Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, December 26, 1917, Page 1

© Balletin VOL. TEN PAGES—70 COLS. PRICE TWO CENTS INTERNAL STRIFE IS SPREADING INRUSSIA ——— Negotiations Beiween the Bolsheviki and the Central Powers Are Not Progressing Smoothly THE BOLSHEVIKI ARE SAID TO BE INCENSED Because the Germans Have Refused Permission to Some of Their Sccialist Leaders to Go to Stockholm for Another Inter-Socialistic Discussion — Increased Artillery Ac- tivity in the Region of Verdun by Germans is Keeping the French Busy—The Italians Announce They Have Recaptured the Positions Asiago Plateau. — Ctvll, war In Russia seeams to be spreading. The negotiations between the Bolsheviki and the central powers apparently are not proceeding smooth- ly. Time gained by the Germans in the negotiations would mean so much more time for the shiftinz of troops, now being carried out with the great speed” possible. The Germans have refused to some of their socialist leaders permission to zo to Stockholm on another inter- socialistic discussion. The Bolshe- viki are reported to be incensed over this decision and, in the opinion of the Bolsheviki leaders. the German official delegation should go to Stock- holm instead. Increased cannonading glon of Verdun, especiaily Douaumont, the Chaume Wooad and the Caurieres Wood, which a year ago were the theatres of some of the fiercest encounters in the war, indi- cates apparently the intention of the rmans to keep the French forces in sector well occupied or might even mean a renewed effort to break through at this vital point. The allies, however, are evidently making ready for any untoward event and have taken the ini ive in other directions. A British air squadron kas_successfully bombarded the city of Mannseim, the great Rhine com- mercial center and one of the most important bases for the revictualling of the Germans on the western front. the re- in 1y around They Recently Lost on the Numerous fires were started in this city, a ton of bombs being dropped. The British squadron had numerous combats with German airplanes in this expedition, and one of the British machines was forced to make a land- ing. In Ttaly the battle Is still raging on the Piave front. The Italians an- nounce that they have recaptured, de spite stubborn resistance, the posi- tions they had lost the:previous day on the Asiago plateau. Berlin reports, however, tend to minimize the set- back and lay stress on the repulse of Italian counter attacks against the posiions newly won by the Germans and a thrust at Monte Pertica, The Gernfans report the cabture of 9,000 Italians in engagements around Col Del Rosso. True to their tactics, the Austro- Germans will probably direct another and greater thrust at a different point, as would appear from the shift- ing of large forces to the Franzela valley and the mountainous region to the north. The menace to Venice =eems, however. to have been removed for the time being. The Associated Press correspond- ent at Italian headquarters in north- ern Italy reports most unusual wea- ther ‘conditions in this war theatre, with little snow ‘and_exceedingly mild temperatures—conditions which are freatly aiding the Austro-Germans in their operations, the shifting of troops and the forwarding of supplies. LUFBERY'S HOME TOWN SENDS HIM MESSAGE Wa of the Li rgford Proud. of Ac fayette Escadrille. Wallinzford, Cen Tbbfl:. 25.—An ex- pression of prid¢ and good wishes of bis home town was oxpressed in a ci blegram sent today from here to M; jor Raoul Lufbery, /ace of the La- Tayette escadrille. fighting for France. The message reads: “In behalf of th¢ people of the bo ough of Wallinzfgrd I hasten to con- gratulate vou on 'vour appointment as majof which Ydu so richly deserve and to extend tp you greetings of the season. Hopine that the war may soon end with ‘the right of each man &nd each natfon to life, liberty and pursuit kappiness secure through the her effort of yourself and the other brave men who are fizhting our Fattle. may God bless and protect you i= the wish of vour townspeople and ©f all the peonla in the United States. “JOHN E. MARTI “Warden of the Borough of Walling- ford.” 1K BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. GOOoD country have of war savings ©.000 worth of thrift 15 fizures received ton today by Frederick rector for New York city. banks T 2 taken 749 000 tes and Philadel- York is third. In mps New York'is leading cvery - " r_city 95 hav- Sug been dist ied while Cleveland 18 second —ith 57,000 and Boston third with 31 stamps. from W W. Alen the sale of thri®: DISPUTE AT CHRISTMAS DINNER RESULTED FATALLY. Tony Verri~> Kitled by His Daughters Suitor in Rochester, N. Y. Rochéster, Y.. Dec. 25.