Will haft in the "e" futurea Gosanbmpboavec" surpime- m p de LRinmh~ BUS

NO. 4076. WKAThR--FMR AMD COUIRL WASINGM1ON . AC. SATf~DAY. DECMDIM TWO I1. wn HN"

SHIP BUILDINGPLAN UNDER 1-nKAN CONTROL!

Hurley Accepts Contracts.One Ship Turned Out,Investigation Shows.

America's shipbuilding program iaa one-man, and, to date, a one-shipaffair.The Senate's shipbuilding investi-

gation yesterday surprised the prob-ers with the first disclosure. andstartled them with the second. Chair-man Edward N. Hurley, of the Ship-ring Board, was the central factorin each reveisajon. After testify-Ing that he personally approved andacc4ted all ship contracts, as pres-ident of the Emergency Fleet Cer-poration. Mr. Hurley was questionedby Senator Harding:"All the finances for this big pro-

gram rest in your hands"*Yes. sir."'Not In the hands of the Shipping

Board'"'No. sir.'"'Then if the whole thing fails, it

will be your fault'"..Absolutely." said Hurley, firmly.Senator Nelson brought out the fact

that the program is a one-ship af-fair to date."How nWy ships have been whol-

17 comDred since the EmergencyFleet Corporation took charge?" heasked.

'One." replied Hurley.'Only one?" insisted Senator Nel-

son."One.' answered Hurley. "and it

will be in operation the day afterChristmas.'

Na=es Peehesms.There are under contract and under

construction, however. 1.4!7 shipe, ofa total tonnage of 8,573,109 tons. Afteremphasizing the fact that they had towait until seventy-four new shipyardscould be built, Hurley was questioneaby Senator Harding on the difficultiesthat stand in the way of the greatprogram that is counted on to win thewar for the allies. He named no lessthan seven major problems. Theseare:Labor supply, troublesome because

of lack of skilled men, and because oflabor unrest;Shortage of materials, such as steel,

on which deliveries are very slow.supplies ordered three months agoonly now available*Transportation difficulties:Inability to find big enough timbe,

of right kind for wooden ships;Housing troubles, shipbuilders not

being able to find lodgings for theskilled labor imported to their com-munitles:Disagreements with shipbuilders

over their profits; andGeneral friction with shipbuilders

that has- bad a tendency to delayopers"Ons.Chairman Hurley indicated that n4

new legislation is absolutely neosssary. but that he may require someassistance in providing botges forworkers at the shipyards. He and hisorganisations will be able to hand.all the other troubles, he said."The program is well under waynow, is it not?" asked Senator John-

son. of California."Yes. Sir. I would not add anythingto it row. We have it well in hand.anti It is a going concern.""Are things going along rapidly'"'Not as fast as we should like, but

as fast as could be expected.''New System Speedy,

Chairman Hurley's statement, whichhad been prepared at the request ofSenator Fletcher. chairman of the Sen-ate Commerce Committee, gave theirst comprehensive review of theshiPbuilding situation. Among other

CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.

SAYS ALLIESSURE TO WIN

Gen. Scott, Home fromFrance, Declares Men

Are Confident.Direct assurances of the copfidence

of both British and French command-ers in Gen. Pershing's ability and theirsatisfaction with the breadth andsoundness of his preparations to makeAmerican arms effective on the West-ern front. have reached Washington.They came with the return from

Europe of MaJ. Gen. Hugh L. Scott,former Chief of Staff. who was inconference yesterday with Secretaryof War Baker and other War Depart-ment officials.The men who are actually leading

the allied armies. from the command-ers-in-chiefs and members of the warministries, down to the corps and di-vision commanders. have been unhes-itating in expressing thier approvalof the chief of the American expedi-tIonary forces. And his methods.Gen. Scott visited virtually everypart of the battlefront, and went ears-

lully through all the training processesof both the French and British armies.He believes Gsen.- Jepebing -has laidthe foundations for American armytraining upon what is beat in Frenchand British methods and eliperienceThere is no doubt in his Mnd thatAmserican troops will be the maal tany on the front when they oem. tegrips with the German army, Theyare taking their training eathisfcally.There is no pe==imism as to the out-

come of the war in the aghting,Gen. Scott faead. 'The atm ofallies are cool and eo.ddent. 'Th a-fidence of victory enm the -blamen, he said. uecame the uvtcloser- the ebeve geut to- ttThere wire no doebta in the.MeSuch pessimisma as there meg OS amthe British appears to be es*iamatthe uninformed in Lades, It- i sereflected in the army.Gen. Scott now personafl g i-

speeted three fighting fronts, 14alan, French and British, Itprobable that he is to commaand aslon of the American arSy, alno direct staternent of the place dSignated for him by Secretary Uaherhas bern made.

