davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
AN EXPLANATION is OFFERED
%T COST US MEN AND MONEY,
AND WHY GIVE 1T up" IS
QUESTION ASKED
The NAVY IS NOT PREPARED
ADMIRAL FLETCHER SAYS WE
COULD NOT MEET "MoST
POWERFUL ENEMY

Washington, Dec. 9.-The statement
made by Baron Katow, the Japanese
foreign minister, in the diet yesterday
that Japan had made no promise to
any country to return Kiao Chow to
China attracts much interest IN Off
cial circles here, Secretary Bryan
would not cenmaaaA toaay. and Eefep.
red lnquirers to statements already
made.
When Japan delivered her ultima
tum to Germany demanding the eva
cuation of Kiao Chow the statement
was published that the territory would
he returned 10 China. That it was la.
ter pointed out, was upon the supposi-
lion that Germany would compel with
the terms of the ultimatum and yolun-
tarily turn over the territory. Howey-
err, as Japan was put to general
military campaign to get possession
of I<rao Chow, the contention now in
japanese mind is that the original
pledge was not binding.
Alter the entry Of Japan into the
lar. Count Okuma the premier, in
reply to an inquiry, announced that
Japan had no intention OF securing ter
+ritory extension as result of the war
Kiao Chow was nos specifically men
toned, although it might ue inferred
that it was included.
1t may be stated authoritatiyely that
while Japan has not formally under
taken TO surrender Kiao Chow, she
has by no means offciall committed
herself to its retention. Practically it
has been decided that this instance
must await the end Of the war for its
answer
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
KILLED A Girl TO
MAKE Her reform
DEACON ROBERT BAILEY, A ST.
LOUIS cHURcHMAN, THEN
SHOT HIMSELF

st. Louis, Dec. 9.-Nannie Stricklin,
aged 12, was shot and killed in the
front yard of her home here today by
Robert Bailey, deacon at mission.
who said he had been trying to re-
form the girl" Bailey shot himself
and was taken to hospital in a dying
condition.
Mrs. Clara stricklin mother Of the
child, said that Bailey for more than
a year had annoyed her in efforts to
adopt the child, saying that he wanted
to marry her when she was grown.
The child had stayed indoors for sew
eral days in fear Of Bailey, who Sun
day was driven out of the house by
Mrs. Stricklin.
Today the child left the house to
order coal Bailey, who roomed near
by, stepped up and spoke to the child.
A few minutes later the mother saw
Bailey raise a revolver and fire. About
year ago Bailey rentod room at
the stricklin home and soon thereaf-
er his attachment TO the child became
marked. Mrs. stricklin. to get away
from Bailey, moved to another neigh
borhood last May, but a few days later
Bailey rented 9 room IN the house
.nnxi dnnr
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
france Optimistic

Paris, Dec. 9.-There was artillery
fighting from the sea to the Lys dur
ing the day Of December 8, according
to the French official announcement
given out in Paris this afternoon, and
all the positions won by the French
during the past two days have been
strengthened
The French have made gains in the
Aisne, in the Meuse and in the AT
gonne. part Of the statement is de-
voted to a recital Of the situation in
Poland and in servia. The text Of
the communication follows:
During the day Of December 8
there was artillery FIRING from the sea
coast coast 70 Lys.
TN the region Of Arras and further
to. the south there was nothing to re-
port. All the positions won by us dur
ing the past two days have been or
ganized and consolidated.
I'm the region Of the Aisine artil
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
Berlin not Discouraged

Berlin, Dec 8 Cby Wireless to Lon
don. THE official statement issued
by the German army headquarters this
afternoon says:
''To the west of Rheims fishery,
although flying the Red Cross flag,
has been bombarded and set On fire
by our troops as we had ascertained
by means Of photographs taken by our
aviators that behind the fishery was
hidden a French heavy battery.
French attacks in the district around
soualn and on the villages Of Var
ennes and Vouquers, in the eastern
part of the forest Of Argonne, were
repuIsed with heavy losses 10 the en-
emy
I'm the forest of Argonne itself,
groud was gained in seevral places.
On this occasion we took number
of prisoners.
The French suffered heavy losses
in the battle reported yesterday. to
the north of Nancy. Our losses were
comparatively small.
NO new reports are at hand from
east Prussia.
In northern Poland our troops are
in close touch with the Russians, who
have come to a standstill in strongly
fortified position East Of the Warta
the fighting for Lowicz continues.
In southern Poland Austro-Hungar-
ian troops, fighting side by side with
our troops, have successfully renewed
the attack
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
Navy not Adequate

