davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
ITALIANS HALT FOE
Diaz's Forces Hold Line Despite
Fierce Attacks.
Floating Forts Block Austro- German
Advance on Venice-Enemy Unable
to Bring Up Big Guns.
neutrality-suspicious.

London, Dec. 17.-What was ap-
parently one of the most bitter engage
ments Of the war resulted in brilliant
victory for the Italians. who are hold
Ing firm against unprecedented Teuton
attacks between the Brenta and Piave
rivers.
Following the German capture Of
Caprille hill General Diaz's troops took
position just behind the lost eminence
and hurled back great masses of on
rushing Germans. Rome pays signal
tribute to the bravery of the Italians,
whose actions are described as being
worthy Of the greatness of the hour" "
The Italian artillery stationed ON the
high ground beyond Caprille literally
slaughtered the Austro- German forces
attempting to mount the steep slopes.
The allied machine gun fire tore great
holes in the invaders lines and forced
him to bring up innumerable fresh
troops.
The days developments apparently
turned what promised to be German
victory into real defeat for the Aus
tiO-GeTmans. In the battle between
the Brenta and the Piave, Berlin had
announced the capture Of forty officers
and 5000 men, but these figures Off
set by the gallant defense Of the Ital-
ians who faced column after column
of advancing Teutons and held their
line firmly under the bitter charges.
Although the Italian line is intact
after four days of violent fighting, it
cannot be said that the Italian crisis
is ct an end.
On the Lower Piave River, North
ern Italy, Dec 17.-Countless square
miles of desolate marsh land, inter-
spersed and cut into numberless islands
by sluggish lagoons, and land inun-
dated to the DEPTH of several feet, line
after line Of stationary batteries O.
guns Of from three to fifteen inches
in caliber and deep muddy trenches
filed with men determined that the
enemy shall not advance any further
such are the impressive and appar-
emily well-nigh unassailable defenses
Of Venice.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
new YORKER ACQUITTED
OF MURDER CHARGE
BOARD TO RULE ARMY
Seven Men to Direct Whole Pro-
gram of Winning War.
Secretary Baker Heads Board, Which
Includes General Bliss and
Five Others.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Secretary of
War Baker, after a long conference
with President Wilson, made this state
ment:
"Plans under consideration for some
weeks were cOnsummated in q general
order issued, creating war council
within the war department.
"At the outset the council will con-
sist of:
Secretary of War Baker.
Assistant Secretary of War Crow
ell.
General Bliss, chief Of staff.
Maj. Gen. Henry G. Sharpe.
Maj. Gen. Erasmus M. Weaver.
Maj. Gen. William Crozier
Maj. Gen. EnOch III. Crowder.
1.-The purpose of the council Is to
oversee and coordinate all matters Of
supply Of our field armies and the mill
tary relations between the armies in
the field and the war department. The
council will act through the chief Of
staff and will be provided with suit
able accommodations and facilities for
the transa ction Of the business.
upon the return Of General Bliss
from Europe he will bring to the coun-
Gil fresh knowledge of the conditions
as they affect all branches Of the ,serv-
ice. From time to time members will
be directed to spend time In the the
ater Of war; to the end that there may
be constantly with the council officers
of distinction and ability who have
had opportunity for personal observa-
ton at the front.
'The war council does not take over
the specialized duties Of the general
staff or the war college, but is in
tended to bring to the larger problems
Of the department both the experience
and general training of the officers of
most mature years and largest expert
ence In the service"
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
SEES PEACE DRIVE IN WEST
Secretary Baker Says Military Situa-
tion Remains Unchanged.

Washington, Dec. 17.-"No element
in the military situation should lead
us to conclude that the initiative in
the West has passed from the allies
to the enemy" Secretary Baker says
in his weekly review of military opera
tions, and devoted largely to the Ger
man advertising of an impending great
offensive.
During ~the period Of the review
(week ending yesterday, the general
military situation in the West has re-
mained unchanged" the review says.
"RumOrs of great preparations on the
part of the Germans, with a view to
achieving some major strategic sue
cess in the West continue to reach
us. Reports of massed hostile concen-
tratiOnS In those sectors where the
enemy proposes to break through the
French front and roll back the allied
line on broad scale are numerous.
'The German higher command
seeks peace through victory. The
enemy is apparently eager to have us
believe that he Is about to win such a
victory"
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
PAPER DEMANDS PEACE MOVE
Berlin Socialist VorWaerts Wants
Kaiser to Give Facts.

