St. John's Daily Star, 1917-08-10

              The St. John's Daily Star Newfoundland I VOLUME 111. i j —i ($3.00 per Annum), FRIDAY, AUGUST 10,1917. No. 181. (Price: One Cent.) ANOTHER WESTERN OFFENSIVE LIKELY ? Thousands Of German Miners Hold a Peace Demonstration THE UNITED STATES CALLS A MILLION MEN TO THE COLORS Uncle Sam To Have Whole Of This Huge Army In Training Next Month BAD WEATHER CHECKS ACTIVITIES IN WEST Rains and Fogs Obstacles to Operations By'he Infancy And Artillery. GENERAL MAURICE DESCRIBES WORK OF AVIATORS IN BATTLE OF FLANDERS jONDON, Aug. . 10 — Continuous " rains and fogs have made the past week one of little activity on the Western front, said Major-General Frederick Maurice, Chief Director of Military Operations at the War Office, in his weekly talk to the Associated Press to-day. German communiques, in their usu;on. continued the General, report numerous British attacks repulsed with heavy losses. That shows the Germans are jumpy and nervous. As a matter of fact, there has been only one British attack, that on St. Julien, which was an entire success. A German communique made a deal an alleged attack from Nieuport. which was, in fact, only a minor raid. ming up the situation on the Russian front, he said the Russian retirement has been conspicuously less in the last week. Premier Kerensky Commander-in-Chief, are making and General Korniloff, the Russian strenuous efforts with considerable success to reestablish discipline, but it would be premature to say that the Russian leaders have succeeded. It be premature, even, to regard tuation as more satisfactory. It is natural to expect that the Germans, after advancing ninety miles and reaching a railway of a different gauge, must pause while they broing up communications and supplies. General Maurice gave an interesting resume of the detailed reports, which he had received on the air fighting situation in the Flanders battles on July 31st, and the amazing superiority which the British airplanes had displayed that day. On the day of the attack, says the General, weather conditions were as nearly impossible as could be imagined. Low clouds of great density, haze and mist, observation was almost nil and as a result the artillery was under a severe handicap having to work without adequate airplane observation, but the airplanes were enormously busy in other departments and more than one hundred engagements were fought by the airplanes, with the forces of _ae enemy on terra firma, our planes in these cases descending often and within less than fifty feet of the ground and sweeping the helpless enemy with their machine guns. Enemy machines were well nigh helpless to interfere. Less than twenty fights in the air occurred because the enemy did not dare to come up "and in these fights we downed six enemy machines while we only lost three of our own. There were eleven cases of machine gun attacks on the German airdromes by British machines. Our airmen swooped down lower than the tree tops and fired string after string into the Ger man hangars, killing the mechanics, and damaging the machines and blowing up the workshops. Won't Interfere London, Aug. 9—The Press Association says it understands that the Government will exercise no influence in either direction on the Allied labor meeting to decide whether the Laborites shall send delegates to the Stockholm Conference. Repression in Spain Madrid, Aug. 9—lt is announced in official circles that the Government is prepared to employ the most vigorous measures which may be necessary to put down the impending country-wide agitation in case of a general strike. It is said that a State seige may be declared.JUAN CHI-JUI, the leader of the Chinese Republican forces MAY BE PREPARING A NEW OFFENSIVE Berlin Reports Great Increase In Artillery Activity on the Front In Flanders DERLIN, Aug. 10—The artillery duel in Flanders has again increased to i greater intensity, reports the German General Staff. Bombardment has been heavy on the Belgian coast from Bixschoote to Hollbeke, the statement says. Strong forces of Russians and Roumanians endeavored to recapture the ground talcen from 'tKerif, of Polkshani, but all the attacks were re pulsed and the number of prisoners tak en by the Teutonic Allies, has been increased to 3,300. FRENCH ADVANCE NEAR BIXSCHOOTE British Repulse Raiding Parties and Conduct Some Successful Aerial Operations lONDON, Aug. 9—The text of the British official communication issued last night follows: A iheavy rain is falling. Our Allies gained further ground during the day northwest of Bixschoote. Hostile raiding parties were repulsed last night and this morning north of Roeux and in the neighbourhood of Oppy. The enemy's artillery continued to show great activity east of Ypres. Yesterday in spite of continuous wind, our aeroplanes bombarded the enemy railway tracks, sidings and trains forty miles be hind the German lines, causing much damage and derailing one train and blowing up another. Bombs were also dropped the previous night on an enemy ammunition depot. One of our machines is missing." SENSATION IN ROME Discovery of Underground Quarters of Hun Plotters Rome, Aug 9—The sensation of the! jday here is the discovery*of a secret subterranean passage from the residence of Prince Von Buelow, former German Ambassador to Rome, and the hotel Eden, the former proprietor of which was a German. It is believed the passage was used for secret meetings between diplomats and persons in various walks of life. An investigation which promises interesting disclosures is under way. