, THE WEATHER
2
PAGES
MAIL
EDITION
Fair; Little Change in
Temperature
Asheville's LivestNewspaperToday'sNews T o da yNo
VOL. XXII. NO. 283.
FIGHTING
ITALIANS OPEN
FLOOD GATES
OF TWO RIVERS
Italians Let Loose Flood Northeast of Venice in
A ttempt to Prevent Teuton Movement to
Flank Wing of Italian Army Invaders
Make Little Progress Around Asiago
Embattled for the protection of Venice and Lomhardy, the
Italians have opened the flood gates of the Piave and Sile rivers,
northeast of Venice, to keep in check the Austro-German force
ivhich has crossed the Piave near Grisolera. In attempting to
inundate the triangle whose apex is near San Dona Di Piave the
Italians hope to prevent any enemy movement to flank the right
wing of the Italian army along the Piave.
Near the Adriatic the Piave and Sile rivers are contained
in canals running through land at or below sea level and which
stretches for many miles along the Adriatic from the Venetian
lagoon. With the rivers allowed to flow unchecked it would
i ppear to make Austro-German efforts in this region barren of
results.
Straightening Out Lines.
In the mountains between Asiago
unci the Piave the great pressure of
the invaders has not brought great re
sults. On the Asiago plateau the Ital
ians are straightening out their line
gradually and It In here that the Aus-lio-Germans
have progressed slightly.
These gains, however, apparently have
not been of great strategic value and
the danger of the Piave line being outflanked-
although still present prob
ably bus not become serious enough
to c.xuse any changes in the Italian
"plans. The Teuton pressure between
Inundated Territory Forms
Triangle 12 Miles Each Way
Italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy; Nov, 15 (Delayed) (By the As
sociated Press) Tho flood gatos of
the 1'lnve and Sile, or old Piave, riv
ers have been opened by Kalian mili
tary engineers and the enemy is now
ftu'cd by another Yser of inundation.
Tho flood was loosed at the point
where tho enemy succeeded in cross
ing the Piave near Grisolera (four
miles from the coast) and the whole
recion where ho gained lodgment is
now under water. The inundated ter
ritory forms a huge triangle about 12
miles on each side with tho apex at
1ERT IUU HAS
FIVE SONS IN Miff
With the American Army In France,
Nov. 16. Major-Gcneral Sibert's fifth
son is now in tha army. Two of his
cons are captains, one Is a lieutenant
utid ono a West Point cadet, and the
general instructed his fifth and young
est son to keen away for the present.
He has been advised, however, that!
his youngest son felt he could keep
out of the army no longer. He has
Just enlisted as a private.
GIANTS AND" INDIANS TO
PLAY EXHIBITION GAME
Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 16. The
Cleveland Americans will play a series
of exhibition games with the New
York Giants during tho latter, part of
the 1918 training trip In the south.
The Cleveland team will train at
New Orleans, while the Giants will get
(heir preliminary work at Marlin,
Texas. The two teams will meet at
Dallas and play there and at Houston,
New Orleans, Memphis, Chattanooga,
Louisville, Indianapolis and Columbus.
Tho dates have not been designated.
Escort to British Tank.
Now York, Nov. 16. Armed Amer
ican troops today are invading Can
ada but the "invasion" is a peaceful
ono, the troops comprising Battery A,
of the New York field artillery, acting
us an escort to the British tank, which
is to feature victory loan parades in
Ottawa and Toronto. The tank has
been on exhibition In Central Park In
this city.
Fire Did $75,000 Damages.
Richmond, Va Nov. 16. Fire orig
inating in the business section of Min
eral, Louisa county, early today de
stroyed a bank, four stores and dam
aged as many structures, while men
acing other property entailing a loss of
about (76,000. The cause of the fire
is not known.
the Sugana valley and the Piave is
very strong but the Italians have been
able to check violent attacks at vari
ous points along the sector.
Fresh Attempts Defeated.
Fresh Austro-German attempts to
cross the Piave have been rendered
futile by the Italian defense. The
Italians are holding in check those
troops which crossed near Zenson and
in the marsh-land near the Piave the
invaders had been unable to make any
progress in the face of Italian counter
attacks and artillery fire previous to
the opening of the florod gates.
