Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 160, Decatur, Adams County, 12 July 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 16(1.

TEUT OFFENSIVE fIs the Strongest That Has 1 Been Launched During the Past Year. THE CROWN PRINCE Is Forced by Reform Elements to go to Berlin to Confer With Kaiser.

(United Service) (By William Philip Simms. United Press Correspondent) With the British Armies in the Field, July 12 (Special to the Daily Democrat) Field Marshal Hindenburg is evidently trying to stem dissatisfaction in Germany by a big showing on the western front. Today the Prussian troops opposite the whole of the British lines were more active than at any time during the past year. South of the Scarpe the enemy retook a portion of the trenches west of Verpwood on Infantry Hill. In the Iximbartzydes section there was great activity. The German artillery concentration in the battle of the sand dunes on the Belgian coast was the biggest since the German effort of Verdun. Explosives leveled the dunes held by the British trenches. The light house at the mouth of the Yser and the life saving station were reduced to ruins. Among the attackers were German submarines — Wilhelm's toughest lighters. The Germans were caught under the British artillery and machine gun barage and the attack localled between the Lombartzydes creek and the sea. being checked by | the river.

(By Ed 1.. Keene. United Press Staff Correspondent) London. July 12—(Special to Daily | Democrat)—German reform ele I nients have succeded in forcing the kaiser to summon the crown prince to Berlin so that the heir to the German throne shall subscribe to the constitution reforms they plan. This was the explanation received from Berne today of the heretofore unexplicable summons to the German prince. The kaiser lias heretofore ignored his eldest son in governing German internal affairs. The Berne report declared the reformists recognize if any changes occur soon in the German administration the pledge of the crown prince, the next on the throne, must be obtained to make them permanent. London. July 12—(Special to Daily Democrat) —British losses in the successful German drive around Nieupart. Belgium, probably totaled between 2.000 and 2,500 men, General S. B. Maurice, director of military operations, said today. "Further German efforts in the sec tion are not expected." he said. "The Germans seized an opportune moment for their coast attack. A gale prevented our navy forces from participating from the sea. Die enemy wiped out or captured all the British forces occupying the territory they took, about f.BOO in all. BULLETIN. Petrograd, July 12-(Special to the Daily Democrat)—Russian troops have occupied Kalusch, formerly headquarters of the Austrian at my. taking many prisoners, according to a dispatch from headquarters today. Kalusch (or Kalus) is approximately twenty miles southwest o Halicz between the rivers Sivka and Lomnica and on the main load >e tween Stanislau and Stryj in Galatia. Its capture indicates an amazing progress of the Russian ofunste forces through the break in tie er man lines around Halicz. bulletin. Washington, D. C., July 12 —(Spe eial to Daily Democrat) -The reorganized Russian army has joined in the Russian offensive, according to Petrograd cables received today it the Russian embassy. The Russian advance continues along a greatly widened front of ~>o miles the dispatch stated. There is general fighting from the Carpathians to Pinsk. Paris. July special to Daily Democrat)— German attacks in the region of Juvincourt and on bo h banks of the Meuse were completely repulsed, todays official statement asserted. .. "In the Champagne on the Aisne

Decatur daily democrat

I iront in the sector of Moulin Laffaux i there was active artlllarylng,” the | war office said. "In the region of Juvincourt enemy attacks were re pulsed. '"On both banks of the Mouse after Violent bombardments several enemy surprise attacks failed." (United Press Service) London, July 12 (Special to Daily Democrat)—Over more than 120 miles of front from Tarnopol to the ( arpathians. Russia's revived armies .are battling their way forward today. In ten days of their offensive they have penetrated the Austro-German line at two places, have captured a score of ehjes, towns and villages, crossed two great rivers, and taken close to 4:.,u00 prisoners with a vast number of guns and material. The Galactan stronghold of Lem

! berg is now greatly menaced. Ihe Teutons evidently regarded the Brusiloff offensive disdainfully when it started July 2. Dispatches irom the front today quoted Austrian prisoners as declaring they had been assured by their commanders that the Russians did not have sufficient am munition; that their supplies were meager and that the Russian troops could not he expected to fight more than a day or two. The Russians have not followed the German schedule, however, and by their splendid fighting and coordination of transport and food service have now placed at least two large sections of the Teutonic line in grave jeopardy. The Austrian forces around Lemberg are imperiled by a Hanking movement from Halicz. North, around Tarnopol the breach in their line is so great that a great retreat may have to be made to save large forces. (United Press Service! London, July 12—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Evidently seeking information preliminary to another at tempt to advance along the Belgian German troops attempted a general raid last night south of Lombartzyde. Field Marshal Haig reported the maneuver today, declar ing the Germans had been successfully driven off.

