davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
GOuverneur Morris Warns e. S.
Against "Gag Rule"
TEMPTATIONS TOO GREAT
An Uncriticised Government
More Liable to Err.
Ii Things Go Wrong People
Have Right to Know.
By GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Washington, May 11-Not until the
president has received and deputed TO
a man of less calibre than himself the
power to suppress free speech VIII the
people of the United States as whole
begin to understand what that sup
preston means to them individually
and collectively.
1t means that at the very beginning
of the war we shall have lost one of
the most precious of all those prlvl-
leges which we are fighting to retain.
1t means the end of free government
and the setting up of a government by
the privileged few. 1t means blame
less government, which if it chose to
abuse its powers, might perpetuate It
self. From the suppression of crl1-
cism it is only a step to the mobiliza-
ton of lies. Consider a campaign in
which the press was not allowed to
mention the faults of the candidates
for reelection!
Draw Line Now.
1t is proper that the president and
great war, should be given a fair and
unprejudiced trial. 1t is not proper
that behind closed doors they should
be allowed to conduct that trial them
selves and in the face, perhaps. of this
disaster and that which might have
been avoided; of men, perhaps, who
need not have died, to pronounce upon
themselves some such SNUG verdict as
this:
Not guilty! No group of men could
possibly have done better than we
have done. Contrary minded will go
to jail
The people believe the president is
just the man to lead them in this war.
But if, as is humanity possible. it
should turn out that he is not just the
man. no lightning along the wires
could too quickly spread the news of
this failure
He should be given money and great
powers. These legislators who are
blocking the army bill should be made
to realize that they are threatening
themselves with political suicide But
the president should not be given the
right to hide from the people who give
them to him, the uses that he makes
of the powers given.
Publicity Safety Valve.
No man that ever lived has been
great enough, wise enough, kind
enough or sufficiently unhuman to be
trusted with that right. When a ruler
protests that he can not do well, il
his actions are to be subjected to the
pitiless light of publicity, he as much
as confeSSeS that under no circum-
stances can he be expected TO do well.
With the same breath that u ruler de-
mandS from the people SO terrific a
manifestation of confidence, he con-
fesses that his own trust and conf
dence in himself are not very great.
Truth, though naked and frightened
out of her wits. cuts a more hopeful
figure in the eyes of a free people
than secrecy, with his SNUG, conf
dent face, his forked tongue and that
dark cloak in which he seeks to hide
the deformities of his body.
The sun is high. You pass a block
of city houses. In one of them the
shutters are closed and the blinds are
down. What is your first thought:
That the house is inhabited?
You are more likely to tap your
forehead and murmur:
"NObOdV home"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
CHINA BALKS AT WAR
House Opposes 1t After Riotous Scene
Lasting All Night

Picking, May 11.-After a riotous
secret session lasting thruout Thurs
day night, the house of representatives
refused to pass a resolution declaring
war on Germany.
The house of parliament was sur
rounded by a mob which demanded
war making threats of violence. Under
the orders of Premier Tuan Chi-Jui,
troops finally dispersed the mob. The
premier addressed the house, urging
a declaration of war He was de-
nounced by members who said he was
attempting to coerce parliament.
The press is opposed to the war par
ty urging parliament to resist military
pressure on the ground that it threat
ems the republic.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
WARNS RUSSIANS
"Peace Now Only Armistice,"
Says Duma President.
German Socialists Working for
Victory of AutOcracy.

Petrograd. May 11.-"Only complete
defeat of Germany will assure the
worlds happiness. Peace now would
only be an armistice. Russia cannot
betray the allies with whom she has
been fighting for three years"
In these words today President
Rodzianko, of the duma. forcefully
pleaded with the Russian governing
body for answering continuance OF
Russia's part in the war, and warned
against insidious peace moves inspired
by Germany.
1.-The war must be successfully
terminated in a manner preserving the
countrys integrity and national hon
or" he asserted. Our innumerable
sacrifices demand a peace commen-
surate with the immensely of our ef-
forts and a peace assuming the tri-
umph of ideals of justice and liberty.
Victory Must BE Decisive.
THE German program is hegemony
in a word, the enslavement of ma
tons.
Such contradictory principles can
not admit of an iEconclusive victory
for one or the other-it must be de-
cisive.
do not forget that German work
ers, however Socialistic they may be.
ardently desire a German victory, and
naturally. therefore, support the gov
ernment's imperialistic aspirations
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
WITNESSES TELL
OF DEATH OF The
DINSMORE Girl
Mother of Slain Girl the First to
Testify Today.
She Is Permitted to Sit With
Back to Prisoner.
TRIAL AT TEMPORARY HALT
BisseII's Attorneys Try to EX-
cIude Degenerate's Confession.
Topeka Fireman Tells of Find
ing Ravished Body.
She Is Permitted to Sit With
Back to Prisoner.
TRIAL AT TEMPORARY HALT

