The Washington Herald from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 1

i-- The Herald Prints AD the, News That's Fit to Print Finest Half-tone Section South Of New York NO. 3013. WEATHER FAIR. WASHINGTON, D. SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 1915.

FIFTY-TWO PAGES. FIVE CENTS. wM FUTILITIES NOW FACING RATEjIGHT Valuation to Gome Next, Newman Tells Citizens at Meeting TALKS-tTfEDERATION Siddons and Kutz Favor Re-survey of District's Fiscal Relations With U.S. Assembled to inaugurate a "get-together" movement in which Congress, the District government, and the people of Washington will work in harmony for the best interests of the National Capital, a meeting of the Federation of Citizens' Associations last night listened to notable addresses by Commissioners Newman, Siddons, and Kutz, Senator Martine, and others. Following are some of the features of the meeting in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce: 1.

Commissioner Newman for the first time publicly explained his reasons for resisting the suit to oust him from office. He predicted that as Moon an the 1'ub-XTtllltlea linn ascertained the physical valuation of tlie properties under their jurisdiction "fireworks" trill commence In the commission, and local utility companies will lie forced to prove their rlRht to maintain exist-Inx; rates for service. 2. Commissioner Siddons urged a. resur-vey by a Joint committee of the Senate and House of the fiscal relationship anil inler-rcsponslbility for the National Capital of the Federal government and the taxpayers of the District.

This he advanced as the best method of settling th existing controversy over the half-and-half plan. J. Knsineer Com mis-sinner Kutz declared that, in his opinion, after a study of the statistics involved, such a resurvoy not only would show that the taxpayeis of the District are not bearing more than one-half of the expenses of the government of the National Capital, but would react to the ben' lit of the citizens of tht District l). C. Pnjs More Than Half.

have been operating under tlie half-and-half plan for thirty-seven years and the results speak for themselves." declared MaJ. Kutz. "I believe an investigation of the ht-cal relations between the Federal and District governments would result beneficially to the people of the District, for I think that in reality the people here already are paying more than their half under the half-and-half plan." Commissioner Kutz declared the of the Aqueduct bridge Is the most important public project before the District, and i-ald he would not be adverse to seeing the people of Hie District pav a part of the cost of erecting the bridge so that the people may have a voice in the site of the new bridge. He pointed out that the pending bill provides that all the should bo borne by the United States and said if the United States pays all it would want to fix the location of the bridge to furnish the most direct route to Fort Mer. "I am in favor of the new bridge being erected near the site of the present he said.

Mr. mmnns riatfnrm. The following Is a summary of Commissioner Newman's platfAm as outlined last night: "Socialism. In the broadest sense, of the instrumentalities and functions of the District government. EfTectlve and most highly useful regulation of privately owned public utilities with the hope that ultl- mately these concerns will pass from private to public ownership.

Reorganization, readjustment, and reform of the taxation methods of the District Commissioner Newman. In beginning his address, said: "I am going to open wide the doors of my mind and show you Just what Is there. First, I bellevo that I do. In fact, meet the statutory requirements for Commissioners of tho District Before I was appointed I Investigated the law as to qualifications ot a Commissioner and gave President Wilson a copy of the law. a complete statement of all the facts, and called his attention to the fact that there might be some question as to whether I was qualified.

Mr. Wilson la a lawyer and he personally considered the law and facts before he sent my nomination to the Senate. Senate Action Studied. "The Senate did not act In a perfunctory way but tnade a careful, thorough and complete investigation on Its own account. I gave the Senate District Committee the same tacts I have given the coirnsHW oit page two.

SHE WAS ONLY AN OUTCAST. list Charity Died In "Whitman's Heart "When He Heard Camera. Sprdal to The Waahinzton Urndd. Albany, N. Jan.

9. Gov. Whitman was stepping Into his limousine at the Washington avenue side of the capitol today when a young girl with a shawl over her head and her toes protruding from her shoesNbegged a few cents. The governor pulled from his pocket a handful of change. "You look as though you have suffered, little girl," he remarked.

She began to sob and with her hands In a prayerful attitude muttered: "Please help me, I am only a poor outcast." At the moment the governor heard a whirring sound and turned about quickly. Half concealed behind a pillar was a moving picture camera. Mr. Whitman ran to his limousine. Jumped in and slammed the door.

