PEACE PARLEYS
Nothing of Day’s Developments
at Brest-Litovsk Confer
ence Made Public Up to
Late Hour.
ALLIES CONSIDER POLICY
May Recognize Bolshevist Gov
ernment in Event It Re
fuses to Be Tricked
by Teutons.
By United Press.
Amsterdam, Jan. 5.—Chancellor
Hertling announced to the main
committee of the reichstag that
the delegates to the Brest-Litovsk
conference have been instructed to
reject the Russian proposition for
the transfer of the peace negotia
tions to a neutral country. It is
also stated that the German dele
gates to the conference have been
instructed to continue negotiations
as to Russian territory now held by
the Germans.
(By Associated Press.)
I'ldess there is a change in original
plans, the emissaries of Russia and the
central powers will meet today to con
tinue their discussion of peace terms
which the bolshevists have declared
are unacceptable. Russia’s delegates
have proposed that tne conference meet
in Stockholm, which if agreed to by j
the Germans, will make for dela;.
A news dispatch received in London
says the Russians have made counter
proposals to the Germans. It is added
that they will be discussed ■nt the next
meeting at Brest-Litovsk on Saturday,
which would indicate the Russians have
not persisted in their demand that |
future meetings be held on neutral soil.
Tho new Russian proposals call for
complete evacuation of occupied ter
ritory pending a referendum on self
definition.
May Oust Hertling.
Reports that the German and Aus
trian emperors and their military and
political advisers are much perturbed
over the Russian attitude are followed
by one that Count Von Hertling, the ,
German imperial chancellor is ill. Ber- j
lin political circles have a rumor that
Von Hertling, who is 74 years old, is
to be ousted in favor of Prince Von
Buelow, the former chancellor, who is
very close to the German crown prince.
Recognition of the Lenine-Trotzky
regime in Russia as a defacto govern
ment by the entente allies is probable,
according to the London Daily Chron
cile. Such change of sentiment, it is
sail), would be due to the threatened
break in peace negotiations and might
bring from the allies a statement of
democratic policy toward Russia.
London, Jan. 4.—Recognition of the.
Lc.iine government in Russia by the
entente allies is probable owing to the
developments in the Russo-German ne
gotiations, according to the Daily
Chronical. The statement apparently
is based on a contribution by a diplo
matic correspondent,” which is printed
be m ath it. The writer says that owing
to the bolshevist discovery of German
duplicity, anything may happen.
' There are,” he says, "three alterna
tives:
The bolshevist may give way, the
Germans may give way or there will be
a rupture of relations. The first is
hardly likely in view of Foreign Minis
ter Trotzky’s declaration; the second
is possible for the Germans are past
musters in the art of spacious compro
mise. But the third is most probable
sin *the bolshevist. have exhibited a
perspicacity which was hardly expected
in this country.
“Russia, the land of boundless sur
prise.*;, may possibly witness a revival
nf war, if not in the most active form,
it might at least be a sullenly defensive
war necessitating the keeping on the
frontier of a considerable German force.
It would at least prevent those pleasant
and profitable commercial exchanges
which Germany hopes for.
‘Assuming such a situation and the
consolidation of bolshevist power, pro
ve rod failure to extract a peace does
not wreck Lenine regime then recogni
tion of that power as the de facto gov
ernment follows. Since that is so, a
sen 'alist would he the logical represen
tative of that government, and Maxim
Litvinoff, who lias been appointed, is a
likely enough occupant of the embassy."
Referring to tho retirement of Sir
George \V. Buchanan, the British am
bassador to Russia, whose services are
praised highly, the writer says:
in his place probably would be sent
a diplomat in marked sympathy with
tin ideas of revolutionary Russia.
"Be that as it may, we may expect
shortly some new statement of policy
with regard to Russia which should
it lean toward the latest developments
and democracy, would undoubtedly
strengthen the allied cause in Russia.”
GERMANS HOLD TWO VIEWS.
London. Jan. 5.—There were two dis
tinct tendencies noticeable in the enemy
declaration at the Breet-Litovsk meet
ings, ttie Petrograd correspondent of
the Daily News says. One was annexa
tionist and was represented by General
von Hoffman. A more moderate view
was upheld by Foreign Secretaries von
Kueitimann and Czernln.
