Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, December 21, 1916, Page 1

VOL. LVIIL—NO. 306 POPULATION 28,219 NORWICH, CONN., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1916 PRICE TWO The Bulletin’s Girculation in Norwich is Double That of Any Other Paper, and Its Total Circulatiop is the Largest in Connecticut in Pr;)portion to the City’s Population. T0 BELLIGERENT Has Sent Formal Notes to the Governments of All the Warring Nations NO OFFER OF MEDIATION, MERELY A SUGGESTION Requests Respective Governments to Give Their Views as to Terms Upon Which the War Might be Concluded— President Himself Declares His Object is to Secure Soundmlp in Order to Hasten Peace—Opinion Prevails in Washington That the Note is the Result of Some Se- cret Information in Possession of the President—Von Bernstorff Confident That the Note Will Lead to a Peace Conference. such a propocal at such a time unless he had reason to believe it would re- ceive respectful consideration at the hands of all the belligerents, and, above all, would not prejudice the po- sition of the United States as a pos- sible mediator. Bernstorff Sure of Conferencs. The German embassy view, comsist- ently hopeful that proposals of the central allies would lead to a discus- slon of peace, was expressed in this authorized statement by Count Bern- storff, the German ambassador: ‘Now,” he said, “I am perfectly con- vinced ‘that there will be a confer- encey’ Washington, Dec. 20.—President ‘Wilson has appealed to all the bel- Hgerents to discuss terms of peace. 8ends Formal Notes. ‘Without actually proposing peace or offering mediation, the president has sent formal notes to the governments of all the warring nations suggesting that “an_early occasion be sought to call out from the nations now at war such an avowal of their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the ar- rangements which would be deemed satisfactory as a guaranty against its renewal or the kindling of any similar conflict in the future as would make it frankly to compare them.” lly without notice and entirely contrary to what administration offi- cials have described as his course, the president last night dispatched the notes to all the belligerents and to all S meutals L for thelr fnformation: jummarized in the president's own words as -contained in the notes; his attitude is as follows: All Mankind Longs for P “The president is not proposing peace; he is not even offering media tion. He is merely proposing ! soundings be taken in order that we may learn, the neutral nations with the belligerents, how near the haven of ‘may be for which all man- .Jonging. He belleves that the spirit in which he speaks and the ob- jects which he seeks will be under- Btood by all concerned and he confi- tly hopes for a response which will a new lght into the affairs of e world.” This latest development in the rap- Miy moving world events toward a fiscussion of peace was not permitted to become known until tonight when the motes were well on their way to e American ambassadors m the bel- t capitals and probably already the hands of some of them. Official Washington Surprised. It was a most distinct surprise to Al official Washington which had been to belleve that with the formal ttal of the proposals of the central powers the officers of the Unit- »d_Btates would await further moves between the belligerents themselves, and that certainly in view of the gpeech of Premier Lloyd George and announcements in Russia, France and Italy, further action by neutrals would depend on the next careful and flelicate moves of the beiligerents. The whole tenor of official opinion throughout Washington when the president's action became known was it immeasurably improved | the, rospects for some sort of exchanges Lokln' toward an approach to peace discussions between the belligerents, without impairing the position of the Dnited States should they finally be onable to find a ground on which to wpproach one another. No White House Statement. At the White House no_ statement whatever could be obtained as to whether any of the powers even had Intimated how they would receive the note and there was every indication that the same careful secrecy which ted anything whatever becom- known about the president’s ac- ion untll it had been taken would surround any of the succeedinz moves. Nowhere on the surface appears any indication of the history-making svents which diplomatists generally the conyinced must have transpored, )ince the German allies brought forth fheir proposals, to dispel the general- iy prevalent belief that such an action n the part of President Wilson would be unacceptable to the entente pow- . British embassy officials declared they were utterly taken by surprise, were wholly unable to explain it and were emphatic in their statement that no exchanges whatever