davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
NIAGARA FALLS LANDMARK
DESTROYED BY FLAMES

NIAGARA FALLS, y. Y, Jan. 4.
The International hotel. one of the
landmarks Of Niagara Falls, was de-
stroyed, by fire Thursday and the
International theater, an adjoining
building. was badly damaged, the
loss being estimated at S550,0O0,
covered by insurance. One fireman
suffered several broken ribs when
a ladder fell; another fireman and
telephone lineman were overcome
by smoke and are in hospitals. Fire.
men from towns across the Cana
dian border and from Buffalo help
cd the Niagara Falls department.
II had been reported recently that
the government was 10 take over
tie International hotel for use as a
war hospital The he -el, formerly
the Eagle tavern. had a history dat
ing back more than a century. Gen.
Lafayette. when he visited the Unit
ed States in 1924, was entertained
at the tavern. Daniel Webster was
frequent guest, and many mem
hers of European royal families had
visited the hotel.
Pres't Mckinley took luncheon at
the hotel on the day that he was
sassinated in 1901. The hotel was
rebuilt in 1S45.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04

has been a failure Of the market
garden crop i'm many districts. ana
the wholesale evasiOns Of regula-
tiOus az 70 Illicit sales have appar-
emily left the markets almost bare.
AS late as October, there wers
good hopes OF a satisfactory potato
crop, and many people described
the coming harvest as almost
bumper" Early I'm NOvem Der the
estimates grew more sober, and dur
ing the latter part of the month
the truth came out. The harvest
is almost a total failure. OF course,
the authorities declare that the re-
vised o. Inmates cannot be correct, ="
the harvest must and shall be at
least medium one: the farmers are
lying; the military will be called
upon TO uncover the boarded
stocks; the farming districts will be
compelled to deliver the quotas
which they were assessed in expec-
tauon Of a normal harvest.
Press Abandons Prctensc
The German newspapers have
abandoned the pretense that things
viii be easier this winter than last,
but they still cling 20 the hope that
prospects NAV be changed by some
miracle in Russia or Italy. The
Berlin correspondent Of the Cologne
Volkszeitung. discussing the pros
poets of the fourth winter, says:
1T viii be the hardest yet. Every
household viii feel its hardships
more, because all the small stocks
i'm storerooms and cellars have been
used up. The harvest has not turn
ed out we'll Nevertheless, the ma
tion can hold out if three conditions
are fulfilled. Every possible sur
plus should be brought in from Ru-
mania, Belgium and France. All
grain must be seized for the COM
mon store. Potatoes must be used
for stretching the breadstuffs."
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
FOOD SITUATION
IN GERMANY DARK
Winter and Spring to be Hard
est of WaT-AII Sup
plies Low.

AMSTERDAM. Jan A. - The
month OF November marked prob
ably the blacklist period in the hiss
tory Of The German food supply,
not indeed in the actual supply. but
ia the outlook for the winter and
sDring. The public had already be-
come awere that the breadstuns
harvest was poor and the foddec
harvest bad. but further revelations
came rapidly durine the month
which must have au all bat catas-
trOphic effect ON thinking people i'm
Germany. The supply of reeetables,
70 became known. Is very inadequate
everywhere. there is hardly any
prospect Of help from the FISH trade.
and an alarmins drop ls shown IN
the prospects OF the already scenty
supplies OK milk. butter and fat.
Finally on top of all this. 10 be-
came clear during November that
the potato harvest Is disappointing
in the extreme. The quantity shown
IN the official returns is indeed So
disappointing that the authorities
refuse 20 accept the revised esti-
mates, declare the farmers liars,
and propose to call in the military
10 requisition stocks. Moreover,
the quality in different parts of the
empire is reported as extremely
poor, so that an unusual percentage
o. loss can be counted on with GER
tainty.
Must Reduce Rauons.
IL is now regarded as certain that
both the meat and bread rations
will have 70 be reduced I'm the early
spring. despite a desperate effort to
gather up all the remaining food
stuffs I'm the occupied territories
This latter movement is likely 20 be
extended 20 extreme limits during
the winter. with the result that the
Inhabitants Of an occupied terrific
ries face the prospect of absolute
starvation for Germany's benefit.
in an effort TO stretch further the
supplies OF breadstuffs. orders have
been given for a wider use of pOta-
10 flour. cut this movement is found
difficult owing to scarcity of potato
-four. To obtain more at this time
is not easy. for il IS necessary to
dry and mill the potatoes. which
takes time, mad just now more than
the usual time owing to shortage
Of labor, coal and other requisites.
Hence, until February bread must
be stretched with fresh potatoes, a
measure of doubtful expediency.
The failure OF the fodder harvest
comedies with a generally unsatis
factory hay crop This is leading TO
Increased slaughter Of pigs. a fall
ing off n the weight of cattle
slaughtered. and a steady djminu-
ton I'm milk and milk products.
Fish supply Low.
The place Of meat cannot be
taken 81 any extent by fish, for the
supply OF fish is very poor. and the
authorities hold out no hope of any
Improvement. The obvious emer-
gency food is vegetables, but there
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04

