davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
BALLARD WON'T
 DISCUSS RUMPUS
County Commissioner Calm When Told King Will
 Throw Him Out.

T have nothing to say" declared County Commissioner Frank E. Bal lard today when asked regarding the truth of the story that he slapped his fingers at Boss John T. King and defi@d that Republican Car to toss him Out as chairman of the Fifth dis trict Republican organization
 The commissioner showed no scars from the meeting with Town Chair man J. Alexander H. Robinson and appeared to be in his usual good spir- its today. It is said that Chairman Robinson acted as messenger for Boss King and slipped the bad news to Commissio "ef Ballard last Sunday afternoon
 The commissioner was not very enthusiastic about quitting just be cause King told him to. He didn't break the Sabbath calm by giving three rousing cheers but instead is said to have informed Robinson that the only way he would get out would be by the process of being thrown out. He said he realized Chairman Robinson has the power to do this
 It has been known for some time that Boss King and Commissioner Ballard were about as friendly as a couple of wolves. The final brea k came when Boss King announced at the Republican gathering at the StratfeId last Saturday that he would quit as head of the Fairfield county organization if he had to work with State Chairman J. Henry Rorab back, Attorney General Frank E. Healy and Col. Isaac NJ. UIlman Of New Haven.
 Commissioner Ballard's friends say he will find a soft spot on which to land when the man higher up throws him from the Republican band wagon.
 It is expected that over 200 Bridge porters will travel to Danbury tonight to attend the victory dinner of the Danbury Republican club. Practi- cally every G. o. P official in the city will be on hand including County Commissioner Frank E. Ballard whd it is rurnored has invited all of his co. horts in the Fifth district.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18

Yesterday a letter was received at
 the office of Walter B. Lashar in
 which s6,OO0 in cash was demanded to
 be placed in a lonely mailbox on
 Bruce avenue. at the corner of North street. The letter further stated that
 unless accompanying instructions
 were carried out to the letter death and the burning of his property would be MT. Lashar's fate. The let ter was written in red ink and signed with crude drawing of a black hand. Accompanying the letter were detailed instructions as to the method of placing the package containing the money and a map covering the terri tory where the package was to ne placed. Specific dimensions of the package were given as well as the de nominations of the bills making up the S6.000. Nothing under a $1OO bill was to be accepted. The letter was immediately turned over to the police The police arranged to carry out the instructions according to the de- mands. Detective Salmon was detail ed to impersonate MT. Lashar and Detectives Curry, Seery. Bray, Gar. rlty and Burnes were secretly station ed on Bruce avenue in the nefghbor- C., Salmon, operating the Lashar auto mobile, proceeded up Spruce street from Stratford avenue. On reaching Barnum avenue, he turned the car and proceeded back as far as North
 street where he alighted, found the
 mail box as described in the letter and dropped into the box the decov package.
 AS the blackhanders insisted that
 MT Lashar go directly home after depositing his ransom, place a light ir his front window and stand in a I position in the house where he could be seen from the street, Salmon did as directed.
 After the package had been de- | posted in the mail box the detectives hidden behiad trees and fences. did
 not have long to wait for results. Lyd, nicker came down the road. looked
 at the mail box and disappeared into an open lot, A few minutes later, Haggerty left his home across the
 street and went directly to the mail i box.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
German Mind Not Changed
 Yet, Says Card. Mercier

