Muskogee Times-Democrat from Muskogee, Oklahoma • Page 1

gain THE WEATHER. Oklahoma: Tonight probably" showers In portion, cooler In south and northwest portions. Thursday generally fair with cooler in southeast portion. Maximum temperature for 24-hour period at noon today 88, minimum 63. MUSKOGEE TIMES- REMEMBER THE DATES OCTOBER 8-13 Free State.

Fair MUSKOGEE VOLUME 111. HOME EDITION MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA. WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 26, 1917 (EIGHT PAGES) NUMBER 231 TERRIFIC BATTLE IN BERLIN WOULD QUIT BELGIUM CONDITIONALLY In Separate Answer to Pope Germany Proposed to Evacuate Country if Allowed Economic Freedom, Says Dispatch. WILLING TO HELP PAY FOR INJURIES TO STRICKEN LAND But Must Have Guarantee That No Such Menace as That Wnich Was Threatening Germany Dur- Be Repeated. i Drive Enemy fter Great Air AT STAGGERING FOE; YPRES- off GORE TELEGRAM Battle Only 0 erman Machine Managed to Get Over London and It Was stopped in Outskirts; Crowds Have a Fine Time.

1 Sept. persons were sixteen injured in the southeastern outskirts of London, in last night's air raid. London, Sept. has agreed to evacuate Belgium on certain conditions, it is declared in a German official statement, according to a despatch from Berne today given out by the Wireless Press. Germany, it is stipulated, must have the right to develop her economic enterprises freely in Belgium, especially in Antwerp.

In New Note to Pope. The proposal was made in a supplementary note to the Vatican, replying to the peace initiative of Pope Benedict. It was in the form of a verbal communication made Foreign Secretary Kuehlmann to the papal muncio at Munich, wherein the foreign secretary specified the conditions under which Germany was willing to conclude peace on the basis of the evacuation of Belgium; Help Pay Damages. The verbal note to the papal i nuncio said Germany would- con- tribute a share of the compensa-i tion to be paid to Belgium for war damage. Belgium would be required, it said, to give a guarantee that any such menace as that which threatened Germany in 1914, would in future be excluded.

Other Terms Outlined. Belgium must undertake to maintain administrative separation of the Flanders and Walloon districts introduced by Germany, the verbal note says, because this separation corresponds to the wishes of.a majority of the Belgian people aiid because Germany desires separation on account of racial sympathy. NEW SWEDISH MINISTER RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT London, Sept. details lurking, it is reported lhat a thrilling hattle occurred between German and Hiitish air men a fiw miles from London, which probably accounts for the fact that last night's air raid resulted In so "little damage In the metropolis. Gorman airplanes, although they crossed the country at seveial points were met anil continually harried by a large force of British machines.

WhetheY any of the raiders were brought down has hr.en learned but according to early reports the formation of the Gf 'niiW fleet which was coming toward bondun at a gicat height and at great speed was completely up by tin Britich fliers, the raiders separa 'lng and all sued. So effective were the measures taKen to Intercept this Ion In'ruder that he was unable to penetrate beyond the outskirts of London. the anti-aircraft guns boomed constantly establishing a barrage fire around the city as on Monday light, dinciK li. hotels and rest-turants and audiences in theaters and at the opera at th? time for the pnrt were Indilfcrent and unaffected. Some of the theaters and moving picture places anticir.a* ing the raid had thi'ir advertising in the 'T papers with si announcements -as "moon light nights open as bomb pi oof shelter." Many persons w.tnt to parks and other open SIICP; for a good deal of what they called "The Hun Air Show," while others went about the streets refusing to take to cover under stairways, latforms and underground stations where inmost cautious, including thousi of women and children sought refuge.

The. scenes in the sheltered places were similar to those of Monday n'qht, many laughing and Joking and others reading newspapers, maga7in and 'lO 'ks with which they ht.it nrovlded themselves apparently for' a The crowds in sonio plaron were having such a good time that the police tound difficulty in dislodging 'hem when the "all clear" signal was given. The following official announcement was given out: "The latest information shows that tho first group of raiders which ap- OF ANTI-DRAFTER H. Bryant, I. W.