WASHINGTON. Jan. RECON-
mendation of the American war
mission that troops be sent 10 France
as rapidly as possible viii not re-
suit in any change in the general
plan OF training the soldiers in the
United States. This was made plain
Thursday by Sec'y Baker in a gem
eraI discussion of the efforts OF the
war department % promptly carry
out the missions suggestions.
Every possible energy will be de-
voted 10 speeding up production OF
munitions and equipment and this
with the agreement of the allies TO
furnish the necessary ships and
equipment is expected TO result in
the despatch Of the armies abroad
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04

much sooner than was at first
thought possible. Neither ships nor
heavy artillery for any great force
would be available on this side OF
the Atlantic for some time.
Ordnance Bureau ReOrganized.
Efforts 10 speed up the ordnance
bureaus work were reflected in
Secy Bakers announcement Of the
reorganization of the bureau with
experienced business men at the
head OF the several divisions which
viii have charge of the general
work
Reorganization OF the quarter
masters department under Mai.
Cen. GOethals, acting quartermas-
ter general, along the line obtaining
some years ago when there was Il
cormissary general and the pay
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
Baker to Rush Work on Equipment and
Munitions to Speed Troops to France

master general, also has been sug-
gested. Gen. Goethals is said 20 IA
vor this plan and in this connec-
ton il is understood that Maj. Gen.
James A. Aleshire, the former pay
master general and his assistant.
Maj. Gen. C.. a. Devol, will be re-
called TO active service.
Two to- Retire Soon.
Opportunity for changes in ~
department it is pointed out. will Dc
given soon by the retireue on
their own applications o. Prig. Gen.
a. L. smith and Thomas cruise, as
sistants TO the quartermaster gem
eral.
Steps to increase the efficiency Of
the army machine also have been
taken by the newly created war
council Of the navy department
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
ROCKEFELLER TO I'D
CLUB FOR W0RKMEN

NEW YORK, Jan. A $500, 600
club house for the industrial work
ers Of Bayonne, y. J., will be built
with funGs provided by John d.
Rockefeller, jr., and the manufac-
turers Of that city. the international
committee Of the Young Mems
Christian association announced
here tonight. Mr.. Pockefeller's sub
scription was 100000. There are
several large oil plants at Bayonne.
Provision would be made in the
building for welfare work and COM
munity center activities.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
SLOW START HALTS
STEEL SHIP WORK
Board Constructor Doubts
Any Deliveries Before
End of Year.

