BRIEF
RIGHT
REEZY
BITS OF NEWS
Mt a. M Wf a M
xasie 01 wmier uomwg.
Washington, Oct. 22. An early
taste of winter is about to be given
.! the country from coast to coast.
A special bulletit. from the weather
bureau today says there will be a
decided change to cooler within 36
liouri in the plains states and the
eastern Rocky Mountain region, ex
tending by Thursday to the Missis
sippi valley and beyond.
Yukon River Closed.
' Dawson, Y. T.. Oct. 22. Naviga
tion on the Yukon river closed for
tfie winter today. A mail launch
arriving from Whitehorse. Y. T.,
ran the last SO miles through float
ing ice.
... Wilson Awards Medals.
Washington, Oct. 22. President
.Wilson, as commander-in-chief of
the United States, today awarded the
distinguished service medal to Mar
x shals ,Foch, Joffre and Haig and
Generals Petain, Diaz, Gillian and
n l:
- - O'
Winter Conies in Russia.
Archangle, Oct. 22. An unusually
late winter in northern Russia was
ushered in Sunday by a heavy fall
of snow. The Dvina and Vaga
rivers, which usually are closed at
this date are still ice-free. The
American and other soldiers are be
ing equipped with semi-arcticv uni
forms, including sheepskin great
coats and Arctic felt boots.
Debs Files Appeal.
Washington, Oct. 22. Eugene V.
Debs, socialist party leader, who re
cently was sentenced to 10 years'
- imprisonment for making disloyal
utterances in speech at Canton, 0.,
has appealed his case to the supreme
court.
Profiteers Refund.
New . York, Oct. 22. Fifty more
'of the 234 New York t butchers,
charged with profiteering in the sale
of lamb, appeared today for trial
before the federal food board. All
but one offered to refund over
charges and contribute $100 each to
the Red Cross, rather than have their
stares closed for two weeks.
FOOD HEAD HERE
n a nn nri rnn
(WO UtflLEnd
r FOR SPUD BOOST
4. V
Wattles Declares Organized
Effort to Beat Down Prices
to Growers; Consumers
THE MERCHANT WHO SPEEDS UP HIS ADVERTISING NOW, MOVES HIS GOODS IN SEASON
The Omaha Daily Be:
VOL, 48 NO.
'ttrtt M
Omaha .
MM-4-tlut "attar May 28, IMt at
0. Ml Hank S. 1171
OMAHA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER
B Mil (I mO. Dally. US. Saaa. 12.10.
Oally ai Ska., ! fcak. oitM atra.
tWO CENTS.
THE WEATHER:
For Nebrki Partly cloudy
Wadnfeday and Thursdays cooler
in southeast portion Wadnoiday.
-5 a. m...
a. m...
7 a. m...
S a. m...
a. ai...
10 a. m...
It a. m...
1 m
. .M
. .85
. .84
..84
..54
. 86
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1 p. m ,...51
1 p. m. St
I P. m. . SI
4 p. ni. ......... 4)4
8 p. in. ......... 44
p. m. ...M
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1
23, 1918.
1110 nftlKHBI
FOE IVIUST
YIELD TO
MILITARY
MANDATE
Wilson Now Expected to Be
Guided in Action on Ger
man Note by Supreme
War Council.
Not Benefited.
Food Administrator Wattles Tues
dpy morning wired the Department
of Agriculture at Washington, to
send to Nebraska one of the experts
of the plant industries section to in
vestigate and report on the asser
tions of the Omaha commission men
in regard to the potato situation in
this state. Omaha commission men
... that MphrasVa orown notatoes
are not up to the standard grown
by other states and are therefore
not worth more than they have been
paying. "The question of quality of
the Nebraska potatoes will be put up
to the expert from Washington on
hi$ arrival here. . '
' Dealer Knock State Spuds. .
