davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
AUSTRIA WANTS
PEACE WITHOUT
SPOILS OF WAR
Asks Only Austria-Hungary
Territory Intact.
Makes No Claims for EXpan-
sion or Indemnity.
FACES DRASTIC FOOD CRISIS
This Largely Due to Inefficient
Transportation.
Govt Helpless to Curb Extor-
ton by Middlemen.

Berne April 16-Via Paris, April
17.-Peace and spring weather are
what the Austrian and Hungarian peo-
pie most desire. During a long stay
in Vienna. whence the Associated
Press correspondent has just come,
there was observed every indication
that the government and the people
are willing to accept any peace pro-
posal leaving Austro- Hungarian terri
tory intact and making no claims for
war indemnity. By the same token
there appears to be no doubt that the
monarchy will continue fighting un-
less these minimum conditions are
met. While the house is extremely
weary of the war, its mind is made up
to persist in the struggle to the end
rather than accept humiliating terms.
Drain on Resources at Limit.
The demands made on Austria
Hungary'S economic resources and
human reservoir by the war are be-
ginning to reach the limit of bearable-
ness and the severe winter whose after
effects are still felt tended to increase
the burden borne by the population.
The sowing of crops is about three
weeks behind. which causes consider
able anxiety, Notwithstanding the fact
that the winter crops are reported as
In good condition. Spring weather is
awaited eagerly for the planting of
potatoes and other summer crops.
The latenesS of the season has been
the cause of deferring the calling to
the colors of recent levies of recruits
who will start training May Is, instead
of April Is.
Vienna and other large cities con-
tinue to struggle with food problems
which are due very largely to the ex-
tremely poor conditions of transporta-
ton. The long war has caused a gen
eral depreciation of railroad tracks
and rolling stock.
Food Times Normal Price
Another factor in the food shortage
in the cities is the short sighted system
of regulations, leaving comparatively
plenty in many rural districts. while
the thickly populated industrial sec
tions are in want. Altho food prices
in Vienna are three times normal, it is
still possible to procure supplies in far
off districts almost as cheapIy and cas-
lily as in times of peace. The govern
successful in many repects. altho thus
far they have served to keep in re-
serve supplies which ultimately will
be available. In the meantime, how
ever. the public is paying a terrific
cost for this system in the form of ex-
tortion practiced by unscrupulous
middlemen whom the government in
most cases has been unable to reach
owing to the fact that they have pow
erful Vienna banks behind them.
Sentence Vienna Banker.
The recent convictions of the presi-
dent of the Allgemeine Verkehrs bank
! of Vienna with a sentence of nine
CONTINUED on Page Two)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
London Thrilled With Allies
Victorious Offensive.
3 Million FrancO-British Troops
Are Engaged.
SWEEP GERMANS Off FEET
More Guns Than Ever Before
Used in Single Operation.
Haig Smashing at Lens; French
Center at Rheims.

London, April 1.-THE greatest Of
fensive of the greatest of wars was
on today. Over a front of nearly 40
miles, Franco-B British forces were
driven with all the strength of energy
carefully conserved thru months of
winter preparation. Forecast thru
four days of tremendous artillery con-
centration. the French movement be-
gan with a brilliant victory, despite
the most desperate resistance from the
German defenders.
Laon. one of the most important of
the center supply stations on the Ger
man line. is now added to the list of
German key-points directly menaced
by the Franco-British attack. It was
apparently the direct object of the
first smash with which General Nj
velle threw his massed forces against
the enemy.
Fail to Dislodge Nictors.
That tremendous blow swept the
Germans off their feet, forced them
back of third line trenches, inflicted
devastating losses on the defending
Teutons and so firmly established the
French attacking forces that hurried
.iy summoned German counter-attacks
could not dislodge them from the
ground they gained.
London was thrilled today with the
actual start of the greatest of often
SiVeS-the forward thrust for which
every man, woman and child in the
British empire has been working and
sacrificing for the past six months.
At least three million of Frances and
England'S best troops are probably
fighting along this gigantic front.
More guns than the world has ever
known before in one operation are
belching forth death over this stretch
of 40 miles.
1t was along the famous "Aisne
line" that the French made their
greatest advances in the first blows
struck by GeneraII Nivelle. It was
here that the Germans stood firm aft
er the retreat following the battle of
the Marne.
Bri; L Continue Onslaught.
The point of Nivelle's wedge was
pushed into the German line at a
point about midway between scissors
and Rheims, with another smashing
blow struck coincidentally around Ber-
ry au Bac, where the German line
turns and twists around Rheims. Ten
thousand prisoners and a great guam
tity of supplies captured attested the
irresistible forces of these two great
blows.
Meantime, the British forces have
not stopped the force of their own
drive. Like a skillful boxer, General
Haig was mixing his blows today
on the entire British front of fifty
odd miles Battle front dispatches in
dicated the perfect coordination OF
the Franco-British drive in the syn
les. Haig was smashing away with
Lens almost in his grasp; he sma shed
again nearer Cambria; he pushed for
ward north of st. Quentin.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
REPRISAL AIR ATTACK
Eleven Killed. 20 Injured by British
Revenge for Sinking Hospital Ship.