Hiene Path. 5. C., Dec. *.-Fireof unknown Origin here today dam-!aged i,gi bales of cotton to the ea-teat et apps'oximately UBMm. Thecen- warn v.alue at aSmma

SAYS COTRuOVuuNOT UNION IT.IT

. J. Manning joins Issue watil BakerRegarding Uniform Contracts,

New York. Dec. 2.-SQuarely join-ing Issue with Secretary of WarBaker, John J. Manning of theUnited Garment Workers of America.tonight denied Mr. Baker's statementthat the controversy over army uni-1,form contracts is a union fgai,

**It Is." said he. "a question of pen-alizing an opganisation of provenloyalty In favor of the Bolsheviki ofAmerica."Previously Robert Malise, director

of the American Alliance for laborand Democracy, in a formal state-ment charged that "anti-Americansentiment is a key to the presenttrouble. The matter is far from set-tied, and unless Secretary Bakertakes action looking toward theclearing of the situation, the matterwould be put up to the President."

REFUSE BOOKS;SWIFTSFACECOURT ACTION

Heney Would Show FirmHas Interest in Chicago

Stock Yards.Swift and Company, of Chicago.

face summary court action becauseof their refusal yesterday to turnover to the Federal Trade Commissionbooks that are needed to show thecompany's participation in the stock-ards business.Francis J. Heney, investigator of

the profteering situation of the coun-try, announced that he would forcethe production of the papers required.Mr. Heney added that he wanted toshow that the Swifts, as well as theArmours. had an interest in the Chi-eago Stockyards Company. supposedlydisassociated from the Chicagopackers.Other developments of yesterday's

:nquiry were:1. Armour and Company owned

i3.520 shares of the Chicago Stock-yards Company, the Maine corpora-tion formed to take over the com-mon stock of the Chicago JunctionItailways and Union StockyardsCompany, a New Jersey Corporation.which in turn had bought all the in-terests from the packers eaxceot thepacking plants.

Own Railway Steeks.1 Armour & Company also owned

G,00 shares of stock in the ChicagoJunction Railways and Union Stock-yards Company, also supposedly not,onnected with the packers.

:. Holding of these steeke did notr.pper en the ArvMed k , useord-tng to one oZ the directors of the com-any, called as a witness.4. Armour & Company is owned by

tight persoms-oll Armoura-J. OgdenArmour, 10 per cent; the remaining 3per cent divided among C. W. OgdenArmour. A. Watson Armour, Law-rence H. Armour, Philip D. ArmourI. Mrs. P. A. Ballentine. Mrs. Jull-anna A. Ferguson and Mrs. Mary Ar-mour Dunn.

3. Frederick H. Prince, of Boston.whose banking firm handled the af-fairs of the Chicago Stockyards Com-pany, wrote a letter to Mr. Armoursuggesting that the stock be listed onthe eychange and then "We shall doour best to depreciate the value ofthe outstanding stock so as to get thesmall holders to come in. The guar-anteed stock would commence to drawdividends at 9 per cent, commencingNovember 1. My Idea would be per-haps for the first six months to havethe New Jersey Company only pay 8per cent and the other 2 per cent tobe paid out of the treasury of theMaine company which would amountto but 35,000."

Predaeee Statement.4. Clerks and subordinates in

Prince's offces were paid thousandsin dividends, but the checks were in-dorsed over to the Prinee firm.

7. Checks for thousands of dollarspaid to Armour & Co., but made out inthe blind form i: "New York cheek"were traced to the Armour & Co. of-fices.Mr. Heney produced the first dei-

nite, tangible statement that Armour& Co. owned stock In the Maine cor-poration, and also the Jersey corpora-tion, through Frederick W. Croll,treasurer and a director of Armour &Co., and confidential man to Mr.Armour. He has been treasurer of thecompany for nine years.

NO $,,9ULOAN, SAYS 'AIh

Sys Rumr Regardiag NeWt Issue'Misehivs a"d Hurtful"

Denying reports that the next lib-erty loon. March 15, weald be forms.0toom at 41-2 per cent. Secre-tary McAfae yeerday decaled suchrumores "ebchevous and hurtful.""The rent that the next Issue

of liberty homes will be a3,00St,00at 4-e 900.Alt onMarch 35,1914is afouned,"sai Mc-

Adeo. ''Z we I Ousid make thepatriotic naesew m of Amnericaselbewo asUbeens and "hurtfultotheierst er the ounty such

apeedibe -asm are, When'sedm has bem ebasheet the-xst Eberty ld ath nan

stateflesaemsesaMw..y he de.

e.rdee,.

bmuianetUse

Garney . an

of a inarst amnight Wy theare at the asbiksai eadbMgthe Uniteg

where el ea~I a

PEAE BELLSNOTTO RING"OYER THERE"

.ast Week, However, HasBrought Change forBetter in Europe.

l~eeia Cuh..st. W..sagt...r.ldiad New York Tribune.

