davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
Offer of SIavs Rejected by
Kaiser Delegates, Is Report.
BOIsheviki ENJOYS Have Beer
Recalled to PetrOgrad.
MAY RENEW PEACE POWWOW
Armistice Calls for at Least
Month Cessation of War.
Huns BaIk on Evacuation of
Captured Russ Territory.

London, Dec. 21.-An Exchange
Telegraph dispatch from Petrograd
asserted, it was unofficially reported
that the Germans had refused the
Russian peace terms and that the Boil
sheviki delegation had been recalled
to Petrograd
The decision if accurately reported.
does not mean resumption of hostili-
ties on the Russian front at once, as
complete stoppage of all fighting for
a month, has already been agreed
upon by terms of the armistice.
If the Germans have refused to
agree to the Bolsheviki terms, it was
believed here they did so in full con-
sciousness of their strength with
which to extort enormous concessions
from the Russians. The original Boil
shevil1i requests were for German
withdrawal from occupied islands in
Riga bay and REIMBURSEMENT of other
Russian territory held by the Teutons.
Austros Go to Petrograd.
Amsterdam, Dec. 21.-An Austro-
Hungarian delegation, representing all
branches of the government and head
ed by an officer of the foreign office,
Doctor Won Hempel, left for Petrograd
yesterday to arrange further armistice
details, a dispatch from Vienna stated
today They will meet commission
of Russians
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
CALL FOR ASSISTANCE
Legal Advisory Draft Board Unable
to Handle Heavy Work

Appeals for clerical help were made
today by the legal advisory board as
sisting registered men in filling out
questiOnnaires. AS the questionnaires
sent out from the local boards increase
in number attorneys assisting. the men
in filling out their questions find
themselves swamped with work.
At first, only Ju.:Ne Dana's court
room was used. Now his private Of
flee, the county attorneys private Of
flee and the judges desk are being
used. White men, negroes and MeXi-
cans sit side by side in the room. In
many instances a white wife sits be-
side a colored wife, both ready to
swear to dependency claims entered by
their husbands.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
WOULD SECEDE!
Quebec Fears 1t May Be Obsta-
Gle to Canadian Progress.
Was Only Province That Voted
Recently Against COnscriptiOn.

Quebec, Dec. 21.-A proposal that
the province of Quebec secede from
the confederation of Canadian prov
inces was expressed in a motion in
troduced into the provincial legislative
assembly today by j. n. Francoeur,
deputy for Lotbiniere. Quebec is the
only province which voted against
conscription at the recent election
The motion will be debated Janu-
airy s. 1t follows:
That this house is of the opinion
that the province of Quebec would be
disposed to accept the rupture of the
federation pact of 1857 if, in the opin-
ion of the other provinces, it is be-
lieved that the said Nrovince is an
obstacle to the union and the progress
of Canada"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
WIDOW DISAPPEARS
Meanwhile Experts Hunt for Poison
in Dead MiIIionaire's Body

Toledo. O.. Dec. 21-A post NOR
tenn examination of the body of Lu-
cius B. Berdan, Toledo millionaire,
who died in a Chicago hospital last
week. will be made here today by Cor
oher HarluHg.
Permission to hold the post mortem
was given last night by c. T Lewis,
attorney representing the Berdan fam
lily, following conference with Cor
oner Harlung. The body will be re-
moved from a cemetery vault where it
now lies and will be examined by the
coroner and two expert chemists.
The widow of the dead man has not
been found but her attorney stated
today that she was neither in Toledo,
Chicago or Cleveland, where it was
reported she had gone
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
EX-DIPLOMAT DIES
Col. Hicks, ii, Was Foreign Minister
Under Harrison and Roosevelt.