Britons were surprised but not per furbed by the German success on the reported yesterday. There were three guesses here as to the motive behind the German attack. jFirst of all many observers here be lieved it was to anticipate a British offensive expected in that region Others believe the Germans attacked in hope of relieving the increasing British pressure on Lens and Lille. The final hypothesis was that it was to cloak a possible German retirement elsewhere.

(United Press Service) Buenos Aires. July 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Buenos Aires Herald today published a rumor that Romulo S. Naon, Argentine ambassador to the United States, was about to resign. No reasons were given for his reported retirement. (United Pres» Service) Amsterdam. July 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)-'That Chancellor Bethmann-HolIweg knew in advance the reforms Matthias Erzberger, cen trist leader, would suggest and tacitly approved his plans in secret as being the easiest way to get rid of certain objectionable ministers in his cabinet, was asserted today by the Handelsblad. Buenos Aires, July 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—An unconfirmed rumor was circulated here today that the British Royal Mail steam packet liner Detnerara of 11,484 tons had been sunk in the submarine zone. THE EXEMPTION BADGE. i(By Webb Miller. United Press Staff Correspondent) Washington, D. C„ July 12—(Special to Daily Democrat)—“Exempted United States.” A small round metal badge bearing these words will shield from public cries of "slacker” those men freed by exemption boards from the duty of bearing arms. Thousands of these little buttons have been made and will he sent out to the exemption boards, it was learned today. From the several designs submitted by artists the war department selected one of simple red, white and blue with the exemption inscription. CONCORD LEADERS WILL MEET The Concord Leaders will meet Friday night with Alfred and Lawrence Johnson. This will be guest night and a good attendance is desired. - Miss May Frisinger and Mesdames Edward Sehacker and William Dryer of Fort Wayne were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Acker at dinner toi day noon.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, July 12, 1917.

ITS CIRCUS DAT *-■ -I (Jentry Bros.’ Famous Dog and Pony Show Arrived Here Right on Time. (’.AVE BIG PARADE Which Pleased Crowd— Shows This Afternoon and at 8 Tonight.

This is circus day. Gentry Bros.’ famous dog and pony show arrived this morning and has pitched its tents on the old ehautauqua field at the east end of Jackson street, just east of the opera house. Beneath a sky that threatened rain every minute the street parade was given | promptly at eleven o’clock and it was a real parade. The show has grown considerably since its last visit here and the children and their parents will find many delightful surprises for them. Besides the most wonderful troupe of trained dogs and ponies the show carries a bunch of elephants, camels. lions, tigers, various animals, well trained. Gentry Brothers also carry a number of the greatest acts in the country. The parade was a long one, with several bands., steam caliope. and everything that goes to make a parade a success. Two performances will be given, the first at two this afternoon and the second at eight this evening. Get the children and attend. Forget the war and your other troubles and be young again. You will live longer. The circus arrived this morning from Portland and goes from here to Bluffton. It is a high class attraction and under splendid management. The rainy season has been rather unfortunate but the men in the game are used to all kinds of business bumps. l__ MEN. AS WELL AS WOMEN Are Invited to Hear Dr. Effie Jones at Courthouse Men, as well as women, are cordially invited to hear Dr. Effie McCollum Jones, who will speak this evening at the courthouse on matters of interest to women voters. She comes under the Woman’s Franchise League of Indiana.

SON’S ILLNESS Calls Councilman Hurst to Rock Island, III.—An Operation. DETAILS UNKNOWN 111 Man Has Been Connected With Deering Plow Works Seven Years.

