davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

Accused, Quits
Ship Board
Ferris Alleged to Have Ar
ranged for Commissions
From Builders
lStaf Coyvespondencc1

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Theodorc
e. Ferris, OF New York, naval con-
structor for the Shipping Board. has
quit his post under fire. As yet there
has been no public announcement of
his withdrawal from the staff of the
Shipping Board.
letter now in the possession of
Senator Fletcher. chairman Of the Sen
ate Commerce Committee, which is
still held n confidential communication
explains from Mr.. Ferris's viewpoint
the circumstances surrounding his
withdrawal. This letter, however, it
is stated, will be supplemented by ad-
dtional evidence before the Senate
committee by Admiral Bowles within
the next few days. The certainty Of
Admiral Bowles's testimony. together
with advance information of the gen.
ernl character OF the evidence to be
presented, it is believed. has had some
thing to do with Mr. Ferris's sudden
withdrawal.
Part Of The evidence to be presented
BY Admiral Bowles was disclosed to-
day by Philip d. Sloan, a witness be-
fore the Commerce Committee. when
he testified that Mr.. Ferris, despite
his receipt Of a salary of 100000 for
professional services rendered to the
Shipping Board. has arranged for the
payment of a total Of $7S,AOO to HIM
self, a I per cent commission on con-
tracts totalling S7,S40,OO0, let to the
Sloan Company.
The Sloan contracts for total Of
sixteen ships were obtained through
the Clinchtield Navigation Company. Of
Dante, Va, which, it is alleged. is TO
receive 5 per cent commission for
turning the contracts over to the
Sloan Company.
Nava. Constructor Ferris. it is al
legged. introduced Charles NJ. Barnet. of
the Clinchfeld Company, to officials of
the Shipping Board. Mr.. Barnet. in
turn, recommended the Sloan Company
and this concern obtained Shipping
Board contracts before its yard was
completed and while shipbuilding con-
Germs with yards ready for operation
were compelled to wait for contracts.
Under an arrangement between the
Clinchtield Navigation Company and
the Sloan Company. it is alleged. the
two concerns each pay one-half OF Mr..
Ferris's / per cent commission on the
first four ships. the Sloan Company be-
ing scheduled to settle the entire Fer
ris commission on the last twelve ships.
1t is understood that Mr.. Ferris con.
tends that he had right TO accept
commission on the ships designs which
he had drafted. On the other hand,
members Of the Senate committee point
out that Constructor Ferris receives a
salary of $4,000 for this work, and
since his designs are used exclusively
by the Shipping Board, no shipbuilding
concern could receive contract unless
Il followed his snecificatinnc
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
ID Spies Shot i'm u. S.,
Says Col. Thompson

Colonel c. S. Thompson, member of
the executive committee OF the Ameri-
can Defence Society, announced yes
terday that fourteen German spies
have been shot in this country since
the beginning Of the war. The Depart
ment of Justice in Washington last
night denied the report.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-The De-
partment of Justice tonight authorized
the following statement in denying
Colonel Thompson's assertion that
fourteen German spies had been shot
in this country:
"The Department Of Justice tries all
its cases against spies and violators of
any Federal statute publicly and makes
no attempt to suppress the result
More than 1870 cases have been disposed
Of under the espionage law up to Jan
uary |, and while no death penalties
have been inflicted very heavy penal
ties We're ordered. some being twenty
years imprisonment.
AT the Navy Department it also was
fatty denied that there had been any
executions for espionage by the naval
establishments.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Czernin Gives Partial
Approval to Wilson

