Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 44, Number 83, 15 February 1919 — Page 1

SINGLE COPY 3 CENTS

VOL XI JV NO Palladium- and Sun-Telegram RICHMOND, IND ; SATURDAY EVENING, FEB. 15, 1919.

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EFFECTS OF HUN IDEALS BESTSIIOim IH LORRAINE

Metz, Half Strangled by Fifty : Years of German Occupation, Gives Evidence of Enemy Materialism. SEE COUNTRY'S AGONY By FRANK H. 8IM0NDS (Copyright, 1919. Dy the McClure - Newspaper Syndicate) . 1A.RIS. February 12. 1919. At the moment when the Peace Conference is dealing with theories of world reconstruction, with the ushering in of a new world,' it has been my fortune, through the courtesy of the French government, to see the old world being restored, not in theory, but- in fact in Alsace-Lorraine, and particularly in Metz. I have seen older civilization, Latin culture, reoccupying territory lost half a century ago, returning to its monuments still undestroyed. There, and not in Paris nor in London, one must look to see the effect of the recent world decision. And In Metz even more than In any devastated area or on any contested battlefield and I have seen most of both one feels the magnitude of the thing that was yesterday the German empire on the march, and may be the German republic on the march' tomorrow. In Lille, Douai, in cities recently relinquished after four years of occupation, signs of the German occupation, are everywhere. There is the consciousness of a great and malign spirit recently exercised, but after all its stay was brief, and French life. French spirit, is rapidly reasserting itself. Met Is Different. But in Metz it is different. It is rather like an arm, long bound, restrained in a plaster cast; the familiar difficulty of first movements, the excruciating pain, the .uncertainty of control all are to be seen in this Lorraine town. Metz is a living part of France again today, but It is yet suffering from, long restraint. ' Its life reopens, but. with great difficulties. - Yet it is nbt the material side of the German occupation that one must first , observe. . Here fifty years ago was a little city as French as Tours or Orleans, a garrison town with a history going back to Roman times, with forts dating from Vauban. In its population there was not a German and there had not been for centuries. In 1870, Metz was a sleepy little French town, politically and economically nothing, militarily Important, because like Verdun it covered the road to the heart of France. Out of this calm, Metz waked in 1870, for those terrible days when Bozaine blundered and one of the finest armies France ever possessed was thrown away, or rather permitted to die of inanition; and then the German came pouring in by all roads, north and south, west and east, and bringing with him his familiar "Green Map", and learned professors land, while the soldier came to enforce argument with the guns their musty documents tq prove that Metz was German recently laid opon Paris. Shows German Method. And now, after half a century the story of German occupation lies open to the traveller. More than this, there is disclosed clear and unmistakeable evidence of what the German meant to do to all of us in time, perhaps still means to do, for Metz as nowhere else in all his conquered lands the German expressed his soul, or his lack of. soul; his materialism, his doctrine of mechanical efflcfency. Poor, half-strangled, totally sup pressed Metz is just beginning to peer out from the darkness of fifty years of German domination, to supply endur ing evidence of what the German means. If you would understand him altogether, go to Metz. The whole story is there. . And this is the story as you will find it. Remember Metz of 1870, a little French" town huddled about its charming cathedral; leaning on the banks of its Moselle canals, picturesque, quaint, insanitary, Impregnable to progress or to the new doctrine of efficiency, beautiful alike in 6ite, in surroundings, beautiful itself as all French provincial towns are, but beautiful with the spirit and atmosphere which came up in remote times from the Mediterranean. Impressive Station. Now, by contrast ,the traveler who comes to Metz finds this. First of all, he arrives at the railroad station which, to the American, will suggest St. Louis or Kansas City, the Union Station of any" of our great American cities stretching block on block in towering and colossal ugliness, a station adequate for the needs of a city of half a million inhabitants bestowed upon a town of little more than fifty thousand. And mile on mile, In all directions, behind the facade of a structure done in the familiar armory architecture of the latter period of Grover Cleveland or earlier period of William McKinley, stretch endless tracks and structures, all colossal, and a vast creation surmounted by a statue of Roland, bearing the personal features of resent German Governor. All for Effect From the station one comes Into a