WASHINGTON, Jan. A slow
start made by the American Inter
national corporation i'm construction
in one OF the governments fabricat-
ing steel shipyards at Hog Island
Pa. will make it almost impossible
for the yard To- deliver vessels on
schedule time. Theodore +. Ferris,
chief constructor for the shipping
board, Thursday told the senate
committee, investigating the prog
ress Of ship building.
The other two fabricating
plants, one at Newark bay and the
other at Chester, Pa, should be
able to produce ships as fast as their
contracts call for, Mr. Ferris said.
The ship building program gener-
ally. ne said. is proceeding about as
we'll as might have been expected
Delays in wooden construction he
blamed on a shortage of the proper
timber sizes.
Design Changes Delay.
Mr.. Ferris told of changes made
in the design for wooden ships,
which it is charged have caused de-
lay, and declared they were made
with his approval but not at his
suggestion. He did not think they
were necessary he said, but he ap-
proved them because Of the demand
from many quarters.
The American international cor
pOration's contracts call for the first
deliveries in September, 1918. Tho
company will do well, Mr.. Ferris
said, if it delivers any ships at all
during the year. once it has got a
start. however. ships Will he pro-
duced rapidly, he said.
CriticiZeS Contracts.
Dir. Ferris criticized the shipping
boards decision 70 let contracts for
fitting out wooden ships TO a large
number of concerns and declared
that all should be fitted out with
engines and other equipment at
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04

one or two places each on the west
coast, in the east and in the south
work
Profteering house builders seek
ing high rentals for homes in the
neighborhood Of shipyards were de
nounced by Meyer Bloomfield, head
of the shipping boards industrial
service station. another witness.
Mr.. Bloomfield said the shipyard Ia
Dor shortage could be traced in
large measure TO poor housing IA
cilities and lack of transportation
for workmen. He advised legisla-
ton empowering the shipping board
to commander housing and to en-
force better train service.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
NEW MOTOR TRUCKS IN
TRIAL REACH WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, Jan. AFTER
trial runs three of the new I Z ton
army motor trucks arrived in Wash
ington Thursday from factories at
Detroit Cleveland and Ardmore. Pa.
One Of the machines plunged over
a 2O-foot embankment but contin-
ued the Journey under its own pow
err Quantit, production OF The trucks
viii be ordered as soon rs further
tests here are completed
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04
ARGENTINE AMRhcS6DnP
TO UNITED STATES QUITS

BUENOS AIRES, Jan. Con
firmat ton was received here Thurs
day evening OF the report that DR..
Ronsulo $. Naon. Argentine ambas-
sador TO the United States, has re-
signed.
In official circles every pce sible
effort is>neing made TO persuade the
government not 10 eccept the resig-
natioE.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-04

See the announcement OF a re-
markable sale OF children's wear
on page eight of this paper. Adler
Brothers Adv 1924
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
CUTS PHONE CHARGES
Postmaster General Burleson
Announces New Schedule.
Changes in Rates Were Recommend,
! ed In First Report Of Stand
ardization Committee.

Washington, Dec. 7.-Sweeping re-
ductions in long distance and toll tele,
phone rates by the adoption of basic
charge Of ca mills a mile, airline mile
age, and half the day rate for night
service up to midnight and one-fourth
the day rate after that hour, were an
nounced by Postmaster General Burle'
son. They become effective Jan. 21,
next.
The new rates were recommended
in the first report Of the committee
on rate standardization, and Mr.. Bur
leson's statement said their effect is
to equalize the toll and long distance
charges over the country, removing
disparities and preferences and pro.
viding a scientific basis for future re-
ductions contemplated as unification
of telephone and telegraph wires pro,
ceeds."
"A night service rate" said the
statement, which is one-half the day
rate, is established between $50
o'clock and midnight.
Between midnight and go a. m
the night rate is one-fourth the day
rate. These are greater reductions in
night rates than have ever been made
in any country, and doubtless will be
extensively used, especially for social
and family purposes. A person might
talk from San Francisco to New York
for about 81, whereas the day rate
Is approximately SIG"
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
RESIGN FROM CABINET
Two Independent Socialists De-
sert German Government.
Political Leaders In Bavaria Start
Move to Abolish Soldiers and
Workmen's Council.

