Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 29, Decatur, Adams County, 3 February 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 29.

FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH GERMANY SEVERED AT 1:57 TODAY

IMISSIMB GERARD HASBEENRECALLED NO SOUND AS PRESIDENT REPORTS ACTION-THEN GREAT CHEER LED RY SENATOR LODGE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS ASKED FOR DEFENSE.

(United Pfrss Service) (By Robert J. Bender) Washington. I). (’.. Feb. 3— (Special to Daily Democrat) — Diplomatic relations between the United States and Germany are severed. German Ambassador Voni Bernstorfl* was handed his passports at 1:57 this afternoon. A few minutes later President Wilson appeared before a joint session of the house and senate and informed congress of the action that had been taken and looking toward the future he said: “If American ships and F American lives should in fact be sacrificed in heedless contravention of the just and reasonable understanding of internation law and the obvious dictation of humanity. I shall take the liberty of coming again before congress to ask that authority be given me to use any means that may be necessary for the protection of our seamen and our people in the prosecution of their peaceful and legitimate errands on the high seas. I can do nothing less, i take it for granted that all neutral governments wll take the same course. “We do not desire any hostile conflict with the Imperial German government. W e are the sincere friends of the German people and earnestly desire to remain at peace with the government which speaks for them. We shall not believe that thev are hostile to us unless and until we are obliged to be-. lieve it; and we propose nothing more than the reasonable defense of the undoubted rights of our people. “We wish to serve no selfish ends. We seek merely to stand true alike in thought and in actions to the immemorable principles of our people, which I sought to express in my address to the senate onh two weeks ago. . .. “Seeking merely to vindicate our rights to liberty and justice and an unmolested life these are the bases of peace, not war. God grant we may not be challenged to defend them from acts of willful injustice on the part of the government ol Germany!” , As the president read there was scarcely a sound from any part of the great auditorium until after reading how Germany had withdrawn all former pledges and given notice of unrestricted submarine warfare, he declared that he had already severed diplomatic relations with the German Empire. Thunderous cheering and hand-clapping—even a chautauoua salute of handkershiefs from the gallery—followed. Senator Lodge, ranking republican member of the foreign relations committee —who does not attend white house functions because of his feelings on the president’s international attitude—led it heartily. There was commendation in

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

every movement he made. From i that point every emphasized statement was applauded. The president’s action in calling upon neutrals to lake similar action was characterized by some as a spectacular effort to bring the rest of the neutral t world to bear on Germany in the hope of influencing the imperial government against carrying out her submarine threats. By others it was even regarded as tremendous move to hasten a peace movement not a threat of war. (United Press Service) Washington, D. C., Feb. 3— (Special to Daily Democrat) — President Wilson has determined to break relations with Germany. Ambassador Gerard has been ordered home. German Ambassador Von Bernstorff will be given his passports immediately. Friendly relations between the central powers and the United States are definitely at an end. Whether or not there is an actual declaration of war following the president’s action depends upon Germany. This country has made all preparations for any eventualities. The preparations have been going on for weeks, it was learned today. Announcement of the president’s decision reached yesterday morning was held up in order that all last details might be carefully attended to. When news of the president’s act broke out through the capital it aroused the greatest consternation. The president arose early ’his morning and breakfasted as usual and then called Secretary Tumulty. When Tumulty came back from the mansion his face was very grave but the only comment he would make was that the president would address a joint session of congress at two o'clock this afternoon. The president called Secretary Lansing to the white house at 10:30 and* informed him of his decision. Lansing looked very grave and worn as he left the mansion and would make no comment. BULLETIN. Philadelphia, Pa.. Feb . 3— (Special to Daily Demcorat) — An effort was made to sink the United States torpedo boat destroyer Jacob Jones at the League Island navy yard here this afternoon when a seaman on the vessel opened the sea cocks. Two feet of water had poured into the ship’s hold when i the attempt to sink her was discovered by an officer. He noticed that the ship was listing i badly. i The Jacob Jones was imme- • diately towed into a dock at the i navy yards. At the navy yard ■ i officials refused to discuss the (affair but it is known the man i is under arrest.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, February 3, 1917.

