BEST OF ALL COLORED COMICS FOR YOUNG AND OLD WITH THE SUNDAY BEE
gpy,;THE Omaha Daily Bee Yts
VOL. XLVII NO. 293.
OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 25, 1918. 20 PAGES
0 TrslM. si Hsttlt,
Ntwi Stiisi. Etc. is.
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
mm m n dkmib
; . ,". .o
ARTILLERY FIRING
INCREASES IN FURY
ON WESTERN FRONT
Remarkable Aerial Activity Continues, With Both Sides
Acting on Offensive; American Airmen to Aid in
Defense of Paris; Germans Shift
Forces in Toul Sector.
In the battle zones in France there have been numerous
local engagements, particularly in the Somme sector. The
Germans under cover of a heavy artillery barrage made a raid
on the British lines at Bucquoy, on the line to the southwest of
Arras, and captured prisoners. "
In the Kemmel region on both sides of the Lye river, in the
Flanders battle field, there has been heavy artillery fighting,
while on the Scrape river," in the region of Arras and south of
.the Somme, between Moresuil and Montdidier, the big guns
have been in action, according to the official statements.
.AIR FIGHTING .INTENSE.
The remarkable aerial activity along
the western battle front . continues
with both sides initiating air righting
and bombing operations. If the Ger
. mans repeat their attempts to bom
bard Paris from the air, Americans
will feel a keen interest in the attacks
because American aviators now are
tiding in the defense of the French
capital.
Trocps Facing Americans Shifted.
The German troops that faced the
Americans along the lines of the Toul
sector have been replaced. For some
time the Teutons there were units
whiph had been withdrawn from Russia.-
These now have been replaced
by Bavarian reserve regiments. It is
probable that the men withdrawn
have been hurried north to participate
in the coming renewal of the great
German offensive in Picardy and
Flanders.
In spite of Berlin's p'romise that the
German forces would not penetrate
further into Russia, a large Teuton
army is reported to be within 25 miles
of Kursk, in the Dnieper-Don region.
SON-IN-LAW OF
PACKEE SWIFT
IS IMPRISONED
Chicago, May 24. Interment of
Count James'Minotti began this after
noon at Fort Sheridan, when Judge
, Baker, in the federal court of appeals,
declined to continue the $50,000 bond
on which the count has been at lib
erty and ordered him held until the
court hears' the case June 12.
Count Minotto tonight was started,
in the custody of army officers, for
Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
Wilson Refuses to Do More
For Woman Suffrage Cause
- Washington, May 24. Woman
munition workers in Washington who
joined the National Woman's party
headquarters in urging President Wil
son to give further support to the
federal woman suffrage amendment
were informed in a letter from Secre
tary Tumulty today that nothing they
could say could increase his interest in
the matter, and that he had done
tverything he could with honor and
propriety do in behalf of the passage
of the amendment.
The Weather
: t . ,
For Nebraska: Unsettled and cooler
Saturday, probably showers. ' Sunday
fair; warmer in west portions.
' TemperatnrM at Omaha Yesterday.
' Hour. Deir.
6 a. m 63
t a. m 65
7 a. m.... 65
8 a. m 66
t a. m 69
10 a. m 72
11 a. m 76
12 m..' 78
1 p. m 80
2 p. m 83
2 p. m 84
4 p. m 84
5 p. m 85
6 p. m 84
7 p. m 84
8 p. m 80
Comparative Xocal Record.
191S. 1917. 1916. 1915.
Highest yesterday .. 85 74 89 80
Lowest yesterday .. 61 48 64 63
Mean temperature ... 73 61 76 66
Precipitation 43 .00 .00 .00
Temperature and precipitation departures
from the normal:
Normal. temperature ' 65
Excess for the day 8
Total excess since March 1 '.....384
Normal precipitation 13 inch
Excess for the day 30 inch
Total rainfall since March 1. .. .3.44 Inches
Deficiency since -March 1 ...... .4.31 Inches
Excess for cor. period, 1917 22 Inch
Deficiency for cor. period, 1916.. 2.98 Inches
Reports From Stations at 7 P. M.
