Nebraska Newspapers

    TM SPMl.WEEKLY TRinUN. NORW PLATTF. NEBRASKA.
GERMANY'S !f!L
POWER
EXPUNGED
VdlGHTY FLEET OF TEUTONS NOW
IN HANDS OF ALLIES.
ABIDE BY ARMISTICE TERMS
Gigantic Surrender Unprecedented In
All Naval History Five Big Ameri
can Warships Take Part A Specta
cle Never to Be Forgotten.
Edinburgh, Nov. 25. Germany
naval power ceased to exist on Nov.
21. The heart of her mighty Hoot
fourteen 'ships of line, seven light
cruisers and fifty destroyers surren
dered to an arinadu of British, Amer
ican and French vessels, the greatest
lighting force that ever stood out to
sea.
The minutely detailed program of
submission laid down by the com
mander of the IJrltlsh llect was car
ried out strictly according to plans.
The Gerimui warships, strung out In
n single column almost twenty miles
long, appeared at the rendezvous at
tho appointed time nnd were led Into
the Firth of Forth between twin col
umns of allied ships which over
lapped the Germans at each end. The
enemy craft are now anchored in the
llrth, under guard as prisoners.
Event Without Precedent.
A surrender on such a gigantic
scale has n6 precedent In naval his
tory. Although the wonderful naval
spectacle was the same as a peace
time review and evoked little enthus
iasm, the hnze blotting out the hori
zon, American nnd British officers
could scarcely credit the evidence of
their eyes. It was an event which
shattered all naval traditions and
ideals.
Men animated by the spirit of
Lawrence's "Don't Give Up the Ship."
and Nelson's "England Expects Every
Man to "Do Ills Duty," could not con
ceive of such an Inglorious fate as
that to which the enemy sea- force
was submitting. An Associated Press
correspondent to whom Is credited
with writing this article, standing on
the deck of an American dreadnnught
hoard an officer exclnlm: "Even the
poor old Spaniards, knowing they had
not n chance, came out of Santiago."
Hut for the most part, both ofllcers
and men were silent. They realized
they were witnessing tho climacteric
net of Germany's downfall. They
know that the surrender of these ves
sels automatically raised tho United
States to second position among tho
world's naval powers, but they showed
no elation and seemed to feel a sort
of contemptuous pity for tho fallen
glnnt of the sea who had refused to
light. Their Imaginations dwelt on
the foe's shame.
The German ships were sighted by
tho allied columns at f:20 o'clock In
the morning, docilely following their
British pilot, the light cruiser Cardiff,
which, with destroyers and other small
craft, had ranged abend of the allied
fleet. The enemy studiously complied
with Admiral Bentty's orders and it
was well for their own sakes that they
did. Every vessel stenming out to
meet them flew battle ensigns nnd was
ready for Instant nctlon with Its men
at battle stntlons, nnd guns In posi
tion for prompt annihilation of the
enemy's forces If their mission proved
to 1)0 other than peaceful.
Five American battleships, the New
York, Texas. Arkansas, Wyoming and
Florida, were prepared to fire every
gun In forty seconds after the signal
was given by Rear Admiral Rodman,
who said to tho correspondent before
sailing: "There Is not the slightest
probability of any trouble, but we nro
overlooking no chances ,ngnlnst mak
ing the wind up of this show a big
success."
Ship Line 14 Miles Long.
The main allied fleet extending
over a line fourteen miles long In the
Firth of Forth began to weigh anchor
at 1 o'clock a. in. The Scotch mist
which for days bad obscuredthe hur
l)or was swept nwny by a stiff breeze,
and the moon shone brilliantly out of
n clear sky. The ships quickly took
their stations In the long double line
they held. throughout the day. British
battle cruisers led the way, followed
by dreadnaughts. Admiral Bentty's
flagship, tho Queen Elizabeth, led the
squadron In the northern column. Tho
American warships fell Into line be
hind Admiral Bentty's craft balancing
n British squadron similar In power In
the opposite Hie.
Tho rendezvous was approximately
fiftv miles distant nnd the ships
gauged their speed to arrive at tho ap-
America's Sea Losses.
