davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
Citizens of Lacrosse Urge Con-
gress to Adopt Plan.
Want Governor Capper Behind
San Juan HerO's Idea.
FAVOR $4,000 VOLUNTEERS
Executive Declares Favorable
to Such an Army.
Prominent Rush County Law
yer Wires Citizen Sentiment.

Ninety per cent of the men and wo-
men of Lacrosse, Rush county, have
signed petitions urging congress to
permit Col. Theodore Roosevelt to lead
troops to the front in the war with
Germany. A telegram received by
Governor Capper today from Frank
U. Russell, prominent Lacrosse law
yer, stated that sentiment favorable to
Colonel Roosevelt's plan was practical
" unanimous in Rush county.
In his telegram to Governor Capper,
Russell urged that the state executive
lend his aid in support of the Roose-
Welt program for organization of his
$4,000 volunteers.
No action has been taken by the
governor, altho he declared he was ia
Vorable to Colonel Roosevelt's plan.
Il have not wired any of the mem
bers of the Kansas delegation relative
to the Roosevelt plan to lead American
troops to the front in France" said
Governor Capper "altho 1 am favor
ably impressed with the proposition"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
RUSS ARMY LOYAL
Soldiers Who Deserted in Re-
volt Return Voluntarily.
Russia Wants Peace Only on
Pres. Wilson's Terms.

Petrograd, via London, April IS
Minister of Justice Kerensky gave to
representative of the Associated
Press today, a clear presentation of
the present status of political and
economic affairs in the country and
with the aid of concrete facts, contra
dicted the assertions and rumors of
alarming disorganiZation in the army
and factories generally circulated and
credited in Petrograd in the last few
weeks. The minister declared that
not only is the army better prepared
and more willing to fight than before
the revolution, but that the factories
are putting out more ammunition than
at any previous stage of the war. He
said:
1T is necessary to sweep aside the
vast collection of rumors and criti-
cisms of the government contained in
part of the Petrograd press. I frank
ly cannot understand this because
such state of affairs does not exist.
Come Back to Fight Germany.
''Most of the weaknesses attributed
to the present government are the
accumulated deficiencies of the old
regime, which were StudiouSly con-
cealed. In the new era these faults
are frankly acknowledged, but they
are the fruit of the inefficiency of the
past. You hear stories of the ire
mendous number of deserters from
the front as if desertion was a new
and unheard of crime in Russia. Yet
before the revolution more than one
million cases of deSertion were re-
ported every year.
Compare that with the present
facts. Just after the revolution a
number of soldiers did leave their
positions and returned home, but de-
sertion has now ceased and kilograms
have been received from all points in
Russia that large bodies of deserters
are asking permission to return to the
front and protect the country against
the possibility of a German advance.
Gaps in the ranks were long ago
filled with returning soldiers who
went back not because they were COM
PEELED to, but because the spirit Iii
recting the revolution was desire to
save the country. The army is now
actually stronger than ever and is
moved by new mpulses-enthusias
and a desire to fight"
Turn Out More Munitions.
Minister Kerensky then turned to
consideration of conditions in the
factories. He said that despite all
assertions to the contrary the factories
were putting out more ammunition
than before the revolution.
Under the old regime" he said,
the output diminished month by
month but it is now steadily increas-
ing. The spirit among the working
men is excellent. They are represent
this body is in complete harmony
with the government. There can be
no talk of divided power"
Regarding peace, the minister said:
Russia wants peace, but peace on
the terms proposed by President Will
son. The revolution and entrance of
the United States in the war have
somewhat changed the objects for
which we are fighting. We want
peace restored without annexation or
the allies to determine how this can
be attained -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
ENJOYS TO WEST?
Capper Urges JOffre and Viviani
to Visit Kansas City.
Wants Them to Tell People
How to Aid Our Allies.

