Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-23

ment was to sever diplomatic relations
with that empire"
G. A. r. Supports President
Immediately, he said. as commander
in chief of the organization he tele-
graphed President Wilson that the
Grand Army of the Republic heartily
supported his stand for the neutral
rights of Americans to the free use
of the open seas.
Later in Washington" said Mr..
Patterson, Il called at the White House
to reiterate in person what had been
declared by wire President Wilson
expressed his pleasure at our prompt
endorsement of his course, remarking
that he and the whole country knew
without any assurance how the Grand
Army of the Republic stood on all
patriotic questions and that no one
had any doubt as to how that organi-
Zatlon stood in the present crisis
And so today, our lives our prop
crty and our sacred honor are pledged
in support Of Liberty in the titanic
struggle now waged between auto
crazy and democracy"
Portland, Oregon, for 1918
Portland, Oregon. was chosen the
1878 encampment city by the Grand
Army Of the Republic at the business
session of the DIST annual encampment
here late today. Atlantic City, n J.,
vas close contender, losing by one
vote.
Greeting to Russia
Amid wild cheers and battlefield
cries the aged Union veterans Of the
Civil war assembled at the 51st an
nual encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic here, late today
adopted a message of greeting. en-
couragement and sympathy to the sol
diers of Russia
AS il was ours half a century
ago to wage a successful war for the
preservation of the American Union
the freedom of a race and the per-
petuity of republican form of govern
ment." the message said, so may it
be yours. heroic sons of a mighty peo-
pie. hy Your united, devoted and sus-
tanned efforts, to establish on an en-
during foundation in your great coun-
try's government of the people by the
people and for the people, and to
this end we send prayers to heaven
and our sons TO the aid of the allied
armiea on the battlefieds of Europe"
Tonight Joseph \. Conry. Russian
consul here. cabled the message to
Petroerad.
Mr. Conry was called into the con-
vention hall as the message was being
adopted and addressed the assembled
veterans.
Elect Commander Thursday
The election of commander in chief
to succeed w. J. Patterson of Pitts
burgh is scheduled for tomorrow.
Colonel Orlando A. Somers, of Ko-
komo, Ind, is the strongest contender
for the honor. although boom in be-
half of Col J. Payson Bradley. past
department commander of Massachu-
sets. was started today. At the Kan
sas City encampment last year. Col
Brady withdrew in favor of Com
mander Patterson.
Army Nurse Killed
The encampment was saddened TODAY
by the sudden death of Mrs Nancy Coch-
ran Of Troy. \. Y, a member OF the Ar
my Nurses of the Civil War. who was
killed in hotel elevator accident. and
by the serious injury of John E. Gilman
of this city. past commander in chief of
the G. A. r. and a leader in the organ
ization for many years, who fell on Bos-
ton Common breaking his right arm so
badly that it is feared it will cause him
serious trouble for many months. Past
the war.
The allied organizations attending the
encampment today held meetings, heard
reports of their national officers and gave
over The evening to receptions.
Following the reception to the war vet
Grams By the department Of Rhode Is
land womens Relief Corps the visitors
went to Mechanics building where a big
was held Trooping to the col
ors was directed by Col. Bradley. Ad-
dresses were made by Commanders
Chief Patterson, Past Commander
Chem James Tanner OF Washington and
others.
Relief Corps Contest
The contest for the three leading officers
on the national ticket of the Women's
Relief Corps resulted In the election Of
Mrs Lois NJ. Knaufi. Cleveland, Ohio. ma
tional president, and Mrs Elizabeth J.
Savage. Bangor. Me. national junior vice
president. Following heated debate
Portland. Ore. was given 3s6 votes for
the 1918 convention city against 372 for
Atlantic City. y. J.
Veterans Wave and Cheer
A remarkable demonstration took
place at the campfire when Corporal
Tanner said during an address on the
present war: The Grand Army to-
night at this critical hour of our ma
tons history calls to the youth of
America to stand by President Will
son as Loyalty and unswervingly as we
did in our day by President Lincoln"
The 10000 veterans and their families
rose enmasse. waved flags and cheered
for several minutes.
Speaking Of the Kaiser, Corporal
Tanner said
I'm all the IS years Of my life I have
never seen anything that equalled the
fendish acts of the Kaiser. He'll will
be overrun with the Kaiser and his