Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 44, Number 101, 8 March 1919 — Page 1

RICHMQNTD P AIXABIUM ,1 VOL XLTV NO 101 Palladium nl Sun-Teleiram JU, AL1V.,1U. 1VI Con,ol,datei i90T RICHMOND, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 8, 1919. SINGLE COPY 3 CENTS

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FRONTIERS OF GERMANY TO BE NEXT BIG CO U l!C iL TASK Peace Terms Must Give Security to France and Strengthen New Polish State Protection Sought.

MUST PAY WITH LAND By FRANK H. SIMONDS. (Copyright. 1919. by The McClure Newspaper Syndicate) ARIS, March 1, 1919. The next two weeks are not impossibly to see the solution of two great problems before the Paris conference: the fixing of the western and of the eastern frontiers of Germany. The decision

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with regard to these frontiers means, In some respects, more than any other decision that the Paris conference can take, because It means on the one side the giving of security to France against a possible return of German aggression, the creation on the other Hide of a Poland capable of resisting German and Bolshevik attack and of becoming a considerable and important European force. Discussion of the western frontier of Germany remains open at the moment . this article is written, but I learn from unquestionable American sources that very great progress has been made towards an agreement. Explains Method. As a matter of fact, the appearance of any question upon the calendar of the peace conference is fairly good indication that the Great Powers are already bo near an agreement that discussion can be had without any peril of division. In a word the conference only discusses after the conference has agreed. Many times In the course of my correspondence I have pointed out that there never was any question on the part of the French of the annexation of purely German territory on the left bank of the Rhine. Despite certain Ill-natured suspicions and despite certain extreme statements in the most imperialistic of French quarters, not in the least Indicative of th,e wish of the people, there has been from the . very beginning renunciation on the part of the French government of any claim to annex German teritory, except in the case of Alsace-Lorraine, which was French until 1871, and the Saar coal district, part of which was French until 1S15, and all of which was French up to the Treaty of Paris in 1814. French Seek Protection. The whole spirit and tho whole purpost of French policy has been to seek protection against a new German attack by achieving some form of neutralization of German territory betwee the Saar and Rhine, so that in case of another war the struggle would begin not in the heart of French territory, but in German territory. Throughout the course of the conference there have been marked differences in the .American point of view as to the question of financial payment which Germany should make to the countries she has devastated, but co-existant with th is difference of view, which in reality leaves opportunity for satisfactory compromise, there has been developing in American quarters a very profound sympathy with the French desire for security and in increasing understanding of the French mood in this respect. As we stay longer in Europe we Americans grow to appreciate the European problem much more accurately. A result of this development of American understanding of French feeling with respect to the western frontier of Germany is now found in the very general expectation that within the next two weeks the whole y. question will be resolved in the following manner. v Will Not Grant Request. In the first place, despite German bluff and menace in recent days, the question of Alsace-Lorraine will not be reopened and the preposterous German demand for a plebiscite in AlsaceLorraine will not be granted. In a word, Alsace-Lorraine will be regarded

henceforth as French teritory stolen from France in 1871, regained for France at the moment of the German surrender in November, 1918. In the second place, France will be permitted to annex without qualification the relatively restricted Saar valley area, important because of its groat coal deposits, and necessary to French industries now that the Germans have put the French coal-producing territories on the north out of business for a period of at least five or ten years. Thirdly, between Belgium and France on the west and the Rhine on tho east, there will be created a Rhenish republic, which will serve as a buffer state between Germany and the countries which she invaded in 1914, and I am informed that while there has been no decision in the matter of the Saar and of the Rhenish republic, there is no longer any real question of America opposing this solution. Soive Republic Idea. The question of a Rhenish republic is to be solved In the following manner: First of all, there is no question of French or Belgian annexation of any of this territory apart from the Saar valley and two or three Frenchspeaking towns on the belgian frontier, of which Maltnedy is the most considerable. This is the decision both ' for the present and for the future. There is no Idea that at any time this country will be absorbed either by the French or by the Germans. It is recognized to be German. It is recContinued On Page Eleven.

