Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 80, 13 February 1918 — Page 1

E RICHMOND!' PALLABIUM

JL. IL. VOL.XLIII., NO. 80-,r,An,isSr-T"1"r,a KlCHMOND, IND., WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEB. 13, 1918 SINGIE COPY. 2 CENTS

UNNECESSARY TO TAKE OVER RAIL SYSTEM SAYS KELLOGG Minnesota Senator Says Carriers Would Have Obtained Good Results if Government Had Co-operated.

STONE ASKS INCREASE WASHINGTON. Feb. 13. The opinion that President Wilson's action in taking ever the railroads was unneces sary because good results would have been obtained by the carriers with proper government co-operation was expressed in the senate today by Senator Kellogg, a member of the senate interstate commerce committee. He declared that had the railroad heads been given full measure of assistance, the government would have escaped the necessity of guaianteeing the carriers an income for the use of the properties taken over. Senator Kellogg spoke in support of the committee's amended draft of the administration railroad bill which he said. "Reflects tta best judgment of the administration and the committee." Although he did not agree with the president and his advisers on the railroad question, the Minnesota senator said he Intended doing everything pos sible "to strengthen and facilitate government operation and insure justice to the people, the railroad and the vast army of security holders." The executive committee of railroad heads, he senator said, greatly co-ordinated the transportation facilities and enormously increased traffic, but were hampered by certain laws and restrictions which should have been abolished. "The railroads should have been supported by government authority," he continued, "to operate as a unit. Bearing in mind that the congestion was simply In the eastern and northeastern territory, I am constrained to believe that as great service could have been obtained through the government's co-operation as by taking over the roads." Approves Compensation. Senator Kellog approved of the compensation provided in the bill and said: "A guarantee by the government of a permanent income on as- investment would be reasonable at. a very much lower rate, but the guarantee in this tat. Is only for the period of the war and a short time thereafter and therefore it should, as near as possible, represent the earning capacity of the roads over a 'reasonable term of years.' " The plan submitted originally by the administration giving the president absolute power to fix rates was denounced by Senator Kellogg. "It is appalling." he declared "to .say that, because we are at war. the country's entire rate-making structure and the absolute power to change a rate, affecting the billions of dollars of railroad property and hundreds of millions of dollars of commerce shall be placed in the hands of one man, without, the right of appeal " Senator Kellogg said he believed provision in the bill terminating government control within eighteen months after the war should be retained. "1 have no doubt that under the war power," he added, "congress may keep the railroads for a reasonable time after the war and pay rent therefore, is obtaining property under false pretenses so far as the American people Continued On Page Seven. THE WEATHER For Indiana by United States Weather Bureau Generally fair tonight and Thursday, except rain Thursday in southwest portion. Today' Temperature. Noon 41 Yesterday. Maximum R2 Minimum 34 I For Wayne County by W. E. Moore j Increasing cloudiness tonight, or; Thursday. Probably rain Thursday 8fternoon or night. General Conditions The storm of i Tuesday moved 700 miles in 24 hours and now covers the eastern states. Another one is taking its place over the west and will probably cause raiv during the next 36 hours. It will i 1-robaM v not reach here before Thursday. Temperatures above zero prevail throughout the United States. '

Wilson Uses Peace Drive as War Move; Hopes

By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING In The Chicago Tribune WASHINGTON. Feb. 13 President i Wilson's rejoinder to the statesmen of j the central powers yesterday started an avalanche of speculation today upon lb possibilities of an early peace in burope. It w.is learned that the president's move was not the result of any secret information of the readiness of the enemy to enter into peace negotiations. The president delivered his reply to Chancellor von Hertling and Count Czernin after sounding the allies upon their views of the propriety and advisability of the move. By some of the allies he was advised to refrain from making a reply at this time. Some of his-official advisers also were. opposed to the step as likely toj

