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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1917)
TODAYS WEATO 4,400 SUBSCRIBERS (22,000 EEABEES) DAILY Only Circulation la Eatem Guar anteed by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. FULL LEASED WIRE SPECIAL WILLAMETTE VAL LEY NEW3 SERVICE FORTIETH YEAR NO SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1917 TrTrnri rmirn i-rrinTmn ON trains ant ktw ML . -fit:- :7im . oft -Am- n u w in i ti.fi ii , m , -"i ni l nn rtv sl.w 298 . SITUATION IS GRAVE FOR ALLIED CilSE ON WEST WMM Ed L Keen, United Press Correspondent Sends Out Informa lion That Is Startling Passing of Cablegram by Censor Indicates That Gravity of Situation Is No Longer Con cealedOffensive Has Passed From Hands of Allies to Germans Cambria Reverse to British Arms Has Had Effect of Correcting False Impression of Allied Strength The frankest statement on the military situation that lias come from Europe in months appears in the Capital Journal today. "There is no use trying to camouflage the situation on the west front," is the keynote of a vitally significant dis patch from Ed L. Keen, general European manager of the United Press. The dispatch frankly states the initiative in the war on the west front has passed to the Germans; that the ab surdity of stories of waning . German morale and im pending collapse has been revealed. On the heels of President Wilson s re-statement of war aims, re-pledging America to fight .to a victory and im mediately after Lloyd-George's speech yesterday, Keen's statement of the military situation passed by the British censor, points clearly to the nsk that lies ahead as the fourth year of the war approaches. ; Weaknesses were revealed in the reverse suffered by the British at Cambria. Criticism was voiced by , the British press, with the intimation that some things were being withheld. The United Press asked Keen to cable an outline of the situation which the American reading public could accept as a frank statement of actual conditions which American troops will be called upon to help solve. Today's dispatch is the result xf that inquiry. It is of added significance that British editorial com ment, cited by Keen, regards Lloyd-George's speech as a "call to arms" in the present crisis. HOUSE WILL VOTE DRY. Washington, Dec. 15. The house will go definitely on re cord on national prohibition Monday. Unanimous consent for a final vote at five o 'clock Monday was agreed to today. MARINE WOULDN'T FIGHT San Francisco, Dec. 15. It was of record today that a Un ited States marine had turned .down a ehance to fight. A man with a haunted look came into the marine corps re cruiting station late yesterday. He wanted to enlist but Wife had his registration card and wouldn't give it up. Would a marine go get it for himf "We'll face. bullets," was the answer, "but the regulations do not require us to take chances with rolling pins." LEADERS SPLIT OVER QUESTION OF Afl ASSEMBLY Esterof Education Tenders His Resignation to the. -Xabinet LENINE AND TROTSKY FAVOR RULE BY FOUCE AMERICA MUST SPEED UP ITS WAR WORK TO WIN VICTORY By Ed L. Keen (United Press, staff correspondent) (Copyrighted 1917 by the United Press) London, Dee. 15. There is no usojthc fact that the whole army has been trying to camouflage the gravity of tpprmeatcd with such a spirit of cock- uie siiunuuu ou nit wuat lrunt uiu only war theater which, in the last an alysis, really counts. Today Proimre Lloyd George 's Bpce'h at Gray's Inn was regarded as a call to arms in a present day crisis. The setback to British arms at Cam Jirai has not only practically nullified yield Marshal Haig's splendidly con ceived and General Byng's splendidly executed advance, but it is generally admitted the reverse marked the end ATTORlYFORLW.W. ARRESTED IN COURT, RELEASED TEMPORARILY Vanderveer, of Seattle, Was Found Carrying Big Re volver In Building Chicago, Dec. 15. George Vanderveer of Seattle, Wash., chief counsel for the I. W. W., wag arrested by government agents in the corridor of tho federal building today as' the 106 I. W. W.'s were being arraigned on charges of es pionage. Vanderveer had a huge revol ver in his pocket, and was technically charged witn carrying concealed weap ons, lie was later released temporarily. All persons who entered the ' court room were searched. As two- big oper atives t frisked" Vanderveer, they dis