had ' passed through the embassy here as a pre- liminary. The wish and hope of the German powers that President Wilson would ntercede in some way has long been well known and has been conveyed in different ways to the White House. The attitude of the entente allies as by thefr statesmen and cer- tainly until recently in official advices to the American government, has been that a peace offer by the United States would be comsidered almost the next to unfriendly. All that, however, was before the German ailies of their own accord brought forward their proposals for fiiscuasion of peace. President Wilson specifically says in the notes he is somewhat embarrassed in making; the suggestion at this particular time, “because it may now seem to have been by & desire to play a part connection with the recent overtures of the central powers.’ ‘Bome Hidden Knowledge. Nearest Parallel in 1905. The nearest parallel in world his- tory for President Wilson's action was President Roosevelt'’s move in 1905 to end the war between Russia _ani Japan. But in that case the presidant had been assured- his proposal woull not be disagreeable to either of the belligerents, and, curious; enougn, it was through Emperor Wildiam of Gur- many that the prelimindby soundings crystallized into the suggestion that President Roosevelt take the steps. Before that time President Roosvert had conferred with Count Cassini, *ho Russian ambassador here, and with Mr. Takahira, the Japanese ampassa- dor. In the Russian capital the Amer- ican ambassador, George Von L. Maver had_conversations with Count Lams- dorff, the Russian minister for foreisn affairs. In Tokio American Minister Griscom had conversations with Count Komura, the Japanese minister for foreign af- fairs, The outcome of all these pre- liminaries was that President Roose- velt was assure¢ that he would not b zummated by a rejection of his ac- on. Those in official circles who would discuss the notes thought it worthy of attention that President Wiison, after saying his action had long been in mind, sald: “The president can only beg that his suggestion be considered encirely on its own merits and as if it had been made in other circumstances” The president looks forward in the notes to the part the neutrals shall take in assuring the future peace of the world. He expresses justificaticn in “suggesting an immediate oprcr- tunity for a comparison of views a. to the terms which must precede those ultimate arrangements for the peace of the world, which all desire, and in which the neutral nations as well as those at war are ready to play their full responsible part.” Germany Believed to Be Willing. _So far as Germany is concerned, the view held here is that she would e perfectly willing that a committee of three, formed of a representative (f the central powers, a representativo of the entente and a representati/e of the United States, should hold pre- llmh:mr_\' discussions. The main idea of Germany and her allies is to get each set of belligerents into direct personal communication with the other. The method is considered of secondary importance. e view prevails in German quar- ters that all the belligerenits will make some definite statement in reply to the United States. The very phrase rogy of the American communication, 1t is felt, calls for replies far more definite than mere acknowledgments of —re. ceipt. Count Von Bernstorff may disca the situation with Secretary e tomorrow. Site Notes to the Belligerents. The notes to the belligerents are pre- faced with this Instruction by Seoro- tary Lansing to the American ambas- sadors presenting. them: “The president directs me to a you the following _communication: 19 be presented immediately to the min- ister of foreign affairs of the govern- ment to which you are accredited.” The texts of the notes themselves then Legin identically as follows: “The President of the United States has instructed me to suggest to the (here is inserted a designation of the government address) a course of ac- tion with regard to the present war which he hopes that the sovornment will take under consideration as sug- gested in the most friendly spirit and as coming not only from a friend but also as coming from the representa- tive ‘of a neutral nation whose inter- ests have been most serious affected by the war and whose concern for its early conclusion arises out of a mani- fest necessity to determine how best to safeguard those interests if the war is to continver t this point the texts vary. In the notes to the central powers this para- eraph follows next: To the Central Powers. “The suggestion which I am in- structed to make the president has (Continued on Page Ten) - PRESIDENT WILSON APPEALS NATIONS TO DISCUSS PEACE TERMS Cabled Paragraphs Japanese Steamer Sunk. Paris, Dec. 20, 12.30 p. m.