Berlin, via London, April 17.-An
official announcement by the war Of
flee says that eleven persons have
been killed, twenty-nine injured and
considerable damage done to the uni
versity building by an air attack on
Freiburg.
A British admiralty statement is
sued last night stated that a large
squadron of British and French air
planes had bombarded Freiburg on
Saturday. 1t was stated that the
bombardment was a reprisal for Ger
man submarine attacks on British hos
pital ships.
3 British Planes Shot Down.
Copenhagen, April 17.-An allied
aeroplane raid on Freiburg, Saturday,
which caused only damage to public
buildings and killed seven women was
detailed in a German statement re-
ceived today.
Thirty-five aeroplanes participated
in the attack. The theatre, the uni
versity and the Anatomical academy
with public buildings adjacent, were
the targets for their bombs. Three
men and seven women were killed,
only one of these being a soldier. The
wounded were eight men, seventeen
women and two children.
In an aerial battle which followed
three British planes were shot down
and a colonel leading the attack was
taken prisoner
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

10 o'clock ga > o'clock. III
The temperature for the day aver
aged IA degrees above normal The
wind was blowing 20 miles an hour
from the northeast at > o'clock this
afternoon.
More lightning than rain was the
fate of Topeka, Monday night Only
81 of an inch was recorded by S D.
Flora, local meteorologist making
the total precipitation for the week
register 50. Kansas City had SO with
in the last twenty-four hours and st.
Joseph had .2S. Wichita was left out
and Dodge City only felt a trace of
the rain. The precipitation was re-
corded only in the east and northeast
section of the state
Generally fair weather today and
Wednesday with not much change in
temperature was predicted for To-
peka. The lowest temperature re-
corded Monday night was So degrees,
IA points above the normal night
temperature. At 2 o'clock this after
noon. the mercury had risen to IT. To-
night will be nearly as warm as Mon
day night with a temperature around
the so mark. Tomorrow afternoon
will be a duplicate of today.
The highest temperature on record
for this date is IS, in 1913, and the
lowest. 81, in 1907.
The wind was blowing twelve miles
an hour from the southeast this morn
ing at O'Clock, and promised to re-
main steady all day.
Rains I'm Kansas.
All the eastern half of Kansas was
soaked by a plunging war rain,
worth millions to this summers crops,
Monday night and early this morning.
according 20 telegraphic reports re-
ceived in railroad offices here today
The precipitation ranged from one to
two inches and was accompanied by
the first electrical display of the sea-
son. Several small streams are re-
ported out of their banks this morn
ing.
The Santa Fe early this morning
received reports that a rain, averag-
7 ing from one to two inches, had fallen
all the way between Kansas City and
Emporia. Heavy rains between En-
poria and Neva and from Strong City
to Neva were also reported. West of
Abilene and Neva, it was asserted by
early reports, the precipitation was
light and consisted mostly of soaking
local rains.
Cottonwood On "A Tear
The Cottonwood river was out of its
banks this morning. ~ The Santa Fe
reported water over its tracks and in
its depot this morning at Marion. The
Rock Island reported ? washbut of
CONTINUED on Page TwoI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
T. R. TO LEAD RALLY
RooseveIts First Direct Appeal For
Recruits in Chicago April 2S.