covered the-revolvcr and took him im mediately before Hiufon G. Clabaugh, chief of the justice department bureau in this district. What explanations Van-1 derveer made to Clabaugh is not known, out no, was allowed to return to the court room after he had left the gun witli Clabaugh. It is understood, how ever that a formal warrant may be is sued for him later. "Why, that's nothing unusual; we all carry guns in the west," Vanderveer explained to Clabaugh. One hundred and six I. W. W.'s were arraigned and all entered pleas of not guilty after the federal attorneys had conceded them the right to change their pleas, if they so desired. Sixty other members who were in dicted are still at large. Vanderveer told Federal Judge Landis that an ap- nnnl had KnAtl mmln tlirnuo-li T "W W It of an uninterrupted series of re- publications for these persons to give nt British successes, combined with themselves nn By Carl D. Groat. (United Press Staff Correspondent) Washington, Dec. 15. America must speed up her war work, She must con centrate on the essentials and consecrate herself fully aod ntbly to the task of victory a task growing difficult by virtue of Germany 's new found strength arising from the Bussian fiasco. That was the solemn, frank warning view today of Secretary of War Baker, and other government officials. Baker refused to be specific" as to details in respect to his suggestions for more speed. Others suggested that, with ship ping the crucial point about which the fortunes of war will turn, more must be done. Labor, they said, must come forward to its fullest extent. Men ex ecuting the government program must eut red tnpe. This was the government's answer to the frank warning in the United Press dispatch from Ed L. Keen and in the Rmipftl fur orrnntnr nffrtrta ha Hriiot Petrograd, Dec. 15. The Bolsheviki 'notinn. mnnn in Preminr T .ln.oor split today on treatment Of the E"-'speech smn constituent assembly. Minister oi I Everywhere ofifcials agreed with tho Education Lunacharsky formally ten- view ,y gtated iu Uuited p dcred his resignation from the Maxi- 8t and j lied in the ier.g ad. mabst cabinet, declaring he could not, d that Ha t th(J Tnited g aiurtiuirf lnina -til tnv lit no ait r An jtr I . WILL PROBE EVERY LINE OFEXPEIJSE FOR TIIEVl Hi Bolsheviki Faction Claim Sac cess In Elections and . In Battle Regardless of who is personally re sponsible for the Camorai Teverse, the fundamental reason doubtless lies in sureness if not overeonfidence that it had grown careloss. i Perhaps it was only the natural re- ISUlt ot ce the fact that the present army has never been compelled by hard neces sity to learn defensive tactics like the Mons heroes, who are now a mere hand ful in the great war machine. Coincidental!', there has been the of the British offensive ior some time; general development of a tendency to to come. I underestimate th enemy s capacity tor The initiative has now passed tO:an offensive. Hindenburg. . lhe fact Temains that the crisis 3s The most competent experts pro-at hand and that the public is being j dieted that only the greatest efforts ; awakened to realization of it. Practic- i will urevent the Germans l'rom fulfill-ially ekry London new9ipcr today j J tl,.:- l,t ,v loV l.,rh th 'eliKHCrl Premier T.lnvd Kennre BT,iBph iIlc "u"- "", "u"' " aLned line before American participa- 'as a well timed stimulant. stt "und e fed",al 'JU"d'n8 ,wc" tio. Tea" equalize the reinforcement of i "Lloyd-George reached a true au. I patrolled by police, soldiers and federal the German line from the Russian thentic note of British statesmanship " i P"atlv es- front. I said, the Post. "We are confident of Jg" Ln,1's pt Ja'ary 3 as the This reinforcement of the enemv, :his appeal to the spirit of the nation-" " dat arraignment, in case any made possible bv the cessation of figh- "The speech for which we are all'0' tuose indicted who are still at lare, intr nn the east Tront. means a nalt i mosi erarerui is an anneal io reason., - - . -r- million picked men to throw into the fto honor, to self denial,'" declared The assault against the allied line before (Telegraph. America can get in. "The speech was more than bril- Tlpsi.lp rpstnrintr to TT i ndpTibnrir liis i i in nt. " summarized the Chronicle. "It long lost initiative, General Byng s re verse graphically demonstrates the un support Lenirm in any measures of re pressiou against a congress