The camera mat, said that Mr. Whit man was the most unsatisfactory movie actor he had ever encountered. FEAES FOE SIXTY ON SHIP. No Trace of Alaska Steamer Lone Overdue Storm Is Itnginc. SroI Cable to The Washington Hmld.

aldez. Alaska, Jan. 9. Fears are felt here for the sixty passengers and sailors on the mail steamship Dora, which left Kodiak for Seward, a run of thirty hours, on January 3, and has not re ported. A terrific storm is reported off Cook inlet.

The ship is a wooden vessel owned by the Alaska Steamship Cora-Panj. VILLA PROMISES Tells Scott Maytorena Will Be Ordered to Sign Agreement. CONFERENCE AMICABLE Carranza Orders Oil Well in Mexico to Stop) Canova Reaches Washington. frfcul to The Washington Hmld. Kl Paso, Jan.

9. Gen. Villa promised today that he would put a stop to all fighting along the Mexican-United States border. This promise was made in the American custom-house here to Brig. Gen.

Hugh Scott, V. S. with whom Villa had a long and amicable conference. The Mexican chieftain said he would order Gen. Maytorena to sign the agreement already signed by Gen.

Hill of the Carranza forces, neutralizing all border towns. He also said he would abandon the plan of sending Gen. Cabral's forces to attack the Sonora border towns and would send Cabral instead to Invade the interior of Sonora and the west coast. The l'ring along the border has been a constant source of trouble ever since the Madero rebellion of 1911. and during the last two months more than fifty noncom- batants on the American side of the line have been killed or wounded.

Prohll.lU OH Well Drilling. That Carranza is in a position to make serious trouble for foreign owners and operators of oil and other mineral properties in Mexico, most of whom are Americans, was the opinion that followed the receipt by the State Department of reports of Carranza's degree, ordering the suppression of all further development of mineral lands. Practically all the oil lands In Mexico are In territory which Carranza controls. His decree asserts that no operations must be carried on henceforth without the consent of the constitutionalist authorities. Just what steps they will attempt under the new decre Is not yet known here.

It Is anticipated that serious controversies arc likely to bo pre cipitated soon and that the aid of the State Department will be Invoked by the oil men. It Is provided In Carranza's decree that work on the oil lands shall remain suspended until new laws governing their operation can be enacted. It is alleged by Carranza that the properties have been operated to the detriment of the nation and to the exclusive benefit of the owners, and that the Mexican government has been defrauded out of ben efits whlchhould have accrued to It Villa and Zapata A tree. A cryptic announcement by Provisional President Gutierrez, Intimating that the Villa-Zapata government Is nearlng an arrangement with the provincial authorities which will lead to a strengthening of the central government under the domination ot the conventlonlst party. but without dependence upon any partlc-luar leader or faction was Issued yesterday.

Leon Canova. one of Mr. Bryan's special agents in Mexico, arrived In Washington yesterday to consult with oCidals of the department and had a brief Interview with the Secretary. Reports from Mexico City hare indicated there Is a notable lack of good feeling between Mr. Canova.

George Carothers and John Sllliman. all three of whom have been In Mexico City supposedly for the purpose of keeping this government advised of the real happenings In the situation there. It Is the opinion of officials here that George Carothers, special agent of the government In Mexico, will not long' remain. In the service. So far as can be learned, Mr.

Carothers has had no misunderstanding with Secretary 'Bryan. His COiTOKUED ON PAO.E TWO. TO END FIGHTNG ID MAN' ELOPES WITH SON'S BRIDE ONWEDDIINIGHT Now He's Sued as Co-respondent in Young Physician's Divorce Case. MOTHER AIDS "GROOM" Says She Saw Husband and Daughter-in-law in Room Together. QUIT HIM AFTER CEREMONY Pair Would Wed.

but Deserted Wife May Not Sue and Leave Them Free. Special to The Washington Hmld. Ken- York, Jan. 9. Dr.

Franklin D. Wood is only twenty-three years old; his wife, Leila, Is twenty, and his father. Henry Jackton Wood, is forty-seven, but the charms of Wood, perc, so overshadowed those ot Wood. tils. In the eyes of the young soman, that she eloped on her wedding night with her father-in-law.

