New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 7, 1917, Page 18

TATE'S ASSISTANGE P GFFERED TO NATION . Gox. Holoomb Re:pledges Aid of Council of Defense Hartford, Dec. 7.—Officials of the Tederal government have been re- qQuestsd by Governor Marcus H. Hol- comly to make use of the organization of the Connecticut State Council of Defense to the fullest extent in car- xTying on civilian war activities in this {‘The writer desires,” the Gov- ‘ermg’s letter says, “in case of any new or attempt to organize public lont is thought to be desirable in 2 ‘» ut by vour department that » will, before commencing the G T icate with him or with JRhesitate-Council of Defense here.” Gowernor Holcomb addressed coples ©of Bis letter to the following: Secre- e Treasurer W. G. McAdoo, tary ot th {Sworetary of War Newton D. Baker, 3 m.hry of the Navy Josephus Dan- Hecretary of the Interior Frank- i 3. Lane, Secretary of Commerce C. Redfield, Secretary of ‘Willlam B. Wilson and W. S. d, director of the Council of Na- Defense. Mr. Gifford was ' by the Governor to forward a of the letter to the head of every mmittee of the advisory com- of the Council of National De- 33 lense. Governor Holcomb’s letter to these ‘mfficlals follows: 3 necticut is a small state, but ! ‘and is extremely actlve in all pertaining to the conduct of It is not only furnishing a targe fraction of all the muni- gand arms which the government [0 s, purchasing, but has distinguished [ " Stalf by largely oversubscribing Lib- rty Loan assignments, Red Cross and 7. B C. A. funds, and in all the other .which it has been called upon A ra. renson wWhy the state has thus . ffar mcceaded so well is that it is thor- oughly organized for war purposes @+$his organization under the direc- n of our Stata Council of Defense perfected every day. Any new which is thought to be desir- by any department of the govern- or of the Council of National can best succeed in Connecti- ety it be carried on through the in- wtromentalities now existing. On the ‘'other band where new activities are ted from Washington in this ‘Wate without:'donsultation with the " ehlet executive or the State Council ' of Defense, confusion must ensue, and the organized conduct of war work in | ‘thig State seriously interfered with. ‘‘Under the circumstances the writer res in case any new activity or at- tempt to organize public sentiment is thought to be desirable in Connecti- cut by your department that you will ‘before commencing the same commu- nicate with him or with the State Councll of Defense here. “Assuring you of the continued co- operation of this State in furtherance [ of which this letter is written, the writer begs to remain, ) “Yours very truly, “MARCUS H. HOLCOMB, “Governor.” - BATTLING BELGIANS READY FOR FRAY, - ts Ten Divisions of Well Trained | Men Will Do Duty Havre, Nov. 15.—(Correspandence) he Belglan army was composed of 127,000 men at the beginning of the ., increased by 20,000 volunteers in st, 1914, and was reduced to 000 men after the battle of the . NEVW BRITAIN DAILY Wrist Watches For Ladies Wrist Watches For the Boys in Camp Wrist-Watches: For the Boys “OVER THERE” ALL RADIUM DIALS M C. LeWitt Jeweler, 278 Main St., New Britain, Conn. was transferred to foreign soil. This remnant of an army not only barred the way to Calais, but while so daing Wwas reorganized and reinforced until now it counts three times the number of men that the battle of the Yser left valld. The front held by the Belgian army has gradually length- ened from about 12 1-2 miles after the battle of the Yser to 19 miles in June, 1916. The Belgian army or- ganized this front and held it alone until the middle of this year, when, as a consequence of the operations of the allled offensive in Flanders, it was Teduced, enabling the army to dispose of considerable reserves. “The Belgian army prepared more than 250 miles of trenches and rebuilt more than 200 miles of road. Eighty different lines of normal gauge rail- raads were built. Battery emplace- ments were constructed by hundred and thirteen thousand miles of tele- phone wires