summoned by the Russian people He is believed to be supported by a number of lead ing Maximalists- Trotsky, Lenine and others of the inner ring" steadtastly maintained today if the assembly showed opposi tion to the Maximalists' aims, it was illegal. " . We consider any assembly oppos- inir our ideas as an arbitrary i organi zation which must Up dispersed as gooa , as possible, ' declared M. Blagonrov off, Bolsheviki delegate from Kaizau, today. The Bolshoviki announced the fol lowing fragmentary returns from the recent elections: Twelfth army Maximalists at '20, 200; revolutionary socialists 12,200; other parties, 2300. Fifth army Maximalists 14,000; rev olutionary socialists, 45,000j other par ties, 20,000. h " Army ot Finland Maximalists, 20, 800; other parties. .-3,e00. Krasnoyarsk Maximalists, 12.000; revolutionary socialists, 4900; carets, 2600. KTastroma Idistricft Maximalists elected four delegates and the revolu tionary socialists four. Kaluga district Maximalists claim the district but the town of Kaluga is apparently carried by the cadets. to fill tho Russian gap and' then more. Tho Cambrai reverse for the British has not been minimized here. Army mon have said -it stopped short of a big cal amity while Secretary Baker recently suggested that the whole west front sit- fonsive with reinforcements from tho east front. A distinct, dark blue atmosphere was manifest for days in Washington. How ever, this has been swept aside and sup planted by a stronger spirit determin ation to do the utmost, confident that victory can be wrested from the Ger mans if Lloyd-George's slogan "sanity, Biuauinesg ana outiooK" is applied. Everywhere authorities acclaimed his! statemont that there is no halfway house Dei ween victory ana defeat; and believ ed that the American .nation, gradually but surely stirring to its tasks, will real ize that there can be no bargaining now with the Hohenzollern autocracy. Officials, cautioned, incidentally, that too much pessimism and despair is just as bad as over-confidence. They sought, however, to drive home the thought that the war has Teached a stage where Ger many has a fresh morale and more troops from the Russian situation, and that this must be met with more Am erican ships, more American men and more American food. Germany is putting forth her maxi mum effort now to beat, the allies before America's atrength is exerted, all admit. That is explained by German press comment reaching here showing that Germany is distressed . at her loss of world trade anil the prospect of a com mercial war after the war. This factor, however, is the only one suggesting a Teuton breakdown, offi- pifllf) RBT Rn Thn nrnnaiira in arill uation should not be minimized, espec-1 .mall to be i)ortant or coinf ortinir to 11T Ui I jUl UL1U11B lur BU u-f LUIS ' UUllUJl. Chief of Ordinance Crczicr Sti Being Grilled hj Committee Today .QUARTERMASTER TO " BE INVESTIGATED NEXT fhvy Department and Food Administration Are On the Program CHARGE SUGAR TRUST WITH CONSPIRACY TO AUSTRO-GERMANS ARE DRIVEN INTO BATTLE FORCE HIGHER PRICES AGAINST THEIR WISHES Class Spreckles Asserts That Hoover Food Committee Was Used as Tool Use American Engineers Potrograd, Dec. 15. American en gineer officers have been offered the Bolsheviki government for reorganiza tion of railroads and motor lorries for the transport of iood, Foreign Minister Trotsky declared today in an address to the'Grenadier regiment. "It is impossible to reform political and social construction in a month," he declared. "Wo have already started our efforts to introduce a program, u e have given land to the peasants. We have authorized the crushing of those themselves up. 'who are seeking to prevent us in our Carl Ahlteeu, of Minneapolis, editor ! aims. We have started toward peace, of "The Alarm", was the first ar-llsobody will be able to undo what has tional secretary and the leading spirit I "Germany is seeking peace because chairman Kecd, stated that the price of the organization, was the tenth. He 'the discontent of her masses has for- of American beet sugar would be ad- Washington, Dec. 15. Charges of an attempt by the "sugar trust" to sad dle high prices on the American peoplo for years through the Iloover commit tee, were made today in the senate in vestigation by Claus Spreckles. The witness charged the food admin istration committee to be a "mere ad junct of the trust" and seeks