Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 25, 1915, Page 1

WITEN AWAY FROM HOMR The Bee is The Paper ¥Ou ask for) if you plan 0 be Absent more tham o fow daps, Bave The Bes malled to you. VOL. XL,V—NO. FORD REPORTED SERIOUSLY ILL; | CALL FOR BRYAN Condition of Automobile Magnate | on Way Back to United States | is Not Dengerous, How- ever. ASK NEBRASKAN JOIN PARTY | He Announces that Expedition Will | Continue Under Direction of | Women's Peace Association. | e | SAILS FOR HOME FROM BERGEN | STOCKHOLM, Dec. ~(Via ‘ 24 London.)——The {llness of Henry | Ford, while not dangerous, is seri- | | ous, according to a report of a com- | mittee of the Ford Peace expedition. | but It is There is no organic disease. there is urgent need for rest, stated. A message has been sent to Wil- liam J. Bryan askoing him to come to Europe and join the party. CHRISTIANIA, Norway, Dec, 24— (V'a London.)—The Norwegian | liner Bergensjord, with Henry Ford on board, sailed for New York this I orning Mr, Ford stated before leaving Bergen that thie peace expedi- would continue under the aus- pices of the Women’s International I'eace association. The Rev. Samuel S Marquis, dean S8t. Paul's Cathedral, Detroit, sailed from I'ergen with Mr. Ford. Terminates Novel Movement, Ienry Ford's departure from jpparently marks the termination, in its “riginal form, of the m>st novel of many movements which have 1 een u de:- talun to bring about the endng of the | war. Mr. Ford's announcement that the Women's International Peace association | henceforth will conduct the expedition would seem to indicate that, =) far as he personally s concerned he will relin- | quish the seif-imposed task which he ex- pressed in the phrase: “Out of the trenches by Christmas.” Wome Peace Association. It has not been made clear, however, whether Mr. Ford will continue to give financial support to the enterprise, The Women's International Peace soclation has been in exstence for some time, It held a congress at The Hague last spring and appointed delegations to | Visit the capitals of various European | and American hations. One of the most | prominent women at the congress was | Mme. Rosika Schwimmer, president of | the Hungarian Woman's Suffrage asso- | clation and a member of the Ford peace | party. After the congress at The Hague, Mme. Schwimmer came to the United States to continue her work for peace. | She went to Detroit to see Mr. Ford, and it was reported it was she who suggested to him the idea of the peace expedition. Before the peace ship, Oscar 11, reached | the other side, there were reports of dis- | sension among the peace delcgates. When Mr, Ford reached Christiania he kept in the background, it being sald that he | {Continued on Page TWo, Berlin Reports the Recapture of Lost Positions in Vosges tion of Europe the Column Two.) | BERLIN, Dec. 24.—The Germans have completely regained the position on Hart- mans-Wellerkopf in the Vosges reglon, recently taken by the French, it was of-| ficially announced by army headquarters | todny. The French have been driven out | of the trenches they still occupled on the | northern slope of the peak, it is declared. Toduy's statement follows: | “Western theater of the war: The ene- | my's artillery fire has been lively at cer-| tain points, especially in the Vosges, | “A nocturna! hand grenade attack agalnst our positions on the heights northeast of Souain was easily repulsed. “The position on Hartmans-Wellerkopt has been completely regained The French also were driven out of the trench section on the northern slope of the mountain “There ix nothing to report on the eastern and Balkan theaters of the war.” Fear of Blindness Brings Fatal Seizure SIOUX FALLS, 8. D, Dec. 24.—(Special Telegram.)—Complaining that his vision | was blurred and that he feared he was | becoming blind, Winifield 8. Roberts, since 1558 a rerident of Sioux Falls, re- tired to his bed and was found dead a short time later of heart failure. He | ts survived by a widow and four children. Th:Weiath(_:;- — Deg 3 2 ure at Om Highest yesterday Lowest yesterday Mean temperature Precip!tation A Temperature and tures from the norm sl nperature “ 8 crmal precipitation @ ineh il C! inee March 1 A Deficlency for the day.......... 02 Inch Total rainfall since March 1..27.08 inches Jeficiency since March 1..!. .2 inches Deficiency for cor. period, 114, 3.2 inches Deficiency for cor. period, 1913. 