New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS —_—— PRICE THREE CENTS. HERALD “ADS” MEAN BETTER BUSINESS BRITAIN HERALD NEW BRITAIN CONNECTICUT, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1917.—TWELVE PAGES. "HEAVY OFFENSIVE BY THE GERMANS AROUND ASIAGO : : Gannonade Is of Extreme "Iiolence; ' {“TRIMMED HER SAIL§” Suggests in Letter That M 1 * With Heavy and Middle Cali- fiee s in Use 'LIFEROATS ARE SHELLED BY CREW OF U-BOAT Holsheviki Gives Out Corvespondence Tending to Show Efforts in August to Have China Enter the War—Sit- uation in Russia Unique in History —Pope Makes Denial of Favoring Austria. ) Italian Army Headquarters in North- v, Tuesday, Dee. 4, (By the As- ress)—Great forces of men 1ve been massed by the Aus- = and Germans in the Asiago sec- according to reports reaching here tonight and resumption of the of- fersive is expected. The reports indi- cate the enemy is employing ten divi- of troops. An -~ tion, sions he exceptionally ¥ urtillery bombardment from the enemy positiony around Aslago last night and tarough the carly hours today appours to foreshadow the long expccted resumption of the heavy ene- RELATIVE OF MEANS TESTIFIES FOR HIM Speaks of Murdered Woman’s Mother As “0ld Seventy-Six” Maude A. King Be Taken Out for Auto Rides to “Keep from Rocking the Boat.” Concard, S. C, Dec. 5.—The state concluded today its cross-examination of W. R. Patterson, father-in-law of Gaston B. Means, on trial here charged with the murder of Mrs. Maude A. King, without bringing out anything materially to break down his testimony yesterday to the effect that the defendant’s business transactions with Mrs. King's money were legiti- mate and with her knowledge and ap- proval. Reading of letters written by Patterson to Means in July, 1917, just after Patterson, Mrs, King, Mrs. Mel- vin and other members of their party had arrived at Asheville from Chicago and had been accommodated in a hotel, accupied most of the morning session. “Old Seventy-six’’ Patterson wrote to Means referring to Mrs. Robinson, mother of Mrs. King, “has settled down after fluttering around a while ‘like an old hen after scratching up her nest.’ " ESTABLISHED 1876 SECRETARY WAD00 [WAR RESOLUTIONS AGAINST AUSTRIA MAKES HIS REPORT Over Five Billion Dollars Needed Above Tax and Bond Issues HALF BILLION A MONTH Denounces Those Who Sell Liberty Bonds When They Do Not Need the Money—Hopes to Raise Money by Bonds This Year. . Washingtan, Dec. 6.—Congress was informed by Secretary McAdoo, in his annual report submitted today, that $5,128,208,793 must be provided in addition to funds from taxes and bond issues alrcady authorized in order to make estimated receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, equal dis- bursemen 1t this deficit is met by & new issue of bands, the total amount of securities to be issued in the next seven months is estimated at $9,969,- 488,850.° For the next fiscal vear, ending June 30, 1919, the estimated excess of disbursements over receipts is $7,627,- 978,980, Huge war expenses and loans to America’s allles at the rate of a half- billion a month have made these es- timates many times larger than any ever presented in a secretary of the treasury’s annual report. Of the “Maude has trimmed her sails,” wrote the witness, but he did not see much praspect of any successful flirta- tions. Later he wrote that ‘“Maude” had ceased her flirtations, as about all the men at the hotel were married. In one letter, Mr. Patterson writing my offensive from the north. The can- nonade was of extreme viglonce, the enemy using heavy as well as middle caiiber guns. The first violent erup- tion began early last night. There was a ull toward midnight and then it was resumed with added intensity at three o'clock this morning, lasting until nine. Heavy shells were rained on the whole range of Italian positions, and were concentrated particularly on the locatlons supposed to shield Italian batteries. The violence of the artil- lery action left little doubt that it was a prelude to infantry advances in force, whereby Field Marshal Conrad von Hotezendorf, who is directing the Austrian forces in this sector, hopes to realize his project of pressing ‘down the. Astico valley leading to Vicenza and the open plain. The latest reports show the intense bombardment continues. The indica- tions are that this signal is a new and strong offensive. Shell Life Boats. London, Dec. 5.—The British steam- er Apapa, according to the Daily Mail, was nearing home after a two months’ voyage when she was torpedoed with- out warning. The lifeboats were manned immediately and all would have been rescued, but the submarine fired a second torpedo while the wo- men and children were being lowered to the boats, causing the ship to sink immediately with the passengers and the crew. Another report says that forty pas- sengers and thirty of the crew were lost and the survivors were landed on the west coast.