North Carolina Newspapers

- .'. , - ,v,y t ' " , ' - - - WEATHER. North Carolina and South Carolina: Fair Sunday and Monday, except thundershowers in mountain districts. VOL. XXIV. NO. 172. WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINASUNDAY; MORNING,: JUNE 30, 1918. FIVEtENTS KLOUXUJR KEY SET BY CONGRESS V rCoRjvtt&fe. 10X8 :. By & T. McOat&ftoa3 Saturday Was a $21 ,000,000, 000 Day in Washington SENATE IN THE LEAD Federal Trade Commission American, British and French Q Successes Reported .. ,v . A DESTROYER BATltEv Starts Heated Controversy CHARGE PROFITEERING . . ny i iii i x 1 1 ' j . . 1 . . , , , ..,...',, ' OS RECORD ON FRON Upper House Passed Measures Calling For a Total of $21,500,000,000 AN UNLIMITED-ARMY Bill Cares For 3,000,000 Men, But President May Increase It Crowder Promoted House Busy Washington, June 29. This was a $21,000,000,000 day in congress the biggest "money day" in' the history of any legislative body in the world's history. - Spurred by the fact that the fiscal year ends Sunday, and that next week the government will be without funds to continue the war unless the big supply bills pass at once, house and senate leaders whipped both bodies into top speed action. The desire to recess next week for six weeks con tributed to the acceleration. The usually deliberate senate set the pace by: Passing the $12,000,000,000 army bill. Adopting the conference . report on the $3,000,000,000 sundry civil bill. Giving the final o. k. to the $1,500, 000,000 naval appropriation bill. Passing the ?5.000,000,000 fortifica tion bill. This made effective, so far as the senate is concerned, $21,500,000,000 in appropriations, the bulk of it for pros ecution of the war. The house helped by adopting the $1,500,000,000 navy bill conference re port, the sundry civil report, and de ciding not to let this legislative day end until the army bill has passed, continued its cession on into tie night. The house,, however; decided about 7:30 p. m. to recess until 11 o'clock Monday morning ... Not a moment's debate was requir ed to put th fortifications bill through the senate Most of the money it ap propriates goes to buy artillery and ammunition for Pershing's army The army bill, now in its final stages provides for an army of 3,000,- 000 men, but gives the president power to call an unlimited number; provides huge sums for aircraft and machine guns; provides for carrying out draft treaties with Great Britain and Can ada by registeringsslieir citizens in this country; creates a $100,000,000 aircraft production corporation, and makes neutrals who have declared their in tention to become. United States citi zens forfeit their citizenship rights un less they waive exemption from mili tary service. It also authorizes Presi dent Wilson to promote Provost Mar shal General Crowder to be a lieuten ant general in recognition of his hand ling of the draft. E.L New Bern Had Quite a Bit of Excitement Last Night (Special to The Dispatch.) New Bern, June 29. There was quite an excitement here tonight about 11 o'clock when George B. Warters, United States deputy marshal, and Charles L. Abernethy, candidate in the recent primary for the democratic nomination for congress from the third district, engaged in an affray on the streets. The affair is said to have grown out of the recent primary. According to a statement by Mr, Abernethy following the affair, he was standing on the street talking with friends when Mr. Warters came across and accosted him with reference to a speech he made on Friday before the Primary in which some reference was made about deputy marshals being employed and paid by the government and working in politics. Warters, ac cording to Abernethy, said that if he, Abernethy, referred to him, Abernethy was "a infamous liar." Abernethy replied, that Warters being a marshal was of course armed, and Warters is .quoted as replying that he was not armed, as he had left his weapon across the street. Abernethy then said he would report the deputy's actions to the department of justice, and War ters is reported to have replied, "Re Port and be ." He is then quoted s repeating that if Abernethy had refer ence to him he was an infamous liar, attaching an oath, and when Aber aethy stated he did not refer to him the deputy repeated his statement about being an infamous liar, where upon Abernethy struck him, and War- lers returned the blow. A crowd quickly gathered, and there . as much excit3ment for a few min utes. However, but the intervention -f friends