The big middle west may hear the
message of the allies first hand. Eff
forts are being made today to arrange
for at least one big central meeting for
the French war ENJOYS now in Wash
ington. In an effort to land a meet
ing as near Topeka and Kansas as pos
sibIe, Governor Capper today sent tele-
grams to Gen Joseph Jacques Cesaire
Joffre, field marshal of France, and
Vice Premier ViViani, urging them to
speak before the Knife and Fork club
in Kansas City.
Should General Joffre and Vice Pre-
mier Viviani make an extended west
ern trip, it is quite probable that Kan
sas City will be included in the itin-
erary and a number of Kansans will
doubtless hear their message. Plans
announced from Washington call for
a visit by the French ENJOYS to several
central western cities and an invita-
ton has been extended by the Kansas
City dinner club.
In kilograms to General Joffre and
Vice Premier Viviani, Governor Cap
per said:
ION behalf of the people of Kansas
it affords me great pleasure to extend
to you and your party a most cordial
invitation to visit Kansas City and de-
liver an address before the Knife and
Fork club on conditions in Europe and
how our section of the country can
best serve our allies"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
Renewed British Thrust Turns
Last German Barrier.
Haig Opens Third Successive
Arras Drive Today.
CAPTURE OPPY AND ARLEUx
Desperate German Attacks at
Both Points Fail.
Steady Stream TeutOn Prison.
ers on Way to Rear.

With the British Armies Afield;
April 2S-British troops have turned
the German "Wotan line.
Half of the village Of Oppy-oe-
Iieved to be the northernmost town OF
this German defense front-was capr
tured today in desperately hot fight
ing.
Arleux a trifle further to the north.
also fell to the tremendous British as
sault
Information from other sections of
the British front reaching the spot
from which this dispatch is written
detailed fighting on a tremendous scale
of intensity.
Hang on to New Gains.
Around Oppy and Arleux it was still
progressing after a night of never
ceasing clash. The armies on both
sides swayed back and forth in the
struggle. But the latest report today
showed the British still in possession
of half of Oppy and all of Arleux-and
beating back desperate German coun-
ter-attacks.
Around Gavrelle, Haig's offensive
was still gaining ground. A steady
stream of prisoners from this bloody
angle were being shifted back of the
lines.
To the south, as part of his gigantic
push, Haig's troops were thrown to-
ward Greenland hill. They struck
hard and fast at massed German
forces-and swarmed over into a Ger
man trench running south of the
Scarpe.
Scene Runs With Blood.
There they stuck fast. despite tre-
mendous blows launched by the Ger
mans. Not even literal melting away
of the German attackers in the face
of murderous machine gun fire and
the steel curtain of British artillery
STONED the desperate enemy counter
thrusts. The German losses are stag
gering in these attacks.
At the present moment the most
bitter fighting, however, was appar-
emily in progress in the woods to the
west of RoeuX-just above the Scarpe.
There the forest was literally being
melted down by artillery fire and the
moss-stained red with rivulets of blood
as the Germans madly attacked, were
locked in bitter conflict; then thrown
back-only to reform and attack
again. Meanwhile the British inched
further and further forward.
French Advancing Too.
General Haig already had pushed a
deep wedge into the German line three
miles north of the Scarpe at Gavrelle
and was fighting today to enlarge this
opening.
Every yard he gains there is MAX
ing the German front between that
point and Lens more difficult to hold.
A considerable part of the force of
the present heavy attack seems to be
aimed at this part of the line.
While the British apparently are
thus giving the Germans more than
they can successfully cope with in the
northern sector of the great battle
field, the French are keeping up a
heavy artillery fire south from St.
Quentin all around the curve in the
line into the Champagne.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
Elihu Root to Tackle Intricate
Job of Diplomacy.
Gigantic German Propaganda
Must Be Overcome.
FREE IRISH, NEEDED STEP
Wilson Urges 1t as World
Democracy Move.
Two Factions i'm Russia; Duma
Wants to Stick.

Washington, April 2S.-Help for
Russia and solution of the Irish ques-
ton were the two immediate herculean
problems before the world war coun-
ell of the allies here today.
There is reason TO believe British
Foreign Secretary Balfour's initial
report of the war parley, received in
London today, will declare that in
formal inquiries have made it clear
that President Wilson believes a
speedy solution of the Irish problem
will be one of the greatest steps that
could be taken to advance the fight
for universal democracy.
The American government consid-
ers Ireland a subject too delicate to
make even informal suggestions con-
corning England's attitude. 1t has
left the initiative strictly to England
Look to U. S. to Guide Russia.
The promotion of world democracy
phase of Americas attitude dovetails
with the Russian situation and plans
to meet it,
England, France and Italy are keep
ing the closest possible watch on de-
velopments in the new democracy.
And while they are doing all they
can to help it along, they look to the
United States to take the brunt of the
burden.
Ultra secret conferences between
this government and the British and
French commission heads and repre-
(Continued on Page TWoI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
"SEND US NEWSPAPERS"
REQUEST OF AMERICAN
SOLDIERS IN EUROPE

