davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
FIRST PARLEYS
OF DELEGATES
OPEN DEC. 20
Peace Emissaries Expect
ed to Gather After Presi-
dent Wilson S Reception.
CONFERENCES PLANNED
Final Draft of Agreement
Will Take Several Months
to Complete.

, Paris, Dec. Alt Is now believed
the preliminary peace pourparlers will
begin about December 20, when Presi-
dent Wilson will have been officially
received, acclaimed and feted, and
when he will be sufficiently settled
here to begin work.
There will then ensue a series of
preparatory conferences among the
allied and American representatives
at which the terms of peace will be
outlined and fixed. Only then, 1t is
understood, will the German delegates
be invited to sign whatever the en-
tente and American statesmen de-
mand.
May Take Months.
Settlement of the multifarious de-
tails Is expected to require several
months after President Wilson's re-
turn to the United States.
Numerous French newspapers ed
itorially repeat the wish that Pres
ldent Wilson may visit the war
ruins in Northern France and Bel
gium, before deciding on the final
Interpretation of his fourteen peace
principles.
The noble chief OF the American
nation could thus put his humanist
ideals into contact with realities in
the still bleeding martyred regions .
writes Gen. Cherfils in L'Echo de
Paris, while the Paris-Midi says:
Fate of Kaiser.
We demand only our due, of
which we shall make a summary
when President Wilson comes to in
spect the ruins of Northern France" {"
Next to President Wilson's coming
visit, which arouses ever-increasing
enthusiasm here. the French public
Is most vitality interested in the fate
Of the ex-Kaiser. The majority of
commentators would prefer to see
him Judged by his own people, but If
the German nation falls to do so, the
demand for Williams punishment by
the allies would become irresistible.
lie Journal pri-ts a recent poem by
Edmond Rostand, who died two days
ago. in which the poet decries the idea
of sending the ex-kaiser to St Hell
ena as too glorious a place for him.
and suggesting instead1 banishment of
the ex-lsmperor s'to u. isiend where
the Turks send dogs"
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
President Will Fight
for Peace Ideals.

Hoboken, n. J. CEn Route to France
with President WILSON,, Dec. 4.-Presi-
ident Wilson sails for Europe today
TO literally fight that Americas peace
ideals may prevail
There is no doubt as to his purpose
in demanding adherence to the letter
as well as the spirit of his fourteen
basic principles
He will demand vast reduction of
armaments on sea as well as on land,
il is believed. And his insistence on
fhe contamination OF Americas three
year naval building program may re-
fleet his determination to have the
other nations scale down. or the Unit
ed States will scale up.
The President, II is said. regards
the danger of ,militarism as equally
great on sea and land. It may be
said that he does not favor a Joint sea
policy Of Great Britain and the United
CONTINUED on PAGE THREE
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
FLAYS LEAGUE
BEFORE HOUSE
Representative Frear De-
mands Probe of Prepar-
edness Organization.

Scathingly denoUncing the Ma
tional Security League for its at
tacks on the loyalty of members OF
the House and Senate, and charg-
ing. among other things, that the
league is supported by war profiteers
for the advancement of their inter
ests. Representative James A. Frear.
of Wisconsin. rising in the House
yesterday to a point of personal
privilege. demanded an investigation
by q special COMMITTEES Of the poiiti-
cal activities Of the organization
Mr.. Fresr submitted resolution
providing for a committee Of nine
to make the investigation. 1t was
referred to the Committee on Rules
and assurances given that 1t would
be reported out without delay.
The attitude Of both Democrats
and Republicans plainly indicated
that the great majority Of the mem
bership of the House is in hearty
accord with the sentiments express
ed by Mr.. Frear. and il was consid-
cred certain last night that the in
quiry would be ordered at an early
date.
Representative James r. Mann. OF
Illinois, Republican floor leader, de-
manded that the Department of Jus
tice should investigate both the organ
ization and its officers. with a view to
criminal prosecutions IL there is su-
thority under the law for such pro-
cedure.
Representative Caldwell. Of New
York. stated that-there is provided in
the so-called publicity act a penalty OF
1000 fine and a year in jail for failure
to make return of expenses and re-
ceipts.
Elihu Root Alton Parker and
Charles Lydecter are listed as officers
of the Security League. which Frear
charges is guilty OF ''lawless Iibelous
attacks" on public officials. Some of
his other charges are that R. McNutt
Elroy libeled the students Of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin. that the league
pledged four Senators and ia Repre-
sentatives to vote for universal mill
tary training, Notwithstanding any
treaty obligations that may be made
and that on Information received"
investigation of the leagues funds
will show contributions by profteers
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
BAKER AVOIDS
OUTLINING AN
ARMY PROGRAM
Secretary in Report Hints
Advocacy of Universal
Military Service.
SUMMARY BY PERSHING
General Recounts Army's S
Achievements and Lauds
His Soldiers Valor.