BULLETIN. Washington. 1). C., Feb. 3— (Special to Daily Democrat) — The state department this afterInoon stopped issuance of all passports to Germany. BULLETIN Washington, Feb. 3 —(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Spain will care for American interests in Germany now ’ that diplomatic relations are severed. BULLETIN I Washington, D. C. Feb. 3, 10:00 i m.— (Special to Daily Democrat) — President Wilson will tell congress at I two o’clock this afternoon that a break with Germany has been agreed upon, it was learned this morning.. . Bernstorff will be handed his passports and Ambassador Gerard ordered home... Bernstorff has not been notified of this action. I Carnavon, 3 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —“Germany’s naked savagry stands revealed —even In the most indulgent neutral." declared . Prime Minister David Lloyd George , here today discussing the German | American situation. i “Germany graciously permits Arneri- . can ships to sail under the marks . which are customary for Dutch catcle , boats. Such insolence is only insanI ity.” The Welsh statesman cheered lo the echo. The was addressing a meeting of those he formerly represented in parliament. Washington. Feb. 3—(Special to the ’ Daily Democrat) —Switzerland has taken over all of fbermanys interests in the United States, Von Bernstorf declared today. Bernstorff got in touch with Dr. Ritter. Swiss minister as soon as lie received the news of the break. Von Bernstorff refused to make any statement. Washington, D. C.. Feb. 3 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Four plans on immediate action in case of war with Germany have been worked out by the general staff of the army, it was learned today. They involve: Using the regular army and national guard as a nucleus to train an army of two million a year, sending no troops to Europe during that period. Obtaining immediate passage of a 1 universal military service law and calling out the first three classes under it. Extensively establishing training camps in every state. 1 Tutting Amreican munitions plants and othei factories to work furnish1 ing supplies and munitions for an array of two million men and coni verting other factories for this work. | Norfolk, Va., Feb. 3 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —United States oflij i I cials consisting of a dozen representatives of the customs bureau and the navy department today ordered the i interned ship Appam, brought into ■ port by a German prize crew, and formally took possession. I During the proceedings the United 1 i States revenue cutter Yamacraw moved up into position and trained her | guns on the Appam. Washington. Feb. 3—-(Special to the I Daily Democrat) —Senator Thomas ot ! i Colorado today introduced a resolu--1 tion authorizing the issue of $500,000.- ■ 000 in bonds to enable the government to put tlie country in a state of military and naval preparedness. While senate leaders denied they were ready to authorize a huge expen- ! i diture at this time unless the president ‘ I asked for them, the action of Senator I Thomas points clearly to the fact that there is a general sentiment in favor J of getting the nation ready for war if complications continue to get. worto. ’ New York. Feb. 3 —(Special to the 1 Daily Democrat) —Ina wonderful dem- ’ | onstration of patriotic exhortation ’ | and concerted pooling action by big ’ interests the stock market was turned j upward today and became a booming "'war market. j | It was reported on the best author.l By on the street that the big German '1 houses which have been selling short 1 (Continued on Page 3.)

DUNBAR’S COAT STOLEN A valuable black overcoat, the property of M. M. Dunbar, superintendent of thes Hartford City schools formerly of this city, was stolen in his o’vn presence in the house of representative at Indianapolis, Wednesday. Mr. Dunbar, with several friends was attending a session of the legislature and, being personally acquainted with several of the representatives, Hr. Dunbar stopper for a moment to talk with one of them, placing his overcoat over the balcony railing in the house while he did so. He returned a moment later only to find that his overcoat and all of his possessions which be had left in the pockets had been stolen. The value of the coat taken was about $25. —Bluffton Banner. Dunbar is a son of L. L. Dunbar of Linn Grove and recently spoke here at the west ward parents-teachers’ club. THE COUR£NEWS Sugar Company Indicted, Charged With Polluting St. Mary’s River. COURT WILL OPEN February Term Begins on Monday—Many Real Estate Changes. Warrant issued on a grand jury indictment returned against the Holland St. Louis Sugar Company, charged with polluting the St. Marys’ river, was served on the manager, W'll Kremers eysterday by Sheriff Ed Green. The indictment charges that the sugar factory caused dye-stuffs, aci’ refuse-matter etc, from its plant to be discharged into the river, resulting in the death of fish. November 10. IBM. and other days are mentioned. Real estate transfers: Ezra E. Zimmerman to John W. Kline. 120 acres of Kirkland township. $19,800: Emma Bohn et al to D. Forest Hoffman, realt yin Hartford township. $1: E. C. Runyon to D. Forest Hoffman, et al. realty in Hartford township, $1: Or' -.I V. Hoffman to Louisa Hoffman et al to D. Forest Hoffman, et al lot 24 Linn Grove, S7OO. The February term of the circuit court will open next Monday after a two weeks vacation. GOO’S GREAT PLAN For Young People Subject of the Epworth League Study for SUNDAY EVENING MISS Florence Myers Leader—Talks and Special Music Given. “God’s Great Plan to Young People” is the subject of te Epworth League lesson for Sunday evening at the Methodist church, in charge of the second department, with Miss Florence Myers, leader. The program follows: Song Service. Scripture and Prayer. Talk. “Interest in Folks” —Dan Erwin. Piano Solo —Helen Walters. Talk. "Meeting the Need” —Chas. Colter. Music —Men’s Chorus. Talk, "Surrender of Self to the Plan”—Rev. Thornburg. Music. David's Prayer.