This was the strange story that young Dr. Wood unfolded today in Justice Co-halan's branch ot the Supreme Court, where he has named his father as corespondent in a bill for divorce. The narrative was corroborated by Mrs. Henry Jackson Wood, whom the elder Wood deserted the night he stole his son's bride. The wedding took place two years ago.

and for part of that time the fugitives lived in Chicago, but are now- said to be i in St. Louis, where they are living together as man and wife and eagerly waiting for Mrs. Wood and her son to obtain divorces, so that they may marry. "Our courtship covered Mx said Dr. Wood on the witness stand.

"Leila seemed to love me dearly, and I was dellrlousb happy when I went to the altar with her. But on the way to my home, my father's home it was then, she suddenly became very frigid in hsr manner. I asked her what the trouble was. Tito Vanished amc lsht. "'I love another she told me.

"He is older than you arc, and you know who he is, but I'm not going to tell his name. But 1 really love mm, and I uon love jou." We had planned a honeymoon, but im mediately abandoned it. and my wife went 'to her home, while I went on to my own. In the morning my mother told mc father had left. She didn't know where he had gone.

I found out later in the day that my wife had packed her trousseau and left also, and that her family didn't know where she had gone. Mother and I continued to live at our house, but it was six months before we heard from father. "We never did hear from Leila, and had no suspicion that they were together." Mrs. Wood, when on the stand, wept, and had to talk very slowly, as she had been In a hospital until yesterday, and had left it only to testify in her son's suit. "I received a summons to visit my husband in Chicago," Ehe said.

"I did nof till him when I would arrive there He had been gone six months. I got to Chi- tago one evening and went to the address he had given me. It was 22X Milwaukee avenue, and there I found an apartment with his name on the door. Jumped Oat of lied. I rang and w-as admitted by a servant.

I walked Into a bedroom, and as I entered my husband sprang out of bed. As he came to the door Lelia. my son's wife, jumped out of the same bed and ran to tho window. "What docs this I demanded, and my daughter-in-law In a shriek told me she loved my husband her father-in-law. I tried to persuade them to behave themselves and return to their homes.

But my daughter-in-law wrapped her arms around my husband and said she wouldn't leave him." Mrs. Wood said she returned Immediately to New York, and later, when advised by Wood that he and the girl had moved to St Louis, visited them in the Missqurl city and again tried to persuade them to return home, but found them determined to remain together. Whether Mrs. Wood will sue for a divorce after her son's decree Is granted Is problematical. Sho is said to be averse to clearing the way for a marriage between her husband and her daughter-in-law.

MORGANS CONSIGN 3,000,000 TO VILLA Gold Guarded by. Eight Armed Men Passes Through Fort Worth on Way to EI Paso. Fort Worth, Tex, Jan. 9. Guarded by eight armed men, a sum of money said to be $3,100,000, passed through here to day New York, to El Paso, consigned to Francisco Villa.

The money ras In charge of the Wells-Fargo Express Company. According to waybills the' meney was consigned by the Morgan Company, of TUBES TUEN ON EUSSIANS. Ottoman Forces Again on Offensive In Caucasus. I' Special Cable to The Waahuxtoa HaiR Petrograd, Jan. 9.

The Turkish forces overwhelmingly defeated at Ardahan and Sarl-Kamlsch have rallied and again have taken the offensive against the Rus sians. An official dispatch received today from Caucasus headquarters says: "To-relieve their deplorable position, the Turkish troops of the Tenth Corps have resumed the offensive near Karaur-gan." This town Is southwest of Sarl-Kamlsch and on Russian territory. HAD $400 MORE THAN HE KNEW. So John Pastor Hastens to Pay Additional Tax. Special to The Waahinston Herald Cleveland, Jan.

9. 'Rev. W. W. Bustard.

pastor of John D. Rockefeller's Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, today wrote to County Treasurer O'Brien asking to be taxed on two adltlonal property and Inclosing a stamp so O'Brien might mail him the extra tax bill. "Having recently received a bank book in which I find MOO that aws not reported, will you kindly add that to my tax account and mall me the bill?" his letter says. SENATOR LEWIS GOES SOUTH. Recover Sufficiently from Illness to Take Train for Hot Springs.

Special to The ttashinjton Hmld. Springfield. Jan. 9. Lmted States Senator James Hamilton Lewis had sufficiently recovered from his attack or indigestion to enable him to take the 10 train today for Hot Springs, Ark.

