davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
He SPOKE
Kaiser Predicted World War,
Then Had Story "KiIIed."
After Dinner Refreshments
Emperor Too LOquaciOus.

New York. Dec. 17.-DecIaratiOns
that the German kaiser, as far back as
1903, predicted the present world con-
fIict in an interview with an American
newspaper man, then caused the inter
view to be suppressed after it had been
printed in the Century magazine, and
was ready for distribution. were made
here today in the Tribune.
The interview, it was said, was given
out aboard the kaiser's yacht, the
Hohenzollern, off Norway, following a
dinner at which the kaiser had eaten
we'll but unwisely.
The Century magazine accepted it.
paying $1,000, but consented to it's
destruction when told publication
might mean war.
The printed magazines were stripped
of the story, the Tribune says, and the
Objectionable matter loaded into boxes
and placed upon a German cruiser
which unexpectedly paid a visit to
America.
The boxes were first thrown over
board from the cruiser, but when they
floated were recovered and burned.
One copy of the interview, it is said,
still remains.
The interview charged England with
trying to neutralize Germany's grow
ing power, depicted her as a decadent
nation, charged on-Christianity in an
alliance with Japan, reeked with abuse
of King Edward, predicted the world
war, sIandered the Catholic church in
Germany and elsewhere and charac-
terized Archbishop Ireland as an
enemy of the United States.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
FREE MAN TODAY
CASTOR b. Means Plays With
Baby in Own Home.
Jury Acquitted Him of Murder
Charge Sunday.

Concord, N c., Dec. 17.-Gaston B.,
Means is today by his own fireside
playing with his one year old babe.
AS church bells summoned worship
pers to divine service Sunday morn
ing, Means walked out into the Sab
bath day, freed from the charge of
numbering Mrs Maude "A. King.
1t was a solemn occasion when
Judge E. B. Cline entered the dingy
old court room Sunday morning soon
summons from the jury. At 10:05 the
defendant, Castor B. Means, came
walking into the court room. His
face was pale. By his side was his
wife, who bore the signs of night
spent in anxious waiting for the YER
dict which might rob her of her hus-
bands protection. Soon afterward
there entered the court room Col w.
G.. Means, father of the defendant,
Alton Means, his brother. and Miss
instructed Sheriff Caldwell that only
the defendant and counsel should be
allowed with the bar.
There was great strain evident on
the defendants side of the court room,
for while the defendant himself was
composed, his wife was weeping, and
even members of his counsel were
seen with tears streaming down their
faces.
No Demonstration.
Judge CuDS gave warning InaI
there should be no demonstration and
ordered the court room locked. He
then sent for the jury at 1914.
He explained to them two or three
minor remarks which he had made
and which he declared might have
been nisinterpreted.
Il seek no appreciation, 1 deserve
none" Judge Cline said, looking at
counsel. Il will deem it a discourtesy
if anyone attempts to approach me
upon the bench and give either ap-
plause or disapprobation."
Gentlemen of the jury have you
reached a verdict?" queried the judge.
I'VE havei" came the reply.
Who shall speak for you?"
Frank Goodman, the foreman"
was the answer.
Clerk of the Court Stonestreet then
approached the jurors and ordered the
defendant to stand.
CASTOR B. Means, the old CASTOR B.
Means, with blase smile, stood and
His wife was half standing in her
chair.
The Verdict Given.
Prisoner, look upon the jury;
Jurors look upon the prisoner
droned the court clerk.
sHaye you reached a verdict?"
1--WE have" came the strained and
feeble answer of the foreman.
rs the prisoner guilty or not
A deathlike silence ran thruout the
court and the foreman of the jurors
hesitated, then he cleared his throat
and seemed to stammer. :.
Not guilty finally came the half
inaudible reply of the foreman.
CASTOR b Me ms smiled again and
sank back into his seat His wife by
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
Army Equipment Retarded by
Delay in Giant Artillery.
U. 5. Adopts Same CaIiber as
French 75's for Standard.
MILLION ENFIELD RIFLES
Order Placed in June, Says
Ordnance Chiefs Report.
Making Lots of Machine and
Anti-Aircraft Guns.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Army ord
nance conditions at the beginning of
the present fiscal year are treated
only briefly by Major General Crozier.
chlef of ordnance, in the annual report
of his bureau, made public today. The
report shows that up to June 80 the
orders have been placed for one mil
hon Enfield rifles, details for the re-
chambering of the British standard
gun for the American ammunition
having been completed June l. On
the machine gun situation General
Crozler says that several types of
weapons have been found efficient bv
the machine gun board but that pro-
curement of an adequate supply was
question of securing deliveries.
In other wordS,' he adds sthe
NUMBER of machine guns on hand
when war was declared was so small
that 1t was necessary to keep going
at the greatest possible capacity those
machine gun factories which were al
reauy in operation and to utilize their
output when the guns so manufac-
tured had beer reported by the board
as sufncient, even tho they NAV not
( nave been reported as most efficient
EVERY energy has been bent to Sc
eu1S satisfactory output and consid-
er1pie IN this direction is being made
Fuhds appropriated to date are ade-
quate for the purpose"
II Is shown in the report that all
american field guns are to be sim
liar in calibre to the French ..Sav-
enty-fives" which have heen % ,,,71,,,,
discussed since the war began. The
french semi-automatic mechanism
also has been adopted in nodified
Iorm' so that American and French
/ batterles IN France can be served from
! the same ammunition factories. Anti
aircraft guns of the s'seventy-five"
type also have been adopted.
Both these and the machine guns
are under manufacture IN nquantity the
report says "A considerable number
Of the anti-air craft guns figured for
mounting on motor trucks also have
been ordered
The report shows that {. s inch and
six inch howitzers, the guns principal
ly used for barrage work in trench
fighting were designed and ready for
manufacture on June 80.
General Crozier expressed apprecia-
/ ton of the cooperation of French and
British ordnance experts in turning
out these guns.
The production of large calibre, mo-
bile artillery, that is weapons of the
/ type OF the German forty-two cent?
meter guns appears to be the chief
source of delay in the army's equip
ment. General Crozier says a process
of supplying our troops with these
guns necessarily will be slow and
disappointing. altho every advantage
cured from abroad"
Too Much Red Tape.
General Crozier declared there was
entirely too much red tape getting
money" While an emergency appro-
p-iation request for a lump appropria-
ton of $2,932,537,0 was made by
the war department April 5-a day
before war was declared-it was June
before congress made appropriations
under the estimates.
But you had millions of dollars left
CONTINUED on Page Eighth
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
PetrOgrad Tells Provisions
Signed by RussO-Germans.
Permits Social Intercourse Be-
tween Enemy Armies.
BINDING UNTIL JANUARY IA
Meanwhile No Moves by Army,
Navy or Aero of Either.
To Consider Space Between
First Lines Neutral Zone.

