i JOINT REPLY
TO BE MADE
r BY ENTENTE
| Bonar. Law Says Britain and
Allies. Will Make Concerted
Answer to Wilson's
Notes.
BRITISH PRESS IS HOSTILE
First Impressions Reflect Re
sentment at Tone of Presi
dent’s Language — Sin
cerity Unquestioned.
London, Deo. 23.—The British gov
ernment will make no statement at the
present in regard to President Wilson’s
peace note, considering it a question
that can be dealth with only in com
munication with the other members of
* the entente. Announcement to this ef
fect was made in the house of com
mons today by Andrew Bonar Law,
■chancellor of the exchequer and gov
ernment leader in the house.
Mr. Law was asked whether a state
ment could be made regarding the
American note. He replied:
i "it must be obvious to the house
§ that this is a question that can only
A be dealt with in communication with
our allies, and that it is absolutely im
possible to make a statement now.”
Parliament was prorogued this aft
ernoon without the members being giv
en further information regarding Pres
ident Wilson s note or wh't action the
government contemplated with respect
to it.
No Mention of Peace.
Neither the note nor the German
peace! proposal was mentioned in the
king's speech, read in both houses. The
only reference to tin president's sug
gestion was made Im Andrew Bonar
Law, the government leader, in reply
to a question by Sir William Pollard
Pyles, a pacifist member, Mr. Law de
claring the question Was one which
could not be dealt with except in com
munication with the allies.
The speech from the throne was one
of the briefest on record. It expressed
confidence in the ultimate victory of
tiie allies and determination to prose
cute *he war “until we have vindicated
the rights so ruthlessly violated by our
enemies and established the security of
Europe on a sure foundation.”
Britain Taken Aback.
The general public had their first
news of President Wilson’s note from
the morning papers and the matter was
>the one topic of consideration on in
coming suburban trains and through
out the country. The people, like the
press, were rather taken aback, as they
had about arrived at the conclusion
that Premier *IJoyd-George's speech
had put an end to all peace talk un
less the central powers, in their reply
to the premier, were prepared .to de
tine their terms. That the president
or any other neutral ruler would take
any action was farthest from" their
mind. ' •
Tiie evening papers, which do not
print editorials, came out with big
head lines, which expressed their views.
Tiie Evening News, which is the aft
ernoon edition of the Daily Mail, heads
a. reprint of the comment of the morn
ing pape's with the one word, "No!" in
a large, black type, and under it: "Our
Answer to President Wilson.” And
again: “No. No, No!” that is the an
swer Great Britain gives today with
out a moment’s hesitation to the sur
prising note from President Wilson.”
The Globe today gives a secondary
place to its comment upon President
Wilson’s note, which is made in a
satirical vein under the heading:
“What Is the Matter With Him?”
"We sincerely hope President Wilson
is not unwell,” says the Globe, "yet we
find ourselves gravely doubtful as to
liis physical well being."
The newspaper proceeds to ask if the
president has never heard of what the
Germans did in Belgium and Serbia,
and continues that it finds itself un
able^ to believe he knows th’ese things
when he "describes the central powers
as desirous of securing small states
against aggression. *******
The high cost of living is said to be
hitting the average American citizen
verj' hard indeed, which may account
in some measure for the milk of human
kindness In tiie presidential cocoanut.”
stars views friendly.
The Star in its comment says:
“President Wilson's note is a Christ
mas bombshell. It comes as a complete
surprise to us. Let us say at once that
the allies in general and Great liritain
In particular ought to treat it with
the most sympathetic respect and give
it most friendly, most careful, consid
eration.
"Mr. Wilson is one of the greatest
presidents of ono of the greatest na
tions in the world. He stands for the
* things that we as a nation believe in.
His ideals are our ideals. We gladly
give his words the hearing due to a
friend speaking in behalf of friends.
We refuse to question his sincerity or
his single mindedness. * * * The spirit
of liis Christmas soundings is the right
spirit It is a spirit which he believes
animates the British people and their
allies. They are not afraid of sound
ings.