were put up or laid un-; derground. “In August, 1917, the army had twelve times as many machine guns as in 1914, seven times as many field guns and heavy pieces, with five times as much ammunition as was on hand at the outset of hostilities. It has ten | times as many airplanes. “Belgian aviators during three months’ mnormal activity executed nearly 2,000 flights, of which 1,020 were in pursuit of adversary planes. All the different arms of the service have pragressed and been improved in the ratio indicated by these figures. “The impression that has gone abroad that the Belgian army was re- organized and re-equipped entirely by our allies is an error,” the minister added. *“Belgium, exiled and deprived of all her resources, recelived gener- ous and powerful aid from her glor- ious allies. It was on French and British soil that all was to be dane, | but Belgians themselves took up the! winter than anywhere else in Flan- ders, and many were the devices tried against the little enemy. Traps of all kinds were tried. Rat-devouring dogs were brought up, but in vain. A cat French villaged was purchased and did well at first, killing four rats in twenty-four hours and intimidating many others. Thereupon the battaliun made much of the victorious animal, to its undoing; for it adapted itself as if by instinct to the life of a regi- mental pet—that is, it ate as much as it could of the men's rations, took the warmest corner available, work. Finally the battalion staff held a war council and dispatched one of its number to London to bring back three or four good ferrets. In the trenches the ferrets were an object of great interest. Private Thomas Merryfield emerged from ob- scurity and was assigned charge of the newcomers. day forward he was known army OGRS He took his duties seriously and immediately went into action against the little enemy that had been. stealing food off the tables, running over officers’ faces at night, chewing even the laces from men’s boots. The ferrets and their “O. C.” put up some great hunts. There were mo- ments of great excitement when the rats bolted wholesale before the new attack and were clubbed to death in the trench by the enthusiastic men. From that less anxiety when one of the precious ferrets emerged from a bolt hole powder and its own projectiles. Our valiant troops have held in front of! them continually a far greater nuu\-l ber of German troops than the public has supposed.” i BATTALION KNOWN AS THE FERRETS' Britishers Dub 'fi);se Soldiers Because of Their Success Behind British Lines in France,' Nov. 17.—(Correspondence of the As- sociated Press).—There is a certain brave battalion in the British army which is known throughaut the length and breadth of the line as “The Fer- rets.” The nickname was given to them first of all because of their suc- cess in dealing with the rat nuisance in their section of the line, and the soldier who had most to do with com- batting the rats is known from Dun- | kirk to St. Quentin as “O. C. Rats"— | the initials being the regular British army abbreviation for ‘officer com- manding.” The rats were probabl: this battalion’s section of tl worse in e line last 'Yser. By measures applied to Belgian ees and by the eniistment of nteers who braved the live-wire ralsed on the Holland r, it now-has been brought up ps of well-trained forces #van by the commander-in-chief, Associxted Prees is informed by the Belgian nunister of war. “If our army has not undertaken * satd-the minister, “it is because does not-devoive on-it to decide the ons .af ® wider scope up to this t when these-operations should The army is only a part of combined allied forces acting In n and in.accordance with care- loped plans. The army has tly filled:the rale, more ungrate- than glorions, that has been as- signed to it. I bhas just proved by dts drilliant participation in the last pffenstve in Flanders that it4s ready ta attack with fervor and awaits im- patiently the hour.” Summarizing the work of the Bel- gian army during the war and refer- ring to its difficulties and ltack of equipment, the minister