There were frequent disputes between
t>r two tendencies. These were settled,
it is added, by appeals to Berlin whicli
supported Von ICuehlmann and Czern
in.
General von Hoffman took the purely
military point of view and complained
with great bitterness that the Russians
wore using the armistice to agitate
among German soldiers.
According to the correspondent there
is a belief among the Russian delega
tion that Germany will yield to the Rus
sian demans concerning Poland and
Lithuania, so as not to lose the advan
tage she gains by seeming to agree
with Russia while the entente allies
disagree.
The reason for wishing the negotia
tions to lie continued at Stockholm is
a desire for greater publicity and this
idea expressed in a bolshevist state
ment:
“While we recognize that Stockholm
is not very neutral, it is anyhow more
neutral than German h indquarters."
—*•
“RED" AMBASSADOR HOPEFUL.
Tionrinn, Jan. 5.—Maxim Litvinoff,
who has been appointed bolshevist
ambassador to Great Britain and who
said yesterday that he probably would
return to Petrograd, has decided to re
main in London pending the receipt of
his instructions. His photograph is
printed prominently in the newspapers,
it shows the highly intelligent face of
a well born and educated man. He is
described as being broad minded and
tt is said that lie is attached to English
instructions and England where he has
lived for a de-aile.
M. Gitvinoff's wife is an English
PROFIT OF MILLION
ON SHIP CONTRACTS
Senate Investigators Inclined
to Question Company's
Profits.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 5.—Profits
amounting to more than $1,000,000 were
made by the Clinehfield Navigation com
pany in a deal involving government
ship building contracts, according to
testimony today before the Senate com
merce commission investigating the
ship building program.
This information was disclosed by
Theodore E. Ferris, chief constructor
for the emergency fleet corporation,
and by a report by a district officer
of the shipping board at today’s hear
ing.
The Clinehfield corporation, it was
declared, sold to the government four
ships under construction for the com
pany in the yards of the Sloane Ship
yard corporation of Seattle, making a
profit of $420,000, and later obtained for
the Sloane corporation contracts for 12
more ships on which it made a 5 per
cent profit.
Senators questioned Mr. Ferris close
ly as to the reason for letting contracts
for the 12 ships to the Clinehfield cor
poration, an owner, but not a builder
of ships, and expressed dissatisfaction
over a deal by which the corporation
sold to the government Itlie four ships
at a price so much higher than it was
paying for their construction.
Mr. Ferris declared he knew noth
ing of the financial arrangements, but
admitted recommending the Clinehfield
corporation to General Goethals in a.
letter. The committee asked that the
letter be produced tomorrow.
woman and he is an old friend and as
sociate of Lenine. He is declared to
bo a whole hearted supporter of the
bolshevists with whom he apparently is
in close touch. The Daily Mail quotes
him as saying that until a courier
brings him his formal appointment he
cannot say whether he will accept the
ambassadorship, but in a long interview
in the Daily Chronicle he speaks as it
he is resolved to take it.
“My task as ambassador.” he said,
"will be to disseminate the truth about
Russia and to dissipate misunderstand
ing and misinterpretation of the mo
tives, character and purpose of th«
workmen's and soldier’s government.
It is grossly mischievous to represent
the bolshevists as pro-German, anti
ally, or as mere pacifists. They realize
as clearly as anyone that kaiserism and
junkerdom are the greatest obstacles tc
the self emancipation of the interna
tional proletariat, but have discovered
that Prussia is not the only soil for the
congenial growth of noxious plants
They oppose replacing Prussian mili
tarism by Russian, French or English
militarism.”
M. Litvinoff declared his emphatic
belief that by the present negotiations
and propaganda among the German
soldiers in the east, Trotzky and Lenine
are contributing to the downfall of
kaiserism more effectually than the al
lies fighting in the west. He concludes:
“I am sanguine enough to imagine
that the Russian and German armies on
the eastern front some day will march
together against the common foe of the
world’s proletariat in Germany itself
and perhaps in other countries, too.”
GHIEjypHIE
Bolshevist Government to Ac^
knowledge Independence
of the Proposed
Republic,
By United Press.
Petrograd, Jan. 5.—Decision to ac
knowledge the independence of Uk
rania was reached by the commission
ers’ council today.