Herbert Fisher Named British Ambassador To the United States . (By Associated Pre LONDON, Friday, March 7. H. A. L. Fisher, minister of education probably will be appointed British ambassador to Washington, according to the Nation. Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher was born in London March 21, 18C5. He received his education at New College, Oxford and Paris and Goettlngen. He was a Lowell lecturer at Harvard university in 1909 and a member of the royal commission on the public services of India from 1912 to 1915. In 1915 he was appointed a member of the government committee on alleged German outrages. In 1916 he was made president of the board of education and was given the portfolio of the ministry of education, Jan. 10, 1919, when Premier Lloyd George reorganized the cabinet.

SUSPECT MURDER IN GIRL'S DEATH NEAR RICHMOND Police Reveal Peculiar Story Held Secret for Three Months Parents Escape. The story of the death of Alma Marie Brown, 19 years old, which occurred about the middle ol November in a cabin near Reed's Springs, north of ( Richmond, under circumstances that might have justified an Indictment for murder, was told for the first time Saturday morning. The Brown case has been concealed from the public until now, because while Frank Brown, the girl's supposed father and the father's companion, an elderly woman who would have been arrested for the murder of the girl were suspected, they left the neighborhood before anything tangible had been developed against them. Th police have been looking for them. Cororner S. Edgar Bond, not satisfled In the belief that the girl had died a natural death, sent her liver, heart, stomach and other organs to Indianapolis for investigation. Traces of arsenic were discovered in the stomach and the liver showed that there had been long-continued septic poisoning, either from some sort of drug arsenic or antimony or from malarial trouble of long standing. The Brown family, the two older people and the girl, came to Richmond from the hill districts of, Kentucky, some time last fall. They were desperately poor, and lived at first in a mere hole in the ground near Reid Memorial hospital. Later the man was employed to cut wood, and was given the privilege of living in a shack there. It wa3 known to neighbors that the elder woman was fiercely Jealous of the girl and had threatened to kill her. The girl first became ill during the fall and recovered from that illness. In November the girl became ill again, was treated by a Richmond doctor, who gave her a tonic and some other medicines, and finally died. The body was brought to a Richmond undertaker's, but he refused to bury the girl without a 'cause being given for her death. Suspicious symptoms were found In the girl's liver which caused the coroner to have the Indianapolis examination made. Meanwhile the couple had grown suspicious and left between two days while the body was undergoing inves tigation at Indianapolis. No trace of them has been found. The girl was buried in Ohio. Coroner's Statement Coroner Bond's statement follows: "The coroner found two possible sources of cause for the girl's death First, septic infection; second, signs of systemic poisoning as from a drug continued over a considerable period The first has been officially established as a fact. The second is worthy of a thorough investigation by the grand jury of Wayne county as to its source. And both Frank Brown and wife, Ida Brown, should be held as responsible for her death. "The adhered liver, general nausea, spells of dizziness, fainting, together with pallor, should lend a suspicion of having taken over a considerable period some active poisonous agent, probably arsenic. "The testimony of an expert. Dr. Moon, indicates a drug or poison agent over considerable period, was given. The girl would scarcely have taken any agent knowing that would kill except all at once, as a suicide. "If true, it was administered with malicious intent by someone in the home." THE WEATHER For Indiana by the United States Weather Bureau Rain in south and rain or snow in north portion tonight D 1N and Sunday. Warmer ClT n northeast portion to5NOW night. Today's Temperature Noon 3S Yesterday Maximum 41 Minimum 22 For Wayne county by W. E. MooreOccasional rain this afternoon or tonight. Warmer tonight. Sunday, rains, probably turning to snow squalls by night or Monday. Colder. ' General .Conditions The southwestern storm arrived at last, having been delayed by a great area of high barometric pressure east of the Misissippi river. It is still cold in tho northwest where it is 10 below zero at Medicine Hat.

