North Carolina Newspapers

V . It- -V-..: ' - - . - ' t 1 7.' t i v'J WEATHER. ' Rain east, rain or snow and colder T TTT liY?yit? : T" "IHP-THWr, """ wW. I J'L l ' " western portion Thursday. Friday fair, J QJ J h, j VOL. XCIX-NO. 87. SUGGESTS AN Would Have Warring Nations State What Arrangements Would 'be Deemed Satisfactory as a Guaranty Against Renewal of the War or Kindling of Any Similar Conflict in the Future Notes Made Public After Last Midnight. ACTION NOT PROMPTED BY CENTRAL POWERS' PROPOSAL; NO PEACE PROPOSED, NOR EVEN OFFER OF MEDIATION "Washington Officials, Who" Were Taken by Distinct Surprise, Believe Prospects for Negotiations Have Been Improved MrC Wil son's Move May be History-Making Event Copies of Notes Sent to Neutrals for Information. Washington, Dec. 21. President Wilson has appealed to all the belligerents to discuss terms of peace. ; Without actually proposing: peace or offering mediation, the Presi dent has sent formal 'notes to the governments of all the warring nations, suggesting. that. Van early occasion be sought to call out from the nations now at war such an avowal of their respective views, as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the arrange ments which would be deemed satisfactory as a guaranty against its renewal or the kindling of any. similar conflict in the future, as would make it possible frankly to compare them.". President Summarises Attitude. - . Wholly - without notlc.-and entirely contrary to what administration offl- cials have described as his" course, the I President last night dispatched notes to , all the belligerents, and" to all" the heu- trals for their ' information. Surrunar- ized in the President's own words as contained in his notes, his attitude is as follows: v "The President is not proposing peace; he is not even offering: jnedia tion. He is merely. proposing that soundings be taken in order that we may learn, the neutral nations with the belligerent, how near the hayen of peace may be, for which all mankind longs with an intense and increasing longing. He believes that the spirit in which he speaks and the objects which he seeks will be understood by aU con cerned and he confidently hopes for a response which will bring a new light into the affairs of the world." : This latest development tn.the rapidly moving world events toward a discus sion of peace was not permitted to be come known until midnight wjien ;the notes were well on their way to the American ambassadors in the belliger wit capitals and probably -' already - in the hands of some of them. Distinct Surprise for Officials. It was a most distinct surprise for all official Washington which had been led to believe that with the formal trans- Full Text of President's Notes Sent Last Night to European Belligerents Washington, Dec. 21 President Wll- ons notes to the European belliger ents are prefaced with this instruction y Secretary Lansing to the . American ambassadors presenting them: - "The President directs me to send you the following communication.; to presented immediately to the minis ter of foreign affairs of the govern- ftent to which you are accredited." ; Thp text of the notes themselves then begin identically as follows: Begin Identically. "The President of the United States has instructed me to. suggest to the mere is insertod o )ae.frnaHnn nf tho government addressed) a course of ac twi with regard' to the present war "hich he hones that th pnvurnraent take under consideration as sug- esLeu in the most friendly., spirit and af coming not only from a, friend but -' j as coming from the representative a neutral nation whose interests heen most seriously affected by the war and whose concern for its ear- l conclusion arises out of a manifest necessity to determine how bestr to Jeguard those interests if the war is t0 continue." - - ' At this point the . texts vary. In the j"tos to the Central Powers this para- "'i'n ioiiows next:? -v i To he Central Powers. lne suearest!nni whioh T M W 11. quoted to make. - the President has' 5omev.'fc to offer it at ihis pa asire t ith th tfal pni kcause it may prompted hy a In connection ps of the Cen 'act been in.vjiw :v sui k in r Its oTlrin i the 6 fau . l have delayed L overtures had veredi'liut.- for terns te nes- NA WimfS OF EUROP EXPRESSION AT EARLY mittal of the proposals, of. the Central Powers, the offices of the-United States would await further moves between the belllsrerents themeivea.''an'd-'that cer- taihlyv In view of the' speech of Pre- mier Ooyd-George and the announce-, "?ents J" Russia. France and Italy .