davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1918-02-13
AMERICANS CLEAR BOCHE.
FIRST LINE TRENCHES
Accurate Shrapnel Fire of o. S.
Fighters Causes Huns to Va
cate Barricade.

By the Associated Press.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. February 12.-Aside from in
creased aerial activity, the American
sector has been normal for the last
twenty-four hours. Harassing artillery
fire and patrolling operations have
been kept up. but there have been no
clashes.
The American gunners are said to be
growing more accurate daily. They
have been especially effective in reg
istering on the roads and light rail-
Ways~baes- of the enemy lines.
So accurate has been the shrapnei
fire against the first lines of the enemy
that they are now nearly abandoned,
the Germans keeping only a few men
in them. In a sector such as this the
Germans seldom man their first lines
fully, but opposite the American posi-
tions they are reported to be keeping
considerably less than the usual num-
Der in the trenches
The number of enemy snipers and
sniping posts has been reduced still
further by the American sharpshooters
machine Sunners and artillerymen
Airplanes were overhead everywhere
today. The enemy late in the day sent
over a considerable number of ma
chimes in battle formation. They were
met and driven back by a French
squadron
The wounding of three men in conse-
quence of an accident was reported
today. constituting the only new
casualties.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Announcement

On and after Wednesday, February 18TH the
price of The Evening Star in Washington and sub
,rbs will be cents per copy at which price The Star
has been sold for some time past at more distant
points.
Subscribers served by regular carriers will con-
tinue at the present rate until March l. after which
date the rate will be 90 cents per month for the Daily
and Sunday Star or 40 cents per month for the Daily
only
The Star takes this step reluctantly and only be-
cause conditions make it necessary.
forced the same change in the newspapers of prac-
country, and the few remaining 1cent papers will,
evitable.
The cost of paper and ink used in the production
of The Star alone increased more than $1SO,OOO.OO
in 1917 1916 while labor and all other costs also
advanced heavily.
Under the new price newsdealers and newsboys
will make an increased profit of 500 every copy
sold and in order to insure them against loss in the
period of readjustment they will be given the right
to return unsold copies.
The subscription price for Thel Evening and
Sunday Star by mail has been for some time past 20
cents per month"; or for The Evening Star only 50
cents per month. The mail rate for The Sunday
Star alone is $40 year, postage prepaid. These
rates remain unchanged
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Sister Is Graduate.
WOULD STANDARDIZE GRAIN.
Delegation Urges President to Create
Federal Board for Purpose.

Creation of federal grain standards
cation board. with one representative
from each state that produces more
than 10O.o0o.0O0 bushels of grain, and
modification of present grain standards
was urged on President Wilson and
Secretary Houston today by Represen-
tative Anderson of Minnesota and q
delegation from Minnesota and North
and South Dakota
About thirty states are affected Tho
idea is to give those states a direct
representation IN determining what
standard grades shall be established.
They want modification of the standards
to include increase. of the percentages
of wheats of other classes mixed with
any particular class of wheat. fixing
of oyster conten-, inseparable and
other standardizing 3usstiQnaA-
Evening star., 1918-02-13
CLEANING CITY STREETS
Downtown Thoroughfares to Be
Given Bath Tonight-Ashes
to Be Collected.

Every available man in the street
cleaning department was put to work
today cleaning the capitals downtown
thoroughfares, and tonight flushing
machines will be operated over the
principal streets.
Just as soon as the street situation
improves and teams which have been
loaned by the department to help re-
lieve the coal situation can be spared
the department will give assistance to
the ash collector, whose schedule of
collections has been wrecked by
weather conditions.
1t was stated today that all sections
of the city probably will be visited by
the ash collector by Saturday, though
1t viii take some time to remove the
accumulations of ashes resulting from
the suspended collections of the past
several weeks.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
TO INSPECT CAMP GREENE.
Secretary Baker Tells Delegation He
Will Investigate Conditions.

