davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
RAILROAD POLICY
FOR NEW YEAR
President May Wait Until
Next Month Before An
nouncing What he
Desires.
WAR BOARD IS BUSY
No Moro Private Cars Expected to be
Hauled Around While the
Country is at
War.
WAR BOARD IS BUSY

TUnited Press Leased Wire Service.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Presi-
dent Wilson may walt until next
month before announcing his railroad
policy. If he does not communicate
with congress before adjournment to-
morrow, the question will go over
until after the Christmas recess, 1t
was stated at the white house today
Meantime the railroads war board
is doing it's utmost to prove It's
ability to continue efficient operation
bf the lines during the war and thus
make government management un-
necessary.
The latest step the board ordered.
is elimination of all unnecessary
travel in private cars. Henry c..
Frick and others of the country's
richest men have given up use Of
their luxurious cars, to relieve al
ready oyerburdened passenger trans
portation.
While the war board does not hope
to save much car space andS fuel
from this step, it was ordered Decem-
ber as another move. toward elimi-
nation Of non-essentials. 1t fore
shadows widespread curtailment Of
all kinds of passenger travel as a
war measure.
The president will not take any
revolutionary steps in the railway
situation before consulting congress.
He has conferred with Attorney
General Gregory over authority to
act and with Secretary McAdoo over
the effect of contemplated policies on
the country's finances.
Secretaries McAdoo and Lane are
again coupled with the presidents
selection Of transportation admin
istratOr.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Assume Sudden Offensive
Against Austrians, Destroy
Ing Bridge and Oaptrr-
ing the Enemy.
MOST STRANGE CONFLICT
Battle Of Lagoons is One Of the Fea-
tures Of War With Boats
Of All Kinds In
Use.

fUnited Press Leased, Wire Service.l
ROME, Dec. II. (v1a London. y
Italian troops suddenly assumed the
offensive against the Austrians IN
the Piave delta sector and on armed
motorboats and skiffs destroyed
small enemy bridge, swept over some
enemy positions and took many prfs-
oners, todays official statement as
serted. Friday evening the war oftice
said the Italian forces in this section
effectively bombed enemy troops and
their lines 'of communication.
In the Coldelaberretta region, an
Italian counter attack repulsed an
enemy advance. Around Monte Mel
ino. Teuton attack on an observa-
ton post was repulsed.
Battle Of Lagoons-
[By Henry Wood, United Press Stan
Correspondent
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
ITALY, Dec. 17.-Italy is waging the
war of the lagoons to save Venice
the strangest, half lf-aquatic-half water
and half land conflict, the history of
war has ever known.
Centuries ago Atilla and his original
Huns reached exactly the same spot
between the Pfave and the Sile rivers
that the modern Teutonfc Huns have
reached today.
Fifteen hundred years ago the orig
fnal inhabitants in this section fled
from the mainland and on the CULTS
and flats of the lagoons founded the
| island colonies which eventually be-
came Venice.
! Over the same intervening canals,
marshes. lagoons and lakes by which
| Atilla and his Huns were checked, the
Italian forces today are checking the
modern day Huns.
| They are checking the enemy by
highly perfected land and water de-
tense which. when the conflict is over,
/ will form one of the most interesting
chapters Of the whole history Of the
! war.
Since November 49, when the Aus
trians in crossing the lower Piave in
their headlong rush to Venice were
suddenly checked by the Italian lagoon
defenses, the entire gulf of Venice,
with it's endless canals and marshes,
with islands disappearing and reap
pearing with the tide, has been the
scene of continuous naval lagoon bat
| tie.
/ It was still progressing today. The
| fighting is absolutely without preced
ent.
/ The modern Huns are desperately
! trying to turn the Italian right WING
by progressing around the northern
limits of the Venetian gulf.
For the purpose of the lagoon battle
as we'll as for general defense, thu
Italians inundated the section ant
sealed all Adriatic entrances into th,
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
DECORATE CHRISTMAS TREES
WITH SHOT AND SHELL