- broad avenue leading in all directions, an avenue .flanked by still other coI V hniiiiinn ntAlft. nnst office.

banks, all in the ame heavy beetletiro wn, lmpresslv ly ugly jrtyle we know as Modern German. But each building,' each broad avenue, hideous (Continued en Page Ten)

Paints Sittings . of Peace Meeting

J iatl ' ' !!!!!!!!!! i IV Mist Alma Tadema A "painting history" of the sittings of the world peace conference is being made by Miss Alma Tadema, famous artist Her canvases will be filed in the archives In London, it Is said, STONE DENIES HE VOTED FOR SECRET BALLOT Charge Made by Williams Challenged in Formal State ment by Purdue Head, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 15. President W. II. Stone of Purdue uni versity today in a meeting of the state board of education, denied the truth of statements made about him by Charles O. 'Williams, superintendent of Wayne county schools Friday, and published in Richmond and Indianapolls papers. Williams named Stone as one of the men who had led the fight against open balloting on the state's selec tion of school books by the state board.' The other two are President Grose of Depauw and Superintendent Hcmlich tf Fort Wayne. -Hemlich also took exception to Williams' statement . - - "It is a matter of record," said Stone, turning toward Williams, "that I am in favor of an open ballot on school books for the state. I feel that I have been put in a false light over the state by the wide-spread publi cation of this article." ; Helmich also spoke denying the truth of statements made about him. Williams made no reply. H. J.Brown, Lebanon superinten dent, spoke of the effort of the press in this and other articles to create discord in the actions of the board, He- said that the feeling of the board was one of great accord, but that the statements of the press were liable to cause dissention. . The board disapproved of the bill now up before the legislature to sub sidize private schools of the state as normal training schools, but approv ed a three-year normal coudse in any normal school, after which training the teacher would be given a fouryear license which could be renewed or not 3,000 MORE MEN LAND FROM FRANCE (By Associated Press) NEW YORK, Feb. 15. The trans port Harrisburg which sailed from Brest Feb. 5 with 2,231 troops, arrived today. Those on board the Harrisburg Included the headquarters staff, head quarters and supply companies, med ical detachment and companies A to G Inclusive of the 368th infantry (negro) of the 92nd division, national army. The transport carried also 44 bed-ridden patients and a few casuals The troops will be sent to Camp Up ton. Long Island. The transport Orizaba ts due at New York about Feb. 24, the war de partment announced today, with casu al companies as follows: Texas 2, North Carolina 1, Virginia 1, Tenn essee 1, West Virginia 1, Albama 1, New York 1, South Carolina 1 and Marines 1. Also on board is the head quarters of the 162nd field artillery brigade, and the headquarters company, suppl? company and batteries A, B. C, D, E and F of the 334th field artillery.. . Other troop ships en route home are the West Point, due at Boston, Feb 27, the Florence Luckenbach, due at New York, March 4. and the Artemis due at New York Feb. 26, with a few casuals each. ' Wilson Approves Plan To Stabilize Prices i WASHINGTON, Feb. 1. Approval of the proposal to establish a govern ment price adjustment board to sta bilize conditions during the post war period was cabled by President Wil son today to Secretary Redleld to day. Fourteen Yanks in Russia Are Decorated ARCHANGEL, Feb. 15. Four off! cers and ten non-commissioned officers and men have been given British dec orations for gallantry and efficiency in action. . Ten of the men are from Michigan. ,

