Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, December 26, 1916, Page 1

VOL. LVIL—NO. 310 NORWICH 2o CONN. TUESDAY, very forty-nine men were lost. Paris, Dec. 25—Howard Burchard of Dartmouth and t B, in the American ambulance corps, hss Jjust died in the Argonne of . acute pneumonia. He contracted the disease while on ambulance service at the front. 3 NATHAN STRAUS TO HEAD AMERICAN-JEWISH CONGRESS Ground Was Yielded by Rumanians at Some Points " Under Pressure of Germans Elected Permanent Chairman as a Compromise Candidate. RUSSIANS LOST HEIGHTS NORTH BUZEU-RIMNR New York, Dec. 25.—After a heated meeting here tonight of the executive committee of 140 for an American- Jewish congress, Nathan Straus of thig city was elected permanent chair- man, as a compromise candidate. Washington was chosen as the place for the holding of the forthcoming Jewish congress. The date probably will not be later than May 1 next. At the meeting tonight, the first of the_executive committee thus far held, two factions, representing opposite views as to the purpose of the forth- coming congress, called for a vote on their strength. Several lively tilts occurred between the members when the nominating committee recommend- ed Adolph Kraus, grand master of the Independent Order B'Nai B'Rith, to be permanent chairman. A minority re- pert submitted by Cyrus L, Sulzberger of New York “deplored the fact that the committee had decided to nomi- nate as permanent chairman a man who is at the head of an international secret order.” The reading of this re- port caused an uproar in the hall. In the confusion Henry Morgenthau, for- er ambassador to Turkey, took the ir and implored the members to forget “petty differences.” Mr. Kraus, who gained the floor, de- nied that his organization is a secret one and added that the rituals had not bheen forwarded to the Russian and other governments. He suggested, however, that it would ‘be better for him and Louis Marshall, candidate of the faction opposed to Mr. Kraus, to step aside in the interest of harmony. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise then nominated Mr. Straus, whose election was made unanimous The committee divided on the ques- tion of placing the subject of con- structive relief for Jews abroad on the program of the congress. An amendment was carried which de- clared that it was “deemed advisable to place on the agenda of the con- gress the subject of the economic re- construction of the Jewish®communi- ties in the war zone.” In the Northwest Corner of Dobrudja Pl‘ovmce the Army of Field Marshal Von Mackensen Has Begun an Attack on the Bridgehead of Matchin—DBritish Mounted Troops, Aided by Aircraft, Have Inflicted & Heavy Loss on tse Turks Near El Arish—Russians Claim the Austro-Ger- mans Sustained Severe Losses in an Attempt to Capture Wooded Heights in the Carpathians—On Other Fronts the Men Were Entertained as Far as Conditions World Permit. the Russians admit the occupation of Tultcha. British mounted troops, with the co- operation of aircraft, carried a strong position at Maghdaba, twenty miles distant from El Arish, which was captured on Thursday. Incomplete reports, says the statement from Lon- don, show that 1,130 prisoners were captured and a large quantity of arms and war material taken. Heavy cas- valties were suffered by the Turks. The [Russians claim to pave inflicted heavy losses on the AuStro-Germans when the Jatter attempted to recapture heights occupied by the Russians on Sunday in the wooded Carpathians. Macedonia, except for an artillery struggle, is void of momentous activi- ty. The same is true generally of the Austro-Italian theatre. except for the Julian front, where even such opera- tions have been prevented by mrist. Two British destroyers have been sunk in a collision in the North sea. Fifty-five officers and men were lost. The third Christmas of the European war passed without much fighting on the British and French fronts, where virtually only.the artillery was active, and the men were feasted and enter- talned as far as was compatible with the sterner business of war. Rumania’s first Christmas as a par- ticipant in the war witnessed heavy fighting on the Rumanian front. Ground was yielded by the Rumanians at some points under the pressure of the Germans, and north of the Buzeu- Rimnik road a height was lost by the Russians. In the northwest corner of Dobrudja province, the sector to which the Russo-Rumanian retremt has taken them, the army of Field Marshal von Mackensen has begun to attack the bridgehead of Matchin, after Isakishe, on the eastern bank of the Danube, vas captured- In addition to an- nouncing the evacuation of Isakishe, THROB OF GOOD CHEER FOR MEN IN TRENCHES To All the British- Armies in the Bat- tle Lines of France OPERATING EXPENSES OF RAILROADS IN FRANCE increase in the Cost of Coaly Track Material and Rolling Stock. ‘KEEPER OF PENFIELD REEF LIGHTHOUSE DROWNED During the Gale on Long Island Sound Last Friday. With the British Armies in France, Dec. 25, via London, 6:45 p. m.