W. Organizer, Held for New Plot. Fetleral officers stated this morning that they believe one of the best, organized efforts in Knatorn Oklahoma proached London Inst, tb.o~draf.t-la.wa of the United. NO INDEMNITY, DEFEAT, SAYS TIRP1TZ AT MEET OF FATHERLAND PARTY Copenhagen, Sept. new German fatherland party held its first open meeting in Berlin -last night and the crowd--In Philharmonic hall was so enormous that an overflow meeting was held nearby.

No government officials attended cither meeting. Duke Johunn Albrecht of Mecklenburg-Schwerin opened both meetings and' Admiral VOL Tirpltz was the speaker at each. Admiral Tlrpltz pointed out that the submarine warfare Is Germany's legal right and that Belgium now has her just deserts. Bel- glum, the speaker declared' was already England's bridgehead and Germany must do her utmost preventing England from Belgium's protecting master. Admiral von Tlrpitz further declared that peace without a heavy war Indemnity meant Germany's defeat and the victory of Anglo-American capitalism.

back by gun fire, (not more than two machines actually penetrating the defenses. These two machines dropped a number of bombs in the southeastern outskirts of London at about 7:45 p. m. which damaged several dwelling houses, killing six persons and injuring sixteen. "The secqnd group of raiders which approached London half an hour later was driven off.

were Cropped in various localities in southeast England." BfflPfffM DESERTED WIFE BAIL IS SET AT HIGH MARK Minister Must Furnish $10,000, Other $25,000, or Remain in Federal Jail. Details of I. W. W. Plots in Oklahoma Held by U.

S. Small Bunch of Agitators Fooled Ignorant Farmers Into Believing Millions Over Nation Would Take Up Arms in Rebellion. Washington, Sept. a small coterie active anti-war workers, operating under the direction of the i I. W.

persuaded hundreds of un- L. Laper, Treacher, and V. r. Oklahoma farmers to take up nrms against the government's enforcement of the selective draft law, is revealed in papers seized by federal agents In tho -recent raid of I. W.

W. headquarters. Testimony given at Enid, recently to the effect that a national uprising was planned in which towns would be seized, cities attacked, bridges burned was taken by here as an Indication that the Oklahoma farmers really believed the plans would carry. As a matter of fart, officials assert, even tho most radical lenders of the movement knew that it could accomplish but 1-ttle more than local disturbances. Tho farmers were incited to'tnke up arms with the full knowledge that tho movement would lead to nothing, simple as States has been broken up by United States Deputy Marshal W.

R. Hignight of Ardmore, by the arrest of H. C. Caper, a preacher, and V. F.

Bryant, an I. W. and W. C. U.

orr ganizer. These men were arrested a few days ago, and after a hearing before United States Commissioner Hutchinson, held In default of bonds of $10,000 and $25,000 respectively. They were brought to the federal Jail at Muskogee last night. When arrested Caper had In his possession a telegram from Senator T. Gore, the contents ot which he is said to have used as a basis for his anti-draft sermon which he prenched far and near in an effort, it Is charged, to keep men out'Of the draft.

Ho is said to have, told the young men who came to his revival meetings, which he held in a tent near Dougherty, that if they would join After Escaping Draft Commerce Man Fled, Is.Allegation; Many Decisions Announced. IN BUENOS AIRES Anti-German Manifestations Lead to Rioting; One Killed and Many Wounded. Washington, Sept. minister from Sweden, W. A.

F. Ekengren, was received today by President Wilson. The audience nrranged with tho minister's request aroused considerable interest coming close on the disclosures of how Sweden's legations in Argentina and Mexico had been transmitting secret communications for Germany. No announcement was of the purpose of the minister's visit. CANT MEET WAGE DEMAND UNLESS PRICE OF COAL IS REVISED OPERATORS SAY Buenos Aires, Sept.

disorders occurred in various parts of the capital today as tho result of an anti- German manifestation and strike agitations. As an outcome of the firing upon street can by strikers or sympathizers an inspector was killed and several persons were wounded. TIMES-DEMOCRAT WORKERS PRESENT HANDSOME WATCH TO 'THE BEST EMPLOYER' When Frank Ross Kid of Commerce, appeared before the local board with the claim for exemption from military service on the ground of having a. wife and three children solely dependent on him for support, ho presented such a case that the board exempted htm. Later on, however, according to the county- of Ottawa county, they discovered that Kid didn't stay with his dependent family very long after he hnd been exempted.