Washington, I). (V Nov. 25. The
loss of l'l!5 American passenger and
merchant vessels of Il.'i 1,410 tons anil
77.r lives through acts of the enemy
during the period from tho beginning
tf tho world war to the cessation oi
hostilities November 11. Is shown by
figures made public a few days ago by
tho department of commerce's hureno
of navigation. The report does not In
clude several vessels, the loss of
which has not been established as due
to nets of the enemy.
pointed pmco at 8 o,eu... At o
o'clock a slgnnl summoned tho men
Into battle stations, except for the of
ficers on tho bridges, tho ship's com
panies wore hidden bohlnd bulwarks
of steel. When dawu broke, tho sea
was again covered with mist which
reductd tho visibility to loss thnn
S.000 yards.
German Fleet Arrives.
Eyes straining through tho murky
haze tlnally were rewarded. Off tho
starboard bow, the Cardiff, trailing un
observation kite balloon, en me steam
ing In. Close behind her camo tho
Hist of the German ships, the great
battle cruiser Soydlltz, which was ,
flying the flag of Commodore Togtrt. i
After her camo four others of the1
same type, tho Derft'llnger, Von Der
Tnnn. Illndonburg and Moltke. They
moved along three cable lengths
apart.
Immediately following them were
nine dreadnaughts, the Fredrlch der
Grosso. flagship of Rear Admiral Von
Router, the Koenlg Albert. Kaiser.
Kronprlnz Wllhelm, Bayrln. Mark-
graf, I'rlnz Regent, Lultpold and the
Grosser Kurfuorst.
Three miles astern of the battle
ships camo seven light cruisers, the
Karlsruhe, bearing the ensign of Com
modore Harder; tho Frankfort, Em
don,, Romberg, Brummer, Coin and
Bremen.
Then came another gap of three
miles and German destroyers came
steaming in five columns abreast with
ton destroyers to a column. Six miles
separated the allied columns and
squnrely between them the Cardiff
brought her charges all steaming at
the stipulated speed of ten knots. As
ordered, their guns were In regular
fore ai'd aft positions and as far as
powerful glasses could determine
there was no sign to provoke sus
picion. Over the Germans circled a
British dlrlcible. which acted as oyo
for the allied ships, which, although
the fog had lifted, were still too dis
tinct for accurate observation.
When the leading German ship?
hnd reached the western end of the
flanking columns the allied ships put
about In squadrons. Quickly reform
ing their lines, they proceeded to es
cort the enemy in to the Firth of
Forth. By noon tho last wisp of fop
had dispersed and a splendid view of
the vast array of war craft could be
obtained. Holding steadily to its
course, the great fleet reached May
Island at 2 o'clock. The captive. Ger
mans were piloted to anchorages as
signed to them and British ships from
the southern column closed In as
guards. Tho northern column steam
ed on to the regular anchorage higher
up the Firth.
Inspection ir.irtles from the grand
fleet boarded tho Germans to make
sure that all conditions of tho armis
tice wre observed. The enemy ves
sels will be Interned In Scnpa flow.
Part of the crews will remain for
maintenance work and the remainder
will bo returned to Germany soon.
King Vlslt3 U. S. Squadron.
King George's visit to the Ameri
can flagship, New York-, the day pre
vious to tho surrender, was u notable
occasion throughout. British destroy
ers were streaming oiit of the harbor
to take up advanced positions to act
as a screen for the grand fleet and the
portcntlousness of their mission gave
a note of solemnity to tho gala scene
on tho New York. As soon as the
royal party stepped aboard tho royal
ensign was hoisted to tho masthead.
This was tho first time since the
United States entered the war that
any ccremnnlnl puuctllllo has been ob
served. King George wns touched by
the sight of his standard snapping in
tho breeze above the Stars and Stripes
mil expressed his appreciation.
King George, tho Prince of Wales
Admiral Bcatty and other members of
tho visiting party were received by
Admirals Rodman nnd Sims nnd othei
ofllcers of tho fleet. They mado a
quick tour back between long lines of
marines standing stiffly at attention
and sailors manning the rails. The
party then went below to tho admiral's
cabin, where It visited for half an
hour.