BASLE, Switzerland, Jan. 24--A dis
patch from Vienna says that during an
address to the delegations of Parlia-
ment Count Czernin, the Austro- Hun.
garan Foreign Minister. declared he
considered President Wilson's last
propositions regarding peace as show
ing pcrceptible approach to the Aus
Hungarian point of view.
There we're, he said, several points
to which AUSTRIA Hungary joyfully
could subscribe, but the following prin-
ciple first must be laid down: That
where these propositions concerned
Austria-Hungary's allies, as in the case
Of Germany in Belgium. and in the case
of Turkey, AUSTRIA Hungary was faith
full to her alliances, and would fight to
thu end for the defence Of her allies.
"Poland ought freely and without in
fuence choose her lot," said Count
Czernin.
He declared that he would gladly
have seen Poland take part in the
peace negotiations, for he considered
Poland an independent state, but the
Russian government did not recognize
the present Polish governments quail
iication to speak in the name of Poland,
so he had not insisted, in order to avoid
d conflict.
Count Czernin explained Germany s
unwllllngneSs to evacuate occupied ter
ritories before a popular vote was
taken, because such evacuation would
break up the organizations, commun-
cations, industries and administrations
which are in German hands, with the
result of producing anarchy and utter
misery Negotiations. declared the
minister, need time, and he added:
"When we have reached peace with
Russia, general peace cannot long be
prevented, despite the efforts Of the
Entente statesmen"
Count Czernin declared that he must
politely but categorically refuse Presi-
dent Wilson's advice on Austria-Hun-
gary's internal administration. There
was no parliament more democratic
than Austria's, he said. The Foreign
Minister said he did not object to the
suppression Of secret diplomacy, espe-
cially if that meant the suppression Of
secret treaties.
President Wilson's article on the
freedom Of the seas, said Count CZey-
min, was an absolutely satisfactory ar
ticle against future economic war and
was just and reasonable. He expressed
gratitude for the demand for general
disarmament. which was in line. he
said, with his own previous declara-
tions. The Foreign Minister invited
President Wilson to use his great in
fluencc to induce the Entente Allies
to declare the conditions on which they
were willing to talk
President Wilson's idea Of league
OF nations, according to Count Czernin,
probably would encounter no oppos-
tion in Austria Hungary. He explained
his agreement on the essentials of this,
saying that AUSTRIA Hungary. like the
United States, is composed Of groups
of states, with no opposing interests, a
fact which invites the question whether
an exchange Of ideas between these
two powers could not form the starting
point for personal conversation be
tween all the states which have not yet
entered into negotiations for peace.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Wilson Does Not Know Truth,
Chamberlain Tells Senate;
Renews Attack on Baker
Wilson Tells Chamberlain Whu
He Opposes Cabinet Bill

WASHINGTON Jan 4Scuutoy Chamberlain read the folon
'ter to him from President Wilson IN the today
Personal The White House
Washington, JAM II, 1918
My Dear Sir: When and Senator Hitchcock
White House the other discussing
gesons Of coordination and speeding the military
gramme and other things told that had
bill for the creation Of Munitions Ministry.
That, of
tion and feel that
mind that hope cncery such coordination will
tempted For thing would naturally include the
would
fear docaon of activities which would delay
that is avoidabe and in regard the think that moth
substantial would be accomplished delay
would inevitably be produced by such a
have had in the last few months deal of
trying coordinate things and fresh coordination delay
inevitably results and delay but all of of
decentralization, which mpedments the effective
conduct Of business.
Rather other
fulfilled expectations who he and
utterly
would parity and
influence the head bureau the heads
political
a the French and English.
short, my my judgment decidedly that
would the results but that attempt such
greatly the coordination and of
which have deal of thought and
which believe rapidly yielding the results
ought keep ignorance Of what had been
mind with regard this important matter Cordially
and sincerely yours WOODROW WILSON.
Hon.. George T.. Chamberlain United States Senate
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Senator Reveals
Camp Shortages
sd IL.

Mr. Chamberlain insisted that tho
men in the camps always told diff
ferent story from that obtained from
Secretary Baker and his subordnates,
and he introduced in the record a re-
port covering all supplies. obtained by
telegraph as OF January /. 1t showed,
he said, shortages in every item run
ming from 10 to 100 per cent. He
read the Senate only few percentages
OF shortages or the single item of
woollen coats. Some Of them were:
Third Division, shortage OF woollen
coats 10 per cent.
Fourth Division, 81 per cent.
Sixth Division, 90 per cent.
Camp Sewer, 90 per cent ~
Camp Wheeler. SO per cent
Camp Doniphan, SO per cent
Camp Macarthur. II per cent
Camp Logan, ) per cent.
Camp Bowie, 80 per cent
Camp Custer, IS per cent
This situation existed on January
!. only a few days before the Secre{
tary of War made his reassuring stats-
ment TO the committee from the Wit
ness stand.
Mr.. Chamberlain did not raise An
Issue OF veracity with Secretary Baker.
He professed his personal fondncss for
the Secretary and respect for him. But
ne said that the Secretary had been
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Roosevelt
Declares for
War Cabinet
Backs Chamberlain Plan;
Insists on Right to
Criticise