Presumably the council of commis
sioners hi *1 a meeting of the various j
executives which the bolshevists named
to administer the affairs of various
cities and states of Russia and that the
sentiment of that meeting represents
the will of the bolshevist government.
A decision to acknowledge Ukrainian In
dependence is virtually a victory for
the Cosack rebels. The Korniloff and
Kaledine revolt, however, did not ori
ginate in Ukrania but when that sec
tion of Russia made its bid for separate
rule it joined forces with the Cossacks,
VISCOUNT GREY MAY
BE NEW AMBASSADOR
Reading and Chamberlain Also
Mentioned to Succeed
Spring-Rice.
London, Jan. 5.—It is suggested edi
torially by the Daily Chronicle that
either Viscount Grey, former foreign
secretary; Earl Reading, lord chief jus
tice, or J. Austen Chamberlain would
be acceptable as ambassador at Wash
ington.
It has been reported that Sir Cecil
Arthur Spring-Rice, the British am
bassador to the United States, will soon
retire from that post. Yesterday Sir
Cecil said farewell to President Wilson,
having announced previously that he
was going home on a leave of absence.
NEW SUGAR CROP ARRIVES.
Philadelphia, Jan. 4.—The flrrt cargo
of the new crop of Cuban sugar con
signed to this country arrived here to
day on a Norwegian steamship. The
sugar is for the McCahn Sugar Refin
ing company.
THIRD LIBERTY LOAN SOON.
Washington. D. C.. Jan. 4.—The third
Liberty loan will probably be author
ised February 15, it was learned today.
What amount is to be raised was not
ascertained. An extensive program of
advertising and for the distribution of
the bonds is nearing completion.
FLOODS IN SIAM.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 4.—Floods in
Siam worst since 1831 are devastating
the country. Dispatches today from the
American legation at Bangkok say the
water has risen to the roofs of houses
causing great crops and cattle losses.
A relief commission has been ap
pointed.
PERSHING RESPONDS
TO SAMMY ROOSTERS
Touching Messages From Com
mander in Chief Refleo*
Confidence.
With the American Army in France,
Thursday, Jan. 3.— (Delayed.)—On be
half of the American expeditionary
force, General Pershing has answered
New Year’s messages from the United
States. A message to the army from the
Children’s American Loyalty league
read:
“Dear American Soldiers: Wo Know
the sacrifice you have made for us and
will make that we may bo safe and
happy. We thank you and wish you
all a happy New Year.”
General Pershing responded as fol
lows :
“The American soldiers in France are
very glad to have your message. No
sacrifice we can make will be too great)
if we can insure the safety and happi
ness of the children of America.”
From Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, suf
frage leader and member of the Wom
an’s Council of National Defense came
this greeting:
"The women of the United States are
with you in the spirit of service. You
are our standard bearers, our hope. We
love you, believe in you. pray for you.”
General Pershing replied:
“All ranks of the American expedi
tionary force unite in heartfelt thanks
to the women of America for their love
and prayers. The patriotism of our in
comparable women, than whom there
are none others move noble, shall he
our constant inspiration until the great
task which is entrusted to us has been
accomplished. Accept our best wishes
for the coming year and our firm con
fidence in final success.”
To Christmas messages from the
women of the American Red Gross the
American commander sent the thanks
of all ranks, adding:
“The love and confidence of our
women will make us all better men
and better soldiers and hold us firm in
the courage and determination to win.”
MAY SELL SEEDS TO
THE FARMER AT COST
Washington, D. C., Jan. 4.—If nor
mal production of the nation’s food
and feed crops is to be had this year
prompt action to protect the seed sup
plies is necessary, Secretary Houston
warned congress today in asking for
an urgent deficiency appropriation for
government purchase und sale of seed
to farmers at cost.
“There is urgent and immediate need
for at least $0,000,000 and it is prob
able that an additional sum will be
required in the near future,” said the
secretary. “The seed situation presents
many difficulties. Two general areas
have suffered severely front drought
during the past season—the southwest,
including a large part of Texas and a
part of Oklahoma, and a considerable
portion of the northwest, 'including
largo sections of North Dakota and
eastern Montana, These regions repre
sent a large part of the grain produc
ing areas of the United States. The
seed corn situation in the northern half
of the corn belt is more serious than
it has been for many years.”