| Secret Telegram. Petrograd, Dec. 4.—A secret tele- gram purporting to have been sent by the Russian foreign minister to the diplomatic representatives in Parls, London and Tokio in August, 1917 and relating negotiations for China’s en- try into the war is made public by the Bolsheviki foreign minister. It refers to the suggestion that the Allies fa- cilitate such a step by offering the from Asheville to Means at New York, suggested insistently that automobile drives in ths mountains would keep $12,316,000,000 estimated ordinary ex- penditures for the year ending next June 30, $11,527,000,000 is for War purpases, and the proportion is about the same for the fiscal year ending in 1919, So far the nation has borne the fi- nancial burdens of the war well, says Secretary McAdoo, owing tos healthy business conditions, and the valuable Mrs. King in good frame of mind and “keep her from rocking the boat.” The party was comfortable in the resort hotel, but the expenses, for each room were considered excessive- ly high. C. A. Rumbaugh, a mechanical en- gineer of Asheville qualified as an expert in firearms, and testifying for the defense, declared that from ex- perience and observation study, he had learned that a 25-calibre auto- matlc pistol was liable to be fired at any time by a jar. He testified that in his opinion Mrs, King oould have held the pistol in position to inflict a wound found in her head. MAY ORGANIZE NEW DRAFT-MEDICO BOARD Dr. D. Chester Brown of State Coun- cil of Defense Outlines Plans to Local Medical Men. Dr. D. Chester Brown of Danbury, connected with the State Council of Defense as a medical specialist, ad- dressed a meeting of local physicians and surgeons in the board of health office this noon on a plan to consider the possibility of organizing a district medical advisory board for men who are to be called In the new draft. The general scheme of this plan is to have such a board act not only as an advisory board, but also as a medical board of appeals to which the draftees might take their cases or to which the government appeal agents or the local exemption boards might take ap- pealed cases. Dr. Brown is outlining this plan throughout the state to get the views of the medical fraternity in order that | he, as a representative of the Amer- | jcan Medical Association and the State Council of Defense, may give to Governor Holcomb a plan and the postponement of the payment of Box- cr indemnities during the war and for filve years longer without prejudice. Russla declared herself agreeable, but it is recited that the agreement was completed. atel; the telegram continues, “the question of postponement again has arisen. We consider that owing to the fundamental change in the oir- oumstances we are not bound -by the former statement. Nevertheless, wish- ing to do a friedly service and taking into account the proportionate percen- tage and so forth, we agree to give up ten per cent. of our 28 per cent. if the powars decide to compensate China on tho conditions proposed by Japan.” Unique in History. iondon, Dec. 5.—The situation in Russie i8 unique in history, according 20 the Petrograd correspondent of the Morning Post, writing Saturday, but is nst yet advisable to attempt to yaise the curtain upon the ‘“‘mysteries of the tregi-comic drama.” The cor- respondent insists “Russia will right herscit If generously allowed the nec- easary attitude by the puzzled Allies, ad next wpring it will put new armies in the field to Aght the invader with tho success thcet marked the Russia efforts earller in the war.” —_— DARING BANDITS. Chicago, Dec. b5.—Five bandits robbed the Stockmen's Trust and Sav- ings bank the stockyards district, of $10,000, or more today and drove away in an automobile. The presi- Jdent of the bank and seven employes “were herded intd. a back room while 1o xobbers rified the safe. in names of certain available doctors which the state chief executive may find of value in making his nomina- ald of the established Federal Reserve system. In the future, however, in- creasingly greater habits of economy must be developed by individuals and business institutions, the secretary de- clares, and ‘‘business as usual” cannot be adopted as the guiding principle of the war. People must save and invest in government securitles to avoid Postponing victory. Receipts and Expenditures. With this admonition, Mr. McAdoo proceeds to cite the enormaus fig- ures of government receipts and ex- Renditures mlch are the fruit of war times, £ Total estimated receipts for the cur- rent flscal year are $12,580,732,800, which, With a balance in the treasury last June 30 of §1 361, makoes a