firing Christmas eve or Christmas day.
With broad hints of a peace offer
trickling through from Amsterdam, it
is considered certain the Boche will
evince a desire to be friendly during
the holidays. But the only present
Sammy has for Fritz is a lot of nice
Christmas explosives which will not,
only be delivered the Teuton via gun
powder express, but also opened up
and scattered around among him Law
ishly
Sammys only Christmas greeting to
him will be fight" And all his
Christmas visits will be paid with the
point of his bayonet preceding him.
Primarily" said the official declar-
alton at the war department today.
there is no spirit Of fraternization
among our troops. They are for busi-
ness, not pleasure.
Then, too, our command in France
is in very close touch with the French.
They understand the situation thor
oughly and know precisely how to deal
with it.
"If it is found advisable to make it
| clear to the American troops that no
! tInge of comradeship is to be shown in
the holiday week fighting, General
! Pershing might issue a general order.
but it is not believed this will be ne
cessarv."
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
UnraveIino Murder Mystery.

EUnited Press Leased Wire Service. j
ALMA, Mich, Dec. 1.-THE coun
ty authorities believe they are near.
ing solution of the mystery sur.
rounding the death of Beatrice Epler
II, who was strangled to death on
the night Of September 4.
Two arrests have been made and
two more are expected soon.
Those under arrest, are Albert
Eichorn, a farmer near Ithaca, and
Inez Johnson, of Alma, against
whom charge Of conducting dis
orderly house has been pending fol
three months.
1t is reported that the prisoners
have been secretly removed to tbs
Saginaw county jail on account o
strong feeling against them here.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
ENTIRELY TOO
MUCH RED TAPE
Major Crozier Frankly Ad-
mits it, But Insists Con-
gress Responsible for
Delays.
AT SENATE WAR PROBE
Is Asked Why Army Is Short on Rifles
with Plenty of Money
to Purchase
Them.
AT SENATE WAR PROBE

limited Press Leased Wire Service.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Frankly
admitting there is too much red tape
in the war government, Major Gen.
eral Crozier, chief of ordnance today
again placed the bulk Of the blame
on congress.
A hot colloquy followed in the SEN
ate war probe committee, with MEM
bers taking Crozier to task for con-,
tinually blaming congress for Amer
ica's unpreparedness.
Crozier, resuning his testimony be-
fore the military affairs committee.
declared that congress had war
department estimate Of $4,000, 100000
on April 5, the day before war was
declared.
1--WE didn't get the money until
June 49," said Crozier.
"This. was lump sum estimate
which we asked authority to spend
under direction of the president.
Congress demanded detailed esti-
mates. That's where a great deal o.
time was lost"
Frankly now, general, there is
too much red tape, isn't there?" Sen-
ator Hitchcock asked.
Yes, there is replied Crozier.
WE'LL now Call IL De ellluludIeu!
For one thing, congress could have
taken our word for this lump appro-
priation and gotten detailed explana-
| ton afterward," replied Crozier.
Senators Hitchcock and Chamber
| lain forced him to admit that when
estimates are made, they must be
approved by the war college, then
| by the general staff, and last by the
secretary Of war before congress
| sees them.
| This process, Crozier insisted, is
unavoidable.
"You have no idea, evidently, how
intricate the ordering Of artillery is, y
! he said.
/ whats intricate about ordering
guns y demanded Hitchcock
'You knew you would need large
number of guns. Why didn't you go
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Any Attempts by Germans to
Hang Mistletoe on Trenches
Will be Blown Away.
[By a United Press Staff Correspond

[By a United Press Staff Correspond
ent.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-There will
be no holiday amenities between Fritz
and Sammy on the American front
this Christmas. Fritz may try it, but
he won't get far This came officially
from the war department today.
When Fritz pokes his seductive lit
tie yuletide trees up over the trenoh
top in the American sector, they will
get the same dose the Tomm1es and
Poilus gave them last winter when
they shot them to pieces as fast as
they appeared.
There will be no American reply to
Fritz's beloved greetings, either.
When he roars his gutturals across
| No Mans Land, the Sammies will lei
! their guns answer him.
With the picture of their first killed
and wounded fresh in his mind, it is
considered unlikely by war department
officials that the American boys vii
so much as countenance lull in the
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Admiral Benson and General
Bliss Return From Glance
Over War Map.
[By Carl d. Groat, United Press STAFF
COrrAspondent.l

