Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, October 16, 1918, Page 2, Image 2
WILSON REPLY IS GIVEN APPROVAL BY LONDON PRESS Newspapers Particularly Pleased With Condition De manding Guarantees for Maintaining Present Military Supremacy of Allies. Washington Officials Believe Note Will Stop Efforts for Negotiated Peace. WON IlLt OF PRINCE MAX SEEMSCERTAIN Solf or Scheidemann May Be Made German Chancellor; Kaiser's Abdication Said to Be Imminent. BULLETIN. London, Oct. 15. The text of President Wilson's reply to the German peace offer, received through press channels, was placed in the hands of the members of the British gov ernment early this morning. The council met shortly after 11 o'clock to consider the president's response. The German autocracy must go, u the heading placed over Presi dent Wilson's reply to the German peace note by the liberal Star, which, like most of the liberal news papers, considers this one of the first conditions of peace with the central powers. A condition in the reply which is given great display by the news papers is that which asks for guar afttees for the maintenance of the present military supremacy of the allied armies. Satisfaction also fs expressed with President Wilson's reference to the continued sinkings by German sub marines and the "wanton destruc tion" in occupied territory, while his decision that the conditions of an armistice must be left to the military advisers of the entente ap pears to agree with the phrase so often quoted in the newspapers dur ing the last few days "leave it to Foch." Ends Armistice Talk. Washington, Oct. IS. President Wilson's reply to Germany, ending talk of an armistice until the Ger mans are ready to surrender and finally closing the door to peace ne- -gotiations with kaiserism. was on the cables today, if it actually had not arrived at Berne. Only a few hours should Ik required for its de- . livery at Berlin through the Swiss foreign office. The feeling is apparent in Wash ington that the atmosphere is clear er than before Prince Maximilian came forward with his peace drive; that the purposes of the United States and the allies are more than ever, clearly stated and that the powers in Berlin and the German people now must see the futility of further attempts to avert defeat by comoromise. Turkey Out Soon. . So far the president has dealt only . with the proposal of the German government, leaving unanswered v similar pleas for peace from Austria-Hungary and Turkey. There is no, indication mai inesc aiucs 01 Germany will hear from him until the dominant factor in the e .al alliance makes another move, unless one or both of them in the mean time should plead an; v, seeking inrrender independent of Germany Turkey already virtually is out of the war and a separate appeal from the reorganized government at Con stantinople is looked tor momen- ALLIES ENDORSE WILSON'S REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE No Statement of Terms to Be Imposed Likely to Be Made Before an Armistice. Kaiser Will Keep Up Fight Say German War Leaders Number of "Flu ' Cases Grows All Over Land, r With Many Fatalities ,New York, Oct. IS. With the number of new influenza cases on the increase in this city,. Health commissioner Copeland announced tonight that he had called for to morrow a meeting of 100 social wel fare organizations to prepare plans for carrying relief work into the homes to prevent further over :rowding of hospitals. Announcement was made at po lice headquarters, by order of the chief surgeon of the department, ibout fO.OOO members of the force will don gauze, masks when they sleep in the dormitories at the vari ous police stations. .Chicago, (111., Oct. 15. In the 48 heurs ending at 9 a. m. today, 2, 174 new cases of influenza and 689 new cases of neumonia were report ed in Chicago. During the same period there were 216 deaths from influenza and 202 from pneumonia. Cleveland. 0., Oct. t 14. Every public parochial and private school in the city and all public li braries and art- museums will close for an indefinite period tomorrow, ander an order issued today by City Health Commissioner Rockwood, in view of the increasing spread of the Spanish influenza epidemic here. Los Angeles, Cal.. Oct 15. Cities uid towns throughout southern Cali fornia with few exceptions, have fol lowed the example of Los Angeles, in closing schools, churches and the iters and forbidding the holding of public gatherings as a measure to prevent the spread of influenza. March aviation field, near River lide. was placed under quarantine today. Scandinavians Fearful of Red Terror in Russia Stockholm, Oct. 15. Much uneas iness prevails in the Scandinavian countries as to the probable effect of the evacuation, of