—(From a Staff Correspondent of The Associat- de Press)—Christmas has sent a throb of good cheer to all the British armies in the battle lines of France, and wher- ever a British soldier ate his Christ- mas dinner today, whether in the front fire trenches or in the secluded secur- ity of the reserve camps, enthusiastic toasts were offered to King and Em- pire and to the coming year, which Britons confidently believe will bring victory to the allied cause. The soldiers from overseas, the Ca- nadians, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, drank wistfully to the folks at home, but soon shook away any tendency to homesickness in the sturdy work of war, for war, grim and determined, went forward today as relentlessly as yesterday and as it will tomorrow. The Christmas carols, which rose up from all parts of the world were not far enough this year to muffle the roar of angry guns or shut out the unceas- ing, song of flying shells. it was Christmas of bounteous plenty along the British front and the sol- diers in the field were joyously immune fro mthe three course dinners prescrib- ed for the British Isles. Each individ- ual company of vast army organza- tion had a jubilant Christmas spread and monetary, and the canteens nd elaborateness of the camp menus. The members of the various com- panies pooled their assets, both edible and monetary, and the teeens and samll French shops which persist and prosper in the war zone were called out for all their sweets and delicacies. Mess halls were splendidly decorated in man cases holy and mistletoe and land was reported sinking 1 paper flowers made by the ‘soldiers |tonight in latitude 39, longitude 67. themselves, most of the flowers being | wireless message picked up here said made into Christmas mottoes. The |that the engine room was rapidly being Young Men’s Christian Association and | flooded and asked that aid be sent nthelormluuons provided entertain- |ot the vessel immediately. menfs. The position given in the wireless Where conditions permitted, as|message is about sixty miles southeast many of the men as possible were re- |of Nantucket Shoals, or 360 miles east, lieved from front line duty for din- |southeast of New York. ner, steaming hot, was carried up| Two steamships named Maryland are through the communication trenhces, |listed in the maritime register. One some times under the pelting of shells, |of these ships is a British vessel of to the men held by duty at the outpos®s | 2,962 tons and the other s an Amercan of war. ship of 1892 tons. The latter was re- Some. of the men serving the big|ported last leaving Philadelphia De- guns chalked satiric greetings on the | cember 23rd for Liverpool or London. shells befor firing thm. “If it's a dud| The American steamship is owned by shell and doesn’t explode,” exclaimed a |the New York, Philadelphia and gnner, ‘Brother Boche can read{Norfolk Railroad company. The Brit- what we think of him.” ish vessel of that name is owned by L the Atlantic Transport Line. Later advices by wireless were to the effect that the sinking steamship ‘was about 150 miles from Sandy Hook. The coastwise steamer City of Savan- nah, reported about 75 miles from San- dy Hook, offered to go to the aid of the Maryland, provided there was no coast guard was available. i gl A DISTRESS WHISTLE OF UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. Caused Excitement in Bridgeport— Was for a Small_Fire. Paris, Dec. 25.