War Widow Aids in Reconstruction

Mrs. Henry Beech Needham Henry Beech Needham, writer, was killed two years ago in an airplane accident in France. Since then his widow lias been working with other American women to rehabilitate homes in France. She is- in this country at present with motion pictures showing the work of the reconstruction. MUST FIGHT TO END SAYS PRESS PARIS, Feb. 13 In the opinion of the press the situation has been cleared by President Wilson's remarks in his address to Congress concerning the German military autocracy atken in conjunction with the recent statement of Emperor William that Germany's enemies must recognize her as victorious. The mperor.'R utterances are accepted as expressing the real sentiment of the dominant class In Germany and the conclusion is drawn that there must be implacable warfare until German militarism is finally defeated. "President Wilson's thesis implies war to the hilt and to an end and that is still far from view," says the Figaro. "The war will be ended either according to the views of Emperor William by unanimous submission to Germany or by the wrecking of German militarism. Li'Homme Libre says: "Emperor William admits the possibility of peace only after complete victory of the Germans. President Wilson admits this possibility only after the defeat of the German army." Twelve Richmond Quakers in Combative Service Thirteen boys from East Main Street Friends church are now in military service. A service flag bearing thirteen stars, has been raised at the Sunday school services Sunday mornintr. Of the thirteen members, only one. Erend Volaskamp. is in the Friend's Reconstruction Unit, now in France. The remaining twelve arc all in combative service. Two of the mer. were selected while the remaining eleven volunteered. Several of the boys are now in France. The list of Quaker patriots includes Preston Foster, Alvin Parshall, Evert Lawson. Ralph Markley, George Snrier, Guy Mc.Math, James Johns, Herbert Dalbv. Elmer Williams. Chase Stevenson, William Stevenson, Evans -Kenworthy, and Erend Volaskamp. "Confidence Girl" Gets Heavy Prison Sentence Ethel Bane. 21 years old. Economy "confidence girl," to whose game several of the leading Richmond merchants recently "fell." was sentenced to four months imprisonment in the correctional department of the women's state prison at Indianapolis, and fined $10 in circuit court, Wednesday. strengthen the enemy impression that America is "too proud to fight." Wages Peace and War Mr. Wilson, however, went ahead He nude it known that he intended to wace peace as well as war. He took the second step in a great peace drive which h(- inaugurated in his address to constess on Jan. 8. Whi!.? sending American armies to battle lie intends to keep the discussion of peace terms going in the hope that the belligerents sooner or later will find themselves close enough together on peace terms to make further bloodshed unthinkable. The i resirlent will be greatly disappointed if the Teutonic statesmen do not seize an early opportunity to reply to his address. He gave them assurances that he is ready to make concessions in regard to the fourteen condi

Fined for Striking His Sister in Quarrel Over Their Father's Estate James E. Fuson was fined $5 and costs in police court Wednesday for assault and battery on his sister, Mrs. Minnie Wiggans. Fuson strucl: his sister in a quarrel over the settlement of their father's estate. Their father, John Edward Fuson, was buried several days ago. Fuson pleaded guilty when arraigned before Mayor Zimmerman and said that he "simply lost his temper." His mother, Mrs. Annie M. Fuson, was in the court roc in. . Mayor Zimmerman said that he would have sent him to jail if it hadn't been for the recent death of his father.