Secretary Baker told members of the
North Carolina congressional deIega-
tion today that he would personally
inspect Camp Greene. at Charlotte
N c.. later in the week. when he plans
to visit also Camp Wheeler. Ga. The
War Department has determined not
to make use of the Camp Greene site
after the Regular Army troops now
training there have been sent forward
for embarkation. A report Of the Med
ical-Corps shows conditions to be high
ly unsatisfactory at the camp. although
there is no immediate danger to health
of the troops.
The delegation. which was accom-
panied by representatives of the COM
mercial bodies of Charlotte, urged the
Secretary to revoke his decision to
abandon the site. This would necessi-
tate construction of an elaborate and
expensive sewerage system, and Mr.
Baker. 1t Is understood. does not feel
that the construction work Is justified.
He would not go beyond the promise
to visit the camp personally.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
TRANSFERS ROAD FUNDS.
q. S. Takes Action in Financial
Needs of Railroads,

The railroad administrations method
of meeting emergency financial needs
of roads under government operation
was decided today by announcement
that surpluses of some roads are being
transferred to others which need op-
Grating funds. under approval of Direc-
tor General McAdoo.
Later clearing house for these trans
fers will be established under John
Shelton Williams. director of finance
for the railroad administration, and
railroads will be given credit for their
appropriations to other lines. No def
mite figure of the agreement of these
transfers was available today.
The railroad administration was
forced to resort to this method pending
enactment of the railroad bill, which
would provide a revolving fund OF
$500. 900. 600 for these purposes.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
GOVERNMENT At HOME
DISCUSSED IN COMMONS
British Statesmen Lay Aside For
eign Affairs Temporarily-Earl
Curzon Comments on Speeches.

LONDON, February 13.-The house of
commons today resumed the debate on
the address in reply to the speech from
the throne. Discussion of foreign and
military affairs was dropped tenn
porarily for consideration of the ad-
ministration of the government at
home. Herbert Samuel, formerly sec
retary of state for home affairs. made
the opening speech on this subject
Later the decisions of the supreme war
council at Versailles, which now occupy
the minds of the people of England,
will be taken up again.
Richard Holt, radical member from
the Haxham division of Northumber-
land, prepared an amendment to the
address, expressing regret that 'in ac-
cordance with the decisions of the su-
preme war council at Versailles prose-
cution of military effort is to be the
only immediate task of the govern
ment." This amendment is supported
by a number of liberals and unioniStS.
Another amendment expresses regret
that action has not been taken against
newspapers which have published at
tacks on individual officers of higher
commands.
Effort to Split Allies.
The recent speeches Of Count Won
Hertling and Count Czernin We're col
lusive performance between the two
statesmen intended to drive a wedge
between the allies. rather than to
secure peace, Earl Curzon, government
leader in the house of lords, declared in
a debate yesterday in the house of
lords on the address to the throne. No
attempt, he said, had been made to
meet the minimum demands of the al
lies. Earl Curzon added:
THE most critical times that have
ever confronted this country are in
front of US. But l do not think the
position Is at all dangerous, and our
military advisers do not think it is 1
At the same time we shall have to put
every ounce of effort into the common
cause. If we do that, 1 am confident
we will win, and thus save civiliza-
ton"
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Central Powers Request Peace Nego-
tiation Answer by Tonight,
Says Berlin Paper.

AMSTERDAM, February 13.-The
Berlin Tageblatt says that the central
powers rave addressed demand to
Rumania to enter peace negotiations,
and requested an answer by this even
ing. The newspaper says the demand
did not take the form of an ultimatum
with an inherent threat.
Late last week some of the German
newspapers printed reports that Field
Marshal Mackensen had sent an ultima
tum to Rumania February 6 demanding
that peace negotiations be begun with
in four days.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
MEETS PRESIDENT WILSON
Earl Reading, Britain's Special Am
bassador, Formally Presented TODAY

Earl Reading. new British special
ambassador and high commissioner.
was presented to President Wilson at
O'Clock this afternoon.
1t was stated today that there will he
few changes in the embassy personnel
The numerous staff brought here nv
Lord Reading will be added to the
present personnel, and most of them
will be engaged in the new duties de-
volving upon the embassy because of
Lord Readings designation as head Of
all British missions, as well as his
diplomatic duties as ambassador
Evening star., 1918-02-13
MARCH MAY DIE Of
URTSREcE|vED IN FALL
Son of Army Chief of Staff and For.
mer Student in Washing
ton Schools.

