New Britain Herald Newspaper, August 31, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ey NE BRITAIN HERALD! HERALD “ADS” \ BETTER BUSIN] PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN CONNECTICUT, FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1917. —SIXTEEN PAGES. . PACIFISTS TO LAY THEIR CASE BEFORE WASHINGTON| TROOPS AT FRONT Leaders of People’s Council Say They Will Start for National Capital to Get Their “Rights” . FIND NO PLACE TO HOLD CONFERENCE Bars Up in Minnesota, Cold Shoulder Promised in North Dakota and Thrown Bodily Out of Wisconsin Town, They Find Their Pathway Strewn With Thistles—and Not a Friendly Shoe in Sight. Minneapolis, Aug. 31.—Leaders of the Peoples Council of America an- nounced here today that they would start for Washington, D. C., tonight to put the question of their right of holding a national peace convention ? up to the Washington officials. It was suggested that the meeting might be held on the plaza in front of the capitol. The People's Council of America today served notice, through its ex- ecutive secretary, Louis P. Lochner, that its peace conference program would be carried out despite difficul- w«» ties encountered in obtaining a meet- ing place. Mr. Lochner intimated that the meeting would be held in Milwaukee. CHILD LABOR LAW IS DECLARED VOID Greensboro, N. C. Aug. 31.— Federal Judge James E. Boyd, today declared the Keating- Owen child labor law uncon- stitutional. ND CONSENT NEEDED T0 SEND MEN ABROAD Senate Military Committee Makes Adyerse Report on Hardwick’s Bill. ) ‘Washington, Aug. 31.—Unanimous adverse report on Senator Hardwick’s bill to prohibit sending drafted troops abroad without their consent was or- dered today by the senate military committee. 4 The senate today resumed debate on the war profits provisions of the war tax bill under an agreemnt for a final vote on the bill itself not later than Monday, September 10. The vote will be taken before then should debate end sooner than expected. The agreemnt also «calls for dispo- sition of the war profits section not later than next Wednesday and the income tax provisicns by qeptember 1. “And why should’t we meet in Milwaukee?” said Mr. Lochner in a statement to the Associated Press. “The mayor has invited us and , the Bovernor has taken a broad view of the matter.” . After a series of long distance tel- ® ephone calls to points in the east Mr. Lochner said that do definite an- nouncement of the meeting place would be made before night. «'* Victor Berger, former congressman, « arrived here from Milwaukee for a conference with council representa- tives. “We are becoming stronger every +day as a result of treatment accorded us'’ said Mr. Lochner, as he sat in an improvised office in a small hotel. “Our steadily growing army of friends will see to it that we are permitted ~ to exercise our constitutional rights of ee speech.” » Outside the room, a corps of clerks and stenographers, red-eyed from last .. pight’'s excitement incident to their leaders’ banishment from Hudson, ‘Wis., had packed their baggage and placed it in the corridor ready for or- ders from the secretary. “The governor has barred us from Minnesota, North Dakota was too great a distance\for our eastern dele- gations and the You-ain’t-going-to- meet here-boys tossed us from Hud- ,son,” sald one of Mr. Lochner's as- sistants as he folded literature print- ed in several languages. ‘Neverthe- less, we'll hold our conference.” Cross Country Marathon Continues. St. Paul, Aug. 31.—Barred from Minnesota by proclamation of Gov- ernor Burnquist, on Tuesday, told Y that they would be unwelcome , in Fargo, N. D., on Wednesday and un- ceremoniously escorted from Hudson, Wis., on Thursday, the arrangement committee of the People’s Conference of America for democracy and peace, headed by Louis P. Lochner, execu- tive secretary, was uncertain early to- day where the convention will be held. Some place in North Dakota “may be selected. After the peace advocates had been asked to leave Hudson, Governor Lynn J. Frazler of North Dakota reiterated his statement . that the council may hold its post- iponed meeting In his state and will &e accorded adequate protection as long as speakers refrain from making seditious statements or pronounce- ments which might incite more vio- “lence. “The people of North Dakota are $roadminded enough to permit free- dom of speech,” sald Governor Fra- zier, “and I am still ready to provide the protection offered in my message to officers of the council.” It is + doubtful, however, if the convention will be held in Fargo. Mayor Stern * has taken a firm stand against it and loyalty organizations of the city are outspoken in their opposition to it. The appearance of the committee #n Hudson, Wis., vesterday aroused the indignation of citizens. Meet- ings which began in an orderly way developed a crowd which went to the hotel where the pacifists were stop- > ping, hustled them into in antomobile and took them to the depot where they put aboard a train for Min« neapolis with orders never to return. Invites Argument. New York, Aug. 31.