A.
SOMETHING DOING ON THE ITALIAN FRONT. UP- TO- THE MINUTE WAR NEWS IN THE BEE
The' Omaha' Daily Bee
THE WEATHER L -
Fair i
VOL. XLVIII. NO. 6
OMAHA, TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 25. 191810 PAGES.
On Tr.tnT U HoUlfc TWO CENTS
Km Bund. Ito.. So. V wuu i
UUVl
JV
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2
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LAURELS
FOR DEAD
OFFICER
Lieutenant Cather of Bladen,
Neb.rSince Killed in Action,
Mentioned for Bravery
in Battle.
Lt. G. P. Cather, son of Mr.
and. Mrs. G P. Cather of Bla
den, Neb., who was reported in
a recent United States list as
killed in action in France May
28, has been cited by the gen
eral commanding the troops for
courage and coolness displayed
in action, previous to the , en
'gagement when, he meet his
death, v
Exposed to seven German
machine guns, he directed a
structiveflanking fire from two
automatic rifle teams. He was
28 years old and is survived by
two brothers and, two sisters.
Others Are "Cited.
With the v American Army in
-France,' June 24. The following
named "Ignited, States soldiers who
took part in the capture of and the
subsequent jlefense of Cantigny have
been cited for bravery and conspi
cuous gallantry.
Lieut. G. P. Cather Bladen, Neb.,
-(since killed in action). With
ispTendid courage and coolness he
"Vnounted the parapet of a trench and
directed a destructive flanking fire
from two automatic rifle teams ex
posed to seven German machine guns.
"Maj. Theodore Roosevelt: Al
though gassed in the lungs and
gashed in the eyes to blindness, re
fused to be removed and retained
command of his battalion under heavy
bombardment throughout the engage
ment. .i Rejoined Company, but Died.
"Sergt. Edward Nester Owicz:
; Knocked. unconscious by a shell -and
left behind, he' stagge-red on and re
joined his company after which,
mortally wounded, he died. .
"Sergt. William L. Kouns: Ser-
jously wounded, he helped to repel
a-counter attack, assisted the wound
ed and refused to quit.
"Sergt. Frank Kelly, machine gun
ner: He brought in two wounded
and did valiant service with the ac
curacy of his machine gun.
f'Corp. Joseph SaTnere: He wired
an important position while under
machine gun fire and assisted a
wounded comrade.
"Priv. Brooks Bowles: He crept
several hundred yards !n daylight un
der a terrific machine gun and rifle
fire to rescue a wounded comrade
lying in the open.
"Priv. George Purcell: Cited for
a similar action to that of Bowles.
- Silences German Machine Gun.
PrivWiIlard Felty: Exposed to
enemy machine guns, be silenced with
his automatic a German machine gun
and reduced the re of others until
his own weapon was useless.
' "Priv. Fred M. Meyer: He shield
ed an automatic rifie firer with his
body, enabling the riflemen to silence
a German machine gun. Meyer was
killed as the result of his action.
"Private Shelton Armes: Wounded
in two places by a shell, he regained
consciousness and joined his p'atoon.
"Private William L. Proup, ma
chine gunner: Carried a wounded of
ficer to safety throueh terrific shell
Private Walter Stewart, machine
(Continued on Page Two, Column Pwo.)
The Weather
" .
For Nebraska and Iowa Generally
fair Tuesday and Wednesday; not
much change in temperature1.
Temperatures In Omaha Yesterday.
E a. m 7-...7J
6 a. m . .
7 a. m..
8 a. in..
9 a. m. .
10. a. m..
11 a. m..
12m
1 p. m . .
2 p. m..
3 p. m..
4 p. m..
6 p. m..
8 p. m . .
7 p. m..
....71
....72
.,..72
....73
'....75
....77
....76
....76
'....76
....73
....74
....76
....79
....80
....69
8 p. m.
Comparative Local Records
1918. 1917. 1916. 1915.
SI 8 81 79
71 s f 68 ' 64
7 76 70 72
.02 ?D0 , .00 T
Highest yesterday .
Low yesterday ..
Mean temperature...
Precipitation ........
