davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Fate of Lieut.. B. ]. Ellert
Rests With Navy Heads;
Case May BE Resumed
in Brooklyn Tomorrow
Future Action Uncertain
Confession Gives C urt
Free Hand to Proceed
in Other Cases Here

The inquiry conducted by a naval
court martial at the Brooklyn navy
yard into charges of graft and other
Irregularities in connection with the
sale and purchase of easy berths in
the navy during the war came to q
temporary halt yesterday, following a
plea cf guilty by Lieutenant Benoit J..
Ellert to six of the fifty-one charges
against him. The inquiry was ad-
iourned until Monday morning, when
instructions are expected from Wash
ingson; TSa .,o,,n+. 49, .,, ,;.,...
hllert pleaded guilty constitute q sum-
mary of all charges. His confession
gives the court a free hand to pro-
ceed with the other cases. Lieutenant
Ellert's fate now rests, primarily, on
instructions from Washington.
Al stenographic report of Fridays
proceedings was read at the opening of
the hearing yesterday. Lieutenant
tllert, apparently unconcerned, listened
lntently 70 the reading and nodded
afIIrmatively at several points.
The reading consumed nearly an
hour. On conclusion Lieutenant Ellert
was called to answer the charges one
by one. He answered "Not guilty"
until the twentieth count was reached,
when he pleaded guilty The other
charges to which he pleaded guilty.
were Nos. DC, 48, so and 81.
Charge Against Officer
The twentieth count--the first on
which he pleaded guilty-was similar
TO score of others. 1t was as follows:
I'm that Benoit J. Ellert, now lieu
tenant, Junior grade, U. S. Naval Re-
serve Force, while serving as chief pay
clerk, L. S. n. R., and as assistant to
the personnel officer, detail officer,
headquarters, Sd Naval District, New
York, \. Y, did on or about December
%, 1917, at New York, n. Y, the United
knowingly, unlawfully, feloniously and
corruptly take, accept and receive, and
cause to be taken, accepted and re-
ceived, for him, the said Ellert, from
Henry Erlanger, chief yeoman, U. S.
Naval Reserve Force, a sum of money,
to wit $500. as compensation, payment
and reward for his, the said Ellert's,
favorable recommendation and assist
ance in obtaining and procuring the
promotion of said Erlanger to the rank
of ensign, U. S. Naval Reserve"
Adjournment Asked
Following the reading of the charges
ana Lieutenant EllertS replies thereto,
Il. B. Frackman. Of counsel for the
accused man. requested that sentence
be postponed and adjournment taken
until next week to enable the counsel
to keep an out-of-town engagement
over the week end.
The names of many wealthy young
men, some members of prominent
families in The wholesale clothing busi-
ness in New York, are involved in the
charges against Lieutenant Ellert. They
are accused of iaving paid sums rang
ing from $3.50 to $1,000 for appoint
ments to safe navy berths on shore
The investigation brought out that
Lieutenant Ellert WAS a hard worker
and had gained the confidence of his
superiors as assistant of the personnel
officer of this district, circumstance
which enabled him to get all his recon-
mendations for appointments approved.
According to the charges the share
Ellert received amounted to $1S.0OO
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Fight on Potash Embargo
Due to German Agents
State Department Anxious to
Protect Industry Built Up
Here in the War

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-German
agents are largely responsible for the
efforts being made to have the en-
barge on potash importations lifted, it
was learned to-day at the State De-
partment. Officials are investigating,
and it was said to-day that they might
be able to shut out the German product
until the American industry built up
during the war was in better POSITION
to meet foreign competition.
Information in possession of the de-
partment shows that as soon as the
armistice was signed German agents
became very active in their efforts to
secure permission to get into the mar
ket again.
American fertilizer manufacturers
are said to be anxious to secure the
cheap German product and the State
Department is endeavoring to compro-
mise the situation by proposing that
the fertilizer manufacturers use certain
proportions of American potash in their
manufactures, importing the remainder
from either France or Germany.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Your Town


THE city owns thirteen interi2r bath
Il houses and eight floating baths
office of Frank H. Hines, Superin
tendent of Buildings, more than
100000 persons used the outdoor
pools last year and nearly 100000
visited the indoor places. 1t is ex
pected that the figures will be ex-
ceeded this year.
Michael Norton, attendant in charge
of the Twentythird Street baths, says
the attendance for the last week in
July in 1918 was little over 14,5OO
while the figures for the correspond
"a person can get bath in this
city any day Of the week." he says.
"If our pool is open to men on certain
days, another place is open to women
on the same day"
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Two Little Daughters of
General Mitchell Fly 20 Miles