—The American Alliance for Labor and Democracy, among whose members are leaders in the American Federation of Labor, has sent a telegram to Governor Burnquist of Minnesota, asking that he reconsider his decision not to al- low the People’s Council to meet In that state, it was learned today. The message said that the ‘“‘menace of the People’s organization was real- ized by the American Alliance, the members of which were anxious to meet those of the council and fight * i out fece to face.” The telegram alee said that such action wiuld not give ithe pacifists any excuse to cry (Continued On Fifteenth Page). As a result of the aqsemem. the petition for cloture filled" on Wednes- day hag been withdrawn. Senator Harding of Ohio opened to- day’s debate with an argument for caution against to drastic conscrip- tion of wealth. He urged that taxes be levied which would not cripple business deplete reserve strength of the nation and .its ability to carry fur- ther loads. The war, he contended, is not popular. “There are scores of contributing reasons,” he sald. ‘“We are sincerely devoted to peace, the campaign cry of the year before our involvement. ‘We are a polyglot people, without ra- «cial entity. Our free republic is full of allens. We have many who cloak themselves in American habiliments but their souls, genius and cunning are loyal to the land from which they came. We harbor the trained propagandist whose business is to spread sedition. We have plotters and bomb planters and wholesale murderers. We have the anarchist whose creed is destruction. We have the greedy and the profiteer in every walk of life, as we have not been clear in our reasons for making war it would be well to say less about world wide democracy and let it ring clear that we mean to hold America safe for Americans. The house ways and means core mittee continued its consideration of the $11,538,945,640 war bond and cer- tificate bill today with strong pros- pects that the measure would be re- ported favorably Saturday in virtually the same form. as presented by Secre- tary McAdoo. TRIED FOR SLAYING CHILD Man and Two Women in Court for Causing Death of Crippled Girl in Vermont. St. Johnsbury, Vt., Aug. 31.—The trial of Mrs, Alvin Kenniston, jointly indicted with Miss Etta May Hicks and John Kerwin, for the murder of Alice Bradshaw, eight years old, was opened here today. Kerwin pleaded guilty on account of being an acces- sory after the fact to the murder and his sentence was deferred. The little girl disappeared early in July and her body was not found until a month later, when it was discovered on the edge of a swamp. The three persons Indicted were arrested shortly after the child’s disappearance and the authorities announced that the two women had confessed that they had killed Alice because Miss Hicks, housekeeper for her father, John Bradshaw, was tired of caring for her. The child was crippled after an attack of infantile paralysis. Mrs. Kenniston is a neighbor of Brad- shaw’s. CANADIAN FLEES GERMANY Capt. Colquhoun of Ottawa, Escapes From Prison Camp and is Safe in Holland. Hamilton, Ont., Aug. 31.—Word has been recelved here that Captain ‘W. G. Colquhoun of this city, one of } the first Canadian officers to be taken | prisoner by the Germans, has made his escape into Holland. It is ex- pected that he will shortly be paroled. Before heing wounded and taken pris- oner he distinguished himself as a sniper and trench raider. SOLDIER HELD FOR KILLING. New York, Aug. 31.—William H. Conk, of South Boston, a private in the regular army, who is alleged to have shot and killed one of a group of bo, who were throwing stones at him while driving an army truck in Brooklyn. was today indicted for | manslaughter, 1 | W. W. Leland Co. ... ESTABLISHE TOBACCO FUND FOR Celebration Scheduled for Mon- day Evening Is Abandoned BUY “SMOKES” FOR BOYS Money Already Subecribed for Ob- servance to Be Spent for Comforts for Troops in Camp and in France— Send lgloney to Newspapers: New Britain will not have a cele- bration Monday might in honor of those men who have been drafted into the National Army. Instead, the money already collected and a fund which will be handled by the news- papers will be expended for comforts for the soldiers while they are in camp and in Europe. These comforts will be chiefly tobacco, for those who smoke, and sweet chocolate or other confections for those who do not smoke. This decision has been arrived at by the citizens’ committee consisting of W. W. Leland, chairman;, Willlam T. Sloper, Frederick W. Greene, Judge W. F. Mangan, Mortimer H. Camp, Eugene J. Porter and Arthur N. Rutherford. Since the committee decided on a parade and general celebration Monday evening, - the opinion has developed that such an observance might not be proper be- cause of the effect it would