A press correspondent whose ar
ticles from the battle field of Eu-
rope appear daily in the Topeka
State Journal, has received a num-
Der of requests from American SOL
diers- fighting with the Canadian
army in France for newspapers
from back home.
For example. Capt. +. II. Burr
Of Columbus. O., writes:
THE folks at home can give
the boys a lot of pleasure by
sending them occasional pack
ages of newspapers. Whenever
an American newspaper does
happen to find its way to the de-
pots in France. it is handed
around. page by page. among the
American soldiers until it Is
worn out"
Send them to the following adj
dresses. either or all:
Americans, Thirty eighth Bat
talon, Military Post Office. France.
Americans, Princess Pats Cana
dian Light Infantry. Military Post
office. France.
Americans, Royal Canadian Ri
files. Military Post Office, France.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
WHEAT--UP, up
During Week Raised as Much
as 80 Cents a Bushel.
Corn and Oats Follow Despite
Favorable Crop Outlook.

Chicago, April 2S.-Scarcity of sup
plies as reflected by constantly adj
vancing export bids appeared to be
largely responsible for existing adj
vances during the last week in the
wheat market here. Notwithstanding
that many violent setbacks had been
witnessed quotations this morning
showed the interval had added to val
ues all the way from 1914 to 3212 a
bushel.
other commodities too were decid-
edIy higher-corn up 4 Il to cents,
oats q to AS and provisions 80 cents
to s222. After sharp declines the mar
ket rallied Monday, owing to a notable
falling off in the United States visible
supply total and was much more bull
ishly influenced on Tuesday and
Wednesday.
II Cents at One Jump.
Bu1lish sentiment on Thursday was
eclipsed by peace rumors based in
some degree on Washington advices
The reaction, however, from the peace
furry was extremely sharp and at
one time yesterday forced an almost
vertical rise of IT cents.
Corn and oats advanced with wheat
to new top record prices. But opti-
mism in regard to the crop outlook for
oats tended to check gains in the value
of that cereal. Provision quotation
largely reflected strength of grain and
hogs
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
ROUND UP YECCS
Sensational Cleanup in Chicago
Nets % Suspects.
Convict Gets Revenge 'On Pal
Who SStoIe His Wife,"

Chicago. April 2S.-Acting on a
''tip'' from a confessed safe blower,
two hundred Chicago detectives last
night staged one of the most sensa-
tionaI clean up drives in the history
of the police department Twenty
men and two women were taken in
the dragnet and more arrests were
promised today.
The raids came as a sequel to two
daring hold ups during the day. At
noon the Merchants bank was robbed,
the bandits getting away with $1,000.
while a few hours later another gang
took more than $4,000 from the
Kowalski private bank on the south
side.
More than fifty safes are believed
to have been cracked by the gang
within the past few months. Six of
those arrested last night, police assert,
pulled off, the robberies during the
day.
The tips" which put the police
wise to The gangs operations came
thru Frank Francis, Indian convict,
now being held at Cincinnati. Francis
''squeaIed' because a pal had double
crossed him and stolen his wife.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
May Be Demanded to Provide
Relief, Capper Asserts.
Action Not Necessary, However,
Before Next August.
ALL DEPENDS ON THIS SUMMER
Good Corn Yield Would Solve
Serious Problem.
State in Good Shape to Work
Out Military Registration.