While emitting definite recon-
mendations as to Americas future
military establishment. Secretary Of
War Bakers annual report contains
hint of the possibility of the adop-
tion of universal training at least
until world peace shall have been
made absolutely certain.
Secretary Baker makes the direct
statement that the military needs
Of the United States cannot be pru-
IDENTIFY assessed until the approach
ing Peace Conference shall have
determined the future international
relations of the world"
Moreover, tho report which was
made public yesterday, makes clear
that the War Departments recent
recommendation TO Congress for ap-
preparations sufficient to maintain
a regular standing army of 10000
men is merely a temporary plan.
1t is plainly intimated that such
an army is TO form only the basis OF
any future military establishment
in the United States pending the
time when the experience through
which we have gone can be digest
ed and the future needs OF the ma
tion maturely considered"
Special Schools Needed.
The document, which is addressed
to the President, contains the follow
ing significant general recommends
ton:
TN any case II is clear that the
education of officers and a constant
study of the science of warfare will
be necessary. and ii Is my hope that
the great military academy at West
Point can be supplemented by an en-
largement and broadening of the
special schools which are at present
organized but should be made to take
on more the character of post grad
uate courses and to develop and train
research specialists in the several
arms
Development Of the following
branches of the service are especially
suggested:
Aircraft.
Chemical warfare
TRANSPORTATION.
In addition to Secretary Bakers
recital OF the stupendous task per-
formed by America in the mobiliza-
ton, training, equipment and use
of the army. the report contains a
brief summary of the achievements
of the American Expeditionary
Force, written by Gen. Pershing at
the special request of the Secretary.
Writes of ST. MIhIeL
Special mention is made by him
of the battle of st. Mihiel and the
various phases of the Meuse-Ar
gonne offensive and the operations
east of the Meuse up to November
IL, at IL o'clock a. m, when opera
tions ceased according to instruc-
tions. Gen. Pershing concludes with
this stirring tribute to the nations
fighting men and officers:
Finally l pay the supreme trib-
ute to our officers and soldiers of
the line. When l think Of their
heroism, their patience under hard
ships. their unflinching spirit of Of
fensive action am filled with emo
tion which l am unable to express.
Their deeds are immortal, and they
have earned the eternal gratitude
of our country"
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
MORE TROOPS. RETURN. .
Transport Lapland with 1000 Men
1890. Aboard Docks.

New York. Dec. 4.-The transport
Lapland, with 2.030 American soldiers
from England, arrived in New York
harbor early today. She anchored at
Quarantine. and later moved. up to
her dock at Hoboken. This is the
second homecoming transport to ar
rive here since hostilities ceased Most
of the troops on the Lapland are at
tached to the aviation branch and have
been training in England.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
First Lady of
Land Happy as
Girl, She Says

New York. Dec. 4-"I'm as happy
as a schoolgirl I've been talking
with the captain. and he says we're
going to have a fine sea-"
So said Mrs. Woodrow Wilson as
she stood on the deck of the George
Washington about breakfast time
this morning. Her eyes flashed,
her face was flushed with excite
ment and pleasure and the very ex-
uberance of her spirit communicate
ed itself to the others around her..
Yes, it's going to be a great
trip. even If it is December" re-
piled Mrs. Robert Lansing, with
just a faint note of distrust in the
mention of the month, which is
usually not associated with placid
seas.
That's all right" the Presi-
dents wife returned. u crossed
once before in December and IT
was fine. Besides. the captain
told me this trip is going TO be
smooth"
Tonight the first lady of the land
may be n somewhat disappointed
lady. Reports from off shore say
that the seas are rough and that
the George Washington is getting
a taste of what several return
ing transports have been getting,
this week Some of these trans
ports have been getting into New
York three to four days late.
Mrs. Wilson took real school,
girl delight in exploring the
Washington this morning. Every
thing about the huge ocean grey
hound pleased her, from the Swiss
curtains and chintz-covered fur
niture in her cabin to the rose
filled salon. Mrs. Wilson was
dressed in a tailored suit OF black
broadcIoth with a Seal collar, and
a black silk beaver hat with black
aigrette trimmings. At her waist
she wore two deep red roses.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
WARD TO BOSS CABLES.