-f ur- non thft nfiXt Ra.refUi o.nd delicate move in the great diplomatic 'spectacle be tween the belligerents themselves. The whole tenor of official opinion throughout Washington when the Pres-r ident's action became-known was that it immeasurably improved the' pros pects for some sort of exchanges look ing toward an approach to peace dis cussions between the belligerents with out impairing the position of the Unit ed States, should they finally .be unable to find a ground on "which to approach one another. - No Statement From .White House At the. White House no statement, whatever could be obtained - as to whether any of the powers had inti mated how they would receive the note, and there was every indication that the same careful secrecy which prevented even anything' whatever becoming known about the President's action un til it had been taken -would surround any of the succeeding moves. Nowhere on the surface, appears any indication of the historyrmaking events which diplomatists generally are con vinced must have transpired since the Germanic allies brought forth their pro posals, to dispel the generally prevalent belief that such an action on the part (Continued on Page Two.) tioh of peace and may best be consid ered in connection with other propos als, which have the same end in view. The President can only beg . that his suggestion be considered entirely on Its own merits and j&s if it had been made in other circumstances." In. the note to the Entente Allies, the following paragraph takes the place of the one just quoted: - ' . To. the Entente Allies. "The suggestion which I am In structed to make, tHe President has long had it in mind to offer. He is somewhat ' embarrassed to offer it at this particular time because It may now. seem . to. haye been prompted by the recent : overtures r of the Central Powers. It is, in fact, in no way asso ciated with them in its origin-and the President would have delayed offering it' until those overtures had been an swered but for . the fact that it also concerns the question of peace and'may best be considered in connection with other: proposals which; have the same end in view. The President can only beg -that his suggestion be considered entirely on'its own merits and as if it had been made in other circumstances." .. Then all tbe notes proceed -Identically as follows: ' "r AakR Interchanse of Viewfc . "The President suggesrs that an ear ly occasion be gought to call out from all the nations now at war such an avowal of ! their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the arrangements which ' would be ' deemed satisfactory as . a guaranty against its renewal or the kindling, of any similar conflict in the future a; would make it impossible frankly to-compare them. He is indif ferent 'as to the means taken, to accora? pllsb t)t!s- He would be, happy himself t serv-or-'even to take th nitiative lnv itis i!cco.mill8hpienti in" any way that might prove. acceptable)t)ut he has tip desire to ; determine -thiXmethod : or ' the WILMIKaTOK, K. SHARP IISCOSl! OVER FEDERALIZED MILITIA FORECAST Future of National Guard in Fed eral Military System May be Debated in Congress. GEN. SCOTT AGAIN HEARD His Criticisms of the System Make Him Liable to -Vigorous , ' Cross Examination. Washington, Dec 20. Sharp contro versy in Congress over the future of the National Guard m the Federal military system was foreshadowed to day at hearings before committees of both the House and Senate. Major General Scott, chief of staff, entered vigorous cross examination by several members of the House Military committee when he touched, upon re sults of the mobilization ,of the state troops for border duty as shown in the general staff report. Conclusion drawn from the figures to support, the con tention that the guard system is ineffi cient and unreliable were promptly .questioned and it was indicated that the head of the army would face searching questioning tomorrow when he- continues Jiis statement. ' . Scott and Ww4 ZecaU-d. The iSenate sub-committee in - charge of the Chamberlain universal training bill decided . to recall General Scott, Who already has presented the report on mobilization in full. to that commit tee, and Major General Leonard Wood, I commanding rthe Eastern . department, who described the mobilization as a "tragedy.", in his direct hearing before the., committee- Both officers have been -asked to; appear for cross exam ination by Senator. Blair Lee, a cham pion of the National Guard. In preparation for the cross examin ation, it' is