Fstate Librsry ,Co The Lenoir Topic, Established 1875 r-.iut-J a-;i i iqi The Lenoir News, Established 1898 Con.ol.UUd April 1, 1919 Vol. XLVI LENOIR, N. C, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1921 Pric. Fit CanU tk Copy No. 34 EX-KAISER BLAMES BRITAIN FOR WORLD WAR In the book he has written for pri vate distribution, in an attempt to show that Great Britain was respon sible for the world, the former Em peror William of Germany through cut always speaks of himself in the third person, says a dispatch from The Hague, He paints William II as a man who tried for thirty years to maintain peace in Europe, but said he was foiled by the perfidious mach inations of Great Britain, France and Russia. As long ago as 1905, the former emperor says, he tried to found a league of nations. Although no full copy of the book is yet available, and both the former emperor' sentouraga and the Dutch and German governments worried be cause of the publication of brief ex tracts from it, sufficient of the con tents of the volume have leaked out to indicate the general trend of the entire work. The leak was princi pally due to the Berlin correspondent of the Rotterdam Maasbode. The correspondent says the book begins with notes as far back as 1884 (William succeeded his father as king and emperor in 1888). "In some places," says the Maas bode's correspondent, "the document is very interesting, especially notes of Aug. 18, 1891, where he treats of the visit of William to Czar Alexan der III at Narvik, when the czar said he hated the French republic and wanted to restore a monarchy in France. But already, says the kaiser, a Russian-French military agreement had been negotiated, saying that in the event of the mobilization of any member of the triple alliance (drei bund) a mobilization of French and Russian forces would be ordered im mediately and these armies thrown into action at once." Under difte of April 18, 1898, the former emperor wrote : "An English proposal for an alliance of Germany against Russia is declined in order not to endanger the world s peace. At the same time Delcasse (the French minister of foreign affairs) proposed to the German ambassador in Paris a German-French agreement in order to prevent the Portuguese colonies falling under British influ ence. The proposal was not an swered." Ihe former emperor also claims that he drafted a project for a league of nations under date of March 24, 1905. . . "A proposal," says the book, "was made by the former kaiser to the czar and to Witte (then Russian foreign minister) to .found a league of na tions consisting of the triple alliance and the rrench and Russian alliance with the understanding also that other groups or separate countries may become members of the league. The proposal was accepted by the czar and Witte. There was no ques tion as to presidential power over this league. Regarding the mission to Germany in .February, 1912, of viscount Hal dane, then British lord high chancel lor, the book says: "German efforts to conclude neutrality between Eng land failed in consequence of the ab surd demand for a cessation of de velopment of the German fleet through the curtailment of the build ing of new ships." Theformer emperor in the book deals with the mobilization of 1914. He says this began as early as April of that year, and the mobilization of the English banks in order to get large stocks of gold. Then the kai ser continues: "June Beginning of preparations f or mobilization in England. "June 15, Russia Troops called to arms in April and May under pre tense that they were to serve in ma tieuvers and being kept under arms for an outbreak of war. "July 20 All the Belgian reserve officers have been called to arms. Regarding the refusal of the sug gestion by Russia to sumbit the Ser bian incident to The Hague court of arbitration, the former emperor says: lhe proposal of the czar was not ap proved. Russia wanted in this way to gain time to prepare for war. "On August 4 Sir Edward Grey (the British foreign secretary) de mands of Germany that Germany halt her offensive march of troops in Belgium or otherwise England will protect Belgium. This was the Eng lish declaration of war." OIL COMPANIES ARE TO PAY THE TAX ON GASOLINE The secretary of state's office has completed arrangements for collect ing the one cent per gallon on gaso line from the oil companies, as is pro vided for, the $50,000,000 road bill passed by the geaeral assembly. Col. Joe Sawyer of the automobile license department of the office com pleted the details with representa tives of the various oil companies do ing business in North Carolina. While the law as drafted provides that the retailers should pay the tax, the oil companies have agreed, with the con sent of the secretary of state, to pay the tax themselves. The tax will be paid on a monthly basis, and under this plan it can be done much more satisfactorily, it is believed, than un der the system that would required every retailer dispensing gasoline to make a separate report. Under this law the State will col lect approximately $750,000 annual ly from the sale of gasoline. This money is to be directed to road work jn North Carolina. HOT WEATHER Mr. A. N. Todd, local weather ob server, reports his thermometer reaching 80 degrees Tuesday after noon, which is abnormally warm for the season. ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS MAY NOW BE USED AS MEDICINE The government is without author ity to prohibit or limit the manufac- fnpa anA ealas nf linnnrs winAS nr beer for non-beverage purposes, ac-1 cording to an opinion of Attorney-' General Palmer, dated March 3, and made public by the internal revenue bureau last week. The opinion, one of the imost comprehensive dealing with the question of prohibition, ex pressly states that there must be no limitation on the use of liqours ex cept that prescribed by Congress in limiting the sale of spirituous liquors to one pint for ten days. The ques tion of limitation thus, the opinion said, is left to the good faith of the physician. subject to this limitation, the opinion continued, "obviously there has been committed not to the judg ment of the commissioner of internal revenue and the secretary of the treasury, but to the professional judgment of the physician the ques tion of the quantity of liquor which may be used to advantage as medi cine in each case. "As to this question I think the in tention was to leave the physician un fettered by governmental control and subject to be dealt with criminally and by revocation of his permit if he uts in bad faith. Beer and wines are given the same status of whiskey under the opinion of the attorney-general, and it is an nounced from New York that real beer not near beer soon will be obtainable in New York as a result of the ruling, whereby permits may be obtained for the manufacture of beer for medicinal purposes contain ing more than one-half of one per cent alcoholic content. A number of large breweries have announced that they would begin the manufacture of real beer immediately. They declare there is no question of the legality of such a course if the product is to be used as medicine. John F. Kramer, prohibition com missioner, says that under proper regulations his enforcement crew could control the manufacture and distribution of beer. Wayne B. Wheeler said that if "the traffickers in beer become too cocky" the anti-saloon league will have Congress adopt an amendment to the Volstead act undoing the de partment of justice decision. "We are going to make the way of the fellow who tries to divert the beer, imade under the recent decision, to beverage purposes as thorny as possible," declared Mr. Wheeler. "If he becomes too troublesome we will get the members of the House and Senate from the 39 States that have prohibition codes barring beer to amend the law to stop the traffic in the other nine." Mr. Kramer said that the beer ruling would not affect North Caro lina one way or the other. She is "bone-dry." $33,000,000 FUND FOR FEEDING CHILDREN IS RAISED The last issue of the Literary Di gest told in brief the story of the gift by the American people of $33, 000,000 to save the lives of 3,500,000 children of the east, helpless waifs of war who were starving and cold, and stricken with disease. The appeal of the Literary Digest was published about four months ago in an editorial entitled "The Slaughter of the Inno cents," in response to a letter from Herbert Hoover. The last issue says: "Like an impelling vision, real and tragic, we could see those millions of tiny arms, bare and thin and trem bling, stretched out to us in pain and want; we could see the sad little eyes searching our souls; we could hear the weak voices crying for food and comfort. We were told that the huge sum of money asked for could not be raised at this time. But we knew that the American people, in their great-hearted love for children, could not now be deaf, as they had never in the past been deaf, to a real cry of suffering from little ones whose desperate need was laid on their heart as a sacred trust. And now, with a wonderful feeling of exalta tion, we are able to say, It is done! and the millions of our fellow coun trymen who have contributed to this fund will share in the thrill of joy at the glad tidings." WALTER S. TAYLOR DIED IN HICKORY MONDAY Walter S. Taylor, well known cot ton mill man, died at his home in Hickory Monday afternoon, following a stroke of paralysis last Thursday, aged 58 years. He was born in Charlotte Sept. 23, 1863.. He is sur vived by his wife and two children, Watler C. and Mary Cathrine Tay lor, besides two sisters. Mr. Taylor was manager of the Rhodhiss mills from 1905 until a year ago when he and his associates sold their holdings to the Southern Power Company. He then went to Hickory to reside. The remains were taken to Charlotte for interment. TENNIS CLUB ORGANIZED Last Friday afternoon at thi Chamber of Commerce building i very enthusiastic meeting of the ten nis players was held. Officers were elected as follows: President,' Miss May Puett; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Victor Abernethy. It was de cided to equip at once the lot next to Efird's istore for playing tennis, and it is hoped this court can be made ready for playing within the next week. It is requested that all members see the treasurer and pay their dues prpmptly. 'Others wishing to join can also see Mr. Abernethy and give him their names. GIANT TASKS ARE FACED BY PRESIDENT HARDING The new President and his Con gress are today facing greater and more numerous tasks than any ad ministration in American history, in the opinion of men of long service in Washington in the House and Sen ate. A mere recital of the questions put up to Harding and the 67th Con gress for solution is staggering Sen ators and members of the House who have been looking over the job. Washington had a huge task at the end of the revolution, Andrew John son and U. S. Grant had the after mathof the civil war to cope with, Woodrow Wilson had the world war and the making of peace, but Hard ing, it was pointed out, has more than all of them put together. He has made plain to his party leaders in Congress that he under stands this, and has appealed for, even demanded, their co-operat'on. Here are a few of the questions with which Harding and Congress must cope : Peace with Germany. Decision as to the manner in which the United States will co-operate with the rest of the world (if at all) in an association of nations for pres ervation of world peace. Arrangements for repayment of more than $10,000,000,000 loaned to Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Greece and a dozen smaller nations. The Russian problem, including Japanese land ownership in Califor nia, and Japanese immigration. Mexico; our relations with the Obregon government. Colombia; the long pending treaty to settle the. Panama canal dispute. Haiti and Santo Domingo; decision on policy to be pursued towards them. Securing of larger rights and ileges