Russian terri tory occupied by Austro-Hungari-ms. Germans and especially of the possible evacuation of Finland and the Baltic provinces.'where neutrals fear a resumption of the red terrc ind a renewal of the struggle be tween the white and red Russians, which will further threaten Scandi navian interests and upset the ship Dinar situation in the Baltic: ' ' - TV. drriif nf hnlshevism in Scan- w WW w- " iinavia has been Intensified by the recent action of the bolshevik com mune at Petrograd. which ordered .at neutral flags and seals be taken ' . a. . f A .' - . .?ra eu neuirai properties A.cyi Rations ana ; consulates ana ae- -J thit M(nl nffiriala ntirht Protect the orooertr of their : . - . m ... -ymn, muni les J mat oi'tin i In other countries. ' ondon. Oct. 15. Dispatches from Holland indicate there is a probability of another turn-over in the German chancellorship. The Benin national zeitung prints a report of a discussion, by an inter prrty committee, of the letter Prince Maximilian wrote to Prince Alexander of Hohenlohe, which showed a markedly different atti tude in political affairs from ' that proposed ir his Reichstag address, The committee, according to the newspapeer, recognized that the sit uation rendered Prince Maximil ian's retention in office doubtful. The fact that rumors are current in certain circles in Berlin that Prince Maximilian's retirement is inevit able also is reported in the National Zeitung. Rotterdam reports to the Tele graph that Prince Maximilian's probable successor will be Dr. W S. Solf. the new foreien minister, or Philipp Scheidemann, secretary of state without portfolio. The cor respondent attributes this develop ment to the "imminent abdication of the kaiser," which, he says, the kaiser wished to announce two months ago, but was dissuaded by the empress and others. The text of the letter referred to above showed that Prince Maximil iam was reactionary in his political attitude and that he was at that time, January 12. 1918. a firm sup porter of the German royal family. VERDUNFlNT VITAL LINK IN GERMAN LINES (Continued from Far One.) near Cambrai, it is pointed out, the Germans rapidly fell back to their third defenses, but the (strategical reasons for their continued resist ance in the open at that part of the sector is not to be compared to those in front of the Americans. Added evidence has been secured that, instead of reducing his oppo sition, the German eommander is continuing to bring up fresh divi sions and to throw them after those already broken by the Americans. Gen. Von Der Marwitz explained to his command in his order that the Americans were about to at tack on the Verdun front "to try to push toward Longuyon." "The object of this attack," the order continues, "is to cut the Lon-guyon-Sedan line." Eagle of Sea to Break Power of Teuton Dragon Washington, Oct 15. American shipbuilders were called upon by Secretary Daniels today to speed up their output of destroyers to meet the menace of the new and greater submarine effort which Germany is known to be planning. The secretary began a series of conferences with representatives of the buildersJMost of the plants are working now nearly to capacity on destroyers, but arrangements will be made to lay down as many additional .vessels as possible. Secretary Daniels also let it be known today that successful trials of Eagle No. 1, the new submarine fighter and chaser, have been held, with results in every way better than had been' anticipated. In speed the h-agle boat was said to be the equal in every respect of the de stroyer of a few years ago and to excel it in seagoing qualities. Pro duction, which has been contingent upon trials, now will proceed, and Mr. Daniels indicated that the Ford plant, building the Eagles, will reach the peak of its schedule early next year. : No Sugar for Second Cup of Coffee at Any Price, Says Mr. Pryor Ellsworth W. Pryor, chief stew ard of .he Chamber of Commerce, says government regulations on "eats" will be more rigid than ever, starting next Monday, ac cording to instructions he has re ceived. .Here are some of the rules: One lump of sugar or one tea spoonful to each meal. Two ounces of bread, equiva lent to one small roll. "Even if you pay a 'dollar for a second cup of coffee you can't get second lump of sugar," says Mr. Pryor. '."I have already cut out the pastry because there isn't sugar to make it" A Renpcrmtivi diet In influents. Rorlkk'i jutM wu, vtry oifiuu-Aai London, Oct. 15. Andrew Bonar Law, government spokesman in the House of Commons, made the an nouncement in Parliament today that it would be very, unwise for any of the allied governments to make any statement on the terms to be imposed on Germany before an armistice was granted. Winston