Stat Inn and State Temp. High- Raln-
of Weather. 7 p. m eat. fall,
pavenport, part cloudy 80 82 2.02
Des Moines, cloudy 83 84 2.00
. Podge City, part cloudy 94 9 .22
North Platte, clear .... 88 S8 .06
Omaha, cloudy 84 SS .43
Pueblo, rlear .....86 S .no
Sapid City, cloudy .... 72 74 T
3heridan. cloudy ...... (6 68 T
Sioux City, pt. cloudy.. 84 84 .08
Valentine, pt. cloudy... 84 86 .00
" v. T Indicates trace of precipitation.
1. A. WELSH, Meteorologist,
GERMAN POWER
MAY BE BROKEN
IN NEXT BATTLE
Washington Confident Allies
II Win and Foe Be Forced
Thereafter to Fight on
Defensive.
(By Associated Press.)
Washington, May 24. Renewal of
the German drive in France indicated
by Premier Lloyd George today to
be imminent, finds American mili
tary opinion here absolutely confi
dent of the outcome. There is not
a doubt in the minds of high officers
familiar with the situation . that . the
enemy will be repelled with loss and
the offensive power of Germany fin
ally broken.
There are those who believe that
the end of the war may come this
year as a result. Others however,
foresee, a long defensive struggle by
the, German ,army while efforts to
secure peace on the best possible
terms are made by the Berlin diplo
mats. German Position Weakened.
In assessing the situation as it
stands today in France, officers here
point out that the German position
strategically is far weaker than it was
when the drive was launched in
March. Their lines are now shaped
so that there is constant danger of
flank attack from several points that
might mean disaster. To guard these
points, ample reserves must be held,
whatever call for more men may be
made from the fronts of attack.
American manpower sufficient to
replace by far the larger portion of
the losses of British and French in
the bitter fighting which stopped the
first German rush has been carried
to the fighting zones supplementing
the considerable American force
which already was in France. Ex
cept for the finer points of trench
warfare, the new American units are
ready for the battle. They are re
garded as fully prepared for the form
of action in which they will be engaged.
Bee Sunday Features
The very best way-to top off Sunday breakfast
is by reading The Sunday Bee. Tomorrow's issue
will be brimful of entertainment and eal inter
. est substance. If not a regular subscriber, order
your copy today.
TRAPPING WILD ANIMALS IN NEBRASKA A staff writer will
tell you some surprising facts concerning Omaha's importance
as a' fur market and what it means to the west.
WOMEN IN WAR TIME Our corps of brilliant women writers will
present a budget of good reading well worth preserving by any
woman in Nebraska. There will be a display of original Red Cross
art pictures of unusual local interest.
HARRY LAUDER IN THE WAR ZONE That lovable fellow, de
lightful comrade and international favorite, who dispels gloom
and chases dull care, continues his splendid war story.
OMAHA FOUNDERS WERE WISER THAN THEY KNEW Here's
a carefully prepared article about Omaha that will be pleasing to
every home owner and real estate investor in the city.
THE SPORTING WORLD Tomorrow's Bee will offer three pages
of live sport news and features the biggest and best sporting
section west of Chicago.
THROWING HAND GRENADES AT FORT CROOK How the sol
diers at an Omaha fort are training to fight the Hun is graphically
told by a clever girl writer on The Bee staff. .
OUR COMIC HEAD-LINERS The Bee's comic section is incompar
able. Tomorrow, Little Jimmy, the Katzenjammers, Bringing Up
Father, and last, but not least, Happy Hooligan.
The Sunday Bee is one of the Sunday essentials. Don't miss it.
KING VICTOR EMMANUEL CABLES HIS REPLY
TO PRESIDENT WILSON'S GREETINGS TO ITALY
Washington, May .24. A reply from
King Victor Emraailuel to President Wilson's
greetings to Italy oh the occasion of the third
anniversary of Italy's entry into the war,
made public, today by. the .State department,
said i 4 . r.