Washington, Dec y.-'Rear Admiral
Fletcher, commander OF the Atlantic
fleet, impressively told the house naval
committee today that the United
States navy is unprepared to cope with
the most powerful navy in the world.
He mentioned no country. You can
safely say" he testified, ethat we are
not prepared for the worst emergency
that might arise to protect ourselves
from the greatest force available.
"We would have to greatly enlarge
our fleet to protect American interests
against all possible combinations
against us, or to control the ocean. We
would have to take the offensive when
we have a strong enough fleet.
Army is improving
Hearings on the army Appropriation
bill were ended today by the house
military committee with a discussion
Of the nations preparedness for war
by Brigadier General Hugh L. Scott.
chief Of staff. General Scott told the
committee the condition of the nation
al defense is instantly improving,
and discussed at length the question
of ammunition supplies. Chairman
Hay declared supplies on hand were
rapidly approximating the necessary
reserve
Representative Greene Of Vernon
quoted from the report Of the forme
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
Miners INDEPENDENT

Denver, Dec. 9 Does your co
pany develop species OF feud
ism2" asked Commissioner Carrots
Of the federal commission on ind
trial relations, Of Z. nj. Weitzel, n.
ager Of the fuel department Of
Colorado Fuel and Iron company. VI
the latter resumed his testimony
the strike investigation today.
Doesn't it supply its own brand
religion, its selection Of literature
kind Of education and school tel
ersgs
That would be true Il che con
tons were as You state them. ob3e
ed Weitzel, but the miners can !
what other literature they va
through the postoffice. They get I'd
OF it,
Get their religion, politics, lite
ture by parcel post2v suggested Gi
retson. You have suggested that
peace from industrial unrest in u
Colorado district is like the peace
Cod passes all understanding; id
it not smack Of the cemetery?
mo; l didn't say there was no
rest, protested Weitzcl mo man
satisfied | am not satisfied; neitf
are you"
The witness testified that salo
building at Primero cost $4,000 a
rented for 81 500 year. 4 have
power to close that saloon" he 50
but think ! shall have
Accidents at the company's min
he said, were considerably below
average for the state and for
United States. The geIogical fori
tion was responsible for the ex
hazardous nature of mining in o.
orado.
One unionized mine operated Oh
state coal land, he said. had only pn'
shaft. 100 feet deep. by which pc
were sent down. Wooden trap dcor
were being used, he said, and no q
tempt had been made to obey h0
laws. He cited the case Of one I'M So
lied mine which he declared killed y
per cent Of its men in 1918. "Thesl
are the mines that increase the fie
ures for Colorado" he added
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
70 RECOVER CHARTER

Versailles, Ky. Dec. d The
lucky state Farmers union. ~
charter was suspended By Presi
G. s. Barrett Of the Farmers q
of America, met here today for
anization. New officers we're
en- and many new members were
ed. and It is expected the eharfai
be recovered.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
NO BALLET SHOES

Copenhagen. Dec. 9. Girls Of
Royal Danish ballet are placed 4
serious dilemma. They cannot
ballet shoes from Paris.
The ballet shoes manu- fured /
are SO heavy that the girls can
dance with them IN the coadltl
do not improve. the ballet MISTER
be compelled to arrange balIslz !
naked footdances-
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09