The Senator was ordered South by his physician. TOENDSTRIFE Great Peace Society Will Be Formed to Stop War in Europe. TIME TO STRIKE BLOW Famous Women Realize Opportunity Is Here, Says Miss Richards Officers' Will Be Elected Today. A national organization of the women of the country for the purpose of ending the war and assuring peace for all time will be formed this morning as a result of meetings at the Wlllard yesterday of woman pacificists, delegates from peace societies, from every part of the United States. Officers will be elected and a Platform will be adopted probably consisting of the following plans: 1.

A request that the President call a conference of all the neutral nations to devise ways of ending the war. 2. The nationalization or all factories turning out munitions of war. 3. A provision that no war indemnities be exacted unless for a violation of International law.

4. A provision that no province be transferred as a result of conquest without the people being given the opportunity to express themsetves on that transfer or on their being given autonomous government. 5. The provision of machinery whereby the people of every country, through their representatives, be given a voice In the formation of their foreign policy. 6.

The re-enforcement of the democracies of the world by the IncluVon of women In the ranks ot equal citizenship. 7. Prohibition of the exportatlons of war munitions from any country during the time of hostilities. 8. Gradual deliminatlon of the armament of the United States.

9. Establishment of an international court of courts and an international police force. Will Act on These Today. The discussion of these planks formed the principal work of the peace workers-yesterday. They were returned to the platform committee last night to be revised, and will be acted on this morning.

At the same time a committee on organization and a committee on plan of action will report. It Is probable the name "Woman's Movement for Constructive Peace" will be chosen for the national body. Among the women who met at the New Willard yesterday to take the preliminary steps toward this nation-wide so ciety there were many of national reputation. On the platform were Miss Jane Addams, of Hull House, Chicago: Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, or New York, president of the International Alliance for Woman's Suffrage; Miss Janet Richards, of Washington, and in the audience were others of almost as wide reputation.

aieetlnsr Closes Today. This afternoon a public meeting will be held at the WlUard at which Mrs. Catt. Miss Addams, Mrs. Pethlclc Law-rence, of London, and Miss Richards will speak.

This, with the possible exception of an executive meeting in the evening; will close th convention of the peace workers. Great things are expected as a result of the meeting In Washington. Of the prospects of th organization. Miss Janet Richards, whol presided at yesterday's sessions, said list night: "I sfll feel-that this is the time lor the women to strike their blow coktineU ojTpaob two, WOMEN INTEND CONGRESS LAYS GHOST CONGRESS MEMBERS RAISED Opponents of Half-and-half Plan Were Not Snubbed by Society. THEY DENY PHANTOM Heroic Speeches Will Go Back Home as Part of Record NoJWore.

VOTERS WERE MISINFORMED Favorite Plan Was to Tell Colleagues How Wrath of Powerful Interests Descended Upon Them. lly JOSEPH P. Members of Congress have laid a ghost. A phantom growth from the overexcited Imaginations of zealous attackers of the existing order in the District. Is laid to rest, let us hope, for all time.

The heroic figure of a statesman-politician, vociferously braving the eerie wraith of powerful Interests that control the affairs of the National Capital, and waxes fat on the sweat-wrung toll of distant thousands, will be posed no more in the Congressional Record, and mailed by the thousands to gullible constituents by their Intrepid protestors. "Snub" Unknown Quantity. The Washington Herald has assur ances from the lips of no less than twenty-four present members of the House of Representatives that they never have suffered a snub and never have been ostracized socially; in short. never have experienced any unpleasant incident as the result of votes In favor of the abrogation of the half-and-half I plan. From the inception of the campaign aBalnsl the act of 187S has been a favorite oratorical and political trick of certain gentlemen to tell their colleagues how the patriotic statesman who desires to change the half-and-half plan must suffer the sneers, snubs and social astracism of citizens of the District in return.

A vague mention of champagne and caviar in this connection, and one carries away, if ono knows not to the contrary, a lurid picture of great wealth and social power arrayed against the fearless but unequal force of a patriotic purpose lodged In the breasts of certain members of the House and Senate. This, of course, makes line reading for the home folks. After such a speech for of course the maker of such a speech Is modestly portraying himself malls from Washington to distant districts are heavy with franked manlla envelopes marked, "Part of Congressional Record." The home folks are being enlightened. It all counts at election time. They Deny Kenyon Charcc.