to bind all American refiners to allow it to contract for future Cuban crops at its own price. If refiners agree to this, Spreckles declared, the price to the American con sumer will be unalterably fixed for years after the war, at a figure as high as at present or higher. But unless the refiners agree to the price fixing, ho said, they face loss of the government licenses. bpreckles, under questioning by Probe Prisoners Taken by Italians Assert That Their Losses . Have Been Staggering With the Italian Annies, Dec. 15. Austro-German troops are being driv en to the attack against the Italians. Prisoners taken by General Diaz's forces today declared losses in their ranks had been increased to staggering proportions by their own artillery, which under orders had put a moving curtain of fire behind the attacking waves to force them into the charge. Commanders of the Teuton forces, they also asserted, are adopting other Washington, Dee. 15. The war probe was driven farther into the conduct of the American army and food administra tion today. General Crozier, chief of ordnance, was again on the stand before the sen- ate military afafirs committeo, whila Claus Spreckles resumed big statement to the senate committee on manufac tures and plans were laid for opening Monday the coal hcarinirs and the hnnm naval investigation. The reason for the sudden searching into everything pertaining to the war u now clearly seen to hark back to the last session of congress. Then members were balked in their effort to create a committeo on expenditures and conduct of the war. And they quietly went to work to gather evidence which has resulted iu the sensational disclosures of America's military unpreparedncsg and sugar famine. Open criticism of the government ia expected to flare forth iu congress at any moment. A Bhake-up in American war control as violent as those whii-h i have locked the British and French gov ernments at different time is not uu- Hit'ly, . , . Partisanship is denied by t'Sij in--: f tigators. Applause wag general ou .. sides of the house of representatives when Republican Minority Leader Gil lett attacked Secretary of the Treas ury McAdoo for withholding expencli tur information congress has requested. "Thero isn't a member of this house who hasn't received reports of crimin al extravagance by administration de partments," said Gillott. "We are willing and eager to grant all the money the administration needs but we want to know how it is spent. The longer this publicity is postponed, the more pitiless it will be when it comes." The general senate sentiment for thoroughness caused a slight suspicion that there may be a "white wash" was followed by Elizabeth Gurley Flynu of New York, the only woman arrested. Practically all of those arraigned, with the exception of Haywood and Miss Flynn, maintained a defiant atti tude aud made their pleas in a brusque manner. The court room, corridors and the truth of t various widelv prevalent stor ies regarding the enemy. It demonstrates the utter absurdity Peter Kirkenon, of Butte, Mont., suf fered from aphasia and had no recol lection of any past events. Pierce C. Wettor, who was arrested (had a dispassionate firmness appropri- in Medicine Hat, Alberta, declared ne cte with the present crisis. Ue has did not, until his arraignment today, demonstrated the impossibility of a satisfactory peace now." lhe speech had courage And faith of the story that the morale of tho said the Mail. "It flung a challenge Germans is waning. 1 iu the face of all doubters and wav It gives the lie to the confidently ' crors. He showed direct insight into Circulated .stories of Germany's im-Ithe supreme issues cf the war." pending collapse. - I "The chief m 'rit of the war," the Time asserted, "lie's in the clearne-jJ . CHRISTMAS PEACE OITEE. Geneva, ' Dec. 15. Kaiser Wilhelm's Christmas message to the German people will contain his final peace offer, according ,to an unofficial report received here today from- Berlin. Another peace of by Ger many has been foie.Vft in a number of reports f . Berlir in recent weeks. A.' United Press dispatches on Thursday pointed out there is widespread belief in London that the Ger man offensive planned on the western front, is the first step preliminary to a peace "drive" by the Central Powers. Chancllor- Hertling's speech lat mrath hinted at same new peace move. and directness with which the