and Fairfield county within the next few weeks if favor- able action is taken on all the appli- cations that will be made to the Sep- ! tember term of the civil superior court for official changes in names. The applications have been filed lately in unprecedented numbers and arc still coming In to the clerk’s office. n every instance so far it is a Ger- man family name that is desired to | be changed. “The evidence of nature of mationality therein” and “the un- noyance and discrimination caused by the use of the Teutonic i reasons given. In most Cas { simplest of American nameos natives are chosen. The court seldom rejects an cation of this kind. The proc ding usually is a formality, merely to de- termine that creditors shall not be de- frauded by the change in identity. The changes in names are the latest { war development. nue the alter- ppli- TTALIAN ARMY MISSIO™ ARRLVES, | At Atlantic Port, Aug. | thorized ramunittee of 20 Tialian army the majority helonging to the viation corps arrived here teday on a rench pazsenger steamship. —An an- a E . are ! SITUATION IN ARMY Soldiers Lack Discipline and Con- sider Only Personal Safety SHOOTING COMMANDERS | Regiment Abandoned Positions and | Refused to Return Until Threat- | ened With to Death—Opposition Kerensky Assumes Definite Form. Moscow, Aug. 27.—The second gen- eral sitting of the national conference was held this afternoon. General Kornjloff, the commander-in-chief, | entered the hall in company with Premier Kerensky. His appearance was the signal for a prolonged and en- thusiastic ovation. All the delegates ! cheered the revolutionary govern- | ment and army. Vladimir, Naboukoff, a prominent social-democrat, speaking in the name | of the first Duma, declared the coun- try aimed at establishment of a strong and independent power, uninfluenced by political parties, a power, which, based on democratic principles would establish obedience to the law, civil! liberty and personal seccurity. The | speaker emphasized the absolute necessity of the independence of the high command of the army from every private influence. M. Naboukoff said the members of the first Duma repudiated with in- | | | dignation all thoughts of a separate ! peace, and that if they were to have | peace they did not desire it to be the result of German victory but the con- sequence of the triumph of and her allies. M. Alexinsky made declaration on behalf of Duma. Premier Kerensky then introduced | Gen. Korniloff, saying the government | had thought it necessary to invite the i commander to lay before the con- | ference the situation at the front and in the army. The general said the | death penalty, restoration of which he had asked, together with other meas- | ures, constituted only a small part of | what was necessity in an army strick- en with the terrible evils of disor- ganization and insubordination. Four Regiment Commanders Killed. ; In the present month, Gen. Korni- | loff said, soldiers had killeda four | regimental commanders and other officers, and ceased these outrages | «©Ofily"'when they were threatened with being shot. Quite recently one of the regiments of Siberian Rifles, which had fought so splendidy at the be- ginning of the revolutio bandoned its positions on the front. Nothing except an order to extermin- ate the entire regiment availed to cause it to return to its positions. “Thus we are implacably fighting ananchy in the army,” the command- ‘ er continued. “Undoubtedly it will| finally be repressed, but the danger ! of fresh debacles is weighing con- stantly on the country. The situ- ation on the front is bad. We have lost the whole of Galicia, the whole of Bukowina and all the fruits of our recent victory. At several points | the enemy has crossed our frontier and Is threatening our fertile south- ern provinces. He is endeavoring to destroy the Rumanian army and is knocking at the gates of Riga. If our army does not hold the shore of the gulf of Riga the road to Petrograd will be opened wide. “The old regime bequeathed to | Russia an army which, despite all the defects in its organization, neverthe- | less was animated by fighting spirit and was ready for sacrifices. The | whole series of measures taken by those who are completely foreign to | the spirit and needs of the army has | transformed it into a collection of individual groups which have lost all | sense of duty and only tremble for | their own personal safety. “If Russia whishes to be saved the army must be regenerated at any { cost. Gen. Korniloff then outlined the most important of these measures, in addition to restoraton of the death penalty, which are: First, restora- tion of discipline in tthe army by the strengthening of the authority of -of- ficers and non-commissioned officers; ! second, improvement of the financial position of officers, whc have been in a very difficult position in the re- cent military operations third, re- striction of the functions of regi- menta] committees which, althouzh managing economic affairs of the regiments, must not be permitted to have any part in decisions regarding military operations or the appoint- | ment of leaders. Russia | a similar the - second i | \ Ky. Opposition to Kerer Sunday, Aug. flict at the national