recafled that in August, 1914, the army had only one machine gun for each 1,000 men, was short of 3-inch guns and had ammunition for only about 800 shots ‘for each plece. It had no light mor- ftars, no heavy artillery, no grenades, jmo trench equipment, no ammbulances, Jno pontoon crews, and not a single ycle. It had only 1,600 bicy- 2‘*: weptive bulloons, a few super- wmasuated airplancs and a few posts of wizeless telegraphy. “g’e had ooly 22,900 infantry after of the Yser,” mald the ain- , 4 it'g equipmont was in a siate, mumithons weTe locking mnd all of the diffcrent organism: avese dsemmgnd when tho army basc THOSE AWFUL CRAMPS Suggestions that may save Much Suffering M le, PI.—“R’_;I twelve ye.lr; ered Wi terrible cramps. Lisu it would have to stay in bed several days every month. I all kinds of treated by doctors, butmy trouble con- tinued until one day Iread about Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vege- table ind and done for 1 tried it and now I am never with-cramps and feel like a different woman. I cannot praise E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Com- too hifhb and 1 anrrecommend- it to my friends who suffer as 1 did. GEORGE R. NAYLOR, Box T2, ille, Pa. Young women who are troubled with ot irregular periods, backache, o e, dragging-down eensations, with a tremenjouw reputation in the | and quit | STYLE to take to the . CORNER CORNER MAIN and CHURCH STS., Hartford YOUR CHOICE OF 100 HIGH CLASS DRESSES For Street, Af{er— noon and Evening Wear at Formerly Priced From $29.50 to $42.50. Made of the finest materials in the latest styles. Materials: Charmeuse, Georgette, Velvet, Wool Jersey, Satin, Serge and Combinations. FOR SATURDAY ONLY. | somewhere below the barbed wire and | was reported steering for the German ! trenches. One day Merryfield won the censure of the authorities and the enthusiastic approval and praise of his | comrades by retrieving a lost ferret There Were also moments of breath- | from No Man's Land in daylight and under fire. Little by little the art of rat-hunt- work of reconstruction. The Bclgh\n! army created by its own efforts the | P greater part of what was indispensa- | ble for it to live and fight. It is build- | ing its own cannon, making its own [ J ° HARTFORD by became ing was learned the whole bat- wise in ferret | talion. Men lore, cunning in interpreting the noises of an underground struggle be- tween the antagonists. The rats have ever since given that section of the battle zone a wide beérth, and the fame of the winter's successful anti- rat offensive is known to all the army. Furniture for Gifts, Rugs and Draperics, Cut Glass, China, Lamps and I_Sl "ALCOTT N ENTRANCES TO MAIN STORE ON PRATT, TRUMBULL AND CHURCH STREETS. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” Trim the Christmas Tree; Fill the Stockings Toys, Dolls, Games, Vo ocipedes, Animals — 31 to 39 Allyn Street The Drums 8-inch at 25¢. Others larger, beautifully lithographed, and Snare Drums for real soldier boys, up to $3.50. Toy Trains lectric and mechanical, one special winding train with track for 59c¢. Other Trains, winding and clectric, with and without sta- tions, some with electric en- engines in newest model. Prices up to $37.50. Friction Toys The best made with extra large fly wheel, bright colored Locomotives, Automobiles, Fire Engines, ete. A special friction Locomotive with tender, price 69c. Other friction toys as high as $2.00, Tea Sets Toy Tea Sets in china. ena- mel and aluminum; some with plates, and some hand-painted. A special China Tea Set with good size cups, for 50c. Other Sets up to $10.00. Sleds Self stecring Sleds, the gen- uine Flexible Flyers, Racers and semi-steering Sleds. One special semi-steering Sled for only 38c. Other Sleds up to $15.00. The Dolis . American made Dolls have made a decided hit—they're so pretty, so different and so dur- able. Some are dressed in the latest Paris fashions; some are jointed in both legs and arms. The famous Wood Dolls 1 assume any position; have nice blond and brunette curls. | wntufi lls. or indigestion should take