—Increase in the cost of coal, track materlal and _rolling stock have added so to operating ex- penses of French railroads that not- withstdnding a considerable increase in receipts since 1914, they show a deficit of 715,000,000 francs for the two fiscal years following the outbreak of war. The principal lines spent two billion francs in_the year 1915-1916; they re- ceived 1,700,000. For the fiscal year 1916-1917, the anticipated outlay is 2,- 500,000,000. An increase of seventeen per cent. in receipts is expected, but this will stand to lave a deficit of 455,- 000000 for the year. An idea of what coal prices mean to the railroads is seen in the fact that the Paris-Lyons and Mediterranean lines spent 56,000,000 francs for coal in 1913 and 170,000,000 francs in 1916. Steel rails that cost 180 francs a ton before the war have gone up to 550 francs. Railroad ties cost 122 per cent. more, locomotives are 0 per cent. higher and are going on toward a 100 per cent. increase. while cars have gone up from 200 per cent. to 300 per cent. since 1913. ; The defiicit of the state railroads was 76 millions in 1914; it is estimated at 206 millions for the current fiscal year. M. Ribot, Minister of Finance .points out the necessity of increasing freight and passenger rates. Fairfleld, Conn., Dec. 25.—It <was learned here today that Frederick Jor- dan, keeper of Penfield Reef light- house, was drowned during the gale on Long Island sound last Friday aftei- noon. Jordan started to row to Black Rock harbor a little after noon on Friday after having been relieved by his as- sistant. A terrific gale set in shortly after 2 o'clock. Jordan did not reach the mainland and his boat was found overturned on the beach today. All day search by motor boats failed to find the body- Jordan was 38 years old and leaves a widow and two children, living in Black Rock. s The assistant, it was learned, saw Jordan’s boat swamped, and started to his assistance in another boat. The wind and the waves were so strong, however, that he was forced to turn back, and had a hard time reaching the light. Afterward he was unable to communicate with the shore. The Bridgeport harbor master and a light- house keeper from New York tried to each the light today in a tug, but were unable to do so because of the aves breaking over the reef. They got what faces they could from the assistant by using megaphones while the tug bobbed up and down in the seas, and then steered hastily away frcm the danger zone. STEAMSHIP MARYLAND REPORTED TO BE SINKING KING GEORGE'S GREETING TO LAND AND SEA FORCES. Hearty Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year, gine Room Was Being Flooded. New York, Dec. 25.—The steamship London, Dec. 25, 8.20 p. m.—The king has sent to the British land and sea forces the following Christmas greeting: “I send you, my sailors and soldiers, bearty good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. My grateful thoughts are ever with vou for vie- tories gained, for hardships endured, and for your unfailing cheeriness. An- other Christmas has come round and we are still at war. But this empire, confident in you, remains determined to win. May God bless and protect el ; The king has sent the following to the sick and wounded: “At this Christmas tide the queen and I ar ethinking more than ever of the sick and wounded among my sail- ors and soldiers. From our hearts we wish them strength to bear their suf- fering, speedy restoration to health, a peaceful Christmas, and many happier years to come.” TRAFFIC IN NEW YORK INCREASES 100,000,000 ANNUALLY More Than. 225 Miles of Subway and Elevated Lines Being Built. WOMEN’S CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH RELIEF FUNDS. “A Life for a Life” is the Slogan They Have Adopted. New York, Dec. 25.—“A life for a life” is the slogan, it was announced tonight, of the women’s proclamation committee in its campaign to assist other organiaztions in raising $10,000,- 000 before the end of 1917 for the re- lief of Jews suffering from the war. ‘The interpretation of the ery, it was said, was that prosperous, protected lives in America shall save pauperized, persecuted lives in Europe and Asia. Specifically, the women’s committee appealed to every Jewish woman in America to save a life threatened in any way by the war. New York, Dec. 25.—Subway, elevat- ed railway and surface traffic in: New York i3 increasing at the rate of more than 100,000,000 annually, according to an estimate of the public service com- mission made public today. More than 325 miles additional of subway end elevated lines are being built. In 1872, it is pointed out, a total of 138,722,196 passengers were carried, or 147 rides during the year for each person in the city. This year to date 1.201,067,709, or 332 rides for each per- EGn, is the record. In Noyember the subway lines alone carried an average of 1,199,623 passengers a day and the elevated rodds carried 1,014,883, ‘Bridgeport, Conn., Dec, 25.