"On. the' occasion of the celebration of
4-1 . t4.?.kAfeM' i. Ti- n!..'n JIM
wie aumveuvoi y vo, xuuy o cuuonv,c iuw mo
war, wmchls being held in the united btates,
I am pleased to send you, Mr. President, and
to the 'A&a people, my own warmest
greetings anbtttiose of the Italian people.
"Tfeie"ars"agQ Italy took up arms for
the sftme idaT'causes to which the powerful
Americao repp6licy.later gave her moral and
materiaLjauppofUiThe. national conscious-
RAISING OF MMY
ENLISTMENT ME
UNIT PROPOSED
Men Between 40 and 55
Would Be Available in Non
combatant Branches Under
Baker's Plan.
(By Associated Press.)
Washington, May 24. Another
move toward full utilization of the
country's man power was made today
when Secretary Baker sent to con
gress the draft of a bill proposing to
raise the maximum age limit for vol
untary enlistment in the army- from
40 to, 55 years. ' All men over 40 so
enlistee) i would be' assigned to non
combatant service.
In a letter to Speaker Clark, asking
that the Bill' be pushed Secretary
Baker said:
"Every man above the age of ' 40
years who is enlisted in noncombat
tant branches of the service will make
available for duty with the line troops
a man within the prescribed age limit
for all troops.
"Many men whose long experience
as mechanics and artisans will make
them particularly valuable to the va
rious staff corps and departments may
be thus secured instead of younger
men without such experience and the
efficiency 'of the staff corps and the
departments thus will be increased."
Thousands Have Applied.
There probably are 7,500,000 men
between, the ages of 40 and 55 and
many thousands of them already at
tested their desire to serve by bom
barding the department with applica
tion. While the'great majority of the
men in this qlass undoubtedly will be
restrained from enlisting by family
and business ties, the number at lib
erty to join" the colors is expected to
be more thaw.'Sufficjent to meet the
purpose in view.' : ; - . , . ,
Staff corps positions include many
duties behind the front. Every head
quarters unit includes a . number of
positions for which the older men will
be just as well suited as thi present
occupant8';whr under.: the, new plan
would be released for-Jine- duty.
Official etsimates are that a modern
army to, be maintained as an 'efficient
unit must teye betw.een 40 and 45 per
cent of its actual strength on duty be
hind the fighting 'zone. This means
that of the first 1,000.000 men sent to
France 400,000 serve along the line of
communication,, in hospitals or at the
various headquarters and debarkation
bases. :i:i'Yi7'7:'r7t''
(By Associated Press.)
ness, rebel to every attempt of violence from
whatever side it might come, leagued Italy
with the nations fighting for the sacred prin
ciples and rights which we want completed
with the liberation of our oppressed brothers
from the foreign yoke and with the vindica
tion of our legitimate safety and existence,
without which no sound peace can be as
sured. "Today on the battlefields of France is
being- concentrated the brotherhood in arms
of America and Italy. May this concentra
tion be the happy omen of an even more close
co-operation between the two nations in the
future in the field of progress and civilization."
4 - A A Zrlt l A
Costa Rica Declares
War on Central Powers
San Juan Del Sur, Nic, May 24.
The government of Costa Rica
has declared war on the central
powers, according to advices re-'
ceivd here.
ITALIAN BANNERS
RAISED AT FORTS
OMAHA AND CROOK
Nation Honors Ally as Local
Italians Celebrate Anniver
sary of Their Motherland's
Entry Into War.
. New York, May 24. Secretary of
War Baker announced in an address
here tonight. in celebation' of Italy
day that American infantry, American
machine gun units and American artil
lery soon would be fighting shoulder
to shoulder with the Italians on their
front.
Local Italians Patriotic,
For the first time in the history of
Omaha army posts, the Italian flag
was flown Friday beneath the Ameri
can flag on the post flagstaffs. The
occasion was Italy day, so designated
by President Wilson.