LBy Carl d. Groat, United Press Stan
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Home
from planning broad gauge war work,
Admiral Benson and General Bliss
army and navy chiefs-today felt that
all the allies, including the United
states. are in the war lock, stock ana
barrel, and will not turn back until
victory IL achieved
Though they gathered full real
lzation of the new menace from
strengthened Teuton forces on the
west front. it was manifest from their
orief expressions that the spirit Of de-
termination among all the fighters Is
such that Germans must ultimately
Yield.
They were particularly pleased at
tne bull dog spirit shown by Americas
men on land and sea, and held 1T
augured we'll for the future.
Both conferees reported to their
secretaries briefly. however. that real
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Encounter on High Seas Re
suited in Seven English
Boats Being Sent to
the Bottom.
HAPPENED WEDNESDAY
,,trdoe Sent 70 Bottom When Ger
man Fleet swoops Down on
convoy Going 70
Norway.

hunted Press Leased Wire Service.l
LONDON, Dec. 17.-Four German
|deytroyers carried out q successful
ma IN British waters early Wednes.
|day morning, alrking eight merchant.
men, one British destroyer, ffve armed
|trawers and damaging one otner
Etrawier.
The announcement Of these losses
was made In the house Of commons
lac today by First Lord OF the Ad.
miraNx oeddes and Or. McNamara, fin.
ancIaI secretary TO the admiralty.
losb nc oeddes, MT lord o. the ad-
sl&v. easd me neutral merchant
skfps md been sunk and one British.
McNarara said two neutral mer-
|shantment had been sunk offthe river
Tyne.
The British destroyer sunk was the
partrIdge. The second British de-
stroyer. which, formed an armed es-
eort. Tor the cdnvoy, described by Sir
Eric oeddes, was the Peliew
The Peilew, according to oeddes'
lad a hole blows In nor hull, but es.
eaced. on board ker there were four
british killed and two wounded.
oeddes reported that there were flH
~ Survivors Of the Partridge and the
israwders, of wi1lcsr ton were wounded
which had been picked up by the fou.
German destroyers who attacked and
taken to kleI.
Elghty-e,sht Scandinavian citizens
sof which two were women, and ter
British survivors were rescued by de
stroyers. Others reached Norway II
open boats.
McNamara's statement told OF the
sinking Of ono trawler, the damaging
Of a second, and the sinking OF two
neutral merchantmen before dawn OF
the river Tyne. Eight were dead.
These eight were believed to be
civilian casualties. With the total O.
naval dead reported by Sir Er:t
Geddes, the total loss Of life In th'
German ralding activity, would ap
pear to be twelve.
1.-THE river Tyne, mentioned In Or
McNamara's announcement, is In th'
north of England and it's most fam
Gus city is New Castle.
The German raiding squadron o
four detsroyers apparently encoun
tered the two conveys mentioned b.
Geddes and Mcnamara at differen
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

[By Ralph H. Turner, United Press
Staff Correspondent
TOXIC, Dec. 17.-Conditions in
Russia are becoming intolerabie and
American Ambassador Francis is
advising Americans to leave, accord
ing to American refugees arriving
here today.
Food supplies throughout Russia
are becoming so scarce as to suggest
an approaching famine. Unrest ana
strife has torn the nation.
All Americans who possibly can leave
are arranging to do so.
One hundred and sixty-seven Ameri-
cans are noF awaiting passage out q :!
Petrograd BY the tr1ns-Siberian rail-
way via Japan and China
Peace Farley In Sweden.
[By Joseph Shaplen, United Press
Staff Correspond dent.]
STOCKHOLM, Dec. IT, Philip
Scheidemann, leader OF the German
majority socialists is here today con-
ferring with Bolshevih Minister Or
Iovsky, on peace between Germany
Il am very sorry, but cannot dis
cuss the nature OF my conference
With M. Orlovsky," Scheidemann told
the United Press today.
Orlovsky was equally Tetcent-
From other sources, however, 1t was
reported that Scheide1nann had been
clothed with full powers by the Ger
man government which had directed
the peace angling at Stockholm rather
than at Brest Litovsk, because pro-
ceedings at the latter place were sub
1ect to full publicity by the BalsheVikl.
The Brest Litovsk conference OF
commissioners representing the armies
of Germany and Russia will presum'
ably continue, irrespective of negot1a'
tions at Stockholm
The Bolsheviki, it was reported
| first suggested the conference with
Scheidemann at the Swedish city III
| the belief that they would line uE
Scheidemann's majority socialists
against German Imperialism.
rAfter four months effort, Schedde
mann has finally managed to meet
with representative of Russia tc
angle for peace.
| Scheideman, leader of the majority
socialists, is firm supporter OF the
German government, managing II
some inexplicable way to bend M:
pseudo-socialistic creed to fit In with
|
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Peace Terms zzron1 Germany
To Be Auen Out Shortly
To be Whispered Lnt6,utral Ears Wnh Pledge Of Sc
crecy, is Latest Report