premier jKe?ps trie tninas tnat rcany matter re- : fore the people." I The News was the only London news jti'papr which did not entirely approve of the seech. " Unfortur.atelv. he did net hint i when victory would be considered as w " the editorial declared. "Among 'ed her to it." Bolsheviki Win Potrograd, Dec. 15. Generals Kale- dines aud Pototsky and their stafts ivanced if the Hoover committee pays Cuban cane growers five cents a pound, las contemplated. ' 1 his compares with 2.39 cents in 1907; coercive measures. All Austrian and German troops have been coaxed with taint to the house naval probe. Some premises ui oener ioou tinu quar- senators saw in it an attempt to fore- lors ii muy reai'ii me iittnun pmins. The enemy g etforts today were con centrated on two wedges astride the Italian salient .at Solarola. If he can keep constantly on tho offensive his position is fairly secure, but the. mo ment he lapses in his attack and per mits the Italians to assume the initia tive his lino of communicatiqis will be seriously menaced. have been arrested bv Bolsheviki fore- ipieekles stated. es, it was officially 'announced today. I The Hoover committee, which "ere Bolsheviki now safclv hold Rostoil, r , rnree years ago ana 4.B last year .German-Austrian attacks at Monte So were Naktitchevano and Taganroj, it wis declared. Hundreds of Disappointed Recruits at Portland ated a sui;ar shortage, according to bpreckles, is packed with former em ployes of tho "sugar trust." ho declar ed. "Even the watchmen are former watchmen for the American Bugar Re fining company," said Spreckles. "And E. E. Hooker, former trust emplovo is stall a similar senate inquiry. "So far no deficiency has developed in the navy which can bring criticism" said Chairman Oliver of tho house na val committee. "Hut we want to know whether we really are bringing to bear our maximum naval efficiency or whe ther, with further information, wo might not improvo matters." "The more they learn about the navy tho more they will applaud it," is Sec retary Daniels' attitude. The investigation of the shipping 1 .l I 1 1L. 1. i ! . -'i.iiiM i ""'mi uiso piunneu uv ine nouse com- with exceptionally heavy losses to the "littce ",ay P-rV ,' m lgKeZ Benaa' enemy, today's ouicial statement an- t'ou": .The "'"S'de" of the Denman nounccd , Goethals row and of Admiral Capps' re- Following tho failure of the Teuton tirement will be aired. Chairman Hur shock troops to gain any advantngu , Icy will be called on to show how much over the Italian resistance, counter at-sI)eed 19 b(nl, n,ado to launch mx mil tacks were directed and thoir success ll,m iona of Bhiinm'K in 1918. Details or contracts wun ine country's icauiug Italians Repulse Attacks Rome, Dec. 15. Repeated violeat i (Continued on pago three) know whv he was arrested. .... .t ......... i UJI hfl WW attorney. meS!l" the volunteering period extend- I now buyer for the committee, and i nifS Hospital i-clv, for the first time. The defendants y..,r, ,,i.bj t wir their hief in V i r ' n !. .,., .,i , ,i, """ '""" '- ana now secretary to the sligar com- hminn resulted in the retirement nf thn in caifon' f,m. ti,,. i,D.i th at. sti'i'l magnates will !e souirnt. Ana tne a steering committee of one to whom I feet of comnoliinir the cessation of the old wooden-steel ship controversy may Portland, Or., Dev. 14. ne army re- au persons having business with the ; heavy artillerying that has been in pro cruitinsr headquarters refusing io re-! committeo must apply when entering gress. ceive any further applications for cn-jits offices" I The Italian defense continues to hold listmcut until the six hundred or more Among those Spreckles named as without sign of wavering or breaking. applications now on file are attended j holding important positions with the. Fallowing a most violent series of to, frantic efforts are being made by I sugar committee were Ifarry C. Mott, upwards of SO0 disappointed men to formerly buyer for the "sugar trust", (Continued on pago three) the to iv and Vanderveer was taken to the Har rison Street police station. Count Luxburg Insane Is Latest Rumor By Charles P. Stewart (Unite! Press staff correspondent) -Buenos Aires, Dec. 15. Rumors that Count Luxburg. former German minis ter to Arrentine and famous for hrs not a woru eniiniening us on ine ono i ..hrase. "spurlos versenkt," - . . 