The Pittsburgh Post from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Wm milt Tl'csf em Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia CLOUDY AND CONTINUED WARM JThursday and Friday. Sun rises, sets, GOOD MORSIXG Every time you cough or sneeze You- spread disease, upon the breeze. So Kindly note this timely vcheeze, And exercise yovr hanky, please. mm 76TII YEAR NO. 193.

TWO CENTS. THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 31, 1918. SIXTEEN PAGES. VI ICED FEA1 OF IN BO ELAND, TO YIELD KEFOSE WW MM II 2 'TO ORDERS VESSELS 1L ALLIES; PRESIDENT Mm Further Hun Peace Feeler dPnttdD WW epuhe German Raids at- Verdun III CLAIMS lord GIVES LI TO SEA OF ALOE TONNAGE 1917 DDRINfi LOSSES -BOATS SINK-SEX MILLIONS MIGHTY FLEET TO TAKE FOOD TO OUR ALLIES HIT TEITW LOSE IJffl "BATTLE'' fi IN MONTHS American Civilian Sailors and Naval Reserves to Supplement Dutch Crews-Compensation to Be Given Total Allied and Neutral Figures Clow Are 42,000,000, Great Britain's Naval Head Declares to House of Commons. Death Grazes Baker As Big Shell Explodes Within 50 Feet of Car: War Chief Strolls Down Front Line Trenches Saying Howdy Boys To Lads From His Old Home Town of Cleveland, Ohio Owners.

I ft i Ifl la 11V NETHERLANDS FEAR TEUTON SUBMARINES LORD PIRRIE NAMED BUILDING DICTATOR WITH THE AMERICAN All 31 IX FRANCE, Violent Attacks Launched by Huns at Verdun, But All Are Repulsed. Japan Will Not Interef ere in Russia Until U.S. Gives Word to Go. i 4 Tuesday, March 19. Secretary Baker had his baptism of lire this morning in the front line trenches, and while he Mas returning a German shell burst within less than ,10 yards of his motor car.

He was not injured. The secretary went into the trenches in a sector, the location of which must not be revealed, where American troops face the enemy nearby. For half an hour he plodded over the duckboards. The Germans maintained an active lire with heavy pieces and machine guns. Nevertheless, Mr.

Baker made his U. S. TROOPS GASSED U. S. NOT WORRIED Craft in British Ports, Numbering 400,000 Tons, Requisitioned Also.

77 Bottoms Added to U. S. Merchant Fleet. Allies Averaging Within 100,000 Tons Monthly on Replacing Ships Sunk, Due to U. S.

Construction and Seizures. Bombs With Liquid Poison Dropped Over American Lines. Teutons to Have, Hands Full Subduing Rebellious Russ in West way to an advanced sap. entered a listening post and talked for several the soldier on duty there. But the narrowest shave was on his return to Continued oh Page Nine, Col.

Four.) LONDON, 3Iarch 20. The amount of tonnage sunk in the last 12 months 6,000,000 instead of 9,500,000 as the Germans claim, declared Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, first lord of the admiralty, in the House of Commons today, during the debate on the navy shipbuilding bill. He also announced the appointment of England's foremost shipbuilder, Lord Pirrie, as controller general of merchant shipbuild WASHINGTON, March 20. Upon Holland's refusal, in the face of German threats, to put into effect her voluntary agreement for restoring her merchant marine to normal activity, the United States Government tonight requisitioned all Dutch ships in American waters. At the same time Great Britain was taking over Dutch vessels in liritish ports.

A total of 77 ships of probably tons were added to the American merchant, marine by the re PARIS, March 20. Attacks were made by the Germans at several points last night, the war office announces. In Lorraine there was violent hand-to-hand fighting. Everywhere the French repulsed the Germans. The statement follows: Ta Slackers to Get Vigorous Prosecution Huns Bomb Own Paris Embassy; Ask Damages of French ing.

WASHINGTON'. March 3). Tax slack- i quisitioning. Another 400,000 tons are put into the ers. who fail to file their income tax "The German artillery was rather I active in the Champagne, on the I right bank of the Meuse (Verdun front), and in the Woevre.

"After spirited bombardments. Figures on the shipping output and tonnage losses will be announced regularly hereafter, he added. It would not be in 'the national interest, how-, ever, to give the tonnage of losses up to date. The world's tonnage, exclusive of enemy ships, had fallen 2,500,000 from the beginning of the war to the end Hot 1917 S'ir Eric stated. WASHINGTON, March 20.