San Antonio, Tex. Dec. 21.-Col.
John Hicks, II. former diplomat, and
owner of the Oshkosh. Wis. North
western, died suddenly at his apart
ments here last evening after only -
hours illness. Death was ascribed to
heart affection.
Under President Harrison, Colonel
Hicks was minister to Peru and dur
ing the Roosevelt administration
served four years as minister to Chile.
He had been in San Antonio six weeks
and until his illness was actively en-
gagged in writing his biography
Present arrangements contemplate
sending the body to Oshkosh for
burial
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
KIRK ROWLEY is DEAD.
Former Topeka Druggist Was Wen
Known Among "OId Timers"

Another Topeka pioneer has started
to the Great Beyond, according to
word received here by relatives of
Kirk Rowley. Kirk Rowley was II
years old at the time of his death in
Galveston. Tex. The telegram con-
veyed no details other than that he
died of old age Kirk Rowley. with
his brothers James and Emme t.
founded the Row1ev Drug company in
Topeka in 1853 and in 1887 was ap-
pointed city treasurer. serving the
citv in this office for several years
Shortly after leaving this office ne
became city ticket agent for the A. T.
& S. F. railroad. A few vearg later
he was transferred to Paris. Tex. in
the same ca pacitv. and then about
1907 removed to Galveston. where he
was agent in the union station. He
was holding this Last position at thk
time If his death He is survived bv
a wife. two daughters and one sen.
al of whom reside in Galveston. Mr..
Rowley was well known among the
'fold timers in Topeka.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
SLAVS TO FIGHT ON
Authorize Forming Czech-SIoval Army
in France-AIready $4,000.

Paris, Dec. 2O.-A decree authoriz-
ing the formation of a Czech -Slovak
army in France appears in the official
journal today. One such army num-
bering $4,000 men already has been
formed in Russia. 1t will be attached
to the French army. which is daily be-
ing swelled by the arrival of fresh re-
cruits from America.
The entire army will be placed un-
der the political control of nationals
of the Czech-Slovak countries. The
headquarters will be Paris.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
GIVEN BRIBE MONEY
Aunt of Mrs. Waite Receives $7,4OO
Give to Undertaken.

New York, Dec 21.-Miss Kather-
inc Peck, aged aunt of Mrs. Arthur
Warren Waite, whose husband was
electrocuted for the murder of his
father r-in-law. John c. Peck. has been
given an order for the s740O bribe
money held as evidence in the case by
the police.
The bribe money. paid to Under
taker Eugene Kane to swear he used
arsenic in embalming Peck's body, was
part of 100000 given by Miss Peck to
Doctor Waite to invest Cor her.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
Last Survivor Dies.

San Antonio, Dec. 21.-Enrique
Esparsa. the last survivor of the
Alamo. is dead. When on March 6,
1886. the Mexican general, Santa
Anna, stormed in the final and sue
cessful assault the chapel where a
handful of Americans fought to their
death surrounded by piles of Mexica
dead, the victors found a group of
Mexican women in a barricaded sec
ton of the front of the building.
Among them was an S-year-old lad,
Enrique Esparsa. who died at his
home here last night, aged SO.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
NO EMBARGO ON CAMP
Report Railroad Won't Sell Tickets to
Domphan Declared Untrue.

Kansas City, Dec. 2r.-The report
from Wichita that an embargo had
been placed upon the sale of railroad
tickets to Fort Sill, Okla, because of
an epidemic of measles at Camp Don
iphan. is untrue, officials of the Chi
cago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad
here announced TODAY.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
TO BE EXILED
Ex-Czar Desires All Royal Family Be
Permitted to Leave Russia,

Petrograd, Dec. 21-(via London.
Dec. 21)-Former Car Nicholas and
his family are to be permitted to seek
haven in some other country than
Russia.
1t was authoritative1y stated today
that a decree would be issued Thurs
day allowing members of the imperial
family including those at Tobolsk, to
go abroad, in compliance with their
request. The action of the Bolsheviki
is due to insistence of Germans in the
armistice negotiations.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
OPPOSE CONSCRIPTION
Australia Piles Up Big Majority
Against Army Draft.

Sydney, Dec. 21.-Unless the soldier vote
on the various fronts which has not been
counted offsets the vote in Australia, the
governments cOnscription scheme has been
defeated in a referendum by a majority of
about 100000. This is believed to be hardly
likely, however, on account of the heavy
vote against conscription in New South
Wales which gave a majority of 115,OOO
against the proposal.
Those favorable to eonscription were
surprised by the result in Victoria which
reversed last years favorable vote by Civ
ing a majority of 1.500 against conscrip
ton this year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
3 KILLED ON CROSSING
Kansas Soldier Among Injured When
Train Hit Auto Bus.