—In a dis- pute that arose after a Christmas din- wer early th evening Tony Verrino shot and antly killed Gaetano Tu- rane at = house he had dined. In half an hour after the crime had been committer Detective Captain Whaley, whe had been notified of the dispute before the shooting occurred, had cap- tured ti~e murderer after a long chage. Turane objected to Verrino’s insist- ence in paying attentions to his daugh- ter. SHOCTIYG AFFRAY AT NORTH. ADAMS, MASS. Luigi Bertano of Springfield Killed by bis Brothér-in-Law. North Adams. Mass. Dec. 25.—Luigi Bertano of Sprissfield was shot and killed at the home of his brother-in- law, John Donofrio, here today. Dono- frio’ disappeared after the shooting. Accordinz to the police Bertano's wife and children have been living Wwith her brother for two years and ‘when' Bertano arrived for a Christmas visit he _was taken to task for his al- Jesed fallure to support his, family, and | ihe shooting folowed..” " © Fire’at Bowie Race Track. = . Powie, 4\L_N; Dec, 25.—~A fire, the ‘origin ‘of; which -is unkhown, and the * second £6-visit the Bowie race track it& &onstruction, -destroyed Sta- A Of 4% mallssat 6.30 o'clock to- jght & There- was.nb loss of life or ‘herses. The total loss CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES b TO BE RESUMED TODAY Military Supplies, Fuol Shortage and “the Railway Situation. ‘Washington, Dee. 25.—Congressional investigations of war operations. will resume full swing tomorrow after a short Christmas recess, although con- gress itself does not reconvene until January 3rd. In the war inquiry of the senate mil- itary committee, Major General Sharpe, quartermaster-general, tomorrow will resume his testimony regarding cloth- ing® and other army supplies, health, sanitation, transportation and can- tonment questions. Three cantonment commanders who recently returned from abroad may _ follow General Sharpe, whose further examination is expected to consume most of this week. Secretary Baker, who may make 4 definite statement of mili- tary policy, is not expected to appear before the committee for some time. Investigation of the fuel shortage will be begun tomorrow by the senate man- uracturers’ committee, postponing un- til ¥riday its further inquiry into.the sugar shortage. Fuel Administrator Garfield will be the first witness to- morrow and Food Administrator Hoo: er is promised an opportunity Froday to get in with his statement regarding the sugar situation, which he vainly endeavored. to place before the com- mittee last week and which was made public tonight at the White House. Members of the shipping board and cfficers of the Emergency Fleet Cor- poration will be further examined. to- morrow afternoon in the shipbuilding Inquiry of the senate commerce com- mittee, which hopes to complete its work before congress reassembles. Plans for the railroad inquiry of the senate interstate commerce com- mittee ars unsettled, owing to the sud- en death of Chairman Newlands and President Wilson’s conference Thurs- day with rallroad managers and the brotherhood chiefs. The commit- tee's meeting, planned for tomorrow is to be postpened out of respect to Sen- ator Newlands and hearings probably will not be held until after the presi- dent delivers an address on railroad problems after the return of congress. FAIR AND COLD ON 2 BRITISH BATTLE FRONT. Celebrations—No" Fra- ternizing With Germans. British Army _Headquarters in France, Dec. 25—(By The Associatod Press).—Christmas day was bright and cold on. the .battle front, but. there srere no demonstrative celebrations. Also, there was no fraternizing with the Germans, as happened on the first and even on the second Christmas of the war. The German methods of warfare have wholly destroyed any tendencies. of that sort among the Britons. The British guns have been active during the last few days. Yesterday they achieved considerable concentra- tion on the enemy infantry in - the reighborhood of Becelaere and in- flicted many casualties. POPE RECEIVED MEMBERS OF THE SACRED COLLEGE Renew His Recommendations- for In- cessant Prayers for Peace. Rome, Monday, Dec. 24.