have on the mothers and sisters of the men ‘who will soon be hearing arms. It was stated today that the observance had been abandoned solely through solicitude for womanhood, which will have a sufficient burden of grief to bear without public emphasis. As a substitute for the celebration, it was suggested that a band concert bhe held Sunday at Walnut Hill park with Mayor George A. Quigley as chairman and an out of town speaker to de- liver the address of the day. But consideration for the emotions of the ‘women who are already grief-strick- en again decided the committee on abandoning such a program. American Tobacco Wanted. Letters from Americans at the front reveal a scarcity of tobacco, such as Americans are used to French tobacco, of which there seems to be sufficient, does not satisty the | Yankee palate and as a consequence the Americans suffer. is .frowned.upon as an evil in certain oircles, tt has come to be recognized as a delight without which smoking men are dispirited. Letters from the front are filled with such appeals as “Send some cigarettes” or “Send some tobacco by the next mail” and the genuine demand has offset the propaganda of those who regard to- fore outside the pale. The demand Is there. It must be supplied. For the past few days the citizens’ committee has been collecting money to pay the expenses of the celebration which it was proposed to hold Monday night. This money will be turned over to the credit of the two New Britain newspapers and both will attempt to augment it by daily appeals for more. Here is an opportunity everyone can selze to contribute to a cause well de- serving of support. The money will not be spent on any certain brand nor will be be used to swell the funds of any one tobacco corporation. It will be expended judiclously and none but the best) and the best is proved by popularity, will be sent to the soldiers. Committee to Ship Comforts. It is proposed to abolish the present citizens’ committee and choose one of which Mayor Quigley will be active chairman. This committee will pur- chase the tabacco and confectionery anad will have charge of shipping them to Uncle Sam’s fighters and about-to- be-fighters: Ten cents a day for each working day will buy six tins of good tobacco a week and enough cigarettes to make many men contented and ob- livious of the shrapnel raining on their dugauts. Tobacco clubs can be formed, each member pledging ten cents a day and sending the money at the end of the week to either of the two New Britain papers. It does not matter whether the money is sent to the New Britain Record or the New Britain Herald. In either case it will reach its ultimate destination. the main point. The cifizens committee turned over the following cantributions to the Herald today: Pledges:— +$10.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 —$18.00 J. J. Watson J. E. Cooper Morris Cohn Cash contributions:— B Corbin IS SNoxth S Gl ¥. S. Chamberlain .. Dr. E. T. Reeks National “T" Importers .. Joseph Rubin Leo Sullivan . ... O. H. Henrich .. Neri Brothers Adna F. Johnson Leonard & Hermann 5 The Dickinson Drug Co. Oscar J. Murray L. T. Plerce Dr. Mendel Volkenheim N. E. Mag . M. D. SaXe ..... David S. Segal ..... B. C. Porter Sons ... .00 M. H. Camp . 5.00 —$42.00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Grand total ..evvenas smoking. 1 While tohacco | me | That is ; AUTOCRAGY DEFIED BY THE REICHSTAG Ultimatufi Gives Covernment Four Weeks to Effect Reforms AUSTRIAN DEFICIT SWELLS Budget for Fiscal Year of 1916-1917 Exposes Country’s Rush - Toward Bankruptcy—War Loans and Sol- diers’ Dependents Big Items. Copenhagen, Aug. 31.—A warning that unless the German government heeds demands of the Reichtag for reforms the majority parties will take measures was given by the Reichstag main committee on Wed- nesday. Resolutions of the majority, intro- duced by Dr. Karl Heine, gocialist, again demanded abolition of the. po- litical censorship and limitation of the ‘military censorship to facts con- nected with the conduct of the war and. criticism thereof. This was _deemed necessary because it is notor- ious that military authorities exercise sweeping political censorship of ‘the German press on the pretense that publications of a political nature may affect the military spirit of the people. « Dr. Heine gave the government four weeks until the assembling of the Reichstag, to mend - its ways. Otherwise, he said, the Reichstag ma- jority would be forced to take steps. The government has received some half dozen earlier warnings of a sim- ilar nature, and its response In the present Instance is regarded as a fair test of the influence of the present majority in the Reichstag. Austrian Deficit Slumps. Zurich, Aug. 31—The Austrian bud- get for 1916 1917 shows a deficit of 344,000,000 crowns, compared to a deflcit of 49,000,000 crowns in tho preceding year. Two of the largest items of expenditure are 1,761,000,- 000 crowns for interest on war loans and 1,650,000,000 crowns for the sup- port of soldiers’ families. Special and direct war expenses are not in- cluded in the budget. Alsace Discussed in Berlin. Pa Aug. 31.