1t was announced officially here to-
day that the German cruisers schan-
horst, Gneisenau and Leipzig had
been sunk off the Falkland islands in
the south Atlantic.
The following announcement was is
sued by the official information bu-
reau: At 7:57 p. m. on the eighth Of
December the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau,
Nurnberg, Leipzig and Dresden were
sighted near the Falkland islands by
a British squadron under Vice Admiral
Sir Frederick sturde.
"An action followed, in the course
Of which the Scharnhorst, flying the
flag Of Admiral Count Won Spec, the
Gneisenau and the Leipzig were sunk.
The Dresden and Nurnbers made off
during the action and are being pur-
sued.
1.-TWO eoIiers also were captured.
The vice admiral reports that the
British casualties are few in number.
"some survivors have been rescued
from the Gneisenau and Leipzig"
The scharnhorst, eneIsenau and
Leipzig, with the cruisers Nurnberg
and Dresden, composed the German
Pacific fleet, which in the engagement
with the British squadron Of Rear Ad.
miraI Sir Christopher craddock off the
coast of Chile on November |, sank
the British cruisers Monmouth and
Goodhope with the loss Of about 1,5oo
men. Since that time British and Jap
anese squadrons have been searching
for the German fleet, of which little
has been heard.
Recent reports from Montevideo,
Urucuay, were to the effect that the
German fleet was believed to have
rounded the cape and entered the
South Atlantic, but there has been no
authentic information Of the where
abouts Of these vessels since the bat
tie with the British squadron. The
scharnhorst and Gneisenau were
the largest ships of the German Pa
cIfIc fleet. They were sister ships OF
1880 tons displacement, $50 feet on
the waterIIne, and were rated at .
mean speed of 22Ls knots. Each car
ried complement Of 755 men and
was armed with eight s.2-inch guns,
six s-ineh guns, 20 24-pCunders, four
machine guns and four torpedo tubes
The Leipzig had displacement Ot
$3.50 tons and carried 2s6 men. she
was 341 feet long on the waterline
had beam Of Al feet and was rated
at % knots. Hcs largest guns, Of
whic;, she carried ten, were 4.1-lnch
guns, four machine guns and two tor
pedo tubes.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09

tcontiinued on Page Isive.)
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09

l''ont'naea on page FiFe
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
NEW llcENsEa WANYE

Santa re Dec 8 Already Is
plieations fer 1915 automobile Ace
have arrived aE the office q Sci be
of State Antonio FHee
Numbers Are tizn 81
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09

London, Dec. s.-The center Of the
German line IN Russian Poland hay
ing occupied LODI. 1t is continuing
to push on to the westward after the
retiring Russians. according to off
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
THREE GERMAN
CRUISERS sunk

London, Dec. s.-Emperor William
is suffering from pneumonia, which is
combined With nervous depression due
10 overexertion, according to teIe-
grams from Berlin forwarded by the
Amsterdam correspondent Of the Ex-
change Telegraph company. The mes
sage adds that the German emperors
doctors have advised him not to re-
turn to the front.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-09
COLORADO COAL STRIKE ENDS
While inquiry BY FEDERAL
COMMISSION IS IN Session
Coal Mining Companies Announce The,
Will Employ Former Workmen
TROOPSSTILLNEEDEO

Denver, Colo, Dec -Strikebrealc
ers now working in the Colorado coal
mines will be given an opportunity to
join the United Mine Workers OF
America, now that the strike has been
called off, according to MIR. Lawson,
Colorado member Of the executive
board Of the organization. Mr.. Law
son sail today that many Of the min
ers brought into the state by the oper-
ators had been for some time anxious
to join the strike, but that the organi-
zation had not thought 1t wise 10 en-
courage them to quit their JOBS.
@The calling OFF OF the strike Ieaves
us in a position to demand the en-
forcement Of the statute, permitting
miners to belong to the union" said
Lawson. We are in an infinitely
stronger position that we were ten
years ago. Then the miners refused
to call off the strike, and the men
who had to go back to work to support |
their families either left the state or
gave up their union membership"
A convention Of District Is, United |
Mine Workers, late last night voted |
to call the strike Off, effective Decem-
her 1e. The tent colonies will be con-
tinued for the present according to
eThe tents belong to the union,v he
but they are the only |
homes the men have, and they will |
be loaned to them until they are able |
to secure work. The strikers were
paid their benefits last Saturday and |
they will be paid next Saturday. In
fact, those who are unable to secure
work will be supported indefinitely
by the union. OF course, we will not |
continue to pay the strike benefits to
men who may refuse TO try TO get EN-
ployment. Ii is not true that the
amount Of the weekly benefit has been I
reduced
Welbcrn Issues Statement
]. F. Welborn, president Of the col /
orado Fuel and Iron company, ISSUED |
a formal statement on the termination
Of the strike, It follows:
"The calling off OF the strike, now
almost i months old, is naturally q
cause for general satisfaction. It
must. however. be borne in mind that:
sFirst-The general trade conditions
make It impossible for the mining com
panies to give immediate or early en-
ployment to all Of the strikers who
have not been connected with airy
though we win re-employ
such men as fast as vacancies occur
or improved trade conditions make It
possible
"secbnd THE lawless element
which is by no means small, has been |
taught to not only disregard the rights
Of the men at work and the property
Of the owners, but to DEFY the law
Third lawless element is
either fully armed ar has arms hidden
away IA convenient places.
@F'ourth--The lawless and mlsguid
ed alike viii not relish the idea Of
having their relief. small though it
has been, cut off in midwinter
~Fifth-The tent colonies remain at
the strategic points and are occupied
by the lawless so-called strikers. whose
resentment toward the men at work
will be even keener after being for
gHontlnaed on page Fire
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25

