Nebraska Newspapers

    Berlin Admits Battle Continuing
and Further Losses, While
London Mentions Only
One Town.
DEFENSE LINE SPLINTERED
Victorious Army Has Cambrai
Within Grasp, While Cav
alry, Tanks and Infan
try Advance.
London, Nov. 23—The six-mils
wedge driven into the German de
fenses in the British offensive on
the Arras-St. Quentin front is
penetrating stii! deeper and spread
ing out, Reuter’s correspondent at
British headquarters in France
telegraphs today. On some
stretches of the front the British
troops have broken into the enemy’s
final defense line. All the German
counter attacks have been re
pulsed.
Further progress by General Byng's
Victorious army toward Cambrai is re
ported. British troops pushed further
along the Bapaume-Cambrai road and
captured the town of Fontaine Notre
Dame, two and three-quarters miles
from Cambrai.
Today’s war office statement from
London confines itself to reporting this
single operation. What is going on
within the remainder of the wide field
' of the British offensive so spectacularly
begun on Tuesday, remains veiled by
official reticence.
Good News Not All Told.
News dispatches from London, how
ever, indicate that everything has net
been told of the extent of the British
victory. Emphasis is laid on the fact
that the cavalry is reported in action
in large numbers, while some reports
declare that British forces have pushed
northward from Graincourt behind the
broken wing of the Hindenburg line, po
tentially imperiling the retreat of the
Germans who were entrenched between
the Hapaume-Cambrai road and the
Scarpe river, opposite Arras
Berlin’s account of the battle an
nounces its continuance, coupled with
a denial that the front was broken,
although admitting that the British
had gained ground "beyond the German
front lines.”
Trick in German Report.
It claims, further, the pushing back
of Bvng’s troops west of Cambrai,
where they had advanced north of
Fontaine and Anreux. and a similar
German success southwest of Cambrai,
where the British were forced to give
ground south of Rumilly. Rumilly it
self however, is within three and a half
milts of Cambrai und the German men
tion of a "starting position” here evi
dently means the line from which the
British yesterday began a resumption
of their attack after their original ad
vance. which reached nearly five miles
at this point.
Drive on 15-Mille Front.
While the British attacked on a front
of 32 miles between rft. Quentin and
the Scarpe. their main effort was on a
15-mile front west and southwest of
Cambrai. where an advance of more
tha<« five miles has been made.
At Cantaing and Noytelles. the Brit
ish are within three miles of Cambrai,
and on the south they are at Crevo
Couer. four miles away. The Scheldt
canal has been gained, as have towns
on tile Scheldt or L’Escaut river, whoso
valley extends northea. t through Bel
gium to Antwerp.
Ft-mi h troops have carried out a suc
cessful attack on a front of two-thirds
of a mile between Ciaonne und Berry
Au-Bac. German defenses were cap
tun d and 175 prisonts fell into French
hands.
Jerusalem Surrounded.
In Palestine. General Allenby’s force
Is within five miles of Jerusalem on
the northwest, and six miles on tlio
west. It is not yet clear whether me
Turks intend to defend Jerusalem, but
if they should do so the defending
for<m seemingly is in great danger of
being cut off from the north and north
west.
London, Nov. 23.—It Is generally
known that all lias r.ot been told of tlie
extent of the victory In France, which
is being extended hour by hour. The
people were thrilled this morning when
they were permitted to know for the
first time that the cavalry had been in
action, not only in clearing the battle
field, as it had done on several occa
sions during the past year, but In actu
ally charging artillery and infantry and
in widening the breach in the German
line, long acclaimed as "impregnable.”
How far the cavalry has gone is not
known, but one correspondent at the
front says that early yesterday morn
ing “the cavalry was still pouring over
the furthest hill, a good six miles from
tlie cracked line,” while it was also
stated by correspondents that the Brit
ish line swings much farther north
than Graincourt behind the broken
wing of the Hindenburg line. It the
latter be true the retreat of the Ger
mans entrenched betwen the Bapaume
Cantbrai road and the Scarpe river is
seriously threatened.
