Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 16, Number 247, Decatur, Adams County, 21 October 1918 — Page 1

Volume XVI. Number 217.

GERMANY ANSWERS THE PRESIDENT

FORM NEW GOVERNMENT GIVING PEOPLE POWER HAVE ORDERED SUBMARINES NOT TO FIRE ON PASSENGER ROATS—ARE EVACUATING ENEMY TERRITORY, SAYS NEWEST NOTE, (United Press Service) Berlin, via Wireless via London. Oct. 21—(Special to DailyDemocrat) —Germany, replying to President Wilson, announced, that orders had been issued to all submarine commanders to stop the torpedoing of passenger ships. The text of the note, covering this point, follows: “In order to avoid anything that might hamper the work ol peace, the government has called orders to be dispatched to all) submarine commanders precluding the torpedoing of passenger ships, without, however, for technical reasons, being able to guar-, antee that these orders will reach every single submarine at sea before its return.” i The German reply was handed by the German government j last night to the Swiss legation in Berlin for transmission to the United States. The note begins with the following: “In accepting the proposal for the evacuation of occupied territory the German government started from the assumption that the proceedure for this evacuation and the condition of the, armistice, should be left to the judgment ot the military advisors and that the actual standing of power which both sides of the field have should form the basis of arrangements safeguarding and guaranteeing the standing.” With reference to the responsibility of the existing government. the note says: ' “The leaders of the great parties of the reichstag are members of this government. In the future no government officials can take office or continue in office without possessing the confidence of the majority of the reichstag. “The responsibility of the chancellor of the empire to the representatives of the people is being legally developed and safeguarded. The first act of the new government has been to lay before the reichstag a bill to alter the constitution of the empire so| that the consent of the representatives of the people be required for decisions as to war and peace. With reference to the charges of illegal and inhuman prac-, tices, the note says: “For covering a retreat, destructions will always be neces-, sary, and so far as necessary, they are permitted by international law. • * “The troops are under the strictest instruction to spare private property and to exercise care for the population to the best of their ability.” London, Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Germany today definitely announced that the kaiser had been shorn, of his power to declare war, and declared that German subma- ( rine commanders had heen ordered to stop torpedoing passenger ships in her replv to President Wilson’s note. In agreeing that the terms of an armistice should be fixed by the military advisers, the German note stated that the present standard of power, on both sides should be safeguarded. There was no definite acceptance of VV ilson s statement that I the terms should be fixed by the military advisors of the United States and the allies. The text apparently left open the possibility of Germany claiming that the military advisors of Germany as well as the allies should participate in fixing the terms of an armistice.

(By Frank Taylor, United Press staff I correspondent) With the American Army in Frame Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —German prisoners state that Ger- < many has made arrangements to evacuate France, even before the peace not wae sent to President Wil-1 eon. The prisoners remarked: .“The Americans have the worst blood lusting sector of the entire line. Every foot of ground is to be disputed until the Germans’ retirement from the sea region is completed.” The line is quiet today. Washington, Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —American forces north of Verdun Sunday continued ■■ their attack. General Pershmg reported today. During the last week the Germans have constantly increased their forces there in a determined attempt to hold that sector and prevent disaster to their retreating forces in Belgium and .northern France, Pershing indicat’d.! Paris, Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Raiding operations in Lorraine and Alsace resulted in capture of prisoners, the French war office announced today. This may i’l* dicate that the allies are planning an attack on the southern part of the west front and are seeking informa-

I fECAT UR MAIL Y i DEMOCRAT

tion of German troops in that region. London, Oct. 21 — (Special to Daily Democrat) —More than 3,000 prisoners were taken by the British north of Le Cateau yesterday, Field Marshal Haig reported today. London, Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —King Albert of the Bel-' gians has arrived in Bruges, according to a dispatch from Sluis, Holland, | today. American and British colonial troops, with heavy artilley, hare been observed in that neighborhood, it was stated. London, Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Continued progress in the re-conquest of lost Balkan territory was reported by the Serbian war office, in its Sunday communique received here today. The towns of Zayetchai and Trstenik have be n n entered. Bolyevatz was captured. With the American Armies <n 1 France, Oct. 21 —(Special to Daily r|emioc(r<^t|) —i Amertcan troops are steadily closing in around Brieulles, but steady rains and consequent mud-dines-i of the terrain have delay jd the operations. Amsterdam. Oct. 21 —(Special to i Daily Democrat) —Denmark, it is rei ported.. has sent a note to Germany - demanding a plebiscite in Schleswig-

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, October 21, 1918.

