davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
HAIG CLAIMS SLIGHT GAINS.
Big Guns Active.

DIX "ahA
On the F-eneh front the Violent
artillery a-.ivity coninuCd TODAY.
with little change IN tie situation.
The firing was espee ally lcayy in
the region Of Ngisons ie Champagne.
Paris repor, II 81 ;essful raid On
the enemy trenches east GO the
Suippes and southwest OF Cerny, but
the remai1ccr Of the front vas IuieJ. Q
Undoubtedly both the British ami
Germans az tn Camrrai rcgIUn aTo
" watching -l0s y for signs OF A.. i'm
loTtant NOV On the PIT II the
enemy. Af:I Cen Eyas :nr'3l sCT-
prise attack. Vyh ch NILS fCi JwGd l.
another unexpected move Ly he Ger
mans, thee Is less chanCe OF either
side catching the other OF its gUaIT.
The Nallied anq GeTna nev.spg Pcrs
continue 10 i3TC clsL i Iuslty GCf-
man offensive in the West, and il now
appears that i'.e allies. too. Lave
made some ela5oI ate preparations on
their side II Is not beyonI prob
ability that :hc British may st9rt ar
other drive on the enemy TO
straighten out their defensive line m
the hope OF beng better pre9aI ed Tor
the Teuton efensIv7.
Germans shift Attack.
Shifting his blows from the Lower
Piave. Won Below is now attacking
the Italian lines between the Brenta
and Piave rivers. scene OF the oesper-
ate efforts to break through which
preceded the Drive in the Asiago re-
gion farther west
The Berlin oficial statement today
minimized the Importance of these
operations, but Rome declared the
Teutons strove 10 press forward all
day yesterday
Despite immense losses the enemy
failed 20 gain any Of the lSe 0, the
Montea sSlarolo and the mead Of the
Caicin0 valley.
Violent artillery .pported
minor operations is the Berlin yer-
sion Of the fighting.
Whether the struggle here is the be-
ginning OF a new drive or is a diver
sion to distract allied attention from
some other part OF the front. the
German general stan has selected for
the real attempt for break through"
has not been revealed. 1t is possible
that the Teutons themselves have not
decided this. but are feeling out the
defending line on a grand scale.
AustrIans Claim Victory.
An official Austrian statement re-
ceiyed here today reviews the recent
victory Of Field Marshal Conrad Won
| Hoetzendorf in the Meletta region.
west OF the Brenta. In four days
says the statement. $50 officers and
more than 5000 men were made pris-
| oners.
In addition. the statement continues,
1 2S3 guns. 232 machine guns. 4 quick
! firers, 81 mine-throwers and much
| other material were seized.
The appearance of this review may
indicate that Vienna considers the
operation completed. At any rate, the
| progress of winter in the mountains
will soon put a check TO the con-
tinuance of the drive there.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
RUSS-ENGLISH-
FRENCH PACT
MADE PUBLIC
Secret Negotiations Dis
posed of Future Frontiers
of Central Powers.
Special Cable to The Washington Hcrali.

Special Gable to The Washington Hcrah.
London, Dec, 1.-THE complete
texts Of the secret negotiations of
1915 between Russia on the one hand
and France and Great Britain on the
other relative to ConstantInopie, Per-
sia, the future frontiers Of the cen
trail powers. and othe- international
questions recently revealed by the
Boishevih government at Petrograd.
were made public here today.
In the form of three confidential
kilograms from M. Sazonof, then
Russian foreign minister, to the Rus
sian ambassadors in Paris and Lon
don, they reveal that early in 1915
the British and French governments
agreed to the annexation by Russia
of the Dardanelles and Constantine
pie. with the protection of British
economic and political interests, in
return for which Russia was to as
'sist in the British campaign on CALI
poll.
Russian Agreement.
The Holy Noslem places, It was
proposed should be made independent
of Turkish rule. a neutral zone OF
Persia was to be created in the Brit
ish sphere of influence, and other
Persian districts and parts of North
ern Afghanistan were to be secured
for Russia.
The documents Also reveal a Rus
sian agreement to allow France and
Great Britain complete freedom in
drawing up the Western frontiers oi
Germany and Austria after the war
and called for the exclusion of the
Polish question from international
discussion. Exchange Of views amonf
Russia, Britain. and Japan in reSarC
to forcing Germany out of Chinese
markets was likewise proposed.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