total $13.647 161, Aost or the receipts, or $6,000,000, o from the sale of bonds and war sav- ings certificates; ardinary receipts are $3,886,000,000 largely from war taxes: and the Panama Canal income is| $7,000,000. Ordinary disbursements are esti- mated at $12,316,295,223; loans to al- lies in the year at $6,115,000,000; pub- lic debt disbursements at $321,000,- 000; and Panama Canal expenses, $29,593,000; making total estimated disbursements, $18,775,919,955. In order to allow for a balance in the general fund of about $500,000,000 next June 30, Congress must author- ize raising about $5,640,000,000 addi- tional funds. This figure, together with the $3,666,000,000 of autharized but unissued Liberty Bonds, and $663,000,000 estimated receipts from war savings, make the $9,969,000,000 which Mr. McAdoo believes Americans | must loan the government between now and Junec 30, 1918. For the next fiscal year, ending June 30, 1919, the secretary esti-| mated receipts'at $5,176,000,000, and | disbursements at $12,804,034,440, ex~ clusive of allied loans. This makes a $7,627,000,000 excess of disburse- ments. If the present rate of loans to allies is continued in the 1918-19 fiscal year, $6,000,000,000 additional would be requircd. Estimated interest on bonds to be issued that year is $385,- 000,000, and estimated expense of of 6 tions to the president. The State Council of Defense rep- | resentative made it clear that such an advisory board would in no way inter- fere with the local boards’ examina- : tions of drafted men, but would be, in fact, a board of appeal from deci- sions of the exemption boards and their doctors. COL. HOUSE VISITS SOLDIERS AT FRONT Other Members of Commission See Our Boys Near the Firing Line. ‘With the Amerlcan Army In France, Dec. 4, (By the Assoctated Press)— Col. E. M. House and the other mem- bers of the American mission, Gen. Pershing and Viscount | cliffe, inspected the American army President Wilson that the energy, fit- ness and enthusiasm of the men far surpassed anything he had expected. “I watched the manoeuve and saw the men work,” he added. “They { are fine. I hope those boys realize that | the securlty of the United Statcs for | at least one hundred vears depends { upon them. If earnestness is any in- dicatbon, they understand what is be- fore the and what they are expect- ed to do The members of the <ion visited the reserve oftice tr school and army headquarters. they departed for Paris. =0 ining Later m | bonds, $14,040,000,000 worth must be | with | North- ! | today. Col. House sald he would tell | floating the bond issued $28,000,000. Thus, if the deficit is to be met byi INTRODUCED BY FLOOD IN CONGRESS IPLAINVILLE TOWN HALL IS " GUTTED BY DRAFT REGISTRANTS lMistake in Sounding Alarml“ MAY JOIN SERVICE Orders Are Issued at Wash- ington by Provost Marshal. Washington, Dec. trants whose classification and order numbers are so low that they do not fall within the ourrent quotas of their local boards may at their own request be immediately inducted into the mil- itary service, Provost Marshai Gen. Crowder today announced. Upon filing with ‘his local board a waiver of all claims of deferred class- ification, a man in_ a deferred class meay be examined and sent to camp immediately, although not as part of his board's quota, as this would vio- late the provisions of the selective service law which prohibit substitu- tion, Where the claim has been de- pendency, a walver by the dependants must accompany that of the regis- trant, but walvers from children or mentally unfit persons will not recogized. Any registrant may enlist in the navy or marine corps, Gen. Crowder said, upon presentation to a recruiting officer of a certificate by his local board that his class and order num- bers are so low that he does not fall within the current quota. Subse- quently upon presentation to the board of his enlistment certificate, ha will be placed in class five, the dis- card class on the ground that he is in the naval service. The new regulations also provide that by permission of the surgeon general of the army and under his regulation any medical student, hos- pital intern, dentist, dental student, veterinarian or veterinary student may cnlist in the medical reserve corps and he will be placed In the discard class. A registrant also may be commis- sloned in the army, navy or marine corps or appointed an army fleld clerk, der number. Tt was pointed out today by Gen. Crowder that registrants have untll Dec. 15 to enlist in the military forces. SHERMAN WAS RIGHT! Knitting for Soldiers—Needle Bec Scheduled for Tonight. The Commercial club will hold a meeting in the High School auditor- ium this evening. The club has taken up Red Cross work for the benefit of the boys “over there” and all the members, including the youns men, knit after the buiness meetings. On Thursday and Friday mornings of this week Cornellus Prior, chair- man of the Burritt Service league will speak on the life of Elihu Burritt.. At these assemblies, the orchestra, under the direction of Miss Illga Harvey will give a concert. A campalgn has been started in the ber of tardy pupils. At the end of floated between July June 30, 1919, in addition to receipts from war savings. Fstimates May Be Revised. “While these figures represent the | situation as it appears today,” the secretary says, ‘It should be borne in mind that the exigncies of the future may cause changes, particularly with regard to the estimates for War and Navy departments.’ The estimates on which the secre- | tary bases his figures are made by the various government departments. The outstanding fact apparent from these stupendous flgures is that the cost of the war to the American peo- ple, including allied loans, for the two vears ending June 30, 1919, will be at least, $36,000,000,000. To the great task facing the coun- try. Secretary McAdoo calls the people with these words: “What is of superlative importance !in the readjustment that must take 1, 1918, and pressed with the necessity of econo- | mizing in the consumption of articles of clothing, food and fuel, and every other thing which a drain upon the available supplies materials, and resources of the coun- try. Ever short of criminal. place is that our people shall be im- of | constitutes ! | lished. | ated by Howard Kirck, chairman of | the Progress and Efficiency Commit- | ! tees. | Badges for the members of the ' traffic force have been received by | the sewing department, and will be | distributed soon. The badges are made of metal, with the initials IS T ik | This Subjectpdls Taken Up by Inter- | .\finl Conference. London, Dec. 5.—Cohgideration | the question of man power for the { prosecution of the war was one of ! {he important matters taken up. by the inter-Allled conference in Paris, it _became known today when the official summary of the results of the conference was made public. In the permanent committee which { will handle this problem the United | States will be represented it having been decided by the conference that the United States should appoint dele- gates to take part in the delibera- tions of the committec MAN POWER. thing wasted now is little | ‘So far as [ have been able to oh- | Amer N people are not :d 1o the necessity of economy and of siving in this really | serious time, not only in the life of Amorica, but of the:world. Up to serve, the sufliciently avoy | (Coatinued on Tenth Page) for New Britain Fair, continued and Thursday S e cold tonight 5.—Draft regis- 1 be | | Mix regardless of his classification or or- | Fair Young Men at High School | Academic building to lessen the num- | each week notices of the number of | tardy pupils from each class is pub- | This movement was inaugur- : { the of | MORNING FIRE Causes Delay of Five Minutes While Flames Are Raging. STARTS IN ROOMS OF HOSE COMPANY Townspcople Carry Books Krom Clerk's Office After Documents Are Locked in Vault—Home Guard Res- cues 2,000 Rounds of Ammunition —New Britain and Bristol Sent Aid. Plainville's combination town hail, fire department headquarters, jail and library, included A three story building on Pierce street, de- stroyed by fire today, the last embers not being extinguished until after 1 o'clock this afternoon. No final esti- mate of the loss has heen made but the damage will be heavy, probably about $25,000, and it will be necessary, practically to rebuild the structure from the grpund up as only the four walls remain standing. Henry in charge of town’s road repair gang, entered the building about 10:30 o'clock and smelled smoke coming from the par- lors of the fire department. He ran to the office of Town Clerk Usher and expressed the belief that the bullding was afire. The town clerk advised smashing in the door leading to the firemen’s quarters but it was decided to search for a key and a Visit was in were Orviss, the | made to the home of Fire Commission- er H. someone Thompson. In the meantime, telephoned to the Bristol plant, flom which the five is sounde nd ordered the whistle blown. For some unknown rea- son, the wrong alarm was sounded, only one blast on the factory whistle being given whereas five should have been blown. The sounding of the sin- gle blast confused the firemen and they knew not in which direction to go until the proper alarm was sound- ed five minutes later, after a citizen had gone to the Bristol Mfg. Co. and given directions. By the time the firemen had assem- bled, the blaze had gained great head- way and had swept from the second floor, where it originated, into the large public hall on the third floor. It was