—Pope Ben- edict_today received ‘the members of the Sacred College for an exchange of Christmas greetings. In_answer to an address delivered by Cardinal Vincent Vannutelli, dean of the col- lege. The pope renewed his recom- mendations for incessant prayers for peace. The holy father expressed hope for a brighter future-and rejoiced at the - lfberation of Jerusalem. - - - Chinese n American. Peking, Def ilbert Reid, an American accused of being a pro- German propagandist and sympathiz- er, has been deported to Manila at the request of the Chinese govern- ment. 3 Trans-Siberian Railway Severed. Peking, Dec. 25.—The trans-Siber- jan railway has been severed near Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, where the Bolsheviki have destroyed the locomo- tive sheds and _worksh Heavy zhting. between Bolshevik forces and supporters of the original revolution= ary party is occurring in many places in” Siberia. AMERICAN MAIL CARRIER KILLED BY MEXICANS. Two Mexican Passengers Are Said to Have Been Shot. 2 El Paso, Tex., Dec. 25.—Michey Welch, an American driver of a mail stage, was hanged and his throat cut early today by Mexicans who crossed the line, raided the border town Can- delaria, and held up the mail stage. After killing the driver, the raidery looted the mail sacks. The body Of Welch was taken to Valentine, Tex., according to a telegram received here tonight. 5 Two Mexican passengers in the mail stage were reported to have been shot. United States cavalry, Texas Ran- sers and United States postoffice in- ectors are on the trail of the bandits, who were believed to have doubled back to Mexico. Cavalry detachments were despatched from Valentine, Marfa and other outpost points. The raiders, believed to be a part of Chico Cano’s band of cattle thieves, crossed the Rio Grande at Sunrise, rear Candelaria, 18 miles southeast of Valentine, Tex. They raided the store of L. C. Brite, a_wealthy merchant and rancher in the Big Bend district, tak- ing supplies and driving off valuable saddle stock. The raiders, all mounted, then swept in a semi-circle northwest from Can- delaria, overtaking the automobile mail coach, which was leaving Candelaria for Valentine to bring back the Christmas mail. Welch was fired upon as he attempt- ed to escape. He was overtaken, or- dered from the stage and hanged, ac- cording to the report received here. TO HAVE NATION-WIDE WAR EMERGENCY FOOD SURVEY. Schedules Mailed to Every Food Dealer and Manufacturer. = Washington, Dec. 25—Plans for making the nation-wide war emergen- cy food survey are well under way, the bureau of markets announced to- Gay, schedules having been mailed to every food dealer, manufacturer and ;-older of supplies in more than family ots. The survey, ordered at the last ses- sion of congress. will cover more than 100 different foods and returns must show the stocks on hand next Dec. 31 and the same day last year, with esti- mates of quantities in transit outward by freight and express on the last day of_this month. In addition to the survey by mailed schedules, intensive surveys will be made by ‘agents in 43 _eounties, Th various parts of the country in' order ‘that the figures obtained by mail may be checked. Bstimates of stocks of foodstuffs on farms will be made by the bureau of crop esti- mates. “The complete survey” said a state- ment by the bureau of markets today, “will yield the most accurate informa- tion ever collected in regard to the extent of the nation’s food resources, and is considered an important step in the effort to place the country on a safe footing as far as the food sup- ply is concerned.” HOLDUPS IN CLEVELAND KEEP POLICE ON MOVE Two Thugs Caotured After a Long Chase in Downtown Streets. Cleveland, O., Dec. 25—Holdups in this city today kept police on a con- stant move. Two thugs were captur- ed after a long chase in the downtown streets and a third is in the city hos- pital seriously wounded. A recond exciting chase for three holdup men who had overpowered and robbed a man of $52, led a satrolman in o sensational run that only a “movie screen” could emulate. A shot from, the patrolmap brought one bandit down and another of the rob- bers the officer finally cornered in an empty piano box. While two thues were holding up a man in front of his own house, a third gunman on the opposite side of the street calmlv emptied his. revolver at the trio hecause, it is thought, foreign thugs had invaded his territory Nine other holdups, some Success- ful and some unsuccessful, in which fizhting, slugging and zun play were mectacnlax, were -reported ito. the o= ice. TWO AVIATORS WERE BURNED TO DEATH In Landing .ti Gasoline Tank Was Torn Open and Ignited by a Spark. 25.