conference be- {ween Premier Kerensky, backed by modergte socialists and a majority of the council of workmen's and sol- diers’ delegates, and the constitutional and other non-socialist parties, the Moscow industrial group and that part of the which stands for ruthless discipline, is ap- proaching. The position to the premier looks to Gen. Korniloff, the commander-in-chief of the army, as ! its champion. This ‘line-up of the | delegates to the confeience indi- cated in interviews the Associated Moscow, A con- democrats army H | Pr had with members of all | | Froups represented at the conference. | | In this eannection tha newspapers | { remark that Petrograd is i ety i ued on Third Page.) heing (Cont | from Petrograd to Germany and Aus- | the defeats of the Russian army. | war, | the purpose of discussing questions of HUMASON “GASSED’ | til 6 p. m. { town SOUKHOMINOFF ON TRIAL FOR TREASON GEN. SOURKHOMLIN OFF : Petrograd Aug., 28.—At the trial for high treason of Gen. Soukomlinoff, former minister of war, General Ivan- off, former commander in Volhynia and Galicia testified yesterday that he had information showing that military secrets had been communicated direct tria by way of Warsaw. . General Volitchko, deputy director of the engineer's corps, said he re- garded General Soukrolinoff as hav- ing been principally responsible for As soon as he was appointed minister of the witness testified, he sup- pressed various councils created for defense. AS TEST FOR MASK He and Companions in Cave Where Bomb Is Ex- ploded. Writing in his interesting manner of life along the battle front in France, Howard C. Humason of 201 Vine street, now serving Wwith the French army as munition truck driver, in a letter written on July 27 narrates being shut up in a cave with other men while their gas masks are tested out and - poisonous gas bombs are exploded near them. He also mentions humorously pay day in the French army where his stipend was forty cents for eight days’ labor. In another paragraph he tells of a hazardous journey over rough roads with a cargo of 50,000 hand grenades of a highly explosive type. In his letter Mr. Humason that the previous week had been a comparatively quiet one but on the Friday night preceding his writing he had been “on guard from 12 until 2 a. m. and left at 4 a. m. on a job lasting until 10 p. m. A Boche avia- tor dropped a couple of bombs only a quarter of a mile away but there was no other untoward event. We learned the next day however, that the place we unloaded at was shelled shortly after we left and eleven Frenchmen were killed. { “Sunday we were routed out at 4:30 and had another lively trip lasting un- The day was enlivened by | much aerial activity in which tha French, as usual, were victorious. In one of the towns we passed through a Bouche plane flew Tight over our headg and while he dropped no bombs two | pieces of shrapnel fired by the French landed in the road close beside our cars. . “‘Monday we were taken to a nearby and officially ‘gassed.’ This operation consists of packing the en- tire section of 45 men inta a small cave and smashing a gas bomb and ls to test out the gas masks. Evidently they were all right as everybody pulled | through, although nearly suffocated in the process. There were some who ex- pressed some doubt as to whether | there was any gas in the shells but none of the doubtful ones removed their masks to investigate. In the afternoon we had a drill, put in some | time on our cars and were then paid | off, receiving the large.sum of forty | cents for eight days labor. “Tuesday we were up against 5 and | i ome hund grenades on a These utensils, by are highly explosive and the French corporal with us said it. was the most dangerous job he had ever had. There was no mishap, however, and on reaching our destination we unloaded every one of the 50,000 grenades in order to hasten matters along. On Wednesday we were rout- ed out at the unearthly hour of 3:30 | m. to get home at 6:20 p. m. after | out 7,000 shells. No ex- | We put in all day yester- our and while we usual a writes a carting citemen day on cars ex- | ITAX ON LETTERS IS Hartiord .\ cast for New cinit. Cooler =ha s ton zemerally fair, 28.—Fore- and vi- prabably Wednesday [ 500,000 rubles was among the a | taken DROPPED BY SENATE, Soldiers and Sailors Abroad to Receive Free Use of Mail LA FOLLETTE HFTARD FROM | Wisconsin Member Sceks to Shake ‘War Profits Out of Industry’s Wallet —$11,538,000,000 War Bond Bill Nears Passage. ‘Washington, Aug. .