Battle Creek, Mich, Dec. 21.-Three
persons were instantly killed and five
others seriously injured when an auto
bus, operated between this city and
Camp Custer, was struck by the Ca
madam Flyer" at a crossing of the
Michigan Central railroad here last
night.
Among the injured Robert Y. An
derson, top sergeant Company 27.
160th depot brigade, head cut, hip in
jured. Home address Hartford. Knn
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

aged 8 degrees above the normal for
this date. The wind was blowing five
miles an hour from the east.
A temperature of "a degrees froze
the announcements of the latest Hun
treachery to the papers this morning.
While the temperature part of the
statement is 4 degrees above the nor
NAL night temperature, yet the latest
exposure is entirely normal and right
in line with the disclosures of other
German intrigues in South America
The scheduled drop in temperature to-
night to 80 degrees will in some small
way indicate another dose of cold air
thrown on the kaiser's hopes. and the
Continued on Page TwoJ
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
RED CROSS VICTORIOUS
Many Cities Already Have Exceeded
Quotas and Set Higher Goals

Washington, Dec. 21.-Mobilized
Red Cross workers engaged in the
Christmas drive for ten million new
members are obtaining heavy enroll
ment in every section of the country
reports received at national head
quarters here today indicate.
The quotas assigned to many cities
have been exceeded in the first three
days of the campaign and workers
have set higher figures for objectives
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
FETE SERBIA MISSION
President Receives Envoys-Given
Letter From King Peter.

Washington, Dec 21.-Serbfa military
mission was received here today with much
ceremony. Escorts of cavalry and a party
Of American officials headed by Secretary
Lansing met the commissioners
Later the mission was received by Presi-
dent Wilson and presented autograph
letter from King Peter. Tonight the presi-
dent viii entertain the mission at a state
dinner
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
$4,000, 900 TO ITALY
American Red Cross Responds Gener-
ously to Relief Work There.

Rome Dec. 21--The American Red
Cross has spent to date 1000 900 lire
($2, ,O1OO0O) to aid refugees and invalius
in Italian territory" said Major Grayson
L. Murphy, head of the American Red
Cross commission to Europe today
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
GRANTS GREAT GRANDSON
MADE CORPORAL IN ARMY

Spartanburg, S. c.. Dec. 21.-
Following in the footsteps of his
great grandfather. L. S. Grant ~.
has won a corporal's stripes. He
was driving an army truck when
told he had been promoted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
OFFICIAL WAR
STATEMENTS

American Daily in Paris.
Paris. Dec. 21.-The London Daily
Mail yesterday began the publication of
an American edition from the office of
its Paris edition. The new editions will
be for Americans in France and will
carry special cables and page of mail
news.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21
Value for 1917 Is $5O7,225,4SS;
Greatest in State History.
This Is 131 Millions Larger
Than Previous High Mark.
LIVESTOCK BRINGS $50 MILLION
This Brings Kansas Returns to
More Than $50 Millions.
Tremendous Wealth Despite
Decided Slump in III Yield.
Winter and spring

The yields and values of this year
crops and products are as follows;
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

Total value of all farm products $507, ,225. .4sS
Numbers and Values of Live Stock.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

WEATHER is IN A RUT
Little Change in Temperature Tonight
or Tomorrow-Rain at Doniphan.

Temperatures for the day furnished
- the local office of the United States
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

WEATHER S'SJRECAST 1or Ia-.sas:
Partly cloudy tonight, Saturday.
Not much change in temperature.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-21

DON'T fuss about delayed mail. Let
the soldier be served first!
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
DEBATE ON
ARMY BILL
IS BEGUN
Friends and Opponents of
Selective Draft Are
Lining Up"
fRy Associated Press.l

