davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Wilson Firm, Will Not Deal
With Present German Rulers
Berlin's Proposals to Bosheviki Considered "Not
Worth While; Trying to Confuse Russians and
Gain Time to Concentrate Troops Is Belief

officials note there is a reservation, al
most inseparable from German diplo-
macy, in the shape of guarantees"
which Germany requires 10 insure the
execution of all these complicated
factors Of the peace treaty. From pub
lie declarations of German statesmen
and publicists, it is understood that as
guarantees" Germany would insist on
retaining control of Belgium for an in
definite period.
The German insistence that the
pledge to restore the political inde-
pendence of countries occupied by the
Central Powers shall not apply to ma
tionalities which did not previously
enjoy independence is regarded as
aimed directly at the projected Polish
state. Even were such state created
as a result of the peace treaty, 1t would
have TO be on the lines Of the subject
kingdom, which Germany and Austris
already have created.
1t is accepted by Washington officials
that the Central Powers are prepared
TO make every effort to regain control
of Russian trade and markets, which
are threatening to pass to America IN
return for Americas substantial assist
ance in the war.
Scrupulous care was taken by the
State Department not 10 commit itself
in any comment on the peace proposal.
No official intimation OF the terms had
reached the department, and how such
suggestions might be conveyed to the
United States or Entente governments
was unknown.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Big Air Fleet
Shattered by
Italian Fire
About Half of Twenty-Five
Attacking Teuton Ma
chimes Brought Down
IBy Tho Associliei Pros

ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Dec. 27.-One Of
the heaviest air raids the enemy has at
tempted on this front came TO grief
yesterday, when nearly half Of fleet
Of twenty-five airplanes was destroyed,
with an extensive list Of killed or
wounded.
The big fleet swept over the camp
west of Treviso at o'clock yesterday
morning, flying low and discharging
machine guns. Considerable damage
was done. Notwithstanding the sur
prise the Italian and British machines
were soon in the air and engaged the
enemy at close quarters. The fighting
was most spectacular, eight Of the
enemy cars being brought down, six OF
them falling within the Italian lines.
The other machines beat a hasty re-
treat.
The raiders, however, returned at IL
o'clock, and several more were disposed
Of, two falling in this attack inside the
Italian lines. An observer who has Just
returned says that the scene Of the
conflict is covered with wreckage Of the
enemy aircraft.
One of the machines brought down
was an air dreadnought, carrying three
persons; the others carried two. All
of these men were killed, wounded OF
captured.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Expects Germans to
Bomb New York City
Airman From Britain Says
Teuton Have Machines to
Make Good Their Threat

Lieutenant Edward j. Roberts. an
American member of the British Royal
Flying Corps, told the Aeronautical So
ciety of America last night that Ger
many would make good her threat TO
lombard New York from the air.
"The Hun has said that he'll come
over and bomb New York. He'll do II"
the aviator said. "He has the machine.
ENGLAND at this moment has one that
will fy continuously for thirty-eight
hours. and the Atlantic can be crossed
in thirty"
"More London people are injured by
the rushes to take shelter in the tube
stations and by their own shrapnel
than by German bombs" he said.
when / came back TO the United
States a short time ago, invalided out
of the service, ] went straight 70 wash
ington and put myself ut the govern
ment's disposal. For thirty-seven
months now | have been flying, teach
ing, bombing, cunning, observing under
actual war conditions. But Uncle sam
doesn't seem to want me nor my eX-
perience. was told | could have
captains commission in the American
army if waited couple Of weeks.
have waited six weeks, and heard moth
ing.
any inquiries at Washington failed
TO put me in touch with what was being
done. | haven't been able 10 find out
thing except that we're making the
Liberty motor ] know we're wofully
behind in propeller design. When
asked what was being done about pro-
pellers a captain told me, '0h, thatll
come I'm afraid they're going TO
make mess of il down there BY not
taking advantage Of the experience of
our Allies"
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
McAdoo Will Be
Supreme as Head
OF the Railroads
What u. S. Railroad
Operation Will Mean