Spencer Churchill, Brit ish minister of munitions, in a speech at Manchester today said that President Wilson's stern and formidable answer to Germany is wholeheartedly endorsed by all the allied countries. The answer, Mr. Churchill declared, has tended to prolong the conflict, but there would be no relaxation of the allied war efforts. The London evening newspaper comment on President Wilson's re ply to Germany is generally favor able in tone. The Standard says that the note "has removed certain false impressions" but regrets that the president did not refer to pun ishment for U-boat crimes and the burning of towns. TheVall Mall Ga7tte says Presi dent Wilson's replf "reaches his highest standards of point and promptness." "Foch. Haig and Pershing," the Globe asserts, "will determine in concert the guarantees they must have in mind before granting a ces sation of hostilities." On the question of an armistice, the Manchester Guardian suggests as security the temporary occupa tion of Essen, the evacuation of the whole of Alsace-Lorraine and the surrender of the German U-boat fleet. Reply Pleasing to French. Paris, Oct. 15. President Wil son's reply to Germany was given to the public in extra editions of the afternoon papers published at noon today. It immediately became the absorbing topic of discussion in all public places. The tone of the sen timent was distinctly favorable to the reply, the prevailing ndte being cne of jubilation. The president's firm position against an armistice without guar antees particularly appealed to pre vailing French opinion. Germans In Dismay. Washington, Oct 15. Swiss dis patches today say the German newspapers are now showing a con fusion equal to that which they showed in the interval between the proposal of Prince Maximilian and President Wilson's message of in quiry. Some of them are quoted as follows: The Frankfort Zeitung: "Evident ly if the negotiations cannot be car ried out we can still turn back to arms and in desperate combats de fend German territory, but we must have no illusions in this respect. At the most important time of her his tory Germany feels the lack of that very energetic military help, which, according to ancient beliefs, stands for right. However terrible this dis illusion may be for the German peo ple, brought up among military dis play, humanity will benefit by it if President Wilson is albe to estab lish a real and true justice." The Norgan Poste: "The army high command believes too that the continuation of war in the present circumstances will bring no good re sults." The Neue Landes Zeitung, organ of the chancellor's party: "President Wilson and the entente are mistaken if they think that war was not made with the whole German people in agreement" 250,000 Refugees Trying To Escape Into Holland Washington, Oct. 15. Two hun dred and fifty thousand refugees are making their way from Lille, Rou baix and other Belgian towns near the front lines to the Dutch frontier in an endeavor to escape into Hol land. Messages received today by the commission for relief in Belgium said arrangements had been made for food, clothing and shelter upon their arrival at the frontier. Should the Germans in retreating from Belgium seize the internal food supply, consisting of crops now ready for harvest and the few re maining dairy cattle, the situation, the message said, would be serious. To meet such a possibility, the re lief commission has shipped 180,- 000 tons of foodstuffs to Rotterdam in the last month. Germans Do Not Plan for Complete Surrender Amsterdam, Oct 15. The Co logne Gazette of Saturday, refer ring to the suggested evacuation of German occupied territories, gives testimony as to what such action means to Germany. The newspa per says: - Vhat are Siegfried positions and towns and villages? The main thing is that the German front maintain continuity. Even though confiding in President Wilson s love of peace, we consent to the evacua tion of occupied regions then our battle-prepared army, our intact fleet and our strong nation at home guarantee that the German people cannot be forced into unconditional surrender. Italians Capture Albanian Port of Durazzo From Huns Washington, Oct 15. Capture of the Albanian port of Durazzo by Italian and British naval forces was reported today in an official dispatch from Rome. The city was occupied and many prisoners and quantities of war supplies taken. . The message also told of fur ther advances by the Italian columns driving the enemy out 'of Albania and the occupation -of ' $vral important point. Washington, Oct. 15. Even be fore President Wilson's decision bad been announced, rumors were current of the probable retirement of Prince Maximilian, and these were followed by