The king appeared to have a fine
time. Formalities "wore abandoned
Admirals Boatty, Sims and Rodman
were In high spirits and their good
natured bantering kept the whole
narty laughing. It wns an Interesting
manifestation of the extremely cordial
and Intimate relations cementing
Great Britain and America. King
George voiced the brotherly feelings
of the two navies, with a suggestion
that arrangements might well be made
for Joint mnneuver every year by the
American and British fleets. His pro
posal was heartily seconded by the
American ofllcers. As the king entered
the royal barge, the order came from
the officer on the bridge to the sailors
and marines, "throe cheers for the
king of England." Cheofs were given
with such a will that they brought nn
answering cheer from the men on tho
iV ui shins .of the American sniuid-
ron
Estimates Belgium's Loss.
Rochester, N. V., Nov. 2,ri.--Belgium's
loss from Germnn occupation
was placed by Prof. Paul Van Den
Wii. of the Belgian embassy, nt b
' .'t ii Sf.OOO.OOO.OOO and Sl,0K),000,000.
No Trace of British Prisoners,
London, Nov. 2.1, A "white pnier"
on the treatment of British prisoners
In Turkey. Just Issued, says that of
10,583 prisoners taken by the Turks,
fl.200 are reported to be dead, whllo
no trace can he found of 2,222 other
-7v ; . - '
I General view of Prague, capital of the new Czecho-Slovak republic. 2 -American engineers nnd Infantry
men rebuilding n road In war-shattereil France. !l President Wilson Inspecting an American Hundley Pago
bombing piano which How from Mlncoln to Washington, 2110 miles. In three hours.
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Armies of Allied Nations on Their
Triumphant March to the
Rhine.
GERMANY SURRENDERS FLEET
President Wilson Prepares to Leave
for Europe to Take Part In the
Peace Conference Ukrainian
Government Overthrown
by Anti-Bolshevlcts. .
By EDWARD W. PICKARD.
The triumphant march to the' Rhino
by the unities of the allies has been
going on steadily all week. At last
these brave troops move forward real
ly "with bands plnylng nnd banners
flying," and as they pass through the
cities, towns and hamlets of northern
France and Belgium the people of
those places, released from years of
barbarous slavery to the Huns, give
them hysterlcnl welcome. From holes
where they had been hidden since tho
summer of 10M their national flags
are brought forth to decorate the
buildings nnd streets and tho ruins
left by the Invaders, and everywhere
homemade specimens of the Stars and
Stripes fly with tho other banners.
Tho wild Joy of the Inhabitants is
pnthetlc In the extreme, and especial
ly In Alsace and Lorraine, which is
occupied by the Third American army
together with the French under Gen
eral Mangln. Those "lost provinces,"
now regained, have ever remained
loyal at heart to Franco and tlioy wel
comed the Pollus and the doughboys
with open arms.
For Lorraine the great demonstra
tion took place In Metz, which was
entered by Mangln's army on Tuesday.
That general was Injured the day be
fore when his horso fell, but Marshal
Petaln was there and, standing before
the statue of Marshal Ney In the main
square, reviewed the troops. The In
habitants had overturned the German
statues In tho city and made the place
gay with tho allied fhtgs and with
their own national costumes. Similar
scenes were witnessed In Slrassbtirg
and other cities of Alsace. Near the
Swiss border the French troops first
reached the Rhine.
The American army of occupation,
commanded by General Dlckman. ami
about 2,"0,0()0 strong, marched across
the old German frontier Into Lor
raine and swung to the northward
Into Luxemburg, the murines on Its
right passing into Belgium. In the
grand duchy no less than elsewhere
the Yankees were enthusiastically
greeted. Their advance was made al
ways with due caution, however, and
the task of moving so large an army
forward steadily and keeping up Its
supplies and communications was
performed In perfect manner.