ATLANTIC CITY, Aug. 2.-The two
small daughters of General William
Mitchell, director of military aero.
nautics of the United States army.
made fight Of twenty miles in q sea.
plane to-day.
The pilot was their fathers first in
structor when he was assigned by the
War Department. to study aviation. The
children are Isabel, fourteen years old,
and Harriet, nine. They were de-
lighted with their trip.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Herald of New Pacific
Fleet Is at San Diego
Destroyer Philip First of Ar
mada to Enter Port on
West Coast

SAN DIEGO, Cal, Aug. 2.-The De-
stroyer Philip, first vessel of the new
Pacific feet to reach an American port
on the Pacific Coast from the Atlantic.
arrived here this afternoon to bring
mail from the feet and take mail back
TO 1T: Lieutenant Commander l.. w.
otrother, the Philips commander, ex-
Pects 70 JOIN the flagship New Mexico
August s, two days before the feet is
due at this port. ~
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Marine Corps Ordered
Cut to Peace Strength
Decentralization of 1900, In
Guiding 1900 Officers, Expect
ed by End of the Month


Wdshineton Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.--Reduction
OF the Marine Corps to peace-time
strength was ordered to-day by Acting
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt. The
rehabilitation Of $4,000 members of
the corps, 1900 Of whom are officers.
is expected to be accomplished by the
end of August.
All marines in the Fourth Brigade,
which served with the Second Division
in France, will be discharged immedi
ately upon concentration at the Marine
Corps training camp at Quantico, Va.
after arrival in this country, and the
same process of speedy reduction of
enlisted personnel will follow when
the remainder of the marines who
served in France are returned home.
In the rehabilitation of che commits
stoned personnel, 700 temporary off,
GERS will be discharged outright. and
600 officers of the regular masine
establishment will be reduced to their
pre-war grades in rank. The reduction
in rank of the regular officers will not
be greater than one grade.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Plane Glides IS Miles
To New World Record

ITHACA, N. Y, Aug. 2.-what is said
to be a worlds record for airplane
gliding" was established here to-
day, when "Rex" Marshall, attaining
an altitude of 17,O0p feet, shut off the
engine of his Thomas Morse machine
at the northern end of Cuyuga Lake
and "glided" thirty-five miles to this
city, renewing hisupower at an altitude
of 6,000 feet Twenty two miles is said
to be the former record.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Rupprecht Resents Trial
Former Bavarian Crown Prince
Objects to Non.German Court

. BERLIN, Aug. 2.-Former Grown
Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria has writ
ten to the president of the Bavarian
Diet saying he, is unwilling to recog-
nlze court of justice in which the
prosecutor is also the Judge.
Il Will not under any circumstances.
ne says, voluntarily attend non
1erman ,e court OF state. but declare my
court of state"
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03

MHUGH, William. private. 51S West
168th Street, New York.
VANCE, Thomas. private, Corning, N. j.
CURRENT CASUALTIES
Died From Accident and Other Causes
DOWDELL. Francis j., private. Schenect-
ady, N. Y.
Died OF Disease
HARRINGTON. Timothy. private, 22O4
Seventh Street, New York.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03

were destroyed by fire to-day. The
island is occupied rs q girls camp.
with eighty-fve campers, mostly from
New York. Thirty girls tenanted the
three cottages destroyed.
A steamboat took all the campers of
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03

and guests at hotels in the neigbbor-
mood came in motorboats to helm fvht
the fire, whic treatened the main hu;1d
lngs Of the camp. No one was burt
The fire is thought to have started
from defective fue in fireplace.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Boy Drowned at Newton. N. L.