—Sec- of Bury, Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. ond Lievtenant Reinbooth Saint Edmund, England, and_ Cadet Manson, a Canadian who had been bere about two months training at Camp Taliaferro, were the two avi- ators who were incinerated in an air- plane accident yesterday at Hicks Field. Their identity ~was made known by Royal Flying Corps’ offi- cers tonight. Both of the men were members of e Royal Flying Corps for several months previous to com- ing to Fort Worth. . Investigation proved the men were burned to death after they struck the sround. Officers at Hicks Field said the machine was flying at a height of two hundred feet when it struck a “side slip,” and when the machine struck the ground the gasoline tank was torn oren and ignited by a spark. The men were strapped in and with their machine and clothing afire were unable to remove the straps. . FAMILY OF THREE KILLED ; IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. Starker, Wife and Son of Saginaw, Mich. Saginaw. Mich., Dec. 25.—Alton R. Starker, prominent merchant of this city, his wife, their 11 year old son and Mrs. Mabel Earl of Ann Arbor were instantly killed this afternoon when_the automobile in which they were returning from a Christmas cele- bration was struck by a Michigan Cen- tral passenger train. The. accident occurred about eight m.iles north of here. i ERNCL AT Co i Alton R. |Pian to Disrupt Ali Social Orders BY I. W. W., RUSSIAN BOLSHEVIKI AND IRISH AGITATORS SCOPE IS WORLD-WIDE Evidence Has Been Discovered by Government Agents That Plotters Are Working at War With Germany—Measures to in Various Countries Suppress them. ‘Washington, Dec. 25.—Evidence has. been uncovered by government agents indicating _that _American Industrial Workers of the World, Russian Bol- sheviki, Irish agitators and revolution- ists in various countries at war with Germany may be seeking ta lay the foundation of an elaborate world-wide plan to overthrow existing social or- dersd. . Full Report Not Yet Made. This was admitted today by officials here in connection with news of the discovery of a quantity of rifles, re- volvers and ammunition in the Rus- sian freighter Shilka, which has just arrived at a_ Pacific port, manned by 2 mutinous Bolsheviki crew. Govern- ment agents suspect that the guns and munitions were intended for the Industrial Workers of the World im this country, although it was said a full report on the mysterious cargo has not yet been forwarded by offi- cials at the port of arrival. Only One of Many Cases. The Shilka incident is only one of many cases leading officials to believe ! the connection between plotters in sev- eral of the allied countries may be more tangible than the indefinite like of moral sympathy. Certain Irish agi- tators and 1. W. W. leaders recently have gone from the United States to Russia, after being in close touch with each other, and reports have been re- ceived that Bolsheviki _ organizers would come to America before long to spread their doctrine of direct ac- tion for communal orsanization. No objection will be raised by the sovernment to any agitation which does not interfere with the progress of the war, officials declare. Officials do not intend to use the war exi-| gencies as an excuse for suppressing free speech except insofar as it leads to hampering the government in the fight against the central powers. This basis of judgment, however, is recog- nized as broad, and will permit drastic action against - foreign agents: whose conduct directly or indirectly fosters Garman's war aims. Punishment Will Be Swift. Action will be particularly swift, of- ficials say, when armed resistance to the law is threatened and when other material forces are employed by the agitators. Customs inspection ~wilf serve to prevent importation of arms, and the ‘close supervision of s on incoming_and_outgoJsg v Yis ex-| pected to make impossible the traffic of communications on a large scale intended ‘to foster revolutionary acti ity. There still abe means of import- ing money into the United States, but government agents can trace remit- tances and keep a watchful gve on suspicious expenditures. Exports of money are governed so strictly by the government that officials are certain that the chance of American financing of revolutions in other countries is slight. I. W. W. Menace Strong. Although prosecution of I. W. leaders recently has been vigorous, ficials have evidence which they shows that the menace of this organ- ization, believed to be supported large- ly