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Labor Solution Waits " On"Triple Amance" Meeting in London (By Associated Press) LONDON, Feb. 15. The industrial situation Is marking time, pending the meeting to be held on Tuesday of the

consultative committee of the Laborite triple alliance" the - Miners' - Feder ation, the Railway Men's - Union and Transport Workers Federation. At that meeting, it is understood, there will be a discussion of the question of -common action. The Miners' Federation is thus far the only union that is committed to a definite course, negotiations regarding demands of the railway men and the transport worKers being still in progress. ; RESENTMENT IS SHOWN DY HUNS OVER JUSTICE Insinuation That Occupation Was Not Due to Military Su periority Draws Answer. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 1& A note con taining an insinuation that the occu pation of German territory, was not due to military superiority, accordig to the Cologne Zeitung,- was handed in recently to the allied armistice commission by the German delegates, and said to have drawn a very sharp re port on behalf of Marshal Foch at the meeting of the armistice commission on February 7. A French general, acting under in structions of Marshal Foch, the news paper adds, refused to make an answer to the note and declared it would be examined only if it was presented in a more courteous form. General von Hammerstein, tne leading German military . delegate, deferred a declaration in the matter until the receipt of instructions from the German governmet PROTEST- CONDITIONS. WEIMAR, Nov. 15. At the meeting o the national assembly , yesterday, Herr Huitze put " forward a motion Inviting the assembly to adopt a reso lution containing a declaration that the Germa people would ever accept a peace of violence and protesting against the "exaggecated" conditions of the armistice as tending to duin Germany. The resolution also pro tests against the denial of self deter mination to Alsace-Lorraine. Philip Scheldemann, the chancellor in the new German government-to-1 day showed himself able to handle conflicting demonstrations in the new national assembly with no sign of being Intimidated by the wildest oppo sition, or moved by the most severe heckling. No speaker since the meet ing of the national assembly was opened has been so outspoken-toward his opponents. One of the incidents of his speech was his reference to Austria's desire to join Germany. He said: "We desire no reluclant adherents and by the same token nobody wishing to join us should be prevented." There was almost a threat In his warning: "The entente is able to force any kind of peace on Germany, but if it is an unjust peace, seventy million people In their hearts will never forgive or forget." Fehrenbach Elected. Adolph Groeber," centrist, followed the chancellor, as leader of the next strongest party, and, like Herr Scheidemann, emphasized "work" as the watchword of the new republic. He protested against the slowness in Arranging for peace, the severity of the armistice conditions, the French desire for annexations, the British demands and plans to put former Em peror William on trial as being "all a cart of a scheme to humiliate Ger many." He declared the league of nations would "contain seeds of new wars unless constructed on priciples of justice. Kostantine Ferhenbach, Centrist, former president of the German relch stag, has been elected president of the German natidnal assembly, accord ing to a Reuters dispatch from Basel, quoting Weimar advices. FUND FOR HOUSING BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Feb. 15. Horace and Thomas Dodge, Detroit automobile manufacturers, have offered to lend a million dollars to Niles for the building of houses. THE WEATHER For Indiana by the United States Weather Bureau Rain, local snows and colder tonight. Sunday fair. Today's Temperature. Noon 34 Yesterday. Maxibum ,. 42 Minimum 32 For Wayne County by W. E. Moore Snow this afternoon and tonight. Colder tonight. Sunday partly cloudy, followed by fair. Brisk and strong northwest winds diminishing Sunday or Sunday night. General Conditions The great storm which has been slowly moving eastward has caused heavy snows from the lake region westward and moderate snows over the central states. Rain in many places, especially in the east. The barometer was , the lowest in this section for many years, except in 1907, but the slow movement of the storm did not cause as high wind velocity as is usual under such conditions. Temperatures are zero and below in southern Canada, but a storm coming in the United States, from the ' Pacific coast will prevent any severe cold weather from settling over this district, although temperature will go several degrees below zero tonight The far western storm is already causing heavy rains over Washington, 'Oregon and parts of California.