reports that Scheidemann might take his place as chancellor. Such a development would be regarded as important on ly as an index to the leaven work ing in Germany. It was made very clear again today that President Wilson's opinion is that it matters little who is the German chancellor so long as the chancellor and the government are answerable to the kaiser. Some observers here think the Germans will make any sacrifice rather than go through another winter of war at or within their borders, and that the next move in I erlin may come more quickly than is generally expected. Military officials here, however, are almost unitedly of the opinion that Germany has not yet been brought to the point where it will seek an armistice on the terms laid down. On the contrary, they think the military elements stilt in control will hold up the president's com munication to the German people as proof of their contention that their enemies are determined to bring about destruction of the na tion and do not desire any peace short of that Then they will con tinue the retreat of their armies on the western front in the hope that an early winter will find them be hind shorter and very much more powerful lines of defense, close to the German border, but still on its enemy's soil. The supreme war council in Paris has considered the program to be followed when the time does come for cessation of hostilities It also is said to have been consider ing plans for dealing with the Bal kan provinces, the Russian border states and Finland in the event Ger many should undertake to evacuate those territories. Ample precau tions will be taken' to guard against! an outbreak df bolshevism and anarchy. ' x GERMAN PEACE OFFER DICTATED BY IIINDE NBRG Prince Max Opposed Request for Armistice, but Was Overruled by Hun War Council. TROOPS MIS DRIVE SIX MILES (Continued from Fag-e One.) lied advance, now ts only three miles from the important railway junction of Courtrai. Once the allies master the line Wervicq-Menin-Courtrai, which probably will be only a mat ter of a few hours, the jGerman sit uation at Lille will be njost perilous and that at Ghen not much better. The French capture of Roulers is a serious loss to the Germans. Al though the Belgian railway system is dense enough to provide alterna tive routes to a certain extent the allied entrance into Roulers on the first day of the offensive is bound to affect the German communication system most unfavorably. Summing up the situation on the British front the Echo de Paris says that Douai virtually has been taken, that Valenciennes is threatened and Denan only a few kilometers dis tant. To give an idea of the German losses in Champagne the Petit Parisien quotes the evidence1 of an enemy prisoner who said that the 406th infantry regiment while engag ed in battle on October 1 was deci mated. The companies in two bat talions, according to the prisoner were reduced to 30 men and two other supporting battalions suffered heavily from artillery and airplanes. Despite these losses the prisoner said the regiment was ordered to counter-attack. The French troops north of Laon and in the Champagne have made further important advances against the Germans, according to the offi cial communication issued tonight The Grand Pre-Vouviers road in Champagne west of Grand Pre is now in the hands of the French. Eight hundred prisoners were taken in the day's fighting. Burton Chosen Head of Indiana Standard Oil Chicago, Oct. 15. Dr. William M. Burton was elected president of the Standard Oil company of Indiana at a meeting of the board of direc tors today. Dr. Burton, who re cently was awarded the Walter Gibbs medal of the American Chem ical society, succeeds the late Lauren J. Drake. He has grown up in the service of the company, the last position he held being that of gen eral manager and vice president. A new office of chairman of the board of directors was created also, Rob ert W. Stewart, formerly general counsel of the company, being elect ed to the place. Altitude of Hungary To Austria Is Changed, Says Premier Wekerle Amsterdam, Oct. 15. Hun gary's attitude toward Austria has materially chaged Dr. Wekerle. the Hungarian premier, declared in a recent speech, according to a Budapest dispatch to the Vos siessche Zeitung of Berlin. The premier added that the validity of the treaties between Austria and Hungary was a matter for discus sion. Hungary, he said, must be rep resented at the peace conference. AtfRiCAN BLO BEATS BACK HUNS (Continued from Page. One.) Germans entrenched behind wire en tanglements. To the east of the Meuse the line moved forward to Sivry and Mag enta farm, but just to the west of the river little advance was regis tered. Less effort was made there because