5.37 inches { creased in accordance with (Continued on Page Two, | A | jured ary | 3 | | | THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER If Some Prominent Omahans Were Santa’ Wattles 1915—=12 PAGE SINGI B SR € Santa " Wharton D INIELS GIVES 0UT NAYY BODY REPORT Ful] Text of Special Finding of Board Made Public by Cab- inet Officer. FINDINGS WERE CONFIDENTIAL WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—S8ecre- tary Daniels made public tonight the original special report of the Navy General board prepared in reply to a query addressed to the board hwen the administration determined last July to take up the question of national preparedness. Critics of the administration’s five-year build- ing program for the mavy have de- clared this report was suppressed, in part, by the Navy department and, if published, would disclose the inade- quacy of the government's plans. The board's statement of policy, hold- ing that the American navy should equal the strongest afloat by 19%, was pub- | ilshed some time ago, but the first year's building program advocated under that suggested policy is now revealed for the first time, _1t_shows ‘feAckiimendations for four dreadnaughts and four battle crulsers with an equally large program for other craft and contemplates an_expenditure roughly estimated at $300,000,000 the first year, ab compared with $500,000,000 to be spent for new ships in fivé years under the administration's plans. The board does not state that the Brit- | ish fleet culd be equalled by 1925 by con- tinuing the first-year program, but in- dicates that heavier expenditures would tollow if shipbullding facilities were in- its recom mendations. * In giving out the report Secretary Danjels sald that all statements from the general board as to bullding pro- grams during the present year had now been made publie. He called attention again to the fact that he had set a precedent for publieh- ing the annual reports as they had been regarded as confidential by previous sec- | retaries of the navy. The report under discussion and the publication of which some members of congress have stated they would demand, he sald, was a spe- cial report, the substance of which al- ready had been disclosed, The Board's Report. Following 1s the report “July %0, 1915. “‘Confidential. “From: President general board. ‘“To: Secretary of the navy. “Subject: Naval policy with present requirements. ! “In compliance with the oral order of the secretary of the navy to express its opinion at the earllest practicable date as to a policy which should govern the development of the navy and a bullding program, the g€neral board reports as follows ‘Poliey: The navy of the United States should ultimately be equal to the most powerful maintained by any other nation of the world. It should be gradually in- creased to this point by such a rate of development, year by year, as may be permitted by the facilities of the country, Colunm One.) Two Killed and Five Injured in a Rear-End Collision | WAR UNLESS YUAN RESIGNS, SAYS CHINESE LEADER. | | | | | TONG IKING CHONG. Omwr. Fien SERVICE, SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Dec. 24.—Tong King Chong, president of -the Chinese Republican assocfation, is heading a movement to protest against the taking of the crown by Yuan Shi hai and to ar- range for the rasing of funds to finance a revolution against him if he accepts the monarchy, At h mass meeting here, over which Tong King Chong presided, he sald: “We are willing to permit Yuan Shi Kal to resign peacefully. If he does not there {will be' war. We are fighting for liberty {and justice.” Rev.G. W. Abbott an: Wife, Formerly of Omaha, Are Injured GALENA, Kan,, Dec. 24.