NEWTON, N. j., Aug. 2.-Henry Jam
ison, the three-year- old son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Stewart w. Jamison, of 5787 Ridge
Street, Newark, while playing to-day on
the shore Of Culver's Lake, at Newton,
fell and was drowned.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03

To-day's list was divided as follows:
Killed in action. ;;Sdied from wounds, 8
died from accident and other causes, AZ died
of disease, a. wounded severely. 9; wounded
(dcgrce unknown), s; wounded slightly. 81.
Total. 104.
NEW YORK CITY AND VICINITY
Those from New York and vicinity
are:
Died From Wounds
KAPELMAN, Gilbert, sergeant, 2750 Ocean
Parkway, Coney Island.
Died From Accident and Other Causes
LOEHR, Ernest r.. army field clerk. 252
West Twenty second Street, New York.
GURC1ULLO. Giuseppi, private, $40 East
15lst Street, New York.
KULESON. Iganac. private, Jersey City
LEADER. Arthur. private. Rutherford.
N. j.
MURPHY, Joseph P, private, 900 Fifty
second Street. Brooklyn.
Wounded Slightly.
INQUIRE, Charles Raymond, lieutenant,
962 Anderson Avenue, New York.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Thirty Girls Driven
From Camp by Fire
All Escape Safely When Cot
tages at Fourth Lake Are
noS4rouod
Destroyed

Special Correspondence
FOURTH LAKE, N. Y, Aug p
Ihree cottages, called Alhuna, Green
Island, near the head of Fourth Lake.
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
lO4 New Names Are
Added to Casualties
BY Pershingg's List
SO More Deaths Reported
From A. E. F.; 46 Soldiers
Victims of Disease and
Accidents; 9 Wounded

WASHINGTON, Aug. g. General
Pershing's report of casualties in the
American expeditionary forces to-day
added 104 names to the total, which
now is 292,737.
Army Casualties to Date
Rannrted
New-York tribune., 1919-08-03

Reported
Aug. 2. Total.
Killed in action (including 3S2 at
sea) .................... 1 34,427
Ued from wounds ............ 0 1897
ca causes s'.. ..................... az 23.5s1
Died of disease ............... 4 $500
Wounded in action lover S5 per
cent returned to duty ....-.. 48 214, ,055
Missing in action (not including
prisoners released and re-
turned) Observation-Disclosures. 1875
Totals ..104 292.737
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

his many uniforms stood the deck of the Frasquta
waving last goodbye to the cheering crowds of Las
PaImas citizens, who were, indeed sorry to such
liberal spender depart from their midst
The weather fair, and after uneventful voyage
the feet off Cape JUDY. This headland of the
African southwest of Morocco and almost directly
opposite the Canary Islands
The spot chosen for Lebaudys new empire certainly
was we'll selected Nobody knew exactly to whom the
miles and miles of sandy waste around Cape JUDY be-
longed On the north Morocco and the south
Spanish protectorate whose boundaries hardly de-
fined. Between Cape JUDY and Cape Bojador vast
no mans land to which the roaming Arab tribes
laid any serious claim.
As the ships came IN sight Of the low, sandy
coast Lebaudy had all the called deck and ordered
a full bottle Of champagne served to each of them.
Drink his instructions were to the everlasting pros
.perity of the Saharan Empire"
The sailors were amazed at this unheardof liberaty
But they filed their glasses with the bubblng wine and
obedeny drank toast to the empire Of which they now
heard for the first time.
They were still more amazed when Lebaudy, wearing
at his side long, shining sword appeared in turn the
deck of each ship and read in loud voice to the
bled what he called manifesto" As he finished
reading printed copies of this extraordinary document
distributed among the They read follows
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

much higher than the sailors had been in the habit of
,yeceiving that their suspicious aroused.
The difficulties finally smoothed over by giving
the several months pay in advance and they en-
barked from various seapor in France where they had
been rather secretly enlisted and took passage for the
Canary Islands on the regular passenger steamers Le
baudys yacht and his two chartered ships lay the
harbor of Las Palmas waiting this motley group of re-
inforcements.
Lebaudy s instructions had been that no expense was
TO be spared in recruiting his sailors and keeping them in
good humOr Accordingly first class passage booked
for them the steamers from France Las Pamas and
these rough seafarng men, who had never known any
thing better than the fOTecaSe or the cheap waterfront
hotel rubbed shoulders the voyage Las Pamas with
fine ladies and gentlemen in the first cabin.
i On reaching Las PalmaS they taken 10 the best
hotel The next morning Lebaudy himself appeared to
conduct them TO alOr who measured them for uniforms
\ Whatever fears the still had regarding the wis
dom of joining this mysterious expedition consider
ably aaed when they behed the expensive and gorgeous
uniforms that provided for them Never in their
lives had they anything quite magnificent Even
the humbest cabin boy decked out with more red
braid brass buttons and gold lace than French admiral
boasts.
While the uniforms being completed the work
of outtng Lebaudy three ships in the harbor went on
tpace From the two large warehouses where for several
months Lebaudy had been accumuating supplies load
after load Of boxes crates and barrels hauled the
pier and slowed away in the holds of the ships
Quite evidently IT to be long voyage for each
hip loaded to the limit of its cargo capacity But
he Sailors they helped carry the stuff board were
eved to that large part of the cargo consisted of
hings to eat and drink
There of wine and kegs of beer and count
ess boxes Of expensive cheeses trues jees bonbons
nd other decaces such only the finest Partisan restau
ants afford No matter to what far end of the earth the
The Washington times., 1919-02-23
"Notes on the Saharan Empire
Political Organization.