AS BERLIN TELLS IT.
Berlin, Nov. 23.—The battle south
west of Cambrai is progressing, army
headquarters said today. The enemy,
the statement declares, did not suc
ceed in breaking through, though he
gained a iittle ground beyond the Ger
man front line. The statement says
that several British tanks had been
shot to pieces.
The statement says that on the west
ern bank of the Scheldt the Germans
drove tack the British to Anneux and
Fontalffe and that on the east bank of
the river the British were forced back
into their former positions south of
Rumilly.
The text of the German statement
reads:
"The battle southwest of Cambrai
continues. By the massed use of tanks
and infantry and by launching his cav
alry, the enemy sougiit to effect a break
through which denied him on the first
day's attack. He did not succeed in his
objective. Although he was able to
gain a little ground beyond our front
lines, he was not able to attain greater
successes.
The enemy troops, which were effec
tively taught by the fire of our artil
lery and machine guns und greatly
thinned, encountered the counter thrust
of our brave infantry.”
—
GERMAN COUNTER FAILS.
Paris, Nov. 23.—The Germans last
night made a counter attack on the
Alsne front in an endeavor to recap
ture the ground won by the French in
It ester day's offensive. The war office
JURY TO TRY BEAUTY
FOR MURDER SECURED
_
State to Close Evidence Friday
j —Mrs. De Saulles to Tell
Her Story.
Minola, N. Y„ Nov. 23.—The selection
of a jury to try Mrs. Biartca De Saulles
for the shooting on August 3 of her
former husband, John L. De Saulles,
Yale athlete and club man, was com
pleted at noon today.
The prosecutor announced he ex
pected to complete the examination of
witnesses for the state tomorrow.
Mrs. De Saulles will be the first wit
ness placed on the stand by the de
fense. She will maintain, as has been
stated, that she was mentally deranged
when she shot her former husband.
announces that trie enemy was re
pulsed with serious losses.
By United Press.
With the British Armies Behind the
Hindenburg Line. Nov. 23.—The British
troops carried forward today their vic
torious attacks started yesterday on
the Hindenburg line. British cavalry
and infantry are everywhere around
Cambria and the great war machines
are rumbling forward. The Tommies
are now almost within grasp of the Ger
man depot of Cambrai as this dispatch
is being written.
Kvery hour makes the British victory
appear more gigantic. The Hindenburg
line has been smashed to splinters. In
some sectors the fighting was practic
ally in the open.
That the Germans in the trenches
were taken completely by surprise is
shown by the fact that In the dugouts
many tables loaded with breakfasts un
tasted and still warm were found by tli*
victorious Tommies. In the quarters
occupied by the officers there were
found great stores of fine old wines,
cigars and cigarets. Then, too, In al
most every part of the trenches were
found the personal belongings of the
men who had been so suddenly called
from their bunks which were yet warm.
Many of these men hurried out into the
dawn without coats or hats, some
without coats or hats, some without
shoes, and there were met with the fury
of the British onslaught. Some of there
were so beside themselves that they
stood palsied and permitted the tanks
to flatten them out on the hard ground
or were jabbed by the bayonets in the
hands of the none too careful Tommies
London. Nov. 23.—The capture of thd
village of Fontaine Notre Dame has
been completed bv the British in their
new offensive, the war office an
notinces.
Fontaine Notre Dame is two and
three-quarters miles southwest of Cam
brai, on the main road between Bar
paume and Cambrai.
Officers Didn't Know Jt.
By the Associated Press.
Britisli Army Headquarters in France,
Tuesday, Nov. 20,—For weeks the pro
cess of concentrating men and guns for
this great attack had been going on
and so carefully had it been done that
comparatively few officers in the Brit
ish army knew what was transpiring.
For many months there had been noth
ing more than occasional raids with
now and then a flurry of artillery fire
in the Cambrai sector.
