davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
Britain and U. s. Still Discuss
ing Freedom of Seas.
England Says Navy Defensive
Weapon.
by LowELL MELLErT.

I London, Dec. 2S.-Britain and the
United States have not yet reached a
common basis of understanding rela-
tive to freedom of the seas With an
agreement achieved on every essential
of league of nations, leaders of the
two great English speaking -democra-
cies are today striving for a solution
of the second of the Most important
factors in the peace negotiations.
The basic friendship with which the
two nations are approaching the SUBJ
ject cannot be questioned. But Great
Britain as well as America is frankly
taking into account the material fac
tors in the case. -
From a very high British official
the United Press today obtained the
following outline of the British point
of view with permission to present the
statements as authoritatively repre-
senting the attitude of the British gov
ernment:
Great Britain is absolutely con-
vinced that no. international authority
on the sea is able to take the place OF
the British navy in safeguarding Brit
ish interests.
Would Sink Hun Fleet.
The government agrees readily to
drastic retrenchmentS in its building
program, providing other powers dc
likewise. 4
The government wishes to start this
retrenchment by sinking the surren-
dered German fleet.
1t wants the opportunity to main
tain its own navy at the smallest pos
sible strength consistent with the safe
ty of its mercantile marine, and its
colonies and dependencies scattered
over the world.
1t insists the British navy is only a
defensive weapon and cannot be used
aggressively and therefore is not a
atty naturally is keenly. considering
the purpose behind the new naval pro-
gram. Frankly, the admiralty-in
the light of its own conception OF
Great Britain's necessity for maintain
ing the preponderance of its own navy
fails to see the object in America s
proposed great increase in building
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
GUARDS CALLED OUT
Soldiers To Keep Order in X. c.
Street Car Strike.

Kansas City, Mo-. Dec 2S-Mayor
Cowgirl this morning teIephoned Gov
ernor. Gardner at jefferson City, ask
ing him to call out the Seventh regi-
ment to preserve order during the
street car strike, which has been in
progress here for two weeks, and the
governor assured the mayor such ac-
ton would be taken at once.
Mayor Cowgills decision to take
such action followed numerous reports
of the stoning of cars and other minor
disorders, last night. The company
last night made it's first effort to. re-
sumo night service since the begin
ming of the strike, December II. The
occurred after nightfalI. No personal
injury was reported to the police.
Following the receipt of informa-
ton by the strikers, last night that
William H. Taft and Basil Manly,
joint chairmen of the war labor
board, had agreed to hear grievances
; in the strike controversy, at Omaha,
January 3, representatives of the
strikers, were delegated to attend the
hearing.
After the representatives of the 104
unions comprising the Central labor
council last night voted against de-
claring a general sympathetic strike.
they adopted a resolution pledging
81 per man each week to support. the
strike. The, union officials estimated
! the action would provide a fund of
$4,000 a week in addition to 5000
a week they said the International or
ganiZation had pledged and $4,000 a
t, week pledged by the street car work.
ers' unions of 127 other cities.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
FIRE IN PARSONS
Blaze of Unknown Origin Does
s5OO,OOO Damage.
Strasburger Building, Grocery,
LOng-Bell Yards DESTROYED.

Parsons. Kan, Dec 2S.-Fire of un-
known origin which started at Z
O'Clock this morning and was still
spreading three hours later, destroyed
the four-story Strasburger building
the Strasburger dry goods
store. the largest mercantile establish-
ment in the city. and several offices.
The entire block in the center of the
business district was threatened, a
grocery store adjoining the Stras-
burger building and lumber yard in
the rear being ablaze. Some water
mains were frozen and the pressure
was inadequate.
The fire was practically out at noon.
after it had destroyed the Strasburger
building. the grocery adjoining and
the yards of the Long-Bell Lumber
company. The total loss is estimated
at 100000 -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
WILL let 10Th co NOT AGREED YET
Camp Funston Division Will Be
DemObilized in January.
Says Order Holding Men
Is Only Temporary.

Washington, Dec. 2S--Demobiliza-
tion of the Tenth division, stationed at
Camp Funston. will probably occur in
January. Chief of Staff March told the
United Press today. He explained that
an order issued before Christmas re-
quiring that only urgent cases be dis
missed bore simply on the immediate
present. 1t was aimed largely at pre-
venting wholesale dismissals, for the
holidays.
The Tenth. he explained, is being
kept Tin camp until among the last, in
view of the departments policy of de-
mobilizing combatant divisions last.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28

WHAT OF LUXEMBOURG
Arbitration To Decide Status of Grand
Duchy, Says Pnris.