understood that staff offi cers familiar with mobilization will be present and prepared - to submit the original reports from 'the inspectors, including names of the organizations examined which the summary did not give. , The House committee did not go into the question of universal military ser vice, recommended by the 'general staff,-as; General' Scott -had not reached that portion of his statement at the close of 'the day's session. - Others Give Views. Before the Chamberlain . committee, however,- Howard H. Gross, of Chicago, president, and Edward Harding, of New: York City, representing , the Uni versal: Military Training League, out lined, their view& ... They will be fol lowed tomorrow by members of the Chamber! of. Commerce .. of . the United States and later, by certain officers and enlisted, men of the National Guard, all . of . whom are expected to support the , recommendations of the general staff for 'a compulsory service system. . Senatop Underwood, of Alabama, in jected the. universal service, discussion into a debate In .the Senate during the day,- asserting that he did not favor compulsory, military service in time of peace. When General Scott, before the House committee, quoted from the mo bilization report , to show tflfet out of an enrolled strength of 95,000 men in certain units of . the guard called for border- duty, only . 47,000 actually were available . for the Federal service, he was asked whether it ws fair to judge the National Guard system on a mobil ization .of what was in reality the old organized 'militia. The general, admit ted the act, did not. go into effect until after the. call was made, but reiterated his opinion, that completion of the new organization would produce ' little bet ter results.. . , : "Representative Tilson, of -Connecticut, who .commanded a guard regiment on th,evborder, asked if ...the order that men -.with; dependent families -be dis charged was "not enough to disorgan ize any. military organization." . "That .order .was issued by the Seer' retary of War and , I cannot discuss, its merits," " General Scott "said. He ex plaiaed .later that the Secretary . issued no. orders, of such a, cnaracter without discussion with the chief of . staff. Discuss Milltlai liejjrultiiig-. , When. the general rjeaa figures' oh Na tional i. Guard recruiting . showing that only'4.5,000, men were collected n four months active work throughput the country, -and that at a cost of more than $50 a man "just to -enroll him, not to equip .him.'f Representative Green interrupted.' . ,"Was not this after ..the young, volun teer knew, he was to see no , active ser' vice, but merely , to do border police duty?". he asked. . '.."It was to ', carry out orders by the President of .-th'e United States to meet an emergency," General .Scott said. . "Oh. yes,, that's, the way It reads," Representative Greene said. "but that's not the - way the men, on. the border looked at It or. the young men. bacR hbrhe." ' . .'' ' V : . ?We cannot rely for -our defense, on a system 9f kind where, that would be possible' 'General Scott aldj, ; ,et me sy that I jiave ; especially asked yovf Vo understand that I am not : . ..-r if fSon'ttmied'A ox. ' Pare Ieh.1 : : C, THURSDAY MORNING, S TO 'E TO D. SCOTT WANTS AEMY OF THREE MILLION TROOPS , Calling attention to -the possibility that the United States may some day have, to face in war a combination be-, tween Great Britain and."a powerful Oriental nation' Japan -Maj.Gen. H. L. Scott, chief of staff of the United States Army, told the Senate Military Affairs committee that In . such event the United States under the present system of military -training would be helpless. . He urged that, provisions be made 'to put art army of 3,Q0.000 trained men into, the . field 3n' daya- if 5a.n emergency should arise. Bethlehem Steel Loses 72; Points, or 200 Points Prom Maximum Level Last Month. PEACE RUMORS THE CAUSE Rails Prored Only Notable Exception to the General Reversals Ship ping Shares Were Serious- ' ly. Affected. New Tork, Dec. 20. Losses. of 5, 10 and 15 points accompanied "today's, fur ther sweeping liquidation of' stocks, with 72' points t for "Bethlehem Steel, which fell tof7500, that quotation repre- senting a decline of exactly 200 points from its maximum f of the .previous month. .' ' Rails again proved , the only notable exception to the general reversal, which- took in virtually' all war and-senil-war shares. Shipping stocks were most se riously affected on the notice served by England's prime minister yesterday that it is intended to