The action was decjded upon
Tuesday morning when 25 Omaha
commission men were called before
Mr. Wattles to explain whythere
is sucn - a wiae ainerence dciwcch
the prices paid Nebraska potato
growers. and the prices charged lo
cal consumers.: The meeeting de
veloped the fact that the 'commis
sion men are unanimous in their be
lief that Nebraska grown potatoes
are practically worthless.
Mr. Wattles was not satisfied with
the .diagnosis of the Nebraska pd
tato situation by the commission
men and he sent to the Agricultural
.department for an expert.
In discussing the grain market,
.Mr. Wattles asserted that for years
local grain men fought a market
here, believing that a market would
cut into their close corporation busi
ness, but finally the market was
started and has since gtown into
one of the most important in the
country.
Must Come to Taw.
: "Now." added Mr. Wattles, "we
are going to build up a potato mar
ket in Omaha and I am going to
see it through. It is going to (be
built up on honest and clear lines
and I want you gentlemen to help
me.
AH 1 warn is yiw uushivm
methods. You men are up against,
something you cannot get away
from,- and you know it is not fair
that the poor man who works for
wages should pay three and one
half times as much for his potatoes
as they cost you in the country."
The potato investigation swas
started i by numerous letters that
have come to Mr. Wattles -from
(Coatlnnrd on Fata Twa, Columa Tare.)
Commission to Investigate
Charges, Germans Announce
Paris, Oct 22. The German pro
paganda service announces that a
commission of neutral residents of
Brussels has gone to the front to in
vestigate charges of devastation and
destruction without military objects
during the German retreat in Bel
gium. Baron Von Der Lancken, the
civil governor of Brussels, went
with the commission.
Ammonia Tank Explosion y .
Kills Three, Injures ZO
Fort Smith, Ark., Oct Zfc-At
least three lives are believed -to
have been lost, a score of persons
were hurt and property damage ag
gregating $500,000 was caused today
by the explosion of a tank of am
monia in the basement of the four
story building ' of the Fort- Smith
aT tf?Aa aAtnniflV "
BULLETIN.
Copenhagen.' Oct. 22
"President Wilson's reply to
the latest German note may,
perhaps, bring definite cer
tainty as to the result of the
negotiations " Prince Maxi
milian, the imperial Gernran
chancellor, said today, ac
cording to a dispatch re
ceived here yfrom Berlin.
Till then we must prepare
to resist a peace of violence.",
Prince Maximilian contin
ued: "A government which
acted otherwise would be left
to the mercy of the fighting
and working people. . It
would be swept away by
public opinion v ..
Washington, Oct. 22.
The prevailing belief here to
night is that any action Pres
ident Wilson may take as a
result of the new German
note will await and largely
be guided by a decision of
the supreme war council in
France.
Shrewd diplomatic observ-
servers ana some oiticiais
take this view, though no in
timation of his own attitude
has come from the president,
because admittedly the one
question immediately at is
sue is a military problem
that of the evacuation of in
vaded territory by the Ger
man armies as the only con-
dition upon which the plea
for an armistice even will be
?iven consideration.
The Germans now are evacuating
Belgium and northern France as
rapidly as they can move before the
sweep of the allied and American
soldiers and still maintain their or
ganization. Since the government at Berlin
says they want to, get out without
further fighting, apparently the is
sue is one for the allied war coun
cil to determine whether it fchall be
suggested through President Wilson
that General Foch be applied to for
terms or whether without . further
diplomatic parley the approach of a
white flag from j the German lines
shall be awaited.
Official Text Received. v
The official text of the German
note reached the Swiss legation here
by cable today, but it was not de
livered at the State department be
cause the entire day was spent at the
legation on the tedious task of de
coding the document and preparing
an English translation of the Ger
man text. ,
The translation was made with the
greatest care by Frederick Oederlin,
the Swiss charge, "because there are
obscure phrases in the unofficial
version received yesterday by wire
less which may be cleared up by a
(Continued on Fage Tifo, Column Two.)
North Platte Man
Forced to Kiss Flag
North Platte, Neb., Oct. 22.