PrsIe e Sil
Berlin
q to giun would no
the
Jordan sin France snotkn
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
CAUGHT in the Act. ,

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
FAIRFAX, Iowa, Dec. 17.-Tony
Nikalaski, 16, of Chicago is in Jail
here charged with attempting to break
the combination on the Northwestern
ticket Office safe here. The agent
caught Nikalaski when he opened the
station this morning.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
National Prohibition Amend
ment Will be Passed by the
Lower Branch Of
Congress.
BALLOT AT FIVE P. M.
Gompers publishes Full Page Adver-
tisement In Newspapers In
Defense Of
Beer.

limited Press Leased Wire Servica.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-The ma
tional prohibition amendment Is des-
tined to pass the house late today.
Unless all signs fail, it will be
hammered through after bitter de
bate. but not with the wide majority
which its proponents had confidently
expected
Last minute campaigning has
swerved some of the doubtful against
the amendment and relying on temp
erance measures already undertaken
by the president as war step, they
will record themselves against the
amendment.
Labor was the club the vets
brandished over the measure. Work
ingmen's dissatisfaction with utter
prohibition was the main theme OF
the vets discussion in the course OF
todays debate. The vets contended
that prohibition Of whiskey distilla-
ton has attended to the hard liquor
question, while reduction Of alcoholic
content of beers makes them temper
ate and desirable. The closing hours
of the lobby-pro and con-bfought a
paid advertisement from President
Gompers of American Federation Of
Labor against the amendment on the
ground that it would cause internal
dissention, that it would detract from
war work, and a sharp answer from
VIM. J. Bryan that labor's patriotism
lis not measured by the quart.
The drys predicted victory. They
Anticipated that labor argument
would be insufficient to beat the
measure in view of the ever growing
anti-liquor sentiment of the nation.
Moreover, they said that with the
matter submitted back to the state
legislatures they can still procure
| the necessary number of ratifying
votes in the seven years allotted for
that purpose.
The vote was to be taken at p. m
Debate Started.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-With the
air tense, the house of representatives
today stated debate on the naiona
rrohibiti6 amendment approved by
the senate.
Final vote, scheduled for five p. m
was confidently awaited by the anti
saloon forces. 1t was regarded b!
both sides as the preliminary to thu
bigger fight in the fortyeight STATE
legislatures, approval Of thirty-siX be
ing necessary 70 make this a dry ma
tion.
Bitterness over organized labor's OF
position to the amendment developed
in the opening speech for the "drys
by Representative Webb, chairman g
the house judiciary committee, an
co-author of the resolution.
| Samuel Gompers never has an
| does not represent organized labor 0
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
Where are They Now?
[By J. W. r. Mason, Written for the
United Press.

NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-There are
indications that the American sector
along the French first line trenches
has been changed from the vicinity
of the Rhine-Marne canal where the
first American prisoners We're cap
tured by the Germans.
1t Is also probable that the Ger
mans do not know where the Amerf-
cans have gone and their recent
series of raids along the Alsace and
Lorraine borders has been under
taken to try to discover the new
location of the American contingent.
The absence of any recent announce
ment by the Germans of captured
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

Continued on page %
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
German Raid in Spot Where
Sammies Were Supposed
to be, Reveals Only
Frenchmen.
POSITIONS ARE SHIFTED
Kaiser is Very Curious OF Know JUST
sWhere United States
Troops Are
Stationed.
IBy ]. w. Pegler, United Press Staff
CORRESPONDENCE