The end of competition for the
duration Of the war.
Pooling Of traffic, equipment,
trackage, terminals and all IA
cilitieS.
Judge Robert S. Lovett TO re-
main director of priority. Single
government transportation direc-
tor to supervise government ship
ments only.
No more routing by shippers.
Ali consignments to be distrib-
uted so as to produce maximum
efficiency of operation.
Operation to be conducted
through existing railroad organi-
zation. Committee of railroad
vice-presidents to continue ham
ding traffic at Pittsburgh.
Cut in salaries of high officials.
Probable increase in employees
wages. Employees to be exempt
from army draft.
Dividend payments subject to
supervision and approval of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
All excess earnings to revert to
the government.
No new financing by railroads.
Government to make all I'M
provements and furnish all new
equipment.
Cost of improvements to be ad-
iusted after the war.
Lines to be extended wherever
needed for more efficient prosecu-
tiOn of the war.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Right Of Separate
Nations Is Denied
Bolsheviki Give Allies
Ten Days to Reply,
Threatening Indi-
vidual Action

PETROGRAD, Dec. 26.-The Central
Powers are ready 70 make an immedi-
ate general peace without compulsory
annexations and without contributions.
This is their answer through Count
Czernin, the Austro Hungarian For
eign Minister, made on Christmas Day
at Brest-Litovsk to the Russian pro-
posals, which they are ready 70 accept
in most particulars as the basis OF
negotiations. They insist, however,
that the Central Powers cannot bind
themselves one-sidedly TO such condi-
tions without a guarantee that the AL
lies Of Russia will recognize and fulhl
these conditions.
The Russian delegates asked for
ten-day recess in the negotiations, IN
order to put the proposal before RUS
sia's allies.
Count Czernin declared that the
Central Powers believed that the basic
principles uttered by the Russian dele
gates could be the basis Of general
peace. He said they shared Russian
condemnation of continuation Of the
war for the sake Of conquest
II is necessary, the count added, TO
indicate most clearly, however, that
the Russian proposals could be real
led only in the event that all bell
ligerents obligated themselves to. ad-
here to the terms Of such a peace.
The Austro- Hungarian Foreign Min
lister declared that the Central Powers
did not intend forcibly to annex terri
tories seized during the war, nor to
deprive nations Of political indepen-
dence lost in the war
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
U.Boat Supply Ship
Reported OFF Brazil

BUEN0S AYRES, Dec. 27.-Brazilisn
papers received here to-day are filled
with accounts OF the movements of
German corsair of the Brazilian coast
a few weeks ago. The newspapers as
sert that the mysterious vessel was
identified as German and that il un-
loaded an immense cargo Of heavy
cases at Cerdueira and Armacao. Sew
eral days later the steamer returned to
Armacao with additional cargo, which
the newspaper accounts say it is be-
lieved she received from larger ship
out Of sight Of land. From Armacao
the vessel proceeded 10 Calouro, where
another portion OF the cargo was un-
loaded.
These ports are not guarded, and il
is asserted that the cargoes landed
were mysteriously smuggled away.
Later the German vessel was sighted
close to shore at San PEDRO de Aldera,
where two persons are now under ar
rest as a result Of their relations with
the crew. They are charged with be-
ing spies.
The newspapers say the steamer dis
appeared as mysteriously as she came
and that Brszilians believe she brought
supplies for d submarine base.
Argentina has been expecting a visit
from a German submarine fleet ever
since the published dispatches OF Count
Won Luxburg revealed that he had Of
hcislly recommended such an expedi-
ton to his government.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Wall Street
Rushes to Buy
Rail Shares
Government Guarantee of
Income Results in Soar
ing Prices