Paris, Dec. 28.-In conference cir
cles the opinion prevails that several
difficult questions which will come
before the allies at some time during
the peace conference may be LEFT over
for arbitration after an agreement has
been reached as to a league of nations
One of these questions may be the
future status of Luxembourg One
party there desires the re-esta blish-
ment of the grand duchy. Another
favors the proclamation of a republic.
A third advocates annexation to
France, while still another prefers
annexation to Belgium. The same
course may be followed concerning
differences between the Italians and
Jungo-Slavs. as to a division of terri
tory on the eastern shore of the Adri-
atic
A question which attracts attention
is the future of Serbia where there is
a conflict of several European in
fluences. Cardinal Bourne, Arch
bishop of Westminster. went to Serbia
recently and before leaving Rome had
a long interview with Pope Benedict.
An Anglican bishop also has visited
Serbia, it is reported.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
Military Committee Restive at
Lack of Army Reorganization.
War Dept Must "Get Busy" ii
Present Congress Acts.
PRESENT ARMY MELTING away
Demobilization Will Leave In
sufficient Men for Peace Duty.
Upon National Guards Question
Secretary Is Silent.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-Congress to-
day was growing restiye at the war
departments delay in announcing its
plan for army REORGANIZATION.
Chairman Dent of the house mill
tary committee has told Secretary of
War Baker and other officials that
unless the department acts quickly
it will be impossible to put across any
army reorgan nization at this session of
congress.
$50 far" Dent says. Baker has
given no hint of what he expects to
co to raise force to replace the pres
at the rate of. 100000 a week and
which will be discharged even faster
if present plans to get more ships are
carried out"
Drafted men must be discharged
# ur months after peace is declared.
Volunteers who enlisted after April
1, 1917, must be discharged when
peace is declared.
Leave Only Small Army.
This would leave only the men who
volunteered for the regular army be-
fore that date and their number is not
sufficient for ordinary garrison and
border duty.
While members of the military COM
mittee have been told unofficially that
army of 100000 men, they have not
been given any reasons as to why this
number has been determined upon.
Among the other questions that will
have to be answered before any army
bill or even an appropriation measure
can pass either branch of congress,
are:
What About National Guard?
What is going to happen to the ma
tional guard?
II it. is abandoned. what sort of a
force is going to replace it?
What is the departments attitude
on universal training? If it is not to
be adopted why are a number of can
tonments being retained?
The military committee Monday will
begin hearings on the military acad-
emy bill but the date for hearings on
the appropriation and reorganization
bills have not been set.
While the military committee is in
forced inactivity, the naval committee
will conclude its hearings next week
and get to work on the framing of
the new naval bill which will go long
way toward determining the future
naval policy of the navy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28