Dona Di Piave. The enemy had been
driven back but still held on within
this triangle until the dykes from both
rivers released the water over the low
lying plain.
The chief menace at that point was
that the enemy might be able to ap
proach Venice through the lagoon or
bombard the. city from his position
between the rivers. The inundation
interposes a barrier of 12 miles across
and several feet deep.
Reports which have reached head
quarters from other points on the
front are also favorable.
U-BOAT MENACE NOT
DEFEATED, SAYS GEDDE5
London, Nov. 16. In reply to a
question in the house of commons to
day, Sir Kric Geddes, first lord of the
admiralty, said:
"The good return of tonnage sink
ing by enemy submarines last week
and indeed the comparatively favor
able result of the last two months
ought not to be taken as Indicating
that the submarine menace is a thing
of tho past, or defeated."
Sir Eric recalled his recent speech
In the house of commons in which he
said the enemy's attack on British
trade was being held but had not been
defeated, that the Germans were
building submarines faster than the
British were destroying them, but
without improved methods he looked
for tho eventual defeat of this menace.
Ho also reminded his hearers he
had said mercantile marine tonnage
was nqt being maintained' against the
depredations of submarines.
OF
Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 16. Mayor
Smith was cleared of all connection
with the political conspiracy which re
sulted in the killing of a policeman
here on primary election day, In an
opinion by Judge Martin yesterday in
quarter sessions court. But the mayor
was held under his own recognizance
to await the action of the grand Jury
with William Fin ley, a political lieu
tenant of the Vares, on the technical
charge of conspiracy to murder. Fin
ley's ball was reduced from 110,000
which was originally Imposed, to $500.
; .
To Lunch With King and Queen.
London, Nov, 16. The members of
the. American mission to the inter
allied conference were invited to
Buckingham palace this afternoon for
luncheon with the king and queen.
ASIIEVILLE,
AUSTRIAN
, Believed Shin Lost
S -.. . H
t Washington, Nov. 16. The W
It American steamer Kansas City K
is believed to have been lost at
it sea. 'Nothing has been heard of It
It her since she was separated It
It from her convoy In a storm on .
It September 6. . te
t The only person aboard of ?
It whom the navy has record is H
It J. H. A. Muir, whose parents ?.
It live at 26 Mary Mount Road, K
It Roland Park, Md., a suburb of H
H Baltimore. It
It The following statement was It
It Issued: It
1 "Th. JinirtnMf hoi M:
M I e . n uA la I
b vcitcu iiu iiiiuiiiiakiuir vii urn
It steamer Kansas City since she ?
It was reported separated from It
convoy September 5. She is now H
H believed to have been lost at sea. H
It J. H. A. Muir, first class signal It
l man, assigned to duty on the
It Kansas City, was the only navy It
It man aboard. His next of kin is It
H his father, John AlllRon Muir, 26 It
It Mary Mount Road, Roland Park, H
It Md."
..".""
; it it It ! . it it it it it ! ? it i i H
NO DIRECT NEWS
Reports That Bolsheviki Are
In Control of Capital and
That Kerensky's Troops
Are In Flight
Communication with Petrograd
again has been restored but no direct
news has been received from the Rus
sian capital. The Bolsheviki are still
in control In Petrograd while Premier
Kerensky s troops are reported to be
m flight and again to be marching on
the Bolsheviki stronghold. Efforts of
the socialists to arrange a settlement
with the Bolsheviki and to bring about
a new coalition government have fail
ed. Other reports say that the maxi
malist leaders, Lenlne and Trotzky are
losing their popularity.
The Bolsheviki in Moscow are re
ported to have been defeated com
pletely in street fighting which claimed
2,000 lives. Heavy fighting has oc
curred at Kiev where the Cossacks
were said to have arrived several days
ago.
Nothing New In Dispatches.
Washington. Nov. 16.---Dlspatclies
from Ambassador Francis, at Petro
grad,' dated November 12, arrived to
day, but contained nothing not already
reported in news dispatches cables and
In fact described the situation as it
was presented in the new dispatches
of that date when fighting was In
progress in Petrograd, and the Bo$
shevikl had not been ousted by Prem
ier Kerensky's forces as later dis
patches have Indicated.