The secretary said it is important
that adequate seed supplies of soy1
beans and white or navy beans are
available for the next planting season.
TAILORS TO ABOLISH
SARTORIAL FLUBDUBS
New York, Jan. 4.—“Peg Top"
trousers, “pinch back" coats. French
facings, fancy flaps and patch pockets
are the latest luxuries to bo offered as
a sacrifice to economy. In an address
here today on cloth economy before
delegates from virtually every clothing
center in the United States. M. Cutter,
a member of the commercial economy
board cited some of the limitations in
men’s clothing that had been decided
upon as a conservation measure.
All yokes and pleats are to be elimi
nated, Mr. Cutter said, as well as out
side penny pockets, double breasted
sack coats and vests and cloth belts on
coats.
Announcement was made that a war
service committee would be named to
represent the clothing industry in deal
ings with the government.
MITCHELL CUB MANAGER.
OPPOSES CALIFORNIA TRIP
Chicago, Jan. 4.—Manager Fred |
Mitchell of the Cubs, is in town The '■
cold snap he met on his arriva from ;
Poston did not receive any prab from j
him.
“You ran talk about New' 1 igland !
weather, but this lias it beatei 10 dif
ferent ways,” said Mitchell.
The long training trip to < vlifornla j
does not appeal to the Cub lr oier, and
if ho has any influence with President
Weeghman he will endeav r to per
suade him to change the pb ns for the
spring work. Mitchell doe:; not think
the long journey is worth while for the i
short time the club has to remain on
the coast. He favors going to Florida,
Louisiana or Georgia, and it would not
be surprising if a training camp in that
section of the country is selected.
HERZOG, GIANT STAR,
IS “OFF OF” M’GRAW
—
New York, Jan. 4. Charley Herzog, !
captain of tho Giants, is through with j
the team, lie recently reiterated his !
determination not to play again for
John McGraw.
“I never had any confidence in Me- j
Graw," said the star second baseman, I
"and know that lie never had any use
for me. He has treated me shabbily
on a number of occasions, and 1 don't
intend to stand for it. He told me be
fore the world series that he’d pay my
salary for the time I had to rest at
my homo, and urged me to play against ;
tlie White Sox. l ater I determined
that it was he who was responsible for
withholding my money. It has been a
Pleasure to play for tho New York fans,
but I arn absolutely through with Mc
Graw and the club "
SPINAL MENINGITIS
EPIDEMIC IS FEARED
Columbia, S. C„ Jan. 4.—Warning of
a possibility of a statewide epidomN of
spina! meningitis was given today by
the state board ov health in a formal
statement to tho public. The disease,
which has prevailed in military camps
In the state and which has been epi
demic at Camp Jackson here, has ap
peared in various parts of the state,
the statement said.
BETTER SERVICE
TD BEJUIRED
Proposed to Spend Vast Sums
for Equipment. Terminals,
Etc., to Obtain Greater
Service.
BILL BEFORE CONGRESS
Measure Also Fixes Method of
Payment for Roads, While
Operated by Federal
Government.
Washington, D. C„ Jan. 5.—Direo
ior General McAdoo and heads of
the four railroad brotherhoods
agreed today on a plan for thresh
ing all wage and labor disputes,
while government operation pre
vails through an investigating
board, which will report commen
dations to the director general.
Washington, Jan. 5.—The adminis
tration bill for government operation
of railroads proposes that the govern
ment shall pay compensation at an an
nual rate as near as possible to the
net operation income for the three years
ended June 30, 1917.
The bill also would appropriate
$500,000,000 to bo used as a "revolving
fund" with the excess earnings of the
roads for the operation of the law.
The bill is entitled "A bill to provide
for operation of transportation systems
while under federal control, for the
just compensation of their owners and
for other purposes."
Basis of Federal Pay.
Section 1—Provides that the presi
dent is authorized to agree with and
guarantee to the roads that during the
federal control they shall receive as
just compensation an Income at an an
nual rate equivalent as nearly as may
be to the roads' average net railway
operating Income for the three years
ending June 30, 1917. This, the bill
officially calls the standard returns.