George G. Ward, vice president of
the Commercial Cable Company. was
yesterday appointed operating head
of the cables, including those of the
Western Union. by Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson.
In a letter to Clarence H. Mackay,
president of the Commercial Cable
Company, Mr.. Burleson said unifica-
tion in operation of the cables was
necessary to their full operation and
that that could be accomplished only
under one management.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Frances Vaughn, Missing
Girl, Believed Located

The anxiety of Mrs. J. NJ. Browner,
9oS ! street northwest, over the dis
appearance of her 15-year-old daugh-
ter, Frances Olive Vaughn, three
weeks, ago, was relieved last night
when kilograms received by detectives
of the police department convinced
her that she is with relatives in Con-
necticut. They had refused to ac-
knowledge that Frances was with
them when first questioned a few DAYS
after her disappearance.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Germany Is Warned
Against Any Delays

London. Dec Marshal Foch has
the German government that
il is behind hand in carrying out the
terms of the armistice which went
into effect on November IL, and that
II will be responsible for any fur
ther delay. He did not set any time
limit within which Germany must
comply with the terms, however. as
reported in dispatches from Berlin.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Wanted Governor Conner,
Found He Was q Goner

Montgomery. Ala, Dec. 4.-There
is a man in Alfalfa who has just
learned that B. B. Conner. of Birm-
ingham, has not been governor of
Alabama since eight years ago. The
citizen telephoned the State capitol
from his home late yesterday. and
desired to speak to Gov. Conner. He
was astonished to learn that there
had been two Alabama governors
since Corners time.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
How Allies Divide Rhineland.

London Dec 4.-When the occu-
patton of German territory on tho
west bank of the Rhine is COM
pleted, American troops will occupy
Coblenz. the French will occupy
Mavence, and the British Cologne.
the Downing street conference has
decided. The Belgians will occupy
the balance Of the northern strip of
German territory to the Holland
border.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
WE'RE DOWN AND OUT,
SAYS CROWN PRINCE
Thinks That Is Punishment Enough
for Kaiser.

London, Dec. I've are down and
out. Ny father Is a broken man
Isn't that enough punishment"
The crown prince of Germany Is thus
quoted In an interview telegraphed TO
the Daily Mirror by its Amsterdam
correspondent
The armistice terms are crushing
and unfair" the former heir to the
German throGe continued Speaking Of
his own part in the war, he said:
II am supposed to revel in blood
shed, which do not. had no hand
in starting the war"
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
BILL TO RESTORE
RAIL COMMISSION
Senator Smith. Georgia. Proposes
Curb on Director General.

Senator Smith, of Georgia, yester-
day introduced a bill restoring the
authority of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to overrule regulations
and rates made by the Director Cen
eral of Railroads. The bill amends
the Federal control act of last March,
placing the railroads, for the war
period, in the hands of the govern
ment.
1t provides that while the President
may. in his Judgment. initiate rates
and regulations that the Interstate
Commerce Commission may, of its
own initiative, and shall upon COM
plant, enter upon a hearing concern
ing the justness and reasonableness
of any order of the President and may
consider all the facts and circum-
stances. and said rates may be sus-
pended or modified by the commits
sion pending final determination"
After full hearing the commission
may make such findings and orders
as are authorized by the act"
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Expect Crown Prince to Sign.

Abdication of the German crown
prince was to be announced yesterday.
according to unofficial advices received
in Switzerland and relayed to the
French High Commission here.
II was believed that the crown
prince would abdicate as far as his
own rights are concerned, but not as
regards those of his sons. the dispatch
stated
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
HUNS ARE QUARRELING.