Petrograd. Dec. 16.-The terms of
the Russo German armistice, accord
ing to a statement issued here, obli-
gate no transference of troops until
January IA, January l Russian) no
increase in troops on the fronts or
on the islands of the Moon Sound or a
re-grouping of forces. The Germans
are not to concentrate troops between
the Black sea and the Baltic, east of
the 18th degree of longitude east of
Greenwich. Intercourse between the
troops is limited to 25 persons at a
time who exchange newspapers and
unsealed mails and who may carry on
trade and exchange of articles of
prime necessity.
A special agreement Will be MADE
by the naval general staff regarding
the extension of the armistice to the
White sea and the Russian coast in
the Arctic zone 1t is agreed also that
attacks on war and commercial yes
sells must stop in these regions in
order to avoid attacks in other seas
On Naval Fronts.
The armistfce on the naval front
embraces all of the Black sea and the
Baltic sea east of the meridian 5 de-
grees east of Greenwich. The demar-
cation line fixed for the Black sea is
from the light house of Slinka to the
estuary of the Danube to Cape Garos.
In the Baltic the line runs from REQ
guel to the western coast of Worms
island to the Island of Bagsher to
khegarne.
Russian war vessels must not cross
south of this line and the other parties
must not go north. The Russian gov
ernment guarantees that the entente
war vessels will obey the rules of this
provision and that Russian war ships
will not be allowed to sail among the
Aland islands.
The text of the armistice agree
ment follows:
Between the representatives of the
higher command of Russia on the one
-tContinued on Page Two0
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
REFORM WAR COUNCIL
GoethaIs Has Been Offered Position
of Quartermaster General.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Rearrange-
ment of some of the high commands
in the war department was indicated
today by the detachment of officers
designated by Secretary Baker to sit
in the departments war council.
1t became definitely known today
that Major General Goethals, builder
of the Panama canal, has been offered
the place of quartermaster general to
succeed Major General Sharpe. Pro-
vost Marshal General Crowder is the
only officer assigned to the war coun-
ell who will not be detached from his
present office.
The three remaining officers are
Major General Weaver. chief of coast
artillery; Major General Crozier, chief
of ordnance, who has been under fire
in the senate investigation, and Major
General Bliss, chief of staff, who has
just returned from abroad, where he
participated in the war council at
Paris with Colonel House and the
other American delegates.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
PROMOTE SAMMIE
Pershing Provides System for
Elevation From Ranks.
Officers To Choose Candidates
for Special Training.