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO DEMONSTRATE FOR PEACE 8,000 German Miners Want War Ended By Agreement Amsterdam, Aug. 9—Eight thousand miners attended the mass meeting at Essen, Germany, for discussion of coal production, food and wages. The meeting developed into an impressive demonstration in favor of peace by an agreement and for democratic reforms. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO. Kerensky's Appeal Petrograd, Aug. 9—Premier Kerensky, in an appeal to the people for support for a reconstituted Government, declared that only a rule of iron at the present plight resulting from the military situation, together with an ardent and self-sacrificing support by the peoplflfxan make for a powerful creative Government with the authority to free the land of the enemy and enlist in its work of reconstruction all the living forces of the nation. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO Russian Loan Huge Success Petrograd, Aug. 9—Wednesday, the first of three "liberty loan" days in Russia, proved a great success. UNCLE SAM CALLS MILLION MEN OUT America Expects To Have Huge Force In Training Camps By End Of September WASHINGTON, Aug. 9—The governors of the various States to-day received notice from Provost Marshall that General Crowder had just onethird of the quota of 687,000 men, drafted for service in the national army who will be called to the colors on September Ist and sent to training departments.By the end of September more than 200,000 will be called into service,, bringing the country's total military forces up to one million men. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO TRICKY ARTILLERY DEVICE OF HUNS Germans Use Automatic Exploding Device to Hide Removal of Their Batteries jpARIS, Aug. 9—The French War office announces that the Germans have invented a new ruse to fool their opponents into the belief that their artillery batteries are still in position for action, when actually they have been withdrawn and by it to prevent untimely advances. The device consists of mechanism fitted with half a dozen globular capsules, filled with an explosive which is placed on the site of the battery to be or is being withdrawn. They explode every thirty-five or forty seconds, and the sound is exactly like that made by a field gun. They are said to easily fool the list- I ener into thinking it is artillery guns. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO CHINA'S PRESIDENT Fang Kato Chang Officially Recognised By Entente Nations Peking, Aug. 10—The Foreign Ministers in Peking, including Paul May, new Belgian Minister have all recognised the Peking Government by calling on Fang Kato Chang as President. Official documents now call him President. TO TO "TO "TO "TO TO ~ f Will Concentrate Against England London, Aug. 9—A despatch from Amsterdam says it is reported from a German source that Germany intends shortly to concentrate her submarine activity exclusively against England. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO Destroyed 2 Austrian Subs Paris, Aug. 9—During a recent Italian aerial raid on Pola, two airplanes with bombs destroyed two Austrian submarines which were being repaired there. FRANCIS HOPWOOD, Secretary of the Irish Convention. PUT PRISONERS IN DANGER ZONE Germans Station Captives in Positions Where Bombs Were Likely to Drop at Karlsruhe DARIS, Aug. 9—The French authorities learn that during the night of July when the french airplanes bombarded Treves and Essen, the Germans forced the French and English prisoners, both om.ceTsfcand rnen,**mTern ed at Karlsruhe, to leave their quarters and remain in the open, whence they would most probably be hit in case Karlsruhe was raided. The men were compelled to remain in these places until all danger had passed. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO Peer's House Dynamited Montreal, Aug. 9—The residence of Lord Athieston, (formerly Sir Hugh Graham), proprietor of The Montreal Star, was dynamited last night by an unknown person. The windows in the house were blown out and a portion of the house damaged. As far as could be learned no one was injured.TOTOTOTOTOTOTO British Steamer Sunk Newport, News, Va., Aug. 9—The destruction of the British steamer Arqdeue, with forty American muleteers on board, by a German submarine was reported to-day by cable. Capt. Morris and ten men of the crew were lost. The survivors were landed at Glasgow. No details were given. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO Automobile warnings on the roads in some parts of Ohio resemble huge checkerboards. You cannot go by them without seeing them unless you are blind. OUTLINED BIG JOB OF THE CONFERENCE Irish Convention Hears" Address On Possible Schemes of Government For Ireland lONDON, Aug 9—An official report of to-day's meeting of the Irish Convention says Sir Horace Plunkett, Chair man, addressed the gathering on the task before it on various schemes for governing Ireland already in existence. He then suggested procedure by which these might be thoroughly sifted and examined, and subsequently brought before the Convention for discussion. This suggestion was considered at some length, and finally it was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by the Bishop of Raphaoe, and unanimously resolved that a standing committee not exceeding twenty persons, five to make up a quorum, be appointed to consult with the chairman on general procedure and the exercise of other powers delegated by the convention. It was further resolved to reappoint the committee. NEUTRAL'S TROUBLES Scandinavian Nations To Discuss Some Insistent War Problems Christiania, Aug. 10—The Swedish Government, says The Posten, has invited all the European neutrals to participate in the approaching conference of the Scandinavian Ministers of State at Stockholm, at which the difficulties neutrals are kject te.