New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 27, 1917, Page 1

S MERALD BESTOFALL ], | ¥ gXU(SPAPERS "NEW BRITAIN CONNECTICUT, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1917. —TEN PAGES. GERMANY AGREES TO PEACE [LARGE SALARIES [ISSUES REBUTTAL |GOVERNMENT MAY BUI *TERMS WITH THE RUSSIANS| 10 BE CUT DOWN| TOFALSECHAREES MUNITION FACTORIE! Railroad Presidents Will Receive N (- Central Powers Decare Re-| BILSHEVIKI TRY Francis Publishes Letters Show- TO DISCREDIT ALLIES| Approximately $10,000 2 Year ing Disposition of Funds ' solve to Immediately Place Their Signatures to Peace S_ELECTMAN ALLING OF BERLIN l v+, Paper. " WILL NOT CONTINUE WAR FOR CONQUEST " Forcible Annexations of Terrritories & Selzed During the War Does Not En- ter, Into the Intention of the Allied y Insists On the Return of its Colonies Seized By the ‘Allies, _Petrograd, Deac. 26.—Count Czernin the Austro-Hungarian foreign minis- }pr. at the session of the peace confer- 3 ence at Brest-Litovsk Tuesday read a #4 statement to the effect that the Cen- _stral Powers agreed to conclude im- mediately a general peace without for- ¢ible annexations and indemnities. The Central Powers, he said, sol- emnly declare their resolve to imme- Qately sign térms which will termin- ate the war on'conditions equally just to all belligerents. They could not ! {bihd themselves to siich terms without & guarantee that Russia’s allies would recognize them and carry them out honestly toward the Central Powers. . Count Czernin declared the Central powers believed the basic principles uttered by the Russian delegates could 'mo_ basis of such a peace. He sald shared’ . Russian condemnation f & continudtio sake of conquest ~ ' _ . / A It is necessary, he added, to indicate if the, war for the _ most clearly, however, that the Rus- ! i sian proposals could be realized only | Z 4n the event that all belligerenta obli- “* gated themssives. to adhere to the rmg of such & “peace. /' Ho deciared'the Central powers did ¥ mt intend to -annex forcibly territor- selzed du; the war, nor to.de- “mn of political independence ‘the eonstitution of that government. _protection of the right of minori- s an‘essential part of the right of tHe event of a mutual refusal to \8et war expenditures and pay dam- \ ' ages caused by the war, Count Czern- in qfinued. each, belligerent shall > ‘only the expense of its subjects 1ade prisoner, and damages caused to _praperty of civilian subjects by delib- erate violations of intérnational law ." on the part of the adversary. The § creation of a special fund for this pur- #1., pose, as suggested by Russia, could be 3 " A discussed only in the event that the . ‘other belligerents join in the peace ne- o gotiations within a certain time. The chairman of the Russian dele- gation expressed gratification at Ger- man willingness to make peace with- E out annexations and indemnities and ‘44 Wwith the self-definition of peoples. He demurrred, however, at the German statemient on self-definition as being incomplete. He said the war could not énd without the re-establishment of the violated rights of little and op- pressed nationalties and Russia would < Insist on m%hu their lawful E rights would be p! ted in a general 4 /" peace treaty. " Count Czernin explained the posi- tion of the Central powers in a state- ment which he read at the second ses- sion of the peace conference at 10 o'clock Tuesday evening. His state- » “The delegations of the allied (Teu- expressed will of their governments and peoples will conclude ag soon as possible a general peace. The delega- tions; in complete accord with the re- Bre, ly expressed viewpoint of their % governments, think the basic princi- ples of the Russian delegation can be 4 made the basis of such a peace. ‘“The delegations of the quadruple T | alliance are agreed Immediately to conclude a general peace without for- ciblé annexations and indemnities. . | They share the view of the Russian i ‘&k delegation which cendemmns the con- tinuation of the war purely for aims of conquest. “The statesmen of the allied (Teu(; 5 vernments In:programs an unt‘:;n::u have emphasized time and . 'The governments of the allies unswervingly have followed the view all the time. They solemnly .declare sign terms of peace which will stop this war ¢n the above terms, equally just their sesolve immediately to :" tas'all belfigerents without exception “It is mecessary, however, ‘to indi- ost clearly that the proposals tionn that Germany has no ag-| gretsive plans, offered the possibility of the immediate beginning of nego tfftions for a general peace among He proposed a ten days’ recess until Jandary 4, “‘so that! the peopler Whose governments have o1l belligerent not yet joined in the. pegotiations fo n géneral peace may hgve an oppor- {itanity to acqueint themselves with th $rinciples of Such a peace as is now ng established.” t the expirption of the indicated’ ton) powers gcting upon the clearly | “Revelations” Still Continue to Be Printed in Petro- grad Papers. London, Dec. 27.