With the American Army in France,
Dec. 17.-By the Associated Press
The orders just issued by General
Pershing providing for a system of
promotion from the ranks, Under
which any private who demonstrates
his ability may win a commission,
makes all non-commissioned officers,
even corporals, eligible for a school
which is being established at a large
training. center for the instruction of
candidates for commissions. Privates
who desire to become officers must
first demonstrate their efficiency by
earning appointment as non-commis-
stoned officers.
The non-commissioned officers will
be sent to the training school on
recommendation of their superiors.
which will be forwarded, by the COM
manders of divisions or other separate
units and by the chiefs of department
tai staffs, to the chief.
Before submitting such recommenda-
tions the officers charged with this
duty are instructed by General Perish
ing'S orders to give the most careful
consideration to the record of those
recommended having in view in the
case of non-commissioned officers of
the line, only the fighting efficiency of
his unit and in all other cases only the
ability to perform duties efficiently.
Make Many Second Lieutenants.
When candidates attending the
training school have been found to be
proficient they will be assigned to va
cancies as second lieutenants of re-
placement divisions. Then they will
go to fill vacancies occasioned by cas-
laIties and other causes in combat di-
visions. There will be no limit to the
number of second lieutenants in the
replacement divisions. On the con-
.rary, it is recommended that there be
1T least three times as many in Civ
en- organization as in a corresponding
combat division.
Within the combat units vacancies
to the extent of one-third of the total
will be filled in this manner and two
thirds by promotion within the COM
bat unit itself.
In the replacement divisions va
cancies from the grade of first leu
tenant to colonel will be filled BY Of
ficers recovering from wounds and
officers who have not received assign
mepts. Those fully recovering from
wounds will be assigned to the com
bat units. Arriving depot battalions
hereafter will be considered part OF
the replacement divisions.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
BACK Up CAREY!
Governor Urges Opening OF
Usage Coal Mines.
He Wires Garfield To Force
Fuel Production.

Pittsburg, Kan. Dec. 17.-An armis-
tice has been declared in the three
cornered conflict between the miners,
operators and fuel administration in
regard to reopening the association
operators have agreed to reopen the
mines and pay the men the so cents a
ton advance as ordered by Emerson
Carey. state fuel administrator. The
armistice is effective until March.
President Alexander Howat, of the
United Mine Workers; F. w. Lukens,
president and w. L. A. Johnson, gen.
eraI commissioner of the Southwest
ern Interstate Coal Operators as
sociation. and representative of the
operators and miners in the Usage
field, were to have met Garfield IN
Washington today to take up the mat
ter following the announcement OF
the operators that they would not re-
open their mines at the present wage
scale because they could not operate
at a profit When President HoWat
arrived in Topeka Friday he was in
formed that President Lukens, OF the
operators. had a long distance tele-
nhope conversation with Garfield in
which he agreed that the mines would
reopen and pay the new scale until
March. An effort will be made to
reach a permanent adjustment by that
time.
Governor Capper today urged DR..
Harry A. Garfield, federal fuel admin
-istrator, to stand behind Emerson
Carey, state administrator. in his ef-
forts to reopen the Usage county coal
mines. The telegram was sent to Doc
tor Garfield today in advance of the
opening of the Usage county coal
mines case in Washington.
Coal operators. as well as miners
and federal representatives, are at
tending the hearing in Washington.
Two advances in price have been APP
proved for the Usage district. by the
federal administrator. But the oper-
ators in several localities have refused
to reopen their mines.
Il have urged Doctor Garfield 70
stand behind Mr.. Carey and force the
operators to reopen the Usage mines, .
said the governor. The hearing in
washington today concerns the re-
fusal of the operators to produce coal
in the district. I believe the rulings
by Mr. Carey have been fair to the
miners and the operators. There is a
serious coal shortage in Kansas and ]
hope the government will force the
reopening of the mines"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17