exercise supreme control over all vessels flying the Brit ish flag. ; k Peace developments were again made the ostensible weapon to bring about further price recessions which not only affected most - gains of recent months ijut sent some stocks down to levels of a year. ago. A more powerful fac tor was found, hoVever, in the tremen dotts pressure exerted by professional traders,- now -largely committed to the shor.t ide of the- market. - The clique has operated extensively ever since Germany's peace overtures became known. - . : Leading financial interests continued to call loans and mark down ail but seasoned stocks offered as collateral, to the Increased-embarrassment of brok ers and their clients, the latter , being in turn forced to strengthen Impaired margins or sell out. - , According to board . room gossip, heaviest losses ; of the past week have been sustained by a group of western and southwestern operators who took the -market- out of the hands of local professionals, a few months ago.. To day's, .more .extensive, recessions 4n ad dition to the .-set back -In Bethlehem' Steel were, Mercantile Marine,, J6. points, with T:-for the common; Atlantic Gulf and West Indies 15 South Porto Rico Sugar .10 and American, Beet Sugar 6 1-2;' Utah Copper: 5 3:4; American Zinc 7; Central Leather 6 3-8; Sloss-Sheffiield Steel 7; Crucible Steel 5 3-4; Lackawan na Steel 5 1-2; American .Locomotive 4 3-4 and as much for Pressed 'Steel Car. ' . . ;ss'. " ; The long list of larger or extra, divi dends of the last few months was ad ded to by Westinghouse-Electrla which increased the distribution onthe -common stocks from 6 to 7 per centv-Mon-ey was again easV and in Jight demand, with no-alUration 4tt fprelgn; exchange es, such as may be reasonably expected to foreshadow-' iniportanf developments Ui the Euorpean 'situation s.aa"; : , I j 1 v .- .i K Fill HllMHHM.HtfcM JMMI Ma4Wj JS STOCKS TUMBLE TQ LOWER QUOTATIONS DECEMBER 21, 1916 REPLY TO PEACE NOTE IS EXPECTED ECHRIS British Communication WilL Like ly be in Aceord With Premier Lloyd-George's Speech. PRELIMINARY DRAFTS MADE Official Replies of All the Entente . Nations Will be Dispatched Simultaneously. London, Dec. 20. -There is a strong probability that Great Britain's note in reply to the German peace proposal will be -made before Christmas. This was the opinion in well informed govern ment circles today where it is also be lieved the reply will be brief and will likely follow the lines of Mr. Lloyd George's maiden speech as prime minis ter in so . far as it will leave the door open for Germany to make concrete peace proposals. Great Britain's official reply to Ger- mWi .33. prominent p facials term it, will be dispatched simultaneously with that of her allies. Ever since the Ger man note was handed to the foreign of fice by the American ambassador it has been subject of. discussions between Premier Lloyd-George and his cabinet council, which meets daily. The note, ad.the natuxe of -th. reply- alsehave heen discussed with Great Britain's al lies and It is stated that these, conver sations have progressed so rapidly that preliminary drafts have already been made; - It would, therefore, npt.be surprising if the allies replies were ready, by the endof th week. Especially; it is said, would thTs be true in the case of Great Britain's note. which the prime minister is declared to be anxioi to dispatch without delay. When the terms of the note are defi nitely agreed upon and the document is signed by Lord Robert Cecil, who is acting foreign secretary in. the absence of Mr. Balf our, it may be handed to Ambassador Page with the request that he 'forward it to the State Department at Washington for transmission to Ger. mahy. This is said to be the most like ly method inasmuch as the Unite States represents the Allies' interests In Germany. It is possible, however, that Great Britain may decide to dispatch the reply to the British ambassador at Washington, with instructions to. turn it over to the State Department. MUST NOT TAKI3 LANGUAGE OF PREMIER TOO SERIOUSLY Amsterdam, via London, Dec. 20. The Cologne Gazette says: "The language of the British prime minister must not be taken too serious ly. We are taught this by some reflec tions on English peace conclusions in the past, such as that in which she lost the United States and the peace of Amiens, in 1802. There is a limit where the -blindest obstinacy finds itself con fronted with the impossible and this limit is being brought nearer and near er by our submarines. Another pos sible contingency compelling England