164 OF TUSCANIA DEAD BURIED ON SCOTTISH COAST National Airs Are Sung at j Graveside of Amen can Soldiers. SCOTCH SEAPORT, Tuesday, Feb. 12. By The Associated Press. Up to Tuesday night, a week after the disaster, 171 victims of the ill-fated Tuscania had been laid to rest at different points on the Scottish coast. These were divided as follows: Americans, 131 identified and 33 unidentified; crew, 4 identified and 3 unidentified. The Associated Press correspondent co-operated with the American army officers in obtaining these figures, which go forward to Washington as the most accurate and complete list obtainable. The last seventeen of these bodies recovered all Americans were buried this afternoon, villagers again coming many miles in a downpour of rain to pay their simple tribute to the American dead. The bodies were brought to the burial place on one big motor truck which was followed along the route several miles long by the squad of twenty-five khaki-clad American survivors and the village mourners. One of the villagers carried the Union Jack, while an. American soldier held aloft the Stars and Stripes. Sing National Anthem. At the graveside, the American soldiers sang the "Star Spangled Banner," followed by the natives singing "God Save the King." The usual military salute was then fired, ending the ceremony. Temporary fences have been built around the graves to be replaced by a permanent enclosure as soon as the materials can be brought to ' these desolate shores. A British colonel, who has worked day and night since the disaster helping the Americans bury their dead, announced today that the people of the nearby countryside had started a public subscription to erect a permanent monument to the Americans. There are eight Americans still here, too ill to leave, several of them still dazed by their experiences. They are quartered In nearby farmhouses and village hotels. These men are F. I. Benefiel, E. L. Lystrom. Wilbur C. Nutt. Boyd E. Hancock. E. E. Harpham. Henry Schurting, James J. Colwell and F. A. Cocher. One American officer and fourteen men are still in a hospital at Glasgow. PERSHING REPORTS TWO CASUALTIES WASHINGTON". Feb. 13. Three deaths from pneumonia, two from rail- j road accidents and one from gunshot wound were reported today by Gen- j eral Pershing. In a a railroad accident Private Bert Howard of Clare, i Mich., was killed. Sergeant Kent S. ! Ritchie died of gunshot wound. His ! home was 2001 North Pennsylvania street, Indianapolis. Thieves Grease Rails and Raid Stalled Cars BEDFORD, Ind., Feb. 13. An ingenious method adopted by coal thieves to obtain fuel from the Southeastern freight trains arriving here from the north has been discovered and reported to the officials here. Just west of the city are several heavy grades and the rails at these points are soaped or greased by the thieves. When the engine strikes the greased rails the drivers 'fly rapidly and continue to do to, causing the train to stall. The grease has to be cleaned from the rails and then sanded before the train can proceed, and during this time the cars are raided by the coal thieves. One car on arriving here, on being weighed, was found to have lost nine tons of coal while in transit. tions of peace he enunciated on Jan. 8 and he is confident that the German chancellor and Austrian premier will accept this broad invitation to continue the discussion. Ready for Replies To these replies the president, will be ready with a rejoinder, confident that an indefinite continuation of this process will prpvide a basis for the conclusion of peace. Col. House is to spend much of his time In Washington collecting data for the peace conference and advising the president on peace polemics. He will hold himself in readiness to proceed abroad whenever the discussion seems to bring the belligerents close enough together for the striking of an actual bargain. The president and those who are In accord with his views of the situation

PROMINENT

FORCED REGISTER ASJLIENS Men Who Served in Civil War and Men Who Have Held City Offices Register as Enemy Aliens. WILL CLOSTtONIGHT German alien enemies rushed to registration headquarters at the City Hall Wednesday. It was their last chance under the federal ruling. Seventy-eight Richmond aliens registered at police station. Seventeen county aliens registered at the postoffice. The police estimate that only oneeighth of the aliens in Richmond had registered at noon. What disposition will be made of those who violate the government's ruling was not known by Superintendent of Police Gornion. In the list who registered during the day are the names of men who served in Lincoln's army during the Civil war, men who have been elevated to municipal offices, Spanish-American war veterans, and citizens who have made Richmond their home for scores of years: Slow Progress Made, The large list proved to the authorities that Americanization of immigrants and sons of immigrants here has made slow progress in the past. The police believe it will be impossible to complete the registration by 8 o'clock tonight, the official hour for closing. They called attention to the repeated warnings the government had given through the press, urging aliens not to overlook the listing of their names. Some of the men who were forced to register are victims of circumstances. They believed their fathers had completed their registration and were not aware of their standing until the federal registration was ordered. Some of these men fought in the Spanish-American war. One man' cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Others have given tangible evidence of their loyalty. Those Who Registered. Those who had registered by noon Wednesday were: Joseph Wolf, 437 Richmond Ave. Daniel G. Burkhardt, 444 South Fifteenth St. . Henry Hackman, 520 South Thirteenth, t '- -, Adam Sletz. 211 Charles. Frederick Otte. 506 South Twelfth: ' Fred Bode. 1029 South Fifth. Henry E. Thorman. 328 South Tenth. Herman E. Stein. 813 South Sixth. Adam E. Crome, 615 South Eleventh. Martin Bulach. 433 South Eleventh. George II. Fienning, 1011 South Eighth. August Henry Yedding, 1013 South Fifth. Charles Fienning, 417 South Eleventh. Ferdinand Yedding, 200 South B street. Benjamin Morganroth. 706 South B. John G. II Rothert, 741 South Fifth. Max Kirhenbauer. 905 South Fifth. August Paust. 120 South Seventh. Henry Brokamp, 116 South Sixth. August Hartman, 504 South Thirteenth. Ernest Dickerman. 312 Main street. C. A. Drathring. 320 South Tenth. Herman H. Schuerman, 217 South Seventh. Henry J. Crome. 610 South Sixth. Gorge H. Fieselman, 720 South Thirteenth. Garrett H. Heitbring, 51S South Thirteenth. Henry C. Tieman. 432 South Tenth. Henry Wm. Kimn, 627 South Ninth. Henry Pilgrim. 1015 South Fifth. John Henry Lohmann. 204 North Twenty-second. Fred Thuerer, 420 South Eleventh. Herman Bohrts, 720 South Seventh. Henry Morgenroth, 720 South Seventh. John Siegmnn. 619 Main. Fred W. Kehlenbrink. 1914 Main. John H. Moelk, 153 South Twentyfirf t. Fred Wm! Niehler, 220 North Seventeenth. Frank Nichter., 519 Eouth E. George Bruening, 76 Liberty Ave. Fred Scherman. 228 South Tenth. Adam Helmich, 601 South Eleventh. Continued On Page Seven. POLES LOYAL, THEY SAY WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 3. Representative Barnhart of Indiana, and Joseph A. Werwinskl, an officer of the National Polish Allinnee of America, urged President Wilson today to approve th? proposal to grant full citizenship to all Poles in the United States military service. are extremely optimistic. They have a vision of the war won by moral suasion and the German people roused to overthrow their rulers. More conservative members of the administration are les3 optimistic. They do not believe that Germany can be talked into peace at this time. They believe that peace, cannot be achieved until after a further test of military strength. Effect of Eastern Victory. It has been suggested that Germany, satiating her thrist for conquest in the Russian hinterland and assured of the hegonomy of Mtttel Europa already established by domination of Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, would be willing to make peace on the basig of concessions in the west. Those of conservative view admit