On the contrary, it is claimed that he deserted them fo.r another woman shortly afterward. The county attorney has written a letter to the district board recommend ing that tho case be reconsidered and that Kid bo sent to the army where "he can do his country more good than he Is now doing his family." The final decision of tho board has not yet been Riven. Opposed to War. J. N.

Penick of Arkoma, is a man who says that he has religious scruples against fighting, or rather against shooting at his fellow-men. "I protest," he says in a letter to the district board, "against your action because I have chosen the can Washington, Sept. operators of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and western Pennsylvania today notified miners' representatives in conference here that they were unable to meet the miners' demands for, a wage Increase Df about twenty-five per cent unless the government' revises the prices bituminous coal It is probable that after another operators and miners late today Dr. H. A.

Garfield, the coal administrator, will pe called In to consider the situation.J their welfare. (Continued on Page Erght) 5TH MISSOURMNFANTRY TO PASS THRU' MUSKOGEE TONIGHT; LOCAL BOY IN IT In token of their high regard for their retiring employer, Eugene M. Kerr, the employes of the Times- Democrat yesterday evening presented him 1 a hundsome gold watch, bearing this inscription in the cose: "Eugene M. Kerr, tho Best Employer on Earth, from Those Who Know, Muskogee Times-Democrat Employes, Muskogee, Okla." The name "Muskogee Times-Democrat" was engraved in reproduction af the caption at the top of the newspaper. "I am prouder of that inscription," said Mr.

Kerr, I would be to. have myself called the greatest newspaper man in the state." Mr. Kerr has been the publisher of the Times-Democrat for twelve years, and his retirement from that position was a matter of sincere regret to all who worked for him. His reputation has always been that of a fair, conscientious employer, T-D. Four trains carrying tho Fifth Mis sour! Infantry are scheduled to pass through this city tonight, the first section arriving about 7 o'clock.

This regiment, which is commanded by Colonel Leroy K. Itobbins, caries flag presented by Marshal Joffro while the French commander was on his re cent tour through tho United States. In the command are a number of prominent St. Louis business men. Company Is commanded Capt.

Dwight F. Davis, former park commissioner of that city. In Capt. Davis' command is Glenn Nolley, son of Geo. W.

Nolley, a real estate man of Muskogee. his church they would escape the draft. The Gore Telegram. "The telegram purported to have been sent Caper by Senator Gore, seized by' federal officers, read as follows: "Your telegram received, and greatly appreciated. Am quoting the following, section 4 of the draft act: 'Nothing in this act contained shall he eonstruted to require 6r compel any person to serve in any of the forces, herein provided for whq is found to be a member of any well organized religious sect or organization at present organized and existing and whose existing creeds and principles forbid Its members to participate The telegram was dated September 18.

Marshal to Meetings. When unusually large crowds began to attend the meetings of the white haired preacher of the Church of" Christ, as Caper called rda denoml nation, Deputy Htgnight also went and soon came to the conclusion that the preacher wnsn't doing anything that was calculated to Increase' the. patriot ism of the community; in that he was hindering the' draft a great deal. He was arrested. Since his arrest it is said that Information "has been received that showed that he had been holding regular meetings with young men of the district telling them Just how to Join and what to say they believed in order to.

'Keep out of the army. Bryant Case Serious. Tho case of Brynfit is considered even more serlotin by the federal officers, although details as to his methods of working have not yet been received here. It has been learned that Bryant, who Is recognized as a W. C.

U. and I. W. W. organizer and leader, has been keeping company with several preachers.

He is suspected of being the chief force behind Caper. it is not certain that these men will riot be brought before the federal grutfd jury now in session at McAlester as the work there is unusually heavy at presont. They will be held pendlnK Investigation and will probably be held over to the next grand Jury. Fred Douglas and James Morrow who failed to register for military service, were also brought to tho federal Jail by Deputy Hignlght. i PERU THREATENS RUPTURE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ment temporarily.