prevented further blows. mm AND WATffi PASS BLOWS Many Big Business Houses Accused of Taking Enor- us War Profits WILL C FLUENCE TAXES Wealth nscnptionists A re Gi iven :werful Weapon Pric ring Is Attack ed 1 ver Involved Federal commission charges : That profiteering by American business exists, in some cases to an alarming degree. That the big five meat .packers have "preyed unconscionably upon the people." That Morris & Co., packers, reap ed profits during 1917 equal to the entire net capital and surplus combined and made 263.7 per cent, on the $3,000,000 outstanding capi tal stock. That the other packers profited some 27 to 47 per cent. That steel mill profits in some instances ranged from 100 to 319 per cent. That the average profit of the copper industry in 1917 vwas 24.4 per cent., against 11.7 in 1913, a normal year. That the New Jersey Zinc com any alone of the zinc manufac turers, reaped 56 per cent, profit in 1917. That the commission finds on complaint against western coast lumber operators . for profiteering; that the southern pine producers made an average of 17 per cent, fn 1917, against 5.2 in 1916. That 23 coal mines in central Pennsylvania -average a margin of 90 cents a ton in 1917 against 20 cents in 1916. That leather profits increased as high as five f Imesover the pre-war years. - That flour millers made "unusual profits" with average earnings said to be 38 per cent, of their invest ments. That canned milk, salmon and other food producers made exorbi tant profits. Washington, June. 29 Wealth con- scriptionists in congress today seized as a powerful weapon the startling report on profiteering filed with the senate by the federal trade commis sion. They regard the report as a double barreled weapon. It proves, they say, that big business' appeal last session against overstepping the limits of safety in taxing business was not founded on any real danger that con gress would have hurt business by making the taxes on war profits heav ier than it did. It i also proves much new material for their coming fight to take practi cally all war profits under the new tax bill. The commission's report was re garded by many as the most startling- ly frank and graphic report ever sent to congress by a governmental agency. And while congress seethed over its contents there was indication that it has caused distinctly unfavorable re action in food administration quar ters.. The trade commission report was issued, it was stated, without the knowledge of Herbert Hoover. He is studying it tonight and will make a statement on its contents early next week. It was intimated by Hoover's friends that the commission s inter pretation of "profits" might be erro neous. No sooner has the report been of fered in the senate than it was sub jected to a barrage of both opposition and support. It brought from Senator Reed a new denunciation of the policy of govern ment price fixing, which he called an "aid to the unscrupulous business man" and resulting in "the gradual ruin of the consumer." The reDort started bitter cloak mom dlsnutes. many members con tending stoutly that the report showed prejudice and clever handling of fig nres to make out a case. But by the majority the report was tairen to suDDort President Wilsons word that "we have indisputable evi dence of profiteering." It was gener ally regarded as certain to become the storm center when the revenue bill comes into the senate and the war nrofits debate begins. Thft internal revenue bureau is pre paring a careful check up of the com mission figures to- ascertain wnetner such profits were duly recorded in ex nmflta tax returns submitted June 15. This probe, Commissioner Roger stated, would be thorougn; ana quic action will follow should any swollen (Continued on Page Fifteen.) BY IIP STATES Published Note Without First Getting Permission AN ACT OF DISCOURTESY Mexico Violated Rules of Diplomacy by Giving Out Communication PROTECTION DEMANDED United States Insists That American Oil Investors in Mexico Must Be Prop erly Protected Washington, June 29. Mexico stands rebuked tonight for the diplomatic discourtesy of making public a nied States oil protest note without asking the usual publication permission. The protest, hitherto suppressed, asked fairness and justice for United States oil investorsand contained the hidden suggestion that the American government would protect its citizens' oil rights' in Mexico if necessity arose. The reproval of Mexico for diplo matic discourtesy arose from the fact that