London, Dec. % (via MontreaD.-
The election results at 4 o'clock this
afternoon were as follows: Coalition
lists, 39s; non-Coslitionists, 144.
London, Dec. 28.-Coalitionists had
an overwhelming lead in the parlia-
mentary elections of December IA, ac-
cording to partial results announced
up to late today.
In the house of commons. of the
363 members whose elections had
been announced SO far, not less than
274. support the government. The new
house will have 7O7 members. OF the
members already elected, 1913 are
Coalition Unionists and 76 are Coali-
ton Liberals. The Independent Un-
ionists have elected eight members
and the Asquithian Liberals only FIVE
Labor has 35 members, the Irish Ma
tionalists, 1; the Sim Feiners, 26 and
| there are four independents.
Liberals Second Strongest.
1t is probable. therefore, that the
, Liberals will be the second strongest
Fein will refrain from attendance at
Westminster. The Laborites, how
ever. have lost two of their most
prominent leaders in the defeat of
Arthur Henderson and Philip Snow
den.
The Asquith Liberals received a Sc
we're blow in the defeat, not only of
the former premier himself, but of Sir
John Simon, who was considered the
probable heir to the leadership. and
Reginald McKenna, one of the for
mer premier's chief lieutenants.
OF the fourteen women candidates.
only five so far know their fate and
they all have been defeated.
Lloyd George Reelected.
David Lloyd George, prime minister
and leader of the coalition govern
ment. was reelected to his seat in par
Lament from Carnarvon, Wales.
All indications at O'Clock this at
ternoon were that Premier Lloyd
George and his government would
have an overwhelming majority in the
new house of commons. He defeated
his opponent by a vote of 1898 to
1,095. s. -
Herbert H. Asquith, former pre-
mier and leader of the Liberal party,
has been defeated for his seat in the
house of commons from the east di-
vision of Fife, Scotland.
Labor Leader Loses.
Arthur Henderson, leader of the
British Labor party and former mem
Der of the war cabinet, has been de-
feated for reelection to parliament
from the south district of Eastman.
He ran poor third in his district.
The first election return received
shows the defeat of a woman candi-
date. Mrs. Charlotte Despard, sister
| of Viscount French, lord lieutenant of
Ireland. She was defeated in North
Battersea by Richard Morris. coalition
Liberal Morris received 1921 votes
and Mrs. Despard, who was a Labor
candidate, 5.634.
In Cambridge Sir Eric Geddes, first
lord of the admiralty coalition Union
list. defeated the Rev. T. r. Williams.
laborite.
Sir Albert Stanley. president of the
board of trade, was reelected for
shton-Under-Lyne, defeating T. F.
Lister. candidate of the National Fed
Grafton of Discharged Soldiers and
Sailors.
At Blackburn, Philip Snowden,
| laborite and paciiist, was defeated.
The result there was: Sir Henry
Norman, coalition Liberal, 32,076;
Lieutenant Commander Dean. coalition
unionist. 30,15S; Snowden, 1924.
Blackburn has two seats.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
WILMA IS THREATENED
Bolshevist Troops Advancing on Lithu-
ania Capital; Battle Reported.

London, Dec. 2S.-vilna, the capi-
tai of Lithuania, is threatened by an
advance of Bolshevist troops, accord
ing to a Warsaw dispatch to the Mail
under date of Thursday. The Polish
chief of staff has demanded of the
German Generals Hoffman, and Falk-
enhayn free passage for Polish troop
trains over lines now in German hands
from the Polish frontier to Wilma. The
Germans also are asked to permit the
rejoining of the Polish and Lithuan-
ian railroads which were cut by the
Germans.
If the German reply is unfavorable.
the Poles will begin march into
Lithuania, for they are determined not
to allow the Bolshevists to capture
Wilma without an attempt to prevent it.
The Poles have telegraphed the allies
asking them to send officers to ac-
company the troops.
A later dispatch from Warsaw to
the Mail says the Poles have acceded
to the request of the German generals
for a delay of twenty-four hours owing
to the difficulty of communicating
with Berlin.
Battle Is Reported.
~ London, Dec. 2S.-A battle between
Bolsheviki and Polish forces in the
Dombrova district was reported in a
wireless dispatch from Moscow today.
The outcome was not known.
The dispatch also stated that Boil
sheviki had disarmed government mi
litia in the Ashert district.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
General March Announces Gas.
ualties SO and IS Divisions.
Former Lost 1876 Officers and
5,727 Men, He Says.
LOSS BASED ON REPLA LACEMEETS
National Guard Division Lost
III Officers and 4,OS6 Men.
Russ Intervention Up to Peace
Council, General Asserts.