Kansas City, No, May 1.-the
trial of Fred Bissell, of Topeka, who
is charged with numbering Edna Dlns-
more, came to a temporary halt in the
Wyandotte district court at Kansas
City, Kansas, today when BisselPs at
torney attempted to prevent the intro e
duction of a confession alleged to have
been made by the accused man. 1t
was introduced during the testimony
of Robert Carver, prosecuting attor-
ney of Shawnee county, in which the
murder was committed and was de
cIared to have been made by Bissell
after he had been taken for safe keep
ing to the Kansas state prison at
Lansing.
The first testimony was offered to-
day, the jury having been completed
late Thursday. Mrs. Bessie Dinsmore,
the mother of the murdered girl, was
one of the first state witnesses. She
SAT with her back to Bissell after hav
ing specifically asked permission from
court attaches to be permitted to sit
so she could not see him. Then she
testified that he had made threats
against her and also had spoken of her
daughter.
Tell of Finding Body.
Frank Cunningham, a Topeka fire
man related having found the girls
body in a deserted house, with a bottle
of iodine beside it. Preston Strother
to Bissell the day before the murder
and Mrs. Eva Cox related having seen
Bissell and the girl walking in the di-
rection of the deserted house at 8
o'clock on the morning of the muir
der.
L. L. Kienie. Shawnee county sher-
iff, testified concerning the events
leading up to the alleged confession at
Lansing.
Attorneys for BisselI kept the tele-
phone line to Topeka hot today in
various witnesses who are to
be placed on the stand in the defense
of their client. Among the witnesses
were BisselIs father and
mother.
Mrs. Cox on Stand.
Mrs. Eva Cox, of Arlington Heights,
introduced testimony new in the case.
She told of driving into the city on
the morning of the robbery and testi-
fled to seeing BiSsen accompanied by
a little girl walk west on Fifth street
opposite the court house. Mrs. Cox
stated that she knew Bissell because
he had delivered pies to a store she
and her husband operate at Arlington
Heights.
Extraordinary interest is being ia
ken in the Shawnee county murder
case by Kansas City people. The court
room is crowded and two guards are
stationed on each side of Bissell.
Frank Souther, Oxford drug clerk
identified the bottle of iodine found
in the house and the bandages with
which the girl was bound as articles
purchased from that store. He identi-
fled Bissell as the purchaser of the
iodine and bandapeS
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
ITALIANS ARRIVE
War ENJOYS From Rome Ar
rive Unheralded.
Large Delegation to Discuss
Important Issues With U. s.

New York, May 1.-THE Italian
war commission reached this country
unheralded yesterday. 1t is headed
by Enrico Arlotta, minister of mari
time and railway transportation in the
Italian cabinet. The others are Cen
eral Gugliemotti. representing the
Italian army; Commander Vannutelli.
representing the navy; Alviz Braga-
DIM of the transportation department;
c.. Pardo of the department of indus
try and commerce, and Gaetano Petra
of the agricultural department
These men came on the same errand
that brought the British and French
commissions-to point out how Amer
lea can best help defeat Germany and
to add the mental fruit of their ex-
perience to the accumulation of ad-
vice from allied sources. The mission
will go to Washington in a few days
to begin its conferences with the au-
thOritieS there.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
State Officials Declare German
Won't Sell Wheat.
Several Thousand Bushels EX-
posed to the Elements.
WILL NOT EVEN PRICE IT
NeighbOrS Complain to Officials
About His Actions.
Government May Seize Grain
''for Military Purposes"