11 . . !! I. O-l 1111 ' 1 . . . . , were then removed to the county -iail ( Wa8Uin(fton an(1 OrC!?0n congressional delegates are deluged with wires. For the past two days, there have been practically no applications filed here, although throngs cf men contin ually besiege the station. In the mean time, the recruiting office force U working overtime to dispose of the po tential soldiers who applied earlier. Gunshot Wound is Fatal Newport, Ore., Dec. 15. Nugget Doyle, aged 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dovle. of Waldport, died here yes terday as a result of a gunshot wound retary to the sugar com mitt-e. Bpreckles said he had protnsted against Hoover's appointment of three American sugar magnates on the in ternational enmmitfen. Tin rinMnrn,! h had declined to head a Byrup price com-Dec- 15 The notes of B b"Klc Tel mittee because he was an interested th" fo embracing a certain valley in party. Spreckles produced a letter from I w?Ieh ' 0fatod an American hospital i:r,,., i-i,t, ,.t it.,., I with American nurses and orderlies. Experiences Air Raid By J. W. Pegler (United Press staff correspondent) With the American Army in France, point that really matters. The world igane. were circulated here -today when Lniv v,w,,nr ninht. Ynnnir ! today will regret his failure to state .jt became known he had been transfer- Doyle and his little brother were play- x;iw injury oi me nines nnu mc ian- from an internment camp to a san- jng wj tv and the definiteness which the oe- "icasion demands." ' EUROPEAN EXPERT j TAKES DIFFERENT VIEW By J. W. T. Ma?on (Written for the United Tress) New Yors, Dec- 15. The initiative itariura. The official explanation of the trans for was that Luxburg had suffered a "nervous collapse." Resident here, however, recalled the ouenr antics which were reported of Luxburg at the time of his departure from Buenos Aires after he had been passing to the Germans en the Anglo-held persona non grata. T- rrench iront, as uescriDca oy r.a u.1 At that time Luxburg departed on Sjjeen, in his London dispatch to the !a steamer provided for him by the gov- United Press today, mentis that th eminent, but slinurd ashore and land g with a rifle, supposed to De unload ed, when it was accidentally discharg ed. The hi?h power bullet struck tho lad in the arm, breaking the bone and tearing away the flesh. The lad was rushed to Newport where he was given medical assistance. Cited there, Argentine officials had a hard time arresting him. Report of his insanity was seized upon by pro-Germans as the reason for some of the as tounding comments Luxburg made in (Continued on page four) o.l on ArgentiPC soil, later traveling to messages to Berlin throug'i the Swed- a small r.nc in xne lniencr. vt nen io- isn legation commission fluted December 10 in which Rotph said the state department had been negotiating with the Cuban gov ernment regarding price and supply of sugar, that was the first Bpreckles had heard of such negotiations, he said. Judge Lindley, counsel for Hoover, in timated that the high price for Cuban sugar was being arranged for some see ret diplomatic reason. Lindley also denied that the food ad ministration had fixed the price of beet sugar. "We have no control over price, only nnder the licensing of wholesalers" he said. Chairman Reed tried to get Lindley to admit the coercion used by Hoover was practically price fixing. Rolph, Hoover 'a sugar expert, who v (Continued on page three) Everybody recognized instantly . the aid raid alarm. All hurried to cover. Above an aeroplane swooped down, idropped three objects, turned a few flip flopg, showing the great allied cir cle and star marking its wings and ducked hurriedly away. Apparently the boches were still keeping up their dastardly trick of raiding hospitals; apparently also they were using machines camouflaged to look like allied planes. But the three objects which the avi ator dropped did not explode. Some orderlies hustled out to lock at them. They wore neatly wrapped parcels. I v. nen tney were opencu mcy proved to be Christmas presents for sick mem bers of an American aero squadron in the hospital. The machine was later identified as an American areoplane ' which had flown from the training ground for the anta Claus stunt. Abe Elar tin Afr A vtw j Iff. There's nothin' new under h' sun, but we occasionally bump into a nov elty after dark. Miss Fawn Lippineut tafki some o' openin' a beauty parlor fer knit brows.