the note, reaching the anti American, pro-German press in Mex ico, had been interpreted as running counter to President Wilson's friendly message delivered to Mexican editors recently. The state department pointed oat that-the protest had merely sought to have Mexico use investors fairly. And President Wilson suggested to the ed itors that fair dealing and banishment of suspicion could aid Mexico to a place in the situation, especially when foreign capital flocked into the coun try to develop its resources. The statement accompanying the note explained that the United StatC3 does not intend to interfere In Mexi can internal affairs. The protest it self carried no hint of such interfer ence. It said only that it saw the possibility of confiscation in a Car ranza oil decree; that it felt con strained to protest solemnly and to I advise Mexico it would be impelled to protect American interests if Mexico herself did not safeguard them. It was pointed out that the decree not only ran counter to international usage, but likewise was contrary to gurantees in the Mexican oenstitution. The explanatory statement showed a touch of impatience with the pro German twist placed on the affair. And while the state department in tended mainly to set Mexico straight as to the United States' attitude, it was learned that officials fully intend ed that Mexico should realize United States' impatience with a situation which gave German propagandists a chance at distortion. "The United States government would have appreciated being asked for its consent to the publication of this note," said the rebuke portion, ""inasmuch as this proceedure is usual ly followed in diplomatic dealings be tween friendly nations. Such consent would,' of course, have been readily, given if the Mexican government had intimated that It believed the note should be published." The protest proper was dated April 2 and signed by Ambassador Fletcher at the order of the state department. "In the absence of the establish- (Continued on Page Fifteen.) OF MOTTO ITALY Intended As Badge of Ameri-can-Allied Solidarity NEW YORKERS IN LINE First National Army Division Is Now in the European TrentRes FIVE; ALREAD TrtAilslH) ' 1 Seasoned Men Turned Back to General Pershing As Dis tinct American Outfits After Training Washington, June 29. American troops tonight are serving freedom's cause in a new corner of the old world Italy. The first of them to reach that na tion arrived yesterday. Mostly, they were sanitary units, but some were other special service units. All were, shipped from this side. Later, a regiment of fighters will reach Italy from France. This announcement of Chief of Staff March today was supplemented later, however, by a statement from Secre tary of War Baker showing "that there is Intended a plan of campaign involv ing a- continuous flow of troops to Italy." The presence of sanitary units and the forthcoming arrival of men to aid in the fighting intended only as the outward badge of American-allied solidarity, rather than the result of any Italian manpower need. March augmented this hopeful sign of the times by news that the first na tional army division to assume a place in the front line along the western battlefield is the 77th a New York body, which entered its sector this week. Five divisions have gone through the training process involved in bri gading with the British and have now been turned back to General Pershing as distinct American outfits. AMERICANS WARMLY GREETED IN ROME Rome, June 29. Dense crowds en thusiastically greeted members of the American ambulance unit on jts ar rival today, strewing flowers along the line of march. Sub-Secretary Gallan ga welcomed the Americans. KERENSKY ARRIVES IN FRENCH CAPITAL Paris, June 29. Alexander Keren sky arrived here today ahead of Ms schedule and passed unnoticed. A friend named Fabrikant, acting as his secretary, arranged with former Rus sian Ambassador Maklakoff for an in terview, which lasted several hours. Listen to the Ladies! Washington, June 29. Forty per cent of the receipts of the third liberty loan were due, to the efforts of wo men's organizations throughout the country, the woman's national liberty loan committee claimed today. More than 500,000 women engaged in selling bonds, it was estimated. Mutual Artillerying London, June 29. "Mutual artillery ing" was the only activity reported by Field Marshal Haig tonight. WILMINGTON LABOR Admires Stand Taken Against Beer For Ship Workers BIG BAPTIST MEETING Seaside Assembly Is Growing