Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 296, Decatur, Adams County, 15 December 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 296.

FINAL OFFERING ON CHRISTMAS Kaiser Will Give Out Final Peace Offering to People on Christmas. AUSTRO-GERMAN ARMY Being Forced Toward Italian Line by Shell Fire from Own Army in Rear. FT’nlfo.l Tl — — «... r.

(United Press Service) Geneva, Dec. 15—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Kaiser Wilhelms Christmas message to the German people will contain his tinal peace offering, according to official announcement here today from Berlin. With the Italian Aries, Dee. 1,; -< Special to Daily Democrat» Austro German troops are being driven to , lie attack against the Italians. Prisoners taken by General Diaz forces today I declared losses in their ranks had l>een increased to staggering i.ropoi tions by their own r.rtillery, which' under orders, had put a moving cur] tain of fire behind the attacking waves to force them into the charge.

Commanders of the Teuton forces, they also asserted, are adopting other coercive measures. Austrian and German troops have been coaxed with great promises of Letter food and quarters if they reach the rich Italian plains. The enemy’s efforts today were concentrated on two wedges astride the Italian saliant at Solarola. If he can keep constantly on the offensive his 1 asiticn is fairly secure, but the moment the lapse in his attacks permits the Italians to assume the initiative his line of communications will I,a seriously menaced. •Petrograd, Dec. 15- (Special to Daily Democrat (—The bolshevik! split today on treatment of the Russian constituent assembly. Minister of education Lunacharsky formally tendered his resignation from the Maximalist cabinet declaring he could not support Lenine in any measures of repression against a congress summoned by the Russian people. He is believed to be supported by a number if leading Maximalists. Trotsky. Lenine and others of the “inner ring’ steadfastedly maintained today if the assembly showed reposition to the Maximalists aims, ii was illegal. “We consider any assemby opposite; our ideas as an arbitrary organizati n which must be dispersed as soon a possible.’’ declamd M B'agonravofl, bolsheviki delegate from Raizan today The bolsheviki announced the 1 lowing fragmentary returns from the recent elections: Twelfth army: Maximalists 20,2‘E: revolutionary socialists 12.200: other Parties 2300. Fifth army: Maximalists 145.000: revolutionary socialists 45.000: other parties 26,000. Army of FinlAtd: Maximalists 2<’,800: other parties 20.000. Krasnoyark: Maximalists 12.000, revolutionary socialists 4.900; cad' ts 2,600. Krostroma district: Maximalists

H ww.w>xw , ac3Byx ! ’'.rl I YOUR CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE. | I The Ar'erican Red CrossJersonally, to the H » nnd »oor alike- a chance to (ontrinu such an R $ Christrras spirit oi the '' '• , s n 0 peace on earth, when l q anomalous season—when b v death-dealing can- ;i 0 ?ood wil Howards men could he more blessed g | non and b!o " fl '* taI n n H e( .heer the suffering thousands ol Lib- g 0 than to comfort and <hie )he firmg | ine g H erty’s defenders in the -I wounded and to salvage | To relieve the suffennL I h of (he Red ( r oss. | H battered human wrecks is tiu i . jn )arge num . p | Let us not forget that very soon o« r^ ulanfes to Red Cross g | hers will he carried in Red ( am Red Cross g g hospitals, there to receive ever) g « methods afford. urging, pleading, in- g I ustfA * tt I Its head isthe president oMhe f d tmen Hie g | come under tbc ople asks that you enio. ■ ))vern :: H government of the p (- ros j g an arm of- g H costs one dollar. Ihe military atn- :. i men and it is as important as ine fa]| 1( IS a g I him, can thus £ ©wHo „„r beloved eeuntry. J § test of the stern duty we o

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

and revoj-] j u,i< "”ry socialists f)iqr the StH '•Ulttt 'Hstrlct but the town of Kaluga is apparently cmied by the cadet. I 337,347 ENLisYmAnTs'TCTrM/ (Unite, i mTUservic-i Dec. uXeia! to J' . p bp,no, ' r * t )-Knllsn l ents for the 'red tiir'",'"' >es,errtay w, ' re announ1 <’l afternoon. Making a balance]. L ,’, 47 ' Pe nn"ylvimia led in the feeruiting before the doors were clod to draft, followed by Minnesota ' and Indiana. RED CROSS SPEAKERS. Speakers for ~('hristm a . drive are requested to meet at the Demo<rat office at 8 o'clock this evening )on ' fail - COMMITTEE. ' t

PLAN IS "CHANGED I'or the Illumination of the Red Cross Service Ftar. ON CHRISTMAS EVE Candles Make Big Fire Risk —Let Room Light Illuminate It.