Chicago, April 17.-What will prob
ably be Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's
first direct plea to the country to get
behind the colors will be made here
April 2S, when he addresses a gigan-
tic patriotic and recruiting rally at the
stock yards amphitheatre.
The colonel will speak under the
auspices of the National Security
league. He will be in Chicago prac-
tically all day Saturday and Sunday
and will hold informal conferences
with leaders interested in his plans for
an army division in France.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
TURKS BREAK WITH US.
Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria Cut
Diplomatic Relations.

Zurich, April IA report received
today declared that Turkey and Bull
garia have formally broken off rela-
tions with the United States.
Cuba Joins Conference.
Washington, April 1.-THE repub-
lie of Cuba will send commission to
Washington to confer with English.
French and American commissioners
here.
Riots in Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro, April 17.-Wide-
spread anti-G erman riots were report
ed from Porto Allegro today. Details
were not available.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
1870 PASSENGERS SAFE
Rescued After Torpedoed Ship Is
Driven on Reef Off Italy.

New York, April 1.-THE British
steamship Karmala. an S,9S3 ton pas
senger vessel. owned by the Peninsular
& Oriental Steam Navigation com
pany, was driven on a reef and sunk
on March II, near Spezia, Italy, after
being shelled and Jorpedoed by a Ger
man submarine, according to two
Americans who were among the Kar-
mala s 100 passengers and who ar
rived here today from Europe All on
board the karmala were saved.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
3 British Planes Shot Down


New York. April 17.-Capt. J.
Handrahan and thirty-five men of the
crew of the American steamship Zea-
landia, wrecked on the British coast
about two weeks ago. arrived here
today. The Zealdndia went ashore
during a gale and was a total loss
She left New York on March Is for
Liverpool.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
RAILROAD FOR SALE
Colorado Midland Under Hammer
-$50O,OOO Minimum Price.

Colorado Springs, Colo, April IL
Sale of the Colorado Midland railway
under orders of the federal court, will
be held here Saturday. April 21.
The road has been in the hands of
a receiver since December IS, 1912
The New York reorganization com
mittee will endeavor to reha bilita te
the road Immediately after the sale.
A bid of 100000 is the minimum to
be considered.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
Wet-Dry Vote Today.

Springfield, Ill, April 1.-THE wet
or dry issue faced voters in twenty
two illinois towns and cities today at
the municipal elections. The five
largest cities voting today were Dan
vile. CarlinvilIe, Havana, Pana and
Morris
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
RAINS IN KANSAS!
From One to Two Inches Thru
out Eastern Half.
Less Than One-HaIf of an Inch
Fell in Topeka.

Hourly temperature readings for the
day reported by the local office of the
limited States weather bureau,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

THE days reports of washouts-on
Monday, toO-sound good TO Kan
sas farmers.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

WEATHER FORECAST for Kansas:
Generally fair tonight and We'd
nesday.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16
GOOD BYE, OLD FIREPLACE?

6PHIS world would be pleasanter not fancy and
continually clashing with efficiency.
II Pretty or pleasant things usually, by some APP
parently utable law Of nature wasteful things for
other things not to be made For an
open fireplace has been regarded of the proper
compartments of romance. Young people in planning
their bungalow usually provide for an open fireplace;
Others not young, look back pleasantly upon the time
when the entire house heated by open fire. and wish
that those days could be recalled.
An open fire peases the eye and stirs the fancles
Why it should is not clear but that it does plays stories
and pictures without number will testify.
So it is not surprising that the open fireplace should be
banned as waseful By odd conformity to the fitness
of things the order is issued in New York. Governor
Whitman pleads for fuel economy in these words open
crate fires are wastef of fuel Heating the whole house
is ext1avagan Spare should be shut off and the
heat turned off,
If open CRATES are wastefu of fuel larger open
repaces and if they wastefu they must be abolished
This is the only patriotic conclusion but is neverthe-
less, painful one.
1t would be more easily borne had the suggestion for
the adjustment of the open fireplace come from anywhere
but New York There is suspicion that there are rela-
lively few open repaces in New York and that they WILL
therefore not be greatly missed there.
The feeling is natural that the eastern state may be at
tempting to deprive its neghbors of pretty and pleasant
custom because she cannot acquire it herself that the
ban suggested by it's governor is slap at romancism IN
general from the most eminently practical.
However motives aside, watching the Pickering blaze
of an open fire cannot be pleasant if it is unpatrotc That
the fireplace would eventually be condemned was newt
able It's adjustment will be taken in the spirit of sacr
cng service But there be no harm IN expressing
regret that it must be
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16
TURNING POINT IN
JEWISH HISTORY
american Jewish Chronicle.)
Wv rHATEvER the consequen