This section provides that the net rail
way operating income is to be com
puted from returns to the Interstate
Commerce commission, excluding debits
and credits, arriving from the accounts
which are called in the monthly Inter
state commerce returns, "leased road
rents and miscellaneous rents.”
No federal taxes in excess of taxes
assessed during the year ending June
30, 1917, are to be charged against the
revenue in computing the standard re
turn. Any net railway operating in
come In excess of the standard return
is to be the property of the United
States. The amount of the standard
return accruing during the three years’
period is to be determined by the Inter
state Commerce commission, whose cer
tificate as to the amount is to be taken
as final and conclusive for the purpose
of the agreement and guarantee Dur
ing the federal control adequate de
preciation and maintenance of the prop
erties of the roads will be included as
a part of the operating expenses or
provided through a reserve fund, In ac
cordance with principles and rules
which the president will determine.
Section 2—Provides that if no such
agreement is made with a road, the
president may nevertheless pay or
cause to be paid to any railroad While
under federal control, not exceeding 90
per cent of the standard return. Under
this section the legal rights of the rail
road for prosecution of its claim for the
balance before the court of claims is
provided for and any amount found due
above the amount that has been paid
will hear Interest at 6 per cent a year
and any excess amount paid by the
government will be recoverable by the
government with 6 per cent interest.
in leases of Dispute.
Section 3—Provides that any claim
for Just compensation is not adjusted
under the terms provided in Section 1.
will be submitted to a board of three
auditors appointed by the Interstate
Commerce commission, whoso members
and official force will be eligible for
that service without any additional
compensation. These auditors will give
a full hearing to the road and to the
government and will report to the pres
ident the amount due the road as just
compensation. A sum not exceeding
the amount so reported may bo agreed
upon by the president and the road.
Failing tills agreement, either the fed
eral government or the road may file
a petition in the court of claims for
final ascertainment of the amount of
just compensation and in the courts of
claims proceedings the report of the
auditors will tie considered prima facia
evidence of the facts stated. The just
compensation of any federal controlled
road not making returns to the Inter
state Commerce commission will be de
termined in accordance with these pro
visions.
Section 4—Provides that the return
of any carrier will be increased by an
amount reckoned at a rate per cent to
be fixed by the president, upon the
cost of any additions and improvements :
made while under federal control by the
carrier from its own capital or surplus
and by an amount equal to the rate
accruing to the government upon any i
advances made to the road for the cost j
of additions and improvements.
Section 5 prohibits any carrier, while i
under federal control, without the pres- !
ident's approval from declaring or pay- I
Ing any dividends in excess of its regii- 1
lar rate during ilie three years ending
June 30, 1017. This section stipulates, i
however, that the railroads that have ;
paid no regular dividends or no divi- ‘
dends during that period may, with the
president’s prior approval, pay divi- j
dends at whatever rate the president
may determine.
How Fund Will Be Used.
Section 6 appropriates $500,000,000.
'which, together with any funds avail- i
able from any excess earnings of the j
railroads, may lie used by the president !
as a revolving fund" to pay expenses of !
the federal control on any deficit of a I
railroad below the standard return and
to provide terminals, improvements, en- j
gines and rolling stock and other neces- ;
sary equipment. These terminals, im- I
provements and equipment are to be
used and accounted for as the president!
may direct and to lie disposed of as
congress may hereafter provide. The
president nmw also order any road to
make any additions and improvements, j
He may from this revolving fund ad
vance to the road ail or any part of the j
expense of the additions and improve- '
ments so ordered and constructed by |
the road or by the government. These .
advances are to be charged against the 1
road and to bear interest at such a
rate and be payable on such terms as |
the president may determine, so that |
the United States may be fully reim- i
bursed for any sums advanced.
May Acquire Water Lines.
Any loss claim to accrue to any road ;
by reason of any of these additions or
improvements may be determined by
in agreement between the president i
and the road. Failing this agreement,
the amount of the loss will bo ascer
tained under the terms provided in
section three. From the revolving
fund, the president may expend what
ever amount he may deem necessary
or desirable for purchase, construction
or utilization and operation of boats,
barges, tugs and other transportation
facilities on the inland and coastwise
waterways and may In the acquisition,
operation and use of these facilities
create or employ such agencies and
enter into such contracts and agree
ments as he shall deem to bo in the
public interest.
