Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 115, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1918 — Page 3

AMERICAN AMBULANCES READY FOR WORK

American ambulances In France in front of an infirmary ready to leave for the front.

ITALIAN FIRMS AIDED GERMANY

Silk, Cotton and Rubber Shipped to Enemy Through Switzerland. LLOYD GEORGE IS BLAMED Contraband Trade Declared to Have Been Fostered by British TariffWarnings Go Unheeded by Italian Government. Rome. —The scandal resulting from the exposure of the part played by the Milanese Silk company in supplying great quantities of silk waste to Germany is spreading. The government is now in possession of indisputable evidence that not only silk waste but large quantities of cotton and rubber have found their way into Germany from Italy since the war, forming a material aid to the enemy in the manufacture of war materials. Signor Glretti, the radical deputy, has published an article, in which he points out that no‘ only Italy but all the allies have been remiss in controlling exports to neutral countries. He urged the Italltyi government in July, 1915, to prevent the export of silk to Germany, but it was not prohibited until August, 1916, while the prohibition of silk exports to Switzerland did not come into operation until October, 1916. , As to the contraband trade in silk, Signor Glretti blames Lloyd George for having, through lack of actual information on the question,' imposed restrictions on the Import of Italian silk into England, thus providing the Italian •Germanophiles with a splendid antlBrltlsh argument. It is now certain that besides silk ’waste enormous consignments of cotton have been supplied to Germany •from Italy, where trading with the enemy was organized on such a vast .scale that it is -Inconceivable how so much time passed before it was delected and repressed. Controlled by Germans. Judging from the number of silk and cotton merchants arrested In north Italy it is evident that both the silk and cotton industries were practically under German control and that the [greater part of the output of the principal firms was sent to Germany and 'utilized in war Industries there. Before the war about three hundred itons Of silk waste were exported from •Italy to Switzerland every year. In 1915 Italian silk exports to Switzerland increased to about nine hundred

GIRL SCOUT DECORATED

Ruth Colman, a slxteen-year-old Washington high school girl, has been decorated by Mrs. Wilson with a gold>en eaglet, the highest honor awarded by the girl scont organization. Miss Colman is the third girl to receive this honor, the aquirement of 22 proficiency badges being necessary tb earn the .coveted golden eaglet.

tons and in the following year to 5,200 tons. Although the Italian silk was exported to a neutral country, still its ultimate destination was Germany, where it was needed in the manufacture of charges for artillery, airplane wings and airship envelopes. The trade continued until a few weeks ago. During the first 12 days of February 142 tons of ra\v silk, cotton and flax were sent to Germany via Switzerland. It has been said that the silk waste spinning companies were enabled to trade with .the enemy because nobody suspected that silk waste could be utilized by the Germans in war industries,,and in fact silk waste was exported to Germany not only from Italy but from France as well. Warnings Unheeded. Strangely enough there were intelligent people who warned the government and strived to open the eyes of the under secretary of state of the. ministry of finance, Signor Baslini, who presided over the special committee that authorized exportations, that silk waste -was being used in Germany sos war industries. Signor Piccaluga, who warned Signor Baslini In April, 1916, was told that “It would be useless to forbid the exportation of silk waste- as in any case if the Germans

FRENCH praise VALOR OF YANKS

Victory of Pershing Men at Secheprey May Become Historic. MANY DEEDS OF HEROISM Actions of Soldiers In Fight Fully In Accord With the Finest American Traditions—One Kills Fifteen Huns. > With the American Army 1A France. —The shell-torn village of fieicheprey appears to be destined to hold a proud place in the story of American participation In the world war. As further* details of the engagement there become known there are disclosed deeds which are fully in accord with the finest American traditions. The correspondent is now permitted to tell of a few cases of individual heroism, which will convey an idea as to the mettle of the men. One of them, David Griggs of East Hampton, Conn., passed through the enemy barrage at least seven times to carry ammunition to his hard-pressed comrades. Twice he was partly buried by earth upturned by shells falling ail around him, but he kept at his task. Griggs, who is nineteen years old, is so modest that he would not tell his story, but insisted on speaking of the bravery of others. Finally one of his comrades pointed him out and said: “That is the bravesft man in the regiment.” Twice Blown Off Road. ' Raymond A. Ferris of Bedford, Mass., acting as a courier, was blown off the road twice by the concussion of shells. Although stunned and nearly crazed by the Intensity of the gunfire, when he reached the point ip the rear of the lines to which he was sent for ammunition, he carried out his orders. Then he asked for a revolver, saying he wanted to go out and fight the Germans, but he fainted from exhaustion. When he regained consciousness his fiyst words were inquiry whether his message had been delivered. Charles Sinkler, a Philadelphia lawyer. who is now with, the Red Cross, and yvas In the thick of the fighting, told the correspondent of two Americans who, armed only with automatic pistols, charged an enemy machine gun, killed eight Germans and captured the gun. It is also related that one American sharpshooter killed 15 Germans/ In a village a short distance behind the front tine Gladys and Irene McIntyre, sisters, of Mount Vernon, N. V,

