Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 17, Number 16, Decatur, Adams County, 18 January 1919 — Page 1

Volume XVII. Number 16.

FIRST SESSION THIS AFTERNOON V orld Peace Conference Was Formally Opened in Paris at Three O’clock. A HISTORIC EVENT Twenty-six Nations Represented—Opening Address by President Poincare. (By William P. Simms, United Press staff correspondent) Paris, Jan. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat)—“You hold in your hands the future of the world,’ President Poincare of France declared today at Paris. Poincare recommended the establsh merit of a league of nations. Welcoming the commissioners, Poin care thanked the nation for choosing Paris for the conference. “Germany,” he said, “willed to rule by iron, and she perished by iron.” Reviewing the reason for each nations entry into the war, he dwelled especially upon the course pursued by the United States. • He hailed President Wilson, the: name cf Fiance and of all countries represented. He lauded the American people and praised the allied troops and the armies of the United States for finishing their task. The associated powers unity for work, he said, ought to continue to “ y ist in a unity for peace. A spirit cf justice, he declared, should guide the conferees in their deliberations. I Today's real peace conference business was: Submission of memorandum by all the powers on the responsibility of tho authors of the war. Memorandum on responsibility from crimes committed during the war. Legislation regarding international labor. The society of nations will be the first business of the next meeting. Paris. Jan. 18— (Special to Daily. Democrat.) — The peace conference convened for its first official session at 3:00 p. m. today. Delegates representing 26 nations met in the famous “clock hall,” of the Quai D’Orsay. President Poincare made the opening address. The peace delegates sat at a huge horseshoe shapc-d table; their secretaries at small tables nearby. This being the first session, it was open and the newspaper correspondents were permitted to be present. None of the■ tremendous issues of the peace set- ■ tlement were to be taken up. The sitting was to be devoted to the formalities attendant to the convening of the most important gathering at which President Wilson, leading the poace delegation of the United States, intended to put through his league of nations plan and other measures which he believes will end wars and make the world safe for civilization. Formation of a definite policy toward Russia, involving possible, recognition of the Russian soviet gov < rnment, indemnities to be collected from Germany, final disposition of the German fleet, future of tho German i lonies. regulation of national boundaries. the demand of Greece for Constant incrle, the disposition of the Holy Land. Ireland's demand for hojne rule under the principle of selt-deter-! mlriation, adjustment of national: boundaries along racial lines, freedom cf the seas, and reduction of armaments were among the important questions confronting the peace makers as they assembled. The delegates present represented nil the nations associated in the war cn Germany, and in addition Peru. Ecuador. I ruguay and Bolivia which severed diplomatic relations with Germany. The Central I’owerswere not represented. When the peace treaty has been drawn up. the delegates representing the German government and its former allies, will be asked in to sign. When the conference starts regular proceedings, the league of nations will be the first issue'taken up. This wil’ be done at the insistence of President Wilson. Premier Clemenceau is the one who is expected to bring it up for discussion. The delegates include the following United States-President Wilson.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Secretary Lansing, Henry White, General Bliss. Great Brltian — Premier Lloyd a George, Foreign Secretary Balfour, || J Chancellor Bonar Law, George N. ■ Barnes. i France —Premier Clemenceau, Minister Pichon. Marshal Foch, (as genof the allies.) Italy — Premier Orlando, Foreign Minister Sonnino, Genera! Diaz. Japan—Viscount Chinda. ambassajdor to Great Britain; Baron Matsui, i ambassador to France. r Belgium—Foreign Minister Hyman, I Emile Vandervelde, minister of jusj tice. - Greece—Premier Venizelos and For j eign Minister Politis. Serbia—Premier Pachitch. BOYS COME HOME 1 AT EARLY DATE ‘ General Pershin" Has Been t • Ordered to Inform Gen1 eral Foch at Once 'TO REDUCE FORCES To Smallest Number ReJ quired by International Obligations Over Sea. I < I “ 1 Washington, Jan. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —American troops ; will be brought heme from France I Just as fast as possible, General ’ ! Pershing has been ordered to so in- 1 i form General Foch. it The American forcer will be reduc- < ed to a point where only such forces t will bo left overseas as are required under American international obiiga- 1 | ticn. Chief of Staff March made these revelations today, declaring that the : heads of the various governments are 1 now working out details of what forces shall be left behind. March also announced that he has an official report from Europe indicating that the United States will get for transport use a portion of the German ships, negotiations for which are | under way now. The original tentative figures of 30 divisions to be left ] in France will be scaled down. The forces now in the army of occupation coupled with the allied armies of occupation, if fully capable of preventing any renewal of hostilities by Germany, March said. Washington, D. C., Jan. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Nearly one- i third of the men physically examined £ for the army failed to qualify for f service. Because of this startling record of poor physique, an effort is 1 1 I being made through the reserve offi- * ! cers’ training camps and 250 schools ‘ I and colleges to 'make and keep the ‘ I men physically fit for service at all : ■ times. 1 Washington, D. C., Jan. 18—(Spe- s cial to Daily Democrat)—Sentences of ‘ dismissal from the service and ten i years’ imprisonment in the case of I Lieut. George Schuyler, 368th infan- 1 try, for absence without leave from < Camp Meade, has been commuted by i President Wilson to dismissal and one 1 year imprisonment. | Ameronoen. Holland, Jan. 18 —(Spe- J cial to Daily Democrat) —Guards about Count Dentnick’s castle here \ ! reinforced today when it was reported that armed German bolsheviki , plotted to raid the place, seize the I former kaiser and kaiserin and carry | them off to Germany for a secret! h trial, and death like that of the czar’s., An airplane had been observed re I connoitering over the castle. This ; greatly upset Wilhelm llohenzollern ■ and his wife. They demanded fur-' ther protection from the Dutch. In I addition to the kidnaping plot. Wil , • helm fears a scheme to blow up the i , castle. (By R. J. Bender, United Press Staff (Correspondent) | Paris, Jan. 18 —(Special to Daily! r Democrat)—The first sitting of the i peace conference today found President Wilson partial victor in the fight I for recognition of his first principle - —open covenants openly arrived at. r The gag rule which was imposed 3 j to make the sessions secret had been 3 modified; and arrangements made ■for publicity under certain restricII tions. It may be stated that the prest ident will continue' to fight for fuller ' recognition of his principle. He g wants more publicity. ‘■l (Continued on Page Four) * j