(Special Telegram.) Colonel
Watkins was taken in charge by
the Home Guards yesterday for
alleged seditious remarks and re
fusing to buy bonds. After a day
in jail he was escorted ' to the
court house square, made to salute
and kiss the flag, and buy bonds.
Judge Grimes administered the
oath of allegiance and Judge
Woodhurst acknoweldged it.
TEUTONS OFFER
TO SACRIFICE
"ME UNO GOTT"
Peace Must Not Be Delayed
Single Day on Account of
the Hohenzollerns, Says
Karlsruhe Paper.
Geneva, Oct. 22. Peace must not
be'delayed a single day on account
of the Hohenzollerns if they are an
obstacle to it, declares the Volks
Freund of Karlshrue, which also is
permitted to speak of the disap
pearance of the superstitious belief
fthat the emperor was chosen to rule
by divine right.
The Schwabische Tagwacht says
that everybody now is convinced
the allies will not accord Germany
a cheap peace, "but if the glory and
power of imperial Germany-Ms the
price, the German people are ready
to pay." 1
In permitting such items to leave
Germany the German censorship ap
parently is preparing public opinion
for coming events. " .'
-. -A- :J
Huns Would Negotiate..
London, Oct. ' 22. The German
press generally considers the reply
to President Wilsonatisfactory
and a good basis for further negotia
tions, despite the fact that most of
the papers are not quite sure what
the first part of the note means, ac
cording to an Exchange Telegraph
dispatch from Copenhagen.
Theodor Wolif, in the lageoiatt
of Berlin, says that great dithculties
will be caused if President Wilson
or the allies refuse to negotiate for
an armistice as proposed by Ger
many.
Alleged "Coffin Ghouls"
Indicted on Fraud Charges
New York, Oct. 22. In an investi
gation here ot the activity oi ai
lewd "coffin ghouls" the federal au
thorities today caused the arrest o:
two undertakers on charges of at
tempting to defraud the govern
ment.
The undertakers it is alleged, by
representing to relatives of dead
New and Crushing AttackrAgainst German
Armies Foreseen by Washington Officials;
Marshal Foch's Plans Not Yet Revealed
By Associated Press.
Washington, Oct. 22. Now
that the Germans have been
cleared out of Belgian, Flanders,
and much of northern France,
army officials here are watching
the battle front intently, many of
them with a distinct feeling that
a new storm of attack may be
about to break against the enemy.
There was nothing tonight to in
dicate that this expectancy was
founded upon definite information
and it probably grows out of a
number of happenings of a minor
character in themselves,, but pos
sibly important links in a chain of
events soon to be disclosed.
Beyond doubt the German re
tirement in Belgium has slpwed
down. HoWever, it is not"' yet
clear whethir this is due to the
fact that the retreating forces are
nearing on the whole northern
front the line which frequently
has been selected by military
critics as the first pausing place on
the way io the Meuse or the bor
der, or to the necessities of ex
tending allied communication lines
as the troops advance. It is prob
able officers said, that there is ne
cessity for a breathing spell on
both sides.
HEADED FOR MEUSE LINE.
There is little doubt here that
the German army is headed for
nothing short 'of the Meuse line
and that any pause will be but
temporary to permit readjust
ment of the columns and supply
lines in order "that the same or
derly sequence of movements
shall characterize subsequent re
tirements. Several halts of this
character may be expected, it was
said, as the withdrawal project is
carried out. The fact that the al
lied armies are hampered by ex
tending communication lines gives
opportunity for such halts before
Marshal Foch's forces can come
up in sufficient force to compel a
resumption of the rearward move
ment. The line surrendered by the en
emy from Lillie northward to the
coast, it was pointed out, was far
stronger and no longer than that
he now stands upon in Belgium.
In addition, by the evacuation of
the Flanders coast, he has fur
nished the allies with means of
setting up new and more direct
communication lines from Eng
land via Ostend, Zeebrugge, or
other Flanders ports. Without
question, it is said, these avenues
of supplying the advancing armies
already are being opened to free
the longer lines back into France
of that burden and consequently
officers cannot see any tactical
advantage gained by the enemy
unless he intends to fall back at
least to the line of the Meuse.