COUNTY BODY TOLD NO MODE MONEY CAN BE GIVEN BRIDGE County Attorney Says no Leg

al Emergency Exists ; for Approp r i a t i o n Doran Bridge Condition Bad. UP AGAIN NEXT WEEK Denver Harlan, f Wayne t county attorney, gave his opinion that no additional appropriation can now be made for the South G street bridge, Satur day morning before the county com missioners, because legally no emerg ency exists. - At the same time with the giving of this . opinion, E. M. Campfield, . of the Improvement committee, asked the council for another week of delay in presenting the , bridge project for mally to them, saying some "minor legal difficulties" had to be straight ened out first. ; , Campfield expressed the commit tee's determination to go ahead and try to build tne bridge under the or iginal appropriation of 1185,000, and said he believed it possible to build a satisfactory structure for that amount Flaw In Reasoning Because of the shaky condition of the Doran bridge, which ' he said mignc Decome unserviceable at any time, he said he thought the commit tee could establish an emergency and get an additional appropriation for the South G street bridge, but he did not Intend to try to do so, Opponents of the bridge felt that there was a flaw in Campfield's reasoning, as the Doran bridge serves the north-west portion of the city, and the proposed South G street bridge would be two miles from anyone suddenly cut off from Richmond by the failure of the Doran bridge. - However, they concurred heartily in his alarm at the condition of the Doran bridge which serves over onehalf of the west side and is the only way or getting into town . for many country people. v.-,:, . ,; , Aid to. .Labor. . Campfield a . reasoning waa. thai I there should always be two bridges across the Whitewater from East to west Richmond, and that this condition presented an emergency, inasmuch as the failure of the Doran Bridge was possible. He said he thought the time had come when labor should be assisted by city and county Improvements, and the bridge, which he would speak for again in a week, was 1 necessary , as are other improvements. A large manufacturing plant, which he did not name, would double - its capacity if more sewers were installed he said, and that improvement also should be made as well as the West Side boulevard, and others. "All the talk which has been heard on the streets and otherwise," he added, "about the illegality of various parts of this bridge project none of it is proved by the records. "Our attorney, Mr. Reller, wants a week or so to look into some slight points nothing of any Importance, however and we -will again speak for the bridge in a week. . Mueller Submits Estimates T am satisfied that the additional appropriation couldn't be made now," said Harlan. "The statute provides that any time after the adjournment of the annual meeting, if ah emergency shall arise, etc., an additional appropriation shall be made. The present situation does not in my opinion constitute an emergency, which is defined as a sudden or unexpected happening." - , He cited a case much more pressing than the South G street project, which had been ruled against by the supreme court of the state. County Bridge Engineer Jack Mueller submitted an estimate for bridges fifty and fifty-eight feet across, the first costing in his estimate $180,000 if built with gravel pavement, or $183,000 if built with bituminous macadam paving. ' The wider bridge, which is the original width as planned would cost $200,000 if with gravel paving, or $203,000 if with the bituminous macadam. Bids for highway material for the next year were received by the com missioners. Bids ranging from $3,98a to $5,500 were submitted for trucks. Contracts will be let to the Burk company for material for two small bridges, $497; to the Kramer Lumber company for 20,000 feet of two-inch oak at $55 per thousand, and to the Tarvia Barrett company of Indianapolis for 20,000 gallons of Tarvia at eleven cents per gallon. Hines Summoned to Appear At Railroad Case Hearing (By Associated Press) BISMARCK, N. D., Feb. 15. Director General of Railroads Walker D. Hines, is summoned, by an order of the supreme court of North Dakota, received today to appear Feb. 22 and show cause why he should not desist from collecting in this state, freight rates more than 25 percent and passenger rates one-half cent per mile, in excess of schedules filed with the railway commission by the various railroads operating in the state. The petition filed by the attorney general of the state, declared the establishment of Increased freight and passenger rates last June by Director General McAdoo was an : invasion of state sovereignty in that the federal railroad administration ignored the state laws requiring schedules to be filed with, and approved by the state railroad commission.