Wall Streets reaction to President
Wilson's proclamation announcing the
taking over of the railroads for the
period of the war, with generous guar
antees as to income, was great rise
in quotations for railroad securities
on the Stock Exchange yesterday.
Standard railway shares, which late
ly have been selling at the lowest
prices in quarter century, suddenly
took on extraordinary strength, soaring
in a spectacular manner. Cams OF 10
to u points were common. One stock
st. Paul preferrcd-jumped 17%4
points at the opening. Others bounded
up anywhere from . to 9 points.
The rise took place on the heaviest
and most excited trading witnessed on
the Stock Exchange in months, deal
ings in railroad issues amounting to
$4,000 shares out of the days total
transactions of approximately 100000
shares.
The violence Of the initial advance
made it impossible for brokers to exc
cute all the orders placed in their
stock market followers said the trading
for the fIst ten or fifteen minutes was
the widest they had seen in many
years.
The immediate cause Of so much ex-
element was stampede TO buy by
spectators WIN had been selling rail-
road stocks with much persistency in
recent weeks, in the expectation of
buying them back at lower prices, thus
making a profit.
Buying orders for thousands of
shares had been placed on the market
by traders Of this class, and prices
shot upward by leaps and bounds as
frenzied groups of brokers, gathered
about the trading posts at which vari-
Gus railroad stocks are dealt in, bid
frantically for all the offerings in
sight. Even after the first rush TO
buy had subsidized the market contin-
ued volatile, with trading at high
tension, with fluctuations of one TO
two points between sales the rule.
Setbacks of to points followed
the initial uprush of prices. Then the
market rallied again and in the case of
a number Of railroad stocks higher
prices were established. At the close
the leading railroad shares showed net
gains of 10 Il points. Industrial
stocks advanced in sympathy with the
rails, United States Steel common stock
leading, with an advance of S% points
20 S7i<.
Some of the extreme advances on the
opening upturn We're: Baltimore &
Ohio, I5k points; Union Pacific, 81;
Delaware G. Hudson, s; Norfolk &
Western, Z; Pennsylvania Railroad, 3;
St. Paul preferred. 172.; st. Paul conn
mon, 1l5s; Northern Pacific, ga; New
York Central, IN, and Great Northern
preferred, 8A.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Each Nation to Deal
With Subject Races

The question OF the su0jeetion OF
rationalities who have not political in
dependence 20 another country cannot
be solved internationally, and must be
met by each government and its peo-
ple in the manner established by the
constitution Of that government. The
protection Of the right OF minorlties
is an essential part of the right OK
peoples to self-defnition.
In the event of mutual renuncis-
ton of indemnifcation for war costs
and war damages, Count Czernin con-
tinued, each belligerent would have to
bear only the expense incurred Tor It's
subjects made prisoner and to pay Tor
damage caused in its own territory 10
property of civilian subjects Of an en-
emv country by violations Of interna'
tional law.
The creation Of special fund for
this purpose, as suggested by Russia
could be discussed only in the event
that the other belligerents join in the
peace negotiations within certain
time.
The chairman Of the Russian delega'
ton expressed qualification at German
Willingness TO make peace without an
nexations and indemnities and with the
elf.deRnition OF peoples. He de-
nurred however, at the German state
mani on self-definition as being ineom-
plete. He said the war could not end
without the reestablishment OF the yio-
lated rights OF little and oppressed ma
tionalities. and Russia would insist on
guarantees that their lawful rights
would be protected in a general peace
treaty
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Italy Attacks Monte T Tomba;
Berlin Reports Failure

LONDON, Dec. 27.-The only infan-
try action reported on the northern
Italian front to-day was an Italian at
tack on Monte Tomba, on the west bank
Of the Piave, which the Berlin state
ments reports failed completely. Else
where there was lively artillery fight
ing, though between the Brenta and
the Astico, the scene of the recent vio-
lent engagements, it abated somewhat.
The Italians, following their complete
failure to recapture from the enemy the
important positions of Monte Val Bella
and Rosso Hill, at the head of the
Frenzera Valley. apparently are making
desperate efforts TO strengthen their
defences around Valstagns, which alone
bar the way TO an enemy drive south
ward into the Venetian plains. The
next few days will be critical for the
Italian armies.
Vigorous German bloWs at Verdnn
Dayried By PetGin-Pdge 8.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
300 Socialist
Radicals Are
SeizedbyBerlin
Followers of Hugo Haase
Reported Arrested on
Xmas Eve