—The Ja- panese steamer Taki Maru has been sunk by a submarine. Twenty-three out of her crew of 45 have been pick- ed up. DETAILS OF SINKING OF BRITISH TRANSPORT RUSSIAN Was Struck Astern—No Seen—28 ‘Washington, Dec. 20.—A detailed ac- count of the sinking of the British horse ship Russian, in which American muleteers lost their lives, reached the state department today by cable from Consul Keplinger at Malta. It says the steamer, fighting through a strong gale and drenching rain in the Mediterranean, was struck astern by what was believed to have been a torpedo, though no submarine was seen, and that twenty-eight men in- cluding the Americans, were drowned through the capsizing of = lifeboat when the crew left the ship. Later a trawler came to the rescue and took the Russia nin tow, but the steamer went to the bottom the next day The consul said he was informed that the Russian was not under ad- miralty charter, although she had de- livered a cargo of mulés at Saloniki, the allied military base in Greece. The American government will make inquiries 3t once to determine definite- ly the status of the ship. If it develops that she actually was a private vessel, the German and Austrian governments will be asked whether one of their sub- marines made the attack. Uness one of the belligerents admits responsibility, it is regarded as probable that the na- ture of the explosion that wrecked the Russian may remain a mystery, since no one saw a submarine or torpedo and the ship is at the bottom of the sea with her evidence. Submarine es Were Lost. ENGINE OF EXPRESS LEFT TRACKS NEAR BRIDSZEPORT Traffic on Main Line Was Tied Up for Some Time. Bridgeport, Conn., Dec. 20.—Auto- matic derailing apparatus at the ap- proach of the open drawbridge over the Pequonnoc river caused the engine of an extra westbound passengzer ex- press train on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad to jump the rafls near here late today. ~The train was going slowly, preparatory to making a statlon stop and none of the six coaches left the track. No one was injured. Closely following the train, on the same track, was the fast Knicker- hocker Expre: which was brought to a stop in time to prevent a crash. High officials of the New Haven road, in discussing the accident, said the enginecer of the extra express had his engine under complete control and that there was no danger of a plunge into the river. Traffic on the four main line tracks was tied up for some time. RAILWAY TROUBLE IN IRELAND SETTLED| Men Have Been Granted an Increase of Seven Shillings a Week. London, Dee. 20, §.45 p. m.—The complaint of the railway men in Ire- land was amicably settled at the board of trade today. The men have been granted an increase of seven shillings weelly in their wages; they had asked for ten shillings on the ground of the increased cost of living. A_recent despatch credited James H. Thomas, labor member of parlia- ment and assistant general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Rail- way Servants with the announcement that the government had decided to take over the Irih railroads and thus avert a threatened strike. MIDNIGHT MASS IN CAMP AT SAN ANTONIO. Christmas Eve—First Time in This Country Since Civil War, San Antonio, Tex, Dec. 20.—Mid- night mass in a military camp wid he celebrated at Camp Wilson here Christmas eve for the first time .n this country since the Civil war, -t is said. Bishop Shaw granted the A'r- pensation for the service which, i- is expected, will be attended by sezeral thousand soldiers and citizens. T'.ere are more than 5,000 Roman Catho.ics at Fort Sam Houston and Camp Wil- son. 600 CASES OF WHISKEY HAVE BEEN STOLEN From Warehou: at Girard, Aia— Placed There After Seizure. Girard, Ala,, Dec. 20.—Approximate- 1y 500 cases of whiskey, seized by state authorities_in ‘the prohibition raids here last May and June, have been stolen from a Girard warehouse sinca Nov. 1, according to a statemeat cf the county sheriff today. He leclared that the building had been withnit a guard since that date. Spitzmueller Failed to Form Cabinet. Vienna, via Berlin, Dec. 20, 5.30 p. m, to London, Dec. 21, 12.55 2. m— Alexander Spitzmueller’ has failed in his efforts to construct a new cabinet and the task has been turned ovar to Count Clam-Martiniz, former minister of agriculture, in whose cabinet Herr Spitzmueller will have the finance portfolio. Boy Killed by a “Jitney." New Haven, Conn., Dec. 20.—An- thony Festa, 15 years old, died toaght in a hospital as the result of injuries received when he was struck by a “Yitney” automobile driven by So.