Tuesday morning before daybreak
things were moving along at much the
same pace. The Germans had evinced
some nervousness during the night and
for a few minutes about 5:30 o'clock
in the morning, dropped a barrage
along a section where it probably ap
peared as though the British might be
planning a raid. The enemy presum
ably had been looking for something in
this nature, but that they did not ex
pect a battle was clearly evident.
Suddenly the lo.ig line of British
tanks moved forward and in a moment
the variegated signal lights of the tier
mans shot high in the air. The British
troops came out of their shelters and
with fixed bayonets and grenades fol
lowed the tanks swiftly toward the
enemy barriers.
Smoke Hides Monsters.
The ground was firm and covered
with long grass. There were few big
shell holes, such as are to be seen in
Flanders, for comparatively little artil
lery work had been done against this
sector. It was ideal going for the big
land monitors and they made the most
of it.. As they started forward the
British put a heavy screen of smoke up
all about them so that it was impos
sible for the enemy to see them many
yards away.
The tanks reached the German out
post line in front of the main line
and without stopping surged through
it toward the barbed wire entangle
ments, their guns working steadily all
the while. Here was a point where it
j had been feared they might encounter
! difficulties, but they did not. They
I crashed through the barbed wire and
by 7:29 the British infantry were go
I ing through the gaps thus made.
At 7:47, the infantry operating Just
west of Havrincourt had swarmed up
* the elevation known as Mount Vesu
j vius. A few minutes later the knoll
was blown up, having been mined by
the Germans. At 8:34, seven tanks and
infantry were seen m trie Havrincourt
i station. In exacuating Havrincourt the
| Germans did comparatively damage
j and the place had not suffered greatly
i from shell fire.
Few. if any, German airplanes ven
tured over the British lines this morn
ing. There was much fog and this
I added to the smoke barrage made ob
i nervation practically impossible for
them. British airplanes, however, were
| operating in large numbers, flying in
: most cases within a few yards of the
! ground.
London. Nov. 22.—Andrew Bonar
Law announced in the house of com
: mons that S.000 prisoners. Including ISO
1 officers, have been taken by the Britisli
in their present operations.
MANY CIVILIANS RESCUED.
British Headquarters in France, Nov.
j 22.—Thousands of Britisli cavalry were
j cooperating with the great army of
'.anks and infantry In continuing the
successful assault begun against the
Hindenburg defenses.
Open fighting has been going on at
many places since yesterday and the
horse troops, who long had waited for
a chance to vindicate their existence in
this war. were rendering invaluable
services in "moping up" the enemy
there.
Byng Stakes Reputation.
Certainly thousands ol' Germans were
captured and were in plain sight for
i anyone who cared to visit them. The
German losses have been heavy. At
j least four divisions of infantry had been
I badly smashed since the fighting began.
! Large numbers of civilians have been
released from captured towns. About
500 were brought back from Masnieres
i and other places furnished their quota
i of noncombatants who received their
1 deliveries with rejoicings.
X NEW MONSTER TANK ♦
X USED IN OFFENSIVE X
X OF UNDREAMED SIZE %
Washington, D. C„ Nov. 23.—Ameri
can officers who have returned from
the war front in France knew of the
British plan to use tanks on an un
precedented scale in the new offensive
| and kept their secret. One of these
| officers today described these tanks as
I monsters of a size undreamed of be
I fore. Their first successes in the war
j gave a British commander ids hunch
j for this week’s drive.
THORNE SUGGESTS
U.S. TAKE OVER ROADS
'
Action for Duration of the War
Would Cure Ills Better Than
Rate Increase, He Believes.
Washington. D. C\, Nov. 23.—In a
brief submitted to the Interstate Com
merce commission in the 15 per cent
advance freight rate case, Clifford
Thorne, leading counsel for the ship
pers, suggests that the commission
recommend that the government take
over the operation of the railroads for
the duration of the war.