Patriotic exercises attended the
raising of the Italian flags at Fort
Omaha and Fort Crook. A large
Italian flag was also flown from be
neath the stars and stripes on the
federal building. " Throughout the
business section of the city red, white
and green, Italy's national colors,
were displajed.
Parade and Banquet.
All Italian organizations in the city
gathered at Eighteenth and Harney
streets and paraded to the Swedish
auditorium in the afternoon, where a
program which included speeches by
Mayor Ed. P. Smith and Edward G.
Maggi of Lincoln, were given. Gaspar
Saitta officiated as grand marshal of
the'parade.
The celebration was concluded with
a banquet at the Hotel Fontenelle in
the evening, at which several promi
nent speakers were heard.
Governor Keith Neville, ,who was
to have been the guest of honor, sent
his regrets, pleading a previous en
gagement. Mayor Ed. P. Smith also
begged to be excused, but ex-Mayor
James Dahlman was on hand and re
ceived a hearty welcome from , the
audience when introduced by Toast
master L. J. Piatti.
Captain Glidden Pleases Audience.
Captain Glidden, Fort Omaha of
ficer and balloonist, attended the
banquet as the personl representative
of Colonel H. B. Hersey.
Local Chairman S. Caldwell of the
Red Cross told of the work being
done by that organization and pro
phesied that the $300,000 mark will
be passed in the present drive.
Maher Makes Patriotic Address.
Major G. Maher delivered a pa
triotic address, as did E. G. Maggie.
Rev. Father M. A. Stagne, of St.
Ann's church, delivered a patriotic
address in the Italian language as
did A. Rizzuto, S. Cippola, S. Pecce,
J. Bova, J. Pistore, Toe Sesta,
Antonio Venuto and A. Gioffia.
WILSON POSTPONES
FINAL DECISION ON
TAXATION PROBLEM
Washington, May 24. President
Wilson tonight postponed a final de
cision on whether congress shall be
asked to start work immediately on
new revenue legislation.
Harry Lauder's Own
Story of War Zone
Experiences Will Be
Found on Page 6.
MISS LOSK SAYS
'NEVER' INTENDED
TO KILL RIVAL
After Testifying She Could Re
member Nothing About Shoot
ing, Admits Efforts to Keep
Liaison Secret.
(By Associated Press.)
Waukesha, Wis., May 24. Grace
Lusk, after testifying that she could
remember nothing of the killing of
Mrs. Mary Newman Roberts, for
which she now is on trial, was forced
to admit on cross-examination today
that she had sought to keep her rela
tions with Dr. David Roberts secret
for more than two years.
.During this period, she admitted,
she had warned the veterinarian to
be careful in talking to her on the tele
phone, she had sent him letters in
care of his secretary, she had on one
occasion urged him to register under a
fictitious name with her at a Chicago
hotel and they had a mutual agree
ment that their letters should be un
signed and should be destroyed as
soon as they were read. Miss Lusk
also admitted that she had not con
fined herself absolutely to the facts in
several statements made in unmailed
letters to Mrs. Roberts regarding her
intimacy with Dr. Roberts.
Cannot Remember Killing.
Although she could remember noth
ing regarding the actual shooting of
Mrs. Roberts and declared that she
"never, never, never." intended to do
it, she admitted that she had'a clear
recollection of events immediately be
fore and after the tragedy. She de
clared that Mrs. Roberts had threat
ened to have her driven out of town
and had likened her to a woman of
the streets.
After the tragedy Miss Lusk told of
going to her room and firing her pistol
out of the window to see whether it
had "jammed," with the intention later
of using it to take her own life. She
had no recollection of firing the first
shot into her body, but fired the sec
ond because she no longer cared to
live afterbeing told that Mrs. Roberts
was dead. .
Miss Lusk testified on cross-examination
that the first time she had
urged that Mrs. Roberts be told the
truth was on May 18, 1917, a little
more than a month before the tragedy.
Quizzed About Unmailed Letter.