should be noted that the American
transports arrive without cannon.
About 2.50o.000 tons are necessary to
transport 10000 or 10000 men.
The journey from the United States
to Europe and back to American takes
from four to five weeks. Therefore,
1900 or $1,000 tons of shipping would
have to be employed during the latter
part of the winter and the summer
to transport an army OF 10000 or 40O.
900 men across the Atlantic Ocean up
to the latter part Of the summer, 1918
Faith in U-Boats.
America is not capable of such
an achievement. The greater part
of the american merchant marine is
employed to supply the entente, and
America uses the remainder of her
Shipping to satisfy her own econoruc
needs. Also. it must be considered
tina. the tonnage of the whole world
is decreasing, thanks to our U-boat
war. The seized German vessels are
being used in favor of the entente
"Then IL the above estimate be
incorrect. there arises the question:
How will tnG world war be influ-
enced IN case 10000 or 5OO,OO Amert-
cans are sent to Europe? In this
connection the fact must not be
lost sight Of that the divisions are
not yet trained. do not even equal
the English territorial divisions, the
greater part of which failed, They
CONTINUED ON PAGE SINI.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

Working with Trust.
Claus II. Spreckels, president Of the
Sugar Refining Company. charged
bluntly that the Food Administra-
ton was working hand-in-glove with
the sugar trust in handling the sugar
problem.
The charge was but one Of many
sensational utterances made by the
witness on the stand.
Mr.. Hoover let 1t be known that
he will not reply to Mr.. Spreckels
unless he is summoned to testify.
Senator Reed last night announced
that he had telegraphed Governor
James F. Cox. of Ohio, inviting him
to Washington to aid in the coal probe.
1t is hoped he can reach the city
for Mondays session. Senator Reed s
committee plans to use the Gar
field-Cox coal feud as a wedge with
which to open up the entire ques-
ton of coal shortage.
His Special Targets.
Hoover and George NJ. Rolph, head
of the sugar division of the, Food
Administration, but formerly Of the
California-Hawaii Sugar Refining
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

and the private sit at the same table
and sip their wine together; 1 saw
them. The rlan of campaign is dis
cl.ssed; the sergeant, the corporal.
ana the private know the objective
of a certain movement timed for tc-
morrow, jTst as well as the colonel.
The understanding is mutual. The
officer knoUI his men from close per-
sonal contact. not at the arms
length. He knows the weak man
and can strengthen him; he knows
the strong and can keep him strong.
This is practicing the very basic
idea of true democracy. This is
why the private and the corporal
stand beside their colonel and each
treasures every inch the soldier; this
is why the soldier Of France is the
glory Of its soil.
THE old argument that personal
equality and daily association is. de-
structive of discipline and therefore
leads to inefficiency, belongs to a
past fallacy. for the world has not
yet said the French is not an eff
cient army-not since the battle of
the Marne; not since the world knows
the stories of Verdun.
The Only Remnant.
I'm my judgment a primary defect
in our military establishment today
is the presence Of that social chasm
between the commissioned officer in
the one hand and the noncommis-
stoned office, and private in the other.
1t must be filled; it must be bridged.
1t is the only remnant of an other
wise destroyed social caste it is un-
American to the core. One Ameri-
can is an good as another., especially
when he is fighting for the liberty
and freedom Of the world. In Europe
ooSTrsuyp on os paeE NINE.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
FACE
SERIOUSLACK
OF MAN POWER
War Depletes Ranks Of
Farmers, Reducing Crop
Production.
BY ARTHUR :. DRAPER.
Special Cable to Washington HeroId
and New York Tribune.

London, Dec. l4.-This will be
known in British history as one OF
the black week OF the war. The
real test 81 English nerves has be-
gun; the country will now be called
upon to show its courage and deter
mination and ability to stand up un-
der disappointment and Punishment
The Cambria reversal has brought
q feeling of suspicion. Through eom-
pared with the collapse of Russia
and the consequent release Of great
German army, Cambria is only an
incident, it bulks large in the people s
mind.
Lloyd Georges Task.
Lloyd Georges s task at present is To
remove tht doubts nf he PEOPLE,
solidify the counu inspire con-
I fidence in his Leadership.
The British government is now
struggling with the serious problem
of man power. Bonar Law stated
| Wednesday that it would be neces-
sary to increase taxation by the end
Of March il the war was still go
| ing on then. which means that fur-
| ther taxation will surely be intro
duced in the spring.
Unquestionably Britons would bt
willing to give up half their incomes
! if the government declared that was
| necessary to win the war. but a mere
/ increase in taxes will not solve tht
! problem.
| The army heads now want mor'
men, and they will need them befor'
spring. If the government calls W
men Of - it will mean the loss OF
| considerable sum now being paid IL
taxes by men over Al.
The government has announced
great shipbuilding campaign requlr
ing men to construct yards. When
are these men going to be found un
/ less they are taken from their presen
jobs, thereby retarding the output
yards now launching ships?
The scheme for increasing Eng
lands agricultural products has beei
only partly successful because OF tn
lack of labor. In ireland. where ther
is no conscription. some 10000 add
tional acres have been turned, but Ii
England, due to the great shortag
Of labor. the amount Of new ullage i
only about half that.
| Frsm ships to food is a naturs
step. The premier has listened I
complaints of labor representative
concerning food cliques and has de
clared that some scheme must be de
vised Immediately to remedy cond
tions. Already there are complaint
among the poor that the wealthy ar
enjoying food privileges denied I
them.
The question of man power involve
finance, ships, food and doze
other factors bearing directly on tn
morale Of the nation. Until it is sci
tied England must face dark days.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