Mr. Thorne pointed to the fact that
Frank A. Vanderlip. New York banker
testified that he believed the rnte in
crease would act only as a poultice and
not cure the railroads’ trouble and to
the statement of Samuel Rea, presi
dent of the Pennsylvania railroad that
he did not believe the roads should
attempt large bond flotations when thr
government was putting out loans.
TEUTONS BACK
IIILLM1IOLT
Seek to Cause Disorder That
Will Cut Off Supply of Oil to
Entente and Cause
Distrust.
Juarez. Mex., Nov. 23.—-Gen. Ed
uardo Hernandez, acting command
er of the northeastern military zone
has taken the field in person at the
head of a column of 2,000 cavalry
pursuing Villa forces in the Ojlnaga
sector, according to information re
ceived here today from Chihuahua
city.
A strict military censorship has
been established on all wires to the
border.
By United Press.
Washington, D. C\, Nov. 23.—German
money and intrigue are stirring trouble
anew in Mexico, it is stated on high au
thority today. Hundreds of Teutons,
availing themselves of neutrality, are
responsible for the recurrence of fight
ing and plotting by Villa, Zapata and
Felix Diaz. The real seriousness for
the United States lies m the fact that
the output of the Tampico and Tuxtan
oil fields may be curtailed, while the
difficulty near the border might ulti
mately divert some of the nation's war
strength from Europe.
Teuton spies are seeking to discredit
Carranza with the United States by
making it appear he cannot cope with
tho rebellious factions. They are stir
ring up anti-American sentiment and
trying to bring on American interven
tion both as a means of detracting from
the main war task and to discredit this
government with the South American
republics. Evidence gathered by se
cret service agents shows that Diaa
has been offered $300,000 to lead an in
surrection in Sinaloa.
Villistas are again on the rampage
and appear to be well armed and
financed with Teuton money. The Ger
mans are pitting faction against fai>
tion.
AMERICAN SLACKERS
PARADE IN UNIFORM
Two Hundred Men Rounded Up
in Paris and Told to Lalist
or Come Home.
Purls, Nov. 23.—The Pari*- Herald re
ports that more than 200 y ang Amer
icans wearing the uniforms of ambu
lance drivers, have been rounded up
recently by the American military au
thorities. The numbers i.f their pass
ports were taken and they were told
to call at headquarters, where all but
five appeared. There they were in
formed again that they must enlist in
some branch of the active service over
seas or they would be sent back to
America, where they would be dealt
with as circumstances warrant.
As for the five who did not appear
at headquarters, the Herald says, It is
reported that when they are found
harsh measures against them will be
taken. _ _ _
MONEY IN TREASURY
SETS NEW U.S. RECORD
Washington, D. C., Nov. 22.—Addi
tional receipts today from the 10 per
cent payment of the second Liberty
loan raised the total reported since last
Thursday to $1,490,000,000, and made
the net balance in the treasury today
$1,921,000,000, an unprecedented rec
ord. Receipts still are coming In.
Certificates of indebtedness Issued
October 18, amounting to $385,197,000
were being redeemed today out of th»
Jiuge treasury balance.
WAR OBJECTIONS LOSE
FRANCHISE IN ENGLAND
Ixmdon, Nov. 23.—The house of com
mons, by a vote of 209 to 171, adopted
an amendment to the electoral bill dis
franchising conscientious objectors to
war.
swiss armTheadVies.
Washington. D C.. Nov. 22.—Col. A.
-Vudeout. head of the Swiss army, is
dead as a result of a brief illness con
tracted during an inspection trip.
While observing neutrality officially,
Colonel Audeout made no disguise of
his sympathies with the entente allies.
ALL YANKEES WANT
TO GOALL THE TIME
Officer, Just Out of Trenches,
Kept Busy Denying Request?
for Patrol Work.
With the American Army in France,
Wednesday, Nov. 21.—The detach
ments of the American army which
have Just returned from a tour of duty
in the front line trenches were badly In
need of shaves when they arrived at
their billets. On many faces beards
had made a good start, and although
the soldiers cared little about their ap
| pearance while in the trenches, their
first thought on getting out was to
procure razors.