“There could be no worse mistake
than to think Mr. Wilson is doing to
the allies what President Lincoln
dreaded the European powers would do
during his fight for the union. * * •
We did not ask President Lincoln to
save Lancashire at the expense of
f American liberty, and we are confident
Mr. Wilson will not ask us to sacrifice
our liberty in order to mitigate the
hardships which the war inflicts upon
Americans."
As to the question of objects of the
belligerents being virtually the same,
the Star, in its allusion to President
Wilson's words in this case, says:
“This is an astounding statement,
t which we cannot, with the best will in
* ' the world, reconcile with the facts.”
The Daily News, which is the nearest
to pacifist among the London news
papers, says today, regarding President
Wilson's note:
“No one can fail to appreciate the
spirit in which the proposal is made,
or approve the cautious terms In which
It is couched. The history of the great
struggle in his own country is too re
cent a'nd too memorable for President
Wilson to he unaware of the perils of
too hasty intervention. From our side
it was the specter of European inter
vention that haunted Lincoln, and es
pecially in those days when the cause
of the north was passing through its
darkest phases.
Wilson Takinq Soundings.
"Mr. Wilson Is far too wise to add
that trouble to the enormous burdens
of the nations engaged in war for lib
erty no less, but fat' and far greater.
- — .'"^=^ ■ ■' !■■■'
THE SHADOW OF THE DOVE!
VILLA IS ATTACKING
TORREON CITY TODAY
Battle Begun This Morning
Was Still in Progress
at Noon.
El Paso, Tex.. Dec. 22.—Francisco
Villa's forces began an attack on Tor
reon at 4 o'clock this morning, accord
ing to unconfirmed reports received
here today. The battle was said to be
in progress at noon.
He is taking soundings. If he finds
th< waters still too deep, he will wait
until a more favorable opportunity.”
The newspapers say the central
powers would accept the note eagerly
and, despite their arrogant tone, the
door should not be barred and bolted
in their face.
The Daily Chronicle says:
"\Ve ask our friends across the Atlan
tic to believe us when we say no Amei
Ican state paper in our generation has
been calculated to cause so much pain,
not merely to Englishmen, but to liberal
opinion throughout southern and west
ern Europe.
"The note is in effect, however dif
ferent bo its aim, an appendix to that
lately received from Berlin.”
Saying that it is not based on the
grounds of humanity or injury to the
United States, the Dally Chronicle
says:
“We are bound to observe that with
only the recent exception in the matter
of the Belgian slave raids, President
Wilson never in the face of unparalleled
openings intervened on the ground of
humanity before.”
Recount German Wrongs.
The newspaper then recounts a list of
alleged German outrages in Belgium,
and elsewhere, on which it says Presi
dent Wilson remained silent. It adds that
he protested against the Lusitania,
Ancona and Sussex "massacres” not
because they were inhuihane, but be
cause Americans perished by their in
humanity.
“With this difference—that humanity
did not warrant intervention, but the
American interests did—we have never
iiuarreled," continues the, Daily Chron
icle, "but since he omitted to intervene
to stop crime is it consistent he inter
vene to hinder others from punishing
the criminals?”
The newspaper considers President
Wilson’s statement that the objects of
both belligerents are virtually the same
Is most painful for European liberals,
and adds:
"The president did not intend his
words as an insult, but tney are deeply
insulting none the less, and none of the
allied peoples can be expected to relish
them.”
-4~ '
MAY SERVE GOOD END.
Liverpool, Dec. 22.—The Post, refer
ring to President Wilson's note sug
gesting that the belligerents make
known their desires concerning peace,
says:
“President Wilson must not be sur
prised if, as far as the allies are con
cerned, his intervention produces a
state of mind contrary to that at which
he aims. The allies will readily give
the president credit tor the best of in
tentions, but they will be justified in
wondering whether, from their point
of view, the note is not particularly ill
timed and ill judged.
“The president's assurance that the
recent German overtures had no
prompting influence on his proposals
must be accepted. At the same time
it is. to say the least, somewhat mal
adroit that we should be so appealed to
by the United States at a moment when
the allies are at the height of their
power and Germany knows her own
apparently favorable position cannot
possibly be maintained.