—The Bolsheviki newspapers’ continue to print revela- tions of an wlleged American Pplot to support General Kaledines according to a Petrograd despatch to the Morn- ing Post dated Tuesday. So far as ‘Ambassador Francis 1is concerned, the despatch adds, the whole ridiculous charge fallg to the ground before the straight forward statement issued by the Ambassador Tuesday. Colonel Kelpashnikoff never applied to the ambassador for any fund for any pur- pose, although fully edipowered to draw as needed on the Red Cross ac- count, he being connected with the American Red Cross, Leon Trotzky’s charges against Kol- pashnickoff and American represen- tatives in Petrograd, the correspond- ent adds, amount to g series of suspic- ions, unsupported by evidence of any kind. The correspondent says the colonel assisted the officials in Hali- fax in examining Trotzky when he and Trotzky were traveling to Rus- sla together and adds: “The matter thus comes down to the personal element which plays so large a part in what is called in politics in Russia today.” Colonel Kolpashnikoff, the corres- pondent says, is still in prison and has not been seen by any American of- ficial. \ It is plain, acording to the corres- pondent of the Post, that some small bits of friction between the respective American missions to Rumania and Russia, Trotzy found a page on which to hang a series of baseless charges: against the American nation. Trotzky’s object is to discredit the Entente allled governments through their represenatives. GOHOLAN COMMISSIONED | Appointed Sccond Lieutenant Ordnance Department, U. .S, A., "With Headquarters at Newark, N, J. Gerald ‘Coholan, son of Mrs. Grace M. Coholan.of South High street, has been commissioned a gecond MNeuten- ant in the ordnance department of the United States army. His headquar- ters are at the Le Compte Mfg. Co., in Newark, N. J. He is at present stationed in the production section of the equipment division , His district of administration covers most of the state of New Jersey. Some months ago Coholan tried to enlist in troop B, but he was rejected on.account of poor sight. Later he tried to get an appointment to a Plattsburg camp but was rejected again for the same disability. Then, he started work as’an inspector in the government factories and his ad- vancement was rapid. Because of his knowledge of hardware he received his appointment in the ordinance de- 'partment and then his commission. Coholan was graduated from the- 'New Britain High school in 1909, Since that time, except for the past few months, he has worked in the plece work department and in the sales department at the Stanley ‘Works, TESTIFIES TODAY President of Boston Street Rallway Oompany Gives Interesting Facts to Commission. Hartford, Dec. 27.—Matthew C. ‘Brush, president of the Boston Street railway company told the public util- ities ‘commission today that only one line in Massachusetts was making any money. His statement was made at n that for the sake of conquest ‘will not prolong the war a single the resumption of the hearing on the Connecticut company’s 6 cent trolley fare, put into effect Oct. 1. Mr. Brush said his road would prob- ably adopt the 6 cents rate. He at- tributed the lack of profit and divi- dends to increased cost of labor and materials. He disapproved of the zone system in fixing fares. He was asked it he had a solution. | the whole solution. in Cleveland, Dallas and Toledo. of net return. Roston would soon report.” = DIDN'T ARRIVE. ‘Washington, Dec. —Ohto officials o the senate investigation did not rive. in | “¥es the service at cost scheme fis. It has been tried It provides for graduated scale of fares, These will go up and down and make a reserve fund according to the scale “This scheme,” he said, “was one of’ which the investigating committee in who were to have testified at today's hearing on the coal situation before | mission ar- L RECEIVING OVER $60,000 President Says Committee of Railroad Exccutives Has Done Its Utmost, But Authority of t M'ns‘ Be Substituted. ‘Washington, Dec. 27.