' The first stage of the great retreat
(Continued on Page Two, Column Four.)
GERMAN NOTE
EQUIVOCAL, IS
VIEW OF FRENCH
Press Sees Evidence of Moral
Abdication of Kaiser, but
Demands Guarantees
Before Armistice.
soldiers that the government coffins4rcj xUness jt
in which the bodies were sent home
were "cheap pine boxes" secured
orders for expensive caskets and
then appropriated ,the government
coffins, in some cases reselling
them to the government. The
"cheap pine boxes" cost the gov
ernment $36 each.
The "coffin ghouls are said to
have reaped a rich harvest bince the
Spanish influenza1 began taking its
toll in "the training camps.
Cardinal Gibbons Ignores
Church Closing Mandate
Baltimore. Md.. Oct. 22. With
less than 200 new cases of influenza
and 170 deaths reported during the
last 24 hours the health authorities
of the citv are more encouraged.
Throughout the state the epidemic
continues strowr with l.uav new
cases.
Cardinal Gibbons and those in
charge of the prelate's golden jub
ilee have been criticised by the
health commissioner for holding
ceremoAies Sunday at St. Mary's
seminary at which foreign prelates
were present as in violation ot the
non-assemblage rule in force during
the epidemic.
The cardinal previously had
sharolv critcised the closing of
churches.
Deputies of Lille Describe
Crimes of the Hun Invaders
, Paris, Oct 22. The chamber of deputies today enthusiastically
welcomed Deputies Delory and Ragheboom of Lille, returning to
their seats after years in the hands of the Germans. Amid an im
pressive silence, M. Delory said: ,
"It is impossible to denounce, all the German crimes, but the most
abominable was the carrying off of women and girls of 19 and 16
by enemy soldiers, their enforced submission to medical examination
and their being obliged to work under French machine gun fire for
the German army." ?
The chamber shouted its indignation. One member cried:
"Well teach our children that Well never forget" f
Then M. Delory resumed: f
"The Lens plains are nothing but an immense area of ruins,
with not one house intact -There cannot be a Frenchman who does
not wish those culpable chastised." V
' M. Ragheboom told how German soldiers had insulted and vio
, lated Lille women, and how they forced 15-year-old children to work
for them, - .. ,.,
By Associated Press.
Paris, Oct. 22.--The German re
ply to President Wilson excited much
comment in the lobby of the Cham
ber of Deputies this evening. It was
considered on every side as denoting
that a spirit of depression and de
moralization pervades Germany.
Concerning the reference to the con
ditions of evacuation and armistice,
the note is regarded to be wilfully
equivocal, crafty and obscure.''
Parliamentarians are unanimous
in the belief that the so-called con
stitutional reforms in Germany af
ford no guarantee that the reforms
will be lasting cr efficacious. -
The newspapers express the opin
ion that the note is a moral abdi
cation of the German emperor.
They say that Germany feels the
need of'peace and is giving .way, but
that the government would like to
attain peace without accepting just
and necessary sacrifices and declare
that an armistice cannot be consid
Legion of Roumanians
Fighting With Italians
Washington, Oct 22. Informa
tion was received today by the
Roumanian legation that Transyl
vania Roumanians captured by the
Italians while in the Austrian
army have organized a Rouman
ian legion and now are fighting
with the Italian army against their
ancient enemy. The legion num
bers 18,000 and was organized un
der the supervision of the Rou
manian national committee of
Paris. -
gives the allies at
once exactly the same guarantees as
a complete victory.
In discussing the German reply to
President Wilson the Temps says:
"Now more than ever the decision
must be with the military and naval
chiefs of our alliance. To make the
French public believe that Germany
yields and to insinuate that peace is
coming along the pathway of least
effort is an outrage to truth and an
ill service to the country. There is
only one way to spare French blood
and that is to refuse the' enemy un
til he capitulates. A respite in the
jighting would give Ludendorff time
in which to recover."