to make peace would be the secession of one of her allies." DESIRE CO-ITERATION OF HOLLAND IN PEACE MOVE Berlin, Dec. 20. (Via Sayville) A peace movement is being considered by Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Switz erland, in which they wish the co-operation of Holland, according to Deputy Schaper, of the Dutch Parliament, as quoted in a dispatch to the Overseas New6 Agency from Rotterdam. The news agency states: "According, to telegrams from Rotter dam, peputy Schaper,. of the Dutch par liament, In a speech, made at Dalfzel, announced that Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries were inclined to act as peace mediators, and that they wish, the co-operation of Holland. Dep uty Schaper advocated greater activity by Holland along this line." THINK REJECTION BY THE ALLIES VIRTUALLY CERTAIN Amsterdam," via London, Dec. 20. Some of the Vienna newspapers, com menting on the speech of David Lloyd George, the British premier,-express the opinion that the rejection-of the peace offer 'of '"the Teutonic allies by the En tente allies is- virtually certain. The Fremdenblatt says: . ''After Mr. Lloyd-George's speech the continuation of the world war is inevi table. Fate will now take its course and the day doubtless will come when Mr. Lloyd-George shudderlngly will re cognize that England by rejecting the peace offer has really stuck his head Into a noose with the . rope in our hands." The Neue Frie Presses, -however, thinks that Mr. Lloyd-George's speech still leaves open the possibility that the question will e put to the Central Powers as to what proposals they'have to make. SAYS PARTY LEADERS WERE , IGNORANT OP HOLLWECS PLANS .. London, Dec. 20. -A , dispatch .to Reu ter Telegram . Company ' from Zurich says information v has ';, been , received1, there" from Berllntfcat prl i Von Beth- BO IIS t CContlnued, on 'gelTwo.Jliv:,;t: 1 .BELLIGERENT TERMS OF PEA CE TEUTONIC ARMIES IN DOBRUDJA NOW BEING OFFERED RESISTANCE RUSSIAN BELIEVED VICTIM OF U-BOAT However, None of the Survivors of the Steamer Saw Either Sub marine or Torpedo. REPORT OF U. S. CONSUL Ship Was Struck Astern as Night Was Approaching: Is Reported to Have Not Been Under Charter of British Admiralty. Washington, Dec. 20. A detailed ac count of the sinking of the British horse ship Russian,' in which 17 Ameri can muleteers lost their lives, reached .the State Department -today by cable from Consul Keplinger,- at Malta. It says the steamer, fighting through a strong gale , and drenching, rain in the Mediterranean, ' was struck astern by cwhat was belleyed to have been a tor pedo, though no submarine' was seen and that 28 men, including the Ameri cans,were. drowhed through tle capslz Ing "of a lifer boat when the crew left the ship." Later' a" trawler came- to the rescue and took the Russian in tow, but the steamer went, to .the bottom the "next day. The ship was sunk while on a return trip in ballast to Newport News. ' ... -. .: . 1 ' The " consul .said ihe was .informed that the -Russian was'nOt under admir alty chapter,', although she had deliv ered a cargo ' of. mules at SMoniki, the Allied military base. inv7Greece. The American government will make inquiries, at once to determine the sta tus of the ship. If it develops that she actually was a private' vessel, the Ger man and Austrian governments will be asked whether one of their submarines made the attack". Unless one of the belligerents admits responsibility it Is regarded as -probable that the nature of the explosion that wrecked the Rus sian may remain a mystery, since no one saw a submarine or torpedo and the ship is, at the bottom of the sea with her evidence. Consul Keplinger's account says: "It was absolutely dark by the time life boats , were launched and not one on board ever saw any sign of subma rine or any other vessel until two Brit ish trawlers came to rescue after about six hours an'd brought them to Malta. Every one on board so far interviewed are of the opinion that the explosion was caused by torpedo as vessel was struck in hold nearest the stern and was in water more than 2,000 fathoms deep at time. Russian was towed by a trawler until .night, of 15th, when it was taken over, it is said, by tugs and (Continued on Page Two). SHEPPARD PROHIBITION BILL IS NOT VOTED ON Parliamentary Misplay Delays Aq- Is tion Until After Holidays. Measure Displaced on Senate , Calendar When Senator Ashvrst Secures Unanimous Consent to Con. aider Land BUI. Washington, Dec. 20. A parliamen tary misplay by one of its friends late today upset plans for an