in Interest With Each Session DR. M'OANIEL PREACHES Subject Last Night Was "Our Gains From the War" Splendid Musical Programs WALTER M. GILMORE Wrightsville Beach, June 29. The Baptist seaside assembly had a full and highly satisfactory day today. To morrow will be staged some of the most attractive features of the as sembly. Beginning at 9:45 in the morning the assembly Sunday school will be held in the auditorium. Dr. George W. McDaniel, of Richmond, will preach the sermon at 11 o'clock, on "Triumph Amid the Tumult," and at night on "Following the Flag." The musical program last night, con sisting largely of patriotic songs, was specially attractive. Prof. Wolslagel had organized a splendid male quar tet, composed of himself, Rev. W. R. White, of Greensboro; E. I. Olive, of Dunn, and W. B. Muse, of Wilming ton, who sang very 'effectively "Sol diers on the Battlefield Fight to Win." The Thomasville quartet of young la dies has. made a distinctive hit with the assembly. They are in demand on all occasions. They sang very ten derly and sweetly tonight "Seeking the Lost While He May Be Found." They will sing at the Oceanic hotel Sunday . afternoon at 5 o'clock. . The big feature tonight was the mas terly address of Dr. McDaniel on "Our Gains From the War." -He held his large audience interested from his initial sentence tothe close. He is a gentleman ; of fine address, with a voice as clear as a silver bell and with a mind well trained and afire with the great truths to which he gave utter ance. Dr. McDaniel said that at the be ginning of the war President Taft toured the country discussing why we are in the war. In one sentence, we could not keep out of it and preserve our honor, rights and freedom. A more difficult "question than the one discussed by the ex-president, since we have disavowed a purpose of con quest or annexation, is, "What will we gain?" First, an organization of our re sources which were widely distributed unorganized for the big task. We will . come out of this war with our forces mobilized. Second, the development of the simpler life. We have had too little of it in America. Our daughters were dazzled by the -AX ties of European -nobility and the highest ambition of some of' them was to marry a prince,, duke or lord. An American private hereafter will have a higher standing among right-thinking people than a European heir. We have been wasting the three chief factors in winning the war food, labor and life. Seven billion pounds of foodstuffs were consumed annually in making liquor. We have (Continued on Pag$ Fifteen.) 'a. UP HORNETS NEST Pan-Germans Demand Resig nation of Foreign Minister MOMENTOUS ADMISSION Berlin Government Confesses ., Its Inability to Win the War by Arms A BLOW TO MILITARY No Important German Official Has Ever Admitted Failure At Arms Hope to Gain by Bargaining New York, June 29. The German government has made the momentous admission this week to the German people that peace cannot be won on the battlefield and that the ending of the war must be brought about by ne gotiations. Foreign Minister von Kuehlmann, who delivered this pressing confession, has aroused a storm of panic stricken protest among pan-Germans. There has been many demands that the kaiser dissociate himself from von Kuehlmann's pessimism by removing von Kuehlmann. All Germany now knows Kuehlmann spoke not impul sively, but after conference with other responsible heads. If von Kuehlmann is sacrificed it will mean to the-people that the kaiser is in a panic, contra dicting himself and displaying mani acal qualities of erratic leadership. No responsible German statesman, holding, a position as authoritative as von Kuehlmann, has ever before risen in the reichstag to proclaim that the German army cannot win a victory for the German empire. The past week may prove itself to be the definite turning point in Germany's decline as a military participant. Von Kuehl mann, in effect, pronounced that statesmanship is more important to Germany than military prowess since diplomacy and not the army, can alone bring peace. So amazing an admission can only have been extorted from the govern ment as a desperate measure. Its pur pose is to entice into a peace confer ence where secret bargainings may be attempted. Germany's need for such a conference is extreme) or the gov ernment would never have invited it by confessing that the German army is impotent to win the war. From a gathering . of secret diplo mats the German militarists might emerge with their