—The dis- tress whistle of the Union Metallic Cartridge company, shrilling out on the quiet Christmas air, caused gen- eral excitement throughout the city this afternoon. The thousands of em- ployes recognized the whistle and in- stantly figured that the plant was on fire. In the section near the factories e panic ensued, caused by fear of ex- plosions, though in calmer moments it is generally understood that but small quantities of explosives are in the works at any one time. The whis-, tle was for a fire, but only a small one —a, car of rubbish that had been standing in the yard since Saturday had burst into flame. The fire was Presents for Children of Berlin. Berlin, Dec. 25 (By Wireless to Say- ville).—The gAmerican chamber of cemmerce in Berlin, says the Overseas News agency, presents upon one thousand children of -ambassador, Movements of Steamship. New York, Dec. 25.—Sailed: steam- er La Touraine, Bordeaux. g S ‘Movements of Steamsh ?gg“n. W O!tlnmmw the facto wdepa:—v I!New York, Doc.m Bs.xmvfifl' . ment le damage, ng be- eamé? Rome, Marseilles, Pro Horrible Murders al Mi‘_fl@_‘én, La. FATHER‘, MOTHER AND SON FOULLY KILLED THREE BOYS F.SC,APEW Alarm Given by Seven Year Old Boy Who Was Greeted by Ghastly Sight When He Descended From Attic to See His Christmas Presents. Minden, La., Dec. 25.—Neighbors summoned by a half dressed boy of 7 ran to the home of John N. Reeves near here early today to find that mur- derers had turned the house into a slaughter pen. Reeves and his wife were dead, the mans’ skull crushed by an axe and the woman with a bullet hole through her head. An 11 year old boy, still clutching in his arms his 15 months’ old brother, and another of 5 were battered and chopped from axe strokes. The children were taken to a hospital at Shreveport, where the old- est died. Their brother who gave the alarm escaped because he was sleep- ing in the attic. He had come down early in the morning to look for his Christmas presents when he saw what sent him flying terror stricken to the netx farmhouse. A tool chest in which Reeves is said to have boasted that he kept $4,000 was found broken up, near a table on which the parents had placed an ar- ray of simple presents before retiring Christmas eve. Posses searched all through the day for the murderers. Tonight three heavily shackled negroes were brought to the Hinden jail. What evidence there is against them has not been disclosed- FIRE STARTED AMONG CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS Two Men Burned to Death in Brook- lyn—Others Seriously Burned. New York, Dec. 25.—Oliver K. Buck- ley, 80 years old, and his cousin, Frank H. Welch, 58 years old, were burned to death tonight in Buckley’s home in Brooklyn in a fire which siarted among decorations for a Christmas celebration in the parlor of the house. Mrs. Buckley, who was severely burned about the face and hands, ‘was carried safely to the street by her aged husband, who later lost his life in attempting to rescue a pet dog. Two other women, one of whom was the wife of Welch, were trapped by the flames on the second floor and were rescued from a window by fire- men on ladders. Welch's body was found in“‘a_ hallway cn thLcs, Sécond foor, where he apparently had gone in ar._effort to reach his wife and her companion. Oliver K. Buckley, Jr., who arrived shertly ~after the fire started, with several others invited to the Christmas party, found his fa- ther's body beside that of the pet dog in a room on the second floo SEVERED EAR RESULT . OF CARD GAME DISPUTE Williams Burns of Bridgeport Carried It to Hospital in His Hand. Bridgeport, Conn, Dec. 25.—Carry- ing his severed right ear in his hand, William Burns, 25 years old, called at the Emergency hospital here at an early hour today and had it sewed back on his head. The surgeon was doubtful whether the operation would be successful because the ear was cold when Burns brought it in. Burns told the police that the ear was cut off by Charles Barger about the same age, in a dispute over a card game. Burger was arrested. CARDINAL GIBBONS ACCEPTS =~ HONORABLE CHAIRMANSHIP Of Maryland Committee’ For Relief of Poland’s War Victims. Baltimore, Md., Dec. 25.