At the suggestion of the National Board of Fire Underwriters tho plana for the Red Cross illumination on Christmas Eve have been changed The use of a candle back of the R-d Cross service flag has been condemned as involving too much risk of fire and instead it is suggested that the window blind be raised and the light of the room used to illuminate the flag or else an electric flash light be employed. It is urged that in no case shall a candle be placed back of ihe flag and in the window draperies. The

.curtains should in all eases be removed. ! A message to French Quinn, of the local Red Cross, making this request, is. in part as follows: “National Board of Fire Underwriters feels that Christmas Eve ceremony involves unusual tire risk and in view of their judgment we desire to do everything possible to guard against this risk. Please instruct chapter heads and workers and give wide publicity through the press concerning the fire hazard involved and the importance of not using a lighted candle. Be sure that directions are given for taking down ail curtains so that the homes of the less intelligent c lasses will not be endangered the Christmas Eve observance can be carried through by the raising of die shades and letting the light of the rcom illuminate the service flag in the window or an electric flash light on the service flag could be used." DEMANDS INVESTIGATION (United Vresa Service) Indianapolis. Dec. 15- .Special to Daily Democrat I The house committee on expenditures in the navy de- , artment entered to probe list today bv announcing an independent of the departments spendings. Thomas A. Lawson demanded a house investigation bv congress of contractors and committeemen and other amateur officials and of alleged enormous pt -

Decatur, Indiana,Saturday Evening, December 15, 1917

THE GARBAGE MAN knows the Secret of \\ hether the Housekeepers Are KEEPING PLEDGES io L. S. Food Administration—His Work Decreases if They Are. ’ The garbage man knows whether or ! not the housekeepers in your coin- *

inunity are backing up their foodpledges sent to them by the U. S. Food I Administration. If they are, the work in his department has decreased very materially since last spring. J If he tells you he hasn't noticed any difference in his work, one of three things is the matter. Either the house keepers in your community haven’t realized yet that one pf the biggest acts of patriotism any one of them can do is to conserve food, or they do pot know how to do this, or they are too indifferent to be patriotic in the matter. Find* cut which of these reasons is the key to the situation. Then do something to remedy it. Get your neighbors, or church, or club to help you. Don't rest until the garbage col- 1 lector complains that his business is ] falling off. The women in San Diego, Cal., cut down their garbage until the collection! for July, 1917, was only 43 per cent of the garbage collection for July.] 1916. The following ten other cities show a decrease of 25 per cent ar more: Wheeling. W. Va.. Portland,' Ore., Charleston. S. C.. Grand Rapids. Mich., Columbus, 0., Lincoln. Neo., Savanah Ga.. Brockton. Mass., Daven-' Port. lowa, and Mobile. Ala. What these women have done, you can do. Only try!

ABOVE ESTIMATE Transportation of Coal via the Lakes Exceeded Estimate by Million Tons. MORE COAL SHIPPED This Year Than Ever Before—Over Twenty Million Tons Shipped. Chicago, Dec. 15—More coal war ■ forwarded from ports of the great lakes up to Dec. 2 than during the en-< tire season of 1916. which was the re'.:-1 ord year, according to a report made to the Railroads’ War Board by G. L. Peck, vice president of the Pennsyl- j > vania railroad and chairman of the, - committee on Ixtke Coal and Ore, - Transportation. Shortly after the opening of lake s navigation last May the committee of lake coal operators estimated that - 26,000.000 tons of coal would have to I be transported via the lakes this year. to meet the requirements of consumers. That estimate has now been -x- --• ceeded by 1.072.290 tons, or 1.446,020 tens more Ilian the tolal lake ship-, nients of coal last season. “Not only have the lakes carried' more coal this year than ever before.” said Mr. Peck, “but the Northwest has received all-rail, from the fields of 11-! linois and Indiana this year nearly three times as much coal as that sec ' tion received by rail last year. “In the first nine months of this' year there were sent to the northwest! 6.196.000 tons of coal, as compared with 1,885,000 tons last year, an increase of 4.341,000 tons. The total increase for eleven months of the year is about 4.800,000 tons. “If the lake and rail tonnages for the season are combined it will he seen that the northwest has not only had its full quota of coal but that it has fared better even than communities in and around the coal-producing centers.