Personnel of Council
The council is to consist of the
ministers of marine and the chiefs
of the naval staffs of the nations
represented and will meet as often
as necessary, under the presidency
of the minister of marine of the
country in which the meeting is
held
The admiralties of the respective
countries will supply the council
with the technical data.
Mr.. Daniels, holding a position
corresponding to minister of ma
rine in other countries, will be the
American member of the council
1t is thought probable that most
Of the meetings will be held in Eu-
rope. He probably will designate
Admiral Benson or some other ma
val officer to represt him.
Conference at Paris.
A conference was held at the
French ministry or marine, presided
over by Leygues, French minister
of marine, the following delegates be-
ing present:
For FranCe-Jule Gels, under secre-
tary of state Of marine; Vice Admiral
DeBon, chief of general staff Of the
French navy.
For Great Britain-Sir Eric Geddes,
first lord of, the admiralty. and Ad-
miral Sir John Jellicoe, first sea lord.
For the United States-Admiral
Benson. director of the Bureau of
Opera tions; Vice Adminar Sims, COM
manding the American naval forces
in European waters.
For ItaIy-Vice Admiral Cusani
Visconti, under secretary of state,
major general
For Japan-Real Admiral Funako-
shi
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
NOT A SINGLE JAG
GARNERED BY COPS
Drunkless Day in Dry Town Makes
New Police Record.

"Drunkless' day ended at o'clock
yesterday morning.
For the first time in the history
of Washington no arrests were made
for drunkenness.
On November 5. this record was
almost equaled when no cases of
drunkenness were brought before
desk sergeants in any of the pre-
cincts before II o'clock.
Maj. Pullman declared last night
that strict watchfulness is being ex-
e-cised by his force for drunks.
Although there were no cases of
drunkenness yesterday, three were ar
rested for selling liquor.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
British Pay Tribute
To u. S. Engineers

London, Dec. 14-London newspa-
pers today printed photographs of
Sergt. Mcdonnell and Pvt. MacDon-
aid, American pioneers who were cap
tured. at Cambria by. the Germans
and who escaped and rejoiped their
unit later.
A picture was also printed show
ing Sergts. McIsaacs and CNrola,
who brought wounded officer through
the barrage. d.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
kials Deny Woman
Spy Shot by Soldiers

tent repetition of a story that
bn spy had been executed in
hited States has caused the
Department to send an official
to American consuls and lega-
in the European neutral coun-
The story originated in Ger
and its widespread use is re-
ftroeo as another case of propa-
sanda- The name Of the woman was
sven as anna Huitsms. Originally
40 sttention would have, been paid to
: 10y - 80 paapaoly faise. but in this
Eiyen to It in neutral coSntrase ave Desn
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

These figures show that while the
number of unoccupied houses remain
ed stationary for more than two
years. between the first enumeration
and the second, it declined more than
So per cent in the five months from
June to November in this year; and
it is probable that many of the
2,CSS houses shown by the last emu
meration have since been taken up.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
FLANDERS MAY
DRAW HUN FIRE
Massing Of Men and Guns
at Cambria May
Be Blind.