LONDON, Dec. 27.-More than 800
members OF the German Minority 3d.
cialist party were arrested on Christ
mas Eve by the German military au-
thorities, according TO Zurich dis
patch given out to-day by the Wireless
Press as follows:
"Following the arrest of Minority
Socialists at Cologne and Karlsruhe
recently, the German military authori-
ties made a large number of arrests on
Christmas Eve in Munich, Frankfort,
Leipsic, Magdeburg, Dusseldorf, Darn
stadt, Nuremburg, Dortmund, Cassel,
Mannheim, Mayence, Coburg, Duisburg
and Gotha.
"More than 800 Minority Socialists
and local leaders in the towns men,
toned were arrested"
No advices regarding the previous
arrests of Minority Socialists In
Cologne and Karlsruhe had been re-
ceiyed. The German Minority Social
lists comprise a strong faction in the
party which refused to follow the lead
of Philip Scheidemann and others in
their virtually unqualified support OF
the government. Their leaders in the
Reichstag, such as Hugo Haase, have
long been persistent critics OF the
gramme OF unrestricted submarine
warfare. various phases of Germany's
diplomatic policy and the continuation
of the war for smperialistic aims.
Recent advices through Washington
have indicated a pronounced growth
in the popular support Of the Minority
Socialists throughout Germany, the
membership of this wing OF the party
being represented as expanding tre-
mendously at the expense OF the
Majority Socialist branch.
The Berlin "Vorwaerts" early this
month published figures showing that
the Socialists polled 7s per cent Of the
total vote in the recent municipal elec-
tions in Leipsic, and that the Minority
Socialists polled nearly 64 per cent OF
the total Socialist vote, making them
the majority party in Leipsic.
The German working class was re-
Gently said TO be almost solidly be-
hind the Minority Socialist faction.
The majority of the Socialist dele
gates in the Reichstag were declared
az the same time TO favor the policies
of the Independents.
The Minority Socialists recently
have been bitterly criticising the gov
ernment and their comrades for de-
ceiying the Russians in the peace par
leys at Brest-Litovsk and have strong
ly urged the acceptance of the Bolshe-
yik peace terms, without change. II
was the Minority Socialist faction that
Vice Admiral Capelle accused Of TO-
menting the mutinies in the German
feet in early October.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Teuton Peace Aims as
Stated by Czernin

Count Czernin explained the position
Of the Central Powers in a statement
which he read at the second session
OF the peace conference at 10 o'clock
evening. His statement fol.
lows
"Thc delegations of the Allied
(Teutonic) Powers, acting upon the
clearly expressed will OF their gov
ernments and peoples, will conclude
as soon as possible general peace:
The delegations, in complete accord
with the repeatedly expressed view
point OF their governments, think
that the basic principles Of the Rus
sian delegation can be made the basis
of such a peace.
"The delegations of the quadruple
alliance are agreed Immediately to
conclude a general peace without
forciblc annexations ard indemni-
ties. They share the view Of the
Russian delegation, which condemns
the continuation OF the war purely
for aims OF conquest.
The statements OF the allied
(Teutonic) governments in pro-
grammes and statements have en-
phasized time and again that for
the sake Of conquest they will not
prolong the war single day. The
governments OF the allies unswerv-
ingly have followed this view all the
time. They solemnly declare their
resolve Immediately to sign terms Of
peace which will stop this war on
the above terms, equally just to
all belligerents without exception.
IL Is necessary, however. 20 indi-
cate most clearly that the proposals
OF the Russian delegation could be
realized only in case all the powers
participating in the war obligate
hsmSalyss, ,scrupulously to adhsse to
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
Text Of McAdoo' s
Formal Statement

Mr. McAdoo's formal statement fol-
lows:
This new task is Of great magni-
tude and difficulty it cannot be done
~ moment, and u cannot be done
at al unless the people Of the United
States, as well as the officers and en-
ployes Of the railroads, give 70 the
railroad director their intelligent and
patriotic support. ] earnestly seek
the cooperation and assistance of
every good citizen in this great work.
The operation Of the railroads as
thoroughly unified system is Of fun
oamental Importance 20 the success of
We war. without IL, we cannot get
'he effective use OF our resources. The
supreme test IN this war will probably
cone in the year 1918. Victory will
S,pend upon our speed and efficiency.
We can get neither speed nor efficiency
unless the railroads are equal 10 the
oemSnds Of the situation.
4, can only say al the moment that
the problem will be taken hold of vigor-
yvSiy and that plans and policies will
De announced from time to time, as
rapidly as it is possible 90 mature
ehem. Meanwhile. the business will be
eVh9ueted through the existing rail
,oad % Organizations, with all the support
Sho power Of the government asserted
oehaf Of more efficient and salts
'Aetory operation.
Inc Director General of Railroads,
sfon invitation Of the Interstate Com
;;seiee Commission, has accepted Offices
~ lhe Interstate Commerce Building.
me commission has also placed at the
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
[yy The Associ,.ed pressi