To provide funds for maturing obli
gations or for other legal and proper
expenditures or for reorganizing rail
roads in receivership, carriers may,
during federal control, issue such
bonds, notes, equipment, trust certifi
cates, stock and other forms of secur
ities secured or unsecured by mortgage
as the president may approve as con
sistent with the public interest.
The same section authorizes the
president to purchase for the United
States all or any part of these securi
ties at prices not exceeding par. and
to sell these securities whenever in his
judgment it is desirable, at prices not
less than their cost. Any sums avail
able from the revolving fund which is
published in section 6 may be used for
such purposes.
President Has Great Power.
Section S provides that the president
may execute any of the powers granted
him through whatever agencies he may
determine and may fix reasonable com
pensation for service.
Section 9 would authorize the presi
dent to extend the federal workmen's
compensation law to apply to railroad
employes on such terms and conditions
as will give due consideration to rem
edies available under state compensa
tion laws or otherwise.
Section 10 gives the president in ad
dition to powers specifically prescribed,
any other and further power neces
sary.
Section 11 provides that while under
federal control the roads are subject
to all laws and liabilities as common
carriers, and suits may be brought by
and against them and Judgments rend
ered as provided by law. Except with
the president’s written assent, however,
no attachment or execution is to be
made on any property used by a road
in performance of its common carrier
duties.
Section 12 stipulates that any person
or corporation acting for or employed
by a carrier or shipper or other person
who shall fall to observe any of the
provisions of the proposed law or “shall
knowingly interfere with or impede
possession, use, operation or control of
any railroad or transportation system
taken over by the president,” or shall
violate any order or regulation for
carrying out the law, shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor and punishable by a
maximum fine of $5,000 or if a person
by imprisonment for not more than two
years or both..
Federal as well as state criminal stat
utes, where applicable, shall apply to
all railroad officers, agents and em
ployes. Prosecutions will be in federal
district courts.
Section 13, the last, provides for the
indefinite continuance of the law. It
makes this brief general provision:
“The federal control of transportation
systems herein and heretofore provided
for shall continue for and during the
period of the war and until congress
shall thereafter order otherwise."
GREAT HOBOKEN FIRE
MENACES WAR STORES
Blaze Brought Under Control
and Confined to Loss of
One Factory.
Hoboken. N. J., Jan. 4.—Firemen,
t'niteil States soldiers and civilians aid
ed by New York fire boats and railroad
tugs brought a stubborn blaze under
control after a fight of several hours in
tile heart of the industrial section par
alelling the government controlled
water front here today.
A six-story manufacturing plant con
taining paper and other mill supplies
owned by the Oatti-McQuade company
was destroyed with an estimated pro
perty loss of $250,000. Numerous small
fires caused by sparks carried by a 40
mlle wind were checked.
Fire boats reached Hoboken after
cutting their way through the Hudson
river ice end prevented the fire from
spreading to a number of ships load
ing with war supplies.
About 1,000 soldiers guarded the dis
trict and civilians were called on for
patrol duty. A munitions factory in the
vicinity was not touched by the flames.
A
INCENDIARIES BURN PLANT.
Casper, Wyo., Jan. 4.—Fire of sus
pected incendiary origin today de
stroyed the plant of the Natrona Power
company here, shutting off heat and
electric light supplies to the business
section of the city. The damage is
estimated at $150,000.
WOMEN TO HOLD PEACE
CONFERENCE IN MARCH
Berne, Jan. 3.—The Swiss women's
committee for a lasting peace bos called
an international woman's conference at
Berne for March 3 to 8. This ection is
said to have been taken at the .-“equest
of woman's peace societies in belliger
ent countries.
Bolshevists Offer to Take
Troops Out of Persia If
Turkey Will Do Like
wise.
London, Jan. 6.—The bolshevJst for
eign minister, Leon Trotzky, Is said, by
the Petrograd correspondent of the fix
change Telegraph company to have sent
a communication to the Persian gov
ernment offering to begin negotiations!
for the withdrawal of Russian troops
from Persian territory, provided Turkey
will withdraw hers.
According to the same correspanoent.