those who believe that the demo- cratic metamorphosis may be a farce 4. It is rather certain that be- fore the Germans cease to be the men that they showed themselves to be in Belgium. some kind Of winning ever will be necessary.
 In five months they cannot have become ripe for living in civilized re- lations with the rest of the nations: they have to be educated all over again.
 This re-cducation can result not only in 2 simple change of consti- tuition, but also in the reform of the.r school system.
 -a<n like those that we have seen at work in Belgium could only have come out of school organized like those of the German Empire, where he worship of the State comes be- fore all; either the Germans must be fashioned otherwise. or they will never be q free people.
 mean by a free people, q people capable of feeling rho nobility of moral values. T cannot think of them without rem enl bering a scene tha- was enac"od here in the co.rtyard or this house; it was when the German NTOEGElEnent was cOEF4hEep indL was planning to escape from my epis- copal house in order 10 lead the pop ular revolt. I consented then 10 promise that I would avoid going out no matter what happened. The nex day an officer brought me q lettt@ from the Governor; q motor car la den with soldiers followed him and came into the courtyard. 4 moment afterwards. having occasion to go over 10 the opposite wing of the building 10 get a document l went down the stairs and was going 70 cross the courtyard. Instantly an of ficer who guarded me levelled his re- volver at me, whilst the soldiers burst out laughing They were con vinced that I was going to escape. left the soldiers alone, but I could not help saying 10 the officer: T pity you people tha; are fashioned like this: you will never understand that the word Of a man of honor is sur CT guarantee than the bullets Of your revolvers." I still believe that the Germans are fashioned thus to- day.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
HUNS ABOUT TO
 GET U. s. GAS

New York, April 16-Ninety offic- CTS and 2,O37 men of the 91st Divi- sion, headed by Major General Will liam H. Johnston. the divisions com mander, arrived here today from St. Nazaire on the steamship CaIamares.
 The steamship Ohioan, from Bor- deaux, brought 1895 troops, the ma jOrity being members of the Fortieth Division.
 Among the 10th units were detach- ments totalling 8 officers and 1 1,O41 men of the 15Sth Infantry, which came home under command of Ma Henry Adams, New Londonf, Conn.,, who for a year was connected with the Chemical Warfare Service
 The Germans were about to get their fill of Americain gas when the armistice was signed" Major Adams said. There was more gas arriving from the American side than was be- ing manufactured in all of Europe"
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
PHONE LINES ARE
 STILL TIED UP
Boston Completely Shut Of Partial Service At
 Some Points.

Boston. April 16.---Interruption of telephone service in New England outside of Connecticut by the strike of operators of the New England and Providence companies continued to- day, although company officials looked for some improvement as a result of efforts made to obtain substitute op-
 In this city the tie-up was virtually complete. In a few other sections partial service was maintained through the help of employees of de- partments not involved in the strike.
 Lea ders of the strikers asserted that all the union operators were standing firm for their demand for an increase in wages and the privilege collective bargaining.
 They pointed to the promise of sup port given by the cable spIicers' union and the inside telephone men as evil dence of the strength of their posi- tion. The cable splicers, numbering several hundred, notified the New England telephone mana cement yes terday that they would quit work to- day unless their wage schedule, pre- sented some months ago, was imrne- diately acted upon. The inside teIe- phone men, including electrical work CTS from all parts of New England, voted last night to strike this noon. They demand "a settlement of all pending grievances of all New Eng land telephone locals. both male and female" Union officials said the ac- ton meant the addition of 12,00O electrical workers to the ranks of the strikers.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
WILSON REMAINS
 FRANCES FRIEND
Time Come to Destroy Legend Regarding Hi5
 Attitud9.

Paris, April 16-Tha time has come to destroy the Iengend tending, to re- present President Wilson as adopt ing respectfully such a solution, says the Petit Parisiep in commenting up on the settlement Of the question rel ative to the left bank Of the Rhine by the Council of Four. There may have been divergencies as to meth Ods, but there was an agreement on principle, and an agreement on the realization of that principle is bound to follow.
 'NOt that the least interesting fea- ture of the prolonged discussion was to see President Wilson apply himself passiOnately to the task of solving the problem and still not inUring the rights of France. He uttered phase one day which France ought to know. He declared with an accent coming from the heart: It would be the sor- row of my life if the great peace we ae making should be jeopardized by any difficulty between France and America The man who threw his country into the war for France re- mains our great friend"
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
By CARDINAL MERGER, (The Heroic Belgian Primate.)
(TTanSlateG. From The ''COrrierc
 d'ItaHa-")
tCopyright 1919, By The Intcrnation-
 al News Bureau, Inc, Boston.l
The League of Nations!