The Herald has been at some pains to ascertain from members who have been foremost In movements to change the half-and-half plan. Just how much truth there is to the oft-repeated charge that opposition by a member of Congress to the organic act results, to quote the words of Senator Kenyon, of Iowa, in the Senate last Thursday, with reference to Representative Ben Johnson, in his being "snubbed, osctraclzed and regarded as an anarchist" and. In the same connection, "and also the distinguished Congressman from Iowa, Judge Prouty, who has brought his great ability Into this fight." Hero are a few of the statements made to The Herald by members in this connection: Representative Robert X. Faicr, of North Carolina, framer of the House District bill for two years, author of the Page rider In 1914, and supporter of the Johnson rider this year: "I have never been snubbed, nor have I felt In any way any effects from any vote of mine touching the District. If I had any criticism to make it would be that the newspapers do not apportion their space and their consideration fairly between supporters and opnpnents of tho half-and-half plan." Representative Slsslon, of Mississippi: "No, I haven't suffered from social ostracism.

If I had I don't know how I could have been made to feel it, for I am not In the social game, I don't recall ever having been snubbed because of my votes against the half-and-half plan." Representative Borland, ot Missouri: "I don't know a great many of the people of the'-DIstrlct. but to those I do know it seems to make little difference personally whether or not I oppose the half-and-half plan. I never had been snubbed or offered kind of Indignity. It seems to be natural for the people of the to talk about their troubles when they meet a member of Congress, but they never had Injected any unpleasantness In unbosoming themselves." Representative Crisp, of Georgia: "The people of Washington have always treated me with the utmost courtesy even though somo mar have believed' I wanted to take away some of their spe cial privileges." Representative Kltchln, of North Carolina: 1 never have heard of any member of COHTIOTBD OH PAGE TWO. TEXAS SUES SEVEN BREWERIES.

Anti-Trust Action Aslca. $22,000,000 Penalties Slop Fund Alleged. Special to The Waahlnztoo Herald. Austin, Jan. 9.

Attorney General Looney today filed suit against seven Texqp brewer companies for penalties aggregating nearly J2I.000,-000. The petition alleges that the defendant companies violated the anti-trusr laws and that during; the last Ave years as members of the United States Brewing Association they raised a fund of $19,000,000 which has been and is being used to Influence legislation, both State and national. The defendant companies are the Galveston Brewing Company, of Galveston; American Brewing Association, of Houston; Lone Star Brewing Company, of San Antonio; San Antonio Brewing Association, of San Antonio; Houston Ice and Brewing Company, of Houston; Dallas Brewery, of Dallas; Texas Brewing Company, of Fort Worth. PADS ADDED TO CHARMS. Mie sny He Covered Humpback.

He Says Put 'Cm "Elsewhere." Srecial lo Tue Herald. Portland, Jan. 9. Sued for divorce on the grounds that he padded his shoulders to conceal a humped back, Jaques Roderiz today filed a counter complaint alleging that his wife added to her charms by padding hersclt "elsewhere." The couple have been married only three weeks. The day after the wedding they separated.

Roderiz is a wealthy ranchman. SLAIiWTURKS Alexander Michaelovitch, Brother-in-law of Czar, Falls at Miandab. VISITED U. S. IN 1913 Had Been Mentioned as Commander- in-chief, but Peace Advocacy Caused Him to Lose Out.

Special Cable lo The Washinzton Hctald. Berlin. Jan. 9. (wireless via Sayvtlle) The Imperial-press bTifeau'mTflfeartnVfOl-lowing announcement: "An official statement from Constantinople says Grand Duke Alexander Michaelovitch, brothcr-ln-Iaw of the Czar, was killed in the fighting at Mian dab (Mcrhcmetabad), in the province of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, In Persia." Grand Duke Alexander was not only a brother-in-law of tho Czar of Russia, but also he was a second cousin.

He visited America in the fall of 1913, and was a guest of Mrs. John Astor, at Beechwood, Newport. His mission to this country was secret, according to reports at the time, and had to do with the placing of a large order for a rapid Are, air-cooled automatic aeroplane rifles for the Russian government. Before the war he was mentioned as the probable commander-in-chief of the Muscovite forces, though his bent was naval. Knjojed Great Influence.

There was none who enjoyed such a amount of Influence over the Russian Emperor as this energetic and progressive scion of the house of Romanoff. He was a determined champion of peace and his advocacy of peace plans Is believed to have influenced the Czar to appoint Grand Duke Nicholas to command his forces In preference to Alaxander. He was forty-four years old-He was the fourth son of Grand Duke Michael and grandson of Nicholas I. Ills mother was the Princess of Baden. He married, when quite young, the Emperor's sister, and they had six children.