immediate vote on Senator SheppaFds District of Columbia prohibition bill and advocates of the measure were obliged to agree that it go over until after the Christ mas holidays for final action. The Senate agreed to a final vote on the measure on January 9 after its op ponents had been sustained by chair in contending that ;it" lost its place on, the Senate calendar by the action of Senator Ashurst In securing unanimous consent to consider a land bill. Friends of the prohibition bill have admitted a fear that postponement of the vote, until after Christmas recess' would imperil its chances of passage. When the opponents of the prohibition bill contended that it had been displac ed before the Senate Senator Ashurst then sought to withdraw his land bill, and did so. physically by stepping to the desk and putting the document in his pocket. - Senator Reed, of Missouri, insisted that such a method o withdrawing bills was new ! parliamentary procedure. "It, .men are permitted to dispose of legislation by ; physically applying strong arm methods and 'grabbing' bills .; (Continued oalPaoTwO f ' i PAGES TODAY ONE SECTION WHOIiE NUMBER 39,801 Berlin Admits This, But Nothing: is Known of Strength of Russo- f Rumanian Attacks. PETROGRAD CLAIMS GAINS i British Near Gommecourt and Ar ras Carry Out Successful Raids Against Germans. CARSO FRONT AGAIN ACTIVB Russians Put Down Attempted In fantry Attack by Teutons. Aside .from the Rumanian the atre, little fighting of moment is taking place on any of the numer-. ous fronts. In the i)obrudja section thp Russians and Rumanians have fac ed about and are giving battle to the Teutonic allies which have been pursuing them. Just how , strong the stand they are making is has not: yet been known:ther German. official communication announcing it merely saying that they have "again offered fighting resistance. " Petrbgrad Reports Successes. Petrograd reports that attacks by the invaders near Parlita on the left bank of the Danube were repulsed and says also that operations successful for th Russians and Rumanians are being carried on by scouting parties in th direction- of Rimnlka-Buzdu. i . On trie front in France, the British near Gommecourt and Arras have car ried out successful raids against Ger man trenches and bombarded other hos tile positions at Gommecourt and near Loos and Hulluch. . The Germans for their part shelled the British line north of the Somme, near Festubert . and Ypres,' and south of the Somme bom barded the French at numerous points, the French replying energetically. Berlin reports the repulse of attacks against the positions of the Teutonic. Allies in the Cerna river bend region of Macedonia. In Galicia, southwest of Brody, the Teutonic Allies after a heavy bombard ment of Russian trenches essayed an infantry attack, but were forced by the fire of the Russian guns to seek thefr own trenches again, Petrograd reports the breaking through of barbed wire (Continued on Page Ten.) ACTED ON ORDERS OF IT Was to Secure Information as Shipments to Allies. : This Is Admitted by German Vice Consul von Schaek, on Trial With Others For Violating U. S. Neutrality Laws. t " San Francisco, Dec. 20. That he had received written orders from the Ger man government to secure information on the Pacific coast concerning wiir munition shipments to Grat Britain j and her allies was the admission today -of German Vice-Consul E. H. Von -.. Schack, one of the defendants in the trial in the Federal court of German Consul General Franz Bopp and asso ciates on conspiracy charges of violat ing American neutrality." The defend ants are alleged-to have plotted to destroy 1 ships and , railroads carrying monitions to the Entente Allies. For the purpose of getting this in formation Von Schack said he hired C. C. Crowley, another of the Beven de fendants, and Louis J. Smith, star wit ness for the government. Smith is 4 co-defendant. . United States District Attorney Pres- v ton's request to see the orders brought'; an objection from Theodore Roche, of; counsel for the defense, that such a demand was in violation of German and American treaty rights covering lnvlo.- lability of government documents. - Von Schack said Crowley had report-, ed to him. discovery of Japanese roam fng up and down the California coast with field glasses galng out At sea for giunpses or. German warships. Th GERMAN GOVERNMEI : "'. : "'J ! ;' V 1 1 , ' s J 1 ; '' V n I i It ll Hi -3 .- - fr it j s'L'ir,:' ie. I a f :i "T 'k t i. Ml. Ill ! i ;i r!l i? mm, mm mm ':M I .''':'.j' . i - '. I (Continued on'iPage i1?)