consolidation was in the minds Of the
officials in Washington. as the plan OF
concentrating districts and eliminating
all those possible has been followed
some time in other parts of the eoun-
try. Vermont was formerly one dis
trict, but when the late Senator Red
field Proctor was in the heydav Of his
power Olin Merrill who had been
chairman Of the state Republican com
mittee in the campaign in which the
record breaking majority was rolled mp.
and IOphar Mansur of Island Pond, =
Civil war veteran who had served in
the legislature and as lieutenant gov
ernor, were candidates for the same
office, Senator Proctor and his col
leagues, in a spirit of harmonizing all
interests, succeeded in having Vermont
divided into two customs districts, and
Merrill was made collector AT Burling
ton and Mansur at Newport. At that
these Offices yielded large revenue in
the way OF fees, and the holders could
garner $4,000 to $4,000, or perhaps
more, each year. Merrill and Mansur
waxpd fat financially for eight wears,
then they were asked to take their feet
out of the trough, and Charles H. Oar
| ling of Bennington was appointed TO
the berth at Burlington and Curtis
| Emery to the one at Newport. Darling
was not supported by politicians, but
had been in Washington as assistant
secretary OF the navy and Theodore
Roosevelt, then president, realizing
| that Darling needed money, gave him
the softest snap open to amy Vermont
! er Since then the fees which made
the offices lucrative have been climl
mated. and recently each collector ha-
been on something like $4,000 pei
annum basis. Another importan,
change is in making St Adams the de
partment headquarters instead of Bur
! lington. St Adams Is much nearer III,
border than the Queen City, and is on
the main line of the Central Vermont
railroad, but there is already n costly
customs house at Burlington, and thi,
naturally will be abandoned. If, how
Fever. the work can be conducted more
efficiently from St. Adams than from
Burlington, it is only sensible 10 make
the change, regardless of the office
Eequipment now existing.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
Something to Keep Quiet.


The Eeformer along with other state
papers has ioked about the tluttering
hearts among The supreme and superior
Judges of the state as result of the
governor $ apparent intention to
change the personnel OF the bench. but
when one gives serious consideration
to the situation the question arises
whether it is NOT Il reflection on the
dignity of the judiciary Of Vermont tt
have offers of judgcshir appointments
given the publicity they have received.
-l5rattleboIo Rcfolmcr.-
We quite agree with The Rctormer
that it would be better Tor the dignity
and the capacity for service of tine high
er courts in Vermont if the appoint
ing power and the citizens offered
judicial positions should keep the of
fers sub rosa - unless the offers are
accepted. 1t might serve to heighten
the prestige of some men TO have it
known that they had refused to accept
positions in the Vermont Judiciary
system, but it is more damaging 10
the prestige of the Vermont judiciary
to have it banded about that such and
such Il person did not think it worth
while to AXE appointments or that he
did not consider the honor sufficient to
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
Saws Wood with Automobile.

g 7. q. Browrell Of North Pownal has
ingeniously conceived method Of hay
ing his automobile to the saving OF his
cord wood, to the great admiration and
Wonderment Of his neighbors.
Mr., BrowneH, with rare ingenuity,
lacked up the rear of his automobile
and removed one of the rear tires. He
attached a belt to the wheel and then
ran the belt to circular saw. When he
started the motor of the automobile. the
saw revolved with great rapidity. He
then sawed three cords of wood in four
hours which he declared beats saving it
by hand to a fraZze. His neighbOrs
who gathered around to witness the
performance, agreed with him to man.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
WEST BRATTLEBORO