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2A.-Theodore
Roosevelt, in speech to-day before
the National Press Club, asserted his
right to criticise the conduct of the
war, and declared it to be every mans
duty to expose inefliciency if it re-
tarded the work of the war-making
machinery.
In answer to an attack made on him
recently in the Senate by Senator
Stone, he said the Senator's speech was
an insdious effort in behalf Of Ger
many and that the Mlssourian, who had
done all he could TO serve Germany in
opposing war legislation, had been the
first one to inject partisan politics into
the war.
Colonel Roosevelt came out in open
support of Senator Chamberlain's pro-
posals for a war cabinet and a muni-
tons department.
1.-The proposal" he said, "means that
al least a proper scheme of admins
tration will be adopted by the govern
ment. am we'll aware that no scheme
can accomplish anything unless the
right men are put in, but at least we
VIII get proper scheme of admins
tration. In Washington you have d
good many star players. but mighty
little teamwork"
While the speech contained little
criticism of individuals, the Colonel
spoke of the "maladministration" of
the War Department in warmly prais-
ing the work of the Senate Committee.
AS to the worth of Investigations, he
said it was the duty of Congress to get
at the truth, and he quoted from the
writings of the President when at
Princeton advocating Congressional in
qulry into the acts of the Administra-
ton.
Declaring the present was no time
for politics, Colonel Roosevelt said:
citizen in his public relation at this
time has any business to consider par
tisan politics in any way"
Colonel Roosevelt said in part:
cat this time no man is a good
American unless he is all American
There Is no such thing now as an
American with some alloy in him.
Either he is straight United States or
he is not United States at all. If he
is not antiGerman, he cannot be pro-
American. If he is not in favor Of
putting this war through to the peace
Of complete victory he is not loyal
American.
THE men whom, al the moment, we
should hold in especial suspicion are
the men VINO, however loud their pro
testations OF devotion to this country,
nevertheless hint, OF directly or indi-
rectiy advocate, an inconciusive peace.
or who in any way object TO quick eff
cheney in putting the war through. The
man who endeavors 70 make you not
formidable to Germany is endeavoring
to make the United States false to it.
self, and at the same time to make it
incur the contemptuous hostility OF
Germany.
"At this time mans patriotism
should be absolute. and III all OF our
public acts it should mean an utter dis
regard Of partisan politics. Patriot
ism must exclude all questions OF par
tisanship. 1t is our duty to support
every official. from the highest to the
lowest. just so long as that Official doe s
we'll. and to the extent that he does
we'll IN making more efficient this gov
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Russians Reject
Terms; Germans
threaten Invasion
Hertling Holding
Fast to Hope of
Russian Peace

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 24.-Count Won
hertiing. the imperial German Chan
cellor, addressed the main committee
OF the Reichstag to-day. The Chan
celior opened his address with a refer
encc to his last speech before the
committee on January 8, when he said
the country was confronted with the
incident which had occurred at Brest-
Litovsk.
Il then expressed an opinion" said
the Chancellor. chat we should await
a settlement of this incident with all
cquanimity. The facts have justified
me. inasmuch as the Russian delega-
ton again have arrived at Brest-Li-
tovsk and the negotiations have been
resumed.
"They are slowly progressing, but
are extraordinarily difficult. I pointed
out on the former occasion the circum-
stances causing this difficulty. Doubt
often arose, indeed, whether the Rus
sian delegation was in earnest with it's
peace negotiations. All kinds Of wire
less messages which were traversing
the world with their highly strange
contents might strengthen this doubt.
Nevertheless, 7 hold fast to the hope
that we shall arrive at good conclu-
sion with the Russian delegation at
t-Litovsk.
eve hope soon" he added, "to con-
clude an agreement with Ukrainia
which would be mutually satisfactory.
especially from an economic point of
view"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Decision ON Peace
Or War Rests With
Workmen's Council