Conditions in Kansas this summer
may justify the calling of special
session of the legislature next fall.
That was the statement of Governor
Capper today in discussing conditions
now confronting the state in regard
to the food problem and the war situa-
ton. There is not an immediate de-
mand for a special session, the COVER
nor said, altho a failure of summer
crops would doubtless make impera-
tive the calling of the legislature TO
provide relief in mum Der of western
counties.
Governors in several states have
called special sessions of their leglsla-
ture to provide means for meeting the
war and food situation. A special ses-
sion of the New Mexico legislature was
called this week to work out defense
plans and to solve the food situation.
In Kansas, tho, conditions do not de-
mand state relief at this time. Prac-
tically every county in the state mas
sent word to Governor Capper assur-
ing him that conditions can be met
without outside assistance.
Face Critical Situation.
should the summer crops fali, the
state would face a rather critical ana
serious situation" said Governor Cap
of the summer crops would be neces-
sary to call forth action by the state
With fair success in harvesting the
summer crops, see no immediate oc-
casion for a special session. In any
event it is hardly probable that action
will be necessary before August or
September.
yesterday I spent the day in Rocks
county There 1 learned that probably
not to exceed Is per cent of an aver
age wheat crop would be harvested
But the farmers are looking conditions
souarely in the face and are planting
corn and other summer crops. They
are not asking outside help and are
amply able to finance any crop prob
lem at this time. A good corn year
will leave many of these counties in
average good condition. failure,
tho, would cause the state to face a
serious problem.
May Need Seed Wheat.
I'm Rocks county alone, it is prob
able that several hundred thousand
dollars would be necessary to provide
seed wheat next fall. With similar
conditions in other counties, the prob
lem would require action by the state
legislature. 1t would then be neces-
sary to provide means for financing
the crop raising projects and a spec
cial session would be necessary to
meet this demand
Governor Capper does not believe
that immediate demands for a special
session will be faced in working out
the military registration scheme. I'm
der the measure before congress the
various official departments of the
state, county, city and township gov
ernments would be in charge of the
registration without added expense to
the government or state. Only in a
food crisis, thru failure of crops, will
a special session be necessary in the
judgment of the governor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
Sweeping Victory for Raising
Army by Consumption.
House in Stampede of Cheers
Clark Votes "Anti-
SENATE BOOSTS 7. R. ARMY
Williams, Friend of President,
Gets Behind Roosevelt.
Makes Sensational Charge,
"MilliOn Traitors in u. S."


WASHINGTON April ne Hd'ioii
~ i'9 81 III % ~
Ip'loH'
Inc mousse so voted JUST before noon
today. The senate will vote likewise
before midnight tonight, barring the
ron,n1eteIv unexnected Anti-con-
- -.
- ON no
The house vote was 10 10 20 III
favor of the presidents and the war
cot1e,e r,1ap 10 raise at once an army
80 80 400 e., .,e-,-i.e, Of some future
u i'i
date IN Europe II needed
Miss Rankin Against Consumption
Miss Jeanette Rankin. first woman
to hold n seat in congress. voted
- ,,,,,so,i,,+io,
''i@' .4
she cast her vote WITHOUT coiiiIlieIil
The house vote was on the Kahn
amendment to the army bill as report
sd h,, chairman DENTS military com
~ - Ian a,,+,,o,is,as, The
ull''ee' ne Len OAiI . = ~
president to first try raising an army
in the old fashioned way by the volun-
teer system.
kline amendment turned the bill
int what President Wilson and his
war heads wanted-a straight out and
NJ s,a1acti,a conservation method.
$50 -. ,,.i17I,, DC tho af-
Inc mouse clieei GU "ii04' '
firmatiVe vote was announced. w men
ia the surprise of members, subse-
.,4 of tho regativs
lueHt dlIllN' - n So 80 ,,o1Irtear
vote siIoWeu -. - s+aY,ni1qy va
pan, tlie ms
ueaLehlhS, .7 ,.,+a That
Ihefe was no ~ t,u,,so ,,,be,, the
VIII colilF -. - il, 90, ,,it+aa of
N"le va "a III LII iii come 1a+e1,
the whoIe. "A ioii O''ii "'--
III tlle ICY ue'S c,,,,.,, fi-,,, 70 tho last yo+-
ed for the volunteer plan along with
Miss jeanette Rankin-who asked her
constituents f she must stand alone
for Consumption.
There was never a doubt OF the vote
after Representative saunders OF N!r-
Einia' in the speakers chalr as chalr-
man of the committee of the whole,
announced n vote would be taken on
the Kahn amendment and asked Tor
ayes.
A tremendous shout arose.
A somewhat weaker shout greeted
Saunders's request for noes.
Chairman Dent asked for tellers-
the nearest to a roll vote that can be
obtained in session of the commit
tee Of the WHOLE
Rocord Vote LATER
= t.z. 4,4
"A MOD sWli ms ou ~ silie lit
looked as ~ IL
in ma a t,r at the front of the cham
Der, ready to walk between Chairman
Dent and Representative Kahn. the
tellers, up the center aisle of the house
to show they were for the amendmnt
When the record vote does come
many members predicted that many
of the SO who voted against the presi-
dents plan will have switched, there
bv making the vote against the volun-
teer plan even greater than that re
corded while the body was acting in
ro.i,.c, Xr,I,,,,too,. Ar,,,,
iiiiiieui"'0
For us to authorlze Roosevelt TO
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
Brazil Congress to Decide on Further
Action Against Germany.