—Owing to repeated reports that Emperor Willlam is con- templating a change in the status of Alsace-Lorraine, one of which is that it-is to be transferred-into-@: state, some importance is attached here to a Berlin despatch received by way of Basle saying that Dr. H. Von Dallwitz, governor of Alsace- Lorraine, is in Berlin. 'TWELVE VESSELS OVERDUE bacco as a poisonous weed and there- | Steamship Fails to Appear After 91 Days—Motor Schooner Not Heard From in 65 Days. A Pacific Port, August 31.—Twelve salling vessels and steamships were considered overdue at this port by shipping men according to an an- nouncement today by the chamber of commerce.” The Iist includes the Walruna, 2,530 tons, 91 days out of a New Zealand port, and the motor schooner, Laura Whalen, 1,046 tons, 65 days out of a Pacific port bound for the Orient. GERMAN SPIES SENTENCED. Three Gave Tip on Sailing of Swedish Vessels. Christiania, Aug. 31.—Three Ger- man spies have been convicted at Bergen for supplying information to submarines regarding the sailing time of vessels which later were torpedoed. Captain Laven and Officer Schwartz, German oitizens, and Thorsen, a Nor- wegian, all were given terms in the penitentiary. Laven was sentenced to five years, Schwarts to four and Thorsen to ten years’ imprisonment. Captain Laven admitted they worked under the instructions of the German authorities. He said German sub- jects were forced to obey such orders. Norwegian newspapers, in com- menting on the trial, emphasize that the country must take note that Ger- man citizens must obey orders from their home country. LIDJ JEASSU CAPTURED. Deposed Emperor of Abyssinia Taken in Somaliland. London, Aug. 31.—Lidj Jeassu, the deposed emperor of Abyssinia, who escaped from Magdala, has been cap- tured, according to a despatch to the Daily Mail from Jibuti, French Som- aliland. Lidj Jeassu is a grandson of the late King Menelik, whom he sticceed- ed in 1912. He was dethroned in 1916 by his aunt. A London despatch of August 26 reported that the de- posed emperor and his followers had defeated 300 of the government forces, i Who had been trying to capture him for six months. WEATHER. Hiartford, casts for vicinity: perature day. e Aug. 31 — Fore- New Britain and Fair, moderate tem- tonight and Satur- E ) years old. COAL TRAIN LEAVES TRACKS AT STATION Rails Twisted and Smashed and Roadbed Ripped Up by Cars LIKE MINATURE *QUAKE Mogul Locomotive Remains on Tracks | While Tons of Coal, Stecl and Pig Iron Drag in Its Wake—Accident at Berlin Branch Switch, Spreading rails and a roadbed | washed partly away and weakened by the torrential downpour of the pasti two days are believed to have been responsible for the wrecking of an extra freight train which jumped the tracks and partially overturned when oppesite the depot at 5:45 o’clock this morning. The freight, bound from Maybrook, N. Y., to East Hartford, was in charge of Conductor Edward | O’Connell and was proceeding at a slow rate of speed as it passed through the local freight yards, other- wise the story of the accident might have been much more tragic. As it is, not a single person was injured, al- though the roadbed for several hun- dred feet was completely torn up and debris was scattered all along the tracks, while for several hours all | traffic had to be switched onto track No. 2. From a spectacular point of view this morning’s wreck left but little to be desired. Ten of the cars in the train which were laden with coal were derailed. The roadbed, tracks and ties from the waiting room door of the depot to the water tower were completely torn asunder. The heavy steel rails were ripped, twisted and broken as a strong man might bend and twist a piece of heavy iron .wire. The station platform, where the heavy cars ground into the planking, was cut to splinters and entire sections of ties and rails on an adjacent track were pushed out of the ground and lifted into the air. Three of the biggest cars in the freight train, steel | structure each weighing 160,000 pounds, left the tracks completely and buried themselves in the earth, the trucks and running gear sinking into i the ground three and four feet in | some places. The wrecker and a gang | of the wrecking crew were sent from | Hartford. | Precise Cause of Wreck Unknown. | Freight Agent J. 1. Cosgriff stated | that until & complete investigation has been made he will be unable to ascertain the exact cause of the | wreck. It could be attributed to | many things, he said, among which | might be splitting a switch, spread- | ing rails, a weak roadbed and weak rails, or possibly a defective or broken flange on the wheel of one of the cars. \ Ten of the eleven cars in the wreck were filled with hard coal, but only a surprisingly small amount was spilled