Ambassador Francis reported he
had no written or oral communication
with the Bolsheviki government. His
message was the first received since
November 8. although It stated that
he had filed cable reports every day.
Fighting was in progress in the
streets and, he said, the telegraph and
telephone offices had changed hands
several times.
The ambassador had no knowledge
of the situation outside of Petrograd.
Tho Increase In Priees.
Washington, Nov. 16. Prices of
meat animals hogs, cattle, sheep and
chickens were 611.2 per cent higher
on October 16, than a year ago, 87.3
per cent higher than two years ago,
and 88.1 per cent higher than the
average of the last seven years on
that date, the department of agricul
ture today announced.
At Government Price.
Washington; Nov. 16. Coal Jobbers
and wholesalers were prohibited by
the fuel administration today from
selling coal at prices "subject to re.
vision." Hereafter all sales must be
made at the government price without
any provision for revision.
German Commander
Who Sank the Lusitania
CART.
FROM
PETRDGRAD
life A
Mtai
N. C, FRIDAY AFTERNOON,
SOME .lERICAN
REPRESENTATIVES AT
ALLIED WAR COUNCIL
yANCE C McCORryiCK
REAR ADMIRAL Wrt.SDCNSON. ,
HEV. J J, TERRY WILL
GO ON TRIAL TODAY
Russellvillo, Ala., ftov. 16.The
Rev. J. T. Terry, former pastor of the
Russellville Methodist church and
active in Alabama Methodism, for sev
eral years, was to be placed on trial
here today for the killing of Dr. T. M.
Hughes, whose lifeless body was found
lying beside a road near here on Oc
tober 3, within a short distance of
Terry, who himself was in a serious
condition us the result of two bullet
wounds.
The authorities thus far have been
unable to learn whether Terry shot
himself after Dr. Hughes was killed
or whether he received the wounds in
a duel with the physician. Tho men
had left here apparently for a hunting
trip and so far as has been learned
the trouble developed after they
reached the country. The minister
thus far has refused to discuss the af
fair. Terry's defense will be insanity.
PUCE IN THE CABINET
Lord Northcllffe, newspaper pro
prietor and head of the British mis
sion to the United States, has doclinert
to become head of the new air min
istry in the British cabinet His re
fusal, he explained In a letter to the
premier, Lloyd-George, Is due to dis
satisfaction with some of the meth
ods of the premier's administration.
Lord Northcllffe is dissatisfied, he
says, wilh regard to the present re
lations with the United States, which
country he intimates may have to take
control of allied war activities.
Discuss Charges.
Atlanta, Nov. 16.' Papers dealing
with recent changes In baccalaureate
requirements nad the master's degree
were subjects beforo the session here
today of the 23rd annual meeting of
the Association of Colleges and Sec
ondary Schools in the southern states.
Reports of special committees were
to be delivered and officers for the
ensuing year were to be elected at the
concluding session this afternoon.
Discussing "War Savings" Campaign.
Washington, Nov. 16. state direc
tors of the war savings campaign in
session hero today, discussed methods
for bringing home to the American
people the vital lesson of war time
thrift. A call on President . Wilson
at the White Housd was one of the
features of the day's program.
COL. 13. M. HOUSE !
I 1W f I II lit! II ftlv II
t T o m o rr o wEve r y D a y
NOV. 16, 1917
M J. CONFERENCE
New Preacher Admitted De
spite Age and Lack of Ed
ucational Qualifications
BISHOP ADDRESSES
YOUNG MINISTERS
P. M. Weaver First Elected I i
Delegate to General Con
ference Election Is On
With no necessity of a count of the
vote, the Methodist conference this
niqrning declined to abide by the
"dead line" in the admission of a
preacher into full connection, the feat
ure of a very interesting and busy
session.