Lieut. Peyton c. March. jr., son of the
recently appointed chief of staff of the
Army. Maj. Gen. Peyton c. March, L. s.
A, is seriously injured in the Army
hospital at Fort Worth. Tex. as the re-
suit of a fall from a height of 1000
feet in his airplane yesterday at Talia-
ferro field. According to word re-
ceived from Fort Worth his chances
for recovery are slight, as he is suffer-
ing from fractured skull
The injured aviator was formerly .
star athlete in Washington high school
ranks. He received his commission in
the aviation branch of the service only
one week ago, having graduated about
two weeks ago from the flying school
at Hicks, Tex.
Something Went Wrong.
He was driving the new plane to
which he was assigned. when some
thing went wrong and the machine
plunged to earth. When picked from
the wreckage of the airplane. the
young officer was in an unconscious
condition.
Lieut.. March. who is twenty-one
years old, attended Western High
SclOOt 1or ABOUT Two years, Weaving
that institution in 1914 TO enter the
Cathedral School for Boys. where he
remained a year. He later attended
Lafayette College.
While at Western High School young
March starred in several branches OF
school athletics, including foot ball.
base ball and basket ball He was con-
sidered one of the foremost athletes
in the school.
He also was actively connected with
that branch of school activity at the
Cathedral School.
Sister Is Graduate.
Miss Vivian March, sister OF Lieut.
March. graduated from Western High
School last year She is with her sis
ter Mrs. John Milliken. wife of Capt.
J ohm Milliken. at Fort Myer. The March
family formerly resided on Leroy place
here.
When war was declared young March
Joined the hospital unit at Allentown,
Pa. Later. when his age permitted, he
joined the aero service.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
THEY FAILED TO ARRIVE
Real Estate Men Had Engagement
With House District Committee
for IL O'Clock,

With the Johnson anti-rent- -profiteer-
ing bill scheduled to occupy the atten-
tion of the House tomorrow, Washing
ton real estate interests asked for Il
hearing before the House District COM
mittee today They said they would
meet the committee at IL O'Clock.
The House District committee met at
IL o'clock and waited until I1:2o a.
which hour the real estate men having
failed to put in an appearance the COM
mittee adjourned.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
RUSS PEACE STAND
PROBLEM FOR HUNS
Refusal to Sign Treaty, Say
Diplomats, May Cause Inter-
national Complications.
STATUS HERE UNCHANGED

Diplomatic observers say Germany is
confronted with the most difficult and
unprecedented problem she has met
during the present war as a result OF
the declaration that Russia has aban-
doned hostilities without the signing
of peace treaty. The refusal of the
Russians to sign any treaties alienat-
ing the Russian western provinces, the
diplomats pointed out, will leave the
central powers without any legal
claim to their possession. German and
Austrian tenure Will rest entirely upon
the assertion of force, without recogni-
tion of international law. and conse-
quently must be subject to the decision
of whatever form of tribunal finally de-
termines the basis of general peace.
Should Germany and Austria resolve
to refuse to recognize the boIsheviki
decree as terVinating the war, with
out the confirmation of that action by
treaty In the usual form, their armies
would be in the position of killing an
unresisting and unarmed people. a pro-
ceeding regarded here as certain to
cause trouble for the Teutonic govern
ments with their people at home.
Fear Appeal. to Masses.
An appeal from the Russian peasants
to the working classes of Germany and
Austria, it is believed here, would not
fail of sympathetic response embar-
RAISING to the military parties.
The United States never has recog-
nized the bolsheviki regime. and Rus
sia's abandonment of the war will not
alter existing relations. This was made
clear at the State Department where
1t also was stated that the formal
signing OF a peace treaty hg the new
government of the Ukraine/could have
no diplomatic effect SOLAR as this
government is concerned
The first official intima ton that q
peace had been signed was received
today from Minister Vopicka at Jassy.
Roumania.
Will Retain Posts.
Such consular officers as the United
States happens to have in Ukrainian
territory will be retained at their posts,
in accord with all uSageS in the case
ments. but this cannot be taken to
mean even a de facto recognition Of
fetal confirmation that either France
or Great Britain had recognized the
new Ukrainian government was still
lacking today.
The one clear thing in the whole sit-
uation from a military point of view IN
that the struggle has narrowed down
to the western front, of which the
Italian theater already has been Of
ficially recognized as a portion by the
allied chiefs. The final test of arms in
to come on that front
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Col. Roosevelt Much Better.