—Cardinal Gibbons has accepted the honorary chairmanship of the Maryland Com- mittee for the Relief of Poland’s war victims. He expressed keen sympa- hy for the work and said he would assist in every way possible. The cardizal said a woman who re- cently had heen in the ravaged sec- tiens of Poland told him that virtual- Iy all children under 7 years had per- ished for want of food or shelter. 466 MARINES HOME FROM SAN DOMINGO AND HAITI Including 29 Officers and Privates Wounded or HI. Philadelphia, Dec. 25.—With 466 ma- rines of the Haitien expeditionary force aboard, including 29 officers and privates, wounded or ill,- the United States transport Hancock reached here today from San Domingo and Hail Among the injured, although not seri ousely hurt, was Major J. A. Hughes, U. S. M. C, who was hit by a sniper's bull The Hancock will return to Haiti*within a week. . RUSSIAN COMMENT ON PRESIDENT WILSON'S NOTE Sentiment is That Commercial Inter- ests Will Predominate Over Military. Petrograd, via London, Dec. 26, i2.25 a. m.—M. Shingaroff, chalrman of the defense committee of the Russian du- ma, in commenting on President Wil- son’s note to the European belligerents, said § “The commercial interests of Amer- ica will predominate over any move by the military. America’s adherence to one or the other of the belligerents Is very probable, especially to Ger- many, which would result in compli- cations between America and Japan. TOWNS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA IN DARKNESS \ Due to a Break in the Power L. Crossing the White Mountains. Tonopah, Nev., Dec. 2! -Every town in southern Nevada which depends upon electricity for lighting has been dark since - Sun due to a break in the power lines ossing the White mountains. Railroad Earning Reflect Prosperity MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLAR NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR - w EAST GETS THE CREAM For Every Mile of Road Operated in This Country the Railroads Will Re- ceive Approximately $15,655, There Are Rbout 230,500 Miles. and Washington, Dec. 25.—More than one billion dollars net income -from cper- ations wac made by the railroads of the country during the year now clos- ing. The huge total is the peak of prosperity in raflroad operations and stands more than one-third higher than the total of 1913, hitherto the banner year. Statistics Gathered. Statistics gathered by the Iuter- state Commerce commission, camnplete for nine months and made the basis for calculations for the entire.year, indi- cate that the total net income from operations will be approximately $1,- 098,000,000. For the first nine months of the year complete -returns show 785,558,266. Even this does not repre- sent the full amount, as roads vrhose income is less than $1,000,000 are not included. The estimate $1,098,000,000, is re- garded by officials as conservative. It makes no allowance for normal in- (Continued on Page Six) MEMORIAL TRIBUTE FOR INEZ MILHOLLAND BOISSEVAIN Women from Many States Attend Ser- vices in Memory of Young Suffragist. ‘Washington, Dec. 25.—Memorial ser- vices for a woman suffragist were held in_the capitol today for the first time. Members of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage gathered in Statuary hall, by permission of Speak- er Clark, to.pay tribute to the late Inez Milholland Boissevain, and such a crowd tried to join them that the police had to bar the entrances. The hall and entrances were packed before the program ended. Forming in the house office building, the suffragette leaders, with girls car- rying banners of suffrage colors, and choir boys, led by Miss Alice Paul, nztional chairman of the Congressional union, marched across to the capitol. Miss Paul bore a banner that Miss Milholland carried as a girl in 1910 in the first suffrage parade held in this country. Close behind Miss Paul ‘came—Miss 'y Burns of Brooklyn, with banner inscribed: “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” Five speakers, Senator Sutherland of Utah, Miss Anne Martin of Nevada, Rowland B. Mahaney of New York, and Miss Maud Younger and Mrs. William Kent of California, delivered addresses. In a resolution unanimous- ly adopted, President Wilson as uirged to act for universal suffrage “so that by her death Inez Milholland Boissevain shall have delivered from the sacrifice of life her country- women.” As the-audience was filing from the hall to the strains of the “Marseillaise” at the conclusion of the services a spectator began singing the song loud- ly in French. His booming voice reverberated through the deserted cap- itol corridors until the last note had been sounded by the orchestra. FERVENT CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IN ALSACE Ev ry Village Chyrch and Chape! Fill- ed For Midnight Masses. Alsace, via Chantilly, Dec. 25.