Washington. April 21.-Debate on
the administration army bin providing
for selective conscription began in the
senate today with friends and oppon-
ents lining up for the impending fight
over the draft and volunteer plans. Ad-
ministration leaders were determined
to press the bill for final disposition
and expressed confidence that 1t would
pass with safe majority.
The military committee in voting to
report the bill to the senate stood 10
to z in favor Of the selective draft
system.
The first real contest in the, senate
was expected to come over efforts 70
amend the bill by adding a provision
autlaorizing a eli sor volunteers
In the house the military commit
tee met today to approve the ma1or-
sity substitute bill which provides that
the volunteer system shall be given
a trial before draft is resorted to.
It Is planned to take up the measure
in the house on Monday.
Pacifists, CONSCIENTIOUS obJectors and
representatives of unorganized work
ers appeared today before the senate
committee
John Eads How Of st. Louis, known
as the "rniIlionaife hobo" speaking
for unorganized workers, said he be-
he feared they would use them against
the government.
Joseph Cannon, labor organizer,
predicted that the selective draft and
higher prices of food would lead to
riots and that blood will flow in the
streets"
Mrs. w. I, Thomas of Chicago, ex-
ecutive secretary of the Womans In
ternational Peace party, characterized
the war ais an alliance between Lorn-
bard and Wall street" Grant Hamil-
ton of the American Federation of
Labor said labor stands solidly against
conscription.
The bill including the volunteer
amendment was ordered favoraoly re-
ported to the house by the military
committee by vote of II to 5. Con-
sideration in the house will begin
Monday with prospects of vote by
Thursday.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
PREVENT
ACREAGE
DECREASE
Food Production Stays Ten
dency Towards Lesser
Crops, Expert Says

A threatened reduction in the wheat
acreage Of North Dakota of about a
half million to three-quarters of a
million acres has been averted by the
rapid fire campaign for food produc-
tion launched week ago in Fargo,
and which has been promoted 80 vig-
orously through other agencies during
the past ten days and two weeks.
That, at least. is the firm belief of
a Fargo crop expert who is closely in
touch with the situation throughout
the state.
I'VE faced, at the beginning of the
seeding season, the possibility of q
reduction in the wheat acreage of from
five to ten per cent, because of the
high price OF seed" said this expert.
However, through the active work
that has been done. feel confident
that the state will have Just as great
an acreage OF wheat as IL had in 1916
in fact, we may possibly exceed that
record, when there were about seven
and quarter million acres OF wheat
in the state"
Seeding operations in the southern
section Of the state. SO far as wheat
u concerned. Is nearly completed. In
Barnes and Stutsrnan. and similarly
situated counties. little work remains
50 far as wheat is concerned. In the
extreme northern counties. about fif-
teen per cent Of the wheat has been
seeded.
The rains az this week have caused
q delay In the operations in the Red
river valley, where there already was
considerable moisture.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21

Touching Scene Between
Two Famous Making
Partners at Death Bed.
(Ry Associated Prass.l

Chicago, April 21.-Fred Stone
planned today to accompany the body
of his dead partner, David Montgom-
cry, the comedian, to New York where
1t will be buried in Woodlawn ceme-
terry beside that of Scamp Mont
gomery, the dead mans brother, who
alsosWas a widely known actor.
Attaehes at the hospital where
Montg iery died yesterday told of a
scene ween Montgomery and Stone
which eceded Montgomery's death
by let han an hour. Stone had re-
proac himself for not ending his
tour u eess as to remain with his
friend, 1mery. Montgomery pro-
tested al & aid
Fred. YOU have sacrificed enough
for me In recent years. know that
you've &een the whole show for long
time xthat people went to see you and
I've shnply. been paid as part owner
of the Nd trademark. ! know that
you've refused offers from other man
ayers that would have given you for
yourself my income as well as your
own and that you turned them down
to be loyal to your old pal"
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
Big ROAD
SYSTEM
APPROVED
Statewide Plan for High
ways Gets Support of New
Commission.
RECOGNIZE GREAT TRAILS
Present Auto Route Made
Foundation for Establish
ing The Plan.
RECOGNIZE GREAT TRAILS