-ren ‘Bogigian. The latter was ordersd held by the coromer. Comparative Quiet on all War Fronts RUSSIA“S AND RUMANIANS HAVE TAKEN A STAND OPPOSING THE TEUTONS British Near Commecourt and Arras Have Carried Out Successful Raids Against On the Front in France the the German Trenches. Aside from the Rumanian theatre of war, Jittle fighting of moment is tak- ing ‘place on any of the numerous fronts. In the northern Dobrudja the Rus- sians and Rumanians bave faced about and are giving battle to the Teutonic allied forces which have been pursuing them. Just how strong the stand they are making is has not yet been made known, the German official com- munication announcing it merely say- ing that they have “again * offered fighting resistance.” Petrograd reports that attacks by the invaders near Par- lita, on the left bank of the Danube, were repulsed and says also that op- erations successful for the Russians and Rumanians are being carried out by scouting parties in the directlon of Rimnika-Buzdu. On the front in France the British near Gommecourt and Arras have car- ried out successful raids against Ger- man trenches and bombarded other hostile positions at Gommecourt and near Loos and Hulluch. The Germans, for their part, shelled the British line north of the Somme near Festubert and Ypres and south of the Somme bombarded the French at numerous points, the French replylng energeti- cally. Berlin reports the repulse of attacks nst the positions of the Teutonic allies in _the Cerna river bend region of Macedonia. In Galicia_southwest of Brody the Teutonic allies after a heavy bom- bardment of Russian trenches essaved an infantry attack, but were forced by the fire of the Russian guns_to seek their own trenches again. Pe- trograd_reports that the Russlans broke through barbed wire entangle- ments on the Bystritsa river sector Controversy Over | National Guard FORESHADOWED AT COMMITTEE HEARINGS OPPOSITION TO SCOTT Conclusions Drawn From Figures to Support the Contention That the Guard System Inefficient Are Questioned. Washington, Dec. 20.—Sharp_con- troversy in congress over the future of the national guard in the federal military system was foreshadowed to- day at hearings before committees o both the house and senate. L4 Gen. Scott Cross-examined. Major General Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of the army, encountered vis- orous cross examination by several members of the house military com- (Continued on P FOLKETHING RATIFIES SALE OF DANISH WEST INDIES The Vote Was 90 In Favor of and 16 Against Ratification. e Two) Copenhagen, via London, Dec. 20, 9:30 p. m.—After a_single reading the Folkething today adopted the bill rati- fying the treaty for the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States. The vote was 90 in favor of and 16 against ratification. Five mem- bers were absent. When the bill came up for discus- sion, fourteen members, of whom six were conservatives and eight of the Left party, joined in moving an amendment asking the government to negotiate with the United States to purchase only St. Thomas or St. John, while Denmark would retain the other two islands. This was rejected by 90 to 14, The proposal for the sale of three islands then adopted. The Landsthing, it is expected, will ratify the proposal tomorrow and thus the sale of the islands will be definitely settled. and compelled the Teutonic allies there to flee. The Austrians are again actively bombarding the Italian advanced po- sitions on the Carso front of the Aus- tro-Italian front. WHY SHIPPING OF GREAT BRITAIN IS TO BE NATIONALIZED To Mobilize Under Orie Head the En- tire Ocean Carrying Facilities. New York, Dec. 20.—A desire of the British government to mobilize under one general head the entire ocean car- go-carrying facilities of the United Kingdom for the exclusive benefit of the allied armies and the sreat civil- ian populations of the allied countries is the reason behind the statement of Premier Lloyd George that the shij ping _of Great Britain will be “na- tionalized,” according to leading Brit- ish shipping men here. For some time, onc of the repre tative steamship men said today, British vessels have had about one- third of their cargo space comman- deered for grain.: This space has re- cently been increased to such an ex- tent that now the New York agent has only one-third of his ship available to_private shippers The same authority expressed the belicf that under the proposed new regulations even more space would be controlled by the government by reg- ulations requiring that all cargo be officially designated. Designation of cargo will mean that the shipping in British bottoms of any commodity other than that mecessary for maintenance of army and civil life will be forbidden. OPPOSITION TO CONFIRMATION OF W. M. DANIELS By Progressive and Republican Sena- tors Has Been Revived. ‘Washington, Dec. 20.