Meanwhile the British anil Belgian
untiles of occupation were keeping
pace with their allies, advancing
through Belgium close on the heels of
the retiring Gentians.
r
Everywhere the victors found vast
stores of weapons and materials
which the Huns left In accordance
with the stipulations of tho armistice,
and In general It was said tho Ger
mans were carrying out the terms Im
posed on them. There wns pillaging
In some places, and occasionally a
storehouse was blown up, but these
Instances were comparatively Infre
quent. The worst charge against the
conquered foe related to the released
allied prisoners. .!nu. of these,
usually sick and half starved, were
merely turned loose to mak'e their way
to I heir friends as best they might.
England sent to Berlin n stern pro
tost against such violations of the ar
mistice terms.
The allied fleets have mused through
the Dardanelles to the Black sen, and
allied troops have been landed In Con
stantlnople and on the Gnlllpoll penin
sula. In what was Austria-Hungary
tin- process of occupation also goes
on. French troops having entered
Ru.' i. -t
At sea the surrender of the Ger
mans was signalized last week by the
turning over to the allies of the Ger
man high seas fleet and mauy subma
rines. These vessels wero met by
British warships and escorted to port,
the submarines to Harwich and the
battleships and cruisers to the Firth
of Forth. The Huns, who have never
shown good faith :xeept under com
pulsion, were wntcbed with utmost
are. They were sullen and chagrined
but attempted no treachery. The ves
sels they surrendered were dirty and
stripped of nonessentials but other
wise were In working condition.
re
conditions In Germany still are
ehaolle and Premier Ebert Is not hav
ing his own way by any means, lie
decided that there should bo a con
stituent assembly as soon as the fran
chise lists could be made out, but the"
soldiers' and workmen's council at
Berlin declined this, demanding In
stead the summoning of a general sol
diers' and workmen's congress "In or
der to make a decision as to the fu
ture of Germany." The extremists
are In the great majority there and
their strength Is reported to be grow
ing In niany other German cities. The
Soclnllst government Is striving In
various ways to bring to bear Influ
ences that may mitigate the rigors of
the armistice and pence terms. Ah
peals for food continue to come, from
both Germany nnd Austria. "If our
stomachs are full we will behave much
better," cry the Huns. As u matter
of fact, shiploads of food for hungry
Europe already have been dispatched
and the Germans are making agree
ments by which they will be able to
obtain food from Denmark, Argentina
and other countries. What the United
States can spare probably will not go
to them, hut to more deserving suf
ferers, and even to Russia.
Considerable stir was caused by tho
rumor that tho former kaiser Intends
to return to Germany because his
presence in Holland was embarrass
ing the queen and government of the
Dutch. Wilhelmlnn weathered the crisis
and the radical Dutch abandoned
their attempt to force her to abdicate,
but doubtless she would be glad to gel
rid of William Holienzulleni. Germany
might permit him to return, though
the danger of his becoming the cen
ter of a reactionary movement Is rec
ognized. However, It Is to be hoped
the peace treaty will settle the figure
of tho deposed ruler so that he need
never again he considered. Charles
of Austria Is in better stale than Wil
liam, for, though he is said to be In
poverty In Vienna, neither his people
nor tho allies have any horious charges
to make against him.
PW--
President Wilson has ended tlje
doubt as to his going to Europe by
announcing that ho will attend the
opening of tho peace conference,
though he probably will not remain
to preside over Its sessions or take
part la them. The entente govern
ments seem lo be pleased with this
decision. The members' of the Amer
ican delegation had not been an
itounced when this was written, but It
was believed they would Include for
mer President Taft and perhaps Sec
retary of Agriculture Houston, as well
as See, tary of State Lansing and
Colonel House.
According to the Washington cor
respondents, the president will seek
to Influence the peace conference In
five matters especially. These are:
The creation of a league of nations
to enforce peace.
An agreement to reduce military
armaments.
An agreement 'making freedom of
the seas In war as In peace subject to
regulation by the league of nations.
A squiiro deal for the German peo
ple. Aid for Itussla.