The American soldiers are ready to
swear by the new caps they wear under
their shrapnel helmets. Most of them
removed their helmets as soon as they
were out of the fire zone and officers
remarked that the caps greatly im
proved the appearance of the soldiers,
j The men wear them cocked smartly
over one ear. Each cap has a little
regimental numeral near the front.
Troops belonging to units which have
been more active than the others had
stories to tell, and the less lucky com
rades, as they call themselves, listened
att.entatively during the long ride on
the trucks on the return to the billets.
Most of the motor trains arrived at
the billet towns after night fall. The
soldiers wrere dismissed promptly, but
each took a bath before he went to
sleep.
The officers all spoke enthusiastically
of the morale, energy and fighting
spirit of their men. One said that his
hardest job in the trenches was refus
ing permission to go on patrol, ad
ding:
"All want to go all the time, which
is impossible.”
The relief was accomplished success
fully and without the knowledge of the
enemy. Artillery activity continue*
normal with the usual patrolling.
NORRIS WILL PUT UP
FIGHT FOR REELECTION
Washington. D. C„ Nov. 23.—Sena
tor Norris, who has just returned from
Nebraska, Intends to make a vigorous
campaign in the state for renomina
tion and reelection. He will speak in
every county and township in the state
as far as his duties in the state" will
permit, and meet face to face those
that are assailing his loyalty. Though
he did not want the United States to
enter the war, Senator Norris holds
that now America is in it must exert
all energy to win and crush Prussian
militarism.
“I have no fear of the result in Ne
braska,” said Senator Norris. "If I can
meet the people of the state and teli
them the truth as to my attitude."
AUSTRIAN QUEEN PASSES
BUCK ON TO ITALIANS
Geneva, Nov. 23.—The Austrian em
press. in reolv to a telegram sent to her
by the Geneva Press association, ask
ing her to take Venice and its treas
ures under her protection, says:
“It is understood that an open town,
which makes no attempt to defend it
self. has certainly the right to every
1 indulgence. Nevertheless, the fate of
Venice depends entirely upon the ac
tion of the Italian government."
MECHANICS NEEDED
BY U.S. SIGNAL CORPS
Washngton, D. C., Nov. 23. — The
signal corps needs thousands of chauf
feurs and mechanicians, not only to
drive cars, but for mechanical work on
airplane engines. It was announced to
day that as quickly as possible squad
rons of such men will be organized and
sent overseas. Men of draft age can
enlist in the air service until Decem
ber 16.
IOWA COAL OPERATORS
CLASH WITH GOVERNOR
Des Mones, la., Nov. 23.—Iowa coal
operators refused to answer questions
relative to their business when Gover
nor Harding started his coal probe to
day, assisted by the mayors of Council
Bluffs and Des Moines.
They contended the government has
fixed the price of coal and that the
state and city have nothing to do with
such prices. However Clifford Thorne,
who acted as prosecuting attorney, se
cured-information that screen coal ad
vanced from 55 cents a ton to $1.55 im
mediately after the government fixed
the price last summer.
In the meantime, Fuel Administrator
■Webster declared that $4.15 per ton,
the price fixed by the Des Moines board,
is too low. theretby giving the oper
ators the victory._
ENGLISH OFFICERS
HELP TRAIN AMERICANS
Des Moines, la., Nov. 23. — Eight
English army officers and men arrived
at Camp Dodge todav direct from Gen
eral Haig's trenches each a specialist
in some kind of fighting. They will as
sist American officers in training the
national army men to use bayonets,
machine guns, musketry, grenades and
field and trench fortifications. They
will assist two French officers who are
already at Camp Dodge.
HOSKINS, NEB., BOY 18
DEAD AT CAMP CODY
Hoskins, Neb., Nov. 23.—A telegram
has been received by Mr. and Mrs.
William Fuhrman. pioneers of Stantop
county, advising them of the death of
their youngest son. Otto at Deming, N.