—Confirmation of Winthrop M. Daniels of New Jersey to suceed himself as a_member of the Interstate Commerce Commission was prevented in the senate today by a re- vival of opposition among progressive republican_senators who blocked con- firmation for two months when Mr. Daniels first was named for the com- mission in 1914. His present term ex- pires January 1 and congress adjourns tomorrow until January 2 for the holi- days. The re-nomination was favorably reported today by the commerce com- mittee. Opponents to confirmation base their rulings made by Mr. Daniels when he was public utilities commis- sioner of New Jersey but his friends expressed confidence that he ultimately would be confirmed. The senate today confirmed Edwin F. Sweet as assistant secretary of commerce. THEFT OF UNSET GEMS TO THE VALUE OF $1,650 By an Ostensible Customer From a Jewelry Store in Derby. Derby, Conn., Dec. 20.—An unidenti- fled man walked into Taylor and Gregory's jewelry store here tonight, said he wanted a diamond for a scarf pin and, when the clerk displayed a tray of unset gems valued at $1,650, the stranger helped himself and made a successful escape. Although several clerks started a quick chase the man disappeared and at a late hour he had not been located. It is believed he caught a train south. DUTCH STEAMER HELD UP BY A GERMAN SUBMARINE Solid Shot Fire Across Bow—Was Later Allowed to Proceed. Boston, Dec. 20.—The Dutch steam- ship Maartensdvk was held up 100 miles from Falmouth, Eng., on Dec. 4 by a German submarine, which fired a solid shot across her bow but later allowed the vessel to proceed, Captain Ryknik reported when his vessel arriv- ed here with a general cargo from Rotterdam today. ‘The submersible was of a new and larger ‘type, he said. She bore no number visible to Chief Officer Veldheer who went obaord with the Maartensdyk's papers. -|“that an HILLES SAYS REPUBLICAN PARTY LACKS A LEADER Urges Conference to Plan for Next Presidential Election. New York, Dec. 20.—Declaring that the republican party lacks a leader, Charles D. Hilles, former chairman of natiopal committee, urged at a_meet- ing of the™Republican elub hers to- night that a conference of men prom- inent in the party councils be held in Washington within a few months to plan for the next presidential cam- pagin. Other speakers urged the need of orzganization. Senator John W. Weeks of Massachusetts asserted a man of experience, trained in the party coun- cils, should be made national commit- teernan. He suggested that the vari- ous state chairmen meet and elect one of their number -to the chairmanship. Senator Weeks contended the present methods of conducting campaizns were both wasteful and ineficient. He pro- posed a return to “party machines.” William M. Calder, senator-slect from New York, expressea the opinion that if James R. Sheffield, president of the Republican club, could have ac- companied Charles E. Hughes on his western tour in the last campaign he would have kept the republican candi- date out of complications which were in a measure responsible for his de- teat. 100 PER CENT DIVIDEND BY YOUNGSTOWN TUBE CO. Recommended by Directors—To In- crease Capital Stock From $20,000,- 000 to $40,000,000. Youngstown, Ohio, Dec. 20.—Stock- holders of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube company will participate in an extra dividend, it was decided today by the directo 2 A 100 per cent. stock dividend was recommended _tox by the poard, which declared the usual quarterly dividends of 2 per cent. on the com- mon and 1 3-4 per cent. on the pre- ferred stock. That the recommendation will be ratified by the stockholders at the an- nual meeting February 13 is unques- tioned. The recommendation provides for the increasing of the capital stock from $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 and the 100 per ceat. declaration in the form of an extra stock dividend. ADDITIONAL LAND FORCES FOR GREAT BRITAIN House of Commons Passed a Resolu- tion Calling for a Million Men London, Dec. 20, 10:20 p. m.—The house of commons today passed a res- olution presented by the government additional number of land forces not exceeding one million shall be maintained at home and abroad.” It was explained that no question of policy was involved but that the co- lonial troops and forces of the crown exceed the four million already au- thorized and a vote was necessary in order to regularize the position. EXPLOSION OF STEAM PIPES ON OLD DOMINION LiNER. Three Negro Firemen and One W Man Killed Near Norfolk. Norfolk, Va., Dec. 20.—Thrze regro firemen were killed and one white man _seriously injured tonight by an explosion of steam pipes on the (1] Dominion liner Princess Ann3, en route from this” port to New Yo k. The explosion occurred in the nuter harbor and the ship was forced to return for repairs. Movements of Steamships Kirkwall, Dec. 18—Arrived: steam- ers Bergenstjord, New York for Ber- gen; United States, New York for Christiansand. Sailed: Kristianiania- fjord, (from Bremen) New York. Bordeaux, Dec. 18—Sailed: steamer Rochembeau, New York. New York, Dec. 20.