State and federal officials may seize
several thousand bushels of wheat
and corn held at Upton, Mitchell
county, by Charles Foss, a wealthy
German, who has exposed the crops
to the elements and refuses to sell.
Many complaints have been received
concerning Foss' refusal to sell re-
lease his food supply. The matter
will be presented to Fred Robertson,
United States district attorney, by
state officials.
In event the Foss supply of wheat
and corn is seized, it is probable that
the owner will be compelled to pres
ent his bill to congress or to the next
state legislature. The owner of the
grain has refused to sell to neighbors
or to place price on the food StuffS.
One report in state house circles to-
day indicated that an effort might be
made by the state or federal govern
ment to requisition the supply for
military purposes-thus overriding
Foss claim to individual ownership.
Many Complaints Made.
For several weeks complaints have
been coming to state departments con-
corning the tremendous supply of food
stuffs held by the Mitchell county
German. Letters have indicated that
Foss is wealthy, but possesses misery
tendencies and has fatty refused to
dispose of his crops. Apparently he
has refused to discuss his plans with
his neighbors. While Mitchell county
farmers are in need of corn for feed
and seed, Foss fatty refuses to sell
or to place a value on the grain.
Several thousand bushels of wheat
worth practically SO a bushel on the
open market-has been placed in open
bins by the Upton man. The grain
is merely surrounded by board
fence. 1t is exposed to elements and
is said to have been greatly damaged
during the recent rains. But Foss
continues to hold and hoard his 1915
crop yield, which now is I'm danger
of rotting in the open bins. In addi-
ton to the enormous supply of wheat
which Foss has stored. he owns sew
eral hundred bushels of corn, stored
in an equally careful manner.
Discuss Plans Today.
1t is probable that a solution of the
trouble may be worked out today at
conference of state and federal Of
ficials. There is apparently no meth
cd whereby the state may seize the
crops except for military use. Should
the state requisition the crops Foss
would be compelled to go before the
1919 legislature with claim for the
value of the crops.
The federal government might de-
wise a method for securing possession
of the grain. One suggestion adj
vanced today called for government
requisiton of the corn for feeding
horses during the officers school at
Fort Riley. The wheat. it is asserted,
might be taken over by the govern
ment under a claim of preservation of
food supplies for United States and
allied troops during the war with
GERMANY
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
HIT GERMAN WARSHIP
Report Torpedo Boat Badly Crippled
During Thursday Fight.

Amsterdam, May IA German
torpedo boat was badly hit in the
battle between German and British
destroyers early yesterday morning
according to the Flushing correspond
ent of the Telegraf. The correspond
ent says that very hot battle took
place near the North Hinder light
ship. Great flames were visible and
the firing could be heard in Flushing
and elsewhere in leland.
The Germans passed North Hinder
at great speed about APO o'clock, the
British pursuing and both sides fir
ing rapidly. One of the German boats
was seen to be severely injured. The
British followed their quarry until
near the mine field off the Flemish
coast, the Germans taking refuge at
Zeebrugge
All Thursday night fire signals were
being sent up from Zeebrugge and the
searchlights were flashing continuous
ly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
KEEP UP FIGHT
Roosevelt Boosters Still Urge
French Expedition.
Don't Intend to Block Legisla-
ton by L. r. Controversy.

Washington, May 11.-Col. Theo-
dore Roosevelt's fight to lead an
American force to France is going
right on. Unfavorable report by house
and senate conferees on the Roosevelt
division amendment of the army bill
will be answered by Republican sena-
tors on the floor. These men plan to
fight for it's re-incorporation in the
selective service measure.
At the same time friends of the col
onel in the house are prepared to
launch a new effort there in behalf of
his volunteer division.
1t is stated that the Roosevelt plan
never had a fair vote in the house be-
cause when taken it was not assured
that selective service would be ap-
proved there. In the senate some Re
publicans admittedly voted for the
amendment in order to please the col
onel altho not necessarily committed
to the ACCESSIBILITY of taking a step
counter to the advice of the war de-
partment
Harding Leads Senate Fight.
Senator Harding believes that all of
the Republicans who were for the
measure before will remain in line and
he feels the Democrats who approved
it will stand pat again.
Owing to the pressure being exerted
on congress for action on the army
bill, it is believed the fight for the
colonel will not endure long, unless
it is quickly won.
The administration does not ap-
prove the plan and many Democrats
who previously voted for the measure
are expected by Democratic leaders
to follow the wishes CT the govern
ment.
1t is not believed congress will run
the chance of public criticism for in
activity by prolonglng discussion of
the conferees' report. Instead, early
next week, it is believed the report
Will be approved by both branches as
agreed upon by the conferees.
Meantime the subject of the Roose
wilt division was enlivened today by
publication of correspondence between
Roosevelt and Joseph Letter, presi-
dent of the Army League of the Unit
ed States. Roosevelt resigned as hon
orary vice-president of the league
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
BalfOur and Commission Reach
City This Afternoon.
JOffre at WashingtOn'S Head
quarters and West Point.
OPERA BENEFIT NETS S06, OUU
Committee Raises 1t to 100000
for JOffre Charities.
Gathering Tonight Most Distin-
guished in City's History.