TEAM DEFEATED • Superior Size and Longer Training Attributed as Cause of Defeat. ■ - BY HOME DOPESTERS Final Score is Eighteen to Seven, Favoring Bluffton—H. S. Wins. Although the I). H. S. girls basket ball team went into the game last night with little hope of winning, because the recognied the value of superior size and longer training in he opposing Bluffton team, yet they played a good game and made Bluffton work for all she got. Because of superior size and very rough play Decatur lost the first half to the score of 14 to 2. However, during the second half the girls played to win and did win 5 to 4 making the final score IS to 7 in favor of the visitors. Decatur centers did excellent wo-k and outplayed their opponents in that part the field. The forward played w’ell yet they showed lack or practice, missing easy shots. The guarding as usual was weak because of the low stature of both Gregory and Fuhrman. However what the girls lacked in stature they made up in speed. In the preliminary game, the Monroeville boys failed to come, the eigh-th-graders defeated on the H. S. second team to the score of 13-12. CHOKING ATTACK Mrs. Lena Neuenschwander Suffers Attack W hile Eating Supper. MEAT IN THROAT Many Have Suffered Slight Paralytic Stroke While Eating Evening Meal. Mrs. Lena Neuenschwander of (he south part of the city is resting eas’ertoday after quite an experience of last evening. She suffered a choking alj tack while eating supper, and in going to the door to struggle for her breath, fell. Neighbors called in, worked with her and exercised with her, dislodging a large portion >l’ meat, which had stuck in her thra it The doctor’s arivtil also restored her and she soon regained consciousness and her usual ability. She has suffered paralytic attacks at times ,and it was through a slight one affected her throat while swallowing, causing the choking attack. TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE ODDITY (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Feb. 3 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —One of the regular jobs in both houses of the legislature is the moving that the reading of .he journal, giving details of the previous meeting, he dispensed with. In the senate, the reader usually gets a good start before some senator cuts him off with a motion to suspend reading of the minutes. The job usually falls to Senator White of Crawfordsville. In the house, no sooner is the reader started than five or six representatives are on their feet ready to offer the motion. FINE BOY BORN A due baby boy was. born January 24 to Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Summers, of Woodlawn, Pa. Mrs. Summers formerly was Dorothy Carrier of Decatur.

ITO LICENSE BARBERS (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Feb. 3 —(Special lo Daily Democrat) —A bill providing for the creation of a state board of r barber examiners and the licensing ci all shops and workers in the state will he presented to the legislature within the next few days. The bill provides that the board would pay its own expenses through fees procured 5 through the issuing of permits. Union barbers all over the state ire backing the measure. They declare * that the measure would serve as a protection to customers as well as barber shops. Insanitary shops wou'd he wiped out and barbers would have to be efficient before being allowed to follow the business. 1 They point out that more than half t of the states now have boards of ex- ■- aminers and have been successful in i_ every state wher“ created. o