TVnmratiiri mm
precipitation depar-
hires from the normal:
i Normal temperature 74
. Excess for the day 2
Total excess since March 1, 1917 664
Normal precipitation .18 Inch
Deficiency for the day ,16 Inch
Total rainfall since March 1. .. .7.21 inches
Excess since March 1 S.M Inches
Exoeaa for cor. period, 1917 63 inch
Uefcciency for cor. period, 1916..4.86 Inches
; Reports From Stations at 1 F. V.
station and Stale Temp. Hirh- Raln-
oi weather. 7 p. m,
est.
fall
Cheyenne, part cloudy. .80
83
86
76
100
90
M
84
8ii
:
84
84
80
.00
.16
.06
1.'20
- .00
.00
.68
.02
.02
.01
V .00
T
.90
.80
.04
Denver, part cloudy
iavenpon, cloudy ,....'i4
84
Des Moines, rafnlng
Dodire Cltj5, clear. .,,
..74
..9
..81
I .nn1er,- clear, .'.
North rutin, iit
cldy. .83
. Omaha, purt cloudy
Pueblo, i.art cloudy
..80
Papld '''ity. clear....:. .86
SaU I.alie City, clear 92
Sai At Ke, part, cloudy.. 84
Kherldan- clear ..82
Hloux City, raining.. ...70
Valentine, clear ...84
86
"X" indicates trap nf nrtftnltnllnn
i : U A. WELSljjj, Meteorologist
HUN ARMY UTTERL Y CR USHED;
INVADERS MEET BLOOD Y FATE
ALLIES WORK
OUT FUTURE
FOR RUSSIA
Progress Being Made to Reha
bilitate Nation and Take
It Out of Control cf Kaiser
and His Minions.
(By Associated Tress.)'
Washington, June 24. The entente
allies are now seeking a solution of
the Russian problem, one which will
assist President Wilson in the execu
tion of his pledge to "stand behind
Russia." Latest reports from Europe
indicate that progress is being made.
Difficulties which presetted them
selves at the outset of the negotia
tions laid divergence of the aims of
the separate entente governments as
well as between their ideals and the
declarations of the American chief
executive.
These differences ate understood to
have touched the future of Russia,
supposing success attended the com
bined effoits of the allies to rehabili
tate the nation as an independent
state, absolutely free of German con
trol. Then there was a lack of con
crete plans that seemed reasonably
certain to guarantee successful in
tervention which would give immedi
ate results by destroying German in
fluence in Russia without evxciting the
bitter resentment of the great mass
of the Russian people.
Removing Differences.
The frank exchanges which have
been going on in Europe are remov
ing most of the misunderstandings
and differences which have existed
on these points. However,- it can
not be said that any agreement has
been reached. . '
In fact, inquiry at ttrc State de
partment was met today with the re
sponse that nothing has yet occurred
to warrant any change in the policy
which has been taken by theOnited
States. 1
T,his means that America is not
yet ready to take part in joint in
tervention in Siberia or elsewhere
in Russia, the single exception be
ing in the case of the Mourmansk ter
ritory oh the Arctic ocean, which is
recognized by the United States gov
ernment as within the field of Gen
eral Fdch's commanding generalship
and consequently as a place where
American troops, or marines, may in
the general's discretion, be landed to
reinforce the small British and French
contingents now at Kola and vicinity.
Headway Being Made.
It is understood that headway is
being made toward a final agreement
and that this is likely to be based up
on the American ideas which seek no
profit from a renovated Russia, other
than military . and moral assistance
that would naturally follow.
Alexander Konowaloff, member of
the Kerensky cabinet, was introduced
to Secretary Lansing today by Boris
Bakhmeteff, the Russian ambassador.
The' general situation in Russia was
discussed, it was sajd, and an appoint
ment may be made for Mr. Konowa
IgfF to see the president.
M. Konowaloff was made prisoner
by the bolsheviki- after the fall of
the Kerensky regime, but escaped and
made his way to this country by way
of Siberia and Japan.