■" 1 ■ - Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, January 18, 1919.

BUYS FARM HERE John H. Watson of Arcola, Illinois, Possesses John Hessler Farm. SOUTH OF THE CITY Consideration is $24,000 — Read Advertisement in the Daily Democrat. 4—■ ■ ■ — John H. Watson, of Arcola, Illinois, . today closed a deal whereby he became the owner of the John Hoc al or farm, two and a half miles south of this city and one of the best farms in this county. The consideration was I $24,006. The deal was made through the John A. Harvey real estate agency of Monroe, a few hours after Mr. Watson had read tho advertisement for the sale of the farm in The Daily Democrat. He came here to visit a rela-j i live, John Wolfe, of Blue Creek town- ■ ship and looking over the paper, noticed the announcement. The deal ro-1 suited. The farm consists of 120 acres of excellent land within a few minutes drive by auto from the court bouse. i The buildings are excellent and it is one of the best farms of the middle west Mr. Watson will move here j next fall but will not take possession l of the farm until March Ist, 1920, Mr. j Noah Egley, the present renter con-1 tinning on the farm until that time. This is the second farm Mr. Harvey: has sold within a month by visitors, to the county reading the D#ily Democrat and ho insists it pays to advertise in our columns. WETS ANrORYS Will Contest Validity of Making Country Dry the Year After July Ist. OPINION OF SENATORS Is That Contention Has But Little Merit—Question is of Much Interest. (United Press Service) Washington. D. C., Jan. 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Wets have 1 asked constitutional lawyers in congress to pass on the possibility of making the whole country wet duruig , the year that is to elapse before the , j < constitutional dry amendment becomes effective. The wets argue that j the constitutional amendment takes; precedence over all other laws on the j subject and nullifies them, including |' state laws. Therefore, they say all “dry” legislation is dead until amendment becomes effective. Senator Beckham. Kentucky, who has been counsel for distilling inter-, ests said today that he sees little ' merit in the contention, though it is being urged with considerable force. Senator Underwood, Alabama, a wet, said it has been ratified but, that so far no authoritative opinion has been given to it. Wets are considering a test. This j would be obtained by deliberate vio-j lation of a state dry law and referring the cause to the United States supreme court. TO NATIONALIZE BOXING (United Press Service) New York. Jan. 18—(Special to: Daily Democrat)—Former President Taft, Major General Lenoard Wood, [ an’d Provost Marshal General Crowder were reported today to be Interested in a project to nationalize boxing 1 under new laws which will provide state contests for championships and; later a national tournament to decide | national championships. Organizing of a board of control is,' among the changes suggested, this j board to establish weights and rules j Col. Roosevelt, it was stated, had j agreed to head the board. ~ iUOF C.°NOTICE. “* The regular meeting of the council will be held Monday at 6:00 p. m. There is important business, tliat . concerns the future welfare of our council to be acted on at this meeting. Al! members are urged to at- . tend. G. K.