—Signalled: iurday. steamer Philadelphia, Liverpool for New York, 1,116 miles east of Sandy Hook at 7 a. m.. Dock 8:30 a. m. Sat- Condensed Telegrams Abram Baudeuine, of New York, well known yachtsman, is dead. ‘The British government announced that it had fixed the price of home ‘wheat for next season. - President Wilson appointed Kim- brough Stone of Missouri, Federal Dis- tract Judge at St. Louis. The Gardner Storage Battery of Chiclgo, increased its capital stock from $450,000 to $1,000,000. Fire damaged the five-story ware- house of the Long Island Storage (‘q at Brooklyn, at a loss of $25,000. Fire damaged the Universal Mill of the Central Iron & Steel Works at Harrisburg, Pa., at a loss of $15,000. Dr. Walter J. Dodd, for many years in charge of x-ray work at the Mass- achusetts General Hospital, is dead. The Russian Government has placed orders for 50 additional large engines with the Canadian Locomotive Co. A_Congressional investigation into the high cost of paper will be urged immediately after the holiday recess.’ Gold to the amount of $6,500.000 ‘was deposited at the Philadelphia mint for the account of J. P. Morgan & Co. Fifty patients were rescued with difficulty from a fire which destroyed Cook's Hospital at Fairmont, W. Va. American manufacturers of rope anil twine have been notified of an in>rcase of three cents a pound in the ,rice ot sisal. Eugene Meyer, Jr., resigned as a di- rector and member of the executive Dboard of the Maxwell Motor Co. of New York. The Susana and Borinquen Steam- ship companies were incorporated at Albany, each with a capital stock of $1,000,000. Mrs. Ellen M. McClellan, mother of former Mayor George B. McClellan, New York City, left an estate valued at $83,717. Articles of incorporation were filed at Shreveport, La., for the Caddo Oil & Refining Co., with a capital stock of $10,000,000. Hawa to receive the first squad- ron of airplanes under the new defence act. Twenty-four machines will be the first allotment. The Senate confirméf the nomina- tion of Wm. F. Rolfe, to be United States Attorney for the Western Dis- trict of Wisconsin. Major Maxmillian von Grebe, form- erly of the Prussian army and jater an officer_in the Union army during the Civil War, is dead. » Two persons were injured when a southbound Madison Avenue car collid- ed with an eastbound crosstown car at 59th Street, New York. Thomas Gill of New York who was dismissed from the police force under Commissioner Waldo, was arrested on a charge of grand larceny. Fire destroyed the plant of the H. Pickford Co. manufacturers, of Newark, N. J, at a_loss estimated he- tween $50,000 and $75,000. Thaddeus A. Thompson, retiring min- ister to Colmobia, closed up his busi- ness with the State Department ard left for his home in Texas. The Association of Paris Theatre Managers notified the Government that if the proposed new tax on theatres is imposed all the theatres will be closed. re destroyed the Stout Furniture Co.s fatcory No. 1 and damaged the plant of the Interstate Public Serviee Electrical Co., at Salem, Ind., at a loss of $200,000. The Postal Telegraph Co. announced that messages to Europe by wireless via Sayville may again be accepted subject to indefinite delay and at sender’s risk. The Interstate Commerce Commi: sion held that joint rates over the Tex- as & New Orleans Railroad on yellow pine from points in Texas and Louisi- ana were unreasonable. The Boston fishing schooner John J. Fallon was condemned and ordered sold by the Admiralty Court at Hali- fax, N. S., for violations of the Ca- nadian fishery regulations. Elisha Swan Cornell, an aged cobbler, one of the heirs to the Hetty Green es- tate, was found dead at his repair bench in Minneapolis, Minn. He al- ready had received $1,000 from the es- tate. The Berlin Lokal Anzeiger announc- es the death of Major General Ernst von Zieten, commander of the seven- teenth reserve ision. General von Zieten died at Dantzig as the result of an operation. The 24-hour general strike called by labor organizations as a protest against the increased price of food has re- sulted in a complete tie-up of factories, stores and other lines of business throughout Spain. Miss Julia Duncan, a Stamford school teacher, died several hours after she had eaten of refreshments at a church social. The attending physiclan attributed death due to ptomaine poisoning. Col. George W. H. Mosely, chief of staff to Major General Chas. H. Clem- ent, of the Seventh Provisional Divi- sion, was ordered to report before the Senate Committee on Military Affairs in Washington on Friday. Flagman Wm. Herchendroder ana Conductor L. E. Johnston, of New York, were arrested, charged with neg- ligence in connection with the wreck of the New York-Winsted Express at Beacon Falls, Dec. 1. in which two men were killed. Secrtary of the Navy Daniels ap- pointed a board consisting of Admiral F. S. Fletcher, Commander F. H. Clark and Lieut. Commander Reuben Barkenruse to Investigate the Various Government armor plate plant sites suggested by the Naval General Board. 