Ffood Conditions Cause
Opening of Dami Gates
Cheyenne, Wyo., June 24. Ex
traordinary high-water conditions,
caused in part by heavy rains and in
part by the rapid melting of snow
in the mountains, where creeks and
rivers head, have caused damage to
property in Wyoming estimated at
well above $1,000,000, and there
have been 10 deaths, five from
' drowning and five from lightning.
So serious has the situation be
come that the emergency gates' of
the three federal reclamation ser
vice dams, the Pathfinder, near
Casper; the Shoshone, near Cody,
and the Jackson lake in Jackson
Hole, have been opened and vast
quantities of water are being re
leased in order to lessen the pres
sure on the dams. '
Reavis Leaving for France
tias Big Task on His Hands
Washington Bureau af
The Omaha Bre.
1J11 G Street.
Washington, June' 24. (Special
Telegram.) Congressman Reavis,
who will leave for New York tomor
row on his way to France, said to
day he had been swampetf with tele
grams from those who had sons in
the Expeditionary forces now in
France, asking him, to call o;i tliese
boys and report to the parents on
his return.
.these telegrams, said the repre
sentative from the first district. "areM
the most human documents 1 have
ever seeiu
v
ITALIANS' SUPERIOR STRATEGY
BLOCKS FOE'S
Pursuers Wreak Terrible Vengeance Upon Crack Troops of Emperor
Charles Who Flounder Back Through Mud With Big Guns
Pouring High Explosives Into Ranks ; Italian Navy
-' x Plays Big Part in Harassing Foe Ranks.
London, June 24. The view in military circles tonight is that the defeat of the
Austrians is so crushing that it will be impossible for the enemy to repeat his
offensive on a serious scale for several weeks. One of the causes for the Austrian
disaster is said to have beert faulty judgment in placing their reserves, by which they
failed to be-brought up at a critical moment to meet the clever strategy of the
Italians. 1
So strongly is the Piave line now held by the Italians, say military critics; that
it will be impossible for the disorganized enemy armies to retake it and there is not
the slightest fear that they again will try to cross the river. It is said, they staked
everything on this offensive and threw all their forces in it. Thirty-seven divisions
have been identified as being in the battle. '
AUSTRIA ADMITS DEFEAT.
Admission is made by the Austrian Avar
office that troops oT Emperor Charles have been,
forced to evacuate the Montello plateau, over
which they had hoped to press their way and
gain the Venetian plains, and "some sectors" of
the positions they attained last week on the
bank of the river between the plateau and the
point where the stream empties into the Adri
atic. Bad weather and the rising of the Piave
under heavy rainfalls "are assigned as the rea
sons for the withdrawal of the Austrians. But
the Rome war office asserts that it was the im
petuous attacks of the Italians that brought
about the failure of an operation which was
started with the intention of crushing the
armies cf General Diaz and forcing the Italians
to accept a "Teutonic allied peace."
AMERICAN AIRMEN HELP.
All along the river the Italians have
pressed back the invaders of their territory un
til only small units remain on the western bank
and across the stream King Victor Emanuel's
men are keeping well on the heels of the re
treating enemy, who is fleeing in disorder.
Again the cavalry has been thrown into
the fighting and is harassing the enemy, while
machine guns from the ground and from air
craft, some of the latter operated by American
aviators, are working' havoc among the fleeing
Austrian" columns.
The losses to the enemy are described as
enormous, both in men killed, wounded or
made prisoner.' An official statement from
Rome to the Italian embassy in Washington as
serts that the Austrians have lost 45,000 men -in
prisoners alone. The Italian war office com
munication mentions only 4,000 Austrians as
having been captured, but it is probable that
this eommunication antedates that sent to the
Tnbssv and that the captives in the hands of
the Italians greatly exceed this figure.
The probability that this is true is en
hanced by the fact that, the river was swollen
out of bounds and most of the few bridges that
had not been carried away by the freshet had
been shot to pieces by the Italian guns, com
Senators Predicting
Adoption of Suffrage
Amendment Thursday
Washington. June 24. After a con
ference with President Wilson at the
White House today! a " delegation of
senators supporting the house resolu
tion for submission to the states of a
federal suffrage constitutional amend
ment, predicted that the resolution
would be (adopted by the senate next
Thursday; They Said' the president
was "very enthusiastic" in his support
of the amendment.