Rio Janeiro. April 2S.-The decision
as to whether Brazil Will follow up her
breach of relations with Germany by
declaration of war will be made by the
Brazilian congress when it convenes
May 3. The administration has de-
cided that it has fulfilled its duty in
decreeing a diplomatic rupture and
that further action lies in the province
of the congress. This decision, it is
stated in high official quarters, will
not be altered except in the case of a
fresh attack on Brazilian interest In
Germany.
Congress will be asked to declare
that a state of war has been created
by the act of Germany. If this action
is taken it will be followed by the seiz-
ure of German ships in Brazilian ports
opening these ports to the warships of
the allies and other measures of a
military mature
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
BACK SEAT FOR MAYOR
big Bill" Thompson Not Enthusias-
tic About French ENJOYS Visit.

Chicago, April 2S.-With big Biz
Thompson, Chicago's mayor, remain
ing obdurate. the city council will meet
today to officially extend Chicagos in
vitation to the French war commission
now in this country
The French officials will visit what
the mayor terms ''the sixth German
city, on May 8. A patriotic demon
stration, led by Governor Lowden and
the city officials, will be held. The
mayor will be a member of the re-
ception committee"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28

Precipitation today registered .03 of
an inch, making the total for the last
"a hours so. The temperature today
averaged Is degrees below normal.
The wind was still blowing from the
northwest this afternoon with a veloc-
ity of six miles an hour.
The ground is completely soaked in
practically all Kansas. Friday nights
rain was reported general thruout
Kansas, heavier in the eastern portion
of the state and lighter in the western.
Dodge City weather station reported
only ~ of an inch during the last "a
hours. North Pratt reported .0S and
Wichita OF. In the eastern districts.
Kansas City reported 1.33 for Friday
night making the total there for the
last IS hours more than 4 inches.
Topeka received only 40 of an inch
of precipitation Friday night in spite
of the noisy downpour early this
morning. The total rainfall here in
the last As hours has been 2.25 inches,
more than the precipitation for the
months of December, January, Febru-
airy and March, combined. April has
been the only month of the year in
which the rainfall has reached a nor
NAL figure. The total fall recorded
here in April has been 3.41 inches.
More Rain Coming.
And then, more rain is in sight,
according to Mr.. Flora, local meteorol-
ogist. No relief from the cold snap can
be promised. In the northwest part of
the state the mercury has fallen be-
De-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
MAKES ARMY BONE DRY
Senate Passes Drastic BilI-Webb
Would Send All Aliens Home,

Washington, April 28.-On it's first
vote on the administration army bill
today. the senate adopted most dras-
tic prohibition amendment, making it
unlawful to sell or give any liquor
wine or beer to any officer or man in
uniform or knowingly to furnish Iiq-
uors to any person in the army.
Chairman Webb of the judiciary
committee announced that 'ta little lat
er, a bill will be introduced providing
that all citizens of allied countries who
are of military age shall be rounded
up and turned over to their respective
governments"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
A GUARDSMAN
Another Shooting in Minneapolis
While Protecting Grain Elevators

Minneapolis, Mimi, April 2S.-John
P. Ka1khoven, guardsman, on sentry
duty near a large grain elevator here,
was shot today when he attempted to
halt two strangers proving near the
elevator.
The men fled when Kalkhoven or
dered them to halt and ran behind
string of box cars, then turned and
fired. The guardsman was wounded
in the left leg.
Numerous other attacks have oc-
CURED in the elevator district where
thousands of bushels of wheat are
stored. All movies, saloons and pool
halls were recently ordered closed IN
this vicinity a measure of military
exDediency
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-28
TURKEY WANTS PEACE
Desires No More Territory But Can
Fight on Indefinitely.

Berlin. via London. April 2S.-"Tur-
key is ready for peace-or ready for
continued war" declared Talaat Pa
sha, Turkish vizier. here for confer
ence with Berlin officials
Turkey does not desire annexation
of territory and she has military
strength enough to hold out Indefinite
ly. Our harvest prospects this year
are of the best.
We have not altered one whit our
treatment of Americans because of
Americas assumption of belligerency
against the central powers"