000 tons, the House naval committée was told by the engineering chiefs of the navy, and ony then because a greater ip could not pass throWgh the {50k of the Panama canal, T BETHLEHEM STEELDROPPED72 POINT Losses of Other Stocks Ranged From 5, 10 to 15 Peace Developments Were Given as Reason of Price Reces- | Approve Points in Continued Liquidation sions Which Wiped Out Most Gains of Recent Months— - Powerful Factor in Declining in Prices—Beneath Surface Conditions, the General News of the Day Indicated a Continuance of Prosperity—Money Was Easy and in Light Demand. New York, Dec. 20—Losses of 5, clients, the latter bel 10 and 15 points accompanied today's to strengthen impal; g in turn forced ‘margins or seil resenting a deciine of exactly 200 points from its maximum of the pre- vious month. Reverse in Shipping Stocks. Rails again proved the only notable further sweeping liquidation of stocks, | out. B with 72 points for Bethlehem Steel, Board Room Gessip. 4 which fell to 500, that quotation’rep-| Accordinz to board room gossip, 3§ 8 heaviest losses of the past week have been sustained by a group of western and southwestern operators, who took the market out of the hands of local professionals a few months ago. To- exception to the general reversal, | ay’s more extensive extreme reces- which took In virtually all war and |Sions, in addition to the setback in semi-war shares. Shipping stocks | Bethlehem Steel, were Mercantile Ma- rine 16 points, with 7 for the common; Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies 15; South Porto Rica Sugar 10, and Amer-~ ican Beet Sugar 6 1-2; Utah Copper 6 3-4; American Zinc 7: Central Lea- ther 6 3-8, Sloss-Sheffleld Steel 7, Cru- cible Steel 5 3-4, Lackawanna Steel 5 1-2, American Locomotive 4 3-4 and as much_for Pressed Steel Car. Prosperity to Continue. Despite these adverse surface eomi- ditions, general news of the day im= dicated a continuance of the long sus- tained prosperity, aside from reported. were most seriously affected by the notice served by England’s prime min- ister yesterday that it is intended to exercise supreme control over all ves- sels flying the British flag. Gains of Months Wiped Out. Peace developments were again made the ostensible weapon to bring about further price recessions, which not only effaced most sains of recent months, but sent some stocks down to levels of a year ago. Pressure by Professional Traders A more powerful factor was found, price however, in the tremendous pressure | PTice, SRBCeqSions In copper. ol exerted by professional traders, now-| genne FEst ofoATEeT OF xtra largely committed to the bear or short side of the market. This clique has operated extensively ever since Ger- many’s peace overtures became known Another powerful influence in the direction of lower prices was that wielded by leading financial interests, which continued to call loans and mark down all but seasoned stocks of- fered as collateral, to the increascd embarrassments of brokers and thel {added to by Westinghouse Els £ which increased the distribution on. the common stock from 6 to 7 per cent. - Money Was E 5 Money was again easy and in Aas! demand, with no alteration in foreign exchanges, such as may reasonably = be expected to foreshadow developments in the European- tion. SPEEDY TRAVELING IN . THE FROZEN NORTH From Nome to Valdez in Ten Days by Means of an “Aero” Sled. San Francisco, Dec. 20.—Scotty All- an, three times winner of the Alaskan sweepstakes with™® team of dogs, has GREAT BRITAIN MAY > REPLY BEFORE CHRISTMAS That Opinion Prevails in Government Circles About President Wilson's Peace Note. London, Dec. 20, 9:21 p. m.—There is a strong probability that Great Brit- ain’s note in reply to the German peace proposal will be made before Christ- mos. This was the opinion in well in- formed government crcles today, where it is also believed the reply will be brief and will likely follow the lines of Lloyd-George's speech as prime minister in so far as it will leave the door open for Germany to make con- crete proposals. Great Britain’s official reply to Ger- many, as prominent officials preferred to term it, will be despatched simul- taneously with that of her allies. Ever since the German note was handed to the foreign office by the American am- bassador it has been the subject of dis- cussions between Premier Lioyd George and his cabinet council, which meets daily. The note and the nature of the reply also have been discussed with Great Britain’s allies and it s stated that these conversations have pro- gressed so rapidly that preliminary drafts have already been mads It would