Amsterdam, Dec. 1.-THE Berlin So,
cialist paper Vorwaerts, commenting
on the alleged attempt to open prelim,
mary peace discussions between Great
Britain and Germany, demands that
the government tell the German peo.
pie what it intended to communicate
to Great Britain.
Attacking secret diplomacy, the pa.
per suggests that both governments are
afraid to take the initiative, less it be
considered sign of hidden weakness
"When will it be realized" the paper
asks. 'that 1t is n great honor, instead
Of a disgrace, to strive with the enemy
for means for reconciliation with
freedom and selfresncct to end this
insane human slau@h. 'r?"
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
RUSS CEASE MOVEMENTS
AWAITING PEACE PROPOSALS
II U. S. men MISSING
Pershing Sends Names of Engi-
neerS Lost at Cambria.
Believed to Have Fallen Into Hands Of
Germans While Fighting With
the British.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Seventeen en-
listed men of the United States army
! engineer corps were reported missing
in action by General Pershing in dis
patch to the war department.
They were missing on -Tovember 80
the day of the German turning move
ment at Cambrai, and are believed to
have fallen into the hands of the Ger
mans while fighting valiantly with the
engineer contingent which distin.
guished itself helping the British to
check the attack.
The missing men, with their emer-
gency addresses, are:
Sergt. Paul M. Swenson Mrs. J. E.
Swenson, mother, New York city.
Corporal Frank Upton; Mrs. James
Upton, wife, New York city.
Privates:
Solomon GOldwetter; Miss Rose
Perlstein, friend, New York city.
George H. ]. Seaman; Mrs. Anna
Seaman, mother, Woodhaven, L. l.,
New York
Dalton Ranlet; Daniel NJ Ranlet, IA
ther, Corona, N. Y.
Charles A. Geoghehan; Mrs. Michael
Geoghehan, mother, New York city.
Harold t. Andrews; Frank Brad
ford, uncle, Portland, Me.
Alphonso j. McGrath Timothy Nc
Grath, relative, Chestnut Hill, Mass
Myron Van De Mark; Mrs. A. R.
Van De Mark, mother, New Paltz,
N. Y.
Frank Brooks; Mrs. B. Warshopsky,
sister, New York city.
Ulrich N Nancy; John NJ Nancy,
father. New York city.
John Lalty; Michael Lalty, father,
Golden Bridge, N. Y.
Luke A. Lovely; Thomas Lovely,
father, South Amboy, N. J.
Harry ]. Mason; Mrs. G. Mason,
mother, Jersey City, N. J.
Michael Dina; James Dina, father,
New York city.
Peter J. lingo; Mrs. Anthony lingo,
mother, New York city.
Herbert F. Ueltz; Mrs. A. Karl,
mother, Newark, N. J.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
GOTCH, WRESTLER, IS DEAD
Retired Heavyweight Champion Dies
at Des Moines. la.

Des Moines. Ia. Dee. 17.-Frank
Gotch of Humboldt. who retired as
heavyweight champion wrestler few
years ago, died here on Sunday.
- Gotch was known all over the world
as the greatest catch aS-catch- can
wrestler in the history OF that sport.
Death was caused by uraemic poison
ing. Gotch had been ailing for two
years.
Gotch was one of Americas most
famous athletes and his death will he
nourn"d by thousands
Senator Gore i'm Sanitarium
Washington. Dee. 17.-Senator Gore
of Oklahoma went TO a sanitarjum
here today for treatment for neryou,
trouble and insomnia.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
MEANS FOUND
NOT GUILTY
New Yorker Acquitted of Charge
of Numbering Mrs. Maude
A. King.
Jury OUT Fifteen HOURS
State Contended That Means Had
Looted Widows Fortune and
Killed Her to Escape an Ac-
counting.