"Such information as we now have' indicates that the consumers of about 84 per cent of the coal of the country are now well supplied, and in some cases over-supplied, whereas the consumers of 16 per cent of the output, which represents the proportion of the coal used for domestic purposes,

are likely to suffer come inconvenience in certain sections.” TOO LATE NOW To Mail Christmas Packages for Soldiers in Foreign Service. In a recent edition of the Official Bulletin appears the following: “The following statement is authorized by the adjutant general: “Packages containing Christina; presents, addressed to soldier in the foreign service, continue to be deliv-i ered at the rate of about 5,000 |,cr day. although notice had been given to the public that the delivery >f Christmas prsents could not la undertaken after December 5. “It is not practicable to attempt any further deliveries and the friends of soldiers are therefore requested to discontinue mailing such packages. ' ;

PRAISE IS CIVEH By the Boys at Camp Shelby for Y. M. C. A. and K. of C. A GREAT COMFORT And Free from Graft— Church, Reading and Recreation. Miss Rhoda Jones had the following fine letter from her cousin, Harold Mattax. at Camp Shelby: Camp Shelby. Miss. December 10. 1917 My Dear Cousin: Os course I knew who you were ami answered you letter several days ago. I supose you have received it by now. I have so much to do that 1 hardly get time for the very pleasant task of] writing to my friends, so was a little slow, perhaps, in answering. 1 enjoy writing, now. that I am in the habit.

In one way I am very sorry I male that mistake about the blankets and ocks, and in another way I am not. It was the means of my getting word from Uncle Doc. which would not otherwise have hapened. The weather is cold down here the last couple of days, and though it nevI er snows, it froze a little last night 1 and the night before, and you may tell the aunties for me that their blankets were all that kept me from suffering • ffom the cold. The socks also are of I real service, for the ones issued to us are for summer wear and do not keep our feet very warm. You may also tell them that when 1 go to bed at night and crawl into th it blanket I will always think with gratitude and love of the ladies who sent it, not only because of its practical value, hut because I understand the ! spirit which prompted the gift. You ! know the old saying, “The gift without j the giver is bare.”

1 suppose you and the aunties would be interested in getting a first hand j account of the work of the Y. M. <’. '. ,in our camps. Putting it in about the most forceful manner possible, the work of the Y. M. C. A. and K. of C. is about the only thing in Camp Shelby or Hattiesburg which is not a graft to take the soldiers’ hard earned money. The “Y" is our church, our reading, and writing room, a good place to play games, in short, our home. A soldier may go in, get stationery, pen and ink sit down at a table and write a letter , and leave it there to be mailed, and all it costs him is three cents for the ! stamp. Or he may pie kup any one i of the hundred or so magazines from the rack, sit down and enjoy himself I reading. If he likes games he may ' get a checker or carom board to use or go outside and play basket ball, or if he likes moving pictures and little ■ entertainments he may drop in after 1 supper and be entertained. Testa- ' nients are given out free and bible ■! classes jorganized’. Everything is ■ clean and Christian liek. Swearing ■ is against the rules, and card playing and dancing prohibited. The men -n ’ charge are not soldiers, but are relig- ■ ions young men who have a real intertContinued cn Pago Four!

DAYS LEFT TO SHOP REM) THEABS

EASTERN STAR Election of Officers Held Last Night—Public Installation ON DECEMBER 28TH Mrs. 1). E. Smith Worthy Matron—Some Officers to be Appointed. The Eastern Star chapter had its annual election of officers last evening the same to take their office at a public installation on December 28. at which time the chapter will entertain I a number of guests. At that time also, the appointive officers, will also I be installed, the .‘■ante to he named by the worthy matron. Those elected last evening were: Worthy Matron —Mrs. 1). E. Smith. Worthy Patron —G. T. Burk. Associate Matron— Miss Nellie Blackburn. Secretary—Mrs. L. A. Graham. Treasurer—Mrs. R. D. Myers. Conductress —Mrs L. C. Annen. Associate Conductress— Mrs. Sim Burk. The Eastern Star also received donations of fruit and jelly for a Christmas barrel last evening but as the attendance was somewhat cut down on account of the cold weather, those who wish to donate, may leave the same at the Winnes shoe store within the next few days, as the barrel will be packed at that place. o RED MEN MEETING A meeting of the Red Men will l.e held this evening at 7:30 o'clock at the hall for the purpose of making arrangements to attend the funeral of Brother Ball.