London, Dee. 21.-No peace bells willring in rationed Europe this Christmas, but last week brought a marked-hangs for a better atmosphere. Yesterday the premier closed a trouble-

some session of Parliament with a

speech of confidence. His review ofthe situation, military, economicallyand politically left his hearers feelingthe future was far from cheerless.The premier. it is felt, spoke plainly,

admitting the seriousness of the foodsituation and the shippin ition andacknowledging that Ru 's collapsehad altered greatly the allied militaryplans. His reference to British wayaims showed the government is takinga moderate view and that they are

willing to leave to the decision of thepeace conference the fate of the Ger-man African colonies.Briefly, the premier told the crowded

house of commons the full truth ofthe situation as it exists today andforecasted as far as humanly possiblethe tasks to be accomplished beforevictory can be achieved. His speechwas free from exaggeration and Contained no rash promises. Facts insteadof rhetoric formed the bulk of hisreview.

Expeet Peee Move.Then Asquith followed with a

speech indorsing thge government andpledging his support. The adjourn-Ing of parliament comps at a goodtime. The country will be better fora rest ~rom political differences dur-ing the next few days.Germany is expected to make a new

peace move between now and theend of the year, and people will havean opportunity to study it withouthaving attention diverted by locamatters. To say that the positionof the government Is absolutely se-cure would be an exaggeration. be-cause no government can be stable onthe fourth war Christmas unless ithas a big balance of successes toshow its peoples.If an observer concentrates atten-

Lion on any one thing such as thegeneral food situation, the possibilityof an early decisive victory the atti,tude of labor toward the new man-power projects of the government. nooptimistic view can be taken. buywhen the outlook is studied In abroad way it is perfectly clear tharEurope is becoming saner, that thepassions of war are slowly burningthemselves out, that the pesple andgovernments are giving aoe atten-tion to ways and means 99 en4nthe itroggle tha O iS pretngationAmerica has supplied the uplift to thewar. The President's declaration oipliey has had far-ireaching effects.

DUELS IN AIRLAST 4 DAYS

Allies Maintain Their Ownin Fierce Fight Over

West Front.5peelal Cable to Washingten HeraN

and New York Tribune.London, Dce. 21.-The battle of

the airmen continues with violence3ver most of the Western front. Butthere have been few infantry opera-tions of any Importance. Field Mar-shal Haig reports today the bring-Ing down of five more hostile aero-planes, bringing the total sinceionday night to twenty-four, a recsrd which has seldom been surpass-ed in the war, except on the occa-lion of a concerted air drive by bothsides preliminary to a great battle.rn the last four days the Britishthemselves have loft but five ma-Abines, which affords evidence ofLheir' present superiority over theRneiny.In their continued raids in the

west the Germans yesterday struckIn the region of St. Quentin.

Artillery Duels Continae.The artillery duels attained great

Intensity on the Verdun and Woevrefronts, the London and Paris war of-ices report.One significant feature of the iso-lated infantry operations on the West-

ern front during the last two weeksof comparative quiet lies in the factthat the Germans have thrust for-ward at virtually every point on thebattle front, from the North Sea tothe 8wiss border. There lightninnrarely has struck In the same piaceaver this period. The reason obviouslyis that they have been methodicallytesting every point of the British andFrengh defenses to expose any vul-marable spots.They have been "nibbling," as theappesng forces have done many times

liefere a great stroke, for a place Inwhieh to im their coming blow. Ashe most persistent and the atrongest.f these radiating operations haveseatered in the region between Rheimsand Verdun, woay dbeervers believeHilndenberg will strike there. Thatals attack will be concentrated againsthe French is the prevailing opiniona- litay circles. But doubt of Pe-laIn' ability to parry the enemy'"siew finds lile expression. England

ese to France with coeinee in the

bei outcome. If there should prove10 he an Achilles heel in the French

& 1aMg is believed to have menh and guns enough to fill thep iad erush the enemy's designs.