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Germany's
proposals 10 the Russian Bolshevik en-
voys through the Austro-Hungarian
Foreign Minister for basis of peace
have attracted little more than pass
ing interest here, chiefly because the
attitude of the United States govern
ment has not changed in any degree
since President Wilson solemnly told
Congress that the word of the present
rulers of Germany could not be ac-
cepted for anything worth while.
Moreover, officials here think the
very conditions imposed by the Teu-
tonic plenipotentiaries stamp their
promises of no annexations and no in
IDENTITIES as insincere.
1t has been assumed from the first
that the object of the Germans would
be TO keep the Russians talking as long
as possible, confuse the situation in
every conceivable way and thereby gain
time for further trobp movements to
France, while impressing their people
at home with the idea that the Kaiser
really wants to make peace.
An Impossible Condition
One condition, regarded as impossible
for the present, at least, is that the ad-
herence of all belligerents must be Sc
cured to the peace the Germans are try
ing TO make with Russia, before it can
become effective. This is accompanied
by demand for the return of the Ger
man colonies now in the possession Of
Russia's allies.
1t can be stated authoritatiyely that
the position of the American govern
ment has not changed in any respect
with regard 70 its determination TO
enter into no agreement with gov
ernment which does not represent the
free will of the governed people. This
would dispose of any hope the Ger
mans might have that the Russians
could induce America TO subscribe to
the peace treaty which they are now
trying to arrange. As for the German
colonies, the American government has
never recorded itself on the subject,
anu otOibt iCCtutlJ
that was subject for the peace con-
ference.
No provision is made in Count Ger
nin's terms for the return to France Of
Alsace-Lorraine, which is regarded here
as, condition that must be met as a
preliminary to any peace agreement, an
understanding declared by President
Wilson in his message to Congress. In
the light OF the extraordinary efforts
Germany has been making TO rid these
provinces of French inhabitants. it is
belieyable here that Germany may pro-
pose plebiscite OF inhabitants, relying
upon the vote of German soldiers and
the imported German population. but
such a proposal probably would be re-
jected By the United States and her CO.
belligerents.
/. String TO Belgium Promise
Apparently. Belgium Is promised
freedom BY Count Czernin IL all the
other German demands are met. But
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
German Food Cards Faxed
Kaiser Using Water-Marked
Paper to Check Fraud

AMSTERDAM, Dec. IS (by mailD.-
The various German food cards are
now being issued on a special water
marked paper, as protection against
counterfeiting. which had become
profitable business in many parts Of
the country.
The water-mark. capital "B" in an
octagonal frame, stretches over the en-
tire card, and is easily seen against
the light.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
BoIsheviki Surrender
To Chinese at Harbin
Russian Troops Disarmed and
Made Prisoners, Says
Toxic Report

TOXIC, Dec. 27.--In fight between
Chinese and Russian Maximalist troops
at Harbin, Manchuria, Wednesday
morning, the Russians surrendered and
were disarmed and made prisoner, ae-
cording 20 a report, which is consid-
cred reliable. received here from
Hsrbin.
The advices say the Chinese now
oeevpy tas s,Yrison at Harbin.
New-York tribune., 1917-12-28
British Airman
Wrecks Roulers
Bombs Blow Up Munitions
Train-Aviator Brought
Down by Air Pressure

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 27-The town OF
Rousselaere (Roulers), in Belgium, was
almost laid waste recently by the ter
rife explosion of an ammunition train
caused by bombs dropped by British
airman. according TO the frontier cor
respondent of the "Telegraaf."
The airplane itself was brought
down By the aerial pressure. Many
Germans and few Belgians, the lat
ter engaged in forced labor, were
killed