(From a Staff Correspondent of The Asso- ciated Press.)—Never tory of Alsace, reconqguered by the French, has Christmas been celebrated with such fervor and hopefulness as this year. Every village church and chapel was filled to overflowing for midnight masses—services at which ithe clergy in some instances offered public prayers that the national coun- sellors might be guided aright in con- sidering the situation. The religious exercises were pre- ccded and followed by Sabbath schoo! and family gatherings around Cahrist- mas treés, which local custom this year carried out apparently with a feeling of growing securitiy i1n the changed form of government. The Associated Prehs correspondent attend- ed many of the these public-and pri- ¥ete functions during the day and night and found everywhere the high- est_expression of confidence in the fu- tare. The correspondent also visited a long section of front line trenches and cantonments behind the lines. In every company, battery and detachment the commanding officer acted as ¥ather | Christmas toward the men, each of whom received some simple gift. DR. ARTHUR WAITE HAD SECRETED BOTTLE OF POISON In His Brother’s Home Shortly Be- for the Former’s Arrest. New York, Dec. 2! That Dr. Arthur Waite, awaiting execution in Sing Sing prison for the murder of his wealthy father-in-law, John E. Peck of Grand Rapids, had confessed to his brother, Frank Waits, that he had secreted a bottle containing poison in Frank ‘Waite’s home shortly berofe his ar- rest was disclosed in a statement is- sued here tonight by the condemned man’s brothers. Dr. Waite is quoted as sayinz that he brought this poison with him sev- eral years ago from South Africa, where he had been employed by a den- tal supply concern. If he had used the South Africa poison instead of pur- chasing a quantity of the poison from lccal dealers to kill Mr. Peck., Frank Waite asserts that the authorities here probably would not have been able to trace the crime to Dr. Walte. This gversight, the brother contends, is of itself proof that Dr. Waite is not the confirmed criminal he has been described but that he is insane. Frank Waite asserted ‘would be presented to the court of ap- peals in an effort to. obtain a new trial for Dr. Waite. B P i g b A g ception to the sacred college. Thousands of l‘nuokn ,o{)‘ first ;:m and parcel post mail are blockaded ‘n the railroad terminals at Chicago. The Norweg n‘ steamer Kronstadt, which grounded off Cape Henry, got off uninjured and came in the caeps. The .l::o“'-al l’ruwor t“;l (?:hrmued y's peace pro) s is n]!:s n. , ac- ¢ it Parisien. <ording to th Count: Czernin von Chudenitz has succeeded Baron von Burian as Aus- tro-Hungarian foriegn-minister. A Reuter’s despatch from Jassy, dated Dec. 22, says that the Rumaniin parliament was opened there on that day by King Ferdinand. Sinking of the British steamer Lar- iston was reported to the State De- partment from London. Neither place, time nor manner was given. The Portuguese cabinet has decided to create a war committee and a pub- lic ‘economy committee. Both bodies will have extensive powers. Forty-five hundred employes of four Cleveland manufacturing concerns received Chirstmas gifts of life insur- ance policies totaling $4,750,000. It w announced that a $10,000 bonus would be distributed at the George A. Kunhardt mill among fifty- tive salaried employes next week. Christian Liberum, an aged resident of McKeesport, Pa., was released from jail at Pittsburg after strving almost three years for contempt of court. The Winsted Hosiery company, in- cluding 500 hands, announces that commencing Jan. 1 a 10 per cent. in- crease in wages will become effective. The pinmakers at the New England Pin company, Winsted, will be granted a 10 per cent. wage increase at the beginning of the new year. Governor Arnutfo Gonzales of the State of Chihuahua, reached Juarez on