London. Dec. 4.-"The political stu
alton in Germany continues to be ex-
traordinarily obscure" says the Am
sterdam correspondent of the Daily
Express. Everybody seems to be
quarreling with everybody else, and
every member of the Socialist party
is trying to outdo his comrades in
fervor of his republicanism."
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
konta Acclainns Loyalty
Although Letters SholD He
Aided Hun Propaganda
Senate Probe of Brewers Activities Enlivened
By Cross-Examination of Witnesses Who
Profess Fealty to Country and Offer Ex-
plantations for Documents Indicating They
Were in Close Touch with Agents Ex-
pounding Doctrines Of Germany

Conflicting statements regarding his
connection with German propaganda
In this country were made by Alexan-
der Konta at the hearing of the Sem
ate Judiciary subcommittee yesterday
afternoon.
Mr.. Konta, the writer OF the famous
Dernburg letter, included in the docu-
ments covering the purchase of the
Washington Times. published by the
Alien Property Custodian, requested a
hearing early in the proceedings. but
was unable to attend at the two op-
portunities given him by the subcom-
mittee- The subcommittee granted
him permission to read a>statement In
defense of his loyalty as an American
citizen before proceeding with the
DISCRIMINATION.
In the beginning of the statement
Mr.. Konta declared: Il was never a
German or Austrian sympathizer, and
1 never participated I'm any German or
Austrian propaganda.
Grateful to Germany.
Under cross-examination by men,
bers of the subcommittee and Maj.
Humes. counsel for the subcommittee
he admitted that in the early part OF
the war his sympathy had been with
Germany. explaining that as a Hun
garian he had felt the most intense
gratitude to the German soldiers for
their repulse OF the threatened Rus
sian invasion of Hungary.
Later Mr.. Konta admitted that the
Dernburg letter, outlining a plan by
which Dernburg could secure control
of an American newspaper. had been
written in full knowledge that the pa
per would be used in propaganda
work
Again in his statement, read before
the subcommittee. he stated: II chai-
lenge anyone to find in my published
writings or speeches anything disloyal
to the United States or anything which
can honestly be construed as German
or Austrian propaganda and in his
cross-examination admitted his con-
nectiOn with the propaganda work un-
dertaken by Dernburg.
In his statement. Konta declared
that his suggestion for the publica-
tion of an article offering a reward
of s1.eo to anyone who could prove
that any statement made by the Ger
man general staff was n lie, had been
ihehho ~ ai tiOii " prove lnt general
mendacity of such statepents, :. i,
His letter TO Capt Hans TaYchtx.
afterwards accused ot furrfshEE e De
material to blow up the welland
bridge, upon the prize to be offered.
ends as follows: TT is the invaria BILE
trustworthiness of the military and
naval reports of the German govern
ment that leads me to make this offer.
IT is time that challenge was made
to the unceasing stream of misrepre-
sentations and deliberate falsehoods
that the allies dispense"
AGirms Loyalty.
Referring to the purchase of the
New York Evening Mail" by the
Kaiser, in his statement Konta de-
clares that he had never been in
side the Mail Office. or had any con-
nection. direct or indirect with that
paper"
In the letter to Dernburg, pro-
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
LEWIS INTERPRETS
ACTION OF WILSON
Democratic Whip Says Senate lg-
nored to Avoid Partially.

President Wilson declined to name a
Senator as member of the American
peace delegation because he feared
Senators would not be impartial
judges in settling the great issues of
the peace conference, Senator Lewis,
Democratic whip. declared to the
Senate yesterday.
Lewis announcement came toward
the close of a long discussion of the
Presidents fourteen peace terms,
caused by a demand for an interpre-
tation of them by the President.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Kaiser Karl in Politics.

Amsterdam. Dec. 4. (By Wireless via
London. )-Former Emperor Karl plans
to enter the March elections in Austria
at the head of the Democratic mon
archy party, according to a dispatch
today from Vienna.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
win Arrest Hindenburs.

Copenhagen, Dec. 4-The Leipzig
workmen's and soldiers council has
decided to arrest Field Marshal Won
and to dissolve the great
general headquarters. a dispatch re-
ceived here today declared.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Australia Has Much Meat.

Melbourne. Dec. 4-The federal gov
ernment has decided TO suspend the
order fixing meat prices, as they are
now so far below the scheduled maxi
mum. II also has decided to put car
casses into cold storage for distribu-
ton when prices again show 3 ten
dcncy to rise.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Berger Trial December 8.

Chicago. Dec z.-The trial of Vic
tor L. Berger, Socialist Congress-
man-elect, and four other Socialists
on charges of violations of the es-
pionage act, set for today, was post
poned to December 9, by agreement.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Malinof Resigns.

Premier Malinoff has resigned and
is succeeded by NJ. .Mouchanofr, Off
cial cables to the Bulgarian legation
yesterday stated. Both are of tho
Democratic party and are inclined to-
ward the entente, il is said.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Dutch Expect Allied Action.