■ DUNN AT CAMP SHERMAN n Mrs. (. R. Dunn this morning received a message from her husband, Copt. C. R. Dunn, informing her hat he had received orders to accompany his command from ( amp Dix, N. J„ to ■Camp Sherman. Chillicothe, Ohio, i where they will arrive Saturday. He asked Mrs. Dunn to join him at Camp ’ Sherman, stating that he would arrive there about noon Saturday. Mrs. Dunn will leave this evening for Camp - Sherman. Capt. Dunn will be in the service for some time longer, as the I commissioned officers are not di«- : charged at the same time as their i men. He has received a good offer ro ; remain in the army service, and may decide to remain. Since his transfer j Capt. Dunn has bqen in command of: . Kentucky and Tennessee soldiers. — , Bluffton News. IN BASKET BALL Local High School Lads Win by Big Score from Undefeated Monroeville THIRTY-EIGHT TO SIX ■ . i Four Games Last NightFund Continues to Grow Send in Your Share. The Monroeville basket ball team, undefeated this year, met their water--1 100 at the Decatur gym last night ' when the Decatur high school team defeated them by a score of 38 to 6. . outclassing them at every turn, while 1350 people cheered tho locals on to victory. Neither side scored during the first four minutes of play, then, “Tommie” got busy and rolled in four straight ones. It was exciting and showed that the locals are coming and will make a real showing in the district meet. Line up: Decatur Monroeville Beery F Lcnenberger Myers F Reynolds Thomas C Taylor Teeple-Archbold G Hodle-Youse Baltsoll-Tyndall G Alleges Summary: Field Goals —Myers. 2; 1 Beery, 5; Thomas, 11; Reynolds, 1; Youse, 1. Foul Goals —Decatur, 2; ; Monroeville, 2. Timekeeper, Peter-: son; Scorer, Fisher; Referee, Mitchell. The game between Fisher’s regulars and Macy’s irregulars was a fast,j clean game. The teams wiere evenly ’ i matched and the score was tit for tat. Fisher’s regulars nosing out in j the lead by two points. Score 10 t'> l 8. Line-up: Fisher's Regulars Macy’s Irregulars ' Archbold F Butler 1 Keller F Durkins i Archbold E. C Macy Liby G McConneheyi ] Fisher G Peterson , Summary: Field Gcals—Liby, 1; Archbold E.. 2; Archbold D 2; Macy ; 1; Durkins, 1; Butler, 1. Foul Goals, Macy, 2. Referee, Beery, Scorer < Ehinger. ' Kirkland Specials dressed in ovet. ( alls sprang a big surprise on the! ( Joseph’s A. B. C’s. by fast team work and accurate goal shooting. The A. ( B. C’s. had plenty of throws but the! ( ball would not enter the basket. The | ■A. B. C’s. want to meet them again , Line-up: j a B C’s Kirkland Specials jstalter E Arnold J. i ; Ehinger F Kessler ( | Gehrig C Arnold E. : Miller G Barger c Baker G Andrews I Summary: Field Goals —Staffer, 5; ] Ehinger, 1; J. Arnold 2; Kessler. 3; i E. Arnold. 3; Andrews, 1. Foul t Goals: Kirkland, 1.1 - 1 I Brown's eighth grade had no diffi- > culty to win from the Monroeville eighth grade. Brown's laddies did good team work and good goal shoot- j ing. Line-up: i Brown’s 8 Monroeville’s 8 j Engle F Long Robinson F. Reynolds Gay C Hoffman Peterson G Waterman I Staley G Waterman] I Summary: Field Goals: Engle, 3; Gay 3; T.ong r 1’ Reynolds. 2. Foul Goals—Decatur. 0; Monroeville. 2. Referee, Beery. Bluffton boys and girls will play here next Friday.