Bismarck, N. D.. April 81. - Plans
for 1,721 miles of primary and 2,037
miles of secondary trunkline highway,
which will connect up practically
every county seat in the state, were
approved bY the state highway COM
mission which convened in its first stat
utory meeting at the capitol yesterday
afternoon The system purposed in
cludes the Red Trail. the Wonderland
Trail, the Meridian. the Great Plains
Aberdeen and Crosby Williston- Dick
inson- -Reeder and Yellow trails as
trunkline highways of the primary
class, of which there are two travers-
ing the state from east to west, and
four lines from north to south. There
are three secondary east and west
trunks, and as many north and south
lines with a number of important Sec
ondary laterals. 3. z#,
The commission has designated as
urinary roads those connecting the
most important points end upon which
there is 6he most general travel. The
secondary lines, serving as feeders for
the primary trunklins system. provide
every county in the state with con-
nections with transcontinental high
ways. Important junction points I'M
this system are Grand Forks, Fargo,
Jamestown. Mandan. Dickinson, Will
liston, Minot, Rugby, Leeds, DeVils ,
Lake and Darlington, while Bismarck
is made the hub of the entire network
of state roads-the axis from which
radiate the Red Trail the Great
Plains, the Black Hills. the kiildeer
and the Aberdeen trails.
a State Engineer Bliss, secretary OF
the commission, reported that $76,143
federal aid is available from the ap-
for the present fiscal year,
with approximately $4,000 from the
states two thirds Of the automobile /!
license fund. July 1, 1917, another
years appropriation from the federal
aid fund. increased to $152,2S6. will
be available, and next year the secre-
tary anticipates $1S6,00O from the
states share of the increased auto
mobile license money.
The commission. of which Governor |
Frazier is chairman. and Commissioner
of Agriculture and Labor John n. Ha-
gan and County Engineer White of
Renville and Theodore Andrews of
Mayville the other members. resumed
its sessions this morning. with the ex-
pectation of determining when and
where work will begin and the extent
which may be encompasSed the present |
year. It Is probable that work will be
confined to trails which already are
In fair condition but which need fin-
lshing to become something near per-
fection.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21

The demand on the Associated
charities has nearly swamped the as
sociation's Office force, but a few spac-
es particularly on the south side, are
still available.
Now is the time for owners Of idle
land to get busy and do their share In
increasing the nations food supply.
Cultivation of Idle land increases its
value by killing the weeds. Enlist II
for service.
"A telephone call to either the Votes
for Women league headquarters or the
Associated Charities will be q patriotic
move.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
Will, SNAP
UP j. 5.
WARBONDS
tBy Associated Press,

y ETsT -----
Washington, April 2f.-The first
Z. u fcrCsal oftnrina nf d portion 81
the 81 000, ,00l 900 III treasury Ger.
tifica4ss authorised in the 5000
100000 war finance measure has
been greatly over-subscribed.
The interest rate, Il has been
definitely decided, will be 8 per
cent and the first issue of $780,
100000, indieations are, will be
speedily followed by other large
issues.
st. Louis, April 21.-More than s4,-
0O0, 900 OF the first year bonds issued
by the United States will be taken
by st. Louis bankers, it
was learned today from several mem
bers of the st. Louis clearing house.
One of the large banks subscribed for
$3.50, 900.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21

Unless more garden spaces are
Forthcoming. there win be many
''groundIess people" in Fargo this
summer. according to word from the
Votes for Women league headquarters
today.
The demand for garden plots the
and already there are considerable
number OF names on the waiting list
Officers or the league urge thnt Far
goans having land not tn use list.
lt at tile league heauQuarterBs phone
No. 2449-J
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
Baker and Lee Quit
Packing Company Posts

A. M. Baker. secretary and director
of the Equity Packing company, and
C. J. Lee, vice. president and director,
have retired from their positions, it
was announced today.
Mr.. Bakers position has been taken
by o. G. Lindvig, OF the Viking hotel,
Fargo, while Mr.. Lees position has
been filed by the selection OF Senator
King. of Menoken, Burleigh county.
It is announced that Mr.. Baker re-
tired because Of his desire to give his
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21

whole time to The Cooperative Her
aid, of which he is editor, while Mr..
Lee will be able to devote more of his
attention to the Equity International
bank. and the Fargo Dairy & Produce
company. Of which institutions he is
president.
p. M. Casey Lisbon, is now in active
charge Of all affairs of the packing
company, handling the stock selling
which formerly was di-
rected by Messrs, Baker and Lee.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21
WHEAT
. BREAKS
!. =. RALLIES
fBy Associated res,

Chicago, April 81 .--ss Arp breaks III
wheat prices resulted today largely OF
runfors Of revolutionary outbreaks in
Hungary, disturbed conditions in Bull
garia and strike rioting in Germany
Trade was hight and the market easily
influenced. Opening prices with May
at $2.32 to $2.33 and July at $1.98 to
$2.01 were followed by rallies in some
cases of 515 cents.
Subsequently scattered selling car
ried May down TO $2.2S, a descent of
10h cents compared with top prices
earlier and 1t closed at $2.31. One
authority said in this connection that
hysteria in regard to laying in house,
hold supplies has diminished.