1,390,000 , YANKS WERE IN FIGHTING AGAINST FOE

Revised Lists Show Battle Casualties Totalled 240,1 97 Second Division First With 24,429 Killed. WILL MAINTAIN FORGE (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 8 American troops actually participating in engagements against the enemy numbered 1,390,000 men. General March announced the figures today showing that 1,100,000 comprised divisional troops and divisional replacements; 240,000 corps and army troops and 50,000 service of supply troops. Battle casualties of the American army in France as shown by revised divisional records announced today by General March totaled 240,197. These include killed in action, wounded, the missing In action and prisoners. There probably will be some slight further revision as final reports are received. The second regular division showed the greatest losses in the revised list, with 24,429. The first division came nextswith 23,973. 1,361,528 Released Demobilization reports made public ' today by General Marsh show 1,361,-j 523 officers and men discharged to date, while the number ordered released had reached 1,613,500. General March announced today that the army would not be reduced under the circumstances below the figure mentioned in the reorganization bill which failed in congress a total of 509,909 officers and men. He said this total would be maintained until some law was passed providing for a permanent force which would "permit the military necessity of the United States to be handled." The statement was made in connection with the information that General Pershing has been authorized to resume enlistments for the regular army. Men now overseas who desire to enlist in the regular army, General March said, would be accepted and assigned to regular organizations in the army of occupation, relieving other men to be discharged. , ; AMERICAN CLAIMS AGAINST GERMANS TOTAL 75 MILLION (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 8. Claims filed by American citizens and concerns with the state department against Germany and Austria-Hungary totals about $750,000,000 the state department announced today. Additional claims are expected. The claims which will run into the thousands are divided into classes, those arising from submarine atrocities and those due to other acts of the central empire. The state department for several months has had a large force engaged in compiling American losses. Labor Federation Opposes Intervention in Russia (By Associated Pressl PARIS, March 8 The managing Committee of the General Labor Federation has adopted a resolution which begins by quoting sentences from President Wilson's address at New York dealing with the uneasiness of the peoples of Europe. The resolution condemns any ratification of frontiers wrhlch is inspired by desire of conquest and opposes armed intervention in Russia. Responsibility is declined, according to the resolution, for "social events which may occur in case the French delegates at the peace conference systematically disregard popular aspirations and the desires of the laboring classes, which are those of humanity as a whole." Fireman's House Catches Fire While He Fights Another Roof Blaze Fire which destroyed the attic and part of the roof at the home of John Brown, 124 South Fifth street, himself a member of the fire department, Saturday morning, caused some trouble before it was extinguished. Brown was out fighting a small roof blaze when his own house caught fire. Two companies were called to fight the blaze, and found It necessary to cut through the roof before the fire could be reached. Almost the entire roof of the house was burned off and much damage was done to the interior by water. The loss will be about $250. Several ' hundred people witnessed the blaze. Other alarms occurred during the morning. Masses Unsympathetic To Omsk Government VALIDVOSTOK, Marcn 8. A careful review of the situation in Siberia, now in possession of the Canadian in telligence officers predicts much trou ble in the spring and early summer, due to the fact, it says that the masses of the population are unsympathetic to the present Omsk government. The foreign elements supporting the Omsk government shore in unpopularity and also the nations approving the proposed Princes Island conference have lost prestige among the Russians. The leading newspaper of Vladivostok was suppressed February 24, for criticism of the Omsk regime .