Pass Two-Billion Dollar Bill.
Washington, June 24. In an hour
and 20 minutes, the sundry civil ap
propriation bill, carrying about $2,
500,000,000 was passed today by the
senate. It now goes to conference.
"Most of them are from mothers
and contain such statements as 'tell
him we are thinking of him all the
time,' 'tell him little sister prays for
him every night,' 'tell him mother
loves him.," .
"One of the telegrams was evident
ly from a farm home for it asked me
to inform the boy that 'Flossie had
twin Valves.'
I am honored by being privileged
to call a mothers' love to her soldier
boy across the sea.' I shall be glad
to tell some homesick boy that little
sister is praying Jor him and. con
vey 10 anotner tne nrsr news oki
1 lUS3it b
in
great adventure.'
RESERVE CORPS
SUBMARINE GETS
RETURNING TROOP
SHI P 1 NjATLANTIC
Transport Sunk East of Dela
ware Capes and Sixty
seven Members of Crew
Reported Missing.
By Associated Press.
Washington, June 24. German sub
marines operating on this side of the
Atlantic ocean have sunk their first
troop ship. The Navy department an
nounced' today that a British trans
port, chartered by the American gov
ernment and bound to this country,
had been destroyed June 18. some 700
miles east of the Delaware capes and
that 67 members of the crew are miss
ingT There were no troops aboard.
The troop ship apparently was not
under convoy. The submarine was not
seen until a torpedo had struck. After
wards it fired 19 shots into the sink
ing vessel. When the steamer settled,
the crew took to the boats. The oc
cupants of four, 81 men, have been
landed. Three boats are missing and
search is being made for them.
Officials believe it either encoun
tered ahomc-bound submarine or else
one that was bound here for further
raids. The fact that the sea wolves,
viich first appeared oft the coast late
last month, had not not been heard
from since June 14, caused most oU
fleers to hold to the first theory.
The last sinkings occurred some 90
miles east of the Virginia capes.
pelling the enemy either to surrender or take
his chances of being able to swim the turbulent
stream. .;'
Leave Guns and Stores Behind.
So hurried was the retrograde movement
of the Austrians -at some points that they did
not take time even to attempt to save their guns
and stores, great quantities of which now are.
in Italian hands.
As yet there has been no sign that the en
emy purposes again to renew at an early date
another offensive in the mountain region, not
withstanding the fact that reports emanating
from Switzerland have, said that he was bring
ing up large reinforcements and great quan
tities of supplies along the front behind the
lines from the Swiss border to the upper reach
es of the Piave. , .... . f i
That another great offensive is expected
and at any moment has been made known by
David Lloyd George, the British premier, to
the House of Commons. Where it is to come
was not stated, but it was asserted that on the
blow the issue of the campaign might depend.
Hopefulness was expressed in the statement
that the entente allies never, felt better pre
pared to meet it. "Enough Americans have ar
rived to satisfy the allies and to disappoint and
ultimately defeat our foes," the premier said.
Quiet On French Front.
On the, front in France and Flanders, the
operations continue of a minor character.
The Italians again have defeated the Ger
mans near Bligny in the Marne sector, inflict
ing heavy casualties on them and taking a
number of prisoners. ' In the same region the
Americans at last have succeeded in clearing
the Belleau wood, northwest of Chateau Thier
ry, of the Germans who had been clinging stub
bornly to positions which were regarded as al
most impregnable. Prisoners were taken and
five machine guns were captured by the Amer
icans. , , '
The German official communication asserts
(hat trenches near Badonviller, occupied by
French and American troops, nave been in
vaded by the Germans who inflicted heavy
losses on the defenders. There 'is no confirm
ation of this.
No Speculation in
Wheat or Flour Is to Be
Permitted This Year
Washington, June 24. 1918
wheat crop, the food administration
announced today, will he handled on a
differential basis, effective July 1. One
dollar and ten cents maximum dif
ferential a barrel between the price of
wheat artd the finished product will
be allowed the millers. No speculation
in wheat or flour will be permitted.
i
Railroad Claims Settled.