I Holstein, to determine whether those provinces shall continue allegiance to Germany or return to Denmark. A popular vote on this question is provided for in the treaty of 1874, the note said, but the Germans have never carried it out. London. Oct. 21 —(Special to DailyDemocrat) —British troops are approaching Saint Amand, eight miles northwest of Kalenntennes, Field Marshal Haig reported today. Contact with the enemy is being maintained. The British also are nearing the line of the Scheldt north of Tournai. In their drive against Valenciennes from the southwest. English, Scottish and Welsh troops, fighting in a rainstorm. shattered desperate resistance by the Germans in villages along the railway line Tanks went forward with the infantry and crossed the Fooded Selle river. Working under heavy fire the British threw bridges across the flooded Selle rive, and the atilley cossed the ive close behind the nfanty.

London, Oct. 21 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —On the vital flanks of , the German front in Belgium and France the allied troops drove on to'day. In Belgium, the northern flank, progress was spectacular. On the ' southern flank, where the Americans land French are fighting in the Champagne, the enemy made desperate re- ' sistance but failed to halt the slow, methodical advance. The British also drove the last enemy rear guards from the town of Solesmes, north of Le Cateau. Haig's men advanced up the slopes beyond [the river and captured the heights I dominating the Harpies valley. The Germans fought with determination, Haig retorted The British are at Denain , five moles from Valenciennes. and have taken the village of Haveluy, just north of Denain. British trooua have reached the line of Haveluy. Wandignies-Harnage. Brilion, Beuvry. Two thousand prisoners were taken and some guns. London. Oct. 21 —(2:15 a. m.)—The (Germans haw been hurled back over . the Lys river at three places and the ! allies are driving close to Ghent and i Tournai, Field Marshal Haig reported today, in a special statement on the Flanders offensive. His report ' made it evident that the attempt of the Germansto .make a stand on the line of the Lys river has been overwhelmed and that the allies are al ready in touch with the next defense line along the Escaut river. Haig declared the enemy had been forced to withdraw on its whole front in Belgium. The allies have already 1 reached Aeltre. eleven miles west of I Ghent, the greatest road center in western Belgium, and have occupied several villages on a line running northward on the Dutch frontier. The French have established bridgeheads on the western side of the Lys between Grammene and Peteghem. eleven miles southwest of Ghent; and at a point near Cyghem. a few miles fuarther south.

Beyond Lille, the British have driven the Germans across the border from France into Belgium and have reached the outskirts of Pecq, six miles north of Tournai. (By Carl D. Groat. United Press staff corresixmdent.) Washington. Oct. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat)—With Turkey and Austria now a millstone around the German neck, military authorities here today are studying war needs, on the basis of prospective elimination of these nations. Such a break, in one way, would strengthen Germany. It would permit her to fight a stiff defensive warfare on shortened lines at her own doors and would require that the United States and the allies put forth a maximum effort Io bring the 1919 victory. With this in mind, the war department is laying its future plans. Collapse of Turkey, Austria military aid to Germany is deemed certain. Then, should Germany decide that I she will fight on into the coming year a struggle of immense and costly proportions would be undertaken. The United States is proceeding on the theory that just such a maxljmuni effort will be required. The general staff is taking into account i none of the peace maneuvers. It is ■'reckoning on Austrian and Turkish ■'collapse from a military rather than (Continued oh Page Two)