Cal., Dec. 31.-WIlliama negro, was arrested to-

be esutewith the bomb DlotGg. gtephenis. Underwood isb es ftssarked that the ed-

r the work of pro-er-S WW,~and that the go,-

to be killed. He* was

te the Federal authori-

'~ht~a.Dec 21-A enalisiis grocean who Ukigusring was temoed

Dsa*.am, Feder'alerfoPerlet The next cendtwill %"#4 intdg

HuN ED U.SGUILTY OFSTATEMEN

Court-martial Follows:Camp Merritt; Son

Other Dishonon

Tenafly. N. J., Dec. 21.-Ombeen court-martialed at Camp MerriproGerman Utterances and activithave been sentenced to terms of v

itentiary.The others, whose guilt, thou

result of nothing more sinister thandishonorably discharged from the U

Admitted by Captain.These facts were admitted tonight

by Capt. John J. R. Emery, Jr., pro-vost marshal, in charge of theguarding of Camp Merritt.Capt. Emery, who is also the head

of the intelligence bureau establishedto cheek up on cases of pro-Germanactivities, both within and withoutthe confines of this clearing house forAmerican troops, also confirmed thefact that Camp Merritt, probably themost Important military camp in thiscountry, has been a center for theactivities of persons of pro-Germansympathies and more sinister in-dividuals. suspected of being Germanagents.

Probe Covers Two Meaths.The court martial of the hundred

soldiers and the various manifesta-tions of German activities brought to

REPUBLIC NOWAWAITS BREAKWITH KAISER

Citizens of Argentina En-raged at Deceits Prac-

ticed by Luxburg.Algentina is seething with demandsr war on Germany, -according to

Official difmt oceised here tall-ng of the reception attending thepublication of theLuAburg telear.Aigentine Congress on Wantion of President Irigoyen ised at any time. The Cin session. and the governaient.erto hesitating, is descibed aspared for a definite break.The Socialist and Radical

the dispatches state, have already'de-clared for a break. The C etives, the party of the admtion. is reported to have bitm inlarge measure won over to a bteak,even before the Luibirg messageswere made public.A huge mass meeag In fBuenos

Aires has been held. I by allof the prominent personages of thecapital. It declared in the htrongeatterms for war.While the Radicals and Socialists

have a majority in the Congress, ithas been their practice to stick by theconservative administration in infter-national affairs. Action will probablybe deferred until the President orForeign Minister Pueyrredon comes ftCong'eas with recommendations. Itis possible. however. that Congressmay take the initiative and declarowar. A resolution for a break Indiplomatic relations has alreadypassed both houses.According to reports, the revela-

tions which have most profoundly af-.ected Argentine sentiment are these.That the German foreign ofme,

through Zimmermann and Kuehlmann,officially backed Luxburg in his de-ceits.That Lusburg. backed by the for-

eign ofice. bribed newspapers Andmaintained a spy system in violatbinof Afgentine sovereignty.The course of the German negotia-

tions with Argentina was describedby diplomats here last night as strik-ingly similar to that taken by theKaiser in his dealings with theUnited States.It was stated in offleal quarters

here last night that the actual factsof Argentina's settlement of the Toroease with Berlin bears out the con-tention of the Argeptine foreign min-i3ter that the Luxburg messages area tissue of falsehood, So far as theywurport to describe the negotiations.The case was settled on the straight-out basis that Argentine ships wouldbe treated in accordance with inter-national law and not sunk whereverfound. It is made apparent from theLuxburg telegrams. however, thatGermany never intended to keep the

agreement.

17U HlSl-LADlEN I;ARSHEOOED FROMl RIVER

'Offcials Expect Other Two Suink inDelaware to Be Raised.

Philadelphia, Dae. 21.-Two of thefeur freight care loaded with sh andmeat, which were gunk in .the Dela-were River off Federal stw -Carn-

d e dn ay have been r a n~hdofiias d aWest Jersey d4 ea-

shore Company expect to MA4 theethers Out of the water befOR aight-fall.It is believed that the fish iad mes

.will be saved. The. cas *es eon-signed to Delaware avenos 4i4Nandwere being placed on-1gM fortrOasport to this city who.en afailed to work and the carie fofthe end of the lighter.Howard Heins, food d8 to

for Pennsylvanis, and Jay admiuiuhnter. for Phladegl1~tdgthat they would *sktinquire -into the- e Whi

thttheha eaiaeeIabtrterg hp~~e~

I

SEDITIOUSTS, PUNISHEInquiry Among Men atsSent to Prison;MIy Discharged.hundred American soldiers have

tt here in the past two months foras. and of that number one-third'aried lengths in the Federal pen-

gh established, seemed to be thea lack of good sense, have been

sited States military service.light referred to by Capt. Emery haveall turned up since he came here twomonths ago from his post in the Ca-nal Zone. Panama.Capt. Emery established the Intelli-

gence bureau to cope with this situa-tion when he cams here. He statedtonight that, in addition to the men. inhis own department, secret serviceagents and representatives of the De-partment of Justice were engaged inrunning down clues that cropped upat Camp Merritt. "Usually we saynothing of these things for publica-tion." said the captain. "but I wantthis to serve as a warning to thosewho think the Federal governmentis asleep."We want it understood by those

who already have been guilty of pro-German activities and any fools whomay be contemplating such acts thatwe know fully just what has beengoing on here."