Make Two Attacks, One in
Mouth of British River.
WHOLE FLEET OF II sunk
OF Six Merchantmen in 1t, Five
Under Neutral Flags.
Attacked by Four German De-
strOyers ON Trip to Norway.

London. Dec 17.-Four German de-
stroyers carried out a successful raid
in British waters early Wednesday
morning, sinking eight merchantmen,
one British destroyer, four armed
trawlers and damaging one other
trawler in two distinct attacks.
The announcement of these losses
was made in the house Of commons
late today by First Lord of the Ad-
miralty Geddes and DR.. Mcnamara,
financial secretary to the admiralty.
Sir Eric Geddes. first lord of the
admiralty. said five neutral merchant
ships had been sunk and one British
Mcnamara said two neutral mer-
chaltmen had been sunk off the river
Tyne.
One Destroyer Escaped.
The British destroyer destroyed was
the Partridge.
formed an armed escort for the con-
voy described by Sir Eric Geddes, was
the Pellew.
The Pellew, according to Geddes,
had a hole blown in her hull. but es-
capped. On board her there were four
British killed and two wounded.
Geddes reported that there were
fifty survivors of the Partridge and
the trawlers of which ten were wound
ed which had been picked ufTytrJ'e- fls
four German destroyers who attacked
and taken to KieL
Carried Attack to British Waters.
Eighty-eight Scandinavian citizens,
of which ten women and British
survivors were rescued by destrOyers.
others reached Norway in open boats.
BY penetrating the waters off the
mouth of the Tyne the Germans car
ried their operations close to the Eng
Ush coast for the first time recently.
so far as the official communication
has shown. The Tyne flows thru
northern England into the North sea
ct SOuthshields.
The German raid duplicates the sue
cessful enterprise of last october, car
ried out by two German raiders which
attacked a convoy in the North sea.
They sank nine neutral merchantmen
and two of the escorting British de-
stroyers. Five Norwegian, three
Swedish and one Danish vessel were
sunk without warning, three other
merchantmen escaping. The raiders
were armed heavily and succeeded in
evading the British watchers on the
return as well as the outward trip.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
TO STAY CHICK TRIAL
Bible school Sea ndaI Being Aired in
Kansas City.

Kansas City. Dec. 17.-When the
trial of Joseph S. Chick, former treas
urer of the Scarritt Bible and Train
ing school, on the charge of embez-
zling S2665.25 of the funds of the
Melrose Methodist Episcopal church,
south. began today, attorneys for the
defense asked that the case be dis
missed, alleging the Indictment had
been illegally returned.
The motion was overruled, and inn
mediately a second molten for dis
missal was made on the ground that
Chick is being placed in jeopardy
for the second time for the same Of
fense. Attorneys for the defense said
that should this motion be overruled
the supreme court will be asked for
a writ of prohibition to prevent the
lower court from trying the case.
Chick was under Indictment on
eleven counts charging embezzlem ent
until recently, when one indictment
was dismissed on a technicality The
present case is being tried before
Judge Arch b. Davis of Chillicothe,
Mo.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
OFFICIAL WAR
STATEMENTS
BRITISH.