alongside the tracks as none of the cars completely overturned. The 11th car was loaded with pig iron. The big freight locomotive did not leave the rails. ¢ The place where the wreck occur- red is near the switch where the Bér- lin Branch tracks and the Hartford line tracks part. There is a gradual bend of the tracks at this point, the Hartford bound tracks swerving to the north. The rails here are old ones and the roadbed, it is salid, is not very substantial so it is assumed in some quarters that the tracks either collapsed or spread under the terrific strain of this heavily laden train. Had not the train been pro- ceeding at a slow rate of speed -the wreck would have been much worse and had the:accident occurred when a passenger train, probably proceed- ing at a much faster rate of speed, was passing through the city, another : railroad horror might have resulted. A large crowd of curious onlookers quickly gathered at the scene and all during the time which the wreck- ink crew was making repairs scores of people stood around,causing con-, siderable annoyance to the workers and giving the detail of pqlicemen some work in holding them back. CHINA IN QUANDARY. Has War and Doesn’t Know What to Do With Tt. { Peking, Aug. 31—The Chinese press is urging that a foreign commission be sent to advise and assist the gov- ernment of China in preparing plans in the war. The ““China not for participation Peking Times say making any progress toward par ticipation in the war and as shejla- bors under the guidance of the lbcal diplomatic corps her force as a moral or martia]l participation will be noth- ing.” The Times declares that China must appeal to foreign capital for assist- ance as it cannot get results from the Peking diplomats. China, it says, had not made necessary preparations be- fore the declaration of war and has had little help from the Allies, ex- cept in the form of interest bearing loans. As a result, thc paper con- cludes, the government is facing em- harrassments which intelligent direc- tion aould have obviated. is NEW HAMPSHIRE LAWYER DEAD ncord, N. H. Aug. 31.—Samuel C. Eastman, former president of the New Hampshire bar association. died at his home here today. Workmen Protest Against High Cost living says a Havas despatch from Basle. ized by sociglists, who, the despatch added, declared that bring results a prolonged strike in- He was §0 | volving municipal gas and electricity will be ordered. BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT A ROME OVER WILSON'S REP] BRITISH CASUALTIES IN AUGUST 09,811 Officers Killed or Died Num- ber 1,278, and Men 10,942. London, Aug. 31.—The total of British casualties on all fronts as re- ported in August is 59,911, divided as follows:, Killed or died of wounds, officers 1,278; men 10,942; wounded missingl officers 4,122; men 47,469. Berlin, Aug. 30 via London—A por- tion of the ground recently gained by the British south of LeCatelet has been recaptured by the Germans, the war office announces. London, Aug. 31.—The repulse of a German raid on the front below Lens is reported in today’s official communication. Paris, Aug. 31.—East of Cerny a German patrol which attempted to approach our lines was repulsed by our fire,” says today's official state- ment. ‘“There was active artillery fighting on both banks of the Meuse. In Alsace an enemy attack south of Hartmannsweilerkopf was repulsed completely. There is nothing to re- port from the remainder of the front. Berlin, Aug. 31, via London.—Oper- ations undertaken by the Russians yesterday at Narocz Lake, sixty miles houtheast of Dvinsk, resulted unsuc- cessfully for them, says today’'s of- ficial report. Rome, Aug. 31.—Heavy fighting continues on the Bainsizza and Car- so plateau. The war office reports advantages were gained on ‘Monte San Gabriele and in the Brestoviza valley and that 636 more prisoners were taken. s ONLY FEW GO SEPT. 5 Another Change in Orders to Draft Board Cuts Down Quota to Be Sent to Cantonment Next Wednresday. Although both No. 1 and No. 2 ex- emption boards are still at work passing on claims, examining a few tardy registrants d4nd preparing sup- plementary lists of the drafted men, there was little of public interest to be given out today. The second ex- emption district, however, has re- celved some additional orders from Washington - which will affect the number of men from that district who must leave for the cantonment on September 5. As explained by members of board, the orders provide that on Sep- tember 5 only two men will be sent away. On September 6 three will leave, on the 7th two more will go, while on the 8th three will go and on the 10th two will be sent away, making a total of 12 which has now been designated as the first quota of the 239 from the second district. This change in plans has caused some confusion, but as explained by the board the original order was to split up the 239 into four groups; three of 30 per cent. each and the fourth of