London. Dec. A-Why are the Ge~
man guns laying on of Flanders?
That is the only front that has not
vet been subjected to concentrated
bombardment since HindenburE b.
gan the massnS Of his T1aNimuih
strength in men and guns in the
West He started at Cambria, fol-
lowed It up with infantry assaults,
then switched to the French front.
Verdun, Alsace, the Rheims sector.
the Lines north Of the AiSnc, ard in
the ArEoune-all have been in for
terrific" drumming, and today his
heaviest pieces poun1c3 the Cham
payne front.
Often, in previous offcnsives. when
one sector has been spared by the
preliminary bombardm ents, it turned
out to be the spot where the blow
was struck, great advantage lying in
the surprise element and in the oppo-
nents having drawn reserves away TO
the bombarded fronts.
May Mask Retreat.
As to the possibility that the whole
splash now being made by the Ger
mans in the West may be intended
to mask a retreat. there is nothing
yet in the news from the front that
might tend TO strengthen that theory.
Still there are some who cling to il.
Their argument is that the Germans
might well afford to get out OF the
awkward Flanders position provided
they can make peace with Russia,
and hand that achievement to the
people as a consolation for disap-
pointed and. further than that.
could point to the powerful concen-
tration in the West. coupled, with the
elimination Of Russia, as insuring
sufficient guarantee for whatever may
happen in the spring.
There are altogether 80 German
divisions in the West now, Col.
Repington, of the Times. estimates.
That means three million men. Col.
Repington believes the Germans are
compelled TO strike now and strike
hard. to forestau Americans tun sid
% the entente
II
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
Enlistment Record Broken.

All records for regular army re-
cruiting in a single day were broken
yesterday. No less than 1891 men
were accepted, with ten districts still
to be heard from. Since April l
32S,1 men have enlisted.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
GERMAN GOVERNMENT SC0FFS
AT AMERICAS PART IN WAR
Official Statement Says United States Wants
to Obtain Modern Military Training for
Army and Aid Entente "Morally"

Washington Tribune.
London Dec. 1.-THE German government spreading Of
fcal of Americas participation in the from
Berlin official telegram and appeared leading Ger
newspapers under the headline of Participation by the United
States in the War"
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
Text OF TeIeRraB.

Text OF Telegram.
The telegram says in part:
although nine months have passed
since, no part OF the American forces
has participated in the war opera
tions. 1t was intended to increase the
army by enlisting volunteers. The
success was insignificant. Therefore.
a conscription law vas passed in May
last. There are 100000 men of mill
tary age. according to the census
which was taken. but that does not
amount to an army. The establish
ment of an army was difiicult. Con-
scription in 1917 was limited to $50, 900
men; 10000 more were designated for
conscription in 1913.
I'VE have taken sufficient measures,
as far as material and men are con-
cerned, and will be equal to the new
task, which, we know, will not be an
easy one.
when will the training in the
United States have sufficiently pro-
gressed? Not before next spring will
100000 men be poorly drilled. The
second draft Of 100000 men will not be
drilled before the end of 1918. America
cannot send all her l, 100000 men. be-
cause a great part of them will be
needed as drillmasters, for coast de-
fense, in Mexico, etc.
The Tonnage Problem.
'"The transport is limited through
the lack of tonnage. Five tons arc
necessary for every man, according to
an estimate. and in this connection il
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
Swi.s Elect New President.

Berne, Dec. 14-Switzerland's Fed
eral Assembly elected Felix Caldoner
today as president and Edward Muel-
her as vice president of Switzerland.
Both are Radical Democrats.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
MRS. F. H. HANNA DEAD.

New York, Dec. l4-Mrs. Franklin
Hanna died IN q sanitarium here to-
day, She was the ws<e Of Franklin
Hanna, leading man OF the Vitagrsph
COMPANY who Is aypephew OF Marx
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
Villa Takes Jiminez.

FL Paso. Tex, Dec. 14.-Francisco
Villa has captured Jiminez, one of the
largest mining centers in Chihuahua,
according to an American arriving
here from the Mexican interior to-
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
ALLEGE PLOTS
IN WAR PROBE
Senators Say Attempts Are
Made to Defeat Pur-
pose o fInquiry.