“On the other hand, there is the pos
sibility that Mr. Wilson's efforts are
directed toward eliciting from Germany
concrete terms of peace which she
withheld in her extraordinary approach
to the entente. In that case a useful
purpose may be served for we then
would he in a position to judge whether
war weariness is associated with the
consciousness of criminality of which
Germany has been found guilty in the
eyes of the civilized world, and the ex
tent to which this will Induce her to
yield to the allies' inexorable demands
for guarantees against future barbar
ism.”
English people use an average of
eight matches each person a day.
*
ITS YOUNG GIRL
Manning, 83, and Worth $15,
000,000, Turns Down Hon
ora O’Brien, 28, on Very
Eve of Wedding.
New York. Dec. 23.—The marriage of
John B. Manning, aged 83, and worth
$15,000,000, and Miss Honora May
O’Brien, aged 28, whose chief posses
sions are youth and beauty, was "on
again, off again” this week.
According to the family of the
wealthy octogenarian, it is going to
stay "off”. And that is probably so, be
cause the Irish lass admitted tearfully
herseif "there’ll be no wedding, at least
for the present.” To which testimony
may be added that of the authorities at
St. Patrick's Cathedral, who said yes
terday afternoon: "The wedding has
been postponed indefinitely.”
But that probably won’t be the end
of the affair, because there arrived in
town yesterday James S. O’Brien of
Newport, R. I., an upstanding brother
of the bride-who-expected-to-be, and
ho said he came here for the specific
purpose of showing anybody and
everybody that the family bearing his
good old name was not to be trifled
with.
O’Brien Blood Is Stirred.
Neither he nor his sister would say
anything last night about a breach of
promise suit, but they made It quite
plain that an O’Brien couldn’t be led
almost to the altar rail and then dis
missed by a mere phone call, which
was the case here. No. sir! The Man
nings will hear more of this.
The wedding was to have been cel
ebrated Wednesday morning by Card
inal Farley in the Archepiscopal resi
dence in Madison avenue. All arrange
ments had been completed. Even the
invitations to a small group of guests
had been sent. And then—the phon*
call.
NERVOUS SITUATION
IN GRAIN MARKETS
Inability of Trade to Inter
pret Peace Situation
Causes Upset.
i 1
Chicago, Dec. ( 22.—Wheat today
opened nervous and Irregular, with
prices from %c under to l%c over yes
terday’s close. A sharp break quickly'
ensued. May dropped to $1.62%, a
maximum over night loss of 1%. July
fell to $1.34%, a similar loss. At the
opening. May sold at $1.65, and July
at $1.36%. Traders seemed perplexed
in endeavors to interpret the socalled
peaco situation.
In the later trading decided strength
developed, owing to assertions that ex
port demand was urgent and that indi
cations pointed to a war like note from
tho entente allies to the central powers.
The market closed strong at 2%@4%o
net advance with May at $1.67% @1.68,
and July at $i.38%_@1.38%.
FIRST IOWA INFANTRY
BACK TO DES MOINES
Des Moines. In., Dec. 22.—Delayed
south of Kansas City, in their traveling
yesterday, the first detachment of the
Klrst Iowa infantry will not arrive in
Des Moines until late this afternoon.
The firB ttrain, bearing the Second
battalion reached Kansas City before
midnight and left at 5 o’clock this morn
ing over the Great Western. It is due in
Des Moines about 4 o'clock this after
noon.
The first train, bearing the Second
rive in Des Moines at 8:30 o’clock last
night The troops will be conducted tc
Kort Des Moines, on street cars, im
mediately upon their arrival.
The greater part of 4.000,000 tons of
herring caught ’yearly in Japanese wa
ters are used to fertilize rice field*.
I 4++»4++^+»+4"»++++»+++4~»++++^♦+444444-f4444444.»>♦ »♦
» Germany Is Prepared to \
t Lay Her Cards on Table 1
f t
♦ London, Dec. 22.—An Exchange Telegraph dispatch from The Hague J
4 says it is announced semiofficially that should entente allies in their i
4 reply to the peace proposals of the central powers leuve the door open 4
4 for negotiations, Germany will make known her chief peace terms im- 4
4 mediately. 4
4444444444 444444 44 44444444444444444444444444
Fear Resumption of U-”:at
War if Peace Efforts Fail
Secretary Lansing’s Remarks Yesterday Revealed Adminis^
tration Belief United States May Become Involved With
Teutons If All ies Press War.