They enjoyed the distinction of being almost the only" grand ducal couple who lived on terms of loyalty to each other. Their home was at Petcrhoff, near the palace of the Czar. The grand duke was reckoned one of the wealthiest members of the imperial family. HUSBAND IS BARTENDER; SHE SEEKS ANNULMENT Woman, Widow of Harry King, of Washington, Says Spouse Misrepresented Himself. Breda to Ths Washington Herald.

Chicago. Jan. 9 Charging that her husband was only a bartender and not a high-salaried salesman, as he professed to be when she eloped with him a year ago, Mrs. Evan Sample King Johnson, daughter of a prominent Chi cago family, filed suit In the Circuit Court for annulment of her marriage to John H. Johnson.

Mrs. Johnson, whose father, E. S. Sample, is a wealthy real estate operator, alleges in her bill that Johnson represented to her that besides being a salesman earning- a large salary, he had a bank account of several Fhou-sand dollars and that he was able to support her In the way to which she had been accustomed. Bufduring- the entire courtship.

It is said, he was tending bar within a few blocks of the Angelua apartment, where she lived with her parents. Mrs. Johnson formerly was the wife of Harry C. King, a real estate man of Washington, who died and left her a fortune several years ago. St223 to Jacksonville ib Return.

Correspondingly low fares to other Florida points via Southern Railway. GRAND DUKE IS WARSAW'S AYS BERLIN; FRENCH TAKE AISNE TRENCHES Kaiser's Government Advises Ally that Teuton Troops Will Enter Russian Stronghold Within a Few Days, According to Reports in Austrian Capital Jonre's Men Driven Out of Steinbach, in Alsace, but Capture Line After Line of German Trenches from North of Soissons, Eastward Almost te Craonne Fierce Fighting Leaves Section of Twenty Miles a Shambles Thousands Lie Dead in Denuded Fields. GERMANS ATTACK VALIANTLY TO REGAIN LOST POSITIONS; ALLIES KEEP BATTERING VON KLl1 8peclal Cable to Washington Herald. Paris, Jan. 9.

Attacks and counter-attacks delivered with bewildering rapidity on two short stretches of the battle front along the Aisnc yesterday and today have turned this region into a veritable inferno. Tlie fighting has exceeded in in tensity the original battle of the Aisne. On the twentv-mile section of front from north of Soissons eastward aimost to Craonne the country is a shambles. No less so Is the front to the north of Perthes-Ies-Hurlus. On both these fields the French have captured line upon line of German trenches by an extremely violent offen sive and have rolled back time after time the counter-attacks of the Kaiser's troops.

After the capture of two lines of the German trenches to the north of Sols-sons when the Germans were forced from the plateau of Vregny toward Nan- leuu ana AVty, iue renvii aiufcA cvrried along the line eastward anil debouching from Vailly and Chavonne, they advanced under cover of heavy artillery, and charged the height to the northwest of Soupir known as Hill carrying it in a dashing charge. Take Three Lines of Trenches. Three lines of trenches on a front more than 600 yards long were taken. The Germans, despite heavy losses, reformed and returned to the attack in a vigorous manner Three times they hurled massed columns against the newly captured works, but each time were beaten back. Night brought a cessation to the infantry' attacks, but there was no rest for the heavy guns.

These kept up a constant cannonade which was replied to sharply and effectively by the French batteries. This morning the Germans again returned to the attack in a final supreme effort to retake their lost positions. This time they met such a disastrous fire that they were forced back upon their last lines from Braye to Cerny, while their reserves were compelled to dig new lines of supporting trenches on a line from Chevrigny through Nancy to Martlgny. Tho batteries left intact on the German right, however, were still able to reach Soissons and they bombarded the town, setting the palace of Justice afire. The French gunners found a military target upon which to retaliate for this act.

The air scouts uncovered a concealed position to the south of Laon. near Arrancy. where a group of huts hid a number of rapid-fire guns and a detached sccUon of a battery. They passed the range to the French gunners, who immediately began dropping explosive shells In their midst and the camp was demolished. Violent counter-attacks by the Germans also were directed today against the trenches the French captured yesterday between Perthes and Hill No.