On Aerial Operations.
London, Dec. 1.-THE British war
office statement on aerial operations
issued midnight reads:
"Altho the weather was fine Satur-
day, a very high wind and ground mist
interfered with reconnaissance and ar
tillery work. Many. rounds were fired
during the day into enemy trenches
and bombs were dropped on numerous
targets, including two positions of
long range guns southwest of Lille.
Later we again bombed these gun
During several flights three hostile
machines were driven down out of con-
troll None of ours is missing
GERMAN.
Berlin. Dec. 17-via London-Brit-
ish troops on the Italian front yester-
Austro- German line south of Monte
Fontana Secce but it broke down be
fore the Teuton positions, the German
war office announced today.
Berlin. via London. Dec. 17.-Capture
of several hundred prisoners by Aus
trians south of Colcaprile was an
nounced by the war office today. Be
twesn the Brenta and Piave rivers the
statement reported violent artillerying
in isolated sectors
ITALIAN.
Rome. Dec 17.-Austro- German
forces which attacked the Italian lines
on the northern front from the direc-
ton of San Marino. were driven back
in disorder, the war office announced
In the Col CapriIIe regions the
Italians attacked and then were coun-
ter attacked Finally the enemy had TO
withdraw to the positions from which
he started.
Paris Dec. 11=Active artilIeryiug in
the VoEes ana at Tahure was reported
in todays official statement. The state
ment also detailed a French raid south
of st. Quentin.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
ARREST KANSAS MAN
Herbert Rosenberg of Marion, Is
Caught by Canadian Officials.

Winnipeg, Can, Dec. 17.-Upon in
formation from police at Topeka,
Kan. Herbert Rosenberg, manager of
the Western Investment company
here. is under arrest today charged
with obtaining money by misrepre-
sentatiOn.
Marion officials want Rosenberg on
a charge of obtaining money under
false pretenses. He is alleged to have
secured $3.50 from d. ID. Bartel under
a statement that the Shawnee Health
and Accident company was in good
condition and that money paid the
company was a safe investment.
Sometime ago Marion county officials
sought the eXtradition of Rosenberg.
A report from the American consul
general in Canada sent to Secretary of
State Lansing and transmitted to Kan
sas state officials were to the effect
that Rosenberg will resist eXtraditiOn.
While no definite arrangements have
been made, it is probable that state
and Marion county officials will seek
to enforce the writ and return the man
to Kansas for trial.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
Gotham Alone To Add 100000
New Members, Is Aim.
Ten Thousand Workers Making
House to House Canvass.
ROOSEVELT BLAzES TRAIL
Predicts 100000 New Mem
bers by Christmas Morning.
Taft at Red Cross Rally Spurns
s'IneOncIusive Peace"

New York, Dec. IA campaign to
add half a million members to the
Red Cross.i in New York by Christmas
eve was Begun here today Thirty
thousand volunteer workers had
charge of the drive, ten thousand OF
whom started a house to house can
vass. Hundreds of booths, in charge
of women were opened in every sec
ton of the greater city.
Roosevelt Launches Drive.
Hampstead, n. Y, Dec. 17.-Theo-
dore Roosevelt opened the. Red Cross
membership drive in Nassau county
with speech urging earnest support
for the organization.
IF on Christmas morning the Red
Cross can announce to the world that
ten million more Americans nave
joined it and. thereby signify their un-
qualified support of our army ana
navy and to our nation in this war,
the moral effect will be of inestimable
value" declared Colonel Roosevelt
"In the Name of America
Last June the Red Cross asked the
American people for 100 million dol
lars In response the American peo-
pie subscribed 12O million dollars. The
war council has now asked the Red
Cross in the field to enroll ten million
members Christmas week. Let TINS
be done in the name of America.
"The money brought in will be
good thing, but a far better thing Will
be the fact that the success of this
membership campaign will bring home
to the people of this country fun
sense of their obligations to America
and to all suffering mankind. and will
make them realize the necessity that
every man and every woman in this
country must organize, whether in the
line or back of it.
Disciplined Nation Needed.
ITO win this war as 1t should be
won, we need a disciplined nation at
the back of disciplined army at the
front. We, the people of this democ-
racy, must ourselves supply the neces-
sary discipline.
1--WE are all going to do our best to
make Christmas happy for the chill
dren in this country including the chill
dren WHOSE fathers are in camp or on
the fighting line. Let us also do our
Christmas duty to these same fathers
and to our sons and brothers in camp
and on the fighting line by joining the
Red Cross
"Rershing and the men in France
depend upon it. 1t is working for our
army, it is working for our navy. it is
working for our Allies; now let us all
! in our turn work for it
Taft a Rally Speaker, Too.
New York, Dec. 17.-Speaking at a
Red Cross rally, w. H. Taft declared
an inconclusive peace was the great
est danger facing America.