—John Bray, & | fireman, was killed ana twenty-eight pas- (®engers were injured earlv today, when ! an accommodation train on the Missouri, Oklahoma & Gulf railroad crashed into Bt. Louls & San Franciaco passenger | train, No. 387, bound from St. Louls for | Oklahoma points. | The Frisco train, ninety minutes late, was standing at the station here when the accident occurred. A heavy fog obe | scured the view of the accommodation, | which tore half way through the last | sleeping coach of the Frisco train before | it was brought to a standstill Fireman Bray remalned at his post and lost his life In the crash. All of the in- | jured were passengers on the Frisco train. | Beveral are reported in a dangerous con- | dition. | Among the injured were Rev. G. W, | Abbett, 6, and Mrs. G. W. Abbot, 6, of Fullerton, Neb. i | Rev. G. W. Abbot was formerly pastor | of Trinity Methodist church, Binney and | { North Twenty-first streets, Omaha SCRANTON, Pa., Dec. 24—The second | section of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western passenger train, No. 5, which | water gap, late last night, others, reached this cily early Learing the victims, | local hospitals. today. train and the other, Miss Anna Jones o Itha Y. The most seriously Mre. J. W. Styles, broken “collar bone; bruised Miss Frances Styles, Montolair, N. J. the shock collar bone and body brulses. three, who according te Mr. Rine, passed a flagman and automatic signali that were in perfect working condition and set against him. was rammed at Slateford, near Delaware by the third section of the same train, causing the death of two persons and {njuries to five | who were taken to While one or two of the in- bhand cut and bod!i 10-year-old daughter of Mrs. Styles, lacerations and Mrs. P. P. Merrill, New York, fractured ran past torpedoes and lighted fuses and slso The Day’s War News VIENNA DISPATCH declares that in an quarters in ¢ al of the dual monarchy the comviction prevalls that the differences with ‘II\JIH'O(I were seriously hurt, it Is belleved United States over the An. all will recover, The killed were both| ee incldent are susceptible of colored one a porter of Lhe wrecked an amicable adjustme | THE AMSTERDAM TELEGRAAV declares that prominent members of the socialist group from all the ring mations except Italy met at The lague twe days ago to of peace. BRITISH WAR CASUALT taled 526,227 up to December f 0. Foster, v’ L0, Fwar, vttt Cambrides, Mass. s 4 I E. M. Rine, general superintendent of! "™'® for Ameriea, a the Lackawanna, places the blame for| CRristianis dispateh says. | the aceident on the engineer of section| GERMANS HAVE COMPLETED recently ¥ the French in thelr of. " the Vosges reglon, Ber- noumnces. ~ | was Is Devoted LONDON, Dec. 24.-The celebration of Higlan!s recond Christmas of the war is being devoted mainly to the soldlers. Several thousands of them have come from the front on leave. These men, | with the large forces in the home camps and the thousands in hospitals, are be- ing entertained at dinners, concerts and theaters. In every town of the United Kingdom there is kome celebration for soldlers and sailors. More than 1,600,000 packages have been sent to soldlers on the continent, Six spe- clal tralns and four channel boats have been employed for the last week to carry the army mails. The railway stations of London are crowded with soldiers, many of them just from the trenches and cov- ertd 'with mud. They carry Prussian hel- mets, rifles, knapsacks, shells and other souvenirs of battle, Coinmittees of men and women meet these men, feed them and help them on their way finto the provinces, Even the German prisoners In England are preparing for elaborate Christm: celebrations. At Donpington Hall, the place of confinement of @ majority of the officers, so many packages are being re- celved from Germany that the village postoffice has been compelled to enlarge its stafc. The German officers have \ ‘Peellihigv in Greece Reported Turning Toward Germans BERLIN, Dec. 24.—(By Wireless to Say: ville.)—""Greek feeling in southern Mage- donia against the entente powers s rapidly increasing, according to reports from Athens received by the Frankfurter Zeitung,” says the Overseas News agency, which adds: ““The dispatches aseert that the Anglo- French commanders for strategical rea- sons ordered the evacuation of twenty prospering towns between the Landzade and Gallko rivers, it being stipulated that these places must be evacuated within forty-eight hours. ““The Greek population attempted to re- sist the order, the Frankfurter seitung correspondent says, and asked for help at Athens, but the representatives there of the entente powers declared forcs would be used if the towns were not immedi- ately evacuated. PARIS, Dec. #4.