Little Enthusiasm Over Plans For

(By Associated Press) " PARIS, Feb. 16. Comment In representative French newspapers on the constitution of the league of nations as .presented : at yesterday's ' plenary session of the peace conference re veals little enthusiasm over the shape the project has taken. The Figaro says: ; '.--.: it.- . "The commission, on the initiative of its Illustrious chairman. President Wilson, wisely , decided , not to ravish tomorrow from the eternal, and confined itself to making safe the present. The mystic society of nations has, then, become a league of the five great powers which beat Germany and which, having conquered, - mean , to consolidate both victory and peace. A close alliance will result between the United States, England, France, Italy and Japan.", ; The writer, Alfred Capus, editor oi the Figaro, says In addition, that "the future is opened to a better settlement, but that naturally is as yet vague and nebulous." The Journal, one of the most widely circulated newspapers here, says: "While all are speaking of fraternization and eternal peace, the French people cannot lose sight of reality and reality in the vicinity of 70,000,000 humiliated Germans shuddering under merited punishment. It is half of Europe in chaos. When we see evok ed,' amidst such prespectives, the seductive Idea of disarmament, it is our duty to ask plainly where are the guarantees and what is the force which will shelter us from the reaction of tragic surprises. To these questions a careful reading of the projected statutes of -the society of nations and the eloquent speeches made at the conference bring but one answer: , Moral force." "Pertinax," in the Echo dov Paris, ends a long article by saying: SET WAR COST AT $179,000,000,000 (By Associated Press) ' WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. Exclusive of expenditures by Belgium, Portugal, Roumania, Austra-Hungary and Bulgaria, the total cost of the European war was fixed at $179,000,000,000 in an official estimate made public here today! and based on data in the hands of the federal reserve board, the secretary of the treasury and the bulle tins of the Swiss society or banks. The table was compiled on estimated expenditures to last January 31. Total expenditures of the allies and the United States were fixed at $119,581,000,000, exclusive of loans among themselves which, totalled $18,375,000,' 000. iif'nuat.'r-frf-'- -r-r " " . The Individual expenditures of the nations were given as follows: Great -Britain, $37,100,000,000 ; France,-$27,000,000,000; United States, $18,481,000,000; Russia, $18,000,000.000; Italy, $10,000,000,000; Serbia, $8, 000,000,000; Japan and Greece, $1,000,000,000. The loans made by these powers and included in the individual expenditures although not added to the total as a separate Item, were as follows: u:Oreat Britain $8,500,000,000; France ,,000,000,000; United States $7,875,000,000. The total expenditures of Germany were given as $36,500,000,000 and of Turkey, $23,000,000,000, making an aggregate of $59,500,000,000 - for these two members of the Germanic alliance.'' . 1,174,554 HEM ARE DISCHARGED (By Associated Press) ! , - WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. Army discharges in demobilization in the United States had reached a total yesterday of 1,174,554 officers and men, and the total number for demobilization was 1,501,000. Of those discharged 71,235 were officers. . Allies Want Long-Range l Gun That Shelled Paris COBLENTZ. Feb. 15. The allies have taken steps to gain possession of one of the long range guns which the Germans used to fire -upon Paris. The inter-allied commission at Spa has made demands upon the German delivering commission that a long range gun be included in the war material which the Germans are turning over to the allies. All the German officers whom the American officials have questioned regarding the long range guns have asserted that all the crews who were assigned to the task of handling the "big Berthas" were sworn to secrecy and ever since the armistice was signed little has been known regardin tr tho fafrA ef tlieao mnnatpr VMnnns Recent reports were to the effect that one of the "big Berthas " naa Deen aismantled in West Prussia,, while an other report from a dfscharged soldier Said that a ; long range cannon had been seen on railway cars near Essen. Political Amnesty To Be Granted Italians ' (By Associated Press) ROME, Feb. 15. On the occasion of the proclamation of the. constitution of the society of nations, King Victor Emmanuel will sign a liberal decree of political amnesty, it is announced here. ; , Crowder Ashed to Aid in Cuban Election Reforms (By Associated Press) HAVANA, Feb. 15. General E. H. Crowder, provost marshal general of the United States army, will be invited by the Cuban government to come to Cuba to assist in an advisory capacity in the reformation of this country's election laws, it was announced today by American Minister William E. Gonzales.