-thr.ough America's entrance into the war will be discussed.It is said Sweden has received favorable replies. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO EXPLSION KILLS 48 Munition Storehouses Near Cracow, Galicia, Blown Up Zurich, Aug. 9—An explosion in two storehouses occurred near Caracow, Galicia, Aug. Ist". - Forty-eight artillery men were killed and many injured, according to Vienna newspapers. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO * Italian Ship Losses Rome, Aug. 9—During the week ending August ,4 the shipping report in to-night's official statement says that Italian shipping losses comprised two steamers and one small sailing vessel.In the week vessels of gross tonnage. 255,175 tons entered Italian ports; 442 vessels of 335,130 tons sailed. TOTOTOTOTOTOTO Eleven Persons Drowned Kingston, Ont., Aug. 9—This morning eleven persons were drowned in Lake Ontario by the foundering of the small schooner George A. Marsh of Belville. She foundered in a heavy gale. WARE EXTREMITIES!  A PPARENTLY the defeat -*-*■ of the Business Profits Tax Bill in the Legislative Council does, not shelve the measure for any considerable length of time. Moreover, the action of the Upper House threatens to be the cause of consequences the reverse of necessary or desirable. The Lesklaiuie mas dissahed after the Business Profits Tax Bill was thrown out, because there was no other action to be taken fe? the Government under the circumstances... The measure could not be reintroduced at session and before it could be brought in again a dissolution of the House had to take place and a formal convention of a new session had to be effected. It is generally understood that the Legislature will meet again next week, the object of the extraordinary session, of course, being further consideration of the de feaied taxing measure. In some quarters it is declared that the Bill, as it is to be reintroduced, will be even more exacting than the old measure and that it will stipulate the levying of a tax on profits made since the beginning of the war. That is scarcely within the realm of probability. Nor would it be a desirable action on the part of the Government The Administration, apparently, decided that a Bill covering the prospective profits would be fair and that the past should be left alone. The throwing out of the Bill by the ...Legislative ...Council cannot possibly alter the situation. Any abandonment of the position taken up by'the Government when drafting the old Bill, especially if the change be one in the direction of greater severity would savor too much of reprisals to be acceptable to fair-minded people. Jt is freely predicted, too, that, to ensure the passage of the reintroduced Bill by the Upper House the'membership of the Legislative Council will be increased, or. rathe, vacancies will be filled up by Government nominees. Such a possible action by the Administration also ...appeals to The Star as objectionable. It savors too much of partisan manoeuvering, contains too many of the elements of political intrigue and holds too grave threat of the demeaning of our whole legislative system, to recommend itself favorably to us. Let there be no bludgeoning and no threatening in this matter. If the House of Assembly is fully persuaded that it has the support of the common people in this connection, let it proceed on its course without even the appearance of straining constitutional principles. If the elective body be uncertain as to the attitude of the electors, then the proper course to pursue is to seek a mandate from the people. But, before any extraordinary session is called, hefoie Qttonggi ments are made to railroad" fiie measure through the Legislative Council and before any decision U arrived at as to a General Election, let every effort be made to effect a compromise, between the Government and the business men Every spokesman of the latter class who denounced and voted against the provisions of the Bill, yet affirmed his adherence to the principle involved. Allowing these gentlemen credit for the utmost sincerity in their utterances, there should, then, be a possibility of finding a way of compromise out of the unhappy tangle that has been created over this measure: ... The Star does not for one moment believe that the business men of this City are averse to financial contributions to the public weal, even at the cost of considerable sacrifice to themselves. We refuse to believe thai they are balan cing up their contributions to patriotic funds against the sacrifices Q±jjs&m)&%vsz£ made by the masses of the people. Many of them have-given of their own sons, and, we think, that fellow-feeling which makes the normal man wondrous kmd to those of like trials with his own, inspires in them a de termination •to do all possible to help their fellow countrymen through the war, to ensure the comfort and well-being of Newfoundland's sons on the battlofront and to k£ep our military con tributions up to full strength. Let us be'slow to make demean ing comparisons between classes, or to impute unworthy motives to any class. Possibly there is a misunderstanding to be cleared up. Peevish complaints, rabid attacks, a policy of class distinctions, will increase that misunderstanding and strengthen its consequent prejudices, with calamitous results fo the country generally. * For the elimination of this misi understanding, the representatives of the business men and the members of the Government should $el (Continued on oa_e 2) LADIES' j 54 to 58 inch COSTUME | SERGE | IN NAVY AND BLACK. I SPLENDID VALUE. I Pricfc $2.70, 2.80, 3.00 j and $3.20. ALSO  NEW DRESS | CHECKS IN BLACK & WHITE, BROWN & WHITE, GREEN & WHITE, From *sc, 55c, 75c, $1.20 to $1.50 yard. || SEE TiiHiVL || Bowring Bros., Ltd. ADVERTISE IN THE DAILY STAR