+ THE EXAMINATIONS. * ++++++++ + + + + + + + The medical examining board examined fifteen more this morning, ton of them qualifying for general military service, two for limited service, while two were rejected and one case continued. The board will examine men every day this week. Those qualifying this morning for general military service are: Henry O. Dierkes, Decatur; Harry C. Coffelt. Decatur; Frank Moeschberger, Decatur; Fred Teeple, Decatur; Edward R.Davidson. Berne; Frank J. Brudge, Berne; Albert Habegger, Berne; Harry M. Fisher, Decatur; Raymond J. Ralston, Decatur; Theo. V. Brunner. Bobo. Those qualifying for limited service are: Rudolph Linnemeier, Preble; Robert ,1. Smith, Lima. Ohio. Those rejected are: Osa H. Higgs, Decatur; Harvard L. Liniger, Decatur. The case of Carl E. Derickson, Geneva, was continued. o IN FULL SWING Are the Armies of General Von Boehm and Crown Prince Retreating on THE FLANDERS FRONT Massing at Metz, and Are Fighting Like Mad Men— Foch Has a Surprise. (By William Philip Simms, United Press staff correspondent.)

Paris, Oct. 21 —-(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Germans vast turning movement backward continues at full swing today. Six Hun armies under Prince Rupprecht. General vol. Boehm and the imperial crown prince, pivoting on Metz are falling back from Belgium and France. The enemy line is swinging like a great gate, the retreat becoming more rapid in proportion to the distance from the hinge. Thus, the Huns are fighting like madmen before Metz, whereas their resistance in Flanders is slight. King Albert may enter Brussels within a fortnight. The fourth and sixth German armies of von Arnim and von Quast are hard pressed. They face the alternatives of scrambling back across the Dutch frontier, surrendering to the Belgians or precipitately fleeing southeastward toward Liege. The enemy doubtless hoped to delay the pursuing allies; first on the line of the Lys and, secondly on the line of the Escaut, while the Meuse line was strengthened, but the demoralized bodies can scarcely be expected to show much fight now until they get behind the Meuse. In the meantime, Foch is threatening to wreck Hindenburg’s plans at

several points on the line. Cavalry is pushing on toward Ghent and Audedarde, threatening Germany's northern flank; British. Americans and French are menacing the enemy center, which the French and Americans in the Meuse region threaten the very hinge of the. whole movement. An endurance contest is therefore in progress b< tween the Germanic armies and the Germanic civilians. The armies are. racing or Liege, the Meuse, Metz, Strassburg and the Rhine, on which line they hope to make a stand before the civilians demand a show down from their rulers and force an unconditional surrender. It is the most forlorn of forlorn hopes, but it is tihe only chance that the kaiser has of saving even a dinky remnant of his throne and his crown. According to opinion here, his chances are precisely the same as those of the proverbial snowball in Sahara or the place of eternal punishment. CIVIL SERVICE EXAM For Clerk and City Mail Carrier it Decatur Postoffice. Saturday, November 9. is the date i of the civil service examination to be held at the Decatur postoffice, for applicants for the position of clerk and city mail carrier at Decatur. Particu- ' lars may be secured at the postotfice This examination is for men only.

SCHOOL WRECKED German Lutheran Brick School House, Schumm, 0., Was Blown Up at EARLY HOUR SUNDAY Auto Traced to This City and Back to Willshire, 0„ Again. ■ii .r rWi An automobile, believed to have boon driven by the perpet razors of the wrecking with nitro-glycerine of the German Lutheran at Schumm. 0., little town on the X'lover Leaf, about four or five miles northeast of Willshire. 0.. was traced to this city yesterday and out again to Willshire. 0.. by Van Wert. Coun’y Sheriff Henry Gunsett, with Sheriff 'Ed Green and his deputy, Roy Baker, of this city. The wrecking of the schoolhouse took place about two o’clock Sunday morning, when the inhabitants of the little town, aroused from their slumbers by the noise of the heavy explosion. investigated and found one side of the little brick school buildin;; t blown out. and the entire structure badly damaged by the force of the shock. The German Lutheran church on the same grounds, of which the Rev. George Myers is pastor, was tin[harmed. It is said that German had been taught in the school and was undoubtedly the cause of the feeling which prompted the deed.