An Agrarian Movement. Tho anti-draft demonstration started OB an ngrarlan movement, the records show, in Oklahoma whore a number of illiterate farmers obtained an exaggerated Idea of tho law's operations. Certain I. W. W.

leaders learned of secret meetings held by the OCEAN USE SOON TO BE COMPLETE farmers In churches and other ri'H at night and sent ngltntnrs to'tho tccne to fan the discontent Into open rebellion, it Is said, by playing upon their fears. It was represented to the fanners lhat. thousands of their neighbors In Missouri, Kansas and Texas wero ready In an armed uprising, that millions of "men working for wages" would Join thrfm In other slates and that the movement could not fall to result in an overthrow of the government. With tho government overthrown, there v. as lo be a general division of the money of tho rich among the "men working for wages" and other benefi's.

of wide dimensions were to ba obtained. U. 8. Agents Arrest Leaders. Department of justice agents, operating In the vicinity, of tiie ambitious program and prior -to July 27, the night set for the genoril uprising, brought tho project, to an end with tho arrest of the ring- lenders of the ATTio time, It was nald, was tho disturbance more thajn local In character or regarded hero as likely to-spread.

The fomentation of this trouble is only one of many actlvltlos which authorities here are investigating connection with the recent seizure of I. W. W. papers throughout the coun- tiy. ANGRY ARKANSAWYERS TAR AND FEATHER 4 I.

it. AFTER LAYING ON THE LASH BLOW PUSHES GREAT WEDGE IN BOCHE LINE British Advance Third of Mile on Wide Front as Heavy Onslaught Is Launched, Says Opening Report of Conflict. SANGUINARY FIGHTING SURE BEFORE DECISION RESULTS Germans Bitterly Contesting Eves? Foot of Ground; Attackers Very Successful on Northern Part Sector, Is Assertion. New Marine to Aggregate 9,200,000 Tons, Says Report Given- by Shipping Board. Washington, Sept.

a little more than a year the United States will have an ocean going merchant fleet of more than 1 ,600 ships, aggregating 9 the shipping board announced today in a statement giving details of the government's shipbuilding program. The Present Tonnage. This amount compares with a present tonnage of 3,500,000, of which 700.000 tons represent German and Austrian ships under operation by tho United States. The American ships available for overseas service number 458 with a tonnage of 2,871.000. There- are 117 German and Austrian ships with a tonnage of 700,000.

The emergency fleet corporation has commandeered In American shipyards nearly 400 steel ships of more Until 2,500,000 tons and has contracted for 636 ships with a tonnage of 3,124,700. Commandeered Ships Completed. "Tho fleet in prospect," Bald tho statement, "is already becoming a reality. Several of tho commandeered ships have been completed and already cargo, others will leave the ways In increasing numbers, with each succeeding month. The first launching Is expected within sixty to days." In udditlo'n to the ships building and.

contracted for the board plans' to construct several millionJtans of shipping for which A- bliron-dollar appropriation has Just been asked of congress. ANOTHER OF KITCHENER'S INDIAN STAFF IS KILLED Stuttgart, Sept. Pour white men, believed to be W. W. agents, were whipped and tarred and feathered by a mob of 160 Arkansas county farmers near here about 1 o'clock this morning.

one of- them- Luck -Laurr a Stuttgart character, were taken, from tho county jail to a point two. miles north of town. After tho men had been whipped, tar and feathers applied and their clothes returned to them, each starting away in a difforent direction. They were warned that If they returned to this county a "noc'tttle would be held. The men were arrested yesterday afternoon after officers had been informed that the farmers were organizing to stop activities of tho four endeavor Ing Incite JSi borers brought here from working the rice harvest.

The 150 farmers all composing the mob were in fifty automobiles. CASE UPTO JURY Mrs. Fisher Chief Witness in Case Against Wholesale Company for Auto Accident. TAX CONFEREES GET AGREEMENT Washington, Sept. A basis for complete agreement on the two billion- dollar war tux bill was reached today by senate and house conferees.