a special train and went into confer- ence with General Francisco Gonzales. Vice President and Mrs. Marshall reached Phoenix Monday morning to spend the holidays at their desert bungalow 14 miles from. Phoenix, Ariz. The news service from Berlin con- tains a_ statement that ordinary mail to the United States can shortly be forwarded by commercial submarines. The Associated Press is advised by its London ofiice that all shipping re- Dor(ee. except aniouncamibnte of o) ualties are discontinued by an official order. Holiday traffic congestion in the St Louis terminals were partly relieved with three times the usual number of men employd at handling baggage and ‘mails. T The America, the large 20,000 flying vacht of the America Trans-Oceanic company, was wrecked at its hangar at Port Washington, L. I, in a seventy- mile gale. Lewis G. Holt, treasurer of the Lawrence Ice Company of Lawrence, Mass., civil war veteran, and former city official, died of pneumonia yes- terday, aged 77. The Spanish steamship Marques de Urquijo has been sunk by a German submarine, says an announcement by Lloyd’s shipping agency. The crew of the vessel was landed. H. R. Deighton Simpson, son of Hen- ‘W. Simpson of New York was acci- dentally killed while flying in England on December 19. He was a lieutenant iin the British flying corps. The London Daily News says that owing to the increased submarine menace the government war risk in- surance rate per voyage for British vessels to 40 shillings per cent. The French minister of commerce has_introduced a bill empowering the agricultural department to put into cultivation all unoccupied land. This is in line with similar action taken in England. The Adams Express Company has announced that additional monthly pay to employes already made and to be made in lieu of a contingent bonus will increase its annual wage schedule by $1,000,000. A Copenhagen despatch to Reut- er’s says that the orth German TJdovd liner Prinze Friedrich Wilhelm which was stranded near the Danish Island of Samsoe was floated on Fri- day evening. The Amsterdam Tijd expects that other neutrals and the Holy See will join or support President Wilson's ef- fort. It says that the Pope is already unobtrusively making ample prepara- tions for such a step. Emperor William will give special audiences on Tuesday to James W. Gerard, the American ambassador, and to the Swiss minister, Dr. A. De Cla- parede, says an Amsterdam despatch to the Exchange Telegraph company. Sir Ernest Shackleton the explorer sailed from Port Chalmers for the Antarctic on board his auxiliary ship, the Aurora, in an effort to rescue the members of his Antarctic _expedition marooned near the Ross Barrier. The American steamship ' Kansan, recently reported to have been damag- ed by striking a mine, has been beach- ed in the St. Nazaire roads, as she was drawing too much water to enter the docks. Her cargo will be lightered. this svidpu‘. - The statement of the actual condi- tion of clearing house banks and trust j- companies for the week shows that they hold $90,864,260 reserve in reserve in excess of legal requirements. This is a decrease of $4,383,060 from last week. The professional goifers’ association will not protest against the addition by the United States Golf Association of- ficlals of two courses to the list of those from which will be selected the course for the national open golf championship in 1917. Frank J. Gould, says the Paris Her- ald, has just given $100,000 for the re- building of the English Protestant church at Maisons-Lafitte, where there is .an important -American ‘colony, mostly interested in thorough- bred racing stables. G&dl}heerfqr s Troops in Mexico PRESENTS FOR ALL, FROM MULE DRIVER TO MAJOR GENERAL 285TH DAY IN MEXICO At Every Water Hole and P: Where ‘Soldiers Are Stationed Gifts Were Distributed—Elaborate Celebration at Field Headquarters. Field Headquarters, American Expe- dition, In Mexico, Dec. 25, via Wire- less to Columbus, N. M.