Today's International developments as revealed at the White House and the state department were officially declared to show that the only hope of world peace now rests with the determination of the United States and the entente powers to wipe out kaiserism. Viewed from three angles, the situation is as follows: President Wilson is reported to have informally notified certain members of the Senate of a forthcoming White House statement- which will denounce peace suggestions frora German and Austrian statesmen as no longer worthy of consideration. This abandonment of efforts- for peace by diplomacy, it was thought, would be followed by declarations of war against Bulgaria and Turkey. Confidential advices on, the disposition of the Austro-German armies are, eaid to indicate plans for a terrific new drive Into Italy. The apparent purpose Ms to force Italy out of the war through an Involuntary peace agreement, in the making of which the overridden nation -would have as little voice as did the (Continued on Page Three, Col Two.) allied service by Great Britain's action.

3Iost of them will be used in the food-carrying trade between the United States and Europe. President Wilson's proclamation taking over the ships was issued only after word finally came from don that Holland's delayed reply PARIS. March 19. Daring the remit (rrrniMn aerial attack on Paris onr of the enemy aviator dropped ft bomb which Mi-tack uml damagred the embassy building' of one of the central powers. Two days later the fare-taker of the baildinc requested the legation, of the neutral power representing: the enemy eountry to present a bill to the l-Yench government for damage, done to the bnildingr.

Krnnoe is asked to pay for destruction by the enemy of his own property. the Germans undertook infantry action at several point of the front, but obtained no results. Northeast of Rhclms a German raid was repulsed easily. In the Souain sector the enemy attempted three times to approach the French line. He was repelled by the violence of the was a rejection of the British-Amer Steel Men Propose report by April 1.

will be prosecuted as vigorously and relentlessly under the war revenue act as draft slackers, were under the selective service act, according to a statement made today by Daniel C. Roper, commissioner of internal revenue. Revenue officers In every section of the country are checking up returns with a view to beginning prosecution against tax dodgers. Through its education campaign the bureau of internal revenue has endeavored to cover the field so thoroughly that ignorance of the law cannot be con-sisently offered as an excuse," said Commissioner Roper. "The man who failed to register under the selective service act was regarded by the war department as a slacker and prosecuted as such.

The man who fails to file his income tax will be regarded asa 'money and when discovered, as he will be. will be made French fire, suffering severe losses. In Wilson Approves Clerk's Sentence I Tl P.VPfl QP in KTinpC! iLorraine the Germans made a strong CafcC iUli lljCdtack upon our prions south of Arra- One in 1,000 Mortality Of Nurses in France i court. Violent hand-to-hand fighting re new i suited. Our troops everywhere held th WASHIXGTON, March 20.

A WASHINGTON. March 20. A sentence of ten years' imprisonment and dismissal from the navy imposed upon Pay Clerk Samuel Mitchell for deser- advantage. repulsingvthe Germans and taking prisoners. "East of Suippes the French made 'n incursion into the German lines.

scale of steel pjices effective on and after March 31 was proposed to the war industries board today by a committee of steel manufacturers headed by Elbert H. Gary. A considerable increase is asked. tion and misappropriation of funds has been approved by President Wilson. The total allied and neutral tonnage is now 42,000,000, Sir Kric stated, the fact that it is at this figure being largely due to the new construction by the United States and the seizure of German ships.

The output of new tonnage, continued the first lord, was very low in 1915 and reached its lowest point in 1916. This decline had been coincident with the increased output of munitions and before the intensified submarine war began Great Britain was 1,600,000 tons to he bad. MAKING LOSSES GOOD. During the last quarter of 1917. said Sir Eric, the allies were averaging within 100,000 tons monthly of making (Continued on Page Three, Col." One.) to suffer full penalties of the law.

ican demand. The Government had waited more than 18 hours beyond the time when Holland had been requested to make a decision as to whether she would carry out the original act or submit to requisitioning. Every effort was made to avoid drastic action, as transfer by agreement was sought, rather than by seizure, although the latter is an exercise of sovereign rights justified in international law and practiced by all nations. WILSON AWAITS REPLY. As late as 6 o'clock, it was disclosed that President Wilson during the day had teen informed of thp elay in the Dutch reply, with the request that he indicate whether or not the requisitioning should proceed.

He decided to await the formal reply, which proved unacceptable, although under other con NEW YORK, March death rate anions Red Cross nurses on duty in France does not exceed one in 1.000. according to a statement issued today by the Atlantic division of the American Red Cross. More than 7.000 Red Cross nurses now are engaged in active service, it was stated. Five, hundred nurses, forwarded through the Atlantic division, sailed from this city in February, according to the announcement, and anotner contingent of 1.000 la awaiting sailing orders. Announcement also was made that plans have been complete? for a cantonment clubhouse, the first in the Atlantic division of the Red Cross, designed exclusively for (f fleers, to be erected at Camp MerritU X.