d:;:: B, Plnkhngn’s Vegetable Compound. Thousands have been re- stored to health by this root and herb Write for free and hespful advice to Lydie . Pinkham Medicine Co. (con- fdeatial), Lynn, Mass. Only women i open read su<7 ietters. | Character Doils With real bisque heads with and without wigs, strung with ng clastic; very natural raby faces and movi eye: Dolls 10¢ up to $12.50. The Games Pollyanna, Ring My Nose, Ping Pong. Crokonole, Post Of- fice, Sunny Monday, Magic Dots, Toy Town Conductors. Telegraph, Soldier Games of many kinds, Fish Pond, Lotto, Parchesi, Checks, Authors, Dominoes and numerous others. One special game of India for 25c. Other $7.25. Picture Puzzles Sunnybrook Farm, Assorted Animals, Fire Engines, Lo motives, Maps of the World, and up. Blocks Stone Building Blocks, Ci cus Blocks, Alphabet Blo Burnt Wood Blocks, Fortre: Blocks, Blocks in Wheel Carts; a special set of Instructo Blocks in alphabet form, 30c. Other Blocks from 25¢ to $2. Toy Furniture Doll Beds in mahogany white enamel, 4 posters canopie: Bureaus, oak with flo Dressers, Chiffonier: ir Tables, Rockers in white, reed and oak. One special toy Folding Table for 50c. Other Toy Furniture up $10.00. Games from 3¢ to and and white enamel decor: and to Plush Animals Camels, real ships of the des- ert that live without drinking; Ostriches; Lions, the roaring, ranting, lamb devouring kind; Rabbits; Horses; Squir- muzzled and on wheels; Cats; Cows; Lambs; Poodles. and others. One special 12-inch Dog, cor- duroy covered, for $1.00. Other aninfals from 25¢ $11.00. Musical Toys Pianos in pll sizes, white and mahogany finish, upright and grand; Xvylophones; Organ Chimes; Roller Chimes; Horns; Trumpets. ee the Xylophone, white painted, that teaches children the scale. Our Special Mahogany Finish Piano for 50c. Other Musical Toys $10.00, up to up to Mechanical Toys A superb assortment of me- chanical toys, both instructive, amusing and comical. Charlie Chaplin, who waddles and turns somersauits; Dancing Darky, Automobiles, French Soldiers, Submarines, Passenger Motor Boats, Dredges and Mechanical Sand Toys. One Spe. Mechanical Auto- mohile with extra good stock work for 25c. Other Mechanical Toys up to $6.50. DANDY TOYS FOR THE BOYS 1 KIND Erector—the great buildin wood toys for making locomobiies Chemi laboratory experiments. Lead models for molding p Work Renches, strong and w Tool Chests in all sizes, containing ALL LADS LONG toy—scientific hnd instructiv FOR. Model and other wonderful thin, Outfits—new, for teaching the boy chemist ter toys. il made. fine grade of tools. Radiopticons for showing post cards and other views. Moving Picture Machine with rifle Rifle ating Air films—show genuine pictures that shoot fo - $1.2 Take Advantage 0F OUR Before Christmas Sal LARGE BUYING HAS ENABLED US TO GIVE YOU THESE UNUSUAL PRICES. We offer for your i nspecticn the largest assort- ment of Pipes in the State. Genuine Briar Pipes 25c and Up. % Briar Pipes with Bakelite Stems 50¢ to $1.25. ] A full selection of Plain and Gold Mounted Briar Pipes with Amber and Bake- lite Mouthpieces in Plush Lined Case $1.25 to $4.50. Meerschaum Yipes Cases Also a Large Variety b Of Cigarette or Cigar Holders, Amber or Bakelite, 8§ With or without case. f Metal Cigarette Cases, and all Smokers’ Articles. Of Sterling Silver or Very Reasonable. | We Also Carry the Leading Brands Of Cigars in Boxes of 25 and 50, $1.00 to $5.00 Per Box. Of Tobaccos in Beautifu! Glass Humidors in 15, and 1 pound Jars. - Men’s Purses In a Varied Assortment. Genuire Leather 35¢ to $2.00 Pocket Knives Stag and Pearl Handles. 50c to $2.50. A Complete Line of $1.50 to $5.00. The Famous Eveready Searchlight For Every Purpose. 75¢ to $3.00. The Famous Brunswick Phonograph Plays All Records. Known for Iis Tone, Quality and Workmanship. Sold on Small Monthly Payments., Models $32.50 t> $180.00 Get Your Machine Reserved Before the Christmas Rush We have a Well Selected Steck of Filled and Solid Gold Jewelry at Surprising Low Prices. Waltham, Elgin and Stan- dard Watches in 10 and 20 year cases. B. HORENSTEIN 1 R. R. Arcade