—In resuming consideration tod the postage sectian of the war tax bill, the senate, by a vote of 39 to , struck out the provision levying a one cent tax on letters and post cards, designed to raise $50,000,000 in revenue. A pro- vision giving American soldiers and sailors abroad the privilege of mailing letters free was retained. Eight amendments to the war tax bill providing for levies on war profits ranging from 76 to 48 per cent. Wwere introduced today by Senator La Follette. Senator LaFollette would offer the amendment for the highest, 76 per cent. rate, and if it was rejected would ask consideration of the next order until it was accept- ed. The bill as it stands would make an average of 26 per cent Senator Weeks of Massachusetts | opened debate on the publisher’s tax 'provision, advocating their elimina- tion. . He also urged rejection of the Hardwick and McKellar substitutes. A modified amendment along the lines of his original substitute was offered today by Senator Hardwick. It would leave the present cent a pound rate on news portions of pub- lications, but beginning July 1, 1018, would increase to two instead of | three cents that on advertising por- tions, make it four cents on July 1, 1919, six cents in 1920 and eight| cents thereafter. Sepator Brady introduced an amendment for a tax of §1 per $100 cash value of second hand automo- biles and motorcycles costing less than §2,000 in lieu of the bill’s pro- vision for a 10 per cent. tax reduc- tion on each year's use. The entire section levying taxes on first class mail was eliminated on motion of Senator Hardwick. The senate proceeded to the periodical tax provisions. Senator Smoot announced that he would seek later to reconsider elimina- tion of the letter tax section. Paseage by Saturday night of the $11,538,000,000 war bond and certifi- cate bill, now hefore the ways and means committee, was predicted on the house floor today by Democratio Leader Kitchin. Plans for reporting the soldiers and sailors’ insurance bill to the house to- days were halted temporarily by Rep. Parker of New Jersey, objecting In committee to the optional insurance feature of the bill. LUFBERRY FOILS FOUR Wallingford Flyer Dashes to Rescue said he first of Companion and Forces German Airmen to Speed Away. Somewhere on the French Front, Sunday, Aug. 26.—Lieut, Raoul Luf- berry of the Lafayette escadrille saved his colleague in a patrol flight, Ser- geant Robert Soubiran, of South Bos- ton, from probable death today when Soubiran was suddenly attacked by four German machines of the alba- tross type while he was flying at a low altitude. The German machines were ever Soubiran attempting to down him when Lufberry, seeing his companion’s plight, darted at the enemy aviators, scattering them and allowing Soubiran to escape. TROLLEY CREW RESPONSIBI LIEUT. C. E. HART, JR,, | AIDE TO GEN. TRAUB| New Britain Man Selected As Personal Assistant By New Commander. Is it possible for an American young man to rise from the ranks in the army? This question answered by the rapid promotion of Lieut. Charles E. Hart, Jr., son of Charles E. Hart nf| 35 Curtis strcet, known as one of | New Hritain's pioneer and most suc- cessful manufacturers. About five years ago, Lieut. Hart had his first miltary experience. Today he is aide 7 FOR WRECK ON SHORE LI Conductor Slept Whil & ligent Motorman Death Car Over Sy Usual Stopping Placé SAFETY APPLIANCH WAS TAMPERED Coroner L Wynne and Tryg Deputy Denounces Negus Permitting Loss of 19 Lives Ordinary Care Would Havg vented Accident—Negus’ Claj Was Asleep, Found Baseless _New Haven, Aug. 22.—Wesl gus, the motorman, and Will Tryon, conductor, are held by Coroner Kenneth Wynne as o ly responsible for the trolley:| on the Shore Line Electric H at North Branford, on August | which 19 persons lost their live finding made today. The inqus held upon the body of John non, a retired insurance agent | ‘city, who was instantly killed time the two trolley cars @i gether, ‘and whose body was and taken home by his son. Coroner Wynne goes into tails of the wreck at consi length. The car, operated.by and Tryon, was making an e€; such as had been made daily eral months. Both men knew car was supposed to pass an ea car at the North Branford switi LIEUT. CHARLES E. HART, JR. de camp to Brigadier General Traub of the Fifty-first Brigade, Twenty- sixth division, into which the former First and Second Connecticut reg- iments were introduced at New Ha- ven last weck Lieut. Hart was born in this city in 1884. He attended the local pub- lic schools apd was graduated from High school in 1903. Four years later he walked out of Yale college with a sheepskin and in 1910 he was graduated from Yale Law School. He entered the law office of Bronson & Lewis in Waterbury and in 1911 was admitted to the firm, having shown an adaptability and knowledge of law greatly in excess of the average law school gradaute. Five years ago Lieut. Hart' became interested in military matters and was one of those who assisted in the for- ' mation of Company H, Second Reg- iment, C. N. G., of Waterbury. He entered the ranks as a private deter- mined to begin at the bottom of the ladder and acquire all the military information and knowledge possible. Many young men of Lieut. Hart's birth, breeding and influence would | have insisted on an officer’s rank but he was. willing to secure his military education from the ground up. When . the recent unpleasantness along the border startled'the .nation Lieut." Hart went with his company to the fringe of Mexico at Nogales as second lieutenant, having shown - by his industry and application that he was deserving of a’ commission. On his return and the resignation of the | poplar’ Captain = Hannigan, ' he was promoted to first Heutenant. When Connecticut troops were or- dered to assemble:last spring, Lieut. Hart was in charge of portions of guard duty. He'also devoted' consid- | Lieut. Lufberry was warmly praised by the officers and men of the command for his bravery in attacking single-handed four enemy machines. BETHLEHEM'S NEW PLAN Holders of Old and New Stock May erable time to recruiting in Water- bury and in this he met with marked success. Further honors were in store for him and later when the Second regiment went into camp at Yale field, New Haven, he was made battalion adjutant. Brigadier General Traub appeared at the New Haven camp last week and met Lieut. Hart, as well as many other officers. He was impressed by the soldierly bearing and general ap- Subscribe at Par to $30,000,000 of Cumulative Preferred. New York, Aug. 28.