The Hague, Dec. 4-Dutch officials
expect the entente ministers here
soon to make a Joint demand for an
explanation of the sojourn of the
former Kaiser and the crown prince
of Germany in Holland
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Cyclops Not Believed at Kiel.

London. Dec. 4.-Reports circuIat-
ed in the United States that the
American collier Cyclops. which dis
appeared after sailing from Rio de
Janeiro. had been found in the Kiel
Canal. were discredited by the Brit
ish admiralty today.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Italy Supports Rumania.

Rome, Dec. 4.-Foreign Minister
Sonnino today sent a note to the
National Council for all Rumanian
Unity, promising Italy's support at
the peace table of Rumania's ma
tional aspirations.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Peasants in Revolt.

London. Dec. 4.-Rumanian peas
ants have revolted against the Ru-
manian government and Bucharest
is burning, according to a dispatch
from Bucharest today. Rumanian
officials in London deny both state
ments.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Steal Lexatiop Aute.

The Greek legation reported to
the police last evening the loss of
n Hudson Cabriolet two-passenger
automobile from + street. between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets
southwest
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05

duced at the hearing Konta rec
ommends the Evening Mail as a pos
sible organ for German propaganda.
The price quoted for the Evening
Mall by its editor" he wrote. sis
81, 600, 600"
konta denied any connection with
the brewing interests of the country,
but admitted that in his letter to
Dernburg he had declared these in
tercsts had repeatedly consulted"
him In regard to securing a paper
favorable to their interests and that
they would be more than ready to
support a plan. by which the paper
purchased by Dernburg should re-
ceiye financial assistance from them
in return for his support against
prohibition. The profit" IKonta
wrote. could be used for further
propa ganda."
Konta insisted that neither his tes-
tirnony nor his activities were in any
way indicative of a pro German SEN
timent on his part, but at the insist
ence of members of the subcommittee
reaffirmed his assertion that his SYM
pathies in the earlier part of the war
had been with Germany. and that the
bei ndn DEtn WT1ltGn IN
that spirit. He told the subcommittee
that his attitude toward Germany
suffered a change at the sinking of
the Lusitania.
Members of the subcommittee point
ed out that the Lusitania went down
on May Z, 1915. and that the Dernburg
letter had been written eight months
later. in December, 1915. Again, three
months after the sinking of the Lusi-
tania. Konta attended dinner in
honor of the eiEhty-ffth birthday of
Franz Josef Of Austria. given in New
York, at which Capt. Boyd and
Wilhelm Won Papen were present
Konta declared the real source of
the imputations against him was his
use of the conventional continental
phraseology.
Language Miseohstrued.
"In other words" he said" ordi-
narily employ in my letters the some
what exaggerated polite expressions
which continentals expect, rather than
the crisp business expressions TO
which we are accustomed in tthe
United States"
Referring to his connection with the
Washington Times deal, Konta de-
clared that he had had nothing ts do
with ta1{ matter. G..
my letter to Dernburg was wfitten
in 1915, two years before the United
States entered the war. and the pur-
chase of the Washington Times oc-
CURED in June. 1917, several months
after the United States entered the
war There was no connection between
the two.
II have never met Mr.. Hearst in my
life
II have not seen or spoken to or
communicated with Arthur Brisbane
for over eight years.
II have read in the press the names
of those who are said to have con-
tributed to the fund with which the
Washington Times was purchased.
George Ehret. $4,000. have never
met him
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Pershing's Men Reach
Coblenz in Germany

With the Americans in Prussia.
Dec. 4-The American army. march
ing up the Moselle Valley today, ar
rived within less than forty miles of
CoblenZ. reaching the town of Witt
Itch and 'Berncastel
The towns of Bahlem, 'Eisenschmidtt
and Steinberg also were occupied.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Beisians on German Sod.

Brussels. Dec. S-Belgisn troops. in
their occupation Of German soil have
reached the line Jskepath. Innerath.
Gsrzwei. Hergenrath and Julierx. ~
was announced oficixlly today.
The Washington herald., 1918-12-05
Poles Issue Ultimatum.

Paris, Dec. 4.-The Polish govern
ment, several days ago. addressed an
ultimatum to the German government
demanding the immediate evacuation
of Polish territory occupied by Ger
.Dlan troops