wv whatever the consequences
NJ of Mr.. Balfour's letter to
w Lord Rothschild in London,
announcing to the world the decision
of the British cabinet that England is
favorably disposed to the establish
ment of a Jewish homeland in Pales-
tine. may be, 1t is already clear today
that this document means a turning
point in Jewish history and may In
augurate a new and glorious chapter in
the life of our people. 1t is the first
time in nearly two thousand years
that great power has publicly recog-
nized thes Jewish nationality and it's
right to a homeland. For nearly two
thousand years the Jewish nationality
has been crossed out from the list of
living nationalities. The Jews were
only recognized as a representative Of
a religion, and in consequence were
denied the rights of a nationality.
Besides the national self assertion of
the Jews. during the past 80 years, we
find that their role as intellectual and
spiritual factors in history led to the
present change of mind Of the Eu-
ropean governments in regard to Jew
ish nationality. 1t is by no means
pure accident that two mighty Anglo
Saxon nations and governments, Great
Britain and the United States, should
be the first among the great powers to
recognize the right of the Jews to a
national homeland Of their own ami
thus publicly to recognize the nation
ality of the Jews. II the ancient Jew
ish mind. as it expressed itself in the
Bible. ever influenced great race and
helped to shape its destinies and pol
icies, It was the Anglo Saxon race.
The American government is the
only government Of the great powers
that never pursued any hostile policy
against the Jews. OF all the powerA
who have now come to recognize the
Jewish nationality and its right to a
homeland, America is, we dare say, the
only one that is inspired solely by mo-
tives of pure idealism. For America
surely has no political interests or am
billions in the near east.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16
WHICH SHALL 1T BE?

~ TSPATCHES from various towns in state show
II that while the average restaurant and boarding
~ house keeper shows ready willingness to comply
with the requests of the food administration the average
boarder raising vigorous protest Summed up, the sit
uaon seems to call for an to this question: Shall
we comply with requests shall be stubborn and
unpatrotic that later on shall have to obey orders
The most outspoen folks against meatess and wheat
less DAYS are those who do hard work These do not
care so much about having to eat corn bread instead OF
wheat bread but they grown used to meat diet and
they are demanding it now.
One dispatch says the boarders at house all threat
ened to go elsewhere if the who the estab-
lislment observes single meatless day.
This applied to the county food administrator
know what to do 1t has been argued that the board
ing house and restaurant proprieors ready and will
ing to observe meatess days because they will
by failing to serve meat. This is largely imagination
Whenever meatless meal is served there must be suit
able substitute.
meatess meal requires more work and just about as
much money where meat is served. When cook
starts to concoct the first thing he thinks of is
meat 1t be easily prepared that he thinks of it
instncvey. But when meat is barred he must exercise
originality, some knowledge and some ingenuity to
find substitute that will really be substitute
If the people could realize that many substitutes for
meat will furnish practically the amount of energy
they would not protest loudly against being deprived
Of their daily pork mutton beef The observance of
eatess and wheaess days has been placed before the
people SO far on basis Of patriotism
Happily the great majority of them showing viii
ngness to observe the recommendations the food admin
israon has made If these recommendations not OBJ
served the day will come, and shortly when food cards
will be reality instead of possibility.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16