—The battle fronts of both sides in the conflict in the Serblan theater of war are given In a dispatch the Saloniki correspondent of the De Paris. from BEcho The correspondent states that 60,000 Germans are massed around Monastir, with the Bulgars concentrated in the center of the Vardar valley and two Turkish divisions taking a position on the left of the Bulgars. The French are ranged in a semi-circle around Saloniki, with their left on the Vadar Center, facing the Greek frontier near Doiran, and their right connecting with the Brit- ish troops defending Charcidice. Socialists from Warring Nations ‘ Discuss Peace AMSTBRDAM, Dec. #.—(Via London) ~A number of prominent socialists from all the belligerent countries except ltaly, met last Wednesday at The Hague to discuss steps which might be taken to help bring about a wpeedy peace, ac- cording to the Telegraaf today | The newspaper says that the meeting held at the offices of the Inter- | mational Socialists’ bureau. The discus- sions were of a vety provisional char- acter, it adds. The Dutch delegates of {the International bureau had the pro- ceeding under their direction. Great Britain Frees ! Cargoes of Apples | LONDON, Dec. %4.—The North Pacitic Fruit Distributors’ assoclation, repre- senting 10,000 Washington and Orekon growers, recelved a welcome Christmas present today in the form of a release of its huge consignments of fruits, seized by British warships while on the way to Bcandinavian countries. With the exception of a consignment of apples to Denmark, for which an under- taking had been given, the frult was re- | leased unconditionally. | The majority of the shipments were on board Norwegian steamers. The steamer Hollig Olay served as & test case for the various aselzures. Among the rrmfl consignments were 6,40 cases of a [ ] Santa " Ernst Largely to Soldiers are having concerts and theatrical tormances. The_business section of London is pre- paring for the usual three-day hollday, All the banks and large establishments will close from tonight untll Tuesday. Only a few of the smaller shops will be opened Monday. Nearly all the cabinet ministers are going to the country, but lack of the usual excursion facllities is keeping the working people in town. Christmas shop- ping has shown little decrease from for- mer years, but there Is a great scarcit of Christmas trees, which usually are im- ported from Germany and Scandinavia The early closing of restaurants and the limited hours in which alcoholic drinks may be consumed, are curtalling festivities at the London hotels and res- taurants, Early dinners are replacing late suppers. Officers, Including many colonials, form a majority of the hotel patrons. Family gatherings as & rule are smaller and quieter than usually, Dark days with heavy rain, add to the gloom of the war. Smgers giving Christmas carols in the streetn in evenings of Christmas week for pennies have almost disappeared. Reports from the front say that the in- formal truce in the trenches on Christ- mas day of last year will not be re- peated tomerrow, as the officers disap- proved of it. pe S bhs Four Asphyxiated by Fumes of Powder, Three Morg Will Die BRANDY CITY, Cal, Dec. 2i—Four men were asphyxiated by powder fumes, three others are unconscious and expected to die, and another is in a serious condition as the result of the fallure of & 22,000-pound blast of low grade powder, set in the Brandy City mine near here, to explode fully late yesgerday. Superintendent G. W. Taylor is the only one sald to have a chance for recovery. In Brandy City, a mile away, the gas fumes were so ‘hick that many persons were sffected. No serfous injuries, how- ever, were reported. When all was ready for the big blast, Taylor and the seven miners took refuge in & deep hydraullc cut some distance away. Others of the crew of about twenty-five scattered to other riaces. The blast was set off, but only about one-halt of it exploded. The remainder burned, creating a deadly gas. The draft set through the cut in which the eight men had taken refuge, where it hung in such dense clouds that an hour passed before the rescue could be made. When the men were brought out F. Godfrey, Jack Hayes and Thomas Sad- ler were dead and the other five un- conacious. Such first aid plans miners know were used to resuscitate the men, but they were unavalling. Joseph Diona dled several hours later. Mrs. Wilson Takes Charge of Presents for the President HOT SPRINGS, Va., U.