On the cross-examination, which
was conducted by Walter D. Corrigan
of Milwaukee, a letter addressed to
Mrs Roberts, which never had been
mailed, was read after Miss Lusk had
admitted writing it. This was the let
ter introduced earlier in the trial by
the state over the protest of fhe de
fense that their client could not be
(Continued on Para Two. Column Fire.)
SLAYER LEAVES GRIM LEGACY
Veiled Threat Accompanies Handkerchief
Pierced By Bullets Which Killed De Weese
TO VICTIM'S FORMER HUSBAND
Salt Lake City, May 24. Howard
H. De Weese, who was shot here to
day for the murder of his wife, Fanny
Fisher De Weese, left a grim legacy
for his wife's former husband. It was
a silk handkerchief and the bullets,
which passed through the heart of
De Weese, first passed through the bit
of silk, which he had pinned over
his chest.
Before his execution De Weese
secured the promise of the warden of
the state prison to forward the
handkerchief, together with a note
to Fisher in New York. The letter
dated at the Utah state prison, last
Monday, reads:
"Mr. H. W. Fisher, -150 Second
avenue, New York:
"Greetings: ,
"In accordance with customs ob
served by certain people I herewith
conform with precedents and laws
governing the conduct of aforesaid
AMERICANS ABOARD
TRANSPORT KILLED
IN U-BOAT ATTACK
Men Unaccounted for Probably All Victims of Explosion
in One Compartment, Admiralty Fears; Steamer
Bound for Cork Torpedoed and 37 Members of
Crew Supposed to Have Been Lost
(By Associated Press.)
London, May 24. The British armed merchant troop ship
Moldavia, with American troops on board, ha been torpedoed
and sunk, according to an official bulletin issued by the admir
alty this evening.
Fifty-six American troops
accounted for, says the official
The Moldavia was of 9,500
Peninsular & Oriental Rteam Navigation company. It was built
at Greencock in 1903 and was
OMAHA AND STATE
PLACE $2,000,000
RED CROSS GOAL
Manufacturers Reporj $20,-'
157, and School Subscrip
tions So Far as Tabulated
Total $$10,062.66.
Washington, May 24. Red Cross
subscriptions today took the second
war fund $22,000,000 closer to its goal
of $100,000,000 and the total tabulated
at national headquarters tonight was
$86,689,000. ...
Reports told how a wave of indig
nation sweeping across the nation
with the news of latest hospital bomb
ing exploits of the Germans in France,
had played a great part in making the
day the most successful of the cam
paign and officials count even more
confidently now upon an immense
oversubscription to the fund.
Rush of Mney in Omaha.
Omaha and the state have arrived
at the closing day of the Red Cross
second war fund drive with the as
surance that both will go over the
top with a bound,
Friday evening tabulation of actual
returns of each and pledges was close
to $250,000. And Chairman Judson of
the state committee, with $878,679.70
in actual cash reported from 67 coun
ties outside of Douglas county, pre
dicted that the state will raise $2,000,
000 instead of its quota of $1,300,000.
Some of the big committees can
vassing the city reported Friday. The
manufacturers' committee made its
first report to headquarters with $20,
157.68, "and still going." This was
considerably more than the total ex
pected from the manufacturers.
Several firms increased their sub
scriptions. Orchard & Wilhelm com
pany, which had subscribed $500,
raised this to $1,000.
Membership in $1,500 Club.
The Bemis Omaha Bag company,
which gave $400 early in the week,
contributed an additional $600 through
the manufacturers' committee, and,
not considering this enough, called up
headquarters and added another $500,
thus gaining membership in the "$1,
500 club."
The Omaha live stock commission
men and their employes turned in the
magnificent sum of $7,066.
people. I have rigidly adhered to my
vote. You have violated yours.
Therefore, put your house in order.
The allotted time customary in such
cases is yours. The souvenir here
with (by the-warden of this institu
tion) will doubtless serve to convince
you that time, distance, political in
fluence, or money, cannot change the
inexorable workings of things de
creed by men who do not hesitate in
risking all, even life, for things they
have sworn to uphold.
