St. John's Daily Star, 1917-12-15

              The St. John's Daily Star. Newfoundland VOLUME lIL ($3.00 per Annum) SATURDAY, DECE MBER 15, 1917. (Price: One Cent.) No. 309. GERMANS CHECKED ON ALL FRONTS. MAXIMUM REACHED IN HUN SUB. OUTPUT New York, Dec. 14.—The torpedoing of two Austrian battleships in the harbor of Trieste by Italian torpedo craft, on the night of December 9th, is reported in a message received here today by Commander C. Pfister, of the Italian Navy. The information was contained in a telegram received by Commander Pfister from Captain L. Vannutelle, naval attache to the Italian Embassy at Washington. PRESENTATION HADE TO GOV'R. DAVIDSON SUBMARINE MENACE IS NOW WELL UNDER CONTROL. HAS BEEN CONDUCTING LARGE SUB. OFFENSIVE But We Uidnt Knuow It As Sinkings For Past Month Has Been the Lowest Since Campaign. HAS BEEN RECORD MONTH, ffamber of Subs Exceeds Previous Month—Launchings of New Ships Up to Expectations. f ONDON, Dec. 13.—Despite the fairly large number of sinkings reported this week, there is no decrease in optimism among those who know the submarine war situation, and who see no reason for modifying or altering Premier Lloyd-George's statement of Nov. 20th, that there is no longer any feai of the submarine proving a factor in the war. The events since Nov. 20th, in fact, have tended to increase rather than decrease the confidence with which the Premier spoke. The month of November was a red letter month in the anti- U-boat campaign, for three reasons: First, the loss of tonnage during the month was the lowest since the unrestricted submarine campaign began. Second, the sinkings of enemy submarines were the greatest ever recorded in a single month. Third, the launchings of new merchantmen from the British yards came within measureable distance of equalling the loss of tonnage by submarine attack. London, Dec. 13.—When the Associated Press inquired of high naval authorities today if the anti-submarine campaign was going well, and what was the reason for the high rate of Sinkings in the past three weeks, the answer was the enemy had more submarines at work. He has actually been attempting a submarine offensive of the greatest possible magnitude in an effort to reinforce his offensive on land, and is trying to bring off a coup which will incline us to peace. He has failed signally on the sea as on the land, and he has had to pay a heavy price. Our counter measures are meeting with increased success, and the enemy will experience constantly increasing difficulty in mainlining his campaign. • m> »  Insignificant Gains Rome, December 15—Attacking alt day on a line between the Bretna and Piava the enemy was only able to make an insignificant gain yesterday at one point, and this at immense sacrifice, the War Office announced to-day. The almost negligible ground gained by the enemy was North of the line of Monte Colarole, and at the head of the Calcino Valley. » ■ . Bolsheviki Troops Active. London, Dec. 14.—Bolsheviki troops have occupied Tamanovka and Kaluga, according to a Reuter despatch from Petrograd. Tamanovka is near Bielgorod, in Kursk province, about 330 miles south of Moscow. There is a railroad town named Kaluga in the province of the same name, which lies about one hundred mile* south of Moscow.Sir Robert Borden, Premier of Canada, who is leading the Union Party in the Canadian Elections. Conscription will be enforced if he is successful at the Polls on Monday. HUN SUB. OUTPUT AT ITS MAXIMUM Motfhly Loss of Submarines Equals Tfceir Monthly Output—Menace Has Reached Its Worst Stage I Dndon, December 15—(Via Reuter'. Ottawa Agency)—lt is learned in well-informed quarters that the Government knows with certainty the German minimum submarine losses and also the maximum output. It is believed the latter has been reached and since the monthly loss of submarines are now approaching the monthly output of these vessels it seems that with the increasing means at the Allies' disposal, the German program of operations for 1918v-xannot exceed what has already been applied. t The situation calls for the exercise of the greatest economy in food, but it is justifiable to express the belief that the menace has reached its worst stage: As an effective force, there is already reason to believe that the enemy submarine operations should not only be held in the near future, but gradually repressed, as our defensive work is neutralising the German output. FIERCE HUN ATTACKS ARE REPULSED Italians Successfully Withstand Terriffic German Onslaughts—Enemy Gave up Attacks. Rome, Dec. 14—The War Office com munication issued to-day, says: At dawn, yesterday, between the Bretna and Piave Rivers, the artillery struggle was renewed with great violence in the morning in the Col della Beretta region. We gained, during one of our count er attacks, possession of a great part of the trenches which we had been able to re-occupy the day before, and captured one officer and 58 men. In the Calcine valley, two violent hos tile attacks were sanguinarily repulsed. About mid-day the enemy renewed his attacks in force to the east of the Bretna. The action continued fiercely the whole afternoon in the valley which,, from the slopes north of Cal captil Col della Beretta and Monte Analone, descends toward the Bretna. At night, owing to heavy losses the enemy gave up the attack. A few prisoners remained in our hands. About 3 p. m. in the Caldipe Papeeye, a new and more powerful attack broke down against our defences on Monte Lomba and along the Piave. To the south of Ponte della Priula, artillery activity was desultory; in this region an enemy patrol was captured. • m» • .— Lines Interrupted. Winnipeg,.Dec. 15.