—All Christmas presents addressed to President Wilson passed today in the safe keeping ot his wife, to be withheld by her until tonight, when the blg accumulation of packages will be opened. The packages addressed to Mrs, Wilson were taken in charge by the president, Among the president’'s gifts are two from his grand-children, Klen Wilson McAdoo and Francis woodrow Sayre. Whether the president and his wile will participate in the Christmas celebra- }Hea.vy Fog Delays CHICAGO, Dec. 24.—~Chicago blanketed today In a fog so dense that locomotive and street car headlights were necessary were ablaze with Surface and elevated trains moved street lights were turned on. and office buildings | Mght. slowly and many worke thelr pl were late at s of employment. At particularly poticeable, per- | tion to be given tonight in the hotel was pthe chief toplo discussed todsy in Hot| Rusgiang attacking Austrian forces there, Springs. They have been invited, but|gccording to today's officlal report from have neither seccepted or declined Austro-Hungarian army headquarters, re- Real preparations for the celebration |celved here from Vienna. The official began today with the installation of &|gtatement declares that Russian attacks thirty-foot tree In one of the hotel|were repulsed with heavy losses to the pariors, Russian troope. An automobile trip and possibly & game | Regarding operations in the Bualkans | of golf were on the president's program | the statement ls made that in engaze- for today. {ments during the last few days 6 pris- Traffig_i_n Chicago 8:3% | enough to need medical asslstance, ac- o'clock in the morning the darkness was | cording to a report from the sciae of IENNA STUDIES NEW ANCONA NOTE | Intimation It May Suggest Com- \ | mission of Naval Experts to Report on Case. | —— | EXPECT FRIENDLY SETTLEMENT } VIENNA, Dec. 24.—(Via London.) |~~In all quarters the conviction is | now entertained that the differences between Austria-Hungary and the United States, which arose from the Ancona incident are susceptible to amicable settlement. The Austro- Hungarian reply to the latest Ancona note may be expected in a few days. | Press Withholds Comment. The second Ancona note from Wash- Ington 18 being studied here, Meanwhile the press is withholding comment. The remarks incldent to the announcement that the note had been received were temperate and even friendly in tenor and all circles are convinced that the outlook may fairly be described as favorable. No inkling has been gained as to the nature of the forthcoming Austro-Hun- garlan communication. to the United Btatos, but in this cennection intereat at- | taches 1o an articly by Prot. m mhfl; masch, oné df the leading masch, who s a member of the tribunal at The Hague, suggests that, In view of {Continued on Page Three, Column Four.) America Is Seeking Data on Sinking of Japanese Steamship WABHINGTON, Deo. 24.—-The sinking of the Japanese liner Yasaka Maru in the Mediterranean reported torpedoed without warning will be made the sub- Ject of an inquiry by the United States. Consular agents will be asked to obtain accurate versions of the Incident and forward them without delay to the State department. The State department's inquiry in the case is based solely on reports that the liner had an American passenger aboard. Although he was reported rescued, it Is felt that if the liner was torpedoed with- out warning, his life was endangered . Should reports that the vessel was tor- pedoed without warning and that the sub- marine was an Austrian be verified of- ficlally, it 1s sald further diplomatic cor- respondence with Austria-Hungary will undoubtedly ensue in which the torpedo- ing of ships without warning will be dis- cussed and demand again be made that American lives be not placed in peril by such practices. Burian Will Stop for Hollday, LONDON, Dec. 24.—A message from Baron Burian, Austro-Hungarian foreign minister, to Baron Zwiedinek, Austro- Hungarian charge d'affairs at Washing- ton, is circulated in London today by the wireless press. It is dated Vienna and was picked up in England on its transit by wireless telegraphy to the Uniteq States. The communication reads: “The American note handed over to me on the 21st. Tell the secretary of state the answer we are now preparing will be guided by the same concern for good relations between both countries as men- tioned by the federal government. In consequence of the Christmas holidays our answer cannot be expected before next woek." Russians Attack on Bessarabian Front BERLIN, Dec (By Wireless to Sayville.)