City Councilman James Hurst left on the six o’clock car last evening for Rock Island, 111., where he was ca'led by a telegram that his oldest son. Will Hurst, was to undergo an operation. No details of the illness are known, but he has already experienced two severe attacks of what was trmed, “paiiiter’s colic” and the family states that his physician advised them that the third attack would necessitate an opertatidn. Will Hurst has been connected with the Deering Plow Worlts at Rick Is-1 land, for the past seven years, being with the painting department, of that company, of which lie is now an overseer. • o TAKE OFFICERS TEST Several young men from here were at Fort Wayne last evening to make application for admission to the officers second training camp which will open August 27th, at Fort Harrison. Among those who made application were Arthur R. Holl house, of this office, Efdgar Gerber, of the Vance fc Hite store and Robert Nachtrieb. of Toledo, who visited his sister, Mrs. Roy Archbold, here. The notices of rejection or admission will not be given until August Ist or later. ■ 1 ■ O— Dr. E. J. McOscar. of Fort Wayne, was a business visitor in this city today.

TO SPEAK TONIGHT. Dr. Effie McCullen Jones will speak nt the court house at X o’clock this evening on the suffrage question and constitutional convention. The men are especially invited. TAKES OWN LIFE Russel Schugart, 80 Years Old, of Noblesville, Drinks Carbolic Acid. ACCUSED OF ATTACK On Young Wife—Mrs. Schugart is in a Very Critical Condition.

(United Press Service) Noblesville. Ind., July 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Following a mysterious attack early today upon Mrs. Lizzy Schugart, twenty-three years old, at her farm home near here, Russell Schugart. the woman’s eighty-year-old husband, ended his life this afternoon by taking carbilic acid. The old man’s act of self-destruction followed investigations by Sheriff Warflell. which tended to connect Schugart with the attack on his wife. Mrs. Schugart was reported in a critical condition this afternoon, her skull was cracked by a terrific blow from a heavy hammer and she was otherwise mutilated. The motive for the attack is unknown and the police are trying to investigate the report that Mrs. Schugart yesterday received an anonymous letter bearing a Noblesville postmark which accused her of marrying Schugart for the purpose of cheating his children of former marriages out of the father's property. The letter was said to have contained threat. Schugart, a wealthy farmer, had been married three times previous to the union with his present wife. o COURT HOUSE NOTES. George Geels and Peter Sites have i made petition for their final natur-1 alization papers. Hearing will be i given them next February. Ten hundred and eighty-three people have registered at the court house. Today was quite a busy day. The registering booth will be open on Wednesday evening of each week. <•++♦+++ + + + + + + + + ANOTHER APPEAL. + ♦ + + Again I appeal to you to join , Company A. We need forty-four + + men. Young men of Adams + + county, you don’t seem to realize + : + what a golden oportunity is of- + ■ + sered you. Such an opportunity + + will not come your way again in + 4> this war. Young men of Adams + + county, you don’t realize what a + + satisfaction it is to go with + ♦ fellows from your own home, + + fellows you know, fellows you + + can depend upon, fellows whose + + aid in times of trouble will be + + given you.. In the camp and at + + the front their association means + + never a lonesome, homesick + + time. It is different among + + strangers, boys. Come with us. + ♦ The time left you to decide is + + almost gone. Don’t wait for the + + draft. Try to realize what an + advantage it will be to you. If + + you do you will join us this day. + + The adjutant general is very + + anxious that Company A be fill- + + ed to war strength before the * + draft. See either Lieutenant + > + Peterson or myself at once. En- + + list this week and avoid the + + draft. + + Yours for service, + + CHARLES R. DUNN. Capt. + I+++++++ + + + + + + +

A FALLING OFF In Assessment Value of the Taxables of the County —Total Value LISTED AT $15,733,885 Mortgage Exemptions Asked in Sum of $831,915 —Other Details. The total value of the real estale, improvements and personal property J in Adams county, as listed for taxation by the assessors, and passed by ' the board of review, is $15,733,885.