M. Kerensky, the deposed premier, baa
prepared an account of his services
during the period of the first revolu
tion, which will be presented to the
constituent assembly. It includes full
details of conditions at the front dur
ing the June offensive and the reasons
why M. Kerensky decided to remove
Former Emperor Nicholas to Siberia.
ARGENTINE
OFFERS fl M
Naon Miffed Over Publication
of Count Luxburg Corre
spondence.
Buenos Aires, Jan. 5.—Confirmation
was received here last evening of the
report that Dr. Romaulo S. Naon, the
Argentine ambassador to the United
States, lias resigned.
In official circles every possible ef
fort is being made to persuade the
government not to accept the resigna
tion.
Friction arising from the publication
of the secret telegrams sent by Count
von Luxburg before his dismissal! as
German minister to Argentine, to Ber
lin through the medium of the Swedish
legation, is given as a reason.
In these telegrams Count von Dux
burg advised the "sinking without
trace’’ of Argentine vessels and advised
his government concerning German
propaganda in South America. Some of
the dispatches were withheld from pub
lication for several weeks and it had
been reported previously that Ambas
sador Naon. who sent them to his gov
ernment with the expectation that they
would be given out. was to be recalled.
MAY INCREASE DRAFT
AGE INNEAR FUTURE
Would Give Government Larg
er Number of Skilled
Workmen.
By United Press.
Washington. D. C., Jan. B.—Increase
of the draft age from 31 to 40 or 45
is "one of the problems of the future,"
according to Provost Marshal General
Crowder in his comprehensive report
to the secretary of war.
The draft of the older men shouldhbe
mainly for skilled labor for the war and
to distribute the burden of the war, ac
cording to Crowder.
KAISER ANDlzARIN
FIGHT ON SOCIALISM
Had Laid Plans to Combat Doc
trine Throughout Entire
World.
Petrograd, Jan. 4.—That the czar was
in communication with the German au
tocracy seeking an international con
vention which would lay plans for a
world wide fight against socialism, was
revealed in documents found at the for
eign office and made public by the. bol
shevist government today. The records
showed conferences had begun at the
time with this program in view.
MUNITIONS DEPOT IS
BLOWN UP; 2,000 DEAD
Stockholm, Jan. 4.—A Haparanda
dispatch to the Tidiningen says that the
munitions depot on the Russian south
western front was blown up ricently
and that all buildings within a radius
of two kilometers were destroyed. Two
trains loaded with Cossacks on the way
to the Don district were wrecked, caus
ing the death of 3,000 men.
'JAPAN MAY INTERVENE IN
RUSSIA TO “PROTECT ASIA”
Collapse of Muscovite Government Held to Endanger Inter
ests of Allies in Siberia—Tokio Considers Sending a
Large Body of Troops.
By United Press.
Toklo, Qan. 6.—The Russian wall
which has protected Japan and the rest
of Asia from German Influence having
apparently collapsed, It is feared Jap
an's attitude toward the war has as
sumed an unprecedented seriousness.
The feeling is reflected everywhere
in Japan—in press comment, state
ments of military authorities, govern
ment conferences nnd many official ut
terances. For two weeks reports re
ceived here via Vladivostok and from
Harbin have indicated that these dis
tricts are plagued by lawlessness, that
Russian authorities are losing or have
lost ail semblance of power. There is
a reign of terror in Harbin. Foreign
subjects are being mistreated. Robbers
have plundered Japanese warehouses
and Russian soldiers have attacked a
prominent Japanese company’s plant.
Unless something is done to aid the
Russians in restoring order it is be
lleved here means must he taken t&
protect the property and lives of for
eigners In Siberia, particularly in Hhr
bln.
There are 2,500 Japanese, 100 British
ers and about 50 Americans there.
"Should Lenine establish Ms power
over Russia,” said Lieutenant General
OJino, former Japanese ambassador at
Petrograd, "Germany might invade
Russia further and advance toward tno
fare east. The entente cannot send
troops to Asia. America would find If
difficult to do so and Chinese troopa
can hardly be trusted. It Is necessary,
therefore, that Japanese troops be mob
ilized.”
Lieutenant Horluchl who has held
numerous important diplomatic and
military posts holds to the same view.
He points out that the dispatoh of Jap
anese troops to Siberia would be fruit
less unless the whole Japanese empire
is alive to the gravity of the situation.