—British Columbia is isolated today from the outside world, so far as land line telegraph communication is concerned. Sleet storms of unusual violence both in the mountains and between Vancouver and Seattle, brought down many miles of telegraph poles. All the telegraph companies are affected and it may be some days befo reregular communicalypns are Lcstetcd.. PRESENTATION TO GOVERNOR DAVIDSON Premier Morris Presents Ex-Governor With Gold Watch as Recognition From Patriotic Association lONDON, December 14—(Via Reuters Ottawa Agency)—At the Automobile Club, ex-Governor Davidson of Newfoundland was the recipient of a gold watch, the inscription being from the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland, on his departure from the Colony in recognition of his valuable services as Chairman of the Association and as a mark of their esteem and regard. Premier Morris, of Newfoundland, made the presentation and those present included the High Commissioners of Canada, Australia and South Africa. Premier Morris appreciatively referred to the former Governor Davidson's sevices, particularly in relation to Newfoundland's part in the war. In acknowledging the gift, the recipient gave interesting details regarding the Newfoundland Contingent's services in various engagements, and read a telegram from Sir Douglas Haig, speaking in the highest terms of these men and asking that the Colony send more. The speaker said the telegram was worth five hundred and probably one thousand more men. The credit for what had been done by Newfoowdkmd, VhieJv w*s_ totally unprepared for war, aticJ when It" broke many of whose people had never before seen a soldier, was due, not to the organizers, but to those gallant men who had so splendidly proven themselves both in Gallipoli and France. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Veteran Liberal Leader, who is seeking election on the Anti-Conscription platform. DENIES REPORT Story That Woman Spy Was Executed In U. S Originated In Germany WASHINGTON, December 15—The persistent repetition of the story that a woman spy had been executed in the United States has caused the State Department to send an official denial to American Consuls and Legation Chiefs, in European and neutral countries. The story originated in Germany. Its widespread use is regarded as another instance of German propaganda. The name of the woman was given as Anna Briteans. Ordinarily no attention would have been paid to the story so false, but in this credence appeared to have been given to it jn neutral countries. WHO IS TO BE BLAMED FOR PEACE OVERTURES Germany Claims That It Was England That Made the First Advances Last September. ALLIES WORST MOMENT. Teutons Making Desperate Efforts to Force An Issue Before America Is Ready. gERLIN, Dec. 15.—(Official)—A reply to the statement of the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Balfour, in the House of Commons on Tuesday, that Great Britain in September had received through neutral diplomatic channels, a communication to the effect that Germany would be glad to get in touch with Great Britain in regard to peace, was issued today. The statement follows: At the beginning of September the German Government, through the medium of a neutral government, received an inquiry relating to Germany's war aims. The communication of the neutral government was couched in such forms that.according to international usages it» might . be supposed with certainty that the neutral inquiry was made with the knowledge and sanction of the British Government, i Moreover, the circumstances under which the inquiry was made, allowed the conclusion to be drawn with the greatest probability that the British Cabinet had been informed of the step and that it had been sanctioned by at least the most important of its Allies. The German Government was ready, in principle, to answer the inquiry and to do this two courses were open, an indirect or a direct reply. The decided objection against an indirect reply through neutrals, was that the medium might constitute a one-sided restriction of the German policy without any guarantee in regard to the opponent's attitude. That being so, a direct verbal reply through intermediary, appeared to be the most opportune course to follow. The trend, of subsequent events, however, forced the conviction on the German Government that on the part of our opponents nothing/was being done to facilitate such a direct reply to the inquiry. Regarding the utterance of Great Britain, mentioned by Foreign Secretary Bajfftujr, about its to. isceiveisceive any communication from the German Government, the first news of this reached the German Government only in Mr. Balfour's statement in the House of Commons. A further step in this affair was not made on the German side. Premier Lloyd-George, who ' was speaking at a dinner of the Grey's Inn Benchers said, if this is the worst moment, it is because Russia has stepped out and America is only preparing to come in every hour that passes. Will the gap formed by the retirement of the Russians, be filled by the valiant sons of the Great Republic. Germany knows it, hence the desperate effort &at they are making to force an issue before America is ready . SMALL PER CENT. CARRIED FOOD Of Ships Sunk During September and October, Only 2 Per Cent Carried Wheat. J[ONDON, Dec. 15—The percentage of ships carrying wheat to this country that were lost during the months of September and October was two per cent., Sir Leo G. Chiozza Mooney, Private Secretary to the Mm istry of Munitions, announced to-day in reply to a parliamentary inquiry: "Of cargoes homeward bound during the same two months to the United Kingdom, whether British or other vessels, the percentage lost was three, and of this loss only one per cent was represented by food. ''Only about one eighth of-the British tonnage actually sunk during September and October consisted of of ships carrying food. More than one third of ships carried coal, the remainder being laden with miscellaneous commodities or sailing from home ports in ballast. » ■ Washington, Dec. 14.