This in a falling off of $177,640 . ver the valuation of last year, which was $15,911.605. This, however, dues not include those assessments made by the state, such as that of oil properties, telephone and telegraph, rai'roau properties, etc. The value of the personal estate alone, this year, is $4,544,075, over mat of $4,7X4,605, of last year. The amount of mortgage exemption claimed is SS3-: 915. which is also in excess of that of last year. The number of polls this year, 3287, while the number of last year was 3449. The abstract of assessment is being completed now by the auditor and his assistant and will be forwarded to (he state auditor. An interesting comparison of the value of city lands can be taken from the following. The average value of an acre of land in Decatur is $67.27: in Monroe, $155.24; in Berne, 64.37; Geneva, $51.26. The abstract furnished further information as follows: Acres 212,613.18 Value of lands $7,522,335.09 Value of Improvements ..$1,594,790 00 Value of land and improvement Average, value of land $35..:s Average value of land and improvements $42.x8 Number of city and town lots ... .3983 Value of lots $839,580.00 Value of improvements ..$1,233,705.00 Value of lots and improvements Average value of lots $2lO 7S Average value of lots and improvements $520.53

DID NOT ACCEPT Call of the Local Baptist Church Extended to Rev. Hamilton of Wren, (). HAS NOT ACCEPTED Only Took Matter Under Consideration —Will Remain at Wren, 0. An error was made in the statement that the Rev. H. J. Hamilton, of Wren, 0., will succeed the Rev. F. G. Rogers

as pastor of the Decatur Baptist church, who leaves soon for the Calvary Baptist church at St. Louis, Mo. The call was extended to the Rev. Hamilton, who took the same under consideration, but did not lead the local congregation to believe that he would come. After due consideration, he has finally decided that he will not i accept, and will remain at Wren, O. Rev. Rogers and family leave here ■July 19th. ACTION TO SUPPRESS DISTURBANCE

(United Press Service) Washington, July 12—(Special to j Daily Democrat) —The war depart- | ment has authorized General Liggett, I commander of the western department I to confer with the governor of Idaho | and to take any action lie deems necessary in suppressing I. W. W. disturb ances. No formal request either from the Idaho governor of the Idaho dei sense council lias reached the war department. CA RD~OF° THANKS. The children of Mary Christen wish iin this manner to thank the kind neighbors and friends for their many kind acts and the beautiful floral offerings.

-AMERICA'S BOARD OF WAR DIRECTORS. Samuel Gompers. Samuel Gompers. president of the American Federation of Labor, is head of the labor committee of the council of national defense. At Hines, Gompers lias been accused of having a chlpon-theshoulder disposition, but declaration of war found him most amenable to reason. He must see to the conservation of the health and welfare of work ; men engaged on war jobs, and that rush work is not done us it was at i first done in England, by keeping the shifts employed such long hours that the worker breaks down and production suffers in quality ami quantity. He must determine in what kinds of work women can replace men. and must help to determine which classes I of skilled workers will serve the na-1 I lion better by staying at their tasksI than hy joining the colors. He has yielded to pressure and not only eats but sleeps at his desk. The ! other day he looked tired he is near-1, ing 70 to a question about his health he replied: “I don’t know, and I, don't care. Its a fight, and I’m here I to fight.”

■ o HOLLWEG QUITS German Chancellor Has Resigned Position According to Late Reports. I POSSIBLE REVOLUTION Will be Forthcoming in Germany by Radicals to Achieve Reform. (United Press Service) Berne, July 12—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Vossische Zeitung declared today the Chancellor Beth-mann-Hollweg had resigned. The newspaper asserted that the kaiser was undecided whether to accept his resignation. The Vossische Zeitung is one of the leading liberal newspapers of Berlin.

Imperial Chancellor von Bethmann- t Hollweg recently became decidedly f unpopular with both the militarist and socialist factions in Germany. .He ’ antagonized the militarists by his de> laration at a meeting of the Prussian 1 diet that the tide of democracy could v not be stemmed and incensed the si- 11 cialists in announcing that a policy of ' no annexations would not be accept- *’ able to Germany. Hollweg has been more or less in ' g disfavor with the military chiefs since f the very beginning of the war when he a made his celebrated assertion that ( treaties were mere “scraps of paper,” < thus betraying the war party's secret attitude and causing world wide criti- j cism of Germany . , He was kept in power, however, be- ( cause the junkers were always in com- ( plete control and Hollweg has always ( had the complete backing of the , kai-ser. One of those mentioneded as a suecessor is Prince von Buelow, the former chancellor.. Beulow was replaced some time after he had insisted on passing upon the kaiser’s public utter-