—Every man in the punitive expedition from muie driver to major general, received a present todzy, the z35th day the troops have spent in sexico. The folks “at home” forgot nobody. Gifts at Every Water Hole. At every lonely water hole and pass where troops were stationed gifts were, presented and the day observed in true noiday style. More than ten thousand packages were distributed, their value averaging, according to the Christmas committee, between two and three dollars each. Celebration at Field Headquarters. It was at field headquarters, where the greatest number of troops are en- camped that the most elaborate cele- brations were heid from early morning when the bands played carols, instead of the bugles sounding reveille, until taps, when the throng about the Christmas tree ‘began to break up. Athletic Events. The daylight programme was given over to athletic events and the troops treed from ordinary duties since Sat- urday gathered to witness the poio and football games, the piny express, slow mule and shoe races andd the scramble for an agile, greased pig. Dinner, which the cooks had been preparing for days, was a feast not to be regaraed lightly. Christmas Tree Towered 60 Feet. Around the Christmas tree, which towered sixty feet, the climax of the celebration took pluce shortly before 7 p. m. tonight. the various organi- zations marched to assigned piaces some distance trom tHe tree to be in readiness for a signal that would sum- mon them to their stations around the huge cone of green. There was scarce- Iy a sound save low voiced commands as the thousands of khaki-clad men awaited the signal. Except for the stars that seemed fairly to snap in a clear sky, no gleam of light brightened the camp. “Star of Bethlehem.” Suddenly there was a dull boom, a stream of spark and the camp was il- luminated by a huge ball of fire which seemed to 1all from the sky, while the trench flare blazed its way toward carth. The regiments marched to points around ‘“Che Star of Bethlehem” that surrounded the tree. When all had reached their posts, the flare faded and the tree itself sprang into light , its branches dotted with hundreds of in- candescent lamps and the American flag waving twenty feet above the top- most branch illuminated by rays from (Continued on Page Six) DUST SMOTHERED GREAT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION At Ficld Headquarters of American Puntive Expedition in Mexico Feld Headquarters, Punitive Expe- dton in Mexico, Dec. 25.—Dust smoth- ered the great Christmas celebration at the field headquarters of the American punitive expedition. A terrific gale from the west drove officers into ther quarters and soldiers into their little shelters, gasping for breath. Swirling down the chimneys of ‘the adobe shacks, it sent the occupants into the open air until the fires in the grates could be extinguished, the smoke cleared out and the shelters recon- strycted. Trees Were Uprooted. Trees were uprooted, adobe housec and officers quarters unroofed and kitchen fires blown out. Because of the games every man was not on guard was allowed to seek shelter from the dust. Oderlies, sent out with messages, became lost in the limts of the camp and took an hour to walk a thousand yards. Travel without dust goggles was impossible. Hundreds of Men Hurt. Hundreds of men are hurt, who, not realizing the force of the wind, ven- tured into the open only to see their headgear swept away over the Mesa. The quarters camp appeared as a great blur. Sunlight Could Not Pierce Dust. Although the day was cloudless, hard- Iy a ray of sunlight pierced the open- ing dust. Most of the offices were lighted by gasoline and lanterns. Bands Heard Only in Snatches. The wind rose Christmas eve and in- creased ‘in violence steadily. By day- light, the music of the bands, which played carols instead of buglers sound- ing reveille, was heard only in snatch- es. General John J. Pershing Adirected the effort of a score of oderlies to save his living quarters from being blown away. It was impossible to see more than three feet in any direction for hours at a time. Two artillerymen were in- jured by falling adobe walls, one had leg broken, the other a hip. OBITUARY. Rev. George Lawrence, Mass., George E. Lovejoy, former in-chief of the Grand v chaplain- Army, died af his home here today. He has beer paster of the South Congregationa church in this city since 1903. Max Lustig. Bridgeport, Conn., Dec. 25. — Max Lustig, one of the merchants iongest in business in this ci died at his hcme here today after a sickness ot several months. He was born in Strassburg, Germany, 64 years ago. Coming to this coun in 1876 he was in business’for short periods in. New Britain and Winsted, and then started a millinery house here. ‘His wife and one son and one dau ter survive him. ghe