Four of these the people probably
will willingly leave to Mr. Wilson and
the other diplomats to settle, hut the
fifth, "a squaro deal for the German
people." Is calculated to arouso the
apprehension of many millions of pco
pin lu America and the countries of
the entente. Even If they are not do
mandliig revenge, they do demand that
a square ileal be given America, Great
Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and
the other nations that fought the con
tral power and whipped them, and
that Gerimiiiy and her fellow conspira
tors get only what Is loll. It' anything
The governments of the alhe.l nations
have kept from the knowledge of the
people many facts concerning tho wnr
and doubtless this has been wise, bin
they could not if they would conceal
the part tho German people ns n whole
have played. Every one of us knowt
that the latter, whatever their statu!
or their politics, supported their gov
eminent as long as It appeared to lit
winning, gloatingly approved all tin
crimes nnd outrages committed, am1
repudiated the leaders of the ciimlna
conspiracy only when their falluri
was assured and It became necessity
for them to look for some way oi
crawling out from under the wreck
age.
Why. then, should tho president ol
the United Slates or any other repre
sentutlve of the powers that defeated
Germany, feel It necessary to make t
special plea for a square deal for tin
vanquished? Paraphrasing the ok
saying, what we demand for tin
Gerinnns Is plain Justice, and d d
little of that.
fm
Mr. Wilson Is said to be especlallj
concerned In the problem of estnb
llshlng u stable government In Russia
and thero Is reason for Ids concern
That distracted country has bobbe
up again In the news columns and the
situation there Is, If possible, more com
plicated than ever. The now all-Hus
shin government that was established
at Omsk and recognized by most ol
tho antl-bolshovlk elements Is now Ir
control of Admiral Alexander Kolchak
The council of ministers executed s
coup d'etat and made Kolchak tho vlr
tiuil dictator and commander of tin
all-Russlau army and navy. Ho li
called "supreme governor." Severn;
opposing ministers wore Imprisoned
What the course of the commissioner!
of the allied governments will be h
not known.
Along the Dvlna tho holshcvlkl at
tacked the allied forces and were re
pulsed with heavy losses. Since thet
they have contented themselves will
shelling the Russo-allled position!
.from the gunboats, with which the:
are better supplied than their adver
saiies.
An event that was very gratlfylni
to Washington and the entente cap
ltals was the overthrow of tho Ukraln
Ian government iiml tho capture o:
Kiev by antl-bolslievlk troops -frou
Astrakhan under General Deulkluu
This opens tiro way for tho allies dl
rectly Into the heart of Russia. Whlli
they were being ousted at home, tin
Ukrainians were engaged In coiitluu
ous lighting with the Poles In Gallcla
where they had taken Leinberg, nn(
In Bukowlnu, where they held Czerno
wltz, There, as In the Ukraine, tin
Ukrainians wire helped by Geriuai
ofllcers.
No news has come from eastern SI
berla, nor Is much to be expected
since Its dissemination is under tin
control of tho Japanese. Tho rccen1
lifting of the censorship does no
seem' to apply to that region.
-PSi-
The government took two steps last
week that aroused much comment nnd
not a little protest. The first was nr.
order making effective governmental
control of all the marine cable sys
terns of the United States; and tin
second was the consolidation of tin
services of the Western Union un
Postal Telegitph companies undei
governmental control. Postmastei
General Burleson is In control.
Ha
Congress adjourned on November
21 In order that the members mlgh
have a brief rest before the short ses
slon opens on December 2. Tho pros
blent has planned that all Important
legislation shall he held up during lib
absence In Europe, the scheme belnj
to have the vice president and speak
or withhold their signatures to bllh
passed; but considerable opposition t
this plan Is developing. Many leaden
In congress contend that there Is ur
gent necessity for legislation In th
line of roconstvuetlon, In which Amor
lea already Is being outstripped by Fu
rnpenn nations.
President Wilson signed the food
production stimulation hill with tlx
.loites rider, ami consequently the
United States will be "bono dry" from
June 110 next until tho time when the
demobilization of Its fighting forces
has been completed. The Importation
of all Intoxicating drinks stops at
once, except that wines may be Im
ported until May 1, 11)10. The liquor
Interests may contest th- .inMitii.
tlounllty of the law
BAG
SOON
EIGHT DIVISIONS TO RETURN AT
EARLY DATE, SAYS MARCH.
DEMOBILIZATION IS STARTED
Nebraska and Iowa Soldiers Included
in the Units Mentioned. Yank
Casualties Over 236,000.