Concord, n. c., Dec. 17.-Gaston B.
Means was acquitted here of a charge
Of Staying Mrs. Maude A. King, the
wealthy New York and Chicago
widow
The jury deliberated little over fif-
teen hours
During the trial, which began No
vember 26, New York and Chicago wit
nesses declared that nearly all the ST.
100000, inherited by Mrs. King from
her husband, the late J. G. Kink Of
Chicago, had vanished" during the
time Means acted as the woman's busi-
ness agent.
The state contended at the trial
that Means had looted Mrs. Kings
fortune and killed her to escape an ac-
counting.
History of the Tragedy.
The tragedy for which Means had
been blamed occurred on the evening
Of August 20, about two miles from
Concord, N. G. Means who was we'll
known in New York, and not without
acquaintances In Chicago, was accom-
PANEL by his brother, another man
and Mrs. King On a trip to the coun-
try.
1t was on this trip that Mrs. King
was killed. Her death was instantane-
Gus.
Means said the shooting was acci-
dental.
Mrs. Means Left $1,0OO,0 900.
AS supplying possible motive for
murder, it was charged that Means,
as manager Of Mrs. Kings property,
had dissipated large part of it and
that exposure was near at hand, and
that Mrs. King had been centemplat-
Ing another marriage, which would
end Means management of the prop
erty.
Mrs. King first came to Chicago
16 years ago from Morrison, ILL.,, as
the young bride of James Clark King,
an aged millionaire. King died five
years after his marriage. He left his
widow only 100000, but she contested
the will and was awarded $1,0OO,0OO.
Widow Marries Again.
Taking her fortune, the widow went
to Paris. There she married DR.. Perry
Chance of Dayton. O., but who was
living in the French capital. Four
years later she divorced the doctor.
After the death of Mrs. King and
during the investigation of Means
life, it was charged he was Ger
man spy. At the trial 1t was brought
out by the defense that while Means
had acted as German agent prior
to the United States entering the
war, he had been loyal since then.
He told on the witness stand of serv-
ice rendered the Washington govern
ment to frustrate German propa-
ganda.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
U. S. TO WIPE OUT TREASON
VIII Not Permit Aliens to Sab In
Back, Says Gregory.

Chicago, Dec. 17.-Full notice was
served by the federal administration
upon alien enemies-and others-that
the United States will not stand for
any attack from the rear upon her
armies OF her navies
Attorney General Thomas w. Greg
ory brought the word so definitely and
so forceably to Chicago from Washing
ton. that 1t was treated by a distin-
guished gathering of Chicago lawyers
and laymen, substantially as the
declaration of President Wilson him.
SELF
1.-THE disloyal citizen" he said, shall
not discourage or stab in the back the
men who fight for his liberties as well
as their own. To all such a message
will be delivered before the criminal
courts and juries Of our country"
Attorney General Gregory spoke be-
fore 500 Chicago men at a banquet
given in his honor by the Iroquois
club.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
TO CLASSIFY 1900, 900 MEN
QUESTIONABLE Being Mailed by Ex
emption Boards to Registrants.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE gigantic
task Of classifying more than 100000
men registered under the selective
draft law and dividing them into five
lists based upon their qualifications for
serving the nation in the war, has be-
gun in the country.
The work here began with the mail
ing of questionnaireS to per cent Of
the registrants. This work was done
by the local exemption boards and will
continue for twenty days, an added
per cent to be addressed each day until
all have received the QUESTIONABLE
blanks.
When the blanks have been filled,
showing each registrant's capabilities
for service, Provost Marshal General
Crowder will be able to divide the men
into five classes, according to their pos
sibilities Of service. This work, he de-
clared, should be completed within &C
days.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
BRITISH WIN IN PALESTINE
Gen. AIIenby Reports Advance on Five
Mile Front

London, Dec. 17.-An official state
ment bearing on the campaign in
Palestine says:
General Allenby reports that on
December 15 his left center, northeast
Of Ludd, advanced on a five-mile front
to maximum depth of about one
and one-half miles without meeting
much opposition. Kibbiah, Khihan-
neh, Khel, Bornat and the ridge over
looking Ell Tireh were occupied.
"Our airplanes dropped Sc bombs
on motor boats and sheds and on
troops at the mouth of the Jordan with
good effect, obtaining "a hits"
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
COL. HOUSE BACK
IN UNITED STATES
Leader of Mission to Paris and
London Says Allies Are
United.
PEACE WAS NOT DISCUSSED
Declares Nothing Was Done by Ameri-
cas- Representatives That Was
BIndinq-WiII sse Presi-
dent Today.