by German money, remains strong. Further action against the agitators is forecast. This will be hastened if it is found that the band is working with Russian Bolsheviki leaders to bring about a permature peace in Ger- many’'s interests or to hamper Amer- fca at home. Not to Interfere With Russi: 4 Extreme care is being taken by this government to avoid antagonizing the Bolsheviki movement in Russia. e spite the internatignal irritatio; it Ran caused. American oficiss fb ot care to appear to resist the dévelop- ment of democratic ideals eyen if it assumes the form of extréme and chaotic_socialism reported .In Russia under the new regime. In line with this policy. it is explained, prepara- tions for dealing with the encroach- ment of Bolshevikism on America is not for political reasons, but only to insufe material safety and to promote moral unity of this nation in the war. OBITUARY Miss Martha Mays. New York, Dec. 25.—Miss Martha Mays, who was a governess in the household of President Garfield at the time he was assassinated, was found dead in bed today at the home in this city of Mrs. Joseph' Stanley Brown, who was Mollie Garfield, a daughter of the martyr president Miss Mays was a holiday guest in the Brown home. A physician pronounced her death due to heart trouble. Miss Mays was more than 70 years of age and was born in England. She taught echool in Ohio before entering the employ of the Garfield family. She had lived for several years near Essex Falls, N. J. Dr. Everett J. Hartford, Conn., Dec. 25.—Dr.. Ev- erett J. McKnight, former president of “the Connecticut Medical Associa- tion and a prominent Yale graduate, died - here today suddenly of heart trouble. Overwork in connection with the draft registration work is thought to_have hastened his death. Dr. McKnight was 62 years old and was born in Ellington, where he re- ceived his early education, later being graduated from Yale in 1876, being a classmate of Dr. Arthur 7T. Hadley, now president of the university. While in college he was instrumental in ar- ranging the first Yale-Harvard foot- ball game and later was treasurer of the football association. After his graduation he ‘studied a year in the Yale Divinity school and then went to the College of Physicians and Sur- geans in New York, taking his degree there in 1879. Since then he has prac- ticed in East Hartfora and Hartford. In 1893 he represented East Hart- ford in the legislature. During "his career he had been president of the, Hartford Medical Society, a Fellow of the New York College of Surgeons and identified with numerous other similar bodies. He was given the honorary degree of Master of Arts by Yale in 1907. 3 McKnight. Train Wrecked by Bjfien Rail ON SHEPAUG BRANCH OF NEW HAVEN ROAD 14 PERSONS INJURED 1 Coach Rolled Down an Embankment —First Serious Wreck on the Line, Which Runs From Litchfield to Dan- bury, Since It Was Built Forty Years Ago. Roxbury, Conn., Dec. 25.—Fourteen persons on the morning train from Litchfield to Danbury over the She- pag branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad were injured but none was killed today when a broken rail wrecked the train two miles south of here. Seven of those hurt were injured seriously enough to require hospital treatment and they were sent to Danbury for care. Coach Rolled Down Embankment. The train was No. 1501, leaving Litchfield at 8.10 and_passing Rox- bury station at 9.04. It consisted of a combination smoker and bagsage car and a coach. The engine passed over the defective rail ~hich appar- ently broke under the combination car, derailing it. The coach rolled down the embankment although the combination car remained fupright. Those who were hurt were in the car that was ditched. Assistancc was ob- tained from Roxbury, Washington and Danbury, including doctors and nurses, who were taken to the point of the accident on a train quickly made up. From Danbury were sent five doctors headed by Dr. Chester Brown, medical aide to Governor Hol- comb in draft work. This wreck is said to be the first serious one which has occurred on the line since it was buiit about for- ty years ago and came at the foot of a sharp grade where the rail was de- fective. After leaving the rails the cars bumped along the ties for a short distance and then the rear coach switched and took~its plunge, The 25 or 30 persons inside were piled in 2 jumbled mass as it came to a stop on its side. Many of the passengers were cut Ry splintered window glass. Some were' tossed against the car fur- niture