PfTROGRAD, Wednesday, Jan. 23.--
The Russian delegates to the Brest-
Lltovsk peace conference have decided
unanimously to reject the terms offered
by the Germans.
The decision of the delegates was
night.
The Germans declared the terms laid
down by them were their last offer, and
that IT the Russians did not ACCEPT
hostllities would be resumed and tic
Germans would capture Reval in a
week.
Final decision as to peace or war, NJ.
hamencf, a member of the peace
delegation, sald, rested with the Con-
gress OF Soldiers and Workmen's Dele
gates, which was convened here to-
night.
At the last session Of the conferrees
the Germans demanded that Russia
give up Courland and all the Baltic
provinces. An adjournment was taken
until January 80, to permit the Rus
sans to consider the German terms.
Germans Frankly for Conquest
Reports of the session indicated that
me Germans took a definite stand and
most frankly outlined demands upon
which they are insistent. The secre-
tafy u the Ukrainian delegation gave
cut an account of the meeting. 1t says
Vhc Russians put question to the
delegates Of the Central Powers as to
What were their final peace terms. Cen
eral Hoffman, one of the German dele
gates replied by opening a map and
pointing out the following line, which
they insisted should constitute the
'uturc frontier Of Russia:
From the shores of the Gulf of
Finland TO the east of the Moon
Sound Islands to Walk, to the west
OF Mnsk, to Brest-Litovsk.
This completely eliminates Courand
ana all the Baltic provinces.
The Russians asked the terms of the
central Powers in regard to the terri
,,ory south of Brest-Litovsk. General
hoffman replied that was question
winch they would discuss only with
me tkraine. NJ. Kamenetf, a member Of
'"e Russian delegation, asked:
Hupposing we do not agree to such
CONDITIONS. What are you going to
do,H
General Hofman's answer is re
ported 70 have been:
''N"iti d wen, lHeI, We WOulu
occupy Reyal."
The Russians then asked for a re-
gySS, , which was granted reluctantly
ne Germans declared it was the last
poStponemcnt to which they would con-
sent. sent. The request was made by Leon
.lfo'zky, head of the Russian delega-
.lon who said he desired an oppor-
UNITY to lay the German peace terms
oeiofe the Council of Workmen's and
soldiers Delegates.
Inc negotiations between the Ukrain-
ans and the Central Powers are pro-
eceedlng amicably. The Austrians Of
,,ered to cede Cholmtchina to the
Dkralnian Republic, but only on condi-
uon that the Ukrainians send grain
rhd nd other foodstutfs to the Central
rcwers immediately on the conclusion
OF peace.
(Contlnued ustrest IN Teuton en-
p"es-Devc'opments IN Russic-on
Page 81
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Bliss I'm Paris
AS Envoy to
War Council
Staff Of High Army Officers
With Him; Expected to
Urge Allied Offensive

WASHINGTON, Jan. "a. - Genera
Tasker II. Bliss, chief of staff, who
arrived in Paris to-day, will represent
the United States army in the Supreme
War Council. Secretary Baker. in sc
announcing tonight, disclosed that the
general is accompanied by high officers
of every branch OF the service to ad-
wise him about any questions that may
arise.
General Bliss was a member Of the
American Commission to the Inter
tended the first meeting Of the Supreme
War Council at Versailles last month.
He returned to the United States on
December Is.
The decision to send him back to
Europe as a permanent representative
in the council was made because it
was recognized that General Pershing' S
duties in organizing and commanding
the evcrincreasing American cXpedl-
tionary forces were too great to per-
nit him TO undertake the presentation
of American views on military opera
tions and to sit with the council In
framing plans OF strategy that cover
all fronts and all armies.
From General Bliss the War Council
will obtain an up-to-thc minute report
ON what the United States will be able
to contribute to operations on the West
ern front this spring and summer. HIS
report in .his regard has been forecast
to some extent by President Wilson s
statement to Congress sional visitors
that there would be in Europe IN June
twice the number Of American troops
which it had been originally planned
to send by that time.
While Secretary Bakers statemen'
merely said that General Bliss had ar
rived in France to represent the army
on the council, there have been lntima-
tions that renewed recommdatlons tor
VIGOROUS offensive operations on the
widest possible scale were included IN
the instructions the general received
before sailing.
Probably The primary consideration
before the council when it reconvenes
will be the expected and widely adver-
tised German offensive on the Western
front. A mass of information has
reached the Allied powers from many
quarters indicating an impending drive
against the British or French lines, or
both, which will be carefully reviewed.
Ways and means to meet such con-
centration Of German and Austrian
forces as is indicated undoubtedly
have been considered.
Remington, the British military critic
in his initial article in The London
Post" to-day, that the German concen-
tration may be ''to support negotia-
tons" rather than for an assault. issin
line with views held by some American
officers here. They feel that, had Cor
many really intended to make great
drive they would not have given ad-
vance notice of it. and are inclined to
the opinion that the German nigh com
mand is endeavoring to set up the
bogie of a great attack as a prelimi-
nary TO another peace drive.
The possibility is suggested here
that the Allies may anticipate the Ger
man attack with a great drive, as the
British once did in Flanders.
PARIS, Jan. 24-General Tasker II
Bliss, Z. S. A., has arrived in France
with his staff.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Will Seize Reval.
Berlin Envoy Says
Separate Agreement
With Ukraines Gives
Enemy Delegates
Upper Hand