Washington, Dec. 23.—Standing in
the background of the assertions in the
peace appeal of the president and what
Secretary Lansing has suid, that con
ditions fop the neutral United States
are becoming intolerable, is the fact
that the administration apprehends
thpt if the present German peace over
tures fail, the central powers will con
duct the war with less regard for hu
manity than before.
In other words, a relentless subma
FI DIE IN Hi
Wichita Lodge Building For
Aged and Children De
stroyed With Loss Put
at $250,000.
Wichita, Kan., Dec. 23.—At least five
persons were missing and several were
suffering from injuries as the result of
a fire that destroyed the main building
of the Kansas Masonic home early to
day. In addition scores of old men and
women and children were exposed to
the effects of the flames and blizzard
weather. Many were rescued with dif
ficulty and several, made unconscious
by the smoke and fire, or overcome
by the intense cold, as they fled from
the burning structure in their nighi
clothes, were taken to hospitals and
private homes.
Joseph Deck, who was believed to
have been burned under a bed where he
was seen by firemen, was later found
at a nearby residence.
There were 92 Inmates in the home,
a large three-story brick building,
built in the form of a key. Most of
the number were rescued by the fire
men, but there are several still unac
counted for. A boy sleeping in the
basement of the building discovered the
flames and in his efforts to sound the
alarm shut off the lights. When ^ the
firemen arrived the flames had gained
great headway and their efforts to
ward suppressing the flames were
hampered by frozen water plugs, the
thermometer being about eight degrees
above zero.
Finding it impossible to get sufficient
water to thrown on the flames the fire
men directed their efforts toward res
cuing the inmates. These were taken
down ladders in that portion of the
building where the flames had made
more rapid headway and were carried
down the stairways where these were
available. The children were housed
on the third floor of the home as were
two old and crippled women. Most of
the children were taken out by the fire
men. but the two crippled women and
eight of the little ones are unaccounted
for, and are believed to have perished.
Several of the firemen suffered from
the effects of smoke inhaled In their ef
forts at rescuing the inmates. Chil
dren and elderly persons who were res
cued suffered greatly from exposure.
The fire is believed to have been
caused by a defective furnace. The
loss is given as about $260,000.
O'KELLY, ADVENTURER
STATESMAN, IS DEAD
Meidber of Parliament Who
Had Romantic Career, Dies
In London.
London, Dec. 23.—James J. O’Kelly,
nationalist member ot the house of
commons, died in London this morning.
Mr. O’Kelly. member of the house of
commons since 1895, was widely
known for his adventurous career. He
was one of Parnell's earliest recruits
in parliament and went through the
ritual of suspension and removal from
the house which marked the early ’80s.
While still a member of parliament he
accepted a commission to go up the
Nile during the Sudan campaign and
Interview the mahdt, but Lord Kitche
ner barred that enterprise. Mr. O’Kelly
fought In the Franco-Prussian war,
having a commission In the French
army. His passion for adventure also
found an outlet in the United States
army during the Indian campaigns of
a generation ago. At the time of the
Cuban revolt against Spanish rule he
served as a correspondent for New
York and London newspapers and dis
tinguished himself particularly by his
daring when, contrary to the orders of
the Spanish captain general at Havana,
he made his way to the rebel lines and
sent a series of dispatches concerning
the revolution.
Mr. O’Kelly was bom in Roscommon,
Ireland, and was In his 71st year.
SHIPPING BOARD IS
NAMED BY PRESIDENT
Washington. Dec. 32—President Wil
son today nominated the following to
be members of the government ship
ping board:
William Denman, Sun Francisco;
Bernard N. Baker, Baltimore; John A.
Donald, New York; John Barber White,
Kansas City, Mo., and Theodore Brent,
of New Orleans.
The i-onductlvlty of copper depends
on the purir'y of the metal.
rine war is feared. Should this even
tuate. the United States would l>e In
danger of a break with Germany, if not
something more grave.