Washington, IX O., Nov. 20. De
mobilization of tho American expedi
tionary farces already In progress
with tho movement homeward of sick
nnd wounded, will bo hastened by Uio
return at an early date of eight divi
sions of national guard nnd nutlonal
army troops, eight regiments of coast
artillery and two brigades of Held ar
tillery. This announcement was made
Into last week by General March,
chief of start.
Total Ainorlcaa casualties to No
vember I'lv when hostilities- ceased,
were 230,117. This includes, Genentl
March mild, killed and tiled of
wounds, dlctl of disease, unclassified
deaths, wounded, prisoners and miss
ing. The divisions which General March
said have been designated by Gononil
Pershing to return as soon ns tho sick
and wounded have been moved to the
United States are:
National Guard: .'list (Georgia, Al
abama and Florida) ; Itlth (Nebraska,
Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota);
IkSth ( Indiana, Kentucky and West
Virginia), and HPth (Arkansas, Missis
sippi! and Louisiana).
National Army: 70th (New Eng
land) ; Slth (Kentucky, Indiana, and
southern Illinois) ; SOth (northern Il
linois, Including Chicago) ; and 87th
(Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and
southern Alabama).
The coast artillery regiments to ho
returned as scam as posslhlo wore an
nounced as tho '10th, '17th, 48Ui, -10th,
50th, 7;id, 7-lth and Tilth.
The two field artillery brigades to
bo brought home are the OTith and tho
Kiild. Eighty-two aero squadrons,
seventeen construction companies nnd
pjveral special units from England
will he brought homo as soon ns
transportation facilities arc available,
General March wild.
Plans of tho war department call
for tho reduction of the American ex
peditionary forces to n point whore
they will constitute approximately
thirty divisions, or about half the
present strength. Father reductions
will bo mado beyond that point if it Is
found that the situation warrants,
At an average strength of 40,000
men to n division, which would cover
all necessary auxiliary forces, this
would mean that General Pershing
would retain 1,200,000 men In France.
Massacre In Ruos Capital.
Stockholm, Nov. 2(1. Tho holshcvlkl
have been guilty of terrible excess In
Potrogrud In (he last few daysj ac
cording to a dispatch from Abo, Kin
laud, to the Aftotibladet. Kive hun
dred former army ofllcers are reported
to have been murdered.
Tho bolshovlkl government, it Is re
ported, has nnnoiinooiil since tho recap
ture of Kazan, Simbirsk and Samara
that they would have grain enough to
feed the soldiers and their own parti
sans throughout the winter. They
will not Issue food to any other per
sons. As u result, money has lost Its
food-buying power, and the non-hol-shovlk
Russians are In a desperate
condition.
Order Mooney Protest Strike.
San Francisco, Cul., Nov. 20. Tho
Machinists' union of San Francisco
and Oakland, and the Boilermakers'
and Iron Shipbuilders' union of Oak
land voted to strike December 0 as u
protest against the execution of Thom
as J. Mooney, sentenced to hang De
cember lit as the result of his convic
tion of murder In connection with the
Preparedness day bomb explosion hero
on July 22, 1010.
.No Heed to Walls of Enemy.
Paris, Nov. 2(1. It Is declared that
Marshal t'och, thei allied commander-in-chief,
has said he will give no heed
to protests of the German armistice
delegates made through communion
lions from Foreign Minister Solf con
corning the manner of carrying out
tlH armistice. This reply doubtless
will covr any further representations
that may bo mude by the Germans,
Hoover Arrives In Europe,
London, Nov. 20. Herbert C. Hoo
vcr, the American food administrator,
and Edwiird N. Hurley, chairman o(
the shipping hoard, have arrival here.
Many to Leave Great Lakes.
Great Lakes, III., Nov. 20. ofllceri
at the Great Lakes training naval sta
tlou ostlmnlid that between 5,000 and
8,000 men will be released from the
stutlou as the result of Secretary Dan
iels' order to accept requests for re
lease from active service. There will
bo no sudden rush to prlvato life, how
ever, us it will take several weeks to
act on tho applications. Men released
will bo those who have needy depend
ents, or who have businesses of their
own.