and severely bruised. Against the ceiling a large Christmas mince pie was smashed and packages of gifts were strewn about the floor of the coach. The following persons were taken to_the Danbury hospital: Mrs. Margaret Palmetier, Washing- ton, Conn., injured shoulder. Miss Biizabeth Preston, Roxbury, spine injured. Mrs. Minnie scalp wound. Jacob Preutle, Bridgewater,dislocated shoulder . Frank Heath, Washington, bruises and_shock. AT " Mrs. Martha Marey, wife of Dr, R. A ‘Marcy, Litchfield, scalp wounds and bruises. Ajfred Morgen, wounds. None of these is seriously hurt. Others Who Were Injured. The others who were injured but not taken to a hospital we; W. B. Smith, New Haven, scalp and injury to hand. Mrs. Julian Colton, Brookfyn, N. Y., side hurt o Miss Alice Brinsmage, Washington, head hurt. . G. Palmetier, Washington, shoulder | injured. A Migs Alice Gade, Washington, head | hurt. ” Richard Ivés, Litchfield, conductor | of train, side and shoulder injured. George ‘Elkins, Litchfield, trainman, injury t6 back and head. W. B. Smith, although injured and | bleedfns severely, gave muc haid to| the trainmen in assisting Injured pas- | sengers and in getting them out of the overturned coach. Anderson, Roxbury, Danbury, scalp ‘wound i GERMAN AT,ROCITIES AGAINST U. S. SOLDIERS| Sentry’s Throat Cut After He Had| Been Captured. With the American Army in France, Dec. 25—(By The Associated Press.) —German atrocities against American soldiers are officially reported. An American sentry has been found with his throat cut, and, it is officially de- clared, “he must have been so. killed after capture.” Information concerming German savagery has reached tke troops in one of the series of bulletins read to them by the unit commanders and posted on the bulletin boards. Here is what they heard: 2 “After a raid by the Germans on trenches held by American troops, a lone sentry of infantry was found with his throat cut from ear to ear. He had been surprised by an overwhelm- ing force of Germans nd must have been so killed after capture. “Such brutality is familiar to old soldiers Wwho served against savages in the Philippine campaign.” : Another buletin tells the men how the Germans_in occupied sections of France and Belgium are turning wo- men and children- out of their homes into the snow, the buildings being then given over to soldiers, horses and ma- terial. e GERMANS WITHDRAWING TROOPS FROM RUSSIA. Trotzky Has Called the Attention of the Peace Delegates to the Fact. Petrograd, Monday, l?e?c:‘tt—E'nal‘gnh‘ commander -in - of umx"?"r".fioma to the Bolsheviki head- quarters that the Germans were trans- ferring troops in very large numbers and as quickly as possible to the west- ern front against the allies and also to_the southwestern Russian front. Leon Trotzky, the Boisheviki foreign e pease e thom: e ke urE A the delega i t. special despatch from Brest Litovsk &nnournces the Germans were not ready yesterday to reply to the Rus- sian peace terms and consequently the id Kautsky, who desire to _go to tockholm to acquaint themselves with the Russian revolutionary conditions, has produced in Russia an impression which may hamper peace negotiations. failed to observe 'to Maine through the mail Condensed Telegrams Thirty-six Cleveland business houses ghtless Sunday. Dr. Levi P. Gilbert, editor and min- ister, died at his home at Cincinnati, o. ssue in January 00,000 francs at o Switzerland will a new loan of 150, per cent. America’s balance of trade approxi mated- $3,000,600,000 at the close November. of Representative E. R. Bathrick of the 14th Ohto district, died at his home in Akron, O. The fuel sitwation in Boston was im- proved by the arrival of several coal steamers and barxes. General Goethals will continue to serve New Jersey as state engineer in an advisory capacity. The union employes of the Boston Consolidated Gas Company will take a strike vote on Friday night. Leverett. Wilson Spring, professor emeritus of English literature at Will- iams College, died at Boston. Censorship of foreign mails, au- thorized by the Trading with the ¥n- emy law, now is in full force. The government’s shipbuilding pro- gramme on December 1 was 18.2 per cent. on its way to completion. During the eleven months ended with November gold imports amounted to $535,000,000 and exports $367.000,000. Major Arthur Brice De Sailes, 78 for years superintendent of the Jersey Zinc ccmpany’s plant died at Bethlehem, summoned the chiefs and legislative agents of the four brotherhoods’ conference