therefore not be surprising if the allies replies were ready by the end of the week Especially, it is said, would this be true in the case of Great Britain's note, which the prime min- ister is declared to be anxious to des- patch without delay. has established 2 new record for speeding traveling in the frozen North by making the round trip from Nome to Valdez in little more than ten days by means of an “aero sled.” By dog teams the trip usually is made in about 80 days. The news of Allan's achievement became known here today with the arrival of Frank O’Connor, Nome agent of a steamship company. Allan took the dogs to France use in the battlefront in the Vosge mountains, and on his way back to Nome he purchased an engine and pro=~ pellor, which he installed on a sled, - After several trials he undertook the Nome-Valdez journey, about 1,100 miles. In the face of much skepticism. He started from Nome and 72 hours ° later he arrived in Valdez, and return- ing reached Nome on November 11. His machine is described as a com- bination hydroplane, airplane and sled with gasoline as the motive power. BANK ROBBERS GET $20,000 IN CURRENCY AND SILVER From the Oklahoma Bank Near Tulsa —Posses Pursuit. Tulsa, Okla., Dec. 20.—Robbers en- tered the Oklahoma National bank at Skiatook, near here today, blew opem the safe and escaped with $20,000 in currency and silver. The robbers had several hours’ start on posses for Tulsa and Skiatook, as telephone and telegraph wires leading into the town had been cut. . Skiatook is only five miles from the. Osage hills, for 40 vears the rendez- - vous of outlaws, and, officials believe the robbers are hiding there. . z PRICE OF MATCHES IS 2 TO BE INCREASED Diamond Company Advances Prices 10 Per Cent. E New York, Dec. 20.—A problem that is worrying the tobacco trade is the scarcity of matches. One of the large - chain store companies has posted si in its various establishments staf E DUTCH STEAMER BRINGS 750,000 QUARTS OF GIN Is in Port at Boston, but the Gin is Destined for Canada. Boston, Dec. 20.—Gin, three-quarters of a million quarts of it, was one of the principal items of cargo aboard the ~Dutch steamer Maartensdij which reached port today from Ro terdam. The gin was packed in 50,- 000 cases, which presented a rainbow effect, some being painted red, others blue, green, violet or some other color to facilitate handling. The zin is go- ing to Canada. The Maartensdijk is the first steam- er to bring cargo to Boston from Hol- land in six months. In addition to the gin she brought shipments of bulbs, plants, and_trees: 35,000 packages of herring and consignments of other merchandise. NIAGARA MEASURE PASSED IN THE SENATE that owing to the shortage of labor is_impossible to get matches. almost everything else, the price of matches has increased recently. Con= sequently, when a customer pur- chases a 5-cent cigar asks for free matches it is with a sigh that the re- tailer cuts his profit. The Diamond Match company last week announced an advance in prices of about 10 per - cent. With raw materials scarce and: labor high, the match trade faces &! gloomy situation that may not be re= lieved until after the war. % Resolution to Authorize In- crease in Amount of Water Diverted Washington, Dec. 20. -— Senator Wadsworth’s 'resolution to authorize an increase in the amount of water diverted from the Niagara Falls to increase the electric power output of plants on the merican side of the river was passed today by the senate. The measure aims to increase the Ameri- can power output to make up for the curtallment of power from the Cana- dian side which is being kept at home for munitions plants and other mii tary activities. The resolution has the approval of the war department and would pesmit until July 17 next the diversion of 20.000 cubic feet of water per second. The limit permitted now is 15,600. EXPORTS OF PAPER AND } PAPER MANUFACTURES Reach $40,000,000, Doubling of Any Previous Year. Washington, * Dec. 20.—Exports paper and paper manufactures thi year will reach $40,000,000, doubling those of any previous year, accos to Mfigures assembled today by skl bureau of foreign and domestic com=t - merce. Increasing exports, lishers charge, has been one increasing prices for nems pris News print paper e this have reached a total value of $3. 000, against $2,260,000 last year, half of it going to Latin ic The largest purchaser was. tina, which_took $905,000 worth; C was second with $365,000; third with $302,000, with wi OBITUARY. Clarke C. Fitts. —Clarke C. Brattleboro, Vt.. Dec. state attorney general, tts, former 3 died tonight after an illness of sev- eral weeks at the home of relatives In Watertown, Mass, according _to word received at his home here. Mr. Fitts was prominent in the organiza- tion of the Connecticut River Power company of which he was a dlrector.