M., of spinal meningitis. Funeral ar
rangements have not vet been made.
SET EXPRESS RATE HEARING.
Washington, Nov. 23—The Interstate
Commerce commission announced to
day it would hold a hearing December
7 on the application of express com
panies for a 10 per cent increase in
rates. _ __
BIG GERMAN WORKS DESTROYED
Zurich, Wednesday, Nov. 21.—One of
tho largest and most important chemi
cal works in Germany, the Griesheim
Elektron. near Frankfort-on-the-Main,
were destroyed by an explosion Tues
1 day night, according to a dispatch re
ceived here from Frankfort.
LITTLE DRUNKENNESS
FOUND AT CAMP DODGE
Des Moines, la.. Nov. 23. — Only 20
soldiers have been arrested for drunk
enness since the opening of Camp
Dodge, declares Col. J. P. Harbeson, in
charge of the military police, in a
stater ent Issued today.
This 13 one drunk every three days
for 23.000 men. a record which Colonel
Harbeson declares to be wonderful. He
states that combined efforts of mili
tary and civil police have resulted in
arresting 16 bootleggers for selling
liquor to soldiers and more than 50
tor selling liquor to civilians.
; FIND GREAT TUNNEL ♦
!t USED BY GERMANS %
t TO MOVE SOLDIERS $
London, Nov. 23.—The Hindenburg
or Siegfried line was believed by the
Hermans to bp strong enough to hold
back the world armies. Its triple cor
don of three separate trench systems
had a central line with a great tunnel
with openings at frequent intervals,
making it unnecessary for the troops
to move above ground, thus keeping
the garrison safe under the heaviest
gunfire. It is believed that much ot
this tunnel now is in the possession of
the British.
ITUS YIELD
Line Generaly Holds, Although
Terrific Pressure Causes
Some Slight Losses in
Mountains.
Rome, Nov. 23.—The Austro
Germans invading northern Italy
yesterday reached a few of tho
Italian outstanding positions on the
Italian advanced lines on Monte
Fontana Secca, but elsewhere the
Teutons were repulsed, the war of
fice announced today.
Berlin, Nov. 23.—The summits of
Monte Fontana and Monte Splnuccla,
on the northern Italian front between
the Brenta and Piava rivers have been
captured, It is announced officially.
By Associated Press.
Italian Army Headquarters. (Wed
nesday,) Nov. 21.—The greatest mass
attack which the enemy has made is in
progress along the upper Plave river at
the point which bends to the north
east in the Belluno Alps. As the action
proceeds the enemy is bringing forward
fresh masses of his reserves.
Picked troops of the Prussian guard
are included, besides some of the best
German troops drawn from the western
and Russian fronts. He also has 20,000
mountaineers from lower Hungary,
troops which are noted for their brutal
vandalism.
Italian Army Headquarters. (Wednis,
day). Nov. 21.—The bottle in the moun
tainous region in the north, between
the Piave and Brenta rivers, Is nearing
its culmination. It centers at Monte
Grappa and has become a struggle of
giants.
It Is now clear, that notwithstanding
the great numbers of troops employed
by the enemy and his advantages of
terrain, he Is able to advance only very
slowly, now that he Is not being as
sisted by the element of surprise, by
treason and other circumstances which
favored him at first.
Even If the Italians should be obliged .
to abandon the Plave river line, they
may be expected to fall back more
slowly and offer still more tenacious
opposition.
The action through the day has
shifted westward from Monte Tomba
and Monte Monfenera to the slopes of
Monte Pertlca, where the enemy rushes
have been checked. The Italian posi
tions remain substantially unchanged
in the region of Monte Grappa, which
dominates the whole range of lower
hills.
U. S. Red Cross Is There.
The monitor fleet which Is co
operating with the Italian fleet off the
mouth of the Piave is shelling heavily
the enemy positions menacing Venice.
A number of American Red Cross am
bulances passed through headquarters
today toward the Piave front. The
men and cars appeared to be in good
condition.