Munich, Dec. 17.-Liberal and Cen.
launched campaign for dissolution
of the Bavarian Soldiers and Work
mems council. They demand the tenn
porary reinstatement of the old Ba-
varian assembly as the only means of
preventing Allied occupation Of
Munich.
Geneva, Dec. 17.-Hugo Haase and
Herr Barth, two of the three Indepeu-
dent Socialist members OF the commits
sion of six which constitutes the Ger
man government, have resigned, ac-
cording to reports received here. The
reports add that Georg Ledebour, a
leading Socialist, also has severed his
connections with the government.
Amsterdam, Dec. 1.-THE council of
peoples commissioners of Germany,
according to a Berlin telegram, has
authorized the formation of a volun-
teer national guard to maintain public
order and safety. The organization is
to be under the complete control of the
commissioners and win be pledged to
support the Socialist Democratic re-
public.
The state council of German Aus.
tria, according to a dispatch from vi
emma, has decided to send a note to
all foreign governments demanding a
plebicite for the self determination of
the populations of Bohemia, Moravia
and Silesia.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
Selective Service Law Proved
Great Success, Says Provost
Marshal General.
TELLS HOW IT WORKED
United States Within 18 Months
Placed 100000 Fighters In the
Field and Had 1000, 900 More
Ready to Send Abroad.

New York, Dec 17-Maj. Gen. f. II.
Crowder, provost marshal general,
sounded taps" to the volunteer sys-
tenn of raising armies in war time by
the United States in an address to
the retiring members of the New
York draft boards. He earnestly
urged that the selective service system
should become the permanent method
of raising American armies in the
future.
General Crowder declared that the
Selective Service Law had enabled the
government in this war 20 register 23,.
100000 Americans, put into the field
nearly 100000 fighters and to have In
readiness to entrain on Nov. IL, when
the armistice was signed, 100000
more soldiers, all within a period of
IS months. 1t would be a Calamity
he said, for the United States to re-
vert to a volunteer system in view of
such a successful test of selective
service, adding that the American con.
scripts had shown the valor, aggres-
siveness and initiative of the most sea-
soned troops.
Praises Working of System.
General Crowders speech was an
exposition of the successful working
of the selective law, which, he said,
had responded so smoothly and so
well to our form OF dual state govern.
ment and national control that 1t
would be calamitous if it should not
become a recognized part Of our gov.
ernmental system for the raising OF
armies in time of war"
The provost marshal general con.
trasted the draft methods of the Unit.
ed States with those of England and
showed how this country had profited
by the early mistakes made by the
British
When the United States War de
partment, in it's effort to heed the les
son learned by England, sought the
enactment of the Selective Service act
Gneral Crowder said that the tradi
tional method of raising armies by the
volunteer system was so strong with
the American people that it was
deemed expedient" in the very bill
the War department presented to Con
gress for enactment to provide thai
limited volunteering might 60 on.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
ITALY LOST 100000 MEN
About Five Hundred Thousand Are
Permanently Disabled.

New York. Dec. 17.-Italy, with a
population Of only 36,000,0O0 and with
5,500,000 men called to the colors, suf-
fered approximately 100000 casual
ties in the war, General Emilio Guglie-
metti, military attache OF the italian
war mission, announced in an address
at Red Cross rally here.
OF the 100000 casualties, General
Gugliemetti said, approximately 500,-
600 were permanently disabled.
Declaring that with the exception of
the United States, all the other Allied
nations had suffered equally heavy
losses. General Gulliemetti asserted
that for the Red Cross the war is not
over"
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
Allowance plan Criticised.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE practice
of the War Risk Insurance bureau in
calling upon soldiers dependents for
refunds where investigation showed
improper allowances had been made
was criticized by Representative
Treadway of Massachusetts,, Republic
an, at committee hearing on an
amendment proposed by him to cor
rect 1t. Soon after the war started,
the bureau, Mr.. Treadway said, made
many allowances which later were
found not justified. In such cases de-
pendents were asked to return money.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
BIG RED CROSS DRIVE OPENS
Nationwide Membership Securing
Campaign Begins.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Christmas
enrolment week of the American Red
Cross has opened with officials of the
organization hopeful Of large in
crease over the present membership
of 22,000,000.
Chapters in every city and town
over the country had laid out their
campaigns and in many places house
toulouse canvasses were to be made
for members.
The money obtained through men,
bership fees will be used to carry out
the great peace time program which
the Red Cross has set for itself not
only In the United States, but In every
land where suffering people may
need assistance.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
Norway Seeks Place in Farley.