w prizes should, and does, go to
Marshal Haig as the supreme COM
mander of the English armies, there
is another British general who deserves
great deal more credit probably than
he has received for his really remark
able feats.
This general might be called prop
erly 'Haig's silent partner" He Is
mentioned occasionally in dispatches.
but to the average follower of the war,
In America at least, he is an exceeding
ly obscure figure.
This little heard Of hero of the great
war is General Sir Herbert Charles
Onslow Plumer, commander of the So
called second British army.
He is the man who blew up the
Messines- Wytschaete ridge last June
and started the ball rolling for the
present British campaign. which gives
promise of driving the Germans en-
tirely out of Belgium and Frances
BLACK country"
AS matter of fact General Plum
err at Messines, struck the hardest blow
delivered to the invaders since they
were stopped at the Marine by the
French
In a very few hours General Plum
er, with his cosmopolitan army, COM
posed of Irish Catholics, Professionals,
Orangemen, Home Rulers, English.
Australian and New Zealand troops,
wiped out a salient the Germans had
held for more than two years. He
started the memorable battle by ex-
ploding 100000 pounds Of high ex-
plosives his sappers had been placing
for months beneath the German posi-
lions.
The mighty roar of this unprece-
dented explosion was heard 40 miles
away, in London, where it reused from
slumber Premier Lloyd George.
The drive that followed consolidated
the German positions, and the opera
ton surpassed the prearranged plans.
More than 5000 prisoners were taken,
and Marshal Haig was credited with
another victory.
Marshal Haig. however, recognized
the remarkable achievement OF his
silent partner" with generous praise.
Wn1l0 MeSSlneS StauuS OuI hS WIG
greatest victory General Plumer has
won, operations proportionately re-
markable have been carried out by
him with great success. The most re-
cent of these was the capture and con-
solidation of the Merckem peninsula,
two miles south Of Dixmude, in the
inundated district of Belgium.
As campaigner in the flooded
country Of the User, General Plumer
is without peer. His almost amphib-
ious army has gained ground from
time to time, fighting in water and
mud to their shoulders and battling
from improvised RATS wherever the
water is over mans head. On the
results of the Merckem peninsula op-
erations. which Strengthened out the
British left flank better to support the
British salient east of Ypres. Marshal
Haig telegraphed to General Plumer:
The successes gained by our troops
under such conditions are deserving of
the highest praise. The ground gained
is Of the highest Importance. and I
congratulate you and all under you on
the results of the great efforts made"
/ When man achieves as much as
has General Plumer and still remains
an obscure figure. it only goes to show
that the individual. after all. counts
little In the titanic world struggle.
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16
BLAME BILL
JOHN A. sLE1cHER in Leslie's.

w 1HEN you pay the extra one
w cent stamp on your letter,
blame the kaiser
When you pay that extra Pullman
and railroad fare. blame the kaiser.
When you pay from to SO cents to
go to the movies or to the theater,
blame the kaiser.
When you pay that extra tax on
your club Dues blame the kaiser.
When you pay the extra cost for
parcels post. for your telegram. or
cablegram, blame the kaiser.
When you send Christmas box to
your boy on the firing line. or on the
battleship. blame the kaiser.
When YOU read of homes in Belgium,
in Servia. Rumania, France and Italy
devastated by war and the suffering
and slaughter on the battlefield. blame
the kaiser.
When you read of the Zeppelin raids
in London. and the murder of inno-
cent civilians. school children at play,
the aged and infirm in hospitals or
wounded In care OF the Red Cross.
blame the kaiser.
And when you say your prayers at
night pleading with the good Lord
Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16
WHATCHAMA
COLUMN
p E p s

SON of Count Bernstorff, former
German ambassador to the United
States. has married, at Berlin, New
Jersey widow. We do not want to
appear mosquitoey or peevish. but our
dislike for the Bernstorff outfit is 80
deep seated We would not repine II It
should turn out that they had taken
on an awful mess of camouflage.
PUBLIC official threatens an ex-
plosion over the price of gasoline. Let
'er bust!
SPEAKING about internal policies,
looks like Br'er Hoover had out-poli-
cied Doc. Fletcher.
1T also sounds like "gnash and
scary."
. OFFICIALLY stated 1t cost Uncle
Sam couple of million or so to tell
the American people they should save
food. Comes under the head of higher
education, we suppose, so We'll have to
stand for it.
COULDN'T our busy little price fix
ers arrange for an increaseless day?
80
WE are glad of lot Of things, in
Guiding the fact that we are not a flag
that some pro-German might be forced
to kiss.