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER. IN~).

were deprived of it they would discover something else to replace it-** - Signor Baslini in an Interview later disclaimed all responsibility, but admitted that he was related by marriage to the chairman of the board of directors of the Silk Waste Spinning company, which traded most extensively with Germany. Signor Bonacassa, a member of parliament, was a prominent shareholder and member of the board of directors of the Silk Waste Spinning company. The Silk Waste Spinning company was one of the most flourishing concerns in Italy-and practically monopolized the silk waste industry. . There is every reason to helievqfthat contraband with Germany could not have been so well organized if it had not been a labor of love or at least of gratitude for previous financial assistance* given by Germany. Nearly every German industrial concern in Italy had an Italian name and often an Italian partner. When war broke out ItaloGerman industrial concerns were transformed into apparently essentially Italian firms.

BROTHERS OVER THERE, GIRL TWINS WANT TO GO

New York.—Lucille and Genevieve Baker, nineteen-year-old twins, of Brooklyn, are not satisfied with having two brothers “over there.” They presented themselves at the barge office with the request that they be enlisted in the coast guard. Lieut. L. C. Farwell explained that they were not using women to guard piers and warehouses just yet. But the twins re’fused to consider themselves formally rejected until similar assurances had been given by Captain Carden, commanding officer. They left the office disappointed, but hopeful of going to France as government telephone operators or stenographers.

Students Quit German.

* Martinsburg, W. Va.—Clean-cut Americanism is preferable to a high school diploma for the seniors and juniors of the Hedgesville high school. They flatly refuse to continue the study of German, despite the threats of the school authorities.

Hogs Bring Big Price.

Charleston, Miss—Forty-four head of pure-bred Duroc-Jersey hogs were recently sold here for $18,415, an average of $419 per head.

Salvation Army representatives, during the height of the'engagement handed out coffee, chocolate, doughnuts, and much good cheer to the soldiers. They went on with their work while the shells were falling all around them and would not leave until at last they were ordered to do so. Now they are called “daughters of the regiment.” At another point near the front a middle-aged, motherly woman, also of the Salvation Army, is braving the German shells to dispense comforts to the men. “I had to come to France,” she said, “to find out what wonderful boys we raise in America.” Unstinted praise for the valor and steadfastness of the American troops during the German attack at Seicheprey Is given by the French troops on the same front. This admiration for the fighting qualities of his transatlantic comrades is demonstrated in a report sent to the general commanding by the colonel of a French infantry regiment which took part in the Seicheprey engagement. “I visited Renneres wood after the counter-attack in which the position was recaptured and examined the situation in detail,” says the report. “Everywhere traces of hand-to-hand fighting show that the American soldiers, despite two hours of heavy bombardment by large caliber guns, defended themselves valiantly. “In the vicinity between the front trenches and the communication trench connecting the Judy and Renneres woods, two American machine gunners died fighting on their weapons after Covering the grouml around with German dead. The enemy suffered great losses, thanks to this heroic resistance. “Everywhere there are signs of German wounded having been -carried off, while many German bodies remain because the retiring enemy was unable to remove them. Numbers of the dead belong to German storming detachments.” Numerous hand-to-hand combats were fought in the course of this long struggle, from which the Americans found themselves obliged to retire toward nightfall, but only after destroying their machine guns. In Seicheprey a squad of Americans found several cases of grenades, with which they succeeded in putting up a terrific fight and holding out the entire day on the northern extremity of the village. They refused to surrender when summoned to do so. At the end of the fighting only nine of the original twenty-three were left. An American'lieutenant with only six men patrolled 600 yards of the front during the entire day and maintained communication with the battalions on his right and left.