prestige little ruf fled and still In 'control of Germany's destinies. They could not pose as world conquerors; but they would cer tainly emphasize to the German peo ple that the world has been compelled to call the war a draw. , By declining to fall into this trap the allies will give a blow to German military leadership from which it nev er can recover. BIG ARTILLERY RANGE NEAR SPARTANBURG . . . . f .' Spartanburg, S. C, June 29. -The government through the chamber of commerce of this city today closed a lease extending until June 30, 1919, on the artillery range and bivouac camps used in connection with Camp Wadsworth. There are approximately 15,000 acres embraced in the lease and the monthly rental amounts to $2,500. British and German Destroy ers Clash Without In flicting Damage - HUN ATTACK REPULSED? Violent Thrusts West of Sois sons Broken UpItalian3 Beat Off Austrian -. , ... : - . J tt n ; f 1 CLK.C JT I 'risoners London, June 29. Repulse of vio . lent German attacks west of Soissoru and southwest of Rheims, successful f British, French and ' American 'ralflalXtf and considerable artillery activity -In'. .vV various sectors, was reported in tha .-' British and French official statement i ; today. - -:- - '' y.t Artillery and aerial fighting . and V ; reconnoitering operations were; report., ; ed on the Italian front by the Italian ; and Austrian war offices. ' ; A destroyer battle in which neither side suffered material, damage was re 7 ported by the Berlin and London a6.-.-miralties. . The Germans employed several bat talions in an effort to elect the French which the latter captured yesterday,'. The enemy failed and lost heavily.. , - Southwest of Rheims, near BUgny,V:45 Italian troops again broke upva Gew - ; j man attack. . 1?T;J Americans took ; 40 prisoners int "'; t I surprise raids northwest of Uontdid S '. ier in the Cantigny region- A sue cessful raid was , conducted' by. thai , French in Apremont tores In 'Lor Miif raine. ' -"- 4 : :V-4,-'W e Field Marshal HaiifvMirfei4.Mj;.:i creased cannonading pn both sides 4f the Neippe- forest "sector, .where "-4 . 1 British yesterday took more than . 4O0(f-. prisonersand south of ; tne--Somme. -' .. Vieniia 4daiiae41hTeptu. Jial. n'v-s ian reconnoitering expeditions..' neac 3 i't 2soiiand--Nqyta,nta . Piave. v: A j ' . i r . i ii i . - a . . ; which was particularly violent on the Asiage plateau was reported by both , Vienna and Rome. Four British destroyers patrolling the Belgian coast encountered eight German destroyers Thursday evening, w the admiralty announced today.' After fighting at long range for a quarter, lf of an hour three more enemy destroy- ers appeared. The British flotilla fell back to its supporting forces. The enemy failed to follow and the action was broken off. None of the British, L craft was damaged. The German admiralty statement declared that two British destroyers were hit, but that the German ship escaped unscathed. SENATE AGES TO BESOM JULY 10 Suffrage and Prohibition; 'Wilt Hold the Stage This ;. Week Washington, June 29. Senate leafik ers have agreed to recess July 10. To insure ample opportunity fort threshing out women's suffrage, prob.!- "' bition and all appropriation bills, it has been decided to postpone the .' "summer's lay off" until that date. ? Senate suffragists and prohibition- ists will seek decisions next week on the woman's suffrage amendment and . -war time prohibition. " The suffrage committee meets Mon "''. day to decide whether to attempt fore t . ing a vote. - " Meantime women leaders are scat- ' tering to the home states of the ntot -active opponents and ' campaigning -there against them. f Anti-prohibitionists plan to seek -i elimination of the Norris dry amend ment Monday when the emergency;! food act is called up". They will mako a point of order against it on the ground that it is general legislation-, on an appropriation bill. If Vice Prea ident Marshall sustains this, an ap peal will be taken from his ruling. . The senate's stand on an appeal will decide whether the discussion will continue or be dropped until Decern ber. MURDER OF NICHOLAS STILL UNCONFIRMED London, June 29. Contradictory re-- - ports concerning the alleged mttrdef " -h of Nicholas Romanoff, former czar,' . continued to reach London today from """ : various points. Most of them were from German-, -J sources. These said that Nicholas is f -? alive and safe while Scandinavian re-". ports insist he was killed. A . 1, -f V f '-ft i 4 I' il mi ;..v.;r a m . . . ; ' s 2 v !