—Representative Lunna, of New York, today introduced a. resolution to congratulate the people of Britain upon the capture of Jerusalem and Palestine, and the British Government on its declaration that it favors the establishment in Palestine of a national home for Jewish people and will use its best endeavors to facilitate the a£hicve»enjt pi ihjs oh- GERMANS CHECKED ON ALL WAR FRONTS Attacks By Crown Prince in Cambrai Met Heavy Losses and Was a Complete Failure. ITALIANS FIGHT VALIANTLY. At Only One Point On Line Have Teutons Made Slight Gain—Contradictory Reports from Russia. 'THE British, French and Italians are still holding firmly against the onslaughts of the Teutonic allies, delivered with heavy reinforcements that have been drawn from the Russian front since the cessation of hostilities there under armistice. The latest attack of the Germans, made in the ambrai region, between Bullecourt and ueant, was a complete failure, when the Teuton losses in men, killed and made prisoners, are put in the balance with their small gain of ground against the British. Another attack by the German Crown Prince in Caurieres Wood, on the Verdun sector, which was delivered with laige effectives, has met with the customary repulse, .while in the highlands of Northern Italy the enemy armies are still being held in check by the Italians. Most Expensive Attacks. The enemy's most expensive operation was the attack on Wednesday between- Bullecourt and Queant. The Berlin war office admits that only a few British shelters and ninety prisoners were taken, while Field Marshal Haig reports that heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy along the front of the offensive, large numbers of his dead being left before the entanglements. When the impossible task of pie/cinq the British lines became apparent, a hurried retreat was ordered. Finding that the efforts of the Austrians to break through the Italian front and debouch upon the plain of Venetia are futile, German troops, under General yon Buelow, have reinforced their allies and with them have delivered another powerful assault between the Bretna and Piave Rivers. Made Temporary Gain. At only one point, h'6wever, were the combined Teutonic forces able to dent the line of the defenders on Monte Spinoncia, where they secured a temporary foothold after sustaining severe casualties. Here the Italians are striving valiantly to retake the lost position. Snow and mist are hampering operations. The situation in Russia is beclouded by reason of the statements of the results of the fighting. One report says aledines is besieging Rostvondon, and that righting is in progress in the vicinity of that city, where men and guns from the Black Sea are raiding the Bolsheviki, and another despatch asserts General Korniloff has routed the Bolsheviki near Bielgered, while still another Teport says that Korniloff has been woundecT and in danger of capture, and that attempts by Kaledines' followers to cut off food supplies to the Bolsheviki in Moscow and Petrograd from Siberia, have failed. Sob. Menace Held. The German sub-menace is being held, but has not yet been mastered, according to the First Lord of the British Admiralty. In a statment the First Lord says: The downward trend of the mercantile marine losses, the construction of merchant ships and -the number of enemy submarines that are being destroyed, all are satisfactory. Aother high naval authority says the Germans have been attempting a submarine offensive of the greatest possible magnitude, but they have signally failed and have had to pay a heavy price in vessels lost at the hands of the Entente, and American naval forces. . Aerial bombs dropped by Germans on a town behind the British front, have resulted in the death of a number of American railway; cdgHpccrs.. In another town German aviators attempted to bomb a marching American column, but all the men escaped unscathed, although tjje missile exploded dangerously near them. '-. • m • : WILL NOT ATTEMPT RECAPTURE Austrian War Minister Says Jerusalem Will not be Attacked or Damaged - Amsterdam, December 13—An indication that the Turks will not attempt to recapture Jerusalem, was given by General Stergerstein, Austria-Hunggarian War Minister, in replying . to a question raised in army committee of an Austrian delegation, as quoted in a despatch received here to-day from Vienna. The General said Jerusalem was occupied without fighting, the Turks retreating Eastward through the town when their positions to the West were subject to a surprise attack by the BritishJerusalem suffered no damage, he said, and the supreme command ha* given assurance that wanton damage is out of the question. Jerusalem will now remain outside the fighting zone,, the General Said. THE POET SAYS SO THE PEOPLE Who Wear Them SAY SO And Vie Confirm It. THE BROWN HIPRESS RUBBER BOOT/ ISTHT BEST EVER WjDRNN You men who live in voAr boots and give them the very hardest wear—you want these greal brown boots with the 'Red-Line" around the top. They'll out- / 1 twear any old style black rubber boot ever made-" I^3^ Goodrich L "HIPRESS" Rubber Footwear JK te& Brown-wlth the "RED-LINE"  The rubber in the* boots is Goodrich Auto Tire Stock-^, flj Wi so tough it will actually outwear steel. 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