—One of the first acts of the government in begin- ning operation of railroads will be to reduce large salaries now paid to the railway executives and increase in some measure thé¢ wages of the rail- way workers. Securities to be issued while the government is in control will be at in- terest rates not less than 4 per cent. and the issues will be made under Joint authority of the director gener- al and - interstate commerce commis- sion. President Wilson, when he outlines the government’s plans in his forth- coming address to congress will ask that the government be empowered to buy any quantity of new railroad se- curities. All dividends over and above an amount to be agreed upon will go to the government. Congress will be asked also to ap- propriate a large fund—probably two hundred million dollars—for the im- mediate supply of rolling stock to handle the flood of traffic which has swamped the roads. The director general will have at- thority to decide whether the govern- ment shall also assume operation and control of the express companies. the status of express companies under government operation of railroads will not be fully determined. Rolling stock, owned by the express compa- nies, which is comparatively little, will pass automatically under direct gov- ernment supervision tomorrow, when the president’s proclamation goes in- to effect. The status of the Rairoads War board also is dependent on the di- rector-general’s’ plan of organization. $50,000 ta $150,000 & year, and om the first acts of the director-general Ten thousand dollars & discussed as a maximum. The saving in salaries would be ap- plied to raising the pey of members of the four railway brotherhoods, whose officers conferred today with President ‘Wilson, and aso of other railway em- ployes uhorganized: Under government control, every effort will be made to interfere as Jit- tle as possible with the personnel of the. companies, but it is considered inevitable that 'some employes will be yoar is being <cut off. The effect of government operation on drafting railroad employes for army duties is a question to be worked out, but' it seems probable a large pro- portion of the employes will be con- sidered too valuable in their present work to be drafted for fighting. One of the immediate effects of the new plan will be the re-routing of much freight now passing aver con- gested lines, particularly in the East. ‘Washington, Dec. 27.—Control of the nation’s railroads, to bring about uniform operation for the war, will be assumed by the government at noon tomorrow, with Secretary McAdoo, still retaining his cabinet post, in charge as director-general of the railroads. 'Phis decision, the government's solution for the difficulties of the announced last night in a proclama- tion by President Wilson effective at noon, Friday, December 28, and tak- ing over every railroad engaged in general transportation in continental TUnited States with its appurtenances, including steamship lines. All lines will be operated as a single system under Director McAdoo. In a statement issued with the for- mal proclamation, the president de- clared he would ask congress as soon ag it reassembled for legislation guar- anteejng, first that the rail; prop- erties would be maintained during the period of federal control in as good Tepair and as complete in equipment as when taken over by the’ govern- ment, and seccnd that the rpads shall Teceive a net operating income equal in each case to the average net income of the three years preceding June 30, 1917. Government backing also will be given new issues of railroad securities so that a market may be readily found. Railroad officials will retain direct management of the roads and the Railroad War bord, composed of five Tailroad heads, will continue actual operation under Director McAdoo's supervision. The president’s action, taken through Secretary of War Baker un- der ‘authority of the army appropria- tions act of August, 1916, came as a surprise at this time and it was be- lieved he would await the reassem- bling of congress and make known his decision in an address to that body. roads had been | since the Interstate Commerce com- in a ‘special report to coh- (Continued on Seventh Page) Until Mr. McAdoo outlines his plans | The presidents of many large lines | now - receive salaries ranging ) present transportation situation, was | mventual government control of rail- forecasted, howevecr, | AUTOMOBILES ARE REMOVED Deputation of Russians Visit the American Pmbassy and Present Am- bassador With Floral Offering—New First Sea Lord For British Navy. London, Dec. 27.