seen that the Plainville fire de- partment could not battle successfully with the blaze and an appeal for help was made to the New Britain and Bristol departments and each respond- ed by dispatching an auto fire pump. Chief R. M. Dame and several fir men went to the scene in the chief’s car and apparatus was sent from En- gine Co. No. 4, in charge of Captain Crowe. ! alarm Water Pressure Poor. Inadequate fire fighting equipment owned by the town of Plainville and poor water pressure combined to make the task of the town firemen a serious one. Four streams were turned onto the blaze, one from the roof of the Grange building, next door. But two streams directed from the ground barely reached the seat of the fire and had not the out-of-town fire- men arrived it is probable the build- ing would have been burned to ihe ground. While the flre was at its height, townspeople rushed into the office of the town clerk and carried out arms- ful of books and important docu- ments. The official records of the town were unharmed Town Clork Usher was working on onc of the hooks when he learned of the fire and placing it in the vault, he slammed the door and retreated to the street. Although not officially summoned, the Plainville Home Guard went to ‘ene and succeeded in carrying to safety 2,000 rounds of ammunition, which would have created havoc had the flames reached it. The Guards- men also rescued their vifles and thereafter maintained fire lines, pa- trolling the streets and adjacent ground and preventing a general in. flux of the public. Among the property carried out of | the first floor was a voting machine, which was lugsed into the yard. A few minutes later a chimney fell on the hox containing the machine, hit- ting squarely and reducing it to junk. Chicf Wins Crowd’s Applause, Chief Edward T. Prior, who recent- Iy took command of the Plainville Hose Co., won the applause of the spectators when he climbed a ladder leaning against the front of the build- ing and rescued a line of hose that | had been put through a window. Ur- | gent cries for him to ceme down were | (Continued on Eleventh Page) | BOTH BRANC accordance with the views o state department declaring a have existed since noon toda and the Austro-Hungarian g ployment of the entire nava on war against that governm Chairman Flood of the hous The text of the resolutio “Whereas, the Imperial a government has shown its ho lations, and has formally adh submarine warfare adopted therefore, be it: Resolved, by the S Washinston, Dec. 5.—The pared today to act on President \ request for a declaration of war against Austria-Hungary with indic tions favorable that a war resolution may o0 to the House for action late | today or tomorrow. Adjournment o? the Senate until I"riday, however, pre- i cludes earlier action there but the Sen- ate Foreign Relations | which meets tomorrow, probably will consider the house draft, in an effort to savo time. Congressional machinery to trans- late the president’s recommendations into action got under way yesterds immediately after the delivery of his message and Chairman IFlood of the House committee was ready today to introduce in the House a resolution embodying the president’'s specific de- sires, that a state of war between the United States and Austria-Hungary ba declared. The widespread demand for addi- tion aof Turkey and Bulgaria in the resolution promises to be the only ob- stacle in the program for speedy en- actment. Republicans in both the Senate and House :committees ar planning vigorously to urge such e tension and many democrats are in , sympathy with them. The Senate { committee has before it a resolution | introduced vesterday by Senator Pitt- man proposing war with all '‘Ger- many’s allies. Although few expect many tives against the either house son | I nega- war resolution in and nothing indicates { that the debates. which preceded the | action against Germany, will be re- peated, the attitude of the small group which opposes the govern- ment’s war policies is problematical, Senator LaFollette did not join in the demonstration given the president's utterances yesterday and did not rise with the throng at varlous times, However, Senator Stone, chairman of the Foreign Relatlons committee, who probably will be in charge of the reso- lution in the senate, has announced his intention of giving support to the prosecution of the war, and is in favor of defining Austria’s status. ¥ The president’s recommendation in the Austrain situation, it was learned last night, was promoted partly bes cause it might be necessary at any time to have American soldiers in Italy and the vigorous approval of his position voiced by the joint session hag caused leaders to expect little or no delay in the completion of legisla- | tive sanction. i London's Opinions. London, Dec. b.