Its presentation to both houses of congress tr morrow is planned. excess profits Lima, Peru, Sept. government has instructed the Peruvian minister at Berlin to present to the German government a demayid that satisfaction be given within eight days for the sinking of the Peruvian bark Lorton. If the demand Is not met diplomatic relations will be broken off. A compromise war The.

members of "the taxation system, combining the house force know him as a friend, who I and senate plans at about a gross levy has' never let pass an opportunity for of one billion dollars, waa agreed upon. The Lorton was sunk inside Spanish waters last February by a German submarine. Peru, declared tho sinking to be unjustifiable and insisted on payment of an indemnity by Germany. The German government offered to submit the case' to a prize court. NO PEACE OVERTURE8 DUE.

Rome, Tuesday, Sept. Vatican denies reports that Pope Benedict Intends to proposals for peace negotiations involving mediation by King Alfonso of Spain. BANK CLEAfUNG8. Muskogee bank clearings for today i were $333,890.58. London, Sept.

General F. A. Maxwell, V. S. a member of the late Earl Kitchener's Indian staff, has been killed ln action, according to a report ln tho Express.

With the exception of Lieutenant General William R. Blrdwood, says tho Express, it is a remarkablo fact that all of Earl Kitchener's Indian staff have lost their lives ln this war. NEAR GULF COAST The case of Mrs. Daisy Lee Fisher, who is suing tho Hale-Halsell Grocery company for $50,000 because of injuries that sho received last December when she was run down by a motor truck of tho company at Third and Broadway, was the only case being tried, today in superior court. Mrs.

Fisher was on tho stand during the morning and testified about the accident. She said that she was going across the street according to the established custom of pedestrians and that she heard no horu or approaching automobile, that first thing she kpew was that she had been run down? She said that she was ln the hospital three weeks aiid that she suffered intense pain throughout that time, and that when she left the hospital she continued to suffer arid, is now a nervous wreck bocause of tho injuries sustained. The contention of tho is that the truck was on the wrong side of the street and that the driver didn't blow the, horn. At a late hour counsel for plaintiff had not finished their, case. CAPTAIN GUYNEMER, NOW MISSING, BROUGHT DOWN 78 GERMAN WAR PLANES Washington, Sept.

The tropical disturbance which is'approaching the coast of the United States across the Gulf" of Mexico probably was central this, morning near, latitude 25 degrees. north and logitude 85 degrees westrthe shut down weather bureau announced. Hurricane warnings are displayed on the gulf coast from Mobile to Apala- chlcola, and. storm over the Paris, Sept. George Onynemer, who has been officially j.csted as missing, is credited in tho army aviation records with having 63 German airplanes 1 side the German liheH.and with having destroyed at lEasr 2T njot '3 ihnt were uncounted.

Captain 'Quynemer has been missing since he flow from British Headquarters in Fran and Belgium, Sept. Press.) Along northern half of the battle line the east of Ypres, where Field shal Haig assumed the offe this morning, the British had vanced at numerous places for distance of from ,1,000 tq yards. An somewhat vague, indicated that British infantry was fighting a line only a few hundred west of Zonnebeke. The are resisting desperately and aj thousand astride the Ypres-Menin rowctfu. terrific struggle is Pushing Emmy Evir Back.

The line of the present battle between points to the east of Julien and southwest of Ghtlv The" Germans already have- pushed out of many important tions. The" British appear to have extremely successful through the northern half line of No news is available from the" tor of Polygon wood and the gion south of that forest. Task a Bitter The most important poults volved in today's fighting strongly held elevations Ypres-Roulers railway and Ypres-Menin highway. Aus Scotch and English troops were day pushing out into forbi country over ground still sodd' from rains, among concrete steel redoubts, over elevations, through bits of woods choked wi quick-firing guns. They might of their object and yet cover th selves with glory.

Fighting la It seems that much sangaii fighting is to follow. The mans knew the attack was coming, and their recent were attempts to frustrate the ish plans. They have been ing up reinforcements for days for the battle which began, thSM morning. The main efforts of Germans" today, were against the right (By Associated Prasa.) With less than a week's delivering the recent at the.German lines in Fland British have resumed launching an attack on a wide northeast and east of Yprea this morning. The trend of the battle briefly indicated in the ettrrjp ment.

Field Marshal ported that bis troops in good progress. Driving Apparently tha- driving In tho forced into the the tprea.MwM* Dunkirk on September 11,.