UNION SERVICES Churches of the City United in a Red Cross Meeting. ON SUNDAY EVENING At Methodist Church —A Good Urogram Arranged for Evening. In anticipation of the great Christmas drive for Red Cross membership, which begins next Monday and ends on Christmas Eve. a union meeting will be held in this city at the Methodist. church Sunday evening at 7 o'clock. The theme will be “Red Cross" and everybody is cordially invited to come. Rev. W. S. Mills will preside and the following program will be given: Hymn. “The Son of God goes forth to War.” Invocation W. S. Mills. Scripture Reading. Luke 10:30-:’,7 and Matt. 25:31-46 J. G. Butler. Prayer—Jac (’. Hanna. Special Music. Two ten minute addresses: “The Christ Spirit Manifesting Itself to Others.’’—Fred F. Thornburg. “The World Situation Calling for Work of Red Cross” —Dr. Beavers. Special Music. Two ten minute addresses: "Progress and Prospects of the Rod Cross in Indiana” W. Paul Marsh special field representative for Ind. “Womanhood and the Christ Spirit" —Mrs. John Niblick. Prayer. Hymn, “America.” , Benediction.

TO GIVE LECTURE. Father Salmone, a priest of the Orient, will have the high mass at the St. Mary’s Catholic church tomorrow, the mass being said according to the Greek rite. He will have a lecture at the K. of C. hall Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, and another at 7:30. his subject being "The Turkish Empire.” He also has several; hundred pictures of great interest j which will be shown. The admission j fee at the K ( of C. hall will be.. 1151 cents for adults and 10 cents tori children.

RED CROSS KNITTERS Big Shipment Sent Out This Week. The women Red Cross knitters of this chapter are accomplishing much. Last Thursday the Weekly shipment from here was made to the warehouse of this district at Fort Wayne. The shipment included '.’ll jackets; 15 mufflers; 15 pairs of wristlets; 50 pairs of socks. Garment Workers Busy. i The garment making department of the local lied Cross chapter has hem doing excellent work also in the past I week, nine large boxes being sent yes- < terday by Wells, Fargo Express to the Fort Wayne warehouse. These included 187 pieces, being the following: 190 bath robes; 55 pajamas; 27 bed shirts; 15 shoulder capes. WILL IS PROBATED .. — \\ ill ot Joseph F. Steigmeyer Leaves Estate to the Wife AND THE CHILDREN John to Pay Certain Sums to the Heirs for Real Estate. The will of Joseph E. Steigmeyer, executed February 25, 1907, and witnessed by David E. Smith and John Schurger, was admitted to probate today. He gives to his wife, Anna Mary Steigmeyer. for use during her life, all his real estate, which includes the farm in Union township. At her death this is to go to his son, John Steigmeyer, on condition that John pay the following sums: to the son of the testator, Fred Steigmeyer, $500; to the son. Joseph. $500; to the son, Andrew, $1,000; to the children of the deceased daughter, Lena Geimer. $200; to the daughter, Caroline. SIOO. This is to be laid within two years after the death of the testator and h.'s wife.

John Steigmeyer is Io receive all I he personal estate and he is to serve as executor of the estate. He qualified as such. Judge Smith, having been a witness, was disqualified to serve as judge in the probate thereof and appoint'd Hon. Shafer Peterson special judge, he qualifying and assuming jurisdiction. Schurger A- Son are attorneys tor the estate. DON’T FORGET THEM You have, been asked to give—give —give, since the war began. You will he asked to give give—give, while the war continues. The giving cannot stop, and you are being asked now to give only money—not. lives! Tuber culosis already is the “scourge of inc trenches” American training caniiis, and of the folks back home, from whence must come the next men who go to the battle. Never before has the American struggle to defeat the White Plague in No Man’s Land, and here at home, been more imperative. Red Cross Christmas seals are messages of Hope they relieve battalions in this war of men against disease. They are the allies of all of us. BUY THEM AND FEEL GOOD INSIDE AT CHRISTMAS TIME. RE MEMBER ADAMS COUNTY WANTS TO SELL 50.000 STAMPS.