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Lady Sarah Wilson, at left, and Lady F. E. Smith. It is reported that two of England's royal women, with the beauty typical of Britain's noblewomen, will come to America in the near future. The two are Lady F. E. Smith and Lady Sarah Wilson. Lady Smith is the wife of England's lord chancellor who recently was raised to the peerage. Lady Wilson is the widow of Col. Gordon Wilson,

who wa3 killed in action at Ypres. APPROPRIATIONS TO BE RESTORED TO FORMER SUM Senate Acts to Restore Mil lion Dollar Fund Slashed From Bill by House. (By Associated Pressl INDIANAPOLIS, March 8. Specific! appropriations will be restored by the senate- to the' figure of the original bill before the house slashed more than one million dollars from the total, according to a plan laid out today by Senator Munton, chairman of the legislative visiting committee. Munton took the floor immediately after the eenate resolved itself into a committee of the whole for consideration of the bill and said that he has amendments to increase practically all of the proposed appropriation to make them conform with those recommended by the committee of which he was chairman. An amendment will be offered, he said, to reinsert the appropriation of $1,000,000 for emergency and contingent funds to be used in buying more land and erecting buildings at state benevolent institutions. This was reduced by the house to $200,000 with a specification that it should be used for nothing except the purchase of additional land. Strenuous Day In House. Speaker Eschbach's promise to the house of the Indiana legislature that "this is going to be a strenuous day," was borne out at the morning session. He told the representatives they might be prepared to remain at work until midnight tonight, and "you will get further if you do not get excited." Immediately the house started its business by adopting reports favoring passage of senate bills increasing from $2 to $3 a day the fees of county clerk for attending court; requiring county treasurers to pay from public funds 2Y2 per cent of the bonded indebtedness on county buildings annually and providing for the state to take over certain property here as an offfcial resident for the governor of the state. A bill passed would limit action against fire insurance companies organized under the laws of Indiana to suits filed by the attorney general of the state. Death and annuity benefits on child- j ren s lives could De paid Dy rraternai insurance associations under a bill of Senator Furnas', passed 82 to 4. School Provision Transfer of high school pupils residing within two miles of a high school in an adjoining city or town and more than four miles from tho nearest high school in their own district was passed 76 to 2. The guardian of an insane person and the spouse of the person of unsound mind would be empowered to execute a deed for the property held under joint title by the provisions of Senator Dorrell's bill, which passed. When Representative Vesey of FL Wayne called down his motion to reconsider the action yesterday of killing the bill authorizing city councils to increase the salaries of mayors of different classes, debate began immediately. The motion was lost 63 to 21. Masters' Bill Passed Senator Masters' bill, repealing the registration of voters law, was passed 70 to 4. The house concurred in the conference committee amendment to the Barnard conservation measure. An increase of salary of $1,000 a year for administering the oil inspection work was refused to the state food ana arug commission Dy tne nouse.

BEAUTIES TO VISIT

Armistice Meeting Was Halted by Agreement (By Associated Pres PARIS, March 8. An official note Issued today says that statements appearing in the press seem to give the impression that the breaking off of negotiations at Spa between the allied and German missions was due to the initiative of the French delegation. It is declared that this is untrue. The allied delegates were under the chairmanship of Admiral Hope, of the British navy, and it was the agreement that they decided to return to Paris and report to their respective governments, it is said. MORE SPEED IS URGED IN PAYING INCOME TAXES Income tax reports and 25 per cent of the tax must be in the office of the commissioner of internal revenue on or before March 15, and according to information received from this office there will have to be a decided and heavy rush of reports from Richmond before that time. It is the intention of the government, an official said today, to get tax officers in every town to help the people with difficulties concerning their tax and reports, but this Is not obligatory on the part of the government, and in many cases the officials may not be able to see everyone who needs some straightening out of difficulties.' It is, however, the obligation of every single man or woman with an income of over $1,000 a year, and every married man or woman with an income of over $2,000 a year, to fill out a report and present all or at least one-fourth of his tax on or before March 15. If the final report can not be made out before then, a tentative one must be submitted and 25 per cent of the amount listed turned over. When the final report is made, then the sum to be paid will be balanced according to it. "It is the duty of every man and woman coming under this law to get busy and get his report made out and sent in," said the official. It is not a baffling nor difficult proposition; tell them to get to work on it, and if they can't do it themselves, to get help from some 6ne." EIGHTY-SEVENTH IS HOME FROM FRANCE NEW YORK, March 8. With 46 officers and 1,000 men of the 348th infantry of the 87th division (national army, Arkansas -Louisiana, Mississippi) the steamship Chicago arrived here today from Bordeaux. These troops comprise the 348th's field and staff, headquarters of first and third battalions, headquarters and supply companies, sanitary detachment and companies A, B, C, D, E, F and I. They are assigned to Camp Dix. Also aboard were 13 casual officers. The steamship Plattsburg arrived from Brest with 2,175 troops, 25 wives of soldiers, 20 wives of sailors, and 150 naval officers and men. The sick and wounded numbered 543, a majority of them being convalescents. The units included the following: Three officers and 145 men of the fifth machine gun battalion of the first division (regular army) for Camps Wheeler, Lee and Sherman; 49th aero squadron; casual companies 921 of Ohio, 923 of Wyoming, 925 of Illinois. 926 of Idaho, 927 of New Jersey, 928 of New York, and 930 of Connecticut. There were about 300 other casuals, including negroes. HEAVY STRIKE LOSS. BUENOS AIRES, March 8. Shipping agents estimate their losses resulting from the strike during the past two months amount to $10,000,000, according to a statement issued today after a meeting . at which measures combatting the port strikers were dis-