SAMMIE PLANREAL HOLIDAYAMONG FRENCH

Distribution of Gifts to Chil-drenl'eature of Sol-

diers' Program.With the American Army in France.

Dec. 2I.-Christmas hm-aekedy strockamong thA ean fores, Theteleg rp are sparming allday 4 ith offsg and Sol-

doze*sofdweammsss e fW~siin viflages

g6Slices are located.is dong seAly to make sure that

..ables 3b the addresses In

as setry American campbIgne form of entertain-

inmilitia division isEotWtn led of the first contin-

gent w j providing trees withpresents all the children in Its area.Christma$ entertainments have beenarranged In co-operation with theFrench training troops for war refu-gees between the ages of 3 and 12.

Movie Show Pios*d.An entertainment will be given in a

movie house with a regular SantaClas, and a number of noted Parisum's are on the-program. A rotund

staff ofbicer has ben se-tl te part of Santa Ciaus"Ped Noel," as the French 4al

A dozen village women are nowworking on his costume and discoveredthat no wpite trimmings were obtain-able, so Santa will appear in an en-tirely red costume and will have redwhiskers.One militia machine gun battalion

has contributed "Do for gifts and en-tertainment for the child refugees.It is practically certain that it will

be a "white Christmas" throughoutthe whole American sone. The dough-boys are now experieneing the coldestweather of a French winter. The roadsand fields are covered with snow.

RUStA-JAPANESETREATY DISCOVERED

Alleged Secret Pact Would CloseDoor of China to U. S.

Petregrad, Dee. 21.-The Itzvestiapubliesan what It says is the text ofthe seoret treaty drawn up last year,provlslg for Joint action by Russiaand apn to prevent any third coun-try fron achieving political dominancein Chine.The article is headed "Secret treatybet*een Japan and Russia for jointa deinonstratida against AntericaneGreat Britaiw In the Far East."The treaty, dated July 3, 1916, runs

for five years, automatically extend-ing itself until a year after one partyexpresses the desire to annul it. Itwas sighed by Sergius Sazonoff, Rus-sa Foreign Minister, and ViscountMentono, Japanese Foreign Minister.The treaty stipulates that "the

agreemenst shall remsain a deep secretfor all except the contracting parties."It opens with the statenment that it isdesigned to supplement and strengthenthe seerot treaties of 1910 and 1552.Artile I is given as follows:"The coteting pertles recognise

that the linee tof either side de-mand the defense of China from po-litloal daiiation by ay third powbrwhatsebes cherishing hostile inten-tions toward Russia azdJapan andtherefore undertake whenever circum-stances neceesitate to mnter into openrelations based on full confidence isorder conjointly tQ take the neces-way steps to plevent, the- advent inChina of such a state of affairs."

Msnmegan-s assm, Tho. 21-1heMlnas-e mtmna wage igw e~iug w~aand mise he Industfte.wast~ upheid by the stati. erpeme outiTe mnimumn wae,oeaiUIo~eda Ruling wags atNM'sadP. permitting a rang hRcertain, second, thisrd and faerth-clas cities of the State. The l~tips had ben court -srtnore

REELLION INUKRAINE WILL.AID ENTENTE

Report Says New MenaceFaces Bolsheviki-Pris-oners Are Released.

London. Dec. 2.-PersIstent reportsfrom Petrograd today that the Rus-aIan-Teuton peace parleys had beenbroken off were received -here withconsiderable skepticism. For thepresent they are clawed with theother more or less sensational reportsand rumors deliberately disseminatedby Lenine and Trotsky during re-cent weeks for certain political pur-poses. But while on the face of itthe report was suspected in mostquarters of being a hoax. It was ad-mitted on all sides that such a sud-den debacle of the Russo-Teutonpeace dickerings is entirely possi-ble, because the central powers werefrom the outset believed to makeunacceptable demands of Russia.Meanwhile two new developments of

tremendous Importance stand outfrom the jumble of contradictorynews dispatches: A hope and a men-ace,' from the allied and Russianviewpoint.The whole Ukraine it reported

swept by flames of rebellion. Thisvast land. Inhabied by 32.000.0(0 soulsthat form the sixth race of Europe.apparently has found the hour ripeto drive home its centuries-old urgefor independence.