New York. May 1.-THE third day
of the visit of the French war COM
mission saw diminution i'll the
warmth of the welcome extended to
the visitors by the people of New
York After two. days of swift rides
in motor cars from reception to jubila-
ton and back to another reception or
luncheon always thru streets packed
with humanity shouting unending
roars of good will, Marshal Joffre es-
ca ped from the crowds this morning
for trip to Newburgh, y. Y, where
he was to visit the headquarters OF
General Washington. From NewburSh,
the marshal will go to West Point to
review the cadets at the military
academy, returning to New ork TINS
evening for the banquet the browning
event of the city's welcome to the
members of the French and British
commissions. This affair will bring
together perhaps the most distinguish
ed assembly in the history of the city
Astor Icntcrtains British.
The British commission headed by
Arthur j. Balfour. the British foreign
secretary, is expected to arrive in the
city at $3.50 p. m. They will land at
the battery and the same program
that attended the arrival of the
They will be escorted to the city hall
where the mayor will receive them
Then will follow a reception in the
governors room in city hall and
speeches by the mayor, Chairman
Choate and Mr.. Balfour after which
the visitors will be escorted by mount
ed policemen to the residence of Vim
cent Astor Mr.. Astor will be host to
the British ENJOYS during their short
visit.
The end of yesterdays greeting for
the visitors was the gala performance
at the Metropolitan opera house.
Viviani Becomes Ill.
Marshal Joffre went to the opera
house but NJ. Viviani pleading illness
went to the Prick residence. The re-
ceipts from the entertainment were
estimated at more than $4,000 and
members of the committee said they
would be increased to 500. 600 by the
donations. The check for this sum
will be turned over to Marshal Joffre
for his two pet charities. the commits
sion of relief in Belgium. and the So
ciety for Relief of French War Or
phans.
The French commission will leave
for Boston late tonight.
Mission Leaves for n. Y.
Washington, May 1.-THE British
mission left here today on a special
train for three-day welcome and re-
ception in New York City. in which
they join the French mission.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
HAS ALL CLASSES.
President Completes List ON
Delegation to Russia.
Socialist and Labor Leaders to
Go With Root.

Washington. May 11.-Maj. Gen.
Hugh L. Scott. chief of staff of the
United States army, and Rear Admiral
James A. Glennon will be the military
and naval members of this nations
commission to Russia, it was an
nounced today.
The remainder of the personnel was
officially announced as listed in earlier
dispatches today.
Washington, May 1.-THE presi-
dent has completed the personnel of
the commission which will go to Rus
STA for this government to assist the
provisional government of the former
empire of the cars.
The personnel will be announced,
probably today, as follows:
Elihu Root, Cyrus Mccormick. c. r.
Bertron, New York banker: Charles
Edward Russell, Socialist leader;
James Duncan, vice president of the
American Federation of Labor; DR..
John R. Mott and Charles r. Crane of
Chicago.
within the next few days formally to
organize.
Root to Russell a Long Way"
The fact that such men as Root and
Russell-men of such widely different
views on all matters governmental and
economic-are to be the same COM
mission, working for the same Demo-
cratic end, occasioned no such sur
prise and comment today as would
have been caused even six months ago
by so radical a personnel of a govern
ment commission
1t was pointed out today that every
so-called class in America is repre-
scented.
Roots admitted capabilities, it was
said need no discussion" His often
expressed views pertaining to govern
mental and economic matters are as
well known. His great grasp of in
ternational matters" it was empha-
sized, well fit Root for the task ahead.
Russell and Duncan are considered
as eminently fitted as representatives
of the Socialist and labor classes Both
are expected to give to Russian lead
ers just what they will have to have
in the line of advice on labor and in
dustrial problems. 1t is because the
Socialist movement will be of such
tremendous influence in the formation
of a Russian republican form of gov
eminent that Russell was chosen.
Charles r. Crane is well acquainted
with Russian conditions.
Bertron Financial Adviser.
Bertron will be the commission S
financial representative.
McCormick's experience as head of
one of Americas greatest industrial
enterprises is expected to prove in
valuable. The great need of Russia
for agricultural tools, it is thought,
incidentally can better be remedied
with Mccormick on the ground.
Mott is a great organizer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
lombard ZEEBRUGGE
Airplanes Drop Bombs on German
Submarine Base.