ances. Another possible successor mentioned in reports to the state denarrmsnt is Count Hertling, the prime minister of Bavaria. Count von Roedern, also regarded as in line for the imperial chancellorship, succeeded Helfferich as head of he was go v ernor of Alsace-Lorraine. BULLETIN. Washington, D. C., July 12—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Chancellor Bethmann-Holweg has bandoned Secretary Helfferich and Secretary Zimmermann. Five Prussian minis-

ters will resign Monday, new parliamentary secretaries will be appoint- i ed and immediate action will be tak- I en about universal suffrage in Prussia. according to Koelnische Volks Zeitung reports reaching the state f ' department today. < , Amsterdam. July 12—(Special to 8 i Daily Democrat)— Germany’s radicals , will force a "peaceful revolution” to achieve reform. If ihey fail in their purpose at this moment, they will repeat their efforts in more "unpleasant” measures. This was the sensationally frank ■ declaration made in the Berlin socialist organ Vorwaerts as received here today. It was regarded as deep- ” (Continued onPage Two)

Price, Two Cent!

THE HEAD LIGHTS New Law as Passed by Recent Legislature Regulating Motor (’ar Lights. MUST USE DIMMERS Use of Spot Light Also Regulated—Attention Called to New Law. The following law concerning (he regilaiion and adjustments of lights on motor vehicles was passed hy the last legislature and is primed by request of Jim A. Hendricks, county superintendent of roads, under whose jurisdiction comes the enforcement: Head Lights on Motor Vehicles.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the l general assebbly of the state of Indiana. That wherever there is not I sufficient light to render all vehicles, persons or other substantial objects clearly visible within the limits of any public street or highway in this state for a distance of at least one hundred and fifty (150) feet, the head or front lights which a motor vehicle is required to display, in accordance with the laws of this state providing for the regulation of motor vehicles, shall, when such vehicle is in motion, throw sufficient light ahead to reveal clearly any person, vehicle or other substantial object upon the street or highway directly ahead of the motor (vehicle for a distance of at least one hundred and fifty (150) feet. Head Lights to be Dimmed.

Sec. 2. Every motor vehicle, or other vehicle, equipped with and using head lights or front lights, os herein contemplated, shall be equipped with some efficient device or devices, whereby the rays of light projected forward by said head lights or front lights are broken up and diffused to such an extent that the said projected rays will not interfere with, nor temporarily obscure or bewilder the vision of the driver of an aproaching vehicle; or shall be equipped with an efficient device whereby the projected rays of light from said front lights or head lights may be dimmed or lessened, at the will of the driver of every such motor vehicle, so that said headlights or front lights, when so dimmed or lessened, will not. by reason of rays of light, being projected forward therefrom, interfere with the sight of, nor temporarily obscure or bewilder the vision of the driver of an approaching vehicle. And it shall be the duty of every person driving any motor vehicle. as herein contemplated, when approaching any vehicle driving in an opposite direction, to cause the rays of light projected forward from said head lights or front lights to be broken up and diffused as herein provided, or to effectually apply such dimming device to such head lights or front lights of such motor vehicle, or other vehicle, so that the rays of light projected forward therefrom will not interfere with the sight of, nor temporarily obscure or bewilder the vision of the driver of any such approaching vehicle.

Use of Spot Light Restricted. Sec. 3. No spot light shall be used on any motor vehicle, or other vehicle. upon the public highways of this state while approaching or passing another vehicle going in an opposite direction unless the said spot light shall be carried and used at such an angle on such motor vehicle, or other vehicle, as will project the rays of light therefrom on the ground in front of such motor vehicle, or other vehicle and at a distance not (exceeding fifty (50) feet in front of | same. Penalty. Sec. 4. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not less than five dollars |(ss), nor more than twenty dollars ($20); and for any second or subsequent offense may be fined in any sum not less than five dollars ($5), nor more than fifty dollars (SSO). o PEKING IS SURROUNDED (United Press Service) Tientsin, July 12 (Special to Daily Democrat) — Sixty thousand republican troops now surround Peking. The remnant of the imperialist forces under General Chang Hsun are entrenching inside the capital city. The republicans are armed with 70 guns.