Leland Convey has been out Of school
all the week on account Of illness, but
he IS now able to sit up a little.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hoyt H. Barber and
children will spend Thanksgiving with
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Clark, in
Halifax.
John and Elliot Bigelow of Mount
Hermon school will spend the holiday
with Mr.. and Mrs. l.. II. Steilman. Mr..
and Mrs. Fred Brown and daughter
Miss Mande, also will be guests there.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. A. Knight win have
a large Thanksgiving party of relatives
AT their home. Mr.. and Mrs Warren
l.. Walker also will entertain relatives
at dinner that day.
Mr.. and Mrs Edwin Whitney Of
Springfield, Mass. will be Thanksgiv-
ing visitors in the home of her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. David Weld. They will
remain through the week.
Harold Chase, who is taking special
course ut Dartmouth college, will 90
to st. johnshury, where his family for
merry lived, before coming to West
Bfattleboro to spend Thanksgiving with
friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Squres went
to Worcester today to stay Il few days
with their daughter. Mrs. Johnson
Hayden Squires OF Norwich university
will join them in Worcester, returning
10 college Monday.
Miss McCabe, graduate nurse of
the Farren hospital at Montague. is
assisting in the Meirose hospital tenn
porarilN. Emilio Pillegrino OF Fort
Drummer Heights was admitted to the
hospital Yesterday with Il fractured
shoulder. DIR. Lynch reduced the frac-
turp.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
VERMONT LOSES MoRGANs.
Stud to Be Transferred From Evarts
Stock Farm to New York.

WINDSOR. Nov. % William r.
Watkins, superintendent of the Windsor
stud of Morgan horses, on the Maxwell
ENarts property. has received instruc-
lions Ia arrange for the removal Of the
entire stud to C0rnwall-On-the-H Hudson.
\. Y, by the first Of December
The Windsor Morgans are owned.
some jointly, by G. Stillman and J. r.
Steers Of New York city and Mr. Still
man has It considerable property ut
Cornwall on 1he Hudson.
Along with the horses. convevance@
harness and other appurtcnances VIII
90 some 40 tons of hay and 1000 bush
els of oats the Windsor stud having
made preparations to continue here dur
ing he winter.
Among the famous and valuable
horses are Donald and Duke who have
ired many colts hcreabouts. Kitty Dean
Bonnie Jean, aud Bessie Baker. the
we'll known. Pcdigreed mares. and Don
eliot. the star stallion colt.
The Windsor stud of Morgan horses
has been here about two years and had
come to he commonly regarded as 4
permanent Windsor institution
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
A Grand Old Man.
{ Rutland News.

The observance Of one OF .Ncr-
mont 5 grand old men, John w. Stew
art OF Middlebury, of his 89th birth
day. Is an event noteworthy. The
Nestor of the state 5 considerable list
Of former governors and for Il period
United States senator, Mr.. Stewart may
look back today, in unusual vigor for
a. man who is OF such great age. on Il
life that has been devoted to works Of
usefulness for his state and his com
munity. The people OF Vermont viii
extend congratulations re- Middlehmy 5
distinguished citizen, and wish for
him good health and happiness.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25

Brattleboro, in common with practi-
caIly every other community in the
nited States, has abundant reasons
for being thankful in this year OF
grace 1914. While want, famine and
distress fiji a large part Of the world
today peace and plenty prevail in our
own country. Thanksgiving is time
for putting away doubts, fears and
worries. In the contemplation OF our
blessings cur hearts should soften and
We should rejoice that we have our
habitation in Il land 'uncursed by war
and its desolations. 1t win be Il good
time TOO to consider what We can do
toward alleviating the intense suffer,
ings of those who have had war forced
on them " for never crime. -
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
HARVARD GRADUATE KILLED.
Lieut.. George Williamson Was i'll Duke
of Wellington's Regiment.

LONDON, Nov 25.--Lieut. Geore,
Williamson Of Montreal was wounded
GA November : and died on November
l. in a Belgian hospital. He was Il son
Of the late c. J. Williamson. who's,
widow is now the wife Of Sin Thomas
Skinner, director of the Canadian
Pacific railway. the Bank Of Montreal
the Hudson : Bay company, the Com
merriul Cable company and other cor
porations.
Lieut.. Williamson was we'll known il
New York. tlr was graduated from
Harvard in 1905 and probably is tho
first Harvard man TO be killed in the
present war. lie was serving in this
Duke OF Wellington 5 regiment AT the
front
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-11-25
MILTON MAN MISSING.
Fred Tracy May Have Met with Acct
dent While Hunting.

MILTON, VT, Nov. 25.-Fred Tracy
who has worked for \ L. Rood the
past season, has been missing since
November 10, and it is feared that he
may have met. with some accident in
the woods around Georgia hill where
he was hunting deer. Parties have been
searching for him ana other deer hunt
ers- have covered the territory since
his disappearance but nothing could be
found. His clothing and some money
were left at the Rood home and as nc
reason is known for the man leaving
town it is feared he is dead or seri
ouSlv injured.