The League of Nations.
 Yes, no man worthy of the name could possibly condemn it.
 The only thing is. are we sure that the plan prepared in Paris will result in anything but a simple limitation of armaments%
 It is clear that the task of recon structing the world should not be limited to that. ] hope that this plan may be developed and perfected. The nations will not be satisfied if after so many miseries and so many prom ises, they should find tomorrow world as sad and as miserable as be- fore.
 I harbor no hatred against the Germans. However great have been cur sufferings I wish no evil to those who have made us suffer. Harmony among the men of my country, which I desire to see always secured, is for me one of the forms of universal brotherhood; but I place above. rath- CT higher than the sentiment of this brotherhood even. respect for right the necessary basis of relation be- tween nations.
 That is why, in order 10 avoid 
 the return of the old horrors.
 ask for guarantees for the
 future.
 I should not wish that the Paris Conference should result in the frus- tration of the hopes of those who suffered. I should not wish that their lcng trial should have been borne fn vain. So, I say that peace should rest on a foundation Of justice, and not to forget the guilty ones.
 To my mind the Government should. for future generations. set to work to render impossible the repe- tition of crimes from which the world is still bleeding The hour of Chris tan mercy will come later. I am sceptical about the change in Ger man mentality Defeat will certainly help to change t. I am not one of
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18


 stantly haunted by the thought that
 he would be killed He waited every
 moment for the tragedy, but little
 attention was paid to him. He and
 his companion, Charles Jetho, were
 brought back of the lines and were
 told to resume their work as ambu- lance drivers.
 Said Hope to Jetho. Nothing do- ing n that line. We break the cars when we were sent out to bring their wounded from the battlefelds.' The two Americans sealed the verbal con- rracJ. For four days the Germans suffered asses in the automobile sec tion and the Americans were ordered to devote their time at a motorcycle epair ectiOn, situated six miles back
 of the lines. All motorcycles suffered
 Painfully from the two busy Ameri-
 cans. who were often congratulated
 hy' the enemy for their earnestness in
 the work.
 N1r. Hope then made rapid progress in all capa cities of labor. He was male a gasoline tank repairer, jug gIer, gardener, mechanic, road builder
 and finally graduated as a cook. In this capacity he labored for hours every day preparing the soup which consisted of cabbage, sour kraut, oats and rice. For breakfast they had coffee and for supper they | had more coffee, made up of roasted I and dried barley. Yet the Germans
 surprised him to a great extent. l Tn the town of Ham the Germans were surprisingly sociable and showed ! 8 great deal of interest in us. Some ] of them had been in the United ] States and could converse in the | American tongue and often talked to
 lis. explaining how useless it was for us to fight when they meant to con- | quer the entire Allied army within a very short time" said MT. Hope. Finally. We were sent to Strasshurg i Ehere great numbers of prisoners of all nationalities were brought. Here we tasted the worst periods of pris-
 on life. On September 20, we were l tra nsferred to Rastatt where the 1 American prisoners were met by a | hospital train from the American Red l Cross and were welcomed with food l such as we had not seen since our 1 capture. and at sight of which brought l the tears to our eyes and moss to
 our famished lips. After being coo t!e-ized, we were given new clothes and boxes of food. On November 10,
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
SOLDIERS VOTE
 STRONGLY ''WET''
New Zealand Troops Wipe Out Majority For
 Prohibition.

London. April 16-The vote of New Zealand soldiers has wiped out the majority for prohibition which was rolled up in that commonwealth on April II, according to a despatch to the Central News from Christ Church.
 In the New Zealand election the prohibition forces claimed a major ity of more than 12,OOO votes. It was announced at that time that the ballots cast by 10000 soldiers had not been counted. An indication of the trend of the soldier vote was given, however. when New Zealand soldiers in England voted. the anti. Prohibition forces having 15,880 votes out of approximately 10000.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
MIL-LION DOLLAR
 WASH. BRIDGE
Work on New Concrete Structure To Be Started
 June l.