AMERICA

GENERAL STRIKE IS CALLED OFF BY SPARTAGANS Labor Federation Urges German Workmen to Return to Work Today. (By Associated Press) BERLIN, Friday, March 7, 6 P. M. The general strike In Berlin will be called off" tonight! The labor federation at a meeting early this morning recommended that the workmen return to work Saturday. German government troops have captured the police headquarters at Berlin and have completely cleared Alexander Platz of strikers here. Fighting has ceased in the center of the city, but continues in the Moabit section. The government troops suffered slight losses and captured many prisoners. To relieve the garrison of the police headquarters, the government troops turned their heavy artillery against the houses nearby and three shells hit a house which was used as insurgent headquarters, scattering the occupants in all directions. Gas was used effectively in the attack on the strikers according to the German Gazette of Berlin. Police Station Besieged Police headquarters were besieged up till 3 o'clock this afternoon by Republican guards and marines. The garrison kept within the building and the besiegers did not make any direct assaults but kept up a desultory fire during the morning. At times there were sharp outbursts of firing, in which machine guns and mine throwers were used. The casualties were light on both sides. The guards and marines seemed to have no united leadership, each man acting for himself. They were scattered among the houses around the headquarters or were posted at corners of streets, each individual or group having a crowd of spectators, who watched the fight from comparatively safe vantage points. Social Democrats, who began a consultation with the German cabinet yesterday relative to the Berlin strike and what concessions could be offered the strikers, left Weimar for Berlin this morning. , The conference lasted well into the night and is reported to have been satisfactory. The terms which were decided upon will be laid before the strikers at Berlin this afternoon and are said to provide for the recognition of the soldiers' and workmen's councils by the new constitution. This is looked upon as a most radical step. It has been urged heretofore, but has been rejected. It is known that the entente allies do not favor it. Before the Socialists entered the conference, a delegation of the Berlin government council arrived and was immediately entered into a consultation with Herr Bauer, lbor minister. Greek Forces to Swear Fealty to Bulgaria (By Associated Press) SALONIKI, Friday, March 7. Bulgarians are summoning Greek residents of recovered territories in Western Thrace and are asking them to make written declarations before the mayors of various towns that they are Bulgarians, according to information received from reliable persons. Those who refuse to renounce their fealty to Greece, it is said, are deprived of food. Thirty-Six Hours More of March Weather on Way Weatherman Moore has forecast wild March weather during the next thirty-six hour period for this vicinity. He says there will be a combination or rain, sunshine, wind and snow, and colder weather during the next two days.