—David R. Francis the American ambassador to Russia issued on Tuesday a firm rebuttal of the charges made against the Ameri- can embassy by the Bolsheviki. He declared, according to a , Petrograd | dispatch to the Times that he and his staff never interfered with internal af- fairs in Russia, nor aided General Kal- edines or any other faction. . The ambassador published letters showing that the funds employed in the transfer of automobiles were drawn for the Red Cross and not for the embassy, and that the automobiles ‘were removed for the purpose of pre- venting their falling into the hands of the Germans in the event of a further invasion of Russia. / A deputation of Russians visited the American embassy Monday'and pre- sented a floral offering to Ambassador Francis. The 'British embassy at Petrograd has announced the liberation of Tchitcherin ‘and Peteroff, two Rus- sians who have been under arrest 'in/| England, and they will be permitted to return to Russia. New Sea Lord. London, Dec. 27.—The prominence glven to the retirement of Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe, as first sea lord in favor of Vice Admiral Sir Rosslyn Weymss in the morning papers is commensurate with his great reputa- tion and the place he long has held in public estimation. Notwithstanding the recent severe criticism concerning the admiralty from some quarters, several newspa- pers treat the announcement as sensational surprise and two or three accompany their remarks with warm expressions of regret. E Although :nothing haa been _state oMctaily 1t 18"y per# hat Admiral Jellicos did not re- | tire voluntarily and according to the probably will be to cut these sharply. ! Telegraph the government's decision was conveved to him before Christmas in the form of a bare imtimation that it had been determined to appoint a new first sea lord. Of his successor the public knows comparatively little, owing to the fact that ®> never held a conspicuous com- mand afloat and had no administrative experience in the admiralty until ap- pointed second sea lord last summer. In the navy, Admiral Weymss has a well established reputation. He also had a large and'varied experience in the war and his services under Ad- miral De Roebeck at Gallipoli re- ceived the unqualified praise of naval and military authorities. Ukranians Active. London, Dec. 27.—Ukranian forces, eccording to a report from Petrograd from the Ukranian rada and forward- ed by Reuter, have occupied the head- quarters of the Fourth, Eighth and Fleventh armies on the Russian and southwestern fronts. Those who re- sisted were disarmed and a quantity of guns and rifles were seized. The Ukranians have occupied the station at Brailoff and disarmed the guards. A telegram received In Petrograd from Tomsk reports fighting in: Irk- utsk, Siberia, Cossacks and military cadets have engaged the garrison there for two days with alternating success. Three Attacks. Paris, Dec. 27.—Three attacks were made by the Germans last night on the Verdun front east of the Meuse, i. is announced officially. At the third attack the enemy succceeded in reach- ing the French lines and were driven cut immediately with heavy Josses, leaving prisoners. German Escapes, Paris, Dec. 28.—A young German newspaperman, who made his escape from a prison camp in the south of France has been captured after two weeks liberty. He was wearing a long cloak like that worn by some of the French religious orders. In his hand he carried a French prayer book, on the flyleaf of which he had writiten in perfect French that he was a priest on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, and that he had vowed to make the journey on foot and with- out speaking a word. He then asked that he be sgiven bread to eat and | water to drink, and a lodging at night time. The German had shown this soiled prayer book everywhere along his way, and the simple-minded Reas- ants, believing him to be a priest, had fed and sheltered him without sus- picion. A e WEATHER. Hartford, Dec. 27.—Forecast for New Britain and vicinity: Fair. <2ightly warmer tonight and Friday. e S IGNORES NEW BRITAIN'S OFFER a \ WILLARD I. ALLING TROOPS OF CAVALRY Mexican Government Send Troops to Assist American Sqldiers. Marfa, Tex. Dec. 27.