STEFFEN PUNT 1- “ , A Cold Process to Extract ( Sugar Content of Molasses to be Added t TO THE SUGAR HOUSE i Will Mean Work for Thirty More Decatur Man Each Fall—Costs SBO,OOO. Decision that there be erected .11 • eighty thousand dollar Steffen ploit in conjunction with the local factory i of the Holland Saint Louis Sugar company was reached at a meeting of the board of directors of the company held at the local offices here yesterday . afternoon. W. E. Kremers, general manager this morning said that he proposed addition to the plant wo il l mean an increase in the net output of the plant of between three and one 1 half and five million pounds of sugar annually. A Steffen plant A a cold process which extracts the sugjtr left in the molasses which is now a by-product of the hot process used in the su.', >r factory proper. This by-product constituting between six and eight percent of the ■ plant’s output is sold for stock food . purposes and other commercial us?':. One half the constituted parts of this mollassses is sugar. Under the St'f- | fen process this molasses is diluted, I lime is added forming a sulphated saccharine trim which is precipitated sugar in a series of lime presses ope-- , ated cold. This lime by-product D L then returned to the hot factory for further use in the carbonation tanks. A new and larger lime kiln will have to be erected. New power equipment including a new battery of boil ers will be necessary and the addition will give employment to between twenty-five and thirty more men during the running season of the plan'. On a basis of sixty thousand tons ;t beets to work the increase will mean , much for this city. Work on the new building and m- ? stallation of machinery will probit: !y ? commence as soon as work can he !■ • s gun on foundations. o — LAST DAY FOR CANDIDATES. I , This was the last day for candi- , dates to file their declarations as ’ candicfates for the primary. In addi- ’ tion to those named Hervey S. Steele as a candidate for treasurer r and William H. Foughty, for conn oilman at large, filed as democrats r and Dale Spahr for treasurer and D. K. Shackley, councilman, First ward and John Logan, Second ward, as republicans. t -— —**— ——— Mr. and Mrs. Forest Vail of Marion , are. here visiting with their parents, - Mr. and Mrs. Mel Butler and Mr. and Mrs. John Vail.

Price, Two Cents

PRICE IS RAISED Postmaster Has Word of Increased Price of Stamped Envelopes. THE PAPER PRICES Also Make Government Boost—The Newspaper Wrappers Also. Postmaster J. W. Bosse has received notice from the post office department at Washington of an increase in the prices of government stamped envelopes to take effect at once. The price on No. 5 two-cent first quality, white

or amber envelopes, the size most used by the public and generally on sale at stamp windows has been increased from s2l to $21.31 per thousand. Wilh the printed return card this envelope will cost $21.60 per thousand instead of $21.24, the old price. The No. ’3 two cent, first quality whiu> or amber envelope with the printed return card has been increased in price from s2l- - to $21.74 per thousand. This envelope is slightly larger in size than the No. 5 and is generally uged by business houses and manuafeture s. The No. 8 one-cent, ungummc-d envelope a long size used solely for ma 1ittg circulars amt printed matter, wi'l now sell for $22.12 instead of s2l 56 per thousand. Ail other sizes and denominations, including newspaper wrappers, have been increased slightly in price. BISHOP SJPRENG Will Officiate at Dedication of Beautiful New Evangelical Church. ON MARCH FOURTH Carpenters Have Completed Work—A Few Details ‘ to be Finished. Sunday, March 4. is the date set tor the dedication of the beautiful new Evangelical church in this city. Bishop S. D. Spreng, D. D. of Napierville, 111. will officiate. The carpenters have practically completed their work on the new church and the principal work yet re. maining, is the varnishing and the placing of the pews. Everything i.t moving along nicely and all details of the edifice will be in readiness for the great day. The congregation, however, will continue the use of the basement for the regular services of the church, ir • til after the dedication. "The pastor and congregation uro planning to make the dedication day a, great one in Zion. FEAST AT ST. BLASE Today the feast of St. Blase was thserved in the Catholic churches. The annual custom of the blessing ot throats took place after the seventhirty mass and at two o’clock this afternoon. St. Blase was the patron of those afflicted with sore throat and during his life worked many miracles in cure of sore throats. oMONTHLY REPORT Homer Ruhl, G. P. & F. A. for the Ft. Wayne & Decatur Traction Co., having forwarded to the general mattager, S. W. Greenland at Ft. Wayne, Ind., the monthly car report, for J 1.1. finds that there were 412 trains operated, of these 350 were on time and 62 t were late. This figured to a percent Is S4.fi j er cent on time and 15.1 non rent late.