J. An appropriation of hat been made for this purpose. LENROOT WINS IN WISCONSIN; MARGIN NARROW HUNS-IN RUSS CAPITA IN WEEK, FRANCIS CABLES War Office Against Elections in France WASHINGTON, March 21. forma! recommendation against any attempt to record the soldier vote in France for elections held during the war has been prepared by the war department. After their losses good and were then replacing 75 per cent of their lost tonnage.

At the present time, the first lord went on, 47 shipyards with 209 berths were engaged on ocean-going merchant vessels. The shipyard work was completely disorganized during the first two years of the war from various causes, he explained, but nevertheless, there had been an enormous accomplishment by the shipbuilding Industry. Trie out March ditions it might have served as a basis for further negotiations. The President's proclamation was in assessment of the opinions of Gen y. J.

occupation of Petrorrad within a ween Consul eral Pershing and nisi, start, and of diplomatic officials of this side, it, was said to be assuming a waiting attitude and is not displaying the slightest sign of organized resistance. The Germans are reported in a Reuter dispatch from Petrograd to have reached the vicinity of Dno station. predicted by American about 150 miles south of Petrograd. The-j lead already held by the loyalty Republican aspirant Examination of returns now available reveals the following situation: Lenroot owes his aparent. victory to votes diverted from Thompson by Victor L.

Berger, Socialist nominee in the so-called anti-war counties. The Socialist vote already shows an increase of more than 3u0 per cent of that recorded in the 1916 senatorial primary, when Eisner, Socialist, polled only 11.473. Incomplete returns give Berger 35.347. The nomination of Joseph E. Davie.

MILWAUKEE, March 20. Congressman Irvine L. Lcnroot at a late hour tonight had a lead of approximately 2,500 votes over James Thompson, La Follette entry in the state senatorial primary. The vote stands Len-rott 6S.5S2, Thompson 66,306. His nomination as the Republican candidate for the Wisconsin junior sena-torship is now assured.

Returns are almost complete from the heavy German Lake Shore counties, where Thompson showed his greatest put for the last quarter of 1917 was 420,000 tons as against 213,000 tons for the last quarter of 1918, while during the last quarter of 101o it had been only 42,000 It is within the capacity of the allien yards, and even of the British yards. Sir Eric declared, to make good 'the world's losses if given an adequate sup- issued immediately, authorizing the navy to take over the vessels, which will be equipped and operated by the navy department and the shipping board, the Dutch crews being supplemented by American civilian sailors and naval reservists. Compensation will made to the owners as required by law. In a statement outlining the negotiations which preceded the requisitioning. President Wilson pointed out that the- permanent agreement with the Dutch government TfAd been blocked (Continued on Page Five, CoL Two.) Expert Watchmakers" Needed by Air Corps NEW iTORK, March 20.

Fifty expert watchmakers are needed for immediate, service hn France in the air service repair department, according to a call sent out today by Commander Grady, inspector i't the eastern department of the navy. 5 First-clas ratings will Te given men accepted foi( service. learned tonight the department has determined that no practical method of taking the votes of members of the expeditionary forces can be devised. The subject was brought up recently by a western state, which proposed a scheme. of its own for getting the '0te of its citizens in France.

While it might be possible for a single state to accomplish ths the army holds that extension of the privilege to all states would Impose a burden upon the mffi-tary forces at the front that would seriously impair their efficiency. Tredwell in dispatches, dated March 18, reaching the state department today. The report came through Ambassador Krnol Vologda. Sir. Tredwell said, there -were indications that a German commission would fce in control of 'Petrograd within a few days.

liONDOV. March 80. Occupation of Petrograd by the Germans is only a matter of hours, according to dispatches from Petrograd to several of the morn-ftog newspapers. Thm Russian capital is Austro-German advance in southern Russia continues. The enemy has occupied Soumy, five hours march from Kharkov, the dispatch says.

The various reports from Russia also indicate the greatest anxiety over what appears to be an enveloping movement the Austro-German forces are carrying out against Moscow. There Is talk or moving the government, according to Continued on Page It, Column Txeo.J ply of men and material. In the fourth on the democratic siae. was areeciea strength from tai-dv nrecmctsA there quarter or 1917 the roreign construction (Continued on Page Four Col. Four.) for, it i believed, will increase the (Continued on Page Threes Col Four.) 1.