—Two troops of American cavalry are pursuing 50 Mexican bandits toward the interior of Mexico today, making the second time within a month that Mexican raiders have been followed across the border. Movements of the American troops were unknown by Col. George T. Langhorne, commanding officer of Tast igNt*as it was inipossible the pursuing forces to get in munication with hecadquarters they had chased the com- until bandits out refuge Tuesday night after raiding the Brite ranch and killing three men, one American and two Mexicans. A.report received here indicates that the bandits were men from the Carranza force. From other sources Col. Langhorne has received informa- tion that the bandits are so-called Villa followers who were impersonat- ing Carranza forces even to tho ex- tent of dressing in their uniforms in order to bring discredit on the govern- ment troops, Mexican officials have telegraphed ‘the ‘colonel that their troops from Chihuahua are prepared to co-operate exterminate the raiders. SENATE COMMITTEE Sharp Criticlsm Is ‘Made By Semators 5 5 Because of the Absence of Sufficient Winter Clothing For Soldiers. ‘Washington, Dec. 27.—IExamination of Quartermaster Gen. Sharpe was re- sumed today by the senate military committee, investigating war prepv’a- tions. $ Sharp criticisms ‘of the shortage of winter overcoats was made ‘by the senators who- deoclared * orders for clothing were not ‘filled up to insure deliveries. He said = manufacturing contracts were placed in sufficient tinie for mak- ing of clothing but that delayed deliv- eries held up the: clothing manufac- turers. Tracing the causes for delay in get- ting clothing to the troops, Senator Frelinghuysen declared it' was due ‘in part to changes in cloth specificetions, resulting from a conflict of authority between the quartermaster general and the council of national defense. GIV DENIATL. Governor Holcomb Says That He Did Not Criticize President. Hartford, Dec. 27.—Governor' Hol- comb, in a statement issued today de- nied an alleged interview with® him printed in the Hartford Courant today in which he was made to appear as criticising the president for taking over control of the railroads and de- clared that when ho telegraphed to President Wilson Jast spring, ‘‘you | may depend upon the loyal support of Connecticut’ included himself with all other citizens of the state and does not intend to hamper the nation's war work by criticism. SENATE INQUIRY. ‘Washington, Dec. 27.—Senate in- quiry into the codl situation = was turned upon the recent Ohio shortage today when several Ohio officials were called to testify before the investiga- x tion committee, PURSUING BANDITS ! to | Has Not Replied to Fire Commissioner’s Letter Suggesting Agreement on Use of Department. There has been considerable critical comment made today by both Berlin and Kensington residents and local city officials regarding the alleged ac- tion of First Selectman Willard I. Al- ling last evening when fire threatened to devastate the center of Kensington. Lately the New Britain fire commis- sioners notified the Berlin selectmen that they wished to reach some def- inite agreement concerning the use of the New Britain fire apparatus for fires in Berlin and a schedule of fees was outlined. ‘It is said that when! the fire broke out in Kensington last evening First Selectman Alling was besearched by some of the townspeo- V‘ e ple to summon the New Britain 'de- about to take O¥CHR 1 3 i p, < § partment but he demurred. In tnis| Sid€rable tract of prope connection it 1s sald that he made tne | OTder to erect federal,fa 1 stnteq}l‘ent that the wind had shitted ; byjldings here is now ' d t] i d of 1) : Sesistance, |- ¢ ee of calling for | erally believed. This s City Department Saves Property. | ing Captain/ Bergin and F Eventually, however, one ot the| [ieutenant Bauer, repr townspeople, John J. McCabe, took v e atiar ints iy Fwn s Ao ieot g e ordnance depa telte‘phor;ed fo Mayor G. A. Quigle, [ at Washington, visited. setting forth the fagts and asking for ' help. The mayor qlmmom-.te!y got | ha“. to search t.he rel f into communication with Chairman A. | various properties and ol full information conce E. Magnell of the fire commission and the fire department was dispatched to the scene. By the arrival of the local, the same. N department and the efficient work ren- W . { dered by the. firemen there is no From the da:ta eolle Frontage 4 5. That the; | government, & { mediately increase i dution of war materials manufactured in this e Bjg Bend patrol district until late | for ! of | the rocky country where they sought | with the American forces in trying to | In responding to suc lin authorities have never acknowl- it P ! a‘a;:bz in the minds :; the Kensington the two army” pflice,rs' it "fi. citizens that' the alley property, J Y which was threatened with ¢efiru2. lieved that the °f¢!