MEN TO

Hays Will be Named Chairman of G. 0. P. National Committee

BULLETIN ST. LOUIS, Feb. 13. The Republican national committee this afternoon elected Will Hays, chairman. He was placed in nomination by John T. Adams of Iowa, and the nomination was seconded by Committeeman King of Connecticut. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 13. John T. Adams this afternoon announced his withdrawal from the contest for chairman of the Republican national committee. Will H. Hays of Indiana will be placrd in nomination by Mr. Adams and his election by acclamation probablv will follow. Mr. Adams stated tliat his withdrawal was made unconditionally. The question of whether he would remain as vice chairman was not considered, he said. Governor Goodrich of Indiana, who attended a conference in Mr. Adams' room said he expected the. national committee would appoint a new executive committee giving the party new leadership. He said that after Mr. Adams became convinced that he could not be elected he said he knew of no better roan for the chairmanship than Mr. Hays, -who is chairman of the Indiana state central committee. The fight on Adams by his opponents was based on charges of disloyalty. Senator W. M. Calder of New York yesterday produced before the executive committee a letter which he said Adams had written to the editor of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. The letter was dated in Berlin Aug. 31, 1914, and said, that "as America has been flooded with lying and misleading reports from London. Paris like to see published in the Telegraph and St. Petersburg, the writer would Herald some articles which he was forwarding. These articles were the German White Book and "Truth About Germany." Praises the Germans. "I will make the assertion," the letter continued, "that there are no more peace loving people in the world than the Germans, from the kaiser himself to the humblest citizens, and there are no people who have progressed further in all that is best in cultured civilization. "It is now perfectly clear to all of us wno have been living in Germany that when Russia and France were secretly planning to make Austria's determination to punish the Serbian assasins the occasion for a sudden attack on the German border, these two countries were given adequate assurance that England would support them." The letter closed with the prediction that the German empire would Richmond Soldiers Send Message of Good Cheer to Their Fathers Here Fathers and sons week is being observed throughout the entire country this week. The following telegram was received Wednesday by the Palladium from Camp Shelby, Miss., whece- soldier sons of Richmond are stationed: "To our fathers, in Indiana: This day the fathers of Indiana are first in the thoughts of the sons of Indiana. Though separated by many miles we continually think of you and we send this token of our greatest affection for you. "Sons of Indiana, Camp Shelby, Miss." He Was Unpatriotic: Gets Tar and Feathers SPRINGFIELD. Ill , Feb 13 Sever enio Oberdon. said to be an I. W. W. leader, who was treated to a coat cl tar and feathers by irate citizens of Staunton. 111., last night for alleged anti-American activities, is under indictment, here charged with boot-leg-ging and violation of the espionage law . No word has feen received as to th whereabouts of Oberdon and his attorney. John L. Metzen, of Chicago, also said to have shared his client's treatment. Bill is Introduced to Raise Price of Wheat WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 A bill to fix the price of wheat, for the 1918 crop, at not. less than $2.75 a bushel, instead of $2 as now provided was introduced today by Senator McCum- j ber. republican of North Dakota and referred to the agriculture commute:?. REVOKES LICENSE WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 Failure to accept or reject during a period of more than seven days two carloads of potatoes and allowing them to freeze in tbe railroad yards has led to revocation of the food license of the Weiner Fruit & Produce Co., of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