New ' York, June 24, All claims
against railroads, growing out of loss
and personal injury, will be settled
by the government directly with the
claimants, without resort to the
courts, wherever possible, it was an
nounced in instructions to claim
agenfs. made public here tonight by
John Barton Fayne, general counsel
in the division of law of the national
railroad administration.
Austrians Leave Their Food
Sup pi ies Behind in Flight
(Br AMoeiatod Tret.
Italian Army " Headquarters, June
24. Rain which had been'falling for
eight days broke forth more violently
about daylight Sunday at a time
when Italian artillery and .machine
guns began to open up on the retiring
Austrians who were struggling knee
deep in the mire.
The Italian cavalry took part in the
pursuit, harrying the fugitives. As
the Austrians were pressed by the
Italians they threw awayv their guns
ITALY AFIRE
WITH I0Y AS
FOE ON RUN
f Maaaa-awaaMM
Entire Country Takes Part in
Rejoicing Over Crushing
Defeat Administered to
: Army of Austria.
(Dy'AMoclated rrM.)
Washington, June 24. Italy is
ablaze with enthusiasm and joy as
the" result of the Italian victory along
the (Tiave, the Italian embassy was
advised' today in' a cablegram from
Rome. '
Beyond telling of the effective' co
operation of the Italian sea, forces
with the army, the message added lit
tle to previous accounts of the Aus
trian retreat.
"The enemy," said the dispatch,
"mis been beaten back across the
Piave from Montello to the sea. Italy
is ablaze with enthusiasm and joy.
"The Italian navy, has effectively
co-operated to the defeat of the en
emy by battering the positions along
the Tagliamento river and north of
Castellazzo, while the marine bat
talions operating along the lower
Piave' advanced and captured hun
dreds of prisoners.
"The Austrian aviators made an in
cursion on Brindisi. Of nine planes
which took part mihe expedition, two
were shot down, the others were
forced to retire without doing any
damage. In retaliation, Italian and
British aviators bombed Cattaro and
Durazzo. , ,
"A great demonstration of greet
ing to Italy and the oppressed. nation
alities of Austria was held this after
noon Vm the gardtrrt of the British
embassy by initiative of the British
ambassador. Roumanian officers were
present and were received with great
applause. These officers and the
Roumanian legion are about to leave
for the Piave front to fight in. the
Italian army agaiust the common enemy."-
'
Engineer Asleep at
Throttle When Crash
Came, Says Attorney
Hammond, lnd., June 24. The ac
cusation that Alonzo Sargent, en
gineer of the empty troop train which
crashed into the Hagenback-Wallace
circus sleepers neary Gary, lnd., was
asleep at his throttle, was made to
day by J. C. McFadden, attorney for
the Michigan Central railroad.
The statement from the lawyer
came as a curtain-raiser for the triple
investigation which starts here to
morrow. Federal, state and county
officials will all attempt to place the
responsibility; -
"The engineer was asleep at the
time of the accident," McFadden said.
"There is no doubt about it. He had
been asleep for two or three. miles.
It was the result of some sickness
from which he is suffering."
The loss of life is now estimated at
L8S persons. Twenty-four bodies have
been identified, lhe circus is sched
uled to resume performances at Be
loit. Wis., tomorrow.
Engineer Sargent was released on
bonds today at his home in Kalama
zoo, Mich., where he was arrested.
He promised to appear at the inquest
tomorrow.
.
Last Chance to Pay Over v
Income Tax to Uncle Sam
Washington, Tune 24. Last-minute
payments of income and excess
profits taxes, due tomorrow night
at the latest, will amount to about
$500,000,000, internal revenue official
today estimated.
Several thousand tentative assess
ments have been made for concerns
whose returns are under examina
tion "by treasury reviewers, and ad
ditional collections are expected to
trickle in for six months or more.
The first-block of $750,000,000
treasury certificates of indebtedness
in preparation of the fourth Liberty
loan will goon saje tomorrow. .
and equipment. They even lett on
the Montello stacks of bread, canned
meat and preserves which Austrian
aviators had succeeded in bringing to
them. -
The Austrians crossed the Piave on
rafts and boats which they had
brought up or -had prepared during
the darkness on Saturday night. They
left well built trenches, great quanti
ties of ammunition and blankets and
every variety of army equipment in
their retreat
HUNY
CHANGE
WAR PLAN
Defeat t)f Austrians Regarded
- as Crushing Blow to Central '
Powers and Morale of 1
Their People. ...