in French Press League of Nations

"We are forced to conclude that the twenty-six articles bring us no security. Until they are changed we can sacrifice nothing of our means of defense to them." The Socialist newspaper Humanite is even less pleased than the "Bour geois" papers. Deputy Marcel Cacnon writes in this publication: : "It is Impossible to conceal the Impression of disillusionment that first examination of the long convention makes on us. It is clear to the dullest that we are far from President Wilson's first proposals. We find In the document neither the general spirit of President Wilson's messages, nor the necessary1 clear Information as to the composition of the society and the role it is to play. The project cannot in any way command the support of democrats and peoples' parties, which placed such hopes in the idea of which Mr. Wilson constituted himself an eloquent defender." PROMPT ACTION ON GERMAN BILL URGED BY STATE Constituents v Want Speedy Passage Road and Insur ance Measures Considered. (By Associated Press) INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 15 Few pro tests are being received by senators against the anti German language bill, , as compared with hundreds of petitions for speedy action on these measures. The senate, has passed two bills on this subject, one by Negley and Alldredge, prohibiting the teaching of German language in public schools and another by Van Auken wiping it from curriculum of Indiana high schools. It - now awaits the Lowe house bill 6, which is intended to apply the same principle to paro chial and private schools One of the protests received by Senator Duffey, denounced Duffey s "acriminous tirade" in which he asked the senate to take immediate action last Thursday. "I have absolutely no sympathy for the individual who lives in victorious America and happily continues to inhale the breezes of German culture so extensively served every American through- the medium of the German language." - Duffey wrote In reply: " "Shall our dead soldiers be unsettled by the teaching of the Huns language In our schools public or any other kind? Shall the children of our men who have given their lives to spare the fate of. Belgium be forced to learn the language of the most 111mennered nation of all time? Shall we aid German 'commercial success' propaganda through this method . already seeking its rebuilding?" Bills Killed in House The house of the Indiana legislature was in the humor for killing bills at the session this morning and among those to be disposed of were the Swain measure, providing for inspection of all food products, and ' the Rowbottom bill for Increasing the per diem pay of members of the legislature from $6 to $10. One measure, providing for towns and citiea of 1,000 or more population j to accept and to maintain public auunonums ana nxing me maximum levy at two mills on each dollar of assessed valuation was passed by a vote of 81 to 1.- Twelve new bills and a joint resolution, the latter by Representative Winesburg of Wabash, providing for the office of attorney general being made a constitutional office, were introduced. Adjournment was taken at noon until 2 o'clock ' Monday afternoon. Chairman Kimmel of the committee on judicary A announced a public hearing will be held in the supreme court room next Tuesday night on the measures Introduced providing for ren..Yl: 1 nMMMtMMfMM peal of the public service commission law and restoring franchises and permits of public utilities under which they operated before coming under provision of the present statute. The committee on fees, and salaries reported the Rowbottom bill for increasing the pay in the future of members, eight committeemen for passage and five for indefinite postponement. The debate was the longest that has been held on any one measure on the floor thus far in this session. A roll call vote was demanded, and many of the mambers explained their vote. The vote was 70 to 18 for postponement of the bill.Knapp Wants More Pay Representative Knapp, of Wayne county, reflected the sentiment of many members when he declared he would like to have the increase in pay if he is returned to the next session, adding, "but' I must be consistent. I have refused to Introduce bills provid ing for increased salaries, of officers of Wayne county. Therefore I shall vote for definite postponement of the bill but I hope the bill is passed." Members who spoke in favor of the proposed legislation declared the cost of living in Indianapolis is so high that they cannot live within their in come. Some members added that they are here because "a few misguided friends voted for them. Speaker Eschbach, however, favor ed the bill and said he believes one or both of the political parties should have backbone enough to insert a plank in future platforms and put it up to the pebple "whether they want the - legislature to be a charitable organization." - Representative Smith of Princeton, speaking on the bfll to Increase salaries of court reporters, said Governor Goodrich is opposed to the increasing of salaries. He succeeded in having the bill amended on the second read, ing. fixing the per diem at $5 a day and the salaries in certain counties j at $1,500 a year.