The Sahara has been explored for the first time and
opened to civilization in the year 1903 by Jacques Le
baudy who has taken the title of Emperor under the
Of Jacques This sovereignty is essentially terri
toriaL 1t is based this principle that from the land
all sovereignty 1t rs the system Of feLdal right
still in European cOuntries-fOr instance in Eng
land the rights of whose nobility have changed since
the Norman conquest In consequence this sovereignty
essentially different from the ideas prevailing in France
since the Revolution where all sovereignty comes from
the people.
'The Emperor of Sahara exercises absolute power
all things; but his people this absolute power
is tempered by most liberal legislation founded this
principle absolute liberty of people, respect Of indi
vidual rights-American and English system
By this time night had fallen and the ships cast
anchor mile or so off Cape JUDY. The next day
spent in cruising up and down the looking for the
best place for landing The spot finally selected was
twenty miles off Cape JUDY and only short distance
from the Arab village of Tafaran There at sunrise the
next day Lebaudy gave orders for landing be made
He in the first of the four boats put out from the
ships promptly at the hour SET and he the first to set
foot the African shore As he stepped the sand he
raised his sword dramatically above his head and spoke
few words before ordering his to follow him up the
beach But he spoke in English some other tongue
which the sailors could not understand.
Here" Lebaudy announced after strOing few
minutes along the hot sands Il have decided to build the
capital OF my empire. 1t shall be called Troja.''
But little later the Emperor discovered that he had
been too hasty in his choice of the se There was sad
lack OF water that fit to drink Careful search re-
vealed no streams wells and when the men, at Lebau-
dyS command, dug holes in the sand they found the
water there bracksh that not to be thought of
for drinking
Accordingly, after brief visit to the village of
Tafaran where they well received by the Arabs the
party rowed back to the ships Anchors were lifted and
they sailed southwark, Lebaudy from the deck of the
Frasquta scanning the shore carefully for spot we'll
watered and scencay attractive enough to serve as
site for his capital
After going some miles his eye was attracted bv n
small bay which utted in between points of land
considerably higher than the rest of the shore He or
dered his ships to enter this bay which he promptly
chrlSened the bay of Free Exchange" Sailors sent
ashore to investigate the water supply returned with the
news that 1t was abundant. Lebaudy thereupon went
ashore himself to mark the exact site of the new city
de planted his imperial standard at point in the
sands which he declared should be the centre of the new
metropolis and the site of the imperial palace On this
spot ne ordered his to set up huge circus tent and
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

designed imperial flags issued bank notes of the Saharan
Empire, printed engraved postage stamps and provided
himself with a richly carved ivory throne
The emperor gave special attention as already
described the selection of beauties for the and
beauties for his imperial harem. These he carefully
picked from the popular beauties in the French comic
opera chOruses and cafes including several American
women who happened to be in London at the time.
The serious aspects of Lebaudy's exploit in attempt
ing to seize territory in Africa and set up selfmadc
empire did not impress his imperial majesty 1t did
occur to him that his adventure would be stamped by the
French Government technically piracy.
1t was in the Summer of 1903 that Lebaudy set sail
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