"The Ubc, through one whom has
proven loyal, bids you 'prepare.' It is
WriUCn- "J. E. W
The initials affixed at the bottom
of the note stand for De Weese's
alias J. E. Warren. The "Ubc,"
De Weese explained just before his
execution, was the initials of the
"Universal Brotherhood Club of New
on the Moldavia have been, tun
statement.
tons gross and owned by thef
520 feet long.
Crew Saved.
The text of the admiralty - statwl
ment follows
"The armed mercantile cruiser Vol
davia was torpedoed and sunk yesf
terday morning.
"There were no casualties amon,
the cr$w but of the American troop''
on board 56 up to the present hav
not been accounted for. It is feared;
they were killed in one compartment
by the, explosion." - '
( No, Panic Shown. i
The Moldavia was torpedoed withv
out wsrning. It was a moonlight"
night and although a good lookout
was kept the attacking submarine wat
not sighted before the torpedo struck
Most of the men aboard were is
their hammock's when the explosion
occurred amidships. The sailors and
soldiers alike showed no panic, -'
They fell canilv into line ana"
awaited orders. .When it was seer
that the Moldavia was settling down;'
all on board were taken off by the
escorting ships. ' , ! ' ' ; ' -t
The men lost all their belongings
but were supplied with new clothing
at the different naval ' ports where
they were taken..
Probably Drowned Below Decks, j
It is believed that the Americas
soldiers missing from the Moldavia
were sleeping on the bottom deck and
were overtaken by the great inruiE
of water after the explosion when)
they, were trying to reach the mainj
deck. It also is presumed that somfl
of the ladders were destroyed. . V
The vessel was struck below ttW .
bridge. It steamed ahead for lom(.
time after being struck and at first
it was hoped that the water tight,
compartments would , enable 'it tt
reach port. ; ".' : . . J
Cork Steamer Torpedoed. . .V t
Queenstown. May 24. The Corfc
steamer Inniscarra, bound from. Fish
guard to Cork, has been torpedoed
and sunk. Thirty-seven members .01
the crew are missing and are sup',
posed to have been lost. - f
Five survivors of the disaster hav
been landed. They, are the, captain
the chief officer, one steward and two!
sailors. " :
The Inniscarra was ' struck amid-
ships. She listed immediately .and
foundered in four minutes.
The Inniscarra was a vessel ,ot ,
1,412 tons. It was, built in 1903 an
belonged to the City of . Cork Stea
Packet company. ' ' .'
Sunk in Collision. . '
Washington. Ma v 24.The" Unite
States ship Wakiva, a ; converted
yacht, was sunk in European waters
in a collision May 22 with a loss oft
w, a. iioyt, carpenters mate, fettle
boro, Mass.. and Joseph M.' Farley,
fireman, Chicago. An announcemen
today by the JMavy department, say
the Waktva collided with a navy car
go carrier.
Ensign W. W. Lovell of Brooklyni
N. Y.,.of the navy: Fireman' Bernard
F, Stiefvater of Everett, Wash.", anrt
Water .lender Charles R. Moore' o
Somerset, Pa., were lost in. the sink
ing of the American steamer, Williamt
Rockefeller, recently torpedoed in th
war zone. ,
No Details Received.'.
Sinking of the British1 armed met
chant cruiser Moldavia, with a prob
able loss of 56 American soldiers wast
I LI . . 1 J
diiuuuuccu in a- cablegram ronignt
from the British admiraltv to. th Waii
ucpai uuciii. io ucians were given
but the understanding here is that the,
ship was moving ' between England:
and France. ,
At a late hour the department had!
no further information to indicate1
what American units were on board'
the vessel. Many men are in training!
in England and it is possible that the;
Moldavia was carrying a contingent'
bound for the front. ' f
. The Moldavia is the third transport?
carrying American troops to be tor-i
A . . XT- J - . - M -f
pedoed and the fifteenth troopship1:
sunk by the Germans. Of the vessels?
carrying Americans the Antilles was
the first to meet with destruction by'i
a U-boat. It was sunk October l
(Continued on rg Tiro, Celuu VtrCl h