Release Army Corp,One of the most dashing comman-

ders of the old regime, Gen. Schter-batcheff. has been placed at the headof the vast army of Ukrainians. andthe entire Russian army on the Ru-manian front has joined him. Theirobject is. first, to rid their countryof all Bolsheviki influence, and, sec-ond. if possible. to exert pressure uponthe rest of Russia to get back into thesaddle as an active belligerent.The entente allies are reported to be

giving them full encouragement. AGerman newspaper, the VossischeZeitung, even reports that the allieshave accredited diplomatic representa-tives to the Ukranian government. Theforeign office was silent on this sub-ject tonight.So much for the hope that flared up

on the Russian horizon today. As forthe new menace, It lies in the reportedformation of a veritable army corpsof released Teuton prisoners. Led bytheir own officers, these German andAustrian soldiers are said to havetaken a hand in the Russian civilstrife. The general trend of the Pet-rograd news is that they have casttheir lot with the Bolsheviki.One significant fact observed in the

Berlin news was the participation inthe, Reichstag conferenos of the mi-nority (Radicas) wing of the Socialistparty, led by Deputy Haase. It wasthe first time this faction has had di-rect intercourse with the governigentexcept in viol-nt sa.*eea derl r"ich-stag debates.

~IffkLANS WINLOST GROUND

,Battle Now in Its EleventhDay Without Hour's

Cessation.Special Csble to Washingte Herald

and New York Tribune.London. Dec. 21-Continuing their

irresistable counter attacks betweenthe Piave and the Brent, the Italianshave retaken from the enemy a coo-sidrrable portion of the ground leston Tuesday in the region of MentesSalone. Rome announced tonight. Inspite of a terrific fire from the Austro-German artillery. Gen. Dias's troopsheld these positions throughout yes-terday. thus minimizing the darigerto which their lines had been exposedby the enemy's recent advances.The Berlin war offic report today

lays stress on the ferocity of the Ital-ian counter efforts east of the Brenta.but asserts that nowhere were theyable to gain ground. Seven times theItalian troops dashed forward againstthe heights west of Montea Salone,and three times they assaIled the pow-erful Monte Pertica position, accord-ing to this report. All these assaults.Berlin claims. as well as an attackon Monte Salarolo. to the north, brokedown with heavy losses to the enemy.

Enemy en Defensive.The struggle between the Piave and

the Brenta. which has developed intoone of the most bitter combats ofthe war. has now continued with hard-ly an hour's cessation for ten days.The first eight days of the battle sawthe Invaders conquer in turn the moun-tain strongholdss of Boretta. Solarolo.Caprille. Pertlca and Asolone andpress steadily forward to within fourmiles of the Venetian plains, easy ac-cess to which is provided by the SanLorenzo Valley. now entirely underthe enemy's fire. In those first eightdays the Teutons captured. accotilingto their own claims '.2"0 prisoners.The ninth day of the conflict, Wed-

nesday. witnessed the Arst serious ef-forts of the ItalIans ti assume theaggressive, and yesteriday they suc-ceeded In putting the enemy entirelyon the defensive and for the first timewrested back some of their lost

ground.

Wit NOT INDICTMEANSIN NEW YORK

This Announcernent Follows Meet-ing of Two. Attorneys.

New York. Dec. 21.-Gaston D. Meansis not to be indicted In New York. ac-

cording to a statement made by Dis-trict Attorney Swann tonight. in con-nection wIth Mte. Maude A. King'shusband's seond wilL.The annonement was made fol-

lowing a meetlng between District At-torney Swann ad an assistant districtattorney fronm ChIcago,Means was reeently aoeluitted ot thme

murder- of Mr., King by a Concord.N. C., jury after a ....asan..i triaL.Mo acted as Mrs, Kisg's bnnal amn-Adant and egent. Hler large fortune.wa alleged. during his tral. to havebaan dissInated shortli aft she was

AGAD5T BEEPasse Resolution Piewtgejmg Agaiat

Policy of Bolsheviki.Petrograd, Dec. 2L-A very impor-tant sitting of the peasant congress

was held today. LeNine came dewnIn person to addres the Cegress. andin a lengthy speech defended the att-tude of the Bolsheviki toward the con-stituent aeemnbly.He Justified the arrest of the mem-

bere of the assembly, and said thatthe Labor council eught to be con-sidered the highest authority. Not-withstandim LaNIne's Presene thecongress passed a resolutlon protest-ing against the policy of the Bolabe-viki with vote of 31 to 321.Due to the disorganised state of

affairs in the State Bank, the railwayworkers are not receiving theirwages. and unless condItions will beremedied they declare a strike on therailroads.