! (By Associated Press)
Washington, June 24. Ger
many s entire oitensive pro
gram may have been upset W
opinion of some officers here,
by the crashing defeat of the
Austrians along ! the Piave
river. ." . ' ;. , . .
Official reports reaching
Washington bear out the pic
ture of the Austrian disaster
given in press accounts, from
Italy, although the full extent
of the Italian success is not yet
apparent. It is regarded a
certain: however, that the cen
tral powers have been dealt a
blow that will further shake
the morale of their people and '
probably will compel the Ger
man high command to make a
complete readjustment 01 lti
plans in France-. . ' f- '.
Baker's Message. , ,
Secretary Baker showed the signi
ficance-attached here to the defeat'
of the Austrians, when he dispatched
a telegram today to the American am
bassador at Rome for transmission to
the Italian minister of war,
Mr. Baker s message was sent be
fore the secretary had received addi-
tional reports'-from the Italian front,
showing the increasing scope of the
Austrian diaster. It was prompted by
the fact that the enemy was m retreat
across the Piave andhefore the news
came that the Italians had smashed,
up the retreating foe, making the re
tirement a disorganized rout. . Ther
is no doubt here now that the victory, .
will' prove to be one of the most de
cisive in character of the whole war,,,
Army Men Agree With Baker,
i Armv officers asrreed with the view ' ,
expressed by ,Mr, Baker that defeat
could not help but influence greatly
the course of events in France. It
is regarded as vital from the German
point of view that the Italian front -be
made secure before German de v
signs in France can, be prosecuted
to their fullest, development. ' .
While there is imminent ; danger
that the Austro-Hungarian govern- :
ment may collapse, Germany cannot
devote herself wholly tc the task she
has undertaken of forcing victory in
the west before American manpower
can swing the. scales finally; against
her. , . .,' .,
For this reason, both at the War
department and in diplomatic circles,,
mere was mucn speculation as to yio
moves to support Austria already,
taken, by the German high command.
There is little doubt that reports of
large German troop movements to' -Italy
are well founded as it is be-,
lieved the situation must be restored
there at all costs unless the whole
great-offensive in France to fall of
its own weight s -.
Rushing Trocps Is Difficult
. The German problem in f ushing
troops to Italy is a difficult one. Not
only will the withdrawal of men from
France weaken the; whole offensive
there at a time when American aid.
the arrival of Italian divisions and '
(Continued on Far Two, Colnma Ou.) -
Large Wooden Vessels
To Be Turned Out in
Big Quantities by U. S.
Washington, June 24. The largest 1
wooden ship ever built is soon to be
turned out in quantity by the shipping
board. It will be a new model $5,000
ton standard type, adapted from the
4,700-ton boat, now being built, which
was originated at Orange, Tex.
Changes in the design have been
made by naval architects to avoid ,
troubles encountered in previous
types, especially the use of timbers so ;
large that they cannot be obtained ",
anywhere except from the giant for-
ests of the Pacifiic coast. All timbers
needed for the new ships will be .
available in the pine forests of th
south.- ,
Great Western Fined for 1 .
Working Emloyes Overtime
Fort Dodge, la.. June 24. (Special
Telegram. The, Great Western Rail
road company was fined the minimum,
$100 on each of 26 counts for violat
ing the law limiting hours of em
ployes service. A plead of guilty was A
entered before Judge Reed in fedVal
court. The company claimed short
age of help and extra hoursnece$-
sary in order to maintain efficient
service. " ;- -. ' - ,v
Against Fred A. ' Granzow Mason
City, an indictment of violation of -the
espionage law and returned by th
grand juryV The defense moved'
for a directed verdict. The court siis -,
tained the third court of indicting' ?
insubordination and disloyalty, but '
denied the other two charging false
statements to interfere with military
and naval procedme and , obstruct- .
ing recruiting and ealUtiag, )
,
I
.t