to End Conflict by Steady Pressure

that herein lies the only possibility of) an early peace, and they pronounce j the chances altogether against that. They deem it more probable that thej German people will be persuaded by i the victories in the east to enter upon j another year of warfare in the hope; that the armies, reinforced by the; troops drawn from the Russian front, will be able to crush the entente and bring realization of Potsdam's dream of conquest. Think Defeat Necessary. Nothing it is believed by the conservatives, can disabuse the German mind of this idea except military defeat or the conviction that the program of conquest cannot be achieved. Hence it is believed that despite the president's peace drive a season of the most desperate fighting will open in the spring, with Germany striving

not be destroyed because "the hostile preparations which have been going on in France and Russia for several years have been too evident and too threatening for Germany to ignore, so they have prepared themselves and will successfully maintain their rights to live and prosper against the whole gang of devilish conspirators who have forced the innocent masses of France, and England and Russia to fight against them.

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 13. In a telegram to the Republican national committee of St. Louis, Will Hays accepted the chairmanship of the Republican national committee. Hays did not expect to go to St. Louis and ha3 made no plans. At present he Is chairman of the Republican state central committee and chairman of the Indiana state council of defense, the regular weekly meeting of which he attended this morning. GERMANY SEEKS RUMANIAN PEACE AMSTERDAM, Feb. 13. The Berlin Tageblatt, says that the central powers have addressed a demand to Rumania to enter peace negotiations and j requested an answer by this evening. The newspaper says the demand aid not take the form of an ultimatum with an inherent threat. Late last week some of the German newspapers printed reports that Field Marshal Mackensen had sent an ultimatum to Rumania on February 6 demanding that peace negotiations be begun within four days. Devil Begins Vacation as Lenten Season Starts The devil started a forty-day vacation Wednesday when the Lenten sea son was ushered in with special services in many Richmond churches, in celebration of Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season continues until Easter Saturday. The season will be marked with special services in the churches. Easter Sunday comes on March 31. this year. St. Andrew's Catholic church held mass Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock and will have an evening service at 7:30 o'clock. Special services will be held at the church on each Wednesday and Friday during the season. Distribution of ashes featured the services at St. Mary' Ca'thollc-ehurch Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock mass. A service will also be held Wednesday evening. At the St. Paul's Episcopal church at 9:30 o'clock Ash Wednesday service was held, with Rev. R. D. Baldwin in charge. All Lenten services will be observed by the church. The St. Paul's Lutheran church. Rev. F. W. Dressel, pastor, and St. John's Lutheran church. Rev. Alexander Nicklas, pastor, hold services Wednesday evening at 7:30 o'clock. DANGER OF BIG FLOOD IS PAST COLUMBUS. O.. Feb. 13 Danger of ! disastrous floods in central Ohio j passed today, when the high waters j in the river began falling rapidly as there has been practically no rain in the past 24 hours. Weather bureau officials say there is no possibility of further high water at this time. The Ohio river at Cincinnati is creeping slowly back into its banks. Receipts from Stamps Reach $50,000,000 Mark WASHINGTON. Feb. 13. Receipts from sale of war savines snd thrift stamps today passed the $50,000,000 mark. Officials declared actual sales probably have amounted to $10,000,000 more. The daily revenue from the nation wide thrift campaign is increased regularly, and directors of the campaign believe that within a month, it w ill be nearly $5,000,000 a day. F. A. Delano, member of the federal reserve boaid and vice-chairman of the national war savings committee Is directing the campaign in the absence of Frank A. Vanderlip, the chairman, who has gone to California to recuperate his health. Rumors that Mr. Vanderlip had resigned were denied at Secretary McAdoo's office and headquarters of the war savings movement. to break through the lines of the allies. Tbe only chance of an early peace is believed to lie in the ability of the allies to check the German drive wherever it may. materialize. If the German people can be convinced that! their war lords cannot defeat the entente, that all they can achieve is a stalemate in the west and that further bloodshed is useless, they may be ready to listen to Mr. Wilson's pacific arguments. Enthusiasm over the address was lacking in allied circles. There was a fear that it. materially modified President Wilson's previous address to congress in which he specified the war aims of the United States. Persons close to the president asserted, however that the new address was a further interpretation of the former.