300, to the westward. Perthes itself is in the hands of the French as a result of a furious single attack made while the French also were making a counter-attack on Hill 200. BLEASE PARDONS 1,500 PAROLED CONVICTS South Carolina Governor Keeps Up His Plan to Empty State's Penitentiaries. Columbia, S. Jan.

9. Full pardon to about 1,500 prisoners convicted of various crimes and paroled since Januarjr 1, 1911, was granted today by Gov. Blease. The chief feature of Blease's administration has been his leniency toward those In penal servitude and his willingness to grant paroles and pardons. The governor liberated convicts In batchef'of 100 or more irrespective of the seriousness of the crime for which they had been sentenced.

He Is credited with making the boast that he would leave the penitentiaries empty when he left the governor's chair. Although Blease has never made any effort to hide his hostility toward negroes he. has not hesUtated to liberate negro prisoners upon occasion. A year ago Blease received a Christmas gift of a pcarl-handicd knife from a notorious safe-cracker whom the executive prev louly tad set FALL NEAR Tlt 1, Vienna, Jan. 9.

Reports current here that the fall of saw is imminent. The rumor to the effect that the Austrian crnment has been notified by many that its troops will errfe capital of Poland within a days. Berlin, Jan. 9 (by Wireles It is announced by the imt press bureau that a dispatch re from Basic. Switzerland, states th) Germans have again fully occupied bach, tho French retreating with losses, to Thann.

Steinbach is eight miles wq Muelhausen. in Alsace. It was pled by the French a week ago a terrific bombardment and severe to-hand flghtfng in the streets. Is the French base, three miles Steinbach. Rain Halts Operation.

The rains that are in.terreringvTS iw uermaa.opei;aona.nxlantJ( now so severe that "they Teaembij i i.uuuuursis, according; to an offictaT statement Issued here this afternoon. The river Lys at some points has over flowed. The statement says that French attacks near Soissons and near Perthas have been repulsed with heavy loss to the attacking forces. (This is In direct contradiction of the official statement Issaed In Paris). The statement received says: "On the western front there have been, very heavy rains like cloudbursts.

The I.y9 at some places has overflowed its banks. "Several attacks made by tho enemy northeast of Soissons were beaten off with severe losses to the French. French attack near Perthes, north ot Chalons, also was repulsed. The losses of the enemy were severe. "In tho eastern Argonne wo successfully stormed somo of the French positions.

We took 1,300 prisoners; mine throwers and a bronzo mortar. The French havo been driven, out of Ober-Burnhaupt (Bumhaupt-le-Haupt) and also from their trenches there Into their old positions." GERMAN CRUISER SUNK BY BRITISH, IS REPORT Von der Tann Sent Down Off South American Coast by the Invincible, It Is Rumored. e-rAit to The WaAlnzton Hmld. New York. Jan.

rumor reached this city tonight that there had been a. battle off the South American coast between the German and British battle cruisers Von der Tann and Invincible la which the former was sunk. The Von der Tann was reported re cently to have broken through the British North Sea cordon and to have headed for Western Atlantic waters to enter a career as a raider. The battle cruiser Invincible is a sister ship to the Inflexible, and Indomitable. Like them, she carries eight 12-Inch guns In pairs in turrets, sixteen 4-Inch guns In the superstructure and four torrx-da tubes- She has a complete Krupp armor belt; Is of 41,000 horsepower, has a speed of twenty-five knots and a displacement of tons.

She was built in IMS. The battle cruiser Von der Tann Is closely related to the Goeben and Moltke. Sbe carries ten 11-lnch guns in pairs in turrets; ten 6-Inch guns in battery, and sixteen 3.4-inch guns and four torpedo tubes. She has a complete Krupp armor belt; Is of yw horsepower, a speed of twenty-five knots and a displacement of 13.S00 tons. She was built in 1307.

"WE WHI WIN," SAYS KABEB. War Will End Until Germany Can Dictate, Ruler Declares. Amsterdam. Jan. a.

"Wo are fighting a brave enemy. Nevertheless the war will not end before our adversaries are beaten and Germany is able to dictate peace." The foregoing statement Is part ex an address made by Kmperor William to the Prussian guards on their boxinc day and printed In German papers' re- celved here today, i Jan. 13 and Feb. limited 21 days. Consult Agents, 70S 905 fit.

I Jfew York. -r- Tafei7v.