BIG DAY FOR CHILDREN This was Children’s Day, given by the merchants of Decatur and it was a great, success. About 2500 children registered this morning, got thir horns and tooted them. Santa Clauses'distributed candy and bills and the square near the court house was packed at two o'clock when the distribu tion of the sleds, dolls and skates took place. The event brought a large crowd to town and the various stores were filled iwth Christmas shoppers. The band gave a concert ami it is safe to predict that the next similar event will draw even a larger crowd if it l>i> decided to repeat it at some future date. CHRISTMAS CANTATA The choir of the Evangelical church i under the able direction of Miss Hope; Hoffman, is preparing a Christmas' cantata entitled. "The Star of Bethelehem,” by Carrie B. Adams, for rendition on Sunday evening, Dee. 23, at 7 o'clock. I

Price, Two Cent!

SITUATION VERY GRAVE United Press Representative Says There is no Use Trying to Camouflage. ENEMY ON OFFENSIVE Only Greatest Effort Will Prevent Germans from Fulfilling Boasts. (United y-resr Service) (By Ed L. Keen, United Press Stiff correspondent.) Izmdon. Dec. 15 (Special to Daily Democrat) —There is no use trying to camouflage the gravity of the situation on the west front the only war theater which in the last analysis, really counts. Today Premier Lloyd George’s sjieech at Grays Inn was regarded at a call to arms in a present day crisis. The setback to British arms at Cambrai has not only practically nullified Field Marshal Haig's splendidly conceived and General Byng's splendidly executed advance, but it is generally admitted the reverse marked the end of the British offensive for s< me time to come. The initiative has now passed to Hindenburg. The most competent experts predict that only the greatest efforts will prevent the Germans from fulfilling their laiast to break through the allied line before American participation can equalize the reinforcement of the German line from the Russian front.

This reinforcement of the enemy, made possible by the cessation ct lighting on the east front, means a half million picked men to throw into the assault against the allies lino before America can get in. Besides restoring to Hindeburg his long lost initiative. General Byng's reverse graphically demonstrates the untruth of various widely prevalent stories regarding the enemy. It demonstrates the utter absurdity of the story that the morale of the Germans is waning. It gives the lie to the confidently circulated stories of Germany’s impending collapse. Regardless of who is personally responsible for the Cambrai reverse, the fundamental reason doubtless lies in the fact (hat the whole army has be«n permitted with such a spirit of cocksuredness if not over-confidence — that it had grown careless] Perhaps it was only the natural result of an uninterrupted series of recent British successes combined with (he fact that the present army has never been compelled by hard necessity to loam defensive tactics like tho Mone heroes who are now a mere handful in the great war machine. Coincidentally there has been the general developement of a tendancy to under-estimate the enemy’s capacity for an offensive. The fact remains that the crisis is at hand and that the public is being awakened to realization of it. Practically every London newspaper today classed. Premier Lloyd George’s speech as a well timed stimulant. “Lloyd George reached a true authentic note, on British statesmanship” said the Post. "We are confident of I his appeal to the spirit of the nation.” “The speech for which we are all I most grateful is an apeal to reason, I to honor, to our honor and to self- de- ’ nial.” declared the Telegraph. “It had a dispassionate firmness appropriate with the present crisis. Ho has demonstrated the impossibility of a satisfactory peace now.”

“The speech had courage and faith,’’ said the Mail. "It flung a challenge in the face of all doubters and waverers. It showed direct insight into the supreme issues of the war.” "The chief merit of the addresses,” the Timos asserted, "lies in the clearness and directness which the premier keeps the things that really matter before the people.” The News was the only London newspaper which did not entirely approve of the speech. “Unfortunately he did not. hint when victory will be considered as won,” tho editorial declared. "Among all his emphatic utterances there was not a word enlightening us on the one point that really matters. The world today will regret his failure to state the policy of the allies with the gravity and tho definiteness which the occasion demanded.”