A million dollar concrete structure to replace the present Washington bridge across the HousatOnic river was decided upon yesterday by the cor. ulssioners of Fairfield and New Haven counties who had a conference with State Highway Commissioner Bennett in Hartford.
 Tke bridge will be S64 feet in length with an approach of 1000 feet from either side. It has been decided to have a roller lift 125 feet in length, which will allow a channel of 125 feet in width.
 The roadway will be 43 feet wide thereby giving room for two trolley tracks There will be sidewalks on each sidc eight feet in width. County Commissioner Ballard stated today that work On the new bridge Will Jrobab!v be started June l.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18

We know everything, do not fail us, wrote two self styled backhanders, in letter addressed to Walter B. shar III which S6OOO demanded under pain of death The Ar madl however, not that their possible victim was in California The letter received by Mr. Lashar
 secretary turned to the police and William L. aggey of 2O Bruce with Daniel Idcksen also of Bruce nue. arrested last night by detectives of the police depart ment The charged with blackmail Their continued to tomorrow by the City Court this morning, each under bond of 5000 Lydcksen released this afternoon under real estate bond furnished by his father John Lc janor at the Meigs Buildings.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18

Tn DIS lie was a dream or a req
 All through the months that he was kept a. prisoner of war, his family knew nothing of his whereabouts, and had practically given him up as dead. until Nov. 16 they received a cable that he was safe and sound with the American army.
 When he was student in the Uni versity of Pennsylvania two years ago, Bill possessed uncomfortable de- sire for adventure, so there was little surprise among his fellow students when one day, shortly after the United States had entered the war, he picked up his hat and coat and an- nounced he was going across to do his bit Before he realized the serious ness of the situation, Bill found him. self in France on Aug. 22, 1917.
 He was attached to the French army, S S. U., 637 and served as an ambulance driver until that memora- ble night of June 9. 1918, when he was made a prisoner of war. The story MT. Hope tells of his capture and of his life spent in Germany is like chapter taken from a book.
 "It was exactly one minute after midnight, related >Mr. Hope to a Times representative. '"The night was dark and dreary. The Germans were making an intensive attack, the last successful one they ever made. My company was given orders to hold the position until orders came to the contrary, and we were scouting for information. when we learned that the French lines were broken. the Germans surrounded us and tense eX- pcitement lowered over the duEouts where we sought shelter from the machine gun bullets and waited for achievements. or orders to retreat. Suddenly orders came to retreat and the company never obeyed a com mand more quickly. However. three of us were left in the dugout, too late to make the retreat, and so we re- solved to wait until assistance from the French came.
 "A few hours later we heard a commotion. Thinking it to be the French we investigated and found the Germans greeting us. Surround ed, hopeless, unaTmed, We gave up the attempt of being saved and sur rendered"
 Now, MT. Hope was rather pessim- istic at that moment and was con-
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
Huns WITH Get Peace Terms Before
 They Are Made Known To The World
For This Purpose Secret Plenary Session of Con
 ference on April g.
VIOLENT FIGHTING
 OCCURS IN MUNICH
Bolsheviki Make Desperate Attempt to Gut Way
 Through to Hungary.
OBy the Associated Press)

(By the Associated PreSS)
 Details of the procedure to be observed at the historic meeting of the Allied and Ger man representatives at Yer saiIleS a week from Friday are being worked out by the Allied delegations to the Peace Con- ference. 1t is improbable that the world will know the exact demands of the associated gov crnments until after the Teu- tons have been formally appriS- ed of the price of peace.
 It seems, however, that not only the Allied governments, but the gov ernments of those countries which severed relations with Germany but did not enter the war, will be in formed as to the details of the pro- posed treaty. For this purpose, it is likely that a secret plenary session of the peace conference will be held for April 25.
 All England is awaiting with in- tense interest the address which Pre- mier Lloyd George will make in the House of Commons today. MT. Lloyd George has been under fire from pO- IiticaI opponents for some time, and the Northcliffe publications have been especially vigorous in their attacks on his reported activities. at Paris, and he is expected to reply to his critics.
 It is imprO bable, however, that hs will do more than outline in most general terms the work that has been done by the peace conference, there being, it is said, tacit understand ing between MT. Lloyd George, Presi- dent Wilson and Premiers C1emenceau and Orlando that no details are to be made public at present. The fact that the British premier has decided to open the debate in the House of Com mons. however, would appear to indi- cate his readiness to defend his work at Paris, and his defense may bring out some significant statements
 The Council of Four, in which Ar thur J. Balfour, British secretary of state for foreign affairs. has tempo rar1ly taken the place of Premier Lloyd George. is at present devoting itself to efforts to settle the contro- versy between Italy and Jugo Slavia relative to the eastern shore Of the Adriatic. In addition, it is declared in Q. semi-official French news agency despatch, that the Schleswig- Hol- stein problem, in which Denmark and Germany are at odds, has been ad- justed by the arranEen ent of a ref urendum to the people of the prov ince.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
Germany Will Reject Treaty
 That Threatens Her Future
 And That Of Entire World
Premier Ebert So Declares Easter Address National Assembly -Denounces Bitterly Internal
 Disturbers of Country.