~There has been a renewal of activity on the Bessarablan front, the oners were captured Four Enginemen Are Killed in Collision DANVILLE, 1, men were killed in a hea near Veedersburg, Ind, late today tween an eastbound Clover Leaf passcn- ger traln and & westbound frelgit train. Although the passengers were severely shaken up none was injured ieriousy Dee, 2.—Four engine- the wreck, ] thorities on international law, Prof, Lam- TWO CENTS. A cory MANY BATTLES BELIE RUMOR OF HOLIDAY TRUCE Isolated Fights on All Fronts Up* set Predictions of Suspension f of Hostilities During Christmas Time, RUSSIANS ACTIVE IN GALICIA Austrians and Germans Seeking to Strengthen Lines at Trembowla Are Defeated. BATTLES IN EASTERN FRANCE LLONDON, Dec. 24.—Many isolated engagements on varfous fronts have upset predictions of the universal Christmas truce. Nothing of great im- portance, however, has developed. From Galicia, the Russians report success in an action against the Austrians near Trembowla, where there has been an indication re- contly that the Austrians and Ger- mans are sceking to strengthen their lines. Although no activity is re- ported on the Mesopotamian front, the Russians are advancing steadily in Persia in an effort to link their fcrees with those of their British allies On Hartmans—Wellerkopf, the French claim to have maintained their gains on a front of one mile, but admit their left has been compelled to fall back. The Germans assert they have retaken the lost ridge, with the capture of a large number of prisoners. Special dispatches to London papers state that the Bulgarians are preparing to invade Greek territory in an effort to expel the allies from Saloniki. The en- tente forces are engaged in strengthening thelr position and express confidence that there is no immediate prospect of an offensive against them, Parllament adjourned without recelving the figures concerning the Earl of Derby's recruiting plan, but on reassembling after the holidays the members will have the facts In regard to the question whether conscription is necessary. Columbia Universty Wins Chess Tourney NEW ORK, Dec. 2.~Columbla univer- sity won the intercolleciate chess cham- plonship tournament, which ended hera today with a scors of 104 #nu each had a clean slate of three wins, It B. Leedo was held to a draw in one of his games and Captain F. ¥. Korkus lost a contest after a hard struggle. * Princeton took second place with & points to 6; Harvard was third with §% to 6%, and ale won only 2 po'nts to 10 scored against them, Columblia now has eleven of the twen- ty-four tournaments to her credii; Har« vard, nine; Yale, two; Princeton, one, and one ended in a tle, In today's matches Columbla defeatel Yale 34 to % and Harvard and Prince- ton broke even, each team scoring two wins, Express Business, Shows Big Increase CHICAGO, Dec. 3.—Officlals of exprehs companies here today aeclared that thi parcel post once the bugbear of the ™ expressman, now Is regarded with com- placence and its mctivily not resented. They say that althotigh the parcel post continues tu flourish, the volume of ex« Press business has increased to such pro portions in the last six months that spe« clal trains have been run and thousands of square feet added to thelr working quarters. C, W. Smith, superintendent of tha Western Jxpress company, sald his con- cern was doing % to 30 per cemt more business than last year. H. C. Books, general agent of the Adams Express company, sald: *Oue volume of business now is the greatest in the company's history.” Other express officlals reported similar conditions, l THE WANT-AD. WAY ‘ most of the new ones you Than ee. fe bought the now ha' may be seen Riding round both at work and at play. He's swe mighty glad he saw thag machine, Are you lookin, turn to the oday's classifi ind the best eied there. for tom Kutomabs Do you waut (g sell? 1 ell your autemabile, wril {" Jving full partieul t ::: a Tuyer, n!“dh.l-‘- e And put it in The Oumabadiel, | ek el