According to the law of the church,
every applicant for admission must
reach certain educational qualications,
.and yet the same law permits the con
ference to admit when those qualica
tions have not been met if the appli
cant receives a two-thirds vote. The
question came squarely before the
Western North Carolina conference
when the name of Christopher Colum
bus Williams, of Thomasville, was
presented by Presiding Elder Boyer,
of the Winston district. The commit
tee on ' examination announced that
the applicant was 53 years old, mar
ried, having four children and three
of them married, but that In the mat
ter of educational qualifications he did
not pass. Dr. Atkins for the com
mittee on examination, advised accept
ance under the rule of a two-thirds
veto. . .
. It was made clear that the appli
cant had been for years an active
worker, a man whose time and money
had been consecrated to the cause and
that he was a worthy candidate, whose
conscience led him to ask for ad
mittance into the ministry. Rev. Dr.
Boy or, with others, heartily endorsed
the application. Presiding Elder Barn
hardt opposed the action and was
Joined by others who thought that it
would not do "to let down the bars."
The discussion was gentle in expres
sion but clear and pronounced. Fin
ally .'the bishop called for the question
anil when those in favor of the ad
mittance of Mr. Williams stood on
their feet, the result was so apparent
that Bishop Atkins remarked "the
vote is for admission, there is no need
of making the count."
It was a decided question. The
statement that ' tifty-three years was
too old for a man to begin to do a
work" had been answered by a pro
nounced negative.
Seven Young Ministers Received.
In addressing seven young men who
were received into the full traveling
connection, Bishop Atkins, in gentle
ness of spirit and tenderness of ex
pression gave them suggestive advice.
They are not to place any confid
ence in the applause of the people,
for the reason that those whoarc the
least competent to judge very often
praise the more ardently. They were
to remember that youth was not al
wavs the period of the largest and
most successful endeavor but was
rather the period of intense prepara
tion for greater good. Those who have
studied and gathered statistics Insist
that only one per cent of the world's
greatest work has been accomplished
by men whoso age Is under 40, Be
tween 40 and HI) the percentage is
10, between 50 and 60 it Is 35 per
cent, between 60 and 70 It Is 35 per
cent, between 70 and 80 It Is 23 per
cent and above 80 It Is 6 per cent.
Bishop Atkins reminded the candi
dates tint the world war now In
progress has demonstrated the fact
that when men of the greatest ability
are needed to do things, the old men,
as thev are termed, are called. Into
service.
One marked feature of tho reports
of the committee on admission of can
didates to the ministry was that in
every case the candidate was required
to pledge that he would not use to
bacco. 0cnlng Exercise).
The opening devotional exercises of
the third day's session of the twenty
eighth session of the Western North
Carolina Conference were led by Rev.
Dr, H. M. Dubose, editor of tho Sun
day School board of the Methodist
Episcopal church, South. Dr. Dubose
is located at Nashville,
l-'.leotlng Delegates to General Con
ference. One of the events of the conference
which is always awaited with Interest
Is the election of the delegates to the
General conference. The honor of
representing the Western North Caro
lina conference is no mean honor.
The conference is entitled to twelve
delegates, six from the ministry and
six from the ranks. of the laymen.
1 M. Weaver Klectcil.
The election was the order of the
day following the admission of appli
cants, This election Is by ballot. The
first ballot for lay-delegates resulted
In the election of R M. Weaver, of
Asheville; C. H. Ireland, of Greens
boro; F. S. Lambeth, of Thomasville,
REFUSED TO ABIDE
BY "DEAD LIME"
TH WATER
IN THE
N SECTOR
With the American Army in
France, Nov 15 (Delayed) (By
the Associated Press). There have
been further encounters between
American patrols and Germans in
No-Man's-Land. Last night there
were a number of clashes, but the
night was dark and showery and
the firing was at a distance. There
were no American casualties.
The German-placed machine
guns in several craters sprayed
streams of bullets on our com
municating trenches. The Amer
ican .artillery hurled shells from
75's at the positions and silenced
the enemy. .
A merican patrols have worked
up to the German wire entangle
ments. The artillery fire day and
night continues lively.
and Dormnn Thompson, of States
ville. A second ballot was necessary
to select the remaining two delegates.
Dr. Dubose Speaks.