Christiania, Dec. 17.-Foreign MIN
lister Ihlen, at a special session OF
the Norwegian parliament, announced
the government had asked the other
Scandinavian countries to take steps
to be admitted to the peace negotia-
tions regarding league of nations, a
question especially concerning Scan
dinavian interests. A note to this
effect, he said, had been handed to
the French government. Norway also
will ask that damages be paid for yes.
sells and men destroyed when sailing
on lawful business.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
COUNCIL HONORS PRESIDENT
Unanimously Votes to Make Wilson a
Citizen of Paris.

Paris, Dec. lin unanimously vot-
ing, as it did, to confer upon President
Wilson the title of citizen of Paris,
the municipal council was reviving a
medieval tradition, declared Councillor
Gent, who moved the resolution.
1t was formerly the custom to con-
fer honorary citizenship of the city
upon those who had given distin-
guished services not only to Paris but
to the entire country. He pointed out
that at the time of the French revolu-
tion the title had been conferred on
British, Italian and American per-
sonages.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
HAS BROKEN WITH GERMANY
Poland Reported to Have Severed Re-
iations With Berlin.

Amsterdam, Dec. 17.-Poland has
severed relations with Germany, ac-
cording to telegram received in Ber-
lin from Warsaw.
Poland, as a reason for the rupture.
accuses the German authorities in oc-
cupied provinces of acting contrary to
Polish interests and working with the
bolsheviki. At the request of the
Polish government Governor General
Won Bezeler and the entire staff of the
German mission will leave the terri.
tory of the Polish republic
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
HAlTS SALE OF ALIEN PLANT
Injunction Obtained by Wife OF
lnterned Manager.

Philadelphia, Dec. IA prelim-
ary Injunction procured Dy Mrs.
Fischer prevented the sale by the alien
property custodian of the Schultz &
Koerting company, whose plant is To-
Gated in this city. Mrs. Fischer is the
wife of the managing director of the
company, who is now interned as an
enemy alien. The injunction was is
sued by Judge Charles B. Wilmer OF
the Federal district court.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
PRAISE FOR YANKEES
German officer Says Their Reck-
Iessness Spoiled Foe Morale.
Asserts That Allies Won War Through
Intervention of Americans Who
Overwhelmed Enemy.

Coblenz, Dec. 1.-THE Americans
lacked experience in the technicali-
ties of modern warfare, but they
knew how to go ahead-they knew
too we'll"
That is the opinion of Colonel Won
Steibel, chief of staff of the 9th Divi-
sion, which was beaten by the Ameri-
cans in the Argonne.
Won Steibel, who is attached to the
German bridgehead commission, dis
cussed freely the phases of the Ar
gonne break through.
Americans Too Reckless"
1.-The Americans were too reckless;
in too much of hurry to get things
DONE" he said For instance in at
tacking our machine guns-which are
the best in the world-they utilized
no scientific means. 1t seemed to US
the only way they knew to eliminate
a machine gun nest was to keep com
| ing until they got it, That was rather
discouraging to the morale Of our gun
ners. They knew If they stayed long
they would be killed or captured.
Says American Intervention Won.
1--WE have no doubt American in
tervention won the war. We could
have beaten the other Allies, but the
constant stream of Americans, young
and enthusiastic, overwhelmed us.
"The Americans are good oppon'
ents and fair fighters"
Won Steibel declared the German
army could have held out for months
II internal conditions had not inter
fered, but, sooner or later, lack Of ma
terial would have brought its down
| fall
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-12-17
RECORD IN WINTER WHEAT
Unprecedented Crop Forecast by Az.
ricuIturai Department.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE largest
winter wheat crop in the history of
the United States is promised by the
enormous acreage sown this fall. The
acreage is almost 16 per cent larger
than last years and totals 49,027 900
acres.
A crop of 10000, 900 bushels, or 80,-
100000 bushels more than the best
record, is forecast by the department
of agriculture as next years winter
wheat yield, allowing for winter kill
ing and spring abandonment. Last
years crop was 555, ,725, 900 bushels.