ten per cent. The Ilatest order changes this so that the first quota, to be sent between September 5 and 10, is to be only five per cent. On September 19 the board will send a quota of 40 per cent. and early in October 40 per cent. more will be sent. The remaining 15 per cent. will be sent at a date to be announced later. v Tt was stated at the first district board that the initial quota to go be- tween September 56 and 10 is 14 men. Thus this board will send only about three or four each day. the Pope Makes Little Efl Conceal Emotion As Favorable Answer‘ Expected; BERLIN IGNORANT OF U. S.ATTIT Cardinal O’Connell Tells Men of} U.’S. Infantry President and| tifft Are Two Greatest Influen ‘Whole World—As Christians. Must Not Fear, As Must Not Flinch. Rome, Aug. 31.—It is stated, Vatican that Pope Benedict, ceiving °*President Wilson's his peace proposals, did not ay to conceal his bitter disappoini and that' he regards the presf ansswer as leaving little roo further peace efforts at pre has been no secret here thi Pope hoped for a more favoral sponse from the United Stats from anywhere else. Before the president’s replk read, it was sald at the Vatica responses from the various ments were expected to be vorable than the tone of pr ment. At the same time, wag reported to Wave signified tention of issuing a reply aff ceilving the answers of all the m at war which might be in agre and others concerning which it be necessary to hold discussion Berlin Yet Without Berlin, Aug. 30, via LondonNs 31.—The text of Pressident‘ Wi reply to the Pope's peace N not been received in Berlin up late hour tonight. A despate Holland transmitting editorial ment of New York newspapers only intimation at hand ind the tenor of the rerly. Pope and President” Atm' Al Framingham, Aug. ] Cardinal O’Connell came hered to celebrate early mass at Can Ginnis where members of th infantry are stationed. The: were held in the littie St. Cathi chapel, which the Ninth re| National Guard, now _ineor! into the 101st, brought from 'El last fall. This was said 'to the first time that a card officiated at such a service fox while under arms in this staty At the conclusion of the servd the chapel Cardinal O'Connell to the men of their duty to An and civilization in rhe present flict. 3 “The head of christendom and leader of democracy, Our Holy ¥Y the Pope, and our peace-loving i ident, are both working, he’ “for the same ultimate purpose, manent peace and their end with God’s help will surely win. you, with perfect, serene faith in Holy Pontiff’s prayers. and pe serene confidence in our presid purpose, will, by your courage, self control, your cbedience, you cipline, aid powerfully the trel dous spiritual force resulting the noble approachment in. in and sentiment of the two g o8} fluences in the whole world, the of the old historic church andj head of American democracy¥s two pewers which will, God Iy both, in the end succeed in rol this spectre of awful war and bing all the peoples of the earth in unj standing and amity. ¥ ““The basis of all future peace 4 be justice, and tairness and common rights of mankind. *T are our president’s own words, Mass., SPAIN WINS REFORMS Premier Dato Confers With King Al- fonso and Promises Re-arrange- ment of Political System. Madrid, Aug. 31.—After a cabinet meeting presided over by King Al- fonso today, Premier Data announced that a comprehensive program of re- forms was in preparation apd soon will be announced, after which gen- era] elections would be held. There have been widespread strikes and disorders accompanied by blood- shed in ‘Spain at intervals for several months. It evidently is in the hope of quieting this unrest that the gov- ernment had decided to propose ex- tensive reforms.' | STRIKE IN Of Living. Paris, Aug. 31.—Workmen in the Swiss cities of Berne, Zurich and Ba- sle went on a half-day strike yester- day as a protest against high cost of The manifestation was organ- if it does not services such I know to be the identical sentimj of the Pope. “You constitute a goodly DA the great heart of America yearns for a lasting peace willing to offer h best that peoples of the earth may be from the perpetual menace and all the cruelties of const flict.”” Reminding the soldiers that had called them to a high se a service demanding perhaps * greatest of all sacrifices—Card O’'Connell said: ‘As Christians you and as Americans flinch.” not must will you Paris Temps Lauds President. Paris, Aug. 30 ‘President Wil has taken counsel only with his science in formulating his re the Vatiean's peace proposal the Temps, “but he has an similar to ours and such a clear of European realities that his md {ation has brought him to a finding which we approve London Wildly Enthusiastic. Washington, Aug. 31.—With exception of the president’s war sagegno declaration of this gove! ment has been received with grea enthusiasm in London than the ply to the Pope’s appeal for peal (Continued On Fifteenth Page)y