Second Three-Year Navy
' Building Plan Proposed
Washington, Oct. 22 Congress
has been asked by the Navy depart
ment to authorize a second three-
year naval building program to pro
vide 10 additional super-dread
noughts, six battle cruisers and 140
smaller vessels at a cost of $600,'
000,000. This was disclosed tonight
by Secretary Daniels after his ap
pearance betore the house naval
committee to explain the appropria
tion.
Honor yPaid Departing
Brazilian- Ambassador
New York, Oct 22. Domicio
0a Gama, Brazilian ambassador
to the United States, was char
acterized as the "master of South
American diplomacy and good
will" at a farewell luncheon given
Jn his honor here today by the
Pan-American society, on the oc
casion of his return to Brazil to
assume the post of minister of
foreign affairs. More than 200
prominent persons were guests at
the luncheon.
Responding to the tributes paid
to him, , the departing diplomat"
said: v r
"There is a sympathy between
us that means more than I can
express. In my heart there has
always been the idea of doing my
part to cement the relationship
between our countries. If I can
do anything to further that idea
when I return to Brazil you may
rest assured that I will do it"
TEUTONS BURN
TOWNS ON BANK
OF MEUSE RIVER
Americans Bombarded With
Mustard Gas on Verdun,
but Hold Firmly to New
Positions.
With the American Army North
west of Verdun, Oct. 22. The towns
of Brieulles and Clery-Le-Petit,
along the western bank of the Meuse
and north of the American line, were
reported to be burning today.
There was Jjttle fighting activity
during the forenoon. The Germans
bombarded the American left with
mustard and other gas shells which
rseulted in nausea and headaches.
The enemy, however, made no ef
forts to bombard the new positions
gained by the Americans Monday,
indicating the possibility that he
has withdrawn his big guns in that
area.
Two explosions occurred in dug
outs in Chatel Chenery today from
mines left behind by the Germans
when they were driven out of the
town two weeks ago.
Five Dollars
For Ten Words!
You can have it as well as
the next one by writing .
, The Best Slogan.
To call attention of our
out-of-town readers to
Omaha's superior at
tractions as a city.
To Ten Next Best
Each a Good Book,
The winning answer will
be used as the banner
line just above the
heading of The Bee on
this first page. It must
contain not less than
ten words and not
less than 54' nor
more than 60 letters.
Competition free to all
Submit asmany answers as
you like. .
Responses must be in by
Oct. 30, and winners will
be announced in The Sun
day Bee of Nov. 3. Address:
Slogan Contest
The Omaha Bee.
'FLU' SITUATION
IMPROVING IN
EAST AND SOUTH
Crest of Epidemic Not Yet
Reached in Some Places;
Outbreak Abating in
v Army Camps. - ;
Washington, Oct. 22. A slight
improvement in the influenza situa
tion over the country was indicated
by reports received today by the
public health service, but in many
places the epidemic apparently has
yet to reaclrits crest. In the far
west and on the Pacific coast the sit
uation has not proved nearly as ser
ious as it did in he east and -south
Continued abatement of the epi
demic in army camps was reported
today to the office of the surgeon
general of the army. New cases dur
ing the 24 hours ending at noon to
day totalled 2,773, against 3,007 the
day before, while deaths decreased
from 404 to 392. There was a slight
increase in the number of pneumonia
cases. .. .
Army medical officers said influ
enza may now be said to be epidemic
in only five camps, the others re
porting less than 50 new cases each
daily. The total cases since the dis
ease because epidemic number. 292,
770. with 15,497 deaths.
In the east and south generally
conditions among the civilian popu
lation are rapidly improving, accord
ing to report to the public health
service, in the middle west ana in
the states bordering the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers abatement of the
disease also has been noted, although
many new cases still are being re
ported daily. In California 32,000
cases had been reported up to yes
terday. Oregon and Washington
also report new cases and some
deaths.