OWNER COMISKEY PREDICTS WHITE SOX PENNANT VICTORY AGAIN THIS SEASON

“I can see no reason why the White Sox will not repeat this season the victory they put over In 1917.” Such was the enthusiastic declaration. of Charles A. Comiskey, owner of the world champion Chicago White Sox and one of the biggest men in the national pastime In point of prestige. “Our club remains Intact,” he added. “Except for the loss of Joe Jenkins and Jim Scott, who have joined the colors, we will have the same club that won for us the championship of the world last autumn. We have a veteran ball club, most of our men being married. Therefore we have lost few in the draft. And, also, we have no holdouts.”

NATIONAL LEAGUERS NOW F . FIGHT FOR UNCLE SAM.

t New York—Kelly, Baird, Jones. P Philadelphia—Tlncup. L Cincinnati —Rath. f St. Louis —Currie, Goodwin, L Miller, Knight, Hitt. r Chicago—Marriott, Mann, AlL exander. r Boston —Gowdy, Maranville, l Rico, Schreiber. r Brooklyn Cadore, Pfeffer, t Smith, Malone, Miljus, Kelleher, r Fitzsimmons, Hickman. k Pittsburgh—Warner, Wilier, f Carlson, Flynn.

YANKEE SOLDIERS IN FRANCE

Americans Organize Baseball League in Paris and Are Ready to Arrange Schedule. The American Soldiers’ Baseball league, which has been organized in Paris, is ready to arrange a schedule for the season’s games. The league comprises clubs made up of men of all the different categories of the service in the city —the aviation service, the engineers, the military police, the Soldiers and Sailors’ club, the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., and the quartermaster’s department. Practice games already played have shown plenty of good material available for the teams, whose workouts in the Tuileries gardens, in Montmartre, and other quarters of the city have aroused great curiosity on* the part of Parisians.

SISLER AFTER LEADING HONORS THIS SEASON

George Sisler, the first baseman of the St Louis Browns, will make Ty Cobb look to his laurels the coming season. Sisler ran second to Cobb In batting last year, hitting over the .350 mark. .This season he should go even better, Sisler is the best z all-around player on the diamondL The New York Yankees made a mighty effort to land this wonderful player, offering a record-breaking sum, but the offer was spurned.

Hummel Playing on Coast

John Hummel, for many years with the Brooklyn club, and last season first baseman for the Buffalo InternationMs, is now playing an outfield position for the San Francisco club.

BROOKLYN LEADER IS WINNER

Won National League Pennant In 1916—Was Member of Wonderful Oriole Team. Wilbur Robinson, the Falstafflan leader of the Brooklyn Nationals, has

Wilbur Rubinson.

In his playing days he caught for the wonderful Baltimore Oriole team, having for his teammates, J. J. McGraw, Hugh Jennings, Joe Kelly, Kid Gleason and other celebrated baseball stare. Robinson’s Brooklyn Dodgers finished seventh last year. He had a dissatisfied bunch of players, who rebelled over salary reductions. Brooklyn ought to go better this season.

DIAMOND NOTES

Bill Killifer has been made field captain of the Cubs. • • • The Brooklyn park department provides 25 diamonds for youngsters’ use. « * ♦ Hal Chase is playing first base for the Reds in brilliant style. He seems as young as ever. * * • Baker and Bodie ought to bat in the .300 class this year, with Pratt and Pipp not far behind them. * * * Merlin Kopp’s fine fielding and base running is earning him a Job on the Athletics in place of Ping Bodie. * * • The Philadelphia Nationals announce the release of Infielder Oscar Dugey to the St. Paul American association club. * * • President Baum of the Coast league announced Perle Casey, Ralph Frary and Ed Finney as his three umpires to start the season. Dave Hickman, the youthful outfielder who made good in the Fed. league, is burning up the pasture for the Dodgers this spring. Clark Griffith, having made an outfielder out of Sam Rice, now promises to do the same with Ad Lynch, one of his young pitching recruits. ♦ • Ed Corey, the White Sox pitcher who broke a leg in a practice game at Dallas last w-eek, was a young Chicago semipro who had great possibilities. ♦ • * Baseball games in Milwaukee will start at 3:30 p. m. this season instead of four o’clock, the time advocated by some of the club owners of the American association. • • • Jake Munch, who had a chance to break into the big show with Connie Mack, but could not see Connie’s terms, will return to Atlanta and continue to first base for Charley Frank’s team.

to his credit as a manager one pennant. He won the National flag in 1916 and was beaten by the Boston Red Sox in a wo r 1 d’s championship series. Robinson is a veteran catcher and acted as chief coach of J. J. McGraw’s pitching staff before, signing with Brooklyn as manager.