Copenhagen, April 16-According to a despatch from Weimar President Ebert of Germany has addressed the fol- lowing Easter message to the National Assembly:
 The National Assembly, the competent representative of the German people, expressed unanimously April 10 the expectation that the would only to based understanding reconciliation and would reject treaty which would sacrifice the present and future of the
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
Pleaded That Those Be Left Alone Who Are Trying to
 Do Their Best.
ADDRESSES HOUSE
 OF COMMONS TODAY
Not True That United States and Europe Have
 Been at Variance.

London, April 16-The AI- lied representatives in Paris have arrived at a complete un- derstanding on the great fun damental questions that would effect peace with Germany, Premier Lloyd George declar- ed in addressing the House of Commons today. The Allies had formulated their demands, and he hoped that by the end of next week they would be presented.
 The premier vigorously attacked those who had "attempted to SOW dissension, distrust and suspicion be tween the nations whose cordialitv and good will towards each other was essential" He could not conceive
 of a worse crime, he declared. at ;t time when nothing could save ,he
 world but keeping the nations to-
 gether.
 It is not true that the UniteI
 States and Europe have been at vari-
 ance." MT. Lloyd George declared, adding that no one could have treat ed more sympathetically the peculiar problems and special susCeptibilitias of Europe than President Wilson. Early in the address the premier | said his first impulse, when he re- l turned to England from France, was l to await the much advertised criti- 1 cisms of him. but inquiries had shown that these were not forthcom- i ing. The reason assigned was he was told that he must not expect criticism ! until the House was informed what 1 the peace delegates were doing- l The premier said he should not 1 have thought that in such quarters. l facts would be regarded as the slight 1 est basis for criticism, but he was | fully aware there was a great deal of
 mpatience in the world, and he pro 1 posed to address himself to the real, sincere honest impatience which was felt in all lands.
 The premier paid tribute to George NicoIl Barnnes, the labor leader, and those associated with him in the plan
 for international arrangements for
 labor.
 Then" he added, there is that
 great organization, a great expert ment, but an experiment upon which 1 the whole peace of the world hangs the society of nations"
 With almost every nation in the world enega ged in considering these problems, the premier said. the dele l gates were justified in taking some ! time for their work, as a bIunder
 might precipitate a universal war, which might be either near or distant. SNOW HAMPERS FLIGHT St. Johns. N. F.. April 16-With q | heavy snow storm raging here this l morning it was considerable doubtful i whether start could be made today in the attempted transatlantic flight Boh Harry c. Hawker, Australian ! pilot of the Sopwith biplane team, ] and Captain Fred ?. F'aNnham. the
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
GIBSON GOES TO POLAND.

Paris. April 16-Hugh s. Gibson secretary of the American em oassy in Paris, has been appointed as the first minister of the United State to Poland.
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18

Clark Griffith believes that he has picked up a very capable shortstop in Ike Davis
Republican farmer., 1919-04-18
Bridgeport Seems Good To
 Hope After German Prison
Local Boy Left College to Join French Ambulance Corps Captured By Huns and Kept Prisoner For
 Over Six Months.

After fourteen months in the service with the Allies driver and months in prison Jack of &ll trades" J. William Hope
 Mr and Mrs F. M Hope 139 Fairfield is home discharged trying to figure out whether this exciting episode