WEST PART OF COUNTY IS AGAINST NEWBRIDGE Delegation of Prominent Men Expresses Opposition to Proposed Construction of South Side Bridge. ACTION IS POSTPONED

Decision to postpone final consideration of the South G street bridge until their next regular meeting next Saturday was reached by the .county commissioners Saturday morning after they had listened to an all-morning squabble between E. M. Campfield, chief advocate of the bridge and a delegation from the western part of the county who expressed determined opposition to its building. D. C. Harlan, of Beeson Station, William Oler of Dublin and John Harper representing the Welfare club of Cambridge City, which is unanimous In opposition to the bridge, were leaders of the delegation made up of fourteen of the most prominent men of the western part of the county. Harlan said that the west end of the county was unalterably opposed to the building of the bridge now, that there were other parts of the county that needed Improvement worse than the South G street bridge was needed in Richmond, and that the western part of tne county was unanimously opposed to it, feeling that they had not had their share of improvements. City Pays the Bills. He called for a rising viote of the delegation to signify whether they represented the feeling of the west end in opposition to the bridge being built now, and they rose to a man. Campfield showed some temper in replying. "Richmond has never cost the county one cent," he said. "In fact, Richmond has paid the bills for a great many county improvements. When you go to attacking the town that's paying the bills, if you begin to demand 'your share' of the improvements, then we will demand ours. If the west end is going to fight this thing, then we will draw a line and give you a worth-while fight, 1 say the bridge ought to be built and Is going to be built-'' - "If we are going to proceed that way" answered Harlan, I suggest that we submit this matter to the people of the county. I believe I know what their answer will be. It will take more men than you with more eloquence than you have, to convince the west end that this thing is right. There are bridges over the county that must be soon repaired or replaced, and if we are going to spend any money now, let us spend It on them." Means Higher Tax. "What we want is harmony," said Campfield. "If you have anything we want, speak it out." There was a general laugh from the room when someone cried, "A lower tax rate." Oler of Dublin then questioned Campfield's statement that the "city of Richmond had never cost the county one penny. You may have a majority of taxpayers and pay the majority of taxes, but it is not true that you have never cost the county a penny, and it is not true that this bridge would not cost the county a penny," he said. The tax rate will have to be raised all over the county. What do you mean then by saying that the bridge won't cost us a penny?" Only Two Benefits. Another member of the delegation asked Campfield what was the necessity for the bridge and what proportion of the population would be benefitted. Still another asked him whether he would be prepared to guarantee the bridge not to cost over $185,000. This provoked a general discussion, during which Harlan said: "The only two beneficial aspects of this bridge I can see are that it would benefit the south side association and the street car company. If you had a streetcar line down the west bank of the river, wouldn't that serve the west and southwest side a3 well as a new bridge?" Campfield again showed temper In his reply to these questions saying that the county would never get anywhere by "knocks and kicks". Requires Bond Issue. County Treasuar Ed J. Weidner Interrupted to explain to the delegation the financial aspect of the proposition. He said that $185,000 worth of bonds would have to be issued despite the committee's assertion that only about $75,000 of that should be credited to the south side bridge. Weidner added that he did not think it possible to sell for par a bond at 4 per cent, the rate at which the bonds were authorized to be issued. The bonds for the Main street bridge were taken by banks simply as a convenience to the county, he said, and any bonds to sell at par now would have to bear at least 44. The question was then asked directly of Campfield whether he would ba willing to guarantee the bridge not to cost over $185,000. Other member 'of the delegation seconded the ques- : tion, saying that the west part of the ! county had the impression that tho bridge could not be built for that sum and that the move to start it was simply to get the county in the position where it would have to go ahead with the construction. Campfield answered that he would be willing that a contract to that effect should be drawn up. Oler again argued with Campfield that his statement in regard to the improvement not costing the county "one penny." was wrong, saying the assertion was not true. The meeting then broke up into a general argument. Threats were heard on the part : Continued On Page Fifteen.