Washington. Dec. 2S.-Gen. Peyton
c. March. chief of staff. today said
that the total casualties in the Thirty
fifth division, from all causes as indi
Gated by requests from that division
for requirements up to November 13,
were III officers and 4,0S6 men. Up
to the same date the Eighty-ninth di-
vision had requested in replacements
196 officers. and 5.727 men. The Thir-
ty-fifth division is comprised of Kan
sas and Missouri National Guard
cluded Kansas national army men.
Announces Auxiliary Troops.
General March made public list of
auxiliary troops attached to the Ameri-
can Third army; the army of occupa-
ton, including the following COM
plete regiments: 301st, 30Sth and
310th engineers and the First, Fifty
first, Fifty-fourth and Fifth-sixth
Pioneer infantry. General March said
no additional American troops had
been ordered to Russia and that the
war department had no information
that the French army had taken over
a portion of the sector on the Rhine
assigned to the American forces. He
said also that nothing had reached the
department to show the total strength
of the allied and American forces in
the armies of occupation.
Russ Problem to Peace Council.
Whether the allies will send a large
army into Russia will be determined d
at the peace conference. The Ques-
ton of sending additional American
forces into Russia will also be decided
at that time, General March stated to-
day. For the present no additional
American troops are being moved to
Russia and he specifically denied that
the Seventy-niAth division has been
sent there.
Meanwhile. thousands of Russian
prisoners released from Germany are
swamping Bolsheviki authorities, re-
ports to the state department said
Forty thousand are expected to re-
turn to Siberia and at least $4,000 OF
these have insufficient clothing. The
first contingent of released prisoners
reaching Omsk and Chilabinsk was In
a pitiable condition. lacking clothing
and shoes. adyices state. The Rus
, sian Red Cross, unable to give assis-
tn thru the American Red Cross al
Chilabinsk, is rendering all possible
help with its scanty supplies
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
IN SUPREME COURT NOW
Bessie Stewart Certifies Her Suit
Against Loehr Grubbs

Bessie Stewards breach of promise
suit against Loehr NJ. Grubbs has been
certified to the supreme court from
the Shawnee county district court.
Miss Stewart filed the appeal from
the ruling of the court reducing a S1O,-
600 judgment to $1,000.
A jury in the case awarded the
young woman Judgment for $4,000.
the full amount of her claim An
item in the judgment for $1,000 for
'vindictive and punitive damages" was
set aside by the trial court. The an
peal was taken on the courts order, the
plaintiff claiming the full amount al
lowed by the jury.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
U. S. FACES CRISIS
Government Must Settle War
Contracts Promptly.
Failure To Do So Would Mean
Business Bankruptcy.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-America
faces a business crisis With vast num-
bers out of work and many failures
unless war contracts are promptly set
manufacturers to return to a peace
basis, Assistant Secretary of War
Crowell today told the house rules
committee.
Crowell appeared before the COM
mittee to urge its placing the bill in
such position on the house calendar
that quick action would be taken.
Secretary of War Baker and Assistant
Secretary Stettinius also spoke in be-
half of the bill. which applies to 'in-
formal contracts" made abroad as well
as in this country.
Much Unemployment Now.
THE resumption of business in this
country will not be possible unless
these war contracts are settled" said
Crowell. Reports that have reached
US from many places show that even
now there is much unemployment. Al
ready 100000 men have been dis
charged from the army in this coun-
try. There is likely to be a large
number of these men clamoring for
work with no work for them, unless
something is done.
Many manufacturers are threaten
ed with bankruptcy. Reports from
the banks confirm my judgment.
Thousands of small manufacturers.
representing our most. patriotic citi-
zens, are affected" said Crowell.
Stettinius. who was abroad for sew
eral months in charge of purchasing
equipment for the expeditionary
forces, said the bill would save tens
of millions of dollars"
England Will Settle.
Practically all the contracts let in
England and France were of an in
formal character. Stettinius said.
The British government had agreed
to settle its own untitled contracts of
a similar nature on 12k per cent
basis. he said. which might be the
basis for our own settlements abroad,
should the bill be passed quickly.
Unless the bill is passed the manu-
facturers may continue turning out the
supplies and we shall be morally
obliged to pay" he said. by the
passage of the bill, We could pay only
for the goods already delivered and a
percentage on contracts untitled"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
JOKES FOR SOLDIERS
Eastern. Star VIII Publish Book for
Those in Hospitals.

The state branch of the Order of
the Eastern Star is asking all members
of the order in the state to coHect
clippings of good, new jokes. after
dinner stories, thumb nail sketches.
funny pictures, etc. to be made into
books for the soldiers in the camp
hospitals, and recuperating and con-
valescing soldiers.
The collections of clippings made by
Topeka members of the order should
be sent to Mrs. Carrie Yates, of juno
ton City, who is chairman of the o.
E. s., Soldiers Welfare club of juno
ton City. The clippings should be
sent to Mrs. Yates as soon as possible
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
STAHL STEPS IN RACE
Veteran Topeknn Will Run for Office
of Mayor.