at the White House Thursday. A plan for reducing pro-rata con- sumption of coal by industries non-es- sential to to war has been devised by the Federal authorities. Convict labor is to be used in Vir- Virginia to aid in the fuel administra- tion’s plan to popularize the burning of wood in place of coal. Robert Keirstead, arrested at Ahhi- @alf, N. B., on a charge of wife murder, escaped while being taken fo Gagstown Jjail by a a constable. Mrs. J. L. Whitman and her six- children, ranging in age from three to thirteen years, were burned to. death in their home near Gre_e!iwood, 8. C. An outbreak of -meales among mee- bers of the Depot brigade at Camp Devens caused a cahcellation of Christ- mas leave granted to a number of sol- diers. / 7 The town hall in West Boyliston, Mass., was/destroyed early yesteraay by a fire §f unknown origin, with a loss of $50,000 partly covered by in- surance, Masgachusetts liquor firms and agencies which have been sending li- quor advertisements and circulars in- will ' be prosecuted.. * Silver” imiports during the eleven months amounted to.$7 000000 against $29,000,000 a vear ago and the exports were «valued at $74,000,00 in 1917 and $62,000,000 in 1916. Msr. Carl M. Nielson was probably fatallys burned when candles on a Christmas tree fired her Santa Claus disguise while distributing presents to her family of children at Moorhead, Minn. Medical Directors George H. Barber and Edward R. Stitt of the navy will be promoted from the rank of captain to rear admirals as soon as Congress re assembles, in recognition of dis- tinguished services. Two commissioned officers and two sergeants of the American forces in France were badly hurt tonight in an automobile accident. A high power- {ed motor of the aviation section left the road and plunged over an embank- ment turning turtle and pinning them underneath LATEST RETURNS FROWN THE RED CROSS DRIVE. Total Enrollment Will Be in Excess of the 13,000,000 Forecast. ‘Washington, Dec. 25—Further re- turns today from the Red Cross Christmas membership drive indicated, officials at headquarters here said, that the total enrollment would be even in excess of the 13,000,000 fore- cast last night. The object was to enroll ten million new members. Messages received during the day ncluded one from the New England division manager that 240,000 members | had been enrolled and that the cam- paign would be continued the remain- der of the week. The Rocky mountain divisiom, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, with a quota of 181,000, re- ported 240,000 members’enrolled, with returns incomplete. ‘Almost complete reports from North Dakota and South Dakota indicate that the northern division, }ncluding those states and Minnesota and Mon- tana, will pass its quota. North Da- kota, with a quota of 62,000, has en- relled 80,207 members, and South Da- kota has exceeded its 50,000 by 13,000. ‘With 200 out of 480 chapters not re- ported and with several of the larger cities ‘yet to be heard from, the southern division, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, tas enrolled 243,000. Its quota is 438,- 600, but the managers are confident this figure will be reached. WORTHY PROJECT OF NAVY RELIEF SOCIETY. To Care for Fa Who Lose Thei ‘New York, Dec. 25.—Three hundred ‘women to assist In caring for the fam- iiies of officers and enlisted men of the navy and marine corps who lose their lives during the war are to be appointed to act for the Navy Relief society in the states of New York, New Jetsey, .Connecticut and Vermont, Rear Admiral Nathaniel R. Usher, com- mandant of the Third naval reserve ) district, announced tonight. In these states there are nearly 35,- 000 families with sons, brothers or fathers in the navy, it was statéd. While several sections of the country are suffering for want/of: coal, mines producing bituminous coal turned out more during November than in any month of history, with one exception. Hoover E'Xiprlaihs Sugar Shortage STATEMENT SMADE PUBLIC BY THE WHITE HOUSE REPLIES TO SPRECKELS Declares Shortage Will Continue Dur- ing Next Year, Because Allies Must be Provided for—Senate Committee Had Refused to Allow Hoover to Ex- plain Matters. Washington, De —Food Admin- istrator Hoover's ement on the sugar situation, which he tried unsuc- ce: ully to get before the senate com- mittee investigating the sugar short- age, was made public tonight by the ‘White House. It attributes the short- age here to the heavy movement of (Continued on Page Ten) CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR 300 SOLDIERS FROM THE WEST They Were Entertained by Rocky Mountain Club of New York. New York, Dec. 25.