TRADE MANY PLAYERS

Twenty-Five in American League ’ Play for New Bosses. List of Player* Exchanged Doe* Not Include Those Who Have Been Called to Colors Since End of Last Season. A number of players In both of the major league organizations will wear different uniforms this season than the ones they performed in during the 1917 campaign. Twenty-five player* In the American league will draw their salaries from new owners this season and twenty-one in the National league. Following is the list of athletes who have been traded or sold among the major league clubs since last season. It does not Include those players who have been traded and called to the colors: American League. New York — Joe Gededn to St. Louts, Fritz Malsel to St. Louis, Nick Cullop to St Louis, Urban Shocker to St Louis, Tim Hendrix to St. Louis, Leslie Nunemaker to St Louis. Boston —Forrest Cady to Philadelphia, Chester Thomas to Philadelphia, Yean Gregg to Philadelphia, Larry Gardner to Philadelphia, Joe Kopp to Philadelphia, Pennock to Philadelphia, George Foster to Cincinnati. Washington Bert Gallia to St Louis. Philadelphia—Stuffy Mclnnis to Boston, Joe Bush to Boston, Wally Schang to Boston; Ping Bodie to New York. St Louis —Del Pratt to New York, Doctor Lavan to Washington, Bert Shotton to Washington, Lee Magee to Clnciiinati, Bob Groom of Cleveland. Detroit —George Burns to Philadelphia, via New York club. National League. New York —Charles Herzog to, Boston, Jimmy Smith to Boston. Brooklyn—Casey Stengel to Pitts-' burgh, George Cutshaw to Pittsburgh. Boston—George Tyler to Chicago, Jesse Barnes to New York. Philadelphia— Grover Alexander to Chicago, Bill Klllifer to Chicago, Dode Paskert to Chicago, Berf Neihoff to St Louis. ‘ - L ; St Louis—Dan Griner to Brooklyn. Pittsburgh Albert Mamaux to Brooklyn, Burleigh Grimes to Brooklyn. Cincinnati—-William McKechnie to Pittsburgh, Dafe Shean to Boston Americans. Chicago—Larry Doyle to New York, via Boston, Olaf Wilson to Boston, Cy Williams to Philadelphia, Mike Prendergast to Philadelphia, “Pickles” Dlllifer to Philadelphia.

JACK COOMBS SAYS THIS WILL BE HIS LAST YEAR

Jt/ck Coombs, veteran pitcher of the Dodgers and a former star of the old Athletics, has told friends that this year will be his last season in baseball. He did not say what his future plans are, but he Is known to have interests in Palestine, Tex., which probably demand his attention.

FEW PLAYERS FOREIGN BORN

All but Dozen of 400 Basebklf Pastimers in 1917 Were Native* of the United State*. , Among the 400 ball players fiTblg league camps last year there were only a dozen or so who were not born in this country, demonstrating baseball is absolutely an American game. The only big leaguers born on foreign soil are Catchers Jimmy Archer, born in Dublin; Catcher George Gibson, a native of London, Ontario: Catcher Miguel Gonzales of the Cardl nals. who hails from Havana; Pitcher George Chalmers, born in Aberdeen, Scotland; Third Baseman Jimmy Austin of the Browns, born in Swansea. Wales; First Baseman Moll wi tz of the Cubs, who first saw the light In Kolberg, Germany; Outfielder Marsans of the Yankees, another native of Cuba; Bob Bescher and Jack Graney, Canadians, and Jim Walsh of the Red Sox, who was born in Connaught, Ireland.

Moran Picks the Giant.

Pat Moran, manager of the Phillies, picks the Giants to win the National league pennant again. He praises Alexander and Killifer, but he / says they will hardly strengthen the Cubs enough to enable the Chicago team to win the title. . . - - - -■/-