STATE CONTROL Will he Tested in North Da- > kota if Amendments Ossered to Constitution ) ARE GIVEN APPROVAL > State Will Operate Banks, Mills, Elevators, Mines and Other Lines. Presj* Service) Bismarck, N. D„ Jan. 18—(Special tc Daily Democrat) State ownership faced Its first great test in America here today. Seven amendments to the state constitution providing state owned banks flour mills, elevators, mines and other j industries awaited only Governor Frazier’s signature to become a law. Besides state ownership the amendments include initiative referendum, tax reforms and quick action on constitutional amendments. Rain insurance will also be provided. Non-partisan league leaders, who j promulgated the amendments, said i the plan is to institute only the state ownership program this year. The amendments are: 1. Initiative and referendum. 2. Limiting emergency measures and making them effective on signature by the governor. 3. Direct action on constitutional j amendments. 4. Fixing status of taxable proper-' ty by legislature. 5. Hail insurance by land tax. 6. Limiting state bonded indebted-; ness for industrial enterprises to $10,000,000. 7. State ownership. PIONEER IS M 11 ” I Mrs. Henry Peters, Native I of Preble Township, j: Succumbs to Infirmities. EARLY THIS MORNING 1 Was Seventy-six Years Old —Funeral Will be Monday Afternoon. 1 • In the death of Mrs. Fredeicka Pe- j ters, widow of Henry Peters, Preble; t township loses a life-long resident. ; Her death occurred this morning at five o’clock at the home of her daugh- 1 I < ter, Mrs. Otto Peck, a mile and a half north of Preble, following a de- . cline resulting from infirmities of her , seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Peters’ maiden name was Fredericka Hilgemann. she being a 1 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William 1 Hilgeniann. pioneer residents of I Prebie township. 1 Her husband, a prominent farmer 1 of his community, passed away about r ten years ago. A son and daughter j n are also dead, and there survive but , ( the two daughters—Mrs. Peck, nam- v cd before, and Miss Tillie Peters. S The funeral service will b,e Mon-; a day afternoon, leaving the house at j a one o’clock sun time for the Magley; r Reformed church, where the service j will be conducted. I f o ABOUT THE SICK j t O. P Mills, city mail carrier, who has been off duty so rseveral weeks | on account of heart trouble, went to : Fort Wayne today noon for his regu-l lar weekly examination by a specialist. He was accompanied by his sis-; ter, Miss Rosella Mills, who called on - her aunt, Mrs. Ira Baxter, a patient at I the hospital, where she underwent a complicated operation. Mrs. Ben Shilts has returned from ] Fort Wayne where she was with her •son, Frank Erwin, former Decatur photographer, now located in Fort Wayne. He has recovered from the : flu. Neither Mrs. Erwin nor his mother contracted the ailment. Otto Green who is very ill of the influenza, and deliriotis, is no better today. Mrs. Green and two children, are better. Thomas Luckey, former Decatur citizen, will preach at the Christian church Sunday.

NEPHEW IS DEAD Some time ago. Mrs. Norah Grunden, of Ohio City, sister cf Mrs. Douglas Elzey, of near Prebie, received noiice that her son, Bob. aged twenty, had been gassed October 1 in ai t ion in France. No further news was rejcei.’.'d until last week when she w :s notified that his death occurred October 8. In his last letter he expressed how happy he would be when he could return and he and his mother go to housekeeping again. He was her only support. Another nephew, son of her brother, was gassed about the same time, but qo news has been received from him since the letter he wrote at that titre, when he said he was able to be up again in the hospital.

o - SEND A PETITION Adams County Citizens Declare Opposition to Highway Commission Law. THREE MILE LAW Satisfactory and Petitioners Ask it be Not Repealed or Amended. I That a large number of the farmers and citizens of Adams county are opposed to the highway commission law and know why is evidence from the fact that more than two hundred i signers to the following petition were obtained almost voluntarily: Decatur, Ind., Jan. 18. 1919 To Horn Joseph \V. Walker. Rep. of Adams Co., Indiana, Hon. John W. Decker, Joint Senator of Adams, Weils and Blackford Counties: We, the undersigned president ami secretary of “The Farmer’s Organization” of Adams county, Indiana, which I consists of over two hundred members all of whom are fajmers, re»,i-, dents, voters and tax payers of Adams county, Indiana, at the request of the full membership of this organiza-j ticn and for and on behalf of said organization hereby represent to you and to the legislature of the state cf Indiana that we are opposed to any law creating a State Highway Commission and we demand that tile law creating the present Stale Highway Commission as passed by the legislature of the State cf Indiana in the year 1915 be repealed. We are further opposed to any amendment of the present State Highway Commission Law and demand its repeal in entire-, ty. We are in favor of retaining the ‘Three Mile Gravel Road Law’’ under' the provisions of which over 550 miles ' of good, Free Macadam Roads have ' been constructed and kept in repair at a reasonable cost and expense, and ■ without the paying out of large salaries tc needless and useless officials. ( We therefore ask you on behalf of ( this organization as our Representa-j tive and Senator representing us in Hie. Senate and in the House to 00-;: pose to the end the enactment of any i: law creating a State Highway Commission or any law attempting to am mend tho present State Highway: Commission Law and request you to, vote for the repeal of the present; State Highway Commission Law. against any bill creating such law or amending the present one and further ■ request you defend the present “Three; Mile Free Gravel Road Law” in its, entirety to the end that such “Three Mile Gravel Road Law” may be re-: tained as it now is. Respectfully submitted. GUS CONRAD. President JOHN G. HOFFMAN, See. UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES Ez I wuz sayin,’ th’ rumor had arj rived at the growth uv two Sewin’ I Circle meetin’s and seven pool room seances and th’ louse Mis’ Hawkins i had found on her son’s head had ' grown it’ a ragin’ lion which she was j credited with havin' killed with a hat i pin an’ knittin’ needle. g_ HAVE FIVE EXTRA NOW. (United Press Service' Washington, D. C., Jan. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Forty-one ‘ states have now ratified the national prohibition amendment. Drys expect further favorable action. NIECE IS DEAD Mrs. Kate Burdg left this afternoon for Jackson, Mich, to auend the funeral of her niece, Mrs. Henry Rolf, who is known here to many.