It is said the automobile was traced because of a marked difference in the tires. Sheriff Gunsett arrived here early Sunday morning and enlisted the aid of the local officers. It is said the automobile was found ■to have come in from the east past the Ed Ahr farm and was traced down Second street this city, south on Mercer •venue, past the old fairgrounds and thence to Willshire. 0., where the trace was lost. The Van Wert Daily Times says in i>art: “A charge of high explosive was (Continued Pai" Two' JACOB POPE BEAD Austrian Beet Worker Succumbs After Attending the Funeral OF STEP-DAUGHTER Who Died of Influenza in Wisconsin —Lived on Strahm Farm.

Jacob Pope, thirty-seven, an Austrian sugar-beet field worker, employed on. and living on the Albert Strahm farm west of Peterson, died

Saturday evening at five o’clock. He had been a sufferer from tuberculosis for some time, but had become worse the past week since arriving here from Wisconsin where they were called by the illness and death of the daughter of his wife by her first hitsd>and, who was a brother of Mr. Pope. Her death resulted from Spanish influenza with which the country there is badly infested and it is probable that Mr. Pope, in his already weakened condition, was an easy victim. He is survived by the wife and seven children—Paul. Annie, Gesie, Jacob Margaret. Polly and another whose name could not be learned. He had lived in Wisconsin a number of years before coming here about six months ago. A funeral service was held this afternoon and burial tok place in the Decatur cemetery. o— — ROY ENOS WRITES C. C. Enos and daughters received their first letter from their son and brother, Roy, since be arrived in France. October 2. He writes inter'estingly of his trip and the country there.

I TOO MUCH HAIR TONIC Huntington. Ind., Oct. 19—clem "Red" Knoff substituted hair tonic | for whiskey last Thursday night and "as a result fated Mayor Charles Me Grew in the city court this morning Knoff has been arrested before for intoxication and this accounted r the $5 and costs attached to him by the court. —Ft. Wayne News and Sentinel. CREAMERIES TO MERGE A Bluffton dispatch to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette says: "E. I . Martin, of the Martin Creamery company, this city, stated today that a creamery located at Markle, owned by the same company, will he moved to Bluffton, and merged with the plant: here. The company also owns creameries at. Hunt inton and Decatur.” IS AT THE FRONT Glen Neptune Now Located Where There is Plenty of Real Excitement. BOCHES ARE GAME Come Down to Within Two Hundred Feet of Ground to Fire on Allies. Railhead Office. A. P. O. 795. I I September 21. 1918 Dear Dad: Your letler of July 19th. received a few days ago but really dad I ha ve I been so busy that I have hardly had time to do anything and believe ne that’s no joke for I surely am busy from morning till night. 1 just got a letter from Gregg but before 1 got time to write him I got a letter from Cy Vail telling me that he had been called to the colors, so 1 won’t write until 1 hear from him. Gee. 1 sure would like to run across him over here and if I do 1 surely will try and transfer to his outfit. Well, you know dad I have been so anxious to get up to the front where there is something going on and I sure am satisfied now for believe me it's exciting enough here, it’s a mommon occurrence to have four or five Boche airplanes buzzing over head and one can never get a full night’s sleep for the long range guns hammering away. For the past two weeks the Hoche have been shelling some towns behind us and every night one is almost thrown out of bed by the concussion of the shells hurst-' ing. I had the good fortune to be under an observation balloon when three Boche planes came over to put it out of commission and stayed right under tire thing all the time. Get*, it sure was some sport, you know when one gets so close to the front it’s ju“t like a hunter and he kind of gets the huntsman’s lust. The Boche are sure game for they come down within 200 feet of the ground and shoot their machine gun along the road, some times us fellows blaze away with our rifles, hut of course never hit one. still it’s all in the game and one feels a little better if he don't have to stand still all the time and duck. Dad 1 am writing this letter at the Railhead at night and we haven't any electricity so it is rather difficult to see the keys with only a candle for a light, so will close and please write me a long letter dad for 1 am always glad to hear from home. 1 just receiv.ed a. letter from Charlie Volewede i and that reminds me have you sent the arch suporters yet? Please do dad for I need them very bad. Will give my best to everybody. M Anker. Herb. Frank McConnell. Charlie Voglewede and all the other Fellows, and dad send all my mail to A. P. O. 712. Regulating Officer for the troops around me are continually moving and they change postoffice numbers every time they move so if you send it there I'll have it forwarded. Have you received any papers 1 sent? Well, give the kiddies a kiss and tell them brother sends bis love and tell Celeste to write. So long, GLEN NEPTUNE. |