WILSON SAILS

FBOD BREST ON RETW1 TO AMERICA President ; Expresses Appre-. elation for Treatment by French in Farewell Speech Promises to Return " TO DEBATE ON LEAGUE fBy Associated Press) ' BREST, Feb. 15. President Wilson left Brest on his return to the United States on board the U. S. S. George Washington shortly after 11 o'clock this morning. The George Washington weighed anchor at 11:15 o'clock. In a farewell message to the French people before leaving Brest today. President Wilson : said he; had been received and treated as a friend, as be bad most desired to be treated. He added that he was happy to return to France to assist in completing the just settlement of the peace conference. HISTORIC MOMENT Paris, Feb. 15 rWith today's splenary session of the peace conference concluded and the newly framed covenant of the League of Nations read and discussed, President Wilson left on his way back to the United States. Mrs. Wilson accompanied him. When the peace conference delegates assembled at the foreign office yesterday afternoon, there was the feeling among them that a historic moment had arrived. It was the third plenary session of the conference, and there was the same setting of distinguished personnel and solemn dignity that marked previous gatherings of the allied delegation. President Wilson presented a striking picture as he stood ; before the delegates to read the covenant and expound its merits. He spoke in a calm, even tone, without gesture or emphasis, except twice, when he referred to "armed forces in the background" and to "exploitation of helpless peoples". There was a ring in his voice when he uttered these warn ings which would have brought - applause but for the staid procedure of the convention, which forbids all demonstrations. ' . ,; v - Cecil Shew Approval 'Lord Robert Cecil, of Great Britain, and Premier Orlando, of Italy, voiced their, approval of the covenant but Leon Bourgeois, of France, while expressing his general satisfaction, made reservations which indicated that bis proposals for an international military force will be heard again when the debate proceeds further. Another slight evidence of dissent was found in the remarks of W. H. Hughes, of Australia, who inquired, with some show of feeling, if ample opportunity to discuss the scheme would be given. The Arabian delegation also sounded a minor note of discord in calling attention to secret treaties which were said to interfere with the principle of self-determination expressed by the covenant. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson arrived at the Invalides Station at nine o'clock in a pouring rain. Their departure for Brest was without that demonstration which marked their arrival in Paris on December 14, but there was every evidence of official and popular cordiality. . , . , Setting War Blame An official statement issued by the commission on responsibility for the war, issued today follows: "At a meeting of the department of the interior this morning at . eleven thirty o'clock, questions of organization and procedure in connection with the three sub-committees of the commission on responsibility for the war were discussed. These sub-committees are those dealing on acts of war. responsibility for the war and the responsibility for the violation of the war and customs of war. t ; ' ; "An arrangement was made by which each sub-committee is to meet at least twice during the next week." FIVE BLOCKS LEFT IN RUINS BY FIRE SAVANNAH, Ga., Feb. 15. A pile of smoking ruins approximately five city blocks long and 200 feet wide today marked the path of " the fire which swept through Hutchinson's Island, In the Savannah river here yesterday, causing damage estimated in millions. The property : destroyed was the southern Fertilizer and Chemical plant and part of the Seaboard ' Air Line terminal, as well as quantities of cotton, rosin, turpentine, fertilizers and other merchandise awaiting transport to Europe. No accurate estimate of the financial loss can be made, it was said today, until after a checking up. The damage was well covered by insurance on all property privately owned but It was said there was no insurance on the wharves, docks and railroad property which are controlled by the government. Neutral Peace Societies WmOeet in llcrch (By Associated Press) . BERNE, Feb. 15. The international conierence arrangea ay neutral peace societies -will meet here from March 5 to 12, the discuss Ion b probably cen-' terlng about the society of nations, Among the conf ernes will be a score of Swiss - parliamentarians " and pact fists. It, Is understood that Dr. WUhelm Muelhon, former director of the Krupp works, will attend. O. Weber, St. Gall, Swiss national councillor, has been chosen chairman of the confer? ence. - -.- -; -V- z