Amsterdam (via London). May 10.
English airplanes BON barded Zee
brugge early this morning. At the
same time a .flotilla of torpedo boats
was observed from Flushing lombard
ing the Belgian coast.
The torpedo boat action referred to
in the foregoing dispatch presumably
is identical with the destroyer engage
ment reported yesterday by the Brit
ish admiralty. That reported stated
a German fiotilla had been driven to
shelter under the guns of the Zee
brugge forts.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
DETECTIVES IN PLOT?
Three Arrested as AccompIices in
Safe Robberies Totaling $4,000.

Chicago. May 11.-Three men en-
ployed by the Stanton Detective
Agency were under arrest today.
charged with using their authority as
an aid in robbing fifty safes in loor.
buildings during the last three
months Their loot is alleged to have
totalled $4,000.
Walter French and Gus Nacker are
held here Their alleged confessions
resulted in the arrest of Joseph Regain
at Piedmont, West Va, last night A
young woman, whose identity is un-
known to the Chicago police, is held
with Regain.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
KNOCK OUT U-BOATS
Weeks Score Badly Against Kaiser,
Says Paris Authority.

Paris, May 11.-Both French and
British statistics on submarine sinking
during the last week show a certain
Improvement in the situation, says
Marcel Hutin, a usually we'll in
formed writer on the subject. He
adds:
Il understand that our means of
fighting submarines is increasing dali
ly and without giving details, 1 can,
say that the number of submarines
put out of action in the last few days
has risen in very satisfactory man
ner.'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
BAKER PRAISES T. R.
He Says Colonel Is Rendering Val
liable Service to Nation.

Washington, May 11.-Altho the
war department fought Colonel Roose-
velt's plan to raise a volunteer army
of 100000 men, Secretary of War
Baker praised the colonel. He said:
colonel Roosevelt rendered a val
liable service. He is constantly rem
dering very valuable service"
Secretary Baker refused to COM
ment on suggestions that the colonel
be offered a commission in the new
army or post where his energies
would be employed for the govern
ment in the war
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
"GET" 13 AUSTRO SUBS
Italy Navy Has Sunk That Number in
Past Three Weeks.

Washington. May 11.-Thirteen
Austrian submarines have been sunk
in the Mediterranean in the past three
weeks by Italian naval forces, it was
learned here officially today.
Dispatches. giving no date, says that
for the fourth time within a year Ital-
ian destroyers have penetrated the
fortified port of Dura zzo. sinking four
transports loaded with provisions and
ammunition. The destroyers. COM
manded by Lieutenants Paganelh and
Berardinel, returned unscathed. Other
destroyers previously have penetrated
the ports of Pola Pierano and Pa
reno.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-11
$4,000 TO J0FFRE
Boston Reception to Open With Dona-
ton to French War Orphans.

Boston. May 11.-Boston appeared
to have forgotten everything else to-
day in the eagerness of its prepare
tons for the visit of Marshal Joffre
and other members of the French mis-
sion.
At a public reception at Braves
field, little Mary Curley. daughter of
Mayor Curley will hand to Marshal
.Joffre a casket containing a notifica-
ton that New England citizens have
contributed s15o.0OO for the support
of French children made fatherless
by the war.