Yesterday brought highly impor
tcnt Developments in the politico
situation IN Europe.
The Russian peace delegates de-
cided unanimously to reject the
terms offered by the Germans at the
last session of the Brest- -Litovsk
conference. These terms, which Cen
eral Hoffman declared were final, de-
manded that Russia give up Cour-
land and all the Baltic provinces be-
fore January 20, or the Germans
would resume hostilities and occupy
Reval the Baltic port
In Austria the general strike has
resolved itself into a revolutionary
movement, centring in q provisional
Cabinet at Vienna, according to un-
confirmed advices received by the
Bolshevihi in Petrograd by wireless
and forwarded by the United Press.
They are not verified by Associated
Press or English press reports.
Copenhagen dispatches stated that
100000 men were still on strike in
Vienna and Budapest. Economic dis
order is still said to prevail through
out the Dual Monarchy.
Addressing the Reichstag yester-
day, Count Won Hertllng, the German
Chancellor, expressed confidence that
the Brest-Litovsk negotiations would
still be concluded satisfactorily at an
carly date.
Swiss dispatches report that the
military party still holds the upper
hand in Germany, but Socialist criti-
cism OF the government. is assuming
a boldcr tone, Scheidemann warning
the authorities that they are play
ing with fire"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Bills Committed
Without Any Fight

After Mr.. Chamberlain had finished
his three hour speech Senator Hitchcock
moved that the Chamberlain bills be
referred to the Military Affairs Com
mittee. The big fight on this went thus:
The presiding officer: "If there are no
objections they will be SO referred. The
chair hears no objections. The bills are
SO REFERRED
The Administration made no fight. A
canvass had revealed that it was beaten.
The bills will so on the calendar and
thus will be kept alive while the effect
on the country Of Mr.. Chamberlain's
speech is awaited.
lain attacked Mr.. Bakers crcdibility
was this:
On the second day OF the Secre-
tary's testimony before the Senate
Military Affairs Committee Mr.. Cham
berlan said to him: Your statement
yesterday would lead the country to
believe everything was lovely. Now, I
just met the commander of Camp Shcr-
man, and he tells me that he is still
1000 woollen coats short" To this,
said Mr.. Chamberlain, in telling the
Senate about it, Mr.. Baker replied in
his placid way, chats not true" But
Mr.. Chamberlain insisted that General
Glenn, who had just come from the
camp, had told him only few mo-
ments before that it was true. Secre-
tary Baker offered to telegraph to the
camp for the facts, and on January is
sent letter to Mr.. Chamberlain, in
closing d telegram from the camp
showing that in this camp up in Ohio
$500 men still lacked woollen coats.
The garments had been shipped. They
were "on the NAV"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Dramatic Scene
In Upper House
Oregonian Repeats Ac-
cusations and Puts
Issue Before the
Country
By C. W. Gilbert

WASHINGTON, Jan. o4.--To-day
was dramatic. Senator Chamberlain
made his speech. He stuck to his
guns. lie reiterated his charge that the
war Department had broken down. He
cid more than review the evidence thar
has already been made public BY the
Military Affairs Committee. He pro-
duced documents to prove that the Sec
retary OF War did not know the facts
about his own department., and that he
had, in his testimony, misled the Senate
committee.
On the strength of this, he said, "tho
President does not know the facts. He
must have got them from the Secretary
OF War, and the Secretary OF War must
have got them from some subordinates,
and those subordinates must have lied"
With these documents and with tao
ulated statement. showing conditions
with respect to supplies in all camps
on January l, he contradicted Secretary
Bakers reassuring statements to tho
Military Affairs Committee.
Mr. Chamberlain charged that there
was no plan or programme for the war.
He challenged the Administration 10
produce one.
He charged that the deaths in tho
camps were largely due to tlse inefiicien-
cy Of the War Department. and read y
letter picturing the dreadful conditions
in one base hospital. There were tears
in the Senate and sobs in the gallery
when he read it.