WAR TO FINISH,IS APPEAL TO

ALL MASONSCouncil of Grand Orient of

France Makes Elo-quent Address.

Special Cable to Washingte. Neraldand New Yeek Tribe..

Paris. Dec. 20.-The council of theGrand Orient of France. in an eloquentaddress. appeals to all Masons tocarry on the war to a finish. As thenecessary condition for a war of lib-eration.

"in the midst of the unfoldingformidable events. we must all morethan ever uphold. manifest and drawcloser the elements of national unity.urges the manifesto. which adds:"T yield, to flinch, to accept a

doubtful compromise would be tanta-mount to disowning our dead. our re-publican ideal, the social ideal, andmake us unworthy of our country andof humanity. It would be desertingjustice. which we have sworn to ren-der triumphant by the triumph of ourcause. It would be belsing humanconscience. and make us unworthy ofliving, for conscience alone is mIfal-lible.

It would be a betraIyl of France.which fights for justice only, it wouldbe a betrayal of Alsace Lorraineeven more than of France-the be-trayal of an outraged. violated,cynically destroyed right. 'ise returnof Alsace Lorraine to its mothercountry is an even more a Europeanthan a French problem. without thesolution of which no really pacifiedEurope. thetis, no durable peace can ex-ist. The annexation of Alsace Lorrainebrought about Europe's misfortuqe,Jts dia-aanezation is the armbol andguarantee of salvation.

"To free the enthralled people toremain ourselves free, to prevent infuture new massacres that wouldcomplete Europe's ruin, we musthave victory. Qur defeats in the pasthave shown how necessary this vic-tory was. how much the cause ofFrance involves the cause of theworld."President Wilson. whose moral au-

thority grows through the tempestwhich he dominates has clearly seenit. In his last message, after declar-ing that the war must be won. hesummed up the necessity weigbingupos all at his hour-the midday ofuniversal life-in words loftier thanthose of others, because they proceed-ed both from the intellect and theheart united by the moral sense.'To the hall-hearted skepticism

which ultimately ends in a war in-suffciently or badly waged Presi-dent' Wilson. togeether with the im-mene' majority of men. uphold therational. sincere, prudent faith thatpaves the way to peace. The idedand the reality should be one andthe same thing: their separation haealways retarded mankind. Moraltruth, alone capable of purifying con-flicts. will fortify the accord of theallies, promote the realization of theircommon progran. and engrave itselfin the mind of the government aswelJ as in the conscience of the peo-ples.'

RED CROSS SEEINI5,OOOU9 MEMBERS

Would Send Message of Success toKaiser Christmas Eve.

New Toik, Dec. 21.-Fifteen millionmembers for the American Red Crossa" a "message to the Kaiser." isthe aim of George 0. Tamblyn, man-ager of the nation-wide membershipcampaign. Tamblyn gave out the fol-lowing appeal today: "We are after15.000.000 members now. One big rea-son is because the charre is madethat the 3100.000.000 raised by the RedCross last June was the gift of afew men who were making profitsout of the making of munItions."We want 15.000.000 men, women

and children to say to the KaIseron Christmas eve, so loudly that itshall be heard around the world,that we are with President Wilsonin his solemn determination to makethe world safe for democracy.

Pershing''s Me fAewedLight Wimes and Deer

With the American Armnp In France.Dec. 21.-All alcoholic beverages ex-cept light wines and beers are denIedto raumbers of the American erpedi-tionary forces in France by Gen.Pershing in general orders issued to-day.Extraordinary measures are being

taken to insuro sobriety and a highImoral standard in the army. The oU-cers have been informed that theywill be held te strict accountabIlityfar the fullest compliance with theOlders.*

Sappe at Desertd Camp.Syracuse, N. Y'., Dec. !!1.-A rush or-

der froin the War Deportment wasreestsed tedey by Ieut. CoL. Win.Cmans .ogler in charge at desrtedCamp flyreuse. directing the inmme-diate shipment to New Yerk et 3U2L-600 worth of evergeats and westenuniforms wrhich had bean lying un-packed at the amp, Camp Syracuse

is aitoha9 5ht e eqOual

WHlON HOLDSKASTER PLACEAMONG ALLIES

President Stroke of Crew,Says Draper; Modera-

tion Now Policy.Iy ARTEUR S. DRAPB.

speetel caMse to eeD m.aand New Yeak

London, Dec. 21.-Armageaon Islonger a mere conflict between wesets of powers. It has now peamdinto a new phase.Gradually there Is growling msne

the belligerents a force more power-ful than any government out of whietwill develop a league of nations. TIeworkers of Europe who have sufferedseverely are no less deternied temaintain the security of their oen-tries, but they want assurance thattheir sacrifices are being made forwhat Asquith called "a clean pae"and nothing else.