Italian aviators who have flown over
the invaded districts of Venetia say
they saw lines of the civilian popula
tion under guard, headed for Austria.
William Marconi, inventor of the
wireless has arrived at headquarters
and taken a place on the staff of Gen
eral Diaz, the commander tn chief.
Monfenera the Key. t
The action ebbs and flows around the
slopes of three low mountains Just west
of the river—Monte Lomba, Monte
Monfenera and Monte Cornelia. Monte
Monfenera is just on the edge of the
river and it is here that some of the
most desperate fighting has occurred.
It Is the key to the situation as at that
point the river turns Into the Venetian
plains and the whole battle hinges on
control of the river passage leading to
the plains.
The first assaults began five days
ago, when Von Below's Germans on
the lower Piave were swung northward
for this supreme blow. The attacks
have intensified steadily each day
until yesterday and today when they
reached the maximum.
Use Bayonets as Knives.
Beginning with artillery preparation,
the Austro-German infantry advances
came in successive waves, first at the
northernmost mountain, Cornelia where
the Como brigade of Italians held the
line until crowded back by greatly su
perior numbers. The enemy then took
positions back of the town of Quero
and violent artillery and Infantry at
tacks were centered on Monfenera and
Tomba. Much of the fighting in the
mountains was at close quarters with
bayonet charges and desperate hand to
hand struggles along an extended front.
Through Monday, Tuesday and Wed
nesday charge followed charge and
counter attack followed attack. In
some of the bloodiest fighting ground
has changed hands three or four times.
At the littlo village of Naranzine on
the slopes of Monte Monfernera the
enemy first gained lodgment and sought
to surround the large Italian force, but
was thrown back by a splendid display
of the Italian lines, which swept for
ward with cheers until the explosion
was clear. It was the bloodiest kind of
fighting with bayonets first and then
with bayonets wrenched from their
stockets and used as double edged
knives.
Heaviest Blow Is Delivered.
Again the enemy mussed forces liigb>
er up on Monte Monfenera. backed by
batteries concentrated from all points.
Before this Intense shell fire the Ital
ian infantry gave ground slowly until
the upper slopes were abandoned, but
the fighting goes on with unabated des
peration. and it is stilt too soon to say
what the outcome may be of this heavi
est blow to break through to the west
ern Venetian plains.
The conduct of the Italian troops is
above all praise. They are contesting
every foot of tlie way, fighting '.Ike
tigers and with spirit and confidence
even in the face of greatly superior
numbers.
The recent order for 7,000,000 pairs of
army shoes at $4.05 a pair is the largest
order for shoes ever placed by the gov
ernment, and the bill will total more
titan $32,500,000.
PEACE pm
Commander Reported to Have
Resigned Rather Than Open
, Negotiations with
Hindenburg.
DETERMINED TO QtftT WAR'
Leaders Declare That Three
Months Armistice Does Not
Necessarily Mean Sep
arate Peace.
Washington, D. C.t Nov. 23.—
Ambassador Frances, at Petro
grad, has reported that German
propagandists are now carrying on
almost openly their activities to
keep affairs unsettled in the Rus
sian capital.
London, Nov. 23.—An official
wireless statement from Petrograd
today says that General Dukhonin,
has been deposed by the council of
tho people’s commissaries, for “re
futing to obey their orders by of
fering an armistice,”
The Russian announcement says that
General Dukhonin has been ordered te
continue his duties until the new com
mander In chief. Ensign Krylenko, or
another authorized person, arrives.
Petrograd. (Wednesday), Nov. 21.—
The Russian government yesterday or
dered General Bukhomin. the command-1
er In chief, to open negotiations for an
armistice with the commanders of th*
enemy armies. The proposal to nego- /
tlate peace was officially conveyed to
the ambassadors of the allied nations
at Petrograd.