from Las PalmaS with a
dOtilla of three ships-his
own famous yacht Fras-
quita and two chartered
merchant vessels.
Las Pa1mas is in the
Canary Islands. Being
somewhat out of the beat
en- track of commerce and
only a short distance from
the African coast, it fur
nished an ideal base of op-
erstions for the expedi-
tion.
The crews to man the
ships had been recruited
by trusted agents of Le-
baudy's in Havre, Mar
settles and other French
ports. They included, be-
sides the pick of the
French merchant marine,
a number of sailors who
had seen long service in
the navy.
Lebaudy was particu-
larly pleased to secure the
latter, for his feet was
heavily armed. In addi-
ton to several rapid-fire
Hotchkiss guns, each ship
carried a veritable arsenal
Of rifles, revolvers and
other small arms, together
with ammunition enough
for a month of battles.
Getting the crews to-
gether was for several rea-
sons no easy matter In
the first place Lebaudy's
agents were forbidden to
reveal the destination of
the expedition or anything
about its object. Further
more, there was no infor-
nation to be had as to
whether the voyage would
be short or long And
last, but not least, the
wages offered were so
The Washington times., 1919-02-23
4y, Recent y Killed by His

course of the three ships might be laid,
the sailors reasoned, there was little
danger of their going hungry or thirsty.
Three busy weeks were spent in CON-
pIeting the preparations in Las Palmas
for the expedition that Lebaudy con-
6dentIy expected to end in adding
brand new empire to the world s map.
Early On the 10Th of June, with band
playing and the bright new imperial
flags futtering from the mastheads, the
ships weighed anchor and saileo out of
the harbor. Lebaudy, in the finest of
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

to this he had transferred from his flagship the Frasqua
great many of his personal belongings including many
iron chests which he said held important state documents
From one of the ships portable house was brought
ashore and set up not far from the tent This Lebaudy
ordered filed with provisions Over the corrugated iron
door he fastened with his own hands huge gilt sign
which he had had made in Paris In letters that
ShOne brightly in the glarng radiance of the desert
it read: n
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

The ships weighed anchor and sailed south again.
Warmed by the bright African sunlight imperial plans
began to multiply rapidly in Lebaudys fertile BRAIN He
selected locations for less than five seaports through
which the mighty of the Sahara Empire should
flow. One particularly fine, smooth stretch of sandy
beach he marked out the ideal location for seaside
sort which should rival Ostend and TrOuville.
At last he ordered the ships to come to anchor in
another bay which he chrisened the Bay of Justice
This after brief inspection he declared should be the site
of the largest of his empire Its name should be
POlis" He retired to his cabin get from his trunks
the architects plans for buildings that should make Polls
rival Paris and Rome
While he thus engaged the crew of the Fras
qua, lOungng about the deck saw approaching across
the desert 1t came at a rapid pace and soon
whole train of cameS horses and pack mules their rid
bristng with spears erOwdng the shores of the
bay. Lebaudy promptly ordered boat to be manned
and was rowed ashore.
When we get on land" he instructed his com.
paniOns the boat pulled away from the yachts side
II want you to bow down to and pay the greatest
homage. Let my every word, a glance from my
eyes, be treated with such respect you would pay an
emperor"
As the boat approached the shore the Arabs crowded
down to the waters edge to watch the landing Their
attitude indicated quite plainly that they were unde-
cded whether they ought to greet these strange visitors
with friendly handeasp hostile display of spears
AS the boats keel grated on the beach of the
sailors leaped ashore DOtg his cap he bent his body
forward in the most cOurtly of bows He remained
standing thus with head deferentaly lowered until Le-
baudy who stood in the bow of the boat sword in hand
uttered word of command Then the sailor drew him.
self up to his full height, extended one hand with
cOurt air and carefully helped Lebaudy out of the boat
The other sailors followed and grouped themselves
at respectful distance about Lebaudy bowling and do
ing their hats the first had done word or a
glance from him enough start series of respectful
Obesances that would have done credit to any court in
Europe.
The Washington times., 1919-02-23

CONTINUED Next Sunday.)
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-13
Hop At City Hall Friday

When the State House Club sets
out to do something you can safely
wager that every one wants to watch
out for the big event.
This time IT is a Benefit Dance, q
Hop. as the girls call it. for the sup
port and education of four little kid
let's in France whose father was
killed in the Great War. The girls
have unufiicially adopted the Gourard
family at Noirmoutier. France. and
pledged themselves to contribute to
their support for the coming year.
Already the club is counting the
dollars that will roll into City hall
on Friday evening. May Is when about
Thousand people more or less start
a dancing 20 Douglass tingie- toe or
chestra. If you like a good time. If
YOU like a good dance with a good
crowd with ripping fine orchestra
don't miss this event. Gentlemen
soc. ladies' &c. Refreshments on sale
10 swell the fund.-Adv