IBy ]. w. Pegler, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES
IN FRANCE, Dec. ia German
communique recently claimed cap
ture Of French officer and forty
five men in trench raid in tho
Bures sector on position where they
previously took eleven Americans as
prisoners.
1.-THE above dispatch may indicate
i that the position of Americans in the
front Zine trenches has been shifted
and that French troops have replaced
them there. On the other hand, 1t
may simply show the inaccuracy OF
German official statements in claim
ing capture of French soldiers in
section where there are Americans
BoIshevikI Troops Defeated.
PETROGRAD, Dec. 17.-Bolshevikf
regiments were defeated by Ukrain-
ian troops Saturday at Odessa, ac-
cording to word received today.
Americans on List
OTTAWA, Ont, Dec. 1.-THE fol
lowing Americans are mentioned IN
todays casualty list:
Killed in action. Smith, Gene
5see, Idaho; E. Anderson, Gonvic,
MINI.
Prisoner of war; Vogeli, Glen
dale, Mont.
Hip Bussler, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Wounded-P. E. Buland, Pontiac.
Ill.
Missing; believed killed C. A.
Husband, Galveston, Texas.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17
AMERICANS ARE
LEAVING RUSSIA
United States Ambassador
Francis Advising Them to
Get Out of Country
If it is Possible.
NTOLERABLE CONDITION
Civil War Continues While eolsheviki
Dlel<er With tho Germans
For Separate
Peace.
|MToLERABLE CONDITION

CAR HAS NOT ESCAPED.
IUnited Press Leased Wire Serv1ce.1
PETRoGRAD, Dec. 7-Railway
union headquarters today received
despatch from Tobolsk declaring
former Gar Nicholas had not es-
capped as reported.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

Continued on page 2o
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

Continued on page p
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

CONTINUED on page 2.).
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-17

Fair and warmer. Local temp
- p. m. 20; Z a. m. II.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-19
FRUIT BUTTER
(By Biddy Bye.)


What to send q soldier next winter
is a question which already disturbs
many a military mans wife, mother
or sweetheart. Canned fruits put up
in glass will not stand transportation.
Dried fruits cannot be cooked easily
by a soldier.
But what about fruit buffers?
They are much like the famous
plum or apple" jam with which
England so lavishly supplies her
troops. They concentrate the most
fruit flavor and sugar in the smallest
amount Of space and in any kind of
a co%ntainer. The buffers can be stor-
ed at home and shipped to the absent
one in small quantities.
The following recipes have been
tested by government experts:
Apple Butter.
Is made by boiling down sweet
cider to half its original quantity,
then adding apples which have been
peeled and sliced.
It takes about equal amounts of
sweet cider and peeled and sliced ap-
pies to make butter of the right con-
sistency.
Two things essential to making
good apple butter are: Long, slow
cooking a to 6 hours), and constant
stirring.
Sugar should be added after the
cooking Of cider and apples is about
two-thirds done. About a pound is
the usual amount per gallon of apple
butter.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-19
Style Show Proues
Successful Affair

The fashion show which had Its
first performance yesterday afternoon
at the Grand theater, drew out q
large crowd of interested men and
women.
The Odell aud r. B. Griffith stores
exhibited the garments, and the en-
tire arrangements were in the hands
Of W.. L. Whitcher Of Odell's. He
presented an original model for an
live model, as one number Of the pro-
gram. The gown was developed In
pale green soft silk and maline OF
flesh color, and made a very striking
garment.
Mrs. John B. Cooley read descrip-
tons Of the suits. hats, dresses and
coats that were shown, all Of them
showing taste and adherence to the
very newest fall lines.
The opening feature of the program
was some very effective tableaux by
members of Company M. and the
white trick horse and dogs of the
McDonalds of East Grand Forks. In
view Of the fact that the affair was a
all dealt with war topics, were es-
pecially timely.
Prof. Paolo Conte contributed a
much appreciated piano solo, and he
also played accomplishments for DR..
John Brundin, who was heard to ad-
vantage in a violin solo. and for Mrs.
V. D.. Sayre,. whose soprano solo add
ed pleasure to the program. Prof.
Frederick Koch, after a summer do
Ing platform work In the east, made
his first public appearance of the
fall here, and read a group Of very
appealing patriotic poems.
Groups Of girls in white. with Red
Cross arm bands, ushered. This at
ternoon a second performance will be
given at 3 o'clock. The same pro-
gram will be presented. AND as yester-
day, the entire proceeds will go to the
local Red Cross chapter. The use of
the theater has been donated for the
two afternoons, and there being no
expense involved, it is presumed that
the chapter will benefit materially
from the affairs.