POSSIBILITY OF AOSTRIAN PEACE LOOMS SAYS REPORT

Austria Not in Favor of Sending Her Soldiers Against American and British Troops, It Is Said. FRENCH MAKE GAINS (By Associated Press) Count Yon Hertling, the imperial German chancellor, it is reported unofficially, will answer President Wilson' address to congress in the Ger man Reichstag next Tuesday. Presi dent Wilson eaw a difference between the chancellor's recent statement and that of Count Czernin. the AustroHungarian foreign minister, and declared that Count Von Hertling had not withdrawn from his position that peace should be made on Germany's terms. Facts are known in London, the Daily News says, which bring closer the possibility of a separate peace between Austria-Hungary and the entente. Austria is said to look with disfavor on sending her soldiers against tbe troops of the United States and Great Britain. Challenged to move want of confidence in his government, by Premier Lloyd-George, the British house of commons yesterday failed to take such action. Criticism of the Versailles council and the premier's attitude concerning it was voiced in the house byformer Premier Asquith and other speakers. As to reports that Field Marshal Haig and General Robertson had been dismissed or had resigned, spokesmen for the government denied the truth of such statements. Premier Lloyd-George in the house and King George, in an address to parliament, asserted no basis for a democratic peace could be found in recent statements of leaders of the central powers. The premier said he could see no difference in substance between the recent utterances of Chancellor Von Hertling and Count Czernin. Before the Italian parliament. Premier Orlando has -declared that Italy will fight on until victory is achieved. Will Attack In Nlarch7 There is yet no" indication that military, .operations.- oil the western frontare about to be resumed on a large scale. Attempts by raiding parties are growing stronger, especially on the French front near Verdun and fn the Woevre, but there have been no attacks in force. "Some time In March." according to a German prisoner, the Germans will attack on the British front. He did not know if a general offensive would be begun, but there is marked activity behind the German lines. The weather on the British front continues favorable and the fields and roads are drying fast. At points along the Scottish coast the bodies of 164 American victims of the sinking the Tuscania by a German submarine have been foud Thirty-three of these have not been identified. Most of tbe Americans have been buried. The bodies of seven members of the crew also hav been washed up on the coast of Scotland. FRENCH TAKE PRISONERS WITil THE FRENCH ARMY IN FRANCE. Feb. 13 (By the Associated Press). In the course of three successful trench raids early this morning, th? French advanced as far as the fourth German line between PaPrere and Mort Mare Woods, in the Woevre, and took prisoners belonging to the ninth ' Bavarian and ninetyfourth Landwehr divisions. The German entanglements had been ' destroyed by French artillery last night and the progress of the assaulting column was favored by a heavy mist. As soon as the French reached the first positions the Germans opened a sweeping machine gun fire as well as an artillery barrage, but the French penetrated the shell curtain almost without' casualties, demolished all tbe enemy shelters and emplacements and returned to their own lins with most valuable Information. While the French attack was in progress, the Germans attempted a raid at Regneville, in the same district but were repulsed with heavy losses. RETURN FROM INSPECTION AN ATLANTIC PORT. Feb. 13 Major Generals Joseph E. Kuhn, and Charles Kennedy returned here today from an inspection trip In France. although it did not close the door to modifications. Fear Show of Weakness. In neutral legations it was believed that the inducements offered the central powers by the moderation and content of the address would not' be ignored and that important conferences would be called immediately in Berlin to consider "an entirely new situation created by the president's unexpected invitation to the central powers. Austria-Hungary is expected by neutral diplomats to take the initiative in responding to tbe president. It was everywhere believed that one passage in President Wilson's speech was too obscure to warrant specific application without official Interpretation. He said the United Continued On Paae Nine.