‘?4 tion, wax saved as was, possibiy, otner pArtment of W ! adjoining property which might have S e caught fire had not the organized fire bram of i:he ‘ dep‘artdmcnt, with chemical apparatus, hasm do W\th t arrived to give aid'to the willing but itions.and’ hampered’ voliintoor firemen''in’ Kot of mumtjon;s‘anfl,"‘ ¥ Ringtany " ‘tends to purchase 'z this morning Chairman Magnell of Street and” Bigelow the fire board had but little to say, from the’ New: Britain other than that as yet his board has : el el recelved no reply to a letter sent ta chine Co. and the ;A erlin on December 14 relativ wp. | fire department service, ‘A ‘Zo.,f- bt Hirdware Ch' upoi this letter which was mailed to each [0 €T€Ct government f; of the Berlin selectmen follows: Captain Bergin and “New Britain, Conn., B i “Dec 14 1517, ant Bauer visited, | To the Selectmen, Town of Berlin, of the asgessors and t| “Gentlemen:— o { i i “At times during the past . few [B1 ed a complete’ years calls for assistance with the aid ' the holdil‘la "af ) of our motor, fire apparatus have been B itai received from Berlin in cases of fire. ritain Ma X h calls the ity Chestnut stre ras taken the chance of lability of : injury to its men and damage to its iNES Of the 3t apparatus. Believing that there 5 i should be a definite understanding and ik Corp. e B e agreement concerning such service in | Sfl‘e?f, They %SO Ob“ . the future we submit the accomprny- | Simi ing agreemen® for your acceptance ' s“fil e r,ecorqs rom the and signature under which conditions, | COllECtOT’'S office. only, will we continue to glve assjat- i ance. Please return for our signa- The New Britam Machine Co. ture. i 4 “Yours truly, four separate pieges of prop “Board of Fire Commissioners, | Chestnut. street, oppesite its. “A. E. MAGNELL, chairman, |!ory and between ‘the Co “*‘New Britain, Dec. 14, 1917. |and the corner of Bige “An agreement entered into this | These pieces of property Hay, day\ of , 19—, between | bined frontage of 349.2 feef. the selectmen acting for and in behalf | lOW street and at the * ot the Town of Berlin, and the Board | Bigelow and Chestnut of Fire Commissioners of the City of | American Hardware Corp. owill New Britain. { perty with a frontage: of IS “It is mutually agreed and under- |2nd 70.8 feet respectively, siood that circumstances and condi- | Pieces of property there ars Sig tions in New Britain shall be the first | ferent buildings and the opmihy consideration of the New Britain fire | fessed valuation ef the pouies department before responding to calls ““:;gfi: ‘:h:::'.h.:\"e \ - L5 for aid. e 0 “Subject to the above, the New Brit- | mors afloat to th b ain fire department will respond to | ernment is pla to alarms in Berlin only when called by | entire oufput of certain B a member of the Board of Selectmen | the American Hardware '|( of the Town of Berlin, or such per- | North & Judd Mfg. Co., and b son or persons suthorized by said Se- | Britain Machine Co., there is nof lectmen, o callthe fire department—a | 10 lend credance to such stories. list of such persons to be furhished by | he government does intend: the Selectmen of Berlin, and notice of | {0 take over the aforementis any changes or additions shall be fil:ces of property on which to given in writing as they are made. own munition or eHpREF Calls-for the fire department shall be | Yelieved to be a plan made through fire headquarters, tele- aex;:’ln- conaldoration in ‘Wi phone 931. e exactness - with whie “In consideration of the services-of | tWo army officers obtained the the-fire department of the City of New, | concerning the properties in Britain, in accordance with the fore- | indicates that the plan is going provisions, the Selectmen of the | Ously considered. Not only town of Berlin agree to pay at the | officers obtain, the assessed rate of $50 for every alarm answered, | Of the properties, the corract’ and $50 additional for every hour or | Ments etc, but they also took: fractional part thereof after the first| able rate of the properties, the. hour, the time to be.counted from the | 0f the .watcr rents,: the departure of the apparatus from fts| provement feos, the permai station until back in commission. _| ment ‘costs and all other in “The Town of Berlin hereby agrees | obtainable. 5 to assume any and all liahility falling Although no definite . i to the city of New Britain by reason | 2an be obtained as to the pl of injury to person or persons, or consideratign, it is qwu_‘ht pe damege to apparatus and property.” | that the government may oo Not only has the above letter not | factories to manufacture arfl been answered, but, it is said, the Ber- | are used in connection with, from, the present war mat: edged or expressed any thanks for fire | manufactured at the loesl department’ service given that town | By such an arrangement it is Dby the New Britain officlals during the past year. (Continued On Ninth