—President Wilson's message to congress has the fullest possible prominence in the morning newspapers, but it reached London too late for much considered com- | ment. The Dally News recelves warmly the president's declaration that peace should be based on gen- erosity and justice to the exclusion of selfish claims. It adds: “It would be an affectation to pre- tend this language echoes the declar- ations of the European spokesmen of the alliance. It is the voice of a HURRIED ACTION EXPECTED IN enate and House of Representas tives of the United States of America in congress as sembled, that a state of war be ,and is hereby declared exist and to have existed since noon of the fifth day .of December, 1917, between the United States of America and the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian government and that the president be, and he is hereby authorized and| directed to employ the entire naval and military ‘forces.o the United States, and the resources of the government to carry on war against the Imperial and Royal Austro Hungarian government and to bring the conflict to a sug cessful termination all the resources of the country ar hereby pledged by the congress of the United States.” House | FForeisn Relations committee was pre- | committee | Declaration Reads That a State of War Exist Between the Imperial and Royal Govern-{| ment of Austria and the Government of the United States, Beginning Today. ’ HES AT WASHINGTO! Washington, Dec. 5.—A joint resolution drafted in f President Wilson and the “a state of war exists” and to y, between the United States - overnment and directing em- 1 and military forces to carry: ent, was introduced today by e foreign affairs committee. n follows: i nd Royal Austro-Hungaria stility to the government and the people of the United States by severing diplomatic re ered to the ruthless policy o by its ally, the Imperial Ger: man government, with which the United States is at war,J and has given to its ally every support and aid on both} land and sea in the prosecution of the war - against the government and people of the United States of America, Pl 4 | statesman whose vision comprehes the world, while theirs comprehend] only half a world. wiai President Wilson could has carlier what he said yesterda |and if in Great Eritain, France an { Italy, the responsible leaders h made his language their own,’ R i might be today driving the ene | from her borders.” g The Times says there are no | tones in the president's address, s jing ! said .3 L There are no ambiguous ph “ on which ntilitarists may feed the i lusions of their dupes, no hints | compromise and no suggestion of f8} fering or doubt to raise the spirits ‘the pacifist. With this straighteg ward and logical statement of ATl ica’s war aims the last hope of th pacifists must founder.” & The Daily Graphic says! | “Whether this restatement, lofty in spirit, so forward lookin effect, will have any influence German opinion is doubtful. | the only resort is to infiict su military defeat upon Germany as’ convince the Germans of the in mousness of their rulers. | None of the editorials dwells | pecially on the request for a declay ation of war against Austria-Hunga: but brief references imply that it regarded as loglcal and desirable, The. job is much more difficult th it was in the case of Germany. Thef are in the United States many sul jects of Austria-Hungary who are of posed to that government and mymy pathize with the cause of the Un * States. Many of them are r H g Bohemians and others of the. which have been oppressed by - Austrian government. Many of tH to join the fight for freedom of thed countrymen and realization of ! tional aspirations, have joined American army, waiving exemptiio they might have claimed as aliens. ] is evident that some sort of an ception will be made for them, | the government hardly-wishes to treg them as enemies and still wishes protect itself as far as possible. 4 The department of labor which h custody of alien civilians, classed enemies, also was making its prepa tions to care for them as may necessary, probably in camps such those In which German civilians confined. 4 The Department of Commerce, tH r trade board and the other agey cies charged with enforcement of t trading with the enemy act, faced new task but a$ they already ha created the machine for deali with such a situation a new war ded laration actually involves only exted sions of steps already taken. To official Washington the decla; tion of war on Austria is secondary interest to President Wilson's stal ment of America’'s war alms. It considered at once a reply to peace ideas of the Marquis of Lal downe and announcement to world that peace can only come the destruction of Prussian autocrad ‘ (Continued on Eleventh Page)