the problem was to straighten the line further west where it joins that of the French near Grandpre. It is at Romagne that the Kreim hille positions swing in a northwest erly direction , and (here the forces of General von Gallwitz fought vali antly to hold back the Americans. New guards divisions were brought up at that part of the line and evry device of the Teutonic fighting ma chine was used to smash the pres sure. Except for a brief period in the latter part of the day, when the visibility slightly improved, it was a battle without adequate observa tion for either side. Clouds with out a break covered the field throughout the day and during much of the time a drizzling rain was falling. Ravines Filled With Gas. This condition, coupled with a lack of wind made the time for gas attacks almost ideal and the Ger mans took full advantage of the v-eather. Every wooded ravine through which the Americans moved was a flood of lethal and mustard gases, supplemented with a liberal fire of high explosive shrapnel. In front of their barbed wire de fenses, however, the Germans be trayed an unusual nervousness. In stead of the ordinary well controlled artillery fire their batteries explod ed in a barrage of fire on the slight est excuse. Instead of these bar rages covering any counter offen sive they were nothing more than a defensive move and they were laid down at the least indication of ac tivity on the part of their assail ants. One of the most stubbornly held positions was in the Chatillon wood, which covered the high hill south of Romagne. The Americans worked their way around the sides of this great natural obstacle form ing one of the most imporant links in the Knemhilde line. Time and again they were thrown back until late in the day. Then, covered by their own artillery, they were able to gain its summit and to dominate the country beyond. Pa trols are now well in the woods. Approximately 1,000 prisoners were sent back. Germans Claim Victory. Berlin, via London, Oct 15. West of the Meuse, where the Americans are in the fighting line, partial engagements are resulting in victory for the Germans, according to the official statement issued from general headquarters tonight. Woman in Council. London, Oct. 15. The duchess of Marlborough, formerly Miss Con suelo Vanderbilt of New York, to day was elected a member of the London county council, to represent West Southwark, a working class district of London. it i io serve Uncle Dam is a chief duty of Msti these days.TKey do it by saving wheat and sugar TKeyre also the most delicious corn flakes imaginable. r ii ljPHAf n n m n Off RJlf I "AflAPH "nananananan,! Washington, Oct. 15. It was Field" Marshal von Hindenburg him self and not the supposedly pacifist premier, Prince Maximilian, who caused the German government to accept President Wilson's peace terms and seek an armistice, accord ing to advices which reached Wash ington today through official sources by way of a neutral country. According to this version. Von Hindenburg. knowing the desperate condition of the German arn.y, him- selt, better than any civilian, and especially that fact that there is now no supply of raw material to re plenish the exhausted stocks of mu nitions of war, insisted upon the ap plication for an armistice. Prince Maximilian is said to have Vesisted strongly, disclosing himself in the light of a true conservative and autocrat, mly to be overruled by the majority of the war council, at which were present the heads of the German states. This is pointed to as the explanation of why the Ger man note '.n response to President Wilson's inquiries were signed by Dr. Solf. the minister for foreign affairs, although the prince had in itiated the correspondence. From the same source is cabled a prediction that the German de fensive can not be continued without a debacle for more than three months at the outside. This state ment, from a well-informed neutral source regarded as semi-official, is based upon belief that a great revo lution is impending in Germany, the majority of the people being deter mined to have peace at any price. Bank Check Stamp . Tax Incorporated in iir r n war Revenue di; Five Are Missing. Washington, Oct. 15. Reports to the Navy department on the sink ing of the transport America at its dock at Hoboken, N. J., today said there were 300 soldiers on board in addition to members of the crew and that all hands except three privates and two sailors had been accounted for. It was thought probable that the missing men were safe but had failed to report "Whafs in a Name?" Berlin First to Get Required Loan Quota Washington. Oct IS. "What's in a name?" asked a telegram re ceived today at national loan headquarters with the following report: Berlin precinct, Otoe county, Nebraska, with a population of 1,030 and a quota of $72,315, was one of the first communities in the Kansas City district to ex ceed its quota and win an honor flag. MARLEY2IN, ;DEVON2IN, ARROW COLLARS ttrjETTPEABarar axnrcncmct. "THEATERS TO OPEN" The theaten will open after the "Fin" has paased and you will want to look your nicest. So have your clothe cleaned, pressed, altered and repaired now. "Tell" Web. 892 and tha Carty Cleaning Co. will do the rest. Jefferis for Congress The quiet comradeship of . evening hours is doubly pleas ant if one's reading or knit ting is done under the right sort of light. Mazda IS just right We sell them. NEBRASKA POWER CO. IMING PACKIUfc STORAGE Thoroughly equipped in all branches. OMAHA VAN & STORAGE CO. Phone Doug. 4163. 806 S. 16th StA Cuticura For Baby's Itchy Skin AD dronta; Soto B. Oint miiI 25 and H Talem SV 8unti nth. tn of "OMt- Washington, Oct 15. A stamp tax of 2 cents on all bank checks is provided for in an amendment to the war revenue bill adopted by the sen ate finance committee, which is re vising the house draft. The amendment was adopted by a vote of eight to six. Such a tax is opposed by Treasury department of ficials and many senators because it not only would be a serious incon venience to business but would tend to discourage thrift and encourage hording. The amount of revenue from such a tax would be small, in the opinion of experts. Consideration of the revenue bill progressed so rapidly today that Chairman Simmons tonight reiter ated his prediction that the bill would be completed by about Octo ber 25. Extends Loan Period. Washington, Oct. 15. To aid persons who have not sufficient cash funds on hand to buy liberty bonds, Comptroller of Currency Williams today announced an extension from July J, 1919, to November 1, 1919. of the period during which any national hank may make loans on such bonds where there is a mar gin of 5 per cent or more. Pre viously existing restrictions may be disregarded save only such as the prudence of the bank directors may prescribe. TREMBLORS ARE DESTRUCTIVE IN PORTO RICO Mayaguei, P. Oct IS. (By Associated Press) There were more than a dozen distinct shocks here in the course of the night The exact number of dead and injured among the inhabitant! of this city as the result of Friday's shock has not been determined. The Red Cross estimates that 600 families are homeless. Food sup plies are expected here today in army automobiles from San Joan, which is 135 miles away. Railroad, telegraph and telephone communi cation still is unbroken. Up to last night 38 victims of the earthquake at Aguidilla had been buried. More bodies are being re covered. Seventy-five per cent of the masonry buildings at Mayguez are a total loss. ' British Casualty List For Week Totals 35,710 London, Oct. 14. British casual ties reported for the week ending today numbered 35,710, divided as follows: Killed or died of wounds, officers, 552; men. 6.937. Wounded or missing, officers, 1.741; men, 26,480. Thompsoit-Beldeit &Qx J Established 18 8 6 , r- -r i - r f fir . liie rasfiion venter Tor woman Acquaint yourself with the New Corset Models Never mind if you are just looking we realize . that it is often difficult to reach such an im portant decision as that of a new corset with out first seeing everything that's worth while. Permit us to show you the new Corset Styles-There are many this season It ia one of the rule3 of courtesy of this house that those who are looking shall be afforded every at tention the same as when a purchase is made. Corset Prices to Suit Every Woman. l ..,.r....i. fl Good Shoes for Men Style, fit and durabil ity are assured with every pair of men's shoes we sell. The most rigid tests of ser vice and comparison won't chalk up a sin gle demerit against them. Made on ortho- pedically correct lasts, of sturdy leathers, In styles that are at once comfortable and attractive. You will not find better shoes than ours at their prices V if JpiT j WBADOUCJlSGl Notice to Taxpayers of Douglas County Commencing November 4th, 1918, I am by law compelled to sell all delinquent taxes or spe cial assessments on all property in Douglas county. It is not my desire to sell the property of any tax payer, so for the benefit of the tax paying pub- -lie I will state that there is still time to avoid the sale of your property for delinquent taxes by at- pending to the matter at once, as the taxes on all property advertised may be paid without any extra expense except advertising before November 4, j 1918. If you are in doubt as to whether you have any unpaid taxes, call us up by phone, or read the f Evening World-Herald of October 19th and 26th. . N. . , M. L. ENDRES. County Treasurer. '