The tiresomeness of the election was
broken by tho address of Rev. Dr. H.
M. Dubose, of Nashville, book editor
of the publication board of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, south. Dr.
Dubose is a unique speaker. He en
Joys a vocabulary unusual and his
audience appreciated the frequent use
of very rare words, used by the speak
er with telling effect. Dr. Dubose
spoke in the interest of the publishing
work of the church.
Second Ballot.
The second ballot for the selection
of lay delegates resulted in the elec
tion of J. B. Ivey, of Charlotte. A
third ballot was necessary to select the
remaining delegates. The third bal
late resulted in the election of A. C.
Reynolds, of Cullowhee.
E. A. Cole, of Charlotte, presented
tne claims ot Juualuska assembly.
, , Admitted Into Full Connection.
The following were admitted into
full connection by the conference: H.
G. Allen, T. P. Jamison, J. Fred Still-
! well. John Cline l?vrt TT ifi n t-t
i ' ' - ... . ,
Kennington, Marcus B. Woolsey, Mar
tin vv. Hecuard, Geo. W. Clay, Mc
Kinley Gladstone Erwln, Roy Lincoln
Foster, David E. Clark, Jesse H.' Lan
ning. II. R. Deal, James W, Fitzgerald,
Charles O'Dell Kenneiiv, James B.
Fitzgerald, E. L. Shelton, Daniel G.
Wilson, Christopher Columbus Wil
liams, These Re-Admitted.
The following were readmitted:
William Cecil Jones, James D. Ran
kin. Traveling Preachers Received.
The following traveling preachers
were received from other denomina
tions: George F. Wright, six years in
the Baptist denomination; Robert A.
Swearinger from Methodist Protestant
denomination.
Into Full Traveling Connection.
The following were received into
tho full traveling connection: R. S.
Abernathy, J. W. Bennett. T. V.
Crouse, D. V. Howell, R. L. Tabls, C.
A. Johnson, M. A. Osborne.
The following received from other
conferences: C R. Canipe, from
South Carolina conference.
The following received fmm other
churches as local preacher: Bruce
G. McMillan, Ollie Jones, b.h from
the Missionary Baptist churcn.
Deacons Kleeted.
The following preachers were elect
ed deacons of one year: Fredericks
W. Cook. Ernest J. Harbison, Leoni
des B. Hayes, Marion W. Mann, Jos
eph W. Vestal, D. H. Rhinehart, Rob
ert L. Ferguson remains in this class.
The following travelling preachers
were elected deacons: A. S. Aberna
thy, T. V. Crouse, R. L. Forbes, D. V.
Howell, C. A, Johnson, M. A. Osborne.
The following local preachers wea
elected deacons: James Boyd Fitzger
ald, Joseph A, Snow, Walter Blaine
Thompson, James Russel Warren.
Klders Elected.
The following travelling preachers
were elected elders: Dwlght W. Brown,
Thomas J. Folger, James P. Morris,
Neill C. Williams.
The following traveling preachers
elected elders: Robert Smith, Nyles
Henry, Francis Stover.
The class of the socond year was
called and Avery S. Abernathy, Thom
as Virgil Crouse, Robert Lee Forbls,
David V. Howell, Carl Anderson John
son and Moffatt Alexander Osborne
were elected deacons and advanced to
the class of the third year.
John Wesley Bennett, a deacon, and
William A Jenkins, an elder, were ad
vanced to the class of the third year.
James Russell Warren, J. B. Fitz
gerald, Waller Blaln Thompson and
Joseph A. Snow were elected to local
deacons' orders.
Henry Frances Dodge and Robert
Smith Kyles were elected to local
elders' orders.
James P. Morris,. Nell C. Williams,
Dwlght W. Brown and Thomas J.
Folger, deacons of one year, were
elected to elders.
II G. Allen, J. H. Green, Guy Ham
ilton, T. J. Hugglns, K. L, Kirk, T. P.
Maulden, W. L. Scott, J. L. Smith J.
C Umberger, J. E. B. Houser were
advanced to the class of the second
year.