Price, Two Cents

CAMPAIGN FOR SAVING LIVES \V ork W ill be Presented at Union Meeting al Methodist Church ON SUNDAY EVENING Catholics, Protestants and Jews of East Starving by

I Millions. The churches of the- city will unite in a union service Sunday evening at '.seven o’clock at the Methodist church when the county’s part in ving the lives cf 3,950.000 Christians and Jews i .x.cugh the winter, through their return to a new life free trom religions and political persecution will be pifesented. in a coming drive for the Armenian and Syrian relief. Adams county will be asked to raise $4,000 as her share cf the fund necessary io help these sufferers who are facing starvation. This means that the sum raised by Adams county will save the lives of 140 persons there during the next, six months. The following program will l o given Sunday evening, and a cordial invitation is extended to al! to be present: Voluntary—Miss Celia Andrews. Hymn. “The Sen of God Gees Forth to War’’ —Congregation. Prayer—Rev. L. W. Stolte. Anthem —Choir. Scripture Lesson —Rev. C. J. Miner. Orchestra. Hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign.” Address—Captain C. K. Morse, cf the Canadian Army. Prayer Rev. P. B. Leach. Offertory—Miss Celia Andrews. Benediction. PosUude— Miss Andrews. The offering will be for the expenses of the campaign. The need for promt * help in >:■. n>; these lives in Asia Miner, the au- ' casus, Armenia. Petsla, and Nor; orn Egypt, will be fully realized when tho following report is read: “There are 3.950.090 souls. 400,000 of when: are orphans, all in desperate need. Seventeen cents per person per i day is the estimated expense of giving them food. “Catholics, Protestants and Jews alike have been the victims of Turkish ■ oppression and of Turkish government orders to exterminate or drive ■ I’rom their homes and industries every other people in the Near East. Cath- ! olios, Protestants, and Jews alike are receiving every help within our power. “The commission’s work is one. net only of relief but repatriation and reconstruction.” “Our iuidget includes seeds for next year's crops, farm implements, cattle aud sheep. These people are freed from their oppressors but shorn of homes and property. Our part is to •set them cn their own feet. “Cables from every worker In the Near East tell a story such as this: “‘Refugees from all countries and many deported Armenians drifting i back. Their homes in ruins, lands 'aid waste, cattle and implements gone. Need help to re-establish. Need much help for they hive losi everything. Heroic men and women who have strained every energy io save lives now have tiu;k cf picking cut thoso who shall perish. Can you not cable that promised monthly appropriation is certain till end Jun '. 1919. Such action would double value ' of gift.” (Signed) STOVALL, ' U. S. Minister at Berne, Switzerland. : J, * * THE GYM FUND. I * * + Previously reported $583.38 •fr C. J Lutz 10.00 ♦ ■r Avon Burk 5.00 + Jim A. Hendricks 1.00 4* 4- Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Knapp 5.00 4- <• Pythian Sisters 5.00 4* I * 4. 4. Tot?! A It's coming, boys We are sure 4* tile uOiuiiiuiiiiy lis gOitlg 4« en to the great necessity of fix- 4* i 4- ing up the gym properly and that 4« - 4> the fund will grow rapidly from 4« •b now on +