NEW YORK. February ia marked
Improvement in the condition of Col.
Theodore Roosevelt was announced at
Roosevelt Hospital this morning. He
passed a comfortable night and awak-
ened at Z o'clock greatly refreshed.
Mrs. Roosevelt spent some time early
In the day at the bedside
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Barges Are Needed.

The committee viii ascertain the cost
of building large quantities of compar-
atiyely cheap barges within the next
few months, and of leasing those al
ready in existence. Along the narrower
canals the old system of towing by
mules probably will be revived. Power
boats may be supplied for larger
barge canals or for navigable rivers.
In many cases it may be necessary to
construct new canal terminal facilities
before any greatly increased number
of boats can be put in operation.
Information already gathered by the
committee on inland water transporta-
tion of the Council of National Defense,
by the Army Engineers Corps, the
Department of Commerce. and other
agencies, will be turned over to the
railroad administrations committee.
Conferences probably Will be arranged
with persons or organizations that have
given special study to inland water
transportation problems.
Considerable information already has
been furnished Director General Nc
Adoo by barge building companies. New
York state interests have particularly
urged government stimulation of traffic
on the Erie barge canal. One of the
other waterways, however, is said to be
lack of loading and unloading facili-
ties at terminals.
Other canals to be given early con-
sideration by the committee are the
Hennepin, Delaware and Hudson, Nor
rfS. Chesapeake and Delaware, and
Delaware and Raritan.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
Fronts, Landing Stages and
Verandas of Boathouses
Smashed to Splinters.
SMALL CRAFT WRENCHED
FROM MOORiNGS AND LOST
Aqueduct and Other Bridges Escape
Serious Damage-Estimate
of the Losses.

Ice went out OF the river this
morning, leaving trail OF
wrecked shipping and damaged
property in its wake.
With a grinding crash. resembling
the roar of distant thunder, the heavy
ice first started to move between High
way and Aqueduct bridges, and above
the latter point, about $50 o'clock this
morning Within an hour and half
the mass was rapidly passing down the
river.
In going out the ice above Aqueduct
bridge. in places more than twenty
inches thick, smashed the fronts. Ia nd
ing stages and verandas of every boat
house and boat club at that point into
splinterS. wrenched a dozen more
small craft from their moorings at
buoys locked in the ice, and either sunk
them, smashed them to bits or swept
them down the stream.
Two big scows, used in construction
work on the approaches of the new
Key bridge, were torn loose when the
ice field broke and moved out, one of
the scows being pushed high up on the
bank of AraloStan Island and the other
being carried to the lower end of the
island in Little river.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
TO ANSWER PRESIDENT.
Count Won Hertling, Says Dispatch
to Reply in Reichstag.

LONDON, February 13.-Count Won
Hertling. the imperial German chancel-
lor an Exchange telegraph dispatch
from Amsterdam says. intends to an
swer President Wilson's message in the
reichStag next Tuesday.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
DISCUSS PROPOSAL
FOR PARADE HERE
Civic Bodies and Mr.. Brown
low Consider Bringing Meade
Soldiers to City.
CALLED FITTING TRIBUTE

The proposal to bring the District
boys at Camp Meade here for a parade
up Pennsylvania avenue on Washing
tons birthday is being considered this
afternoon at a conference between Com
missioner Brownlow and representatives
of civic organizations.
Although the District authorities
are not taking the initiative in the
plan, Mr.. Brownlow expressed willing
ness yesterday to meet delegates from
the several organizations interested
and talk the proposal over with them:
1t is probable that a definite de-
cison will be reached at the confer
ence. which began at > o'clock, as TO
whether the plan will be carried out.
Evening star., 1918-02-13
OPPOSES TAKING
OVER RAILROADS
Action of the President Was
Unnecessary, Declares
Senator Kellogg.
HE FAVORS COOPERATION