Members of the Senate Military At
fairs Committee. which is inyestigat-
ing the ordnance shortage in the
army. declared last night that secret
efforts are being made to discredit
the probe.
Although declining to permit their
names to be used, these members in
dignantly repudiated suggestions,
which, they said, they had heard
mentioned in the corridors of the
Capitol, that the motives behind the
inquiry were partisan and insincere.
Yesterdays hearing was held be-
hind closed doors. Gen. Crozier continu-
ed on the stand under spirited cross
examina ton. 1t was stated that the
nomination of Maj. Bernard Gro
we'll, as Assistant Secretary of War,
is likely to be held up with other
war department nominations pending
the outcome of the probe.
Another decision made after the
examination yesterday was that re-
presentatives of the factory making
Lewis machine guns will be sum-
moned to testify. This is the famous
gun ASCN III
all allied armies. but which Gen.
Crozier rejected for use in the
United States army.
The testimony OF the Ordnance
Chief yesterday showed that a 5000
1916. for buying small arms and rifles
Public Barred.
II was held necessary to bar the
public from the inquiry, because much
of the testimony related to equip
ment sent to France for the Pershing
expedition. Senators said afterwards
that statements showed that thu
whole movement of equipment haC
been exerted toward this end. ant
that was one reason for a shortagt
in this country.
Secretary Baker. when asked if HI
had any statement to make to sim
plify what he said Thursday about
taking the responsible upon himself
said:
LAS I understand the testimony o.
Y Gen. CroZier he referred to the or
ganization of a board to investigate
the machine gun. / made the ordel
for the board and 1 accept full re
sponsibility. and it was perfectl!
proper for Gen. Crozier to refer to il
in his testimony"
Gen. CroZier will resume the stanC
today. One of the, questions he viii
be asked is why certain models fol
munition manufacturers were not pre-
pared although appropriations had beer
. made for them. Whether the COM
Ernittee inquiry will be open to the
pblic will not be decided until thC
eracter of the testimony has beer
eed upon.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY.

Out of few hours of testimony yesterday the special sub
committee the Senate Committee Manufacturers brought forth
testimony to nd the administration of Herbert Hoover
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
BRITISH, in BOMB RAID,
MAKE SLIGHT ADVANCE;
AWAIT HINDENBURGDRIVE
Won Below, on Italian Front, Hammers De-
Tenders of Venetian Plain; Rome Declares
Teuton Attacks Failed.

nEtonH and
London Dec 1.-The much-heraded German offensive the
West 'front.' scheduled begin this week. has apparently been de-
d another day. Todays official give indication
that Hndenburs has started his notwithstanding the stuendOus
artillery preparation of the last few days.
HAIG CLAIMS SLIGHT GAINS.
Berlin reports the Eepuse of British regain trenches
east of Bucour and the Cambria battle but makes
of the usual artillery activity this Field Marshal
Has slight British gain bombing operations of
Bulecourt
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
U. S. TO BE REPRESENTED.

the council Daniels said reached at the
Paris eaed conference attended by Admiral William s. Ben
son. chief of naval operations.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
NAVAL COUNCIL FORMED
BY ALLIES OtJTGROWTH
OF CONFERENCE ATPARE
Secretary Daniels Announces That the United
States Will Take Part in Forming De-
cisions as to Progress of War on Seas.

Creation of naied naval council direct the
tons allied fleets announced last night by Secretary of tn
Navy Daniels. .
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15
SPRECKELS SAYS HOOVER
AIDS THE SUGAR TRUST IN
HANDLING FOODPROBLEM
Senator Reed Elicits Sensational Revelations
When Coast Magnate Takes Stand in
Congressional Shortage Inquiry.

In spectacular fashion Congress has its waprobe spot
light full on the Food and Fuel administrations.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-15

CONTINUED ON PAGE SINE.
The courier-index., 1917-08-17
STANDARDIZATION AND CO., OPERATION ESSENTIAL IN
 PROFITABLE MARKETING


 Last fall, in many parts of the lower South, velvet beans in the bull were sold at $8, $10 and $l2 ton. At the same time Northern and Western corn was selling in the same section for $30 to $40 ton, despite the fact that the best feeding authori. ties agree that velvet beans have a feeding value almost equal, pound for pound, to that of corn. We knew of cotton seed last year selling at $3O ton at the gin, yet before the season was over as high as S66 was paid. Nearly every fall there are parts of the South where corn is sold at much lower prices than those prevailing in nearby sections depending on the North and West for their supplies.
 As we see it, the two measures that will do most to remedy snch bad marketing conditions are stand. ardzation and co-operation-stand ardization in production so that the trade may know what to expect from any given community; CO., operation in bringing about this stan dardization and cooperation in sell
The courier-index., 1917-08-17

a liquid diet-solid food is of no value to them.
 From May until August is a criti- cal time with most of our cultivated crops. The weather is warm and often dry, and evaporation is rapid. Under such conditions, moisture con- servation is of first importance, and in attaining this every farmer should know the value of making and main taining dust mulch.
 This mulch acts just like a blank ct in keeping the water in the soil. Any farm boy who has turned over a board or plank lying flat on the ground has found it moist and cool underneath, though possibly all around the soil may have been parch. ed and dry. The farmer who main tains by means of an earth or dust