Statesmen Tired.European statesmen are tired. They

are More war weary even then thepeople because their responsibility Isgreater. They have few fresh idgasWilson has become the stroke of theallied crew. His job is to keep teashell even, to steer a straight coamreand to hold the stroke uplo the highestpossible beat. Only four earsman arereally rowing the shell. AmmlcsEngland. France and Italy. Theother nations are practically deadweight. The four oarsmen ar. ces-tinually keeping better time. There itImprovement in the rhythm. Not*-worthy progress has been Msde %the,weci:, though it may not be rea~ldiscernible.Yesterday's speech by the premier

marks a big advance toward co-ordi-nation, not simply in a military andeconomic sense, but political as well.Fundamentally. there is little differ-enee between the views of the rivalschools of thought in this country.but that difference is still big eioughto retard the war machine. Wednes-day's debate In the house of commons,which brought out Balfour's decsar-tion that Britain "never encouragedthe idea that a bit of Germany shooidbe cut off from the parent state andmade into some kind of an independ-tnt republic or an independent gov-ernment so as to make a. buger statsbetween Fra-ce and Germany.'' andLord Cecil's statement that "Neithe,he nor any other member of the geo-ernment advocated an economic warafter the war." must be taken in ces-junction with the premier's utter-a.es today about German calonoes inConstantinople. Palestine. and Mese-

Platends.sasprim SeeRead together they the lttrend of the aovWumut towest - -'eration. The dkeimtlea wAt asvaguenee of ttisb war aims to seconied to professieal p.a nts. bu'has extended to the Liberal labsemembers, whose deteraemlina tocarry th enwar en to vrladry is un-challenged in any qeArter.That the government's dedaratiss

today and yesterday have helpedremove considerable ebecuriy seemscertain and that means a big he-provemnit. Bad weather means lattlefighting and undoubtedly there aillbe little military movements for someweeks. but during that period Ihi'economic situation in Eutope villnot improve. There will be nothingto strengthen the morale of the peo-tie.The allies are in better position to

r.eet the winter's hardships than arethe central powers. On the fourthvar Christmas there will be fastingrzther than feasting There is no

nistaking the fact that the fourthwinter is bringing moderation inevery form

U. S. GUNNERSWELL VERSED

Officers and Men in Artil--lery Handling French --

Cannon.With the American Armny in France.

Dec. 21.-That plenty of young of-ficers are willing to risk their necksas airplane observers was evidencedwhen a call was issuer for volunteersby a heavy artillery camp. Onlythirteen were needed. Thirty-Ove vol-unteered to be sent to the Americanaviation camp.All officers and men at the hea'iy

artillery camp are now well versedin the handling of the French guesranging from 6-inch rifles to the ter-rinc 400 millimetres. They have beendrilled daily for many weeks andare now ready for fire.Recently some big howitzers were

added to the collection of heavypieces for use by the Saminles whoare learning their "busliness l-fly. One of the big "four hb i1began target practice Thursdaythe first time since the Amnerinteached ramp. On account of thelong range it was necessary to tun-port this gun several miles outsidethe firing area. The gun Is one afthe largest in the world.The bIg pIeces began firing early in

the morning under the direction -ifFrench ofieers, the Americans watch-ing It as It threw shells weighingmore than a ton through miles ofspace. the detonations tucking thehouses In neighboring villages. Thefiring continued throughout the day.while Amnerican offcers observed theeffects from their dugouts.Recently several young officers nar-

rowly escaped Injury when a bigshell burst prematurely near an ob-servation poet, showering It wIthmetal.

U. S. Geveument NeedsUMaar Mere StemerahrIf the Secretary of War, or the

Secretary of the Navy, does not an-ewer youzr lettare promptly. dont getsore. Chiances ase he can't est astenographer. Eays aa effecis an-lnce-mt. aoegisiag:"Frequently an executive mus he

letterg en his desk three er four dagebefere the staegraphers cue Whehis repty. The government' des sitlack coustesy or goed intentians, benIt does lack stegraphera. ae athoundh or twa would ellhew..amsgv.. o...a..-