Doctors Accused of Extortion.
New York. Oct. . 22. The New
York Telephone company today sus
pended service in half of the public
booths because of a shortage of
operators caused by the Spanish in
fluenza epidemic. It was said that
2,000 or about 25 per cent of the
operators are ill.
Additional complaints were re
ceived today that doctors and drug
gists are overcharging influenza pa
tients, and that landlords are with
holding heat from tenants. An or
dinance which would compel land
lords to keep themometers in their
houses at 68 degrees was introduced
at a meeting of the board of alder-
. .J It - J J
iucu luu.jr. . xi auupicu, 111c meas
ure will supplement a similar clause
in the sanitary code under which sev
eral landlords have been arrested.
Health Commissioner Copeland,
while asserting that New York has
passed the worst stage of the epi
demic, issued a warning against un
due optimism and the dropping of
precautionary measures.
Vaccine Prevents Pneumonia.
CampDix, Oct. 22. Successful
inoculation of 10,000 soldiers against
pneumonia following influenza to
day caused camp'authorities to offer
the treatment to 10,000 more next
week. Although not a man inocu
lated contracted pneumonia the
treatment was said still to be in its
experimental stage and not advo
cated as a cure but as a prevent
ive. ,
-6 3 7 Invalided Home.
Washington, Oct. 22. Sick and
wounded landed in the United
States from the American expedi
tionary forces during the week end
ed October 18, numbered 637, the
War department today announced. 1
Fifteen to 20 Shipyards
Found to Be Inefficient
Washington, Oct. 22. Because
of their inefficiency from IS to 20
shipyards now building wooden
ships for the Emergency Fleet
corporation will not receive ad
ditional contracts.
As fast as the yards complete
the ships now under construction,
the workmen will be sent to other
plants, which constantly are in
need of additional labor.
GERMAN AIRMEN
BOMB AMERICAN
ARMY HOSPITAL
Nurse Blown From Bed, but
Not Hurt; Patients Taken
to Dugouts Un
injured. By Associated Press.
With the American Army North
west of Verdun, Oct. 22. In retal
iation for destruction wrought
by American bombing planes
within the enemy's lines recently,
German aviators last night raided
the American front and back areas
in the largest force since the Amer
ican offensive began on the Meuse
and in the Argonne. In addition
to attacking the infantry, the Ger
mans bombed the region of Cler
mont, Montfaucon and Rarecourt.
Four bombs were dropped near
the American hospital in the neigh
borhool of Rarecourt, one' of the
bombs tearing down an outbuilding.
Thft glassy ends. of four former
French barracks, now used by the
Americans as hospital wards, were
shattered.
A Red Cross nurse, Margery
Sawyer of Buffalo, N. Y.,was blown
from her bed, but was not injured.
All the patients were taken to dug
outs, none of them being injured.
Another Red Cross nurse, Mabel
Butler of New Haven, Conn., was in
thesame building with Miss Sawyer,
but was not hurt. Both of them im
mediately went to. the aid of the
patients.
When the first bomb fell the hos
pital attendants gave their first at
tention to their charges, leading or
carrying them to shelter. Rocks
thrown up where this bomb struck
broke the windows in the southern
end of the building. Ten other
bombs were planted in succession
in a great semi-circle.. Throughout
most ot the night German planes
were neara many times, passing
over.
GEIilMS
LI
if ON Til
E
SCHELDT
IS BROKEN
Enemy Massed in Strength on
.East Bank of- River to
Meet Onrush of the
Allied Armies..
Hoboes Buy $700 Worth
Of War Savings Stamps
New York, Oct. 22. Members 'of
the "Hoboes" union, who assembled
on the Bowery today for a flag
raising, jn honor of 30,000 of their
fellows now in the service, dug deep
into tattered pockets and at the ex
hortation of Jeff Davis, their "kinjr"
bought $700 worth, of war savings
stamps to back America's fighting
forces. One "itinerant worker" pur
chased $20 worth.