This apprehension, according to good
authority here, partly at least was re
sponsible for the tone of what the
president and Secretary Lansing hav«
recently given out. It is felt here that
Secretary Lansing, though his lan
guage may not have been fortunate, in
fact spoke what Is in the administra
tion's mind as to the danger to the
United States in the war’s continuance*
PLANS TO RESIGN
Report Not Sustained In Of
ficial Circles—Claimed That
Statements Were Ill
Timed.
Washington, Dec. 23.—A rumol
gained currency here today that Sec
retary of State Lansing would resigi
because of the fact the president
thought nis remnrks yesterday about
the country drifting to the verge of wai
inopportune and badly timed.
The report found no support what
ever in administration quarters.
In the same connection, the view was
pronounced in some quarters that the
force of the appeal of the president
had been weakened by the statement ol
Secretary Lansing followed by his ex
planation that this country contemplat
ed no change In policy.
FOREIGN TRADE TO
BREAK ALL RECORDS
Now Believed Total For Year
1916 Will Reach $7,800,
000,000, Report.
Washington, D. C„ Dec. 23.—The
country's foreign trade this year prob
ably will reach a total of $7,800,000,000.
A bureau of foreign and domestic com
merce statement shows that for the
11 months ending with November ex
ports and imports combined totalled
$7,148,000,000.
November exports of $517,900,000 set
a new monthly record. The highest
previous month was September, when
exports were $3,000,000 short of No
vember. Imports fell off slightly last
month.
“WILD HORSE” DEFENSE
TO REST CASE TODAY
Omaha, Neb., Dec. 22.—Counsel for
the defense In the case of the govern
ment against the United States Live
Stock company and the Omaha Land &
Investment company, charged with
using the mails to defraud in the sales
of “wild horses” In Coconino county,
Arizona, aggregating $1,000,000, stated
today that they probably would rest
their case in time to permit cross ex
amination to be concluded before night
There is no regular session of the fed
eral court on Saturday and the Jury
will be dismissed for a Christmas re
cess until Tuesday morning, when the
attorneys’ arguments will be begun
They expect the case to go to the Jury
Tuesday night, the 17th day of the
trial.
C. M. Thompson, secretary-treasurer
of the United States Live Stock com
pany. and the sixth of the indicted men
to testify, continued today his testi
mony begun yesterday. As did other
defendant witnesses, he asserted that
the “wild horses’ actually existed in
the number represented to the alleged
victims and that his company had re
ceived worthless property in return for
most of the trades made.
BUFFALO BILL CODY IS
IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Denver, Colo., Dec. 22.—Col. Wlllian
F. Cody OufTalo Bill) is seriously il
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ma>
Decker, in Denver. He has been con
fined within doors for 10 days, but no'
until today did his condition cause
alarm. Colonel Cody is suffering froiii
a nervous breakdown complicated witl.
a severe cold. Despite his 70 years, h
has shown remarkable recuperative.
powers, according to his physicians am
has a "fighting chance” to recover.
NEW FRENCH TAXES ARE
APPROVED BY DEPUTIE'
Paris, Dec. 22.—The chamber of depu
ties has approved a batch of new taxei
among them a graduated tax on theatt
and vaudeville tickets. Moving pictur
establishments must pay 5 per cent o
monthly receipts under 25,000 francs, 1
per cent from 25,000 to 50,000 francs, 2
per cent from 60,000 to 100,000 franct
and 25 per cent on receipts in excess o
that.
Forty francs per 100 kilos is Impose'
on refined sugar. The price of tobacc
is also raised as well aa the rates oi
letter and postal card postage, tel<
grams, telephone 'alls and money or
dera. ____
NEUTRALS OF
WORLD MAY
JOINAPPEAL
l/Vhite House Lets It B& Known
Belligerents Are Expected to
Leave Way Open For
Negotiations.
WILSON SEES A WAY OUT
Hopes to Become a Clearing
House For Views and Pos
sibly Terms of War
ring Powers.
Washington. D. C'.. Dec. 23.—With'
ihe purpose of President Wilson’s not#
to the belligerents clarified by official
Vtaternents on the subject, the atten
tion of the United States haa turned to
Vie reception of the note in the foreign
capitals.
Diplomats here were early watching
'or indications of whether the European
neutrals will follow the lead of the
United States and make a similar ap
ical to the warring powers.