Frank NJ Stahl, former chief of po-
lice of Topeka, has a formal an
nouncemenr in today's paper as can
didate for mayor. He said this morn
ing: II would like to be mayor of the
city of Topeka: have known the city
from the time there were neither side
walks nor paved streets and have seen
it grow to be the best paved. best
lighted and best shaded city in the
state. I believe I know its needs and
know that / would do everything pos
sible to advance its growth and pros
Derity"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
TOWN WITHOUT A DOCTOR
Elgin, Kan, Asks Governor To Find
Physician.

The little town of Elgin, Chautauqua
county has appealed to Governor Cap
per to find it doctor. War conditions
took the Elgin doctors into military
service and the towns sick have de-
pended on medical attention from the
doctors of neighboring towns
In a letter to the governor today. IL
was asserted that one man who was
sick was compelled to wait seventeen
hours for tee arrival of doctor after
a call had been sent to another town.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
TO OPEN LAW OFFICE
McAdoo Will Take Up Practice IL
New York Following Vacation.

New York, Dec 2s.-William G.
McAdoo will open a law office in New
York city about April l, it was learned
here today.
The former secretary of the treasury
will remain as director general of
railroads until President Wilson ap-
points a successor.
McAdoo plans to leave about jan
uary for a three months rest in Cal
i1ornia- Upon his return he will take
up his law practice here. -.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
|U. S. EXPORTS ARE BIG
Goods Shipped Out This Year Excect
In Value Those Imported.

Washington. Dec. 28.-The United.
States exported $780, 6.347.516 more
goods in the year ending with Novem-
ber than she imported. according to
department of commerce figures to-
day.
This record was beaten only in the
previous year when excess of exports
ran to $3.227,220,725.
High values of war goods are re-
sponsible for this remarkable showing.
Imports for the eleven months end
ing with November, totalled $2.820,-
754531
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
NAMES HIS DEPUTIES
Register OF Deeds. Layton Appoints
Misses Gardiner and Stratemcyer.


Misses Gardiner and Stratemcyer.
Appointments for his office were
announced this morning by Oran Lay
ton. register of deeds-elect, to take
effect January 6, 1919. Miss Flora NJ.
Stratemeyer is to be first deputy and
Miss Sidney NJ. Gardiner. second
deputy.
Miss Stratemeyer has been in the
abstract business continually since
1907. In 1911 Robert Tasker made her
a deputy in the register of deeds Of
flee and in 1914 she accepted a posi-
ton with the Topeka Title e. Bond
ing company, where she worked until
a short time ago, when Ralph Squires
appointed her to succeed Miss Mae
Graham, who resigned.
Miss Gardiner, who gets second
place. is well known and highly quail
fled. having done general clerical and
stenographic work for several years.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
Chicago short OF Cash.

& Chicago.~Dec. 2S.-Unless Chicago
gets aid from the Illinois legislature.
several departments of the municipai
government may have to close. It be-
came known today. Two million dol
lars are needed to meet current ex-
penses. according to Alderman Rich
ert. chairman of the finaAce commit
tee. while a budget of $17, 100000 has
been prepared for 1919.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
ToDAY's TEMPERATURES.

The temperature for the day aver
aged degrees below normal. At 2
o'clock this afternoon the wind was
blowing at the rate of 10 miles an hour
from the northwest.
The forecast for next week says:
Probably snow with temperature
slightly above normal first part of
week; generally fair latter part of
week with normal temperatures.
AS mid-winter days go, S. d. Flora,
state meteorologist says. tomorrow
CONTINUED on Page TwoD
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
Huns Surrender r. r.. Stock.

Paris, Dec. 28.-Armistice condf-
tions relative to the delivery of rail-
road rolling stock are being carried
1t satisfa ctorily by the Germans In
a single day $500 cars and 200 loco
motives were turned over to the allies.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
Will Be u Battle.

Chicago, Dec. 2S.-"Fight to a fin
ish." was the def of Chicago hotel
operators to union walters and cooks
who today were to begin a three-day
vote on a general strike. Two hun
dred walters and cooks walked out at
the Hotel Sherman last night, joining
strikers from Hotel La Sale. Eleven
hundred walters and 1000 cooks in
the city belong to the union.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-28
CREEL HAS NOT QUIT
He Says. However, He Expects To in
Short Time

Paris. Dec PSI have not re-
signed, but expect to quit and return
to the United States as soon as 1 can
clean up my affairs here--as I in
I. nded to do before came to Europe" !"
George Creel, head OF the committee
on public Information, said today.