American Dead Will
Be Brought Home From
France After the War
With the American Army
Northwest of Verdun, Oct. 22.
All the American dead in France
will be taken home after the war,
according to orders received by I
tne army chaplains, ihe grave
registration bureau has been
working with this in view, but
nothing definite regarding the fu
ture, disposition of the dead was
known here until instructions
came to the chaplains from
Washington.
By Associated Press.
The fall of Valenciennes
to Field Marshal Haig's
forces is imminent. Despite
the desperate resistance of
the Germans, the British
have entered the ''city on the ,
west, while to the north they
have, made a deep thrust into
the great Raismes forest and
arc now moving in the direc- r
tion of Conde, near the angle
of the Scheldt.
Valenciennes had been in uninter
rupted French possession from 1677
until the onrush of the Germans
early in the present war led them
many miles into France. 1 ,
It now is about to be added to the '
rapidly growing list of towns, the
redemption of which has brought re
joicing to the French people. v
Progress Slows Up.
Although the progress of the al
lied forces in Belgian and French
Flanders has slowed up somewhat
in, the' face of the stiffening of jf-e
lines of rear guards aiding there
treat of the"German armies appreci
able gains have been made, some ol
them of much importance.
Hollain and Bruyelles on th
Scheldt, south of Tournai, are now
in the hands of the British and
north of Tournai the village of
Froyenne has been cleared of the '
enemy, who is withdrawing toward
the Scheldt. ,
There has been sharp fighting for
the crossings of this .waterway at
Pont-A-Chin; the Germans are bat
tling hard to keep the allies from
outflanking Tournai on the north.
Behind the Scheldt the Germans
are massed in strength; their ma- :
chine guns on the east bank are ac
tive and are receiving the support oi
artillery and trench mortars. - a
Belgians Reach Lys Canal.''
In the northern battle area the
Belgians have reached the Lys canal
along their entire front, and have,
captured a bridgehead with numbers .
of the enemy west of Meerendre.
An item of great interest appears
in the latest anouncement by the ;.
French war office concerning opera- '
tions along' the Aisne. ' It says: j
"The Czecho-Slavs with us . re
took the village of Terron." -,
The French are still moving" ac- '
tively to the north of Laon and have '
now completed the occupation of
Chalandry and Grandlup. ' ; '
To the southwest of Ghent thev
are firmly established on the east
bank of the Lys river, having made
crossings at several points, against
which the enemy resisted with de
termination. '
Around Le Cateau. where Ameri
cans are fighting with the British
fourth army, activity has diminished
greatly, ihe same is true of-the
American sector northwest of Ver
dun, wliere the chief activity of the
enemy has been shelling American
lines with mustard and other gas
shells, and an air raid, which came
near to achieving the destruction of
an American base hospital.
Oppressed Europeans to
Draw Up Freedom Charter
In Old Independence Hall
Washington; Oct. 22. Meeting in Independence hall, Philadel
phia, Friday and Saturday, representatives of 65,000,000 people of the
oppressed nationalities of Central Europe will draw up a joint decla
ration of the independence of their peoples from the domination of
the Teutonic nations. Delegates to the conference, called upon in
vitation of the mayor of Philadelphia and the patriotic societies of
.America, left Washington today.
v Prof. T. G. Masaryk, prime minister of the newly recognised
Ciecho-SIovak republic, will preside at the conference. Other na.
tionalities to be represented Include the Jugo-Slavs, Poles. Italian
irrcacnusu, uicrainians, i,iuiuanians, Koumanuns and Reuthenuuitu
wn waving wasningron toaay wifiu the delegates, Prime Minis
,"w " " uw ie uisiory oi tne oppressed na
tions of Europe." - "yT- '
"We consider it an honor," he added, "and a singular privilege
that our conferences, based as they will be oh the principle! T of self. -determination
and co-operation among all groups; igainst Teutonic
aggression, may be carried on under the roof where the American
declaration of independence was drafted and published. vWe thai
do our work under the shadow of a great tradition." N