Price, Two Centfc

TWO DECATUR BOYS SUCCUMB I Ralph Miller and .Jesse F. I I Christen, of United States Army DIED OF PNEUMONIA I-1 " ' Miller Was al Pittsburg, Pa. 11 nt ,i —Christen at Wilmington, Delaware. I i. ■ Almost simultaneously this morn- ■ ing at nine o’clock came telegrams of the deaih of two more Decatur soldier I boys, that of Ralph Miller, which occurred at Pittsburg, of Pneumonia, and Jesse F. Christen, at Wilmington, I Del., of the same ailment. Messages of their serious illness came yesterday. and relatives of both were speeding on their way to be with them when tlie death messages came, none in either case arriving in time, j Ralph Miller. The message relating to the death of Ralph Miller came first, stating , that he died yesterday afternoon at 3:30 at Pittsburg, of pneumonia Word came yesterday that he was seriously ill. and his wife, Lucy Mc-Crory-Miller, and his mother. Mrs. Martin Miller, of West Monroe street, left Fort Wayne last night to be with ( him. The only prior word that ho i was not in tlie best of health, came .in a letter last Friday from his I brother-in-law. Doyt McCrory, who had been with him since leaving here. I stating that Ralph was not feeling ' wed The seriousness of his condition is supposed to have been reached very suddenly. j He had been in service only since i last August 14. a very little over two months. He was one of the volunteers who went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take the mechanical training course, which he finished, and was then transferred. He had been at Pittsburg a week. He was twenty-four years of age last February 26, having been born in 1894. He was a sou of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Miller and was born in this county, but had been a resident of the city several years since the 1 family moved from their farm. He was engaged in business in Decatur at tlie time of going to the army, being proprietor of the Home pool and billard room on Madison street. He was very popular and well liked. He was married a few years ago to 1 Miss Lucy McCrory, who with his ' parents, three brothers and a sister, I constitute his immediate relatives. His brothers are: Ed. Elmer and George, of Hits city, and the sister, Lydia, wife of Walter Deitsch. of Celina, Ohio. At the time the telerani of Ralph Miller's serious Illness came yesterday his wife and her sister. Blanche McCrory, were in Indianapolis, with a sister. Martha, who is a student, nurse at tlie Methodist hospital, and who has been ill of influenzia. She is recovering however, and her condition is not serious. Mrs. Miller was notified there of her husband's illness ,-nd she and her sister arrived here last evening. 1< aving at midnight nit of Fort Wayne, with her mother-in-law, for Pittsburg. Jesse F. Christen. The death of Jesse F. Christen oc--1 curred this morning at the military • hospital at Wilmington. Del., from • pneumonia. Word had been received i last week that he was ill of Spanish . influenza. Word received from the > secretary of the Y. M. C. A., who wrote his letters for him during his , illness, was that he was improving No word was received for two or i three days until yesterday morning came the telegram that he was seri ously ill of pneumonia. His mother. Mrs. John Christen, of North Second ’ street, left yesterday afternoon for Toledo. Ohio, where she was joined by her daughter-in law. Mrs. Bert ' Christen, a trained nurse, who was to accompany her to Wilmington. They probably had gotten but a very short way ou tiieir Journey when his death occurred and effort is being I made to intercept (hem before thev reach their destination (Continued - Page Tliree)