There is growing feeling that the
United States hopes to become the
clearing house for views and possibly
tor terms of the belligerents. Several
sf the diplomats have advised their
governments to that effect in order to
(glide them in their replies.
Surprise at the fast growing signifi
cance of the president's move wag ex
pressed on all sides, where It was
pointed out that at first the opinion
prevailed that the note itself was
merely a “feeler" and that the most
immediately contemplated effect in is
suing it was the receipt of some sort of
definition of the desire of the warring
nations.
Expect Frank Reply.
That the president should let it be
known Indirectly to the diplomats for
their guidance that he went even fur
ther than that and counted on an ab
solutely frank reply from the belliger
ents which would lead to an actual op
portunity for negotiations, proved only
less surprising than the actual note
itself.
This feeling was increased by Secre
tary Lansing’s statement yesterday
that no soundings had been taken of
the attitude of the belligerents, and
that the note had been sent regardless
of the central powers’ proposals or of
the reply of I.loyd-George.
The question very much to the fore
today was whether the European neu
trals would present a united appeal.
The Spanish and Swiss representatives
here have been at the state department
repeatedly since those proposals came
out and probably know fully the plans
of this gqvernment.
it is pointed out that the European
neutrals have suffered beyond any oth
er nations not actually involved In the
war and that peace is more essential
to them than to any but the actual bel
ligerents. In addition, they have none
of the bitterness of war and none of
its ambitions and are anxious more for
the coming of peace than for the ac
complishment of any other purpose.
Nevertheless, their geographical posi
tion between the two contending forces
has been so dangerous that up to now
they have been able to do no more
than maintain their neutrality, withont
mixing in the struggle even to suggest
peace.
Meantime, at the capitals of the war
ring powers, American diplomats, fol
lowing their instructions, are taking
Sounding and observing closely the
currents of sentiment of the different
governments.
U V invTS.
The American public generally and
congress and officialdom approve the
lending of the communications.
Neutrals show a strong disposition to
approve it, and It is felt here they
will take encouragement from it.
Though press comment in British
quarters reveals that the communica
tion has produced an impression not
altogether favorable it is not here in
dicated that the entente will make a
less favorable reply toward Germany
than otherwise or that it will refuse to
leave the door open for Germany to
send a second note.
Though Lansing's explanation of his
statement tempers his original declara
tion that the country is drawing nearer
the verge of war, it does not alter the
fact that the president and secretary
of state fear continuance of the war
will cause graver and graver compli
cations for the United States, and that
they feel the United States as the
leading neutral has the right to urge
that a move be made toward bringing
the belligerents together.
Gradual clarification among the en
tente diplomats here of the president's
purpose, and indications that they
would advise their governments to re
ply in a friendly spirit, proved a source
of deep gratification today, as it was
pointed out both in the note itself and
in Secretary Lansing’s explanation that
one of the dangers was that the allies
would consider the step as a pro
German move. Every effort was made
to remove this impression and to have
the note considered entirely apart from
any other events. The entente diplo
mats, at first very fearful, have now
accepted this view.
Note Reaches Berlin.
Charge Grow, reported to the state
department today that the president's
peace note had been received in Berlin.
Early London press comment that
the note was painful because it said
the objects of the belligerents were
practically the same, was not unex
pected here, where attention has al
ready been drawn to the fact that
President Wilson specifically declared
that the published views of the oppos
ing statesmen left that impression.
It is stated officially that the presi
dent would not presume to say that the
two groups were fighting for the same
object, but merely that their official
spokesmen had outlined much the
same general program without going
Into actual details, which he now seeks.
Messages Pour In.
Several hundred telegrams congratu
lating President Wilson on his note to
belligerents arrived today at the White
House. Practically all of them con
strued the note as a move for peace.
They came from individuals and or
ganizations. The White House teleg
raphers were kept busy for hours re
ceiving the messages.
SUCCEEDS VrCHBOL.0.
New York, Dec. 22.—A. C. Bedford
was today elected president of the
Standard OH company of New Jersey,
to succeed the late John IX Archboid.
Mr. Bedford for some years has been
vice president and treasurer of th»