The opinion that President Wilson's
action in taking over the railroads was
unnecessary because as good results
would have been obtained by the car
ricrs with proper government eo-opera-
tiop was expressed in the Senate today
by Senator Kellogg, member of the
Senate interstate commerce committee.
He declared that had the railroad heads
been given full measure of assistance
the government would have escaped the
necessity of guaranteeing the carriers
an income for the use of the properties
taken over.
Senator Kellogg spoke in support of
the committees amendment of the ad-
ministration railroad bill. which. he
said. reflects the best Judgment of the
administration and the committee" AL
though he did not agree with the Pres
dent and his advisers on the railroad
question. the Minnesota senator said
he intended doing everything possible
to strengthen and facilitate govern
ment operation and insure Justice to
the people, the railroads and the vast
army of security holders"
Evening star., 1918-02-13
One Man Power Called Appalling.

The plan submitted originally by the
administration giving the President alb
solue power to fix rates was
denounced by Senator Kellogg. TT is
appalling" he declared, ito say that be-
cause we are at war the country's en-
tire rate-making structure and the abb
solute power to change rate, affecting
the billions of dollars of railroad prop
erty and hundreds of millions of dol
lars of commerce shall be placed in the
hands of one man, without right of ap-
peal"
Senator Kellogg said he believed the
provision in the bill terminating gov
ernment control within eighteen
months after the war should be re-
tanned.
Il have no doubt that under the war
power" he added, Congress may keep
the railroads for reasonable time
after the termination of the war But
to keep them an indefinite time, and
pay rent therefor. is obtaining property
under false pretenses SO far as the
American people are concerned. I am
not yet prepared to take step that
viii force government operation upon
the people of this country. That ques-
ton should be met by the American
people squarely and fairly, unham-
pered by any other issue, and should
the time come when the people deem it
wise to take over the railroads their
mandate is final"
Evening star., 1918-02-13
REPRESENTED at Meeting.

At the meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce last night President y.
Leftwich Sinclair appointed Robert N
Harper to attend the conference for
the chamber.
The executive committee of the
Board of Trade met yesterday afternoon
and designated Brig. Gen. Richard D.
Simms, commander of the new District
National Guard. as it's delegate.
The war work committee of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations met
yesterday No definite action was taken
on the parade proposal. but Charles s
Shreve, president of the federation, an
nounced that he would attend the meet
ing today. He will put before the fed
Grafton whatever course is decided on.
Although the Retail Merchants As
sociation has not held meeting. NJ. A.
Leese. president, announced shortly
after noon that the organization would
be represented at the meeting.
Advocates of the plan said today that
not much more than $500 would be
needed to carry it out, the biggest item
of expense being transportation for the
soldiers to and from the camp.
Other Cities Arrange Parades.
1t was pointed out these boys soon
will start on their journey "over there"
and that no more fitting way could be
found to have their home town bid
them farewell than by having them
birthday of the father of their country.
Similar parades are being arranged in
number of other cities. it is under
stood.
Other members of the trade bodies
believe aside from the good effect it
will have on the soldiers themselves
just before leaving, it will tend to
arouse the spirit of the people at home
to the need for standing behind these
boys by buying liberty bonds and sup
porting other war projects.
difficulty to the plan. Officials there stated
that. since Christmas the selected men
from Washington have not been assigned
to any particular organization, with the
result that they are scattered among prac-
tically every unit at the camp
Transferred to Other Camps.
Prior to December nearly all District
men had been assigned to the 312th Ma
chine Gun Battalion, but about three
fourths of them have since been trans
ferred to other camps. There are at pres
ent 800 men in the 312th, the majority
OF whom are Washingtonians This is the
only unit at Meade which resembles a
Washington organization. officials stated.
The 36Sth Infantry has a number of
coicred men from the District. but they,
too are scattered through several com
panies. officers at Camp Meade head
quarters said it would hardly be pos
sible to pick out the Washington men
from the various units and put them
together for such a parade
w nat bearing these conditions al the
camp VIII have on the plans for the
parade probably will be brought out at
the conference this afternoon