The formal offer of an armistice to
all the belligerents which the council of
peoples' commissaries of the All-Rus
sian workmen's and soldiers’ congress
proposes to make shortly Is not Intend
ed to forecast any effort toward a separ
ate peace. On the contrary. It Is de
clared definitely here that not only ig
separate peace not desired, but that th*
rejection of the armistice proposal by
Germany, even should It be acceptable
to the allies, would mean p continuation
of the war by the new revolutionary
arm with vigor against German Imper
ialism until the German people "ln
spired by Russian democratic ideas”
overthrow their rulers and demand
peace. Confidence Is expressed here,
however, that Russia's Initiative will
bring the desired results—If not with
the allied governments, then through
the Insistence of the people of the allied
countries, who It is predicted, will bring
pressure to bear on their governments.
According to the maximalist govern
ment's plan, an armistice will be en
tered upon first, and If It were success
ful for three months It is proposed to
assemble a peace conference at which
an attempt would be made to negotiate
Russia’s policy of a peace without an
nexations or indemnities and the self
determination of nations.
London, Nov. 23.—No Russian mili
tary communication was issued today.
A Petrograd message received by the
British admiralty by Wireless Press
says:
“A political communique states that
by order of the all-Russlan workmen’s
and soldiers’ congress, the council of
’the people's commissaries’ has assumed
power with obligation to offer all the
peoples and their respective govern
ments an Immediate armistice on all
fronts, with the purpose of opening par
leys Immediately for. the conclusion of
p 'democratic peace.'
"When the power of the council l9|
finally established throughout the
country, the council will, without delay,
make a formal offer of an armistice
to all the belligerents, enemy and ally.
A draft message to this effect has been
sent to all the people's commissaries
Tor foreign affairs and to all the pleni
potentiaries and representatives of al
lied nations In Petrograd.
"The council also has sent orders to
the citizen commander in chief that
after receiving the present message ha
shall approach the commanding author
ities of the enemy armies with an offer
of a cessation of all hostile activities
for the purpose of opening peape par
leys, and that he shall, first, keep tha
council constantly informed by direct
wire; and, second, that he shall sign
the preliminary act only after approval
by the commissaries’ council.”
AMERICANS QUIT PETROGRAD.
Petrograd, Tuesday, Nov. 20.—Eight
een Americans left Petrograd tonight
on a special car attached to the Siberian
express on their way to America, con
stituting the first party of Americans to
leave because of the disturbed condi
tions In Russia. William Cochran and
Dr. Wm. S. Thayer, of the American
Red Cross mission to Russia, having
completed their duties here accom
panied the party.
U. S. GRAIN INSPECTION
MEETINGS ANNOUNCED
Washington, D. C., Nov. 23.—Criti
cisms of government standards for
shelled corn and the various grades of
wheat will be asked at hearings in 17
cities, beginning at New York, Novem
ber 26.
The list of hearings follows;
New York. November 26; Buffalo,
November 27: Toledo, December 3; ChL
cago. December 4: Omaha, December
5; Minneapolis. December 6; Fargo, N.
D.. December S: Spokane. Wash.. De
cember 10: Seattle. December 11; Port
land. Ore.. December 12; Salt Laka
City. December 14: San Francisco, De
cember 15: Hutchinson Kan., Decem
ber 17: Fort Worth. December 18; 4
Nashville. Tenn., December 22; Wash
ington. D C.. December 27.
th S. TO TRAIN 100,000
MEN FOR NEW SHIPS
Washington. D. C., Nov. -22.—Tha
•hipping board today adopted a plan
advanced by Henry Howard, of Boston,
Ms director of recruiting, for training
100,080 seamen to man the govern
ment’s merchant fleet now building. A
numbgr of schools will be established In |
which the men will be given intensive •
training for six weeks before going I
aboard training ships for experience |
afloat. Training of the men will coat
the government about $2,000;000.
FRENCH OPEN ATTACK.
Berlin, via London, Nov. 22.—Tha
French opened a strong attack on tha
Germans on a slx-mlle front north of
Aisne Wednesday afternoon, according
to the official report from general head
quarters. The British were still using
powerful force against the Hlndenburg
line In the Cambral sector.