Fred W. Cook, Ernest B. Harbison
L. B. Hayes, Marlon W. Mann, Joseph
W. Vestal, D. H. Hhlnehardt, were
advanced to the eass of the third
year.
During the afternoon vestcrdav Dr.
H. M. Du Bose, book editor of the
church, delivered an Interesting ad
dress. The anniversary meeting of
the school board was held last night,
with Rev. Dr. C. W. Byrd, president
of the board, presiding. Rev. Dr. E. B.
(Continued on Page 1)
in the Year"
PRICE FIVE CENTS
IS
T
ID PUPILS HURT
Catholic Hill School Burned
at Noon Today Un
known Origin
TWO FIREMEN ARE
SLIGHTLY INJURED
Injured Children Taken To
Mission Hospital One
Child Is Missing
Fire of unknown origin at Cath
olic Hill school for colored stu
dents today totally destroyed the
building and injured several of the
students. It is feared that some of
the children were caught by the
flames and lost their lives, but it will
take some time to check up the class
rolls and locate all the students who
were in the schoolhouse. Two of the
students are in the Mission hospital
badly burned but not thought to be In
critical condition; one Is reported to
have jumped from a window and sus
tained injuries, but this child could
not be located at 12:30 today.
The Are spread with incredible
speed Hnd fierceness arid 'urMif' the
niurui came in to me ore station tne
flames had gained groat headway.
From the confused reports available
wniie the fire was raging it appeared
that the building was filled with
smoke and fire before the alarm was
given in the school. Teachers at
tempting to form their grades Into
fire-drill formation were met with
panic-stricken students who dashed
for doors in some cases or jumped
desperately from the windows.
The building stands on a hill above
Valley street and It took several min
utes to drag the hose up In range of
Yn 1.!,. I r. . .1. -
Kim 111X3 UUI III a 1DW lUlUUkUS itl.LOI II1C3
alarm came in three or four lines
were playing on the house. Fanned
by a strong north wind, however, the
flames ate steadily from one floor to
another and were soon bursting
through tho roof. . A residence house
nearby also caught and the firemen
shortly before 1 o'clock were fighting
to save the other houses near the
school.
Frantic mothers searched madly
through the crowds of men, women
and children scattered over Catholic
Hill and Valley street in the effort to
rind their children; but it will be
hours before they know whether or
not the search is in vain.
This is the most disastrous fire In
the city since 1915. The building is
insured, but the loss will be consid-
eraoie.
Ernest Ingram was one of the chil
dren who was badly burned. Tho
names of the others could not ba
learned at 1 o'clock.
Fireman J. W. Jeannerett suffered
an injury early in the fight to savo
the schoolhouse, one hand being badly
burned.
It is believed that only the excellent
dlscipllnu in most of the class rooms
saved the school from a frightful cas
ualty list. It is stated that some of
the students were slightly burned as
they marched out in good order.
James Henry Jumped from a wId
dow and hroke one leg. Klizabeth
Brown was badly burned about the
head. Hazel Harris, aged 7, is miss
ing. J. C. Fitz, fireman, was Injured In
a leg and foot.
The walls of the building fell in
about 12:30 o'clock.
It is reported that the fire was
first seen from the city market and
that the alarm was turned In by some
body at the market.
U .0, C. OFFICERS MAKE
Chattanooga, Nov. 16. The general
convention of the Daughters of the
Confederacy did little more than elect
the rest of the roster of officers this
morning. With the conclusion of this
order of business the convention re
sumed its business program which In
cludes the reading of reports of the
custodian of badges, Mrs. L. M. Bnsh
lnsky; confederate museum, Mrs,
John Mason; executive committee,
Mrs. F. G. Odenhelmer; history, Mrs,
Grace Newblll; education, Miss Mary
B I'oppenholm; the award of the uni
versity prize for confederate essay, by
Mrs. Livingston ltowe Schuyler; en
blems and mottoes, Mrs. I. W. Falson;
relief work, Mrs, Herman Randolph;
and introduction work, Mrs. Norman
Randolph, and introduction of resolu
tions. The visitors were' guests of honor
at a noon luncheon by the Kosmos
club and then they will be honored
with a grand ball tonight ,
COLORED
SCHOOL