—Bethlehem Steel corporation’s new financial plan was announced here today, the chief feature of which is that the holders of the old and new common stock will have the right to subscribe at par to $30,000,000 of eight per cent. cumu- lative preferred stock. The shares will be convertible into common stock, class B, at $115 a share. The issue has been under written 4 banking syndicate. The plan will be presented for ratification at a stockholders' special meeting September 14. by ART MUSEUM LOOTED, Treasures of Late Grand Duke Valued at 5,000,000 Rubles Taken, Petrograd. Aug. and pictures valued bles have museum Michael. A painting 28.—Art treasuves at 5,000,000 ru- been stolen from the great of the late Grand Duke by Corregio valued at icles The police 150 but have feund nro trace of the have searche pearance of Lieut. Hart. As a result I the brigadier general appointed Lieut. Hart his aide de camp. Lieut. Hart left Sunday night for headquarters in ‘Boston. Persistency, application to business when there was business to do and determination to know thoroughly everything worth knowing are the chief characteristics of Lieut. Hart. That is why he has won out. GREEK STEAMER S K. Crew First Allowed to Get in Lite Boats. An Atlantic Port, Aug. egister, which 20 with of 3,517 tons gros: left Baltimore May of grain for Ita in the Mediterranean by submarine, according to William ‘White, a member of the crew, who arrived here today on a French steamer. No lives were lost. White said. the ship having been sunk by gunfire af- ter the crew had taken fo the life | boats. and they were picked up by a French cruiser and landed at Salo ki a cargo June 9 | German was sunk a | torgetfulness finding says. I find,” says oner, “that from a point som tance east of the switch men| Tryon was sleeping. 1 find thal slowed his car down in taki switch, but that, instead”of st there, he went through the put on the power, and proce a long ,heavy grade toward Rranford station, which is station west of said switeh, that at this station Negus broi car almost to a full stop, and.§ ted a passenger to board it af the car then proceeded.upd | past the station and down ziade. There is a sharp “cuswy west and the car entered it the east-bound car entered it opposite end. 4 “I find that when the two car within sight of each other th not sufficient time to stop or collision.” ¥ Tampered With Safety D, Fixing the responsibility, oner says: “I find that Negus knew should wait at the North B; switeh, but that he went thry in a period of mental abst: that he was conscious and aw! was so absorbed in thoughts than those that concerned ployment and the terrible bility for the safety and secu) human beings in his care that hi ; through the switch without it until he saw the approaching bound car too late to avert the lision. I find also that Negus, & the trip that was to prove so fastened down with tape the troller handle on his car so spring designed to let the same f} when pressure of the motory hand was removed, thus shutti the power, was rendered ineff\ and the safety element thus was defeated. 3 “I find that employes of the. were instructed not to fasten | sald controller handle and that B knew of such instructions and th knew he was violating a rule of company when he did it. “I find that Tryon, the cond was In charge of the car, and was his duty to give a signal o bells to the motorman before ter was supposed to start his'ocs ter stopping or to leave the after stopping on the switch,, passing another car on the s “I find That Tryon knew was supposed to meet the other North Branford station, but thai was not attending to his duties: a time before the car approach switch right up to the time of! wreck. “In individual acts, omissions carelessness of both Tryon and Ne as well as a combination of them, suggest themselves as accounting: the wreck which followed, T find direct criminal responsibility for wreck and the deaths which folloy Men in charge of trains and cars must realize their own gr dividual responsibility for the of human lives entrusted fo care. It ix a sorry excuse for tragic and pitiful loss of life ed by this wreck that one ind another man sleep while on duty, combination, constituted direct and personal responsibility loss of life so appalling. “Public officials responding to demands of a public, constantly m| keenly alive to the hazard of mod: instrumentalities, must insist not o ] ] o my iiberate [/ and in { on =afety in the equipment and o ation of such on the impelling sense sonal responsibility instrumentalities, of cons on the part] (Continued on Ninth Page)