—Three huri- dred soldiers from the west were the guests of honor at a Christmas din- ner and entertainment given by the Rocky Mountain club of this city to- day. Sailors from French men of war and Canadian and Serbian sol- diers were also included among the guests. Smoking and trench shaving kits were presented to the men. A unique feature of the entertain- ment came when the electric lights in the dining hall were switched out and the soldiers, with pencils attached to their electric shaving bulbs, wrote messages of cheer to President Wil- son in the light flashgd by the myriad bulbs.. The messages will be mailed to the president. The following mes- sage from Governor Moses Alexander Moses of Idaho was read: “Greetings and a merry Christmas. Enjoy your turkey. Swear eternal vengeance against the real Turkey of Europe, the atrocious ally of the katser. Pluck their feathers and power so that upon your return from abroad there will be nothing left of those barbari- ans but the remembrance that we lick- ed them hard and good.” CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE STATE PRISON Prisoners Were Entertained by Ten Vaudeville Acts. Hartford, Conn., Dec. 25—The 620 inmates of the Connecticut state pris- on, including the women _prisoners, amon gthem Mrs. Archer Giltigan, con- victed of miurder and sentenced to death, attended a Christmas entertain- ment and dinner today given hy War- den Ward A. Garner, who is to leave the iustitution Jamuary 1 because of il health. Ten vandeville acts' from the Vaudeville Association of ~New York, among them being two or'three of the best acts cbtainable, were pre- sented and an orchestra of ten pieces from a local theatre furnished the mu- sic. At the close of the show the most re- markable demonstration ever seen in the prison took place. Several pris- oners wept and a few actually kmelt and poured out their thanks for being allowed such a privilege. This is the first time a big vaudeville show has been given in the state prison here and the first time women have been allowed to see anything of the kind in the prison. An unusually sump- tuous Christmas dinner, with roast pork as the chief item, was served. YULETIDE GREETINGS FROM GEN. PERSHING Gives Renewed Pledges of Devotion to the Cause of Democracy. Washington, Dec. 25. Renewed pledzes of devotion to the cause of de- mocracy frcm all ranks of the Ameri- can expeditionary forces in ¥rance were given in a Christmas message from General Pershing to the chief of staff of the army. The cablegram, made public tonight by the war de- partment said: “Please extend to the president and the secretary of war holiday greetings and best wishes for success of our arms during the coming year and convey to them, from all ranks of the Amer- ican expeditionary forces in France, renewed pledges of devotion to our sacred cause. “Likewise express our greetings ta our comrades at home, coupled with tull confidence in the patriotism, courage and devotion to the flag.” | AMERICAN TROOPS ARE FIGHTING MEXICAN BANDITS Who Had Hanged Michey Weich, a United States Mail Carrier. Valentine. Tex., Dec. 25.—Men wha brought the body of Michey Welch, a United States mail carrier, who was hanged by Mexican bandits at Cande- Jaria, Tex., early today. reported that American troops and the rear guard of the Mexican bandits were fighting tonight in the vicinity of Candefaria. The men, who arrived in an auto- mobile from the river front at Can- delaria, also reported that the two American-Mexicans who were riding with Welch in the mail stage® were killed. They had been reported miss- ing all day. _An American employed in the L. C. Drite store, which was looted at Candelaria by the bandits, was shot but will recover, they said. CONNECTICUT EXCEEDS RED CROSS ALLOTMENT. Many Chapters Will Continue the Campaign This Week. New York, Dec. 26.—Total enroitment of the Atlantic division of the Red Cross is now 2,580,000, .according to. revised figures made public here to- day. Many of the chapters in the ai- vision. which embraces New York, New Jersey and Conmecticut, will con- tinue the campaign throughout the present week, it was stated. Cemnecti- cut has “gone over the top,” the com- mittee announced, . while New Jersey is less than 6,000 behind its allotmemt. The figures follow: New York city emd state, '1,660,000: Commecticut, 250,000% New Jersey, 580,000