New York, Dec. 1T.-COl. e. M.
House, who headed the United States
delegates to the interallied conference
held In Paris, arrived here. He thus
summed up the result of the confer
ence:
1.-The work was satisfactorily done.
The mission was great success.
"The representatives agreed on
everything. They got together on eco
nomic and industrial conditions, EN-
barge, finance and food.
Nothing was done by Americas
representatives that was binding. 1t is
up to this country to decide whether
the plans will be acceptable. The whole
matter depends on the president.
"We never discussed peace. No
mention of peace was made"
Colonel House will go to Washington
at once to report to the president.
Work Is Done Quickly.
"The whole work Of the conference
took just thirty days." said Colonel
House. 1.-TWO weeks were spent In
Paris and two weeks In Versailles.
There were three sittings Of the con-
ference. We cut out practically all en-
tertainments, as our mission was one
Of business.
"The interallied conference should
be called the priority board. 1t was
at the conference that the supreme war
council was proposed. This was held
of hn INF Of
Great Britain. France and Italy at
tended 1T, each with a military repre-
sentative. This country was represent
ed by General Bliss and myself.
"The men who went with me to the
interallied conference in an industrial
connection took load off me. They
discussed matters with which 1 was
not conversant Alone, my visit would
have been futile.
Praise for t<iss Aids.
"The men selected for the mission
from this country were perfectly ia
miliar with the situation and were
ready to take up every point.
General Bliss made a fine impress
sion over there; so did Admiral Ben
son. l saw good deal Of Vice Ad-
miral Sims-a fine fellow, we'll liked.
He has the respect Of everybody.
"War aims, as far as this country
is concerned, were not touched upon
at least, would not discuss them
Colonel House then told of visit he
made to the front.
II went to the front ten days ago
with General Pershing," he said. ''The
general has very difficult task and
he Is doing it well. The Americans at
the front are In good shape.
Il cannot say when the United
States troops will begin their often
sive. These are things don't want
to touch on"
Benson and Bliss Back.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE military
and naval heads Of the house mission
to the allied conference In Paris re-
turned to Washington.
They brought with them optimistic
reports, re-echoing the sentiment of
General Pershing that "we're going
to break the German line with hui
man wedge"
Colonel House is expected here to-
day to report to the president.
Admiral Benson, chief Of naval op-
erations, and General Bliss, chief of
the army general staff, arrived from
New York.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
TRUCE AGREEMENT
SIGNED BY RUSS
AND GERMANY
Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria
Also Parties to Pact With
BoIsheviki.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN
Armistice Becomes Effective at Noon
Today and Is to Remain in Force
Until January 14-AIl Moves by
Armies and Navies Halt.

ment between the bOlsheviki govern
ment in Russia and the Teutonic al
lies was signed at Brest-Litovsk Sat-
urday, according to an official COM
munication issued on Sunday. The
armistice becomes effective at noon
Monday and is to remain in force un-
til January IA.
A provision in the arnistice agree
ment is that peace negotiations are to
begin Immediately after the signing
of the armistice.
Covers TeutonIc League.
The text Of the communication fol-
lows:
IAN armistice agreement was signed
at Brest-Litovsk on Saturday by pleni-
pOtentiary representatives Of the Rus
sian upper army administration on the
one hand and those Of the upper army
administration of Germany, Austria
Hungary. Bulgaria and Turkey on the
other hand.
'1The armistice begins at noon, De-
cember IT, and remains In force until
January Ii, 1918. Unless seven days
notice Is given it continues In force
automatically. 1t extends to all the
land, air and naval forces of the COM
mon fronts.
According to clause of the treaty
peace negotiations are to begin imme-
diately after the signing of an arnis-
tice."
The official war office report says:
"At BreSt-Litovsk on Saturday an
armistice agreement with Russian was
signed by Prince Leopold of Bavaria
and other representatives Of the CEN
trail powers for the duration of % days,
to become effective from noon, Decem-
Der II"
Military Activities Off.
London, Dec. IA Russian gov.
ernment wireless message received
here says:
ensign Krylenko (bolsheviki com.
mander In chief Of the army in q
proclamation addressed to all the army
commands on all the fronts and the
military revolutionary committees, an.
nounces that in consequence of the
signing Of the armistice which begins
December II, 4 propose, until receiv.
ing the full text of the treaty, to cease
all military operations
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
FRENCH OFFICER is KILLED
Col. Ferreol Francois Bel Hit by Shell
While in Italy.

With the French Armies in Northern
Italy, Dec. 17.-Col. Ferreol Francois
Bel was the first high French officer
tiny village at the foot of Monte Tom
bo, close behind the front where he
was killed by shell While inspecting
the line. A German airplane that was
flying over the scene at the time of the
burial was put TO flight. For two years
chasseur regiment in Italy Colonel Bel
was on the headquarters staff OF Mar.
shall Joffre.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
ALLEGED STACKER is KILLED
Two Others Seriously Wounded in
Battle With Officer.

Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 17.-One alleged
seIective service evader was instantly
killed and two others so badly wound
ed that their capture was easily eff
fected later when EMS Thurman. a
deputy sheriff Of Pinal county, encoun-
tered the three in a lonely mountain
region near Sasco. Armed only with a
shotgun loaded with bird shot, Thur
man had been seeking the three men,
who were reported TO have driven off
cattle from a ranch five miles from
SaScO.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
THREE MEN HELD AS SLAYERS
ALLEGED Bandits Said to Have Shot
Woman to Death.

Mount Vernon, H., Dec. 17-Adam
Munzie and William Paris of East ST
Louis and Layman Flanagan of this
city are said to have confessed to the
murder of Mrs. Stella Boyle. when they
robbed the Joseph L. Boyle's cigar
store of $50 and fled to Nationwide
near here, where they We're arrested.
The men are held in tha county iail
Company X of the Illinois National
Guard is assisting Sh riff Paisley and
deputies in guarding them. Feeling is
so bitter here that it is feared the cit
liens will try to lynch the three men.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
U. S. TROOPS TO CELEBRATE
Gen. Pershing Proclaims Christmas
and New Years HOLIDAYS.

With the American Army in France,
Dec. 17.-Gen. John J. Pershing, COM
mander in chief of the Americans In
France, in general orders issued today
proclaimed Christmas and New Years
day as holidays. The orders said no
work Is to be performed On the two
holidays that is not absolutely essen
tial,
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
Suqar Head Defends Hoover

Philadelphia, Dee. 1T.-George III.
Earle, Jr., one of III leading independ-
ent sugar refiners, issued a statement.
praising Food Administrator Hoover
and George NJ. Rolph, head of the su-
gar division for their work and bitter
ly assailing Claus Spreckles.
at was only tha efficient efforts of
the food administration that prevented
sugar from soarin@ ia the height OF so
cents on even 81 Ii :r'..H'a' lie decar ID.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
BRITISH DESTROYER is SUNK
AIrship Also Believed DESTROYED by
Enemy SeapIane.

London, Dec. IA British ir-
ship is believed to have been DESTROYED
by a hostile seaplane, and a second
British airship was forced to descend
in Holland, according to an official an
nouncement. 1t was also officially an
nounced that a British DESTROYER had
been sunk.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
MIR. Cztt s q. ace lead.

Washington Dee. t7.-Business ses-
si0ns of the fOrty-ninth annual conven-
ton of the National American Woman
Suffrage association We're brought to
= close here With the reelection of
Mrs. CARR, Chapman Gait as presi-
dent and of all other officers and the
adoption of resolutions pledging sup
por' of government activities directed
to winning the war.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
Use Women as Ticket AGENTS.

Omaha, Neb., Dec. 17-That their
male ticket agents may be relieved
from usual duties and replace men
who went to the armies, the Union
Pacific railroad will, beginning today,
place woman ticket agents at all i'm
portant ticket offices of that road.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
BOAT RAMMED WHILE IN NET
Small Craft Sunk While Cauaht In
Submarine Trap,

An Atlantic Port, Dec. 1.-THE Ma
ryland pilot boat Pilot, while caught in
a submarine guard net off this port
was rammed by the steamer Berkshire
of the Merchant and Miners lines. No
lives were lost. The Berkshire was
only slightly damaged.
The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-17
Ensign G. w. oberoer prowned

Baltimore, Mo, Zee. 17.-George w.
Oberger of New York, an ensign In the
naval auxiliary reserve, was drowned
here.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-03-30
MASS-MEETINGS IN FAVOR Oh
GRAVEL ROADS.

Mr.. w. P. Kimbrough was in the
city on business from Itta Bena this
morning and made The Daily Com
monwealth a pleasant call.
Mr.. Kimbrough informed US that
large and enthusiastic ss-meetings
had been held the past week at Itta
Bena and Morgan City, composed of
the Taxpayers of Beats Four and
Five, at which strong protests were
adopted against the use of any of the
500, 900 good roads bond issue in any
thing but gravel-made public high
ways.
He said that the citizens of Beat
Two would meet at Schlater and
adopt a similar protest, and that the
people of Beat One have practically
all signed a petition favoring gravel
made roads throughout the county.
The people Of the whole country are
very much wrought up over this road
building proposition, and are justly
claiming that they voted for the bond
issue with the understanding that the
highways to all parts of the county
would be improved, instead of a few
Of them.