and facilities for cable munication. Domestic affairs' Tax revision. The tariff. Soldier bonus legislation. pnv- com- Reorganization of the government on an economic and efficiency basis. Reconciliation of insurgent ele ments within the Republican party Fixing of policies with respect to the size ot the army and navy, par ticularly as to the trend of naval con struction Establishment of a policy towards business, demanded to help stabilize and revive American indutsry, and involving a conflict between advo-T cates of strict governmental regula tion -1 those who want entire free dom from it. Revision and repeal of espionage laws curtailing the freedom of speech and the press, involving a controversy over the need for certain safeguards against bolshevism. The railroads; settlement of claims and adoption of a policy. The merchant marine; adoption of a policy, including decision on Pan ama canal tolls for American ships. There are many other tasks, off shoots, in the main, of these major ones, but all complicated and per plexing. Harding will find himself, too according to prediction, between the millstones of opinion of his ad visers, some of whom want the for eign questins solved first, while oth ers demand instant attention to do mestic issues, to the exclusion of all else. CELEBRATED ANNIVERSARY The Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society of the Reformed church cel ebrated its '17th aniversary with a church social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Self on last Thursday evening. There was a varied pro gram of recitations, song, games, etc., together with a review of the society's work, both locally and at large, during these seventeen years. It has a record of which all may be justly proud. The attendance "was fine, the occasion informal, but ex ceedingly delightful. Refreshments were generously served, consisting of chicken salad, pickles, crackers, hot rolls just baked and coffee for the adults and ice cream and cocoa for the children. It is the wish of all present that other I similar occasions may be had in the noi aiscanc iuture. CONGRESS TO CONVENE ON MONDAY, APRIL 11 April 11 has been selected as the date for the special session of the 67th Congress, the first to be held under President Harding's adminis tration. After deciding almost unanimous ly not to draft or press for enact ment of an emergency tariff measure, members of the ways and means committee were asked to express their views as to what legislation should be taken up first. The House vote showed all but three members in favor of tariff. Members said the un derlying note in all of the discussion was the necessity of finding some rev enue, to collect which could only be done, they contendde, by enacting a tariff law big and broad enough to bring in substantial revenue. FRANCE WANTS THE UNITED STATES IN MODIFIED LEAGUE Administration officials have with held comment on the statement made at the French foreign office that ne gotiations were under way between the French embassy in Washington and the State department with regard to the acceptance bv the United States of a modified league of na tions. The impression was g'ven, however, that initiative in any such development rested entirely with the French government and that in any event the matter had not yet reached the stage of negotiations. ' ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION: ON MARRIAGE LICENSE LAW The attorney general of the State has given the ioilowing opinion on ! the Bellamy act requiring physical i examination for applicants for mar riage licenses: " l ou ask this office to interptet the : Bellamy act with special reference to the obligations of certifying phy sicians thereunder. "The act is apparently drawn with full knowledge of our existing mar riage laws. As does that, it enforces its design by prohibition and penal ties upon the officers and physicians who are to administer it, and not upon the parties to the marriage con tract. Any marriage, then, which has been solemnized since March 5, the date on which the Bellamy act was ratified, is perfectly valid, though (jpon a license issued also since March 5 without the certificates required by the act. In other words, a marriage when performed by the justice of the peace or minister of the gospel is valid though there may be an illegal license, or no license at all. "The Bellamy act forbids the reg ister of deeds to issue a license to a male applicant unless the application is accompanied oy a certihcate that, he has no venereal disease, no tuber-1 eulosis in its infectious state, and that he has not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction an idiot, imbecile or of unsound mind. The female applicant must present a certificate that she has no tuberculo sis in its infectious stage, and that she has not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be of unsound mind. The term 'applicant' in the statute in the connection in which it is used is somewhat obscure, but we think it should be interpreted as applicable only to those persons, male and female, for whose benefit the license is issued. The register of deeds who issues the licenses without these two certificates having been presented to him is declared guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a tine or imprisonment. Any repu table, duly licensed physician, resi dent in the county in which the li cense is applied 'for can make the certificate. The county health officer of such county must examine the ap plicants on demand, and if he finds them fit must give the certificate without charge. The physician who knowingly and wilfully makes any false statement in such certificate is Ptruiltv of a misdemeanor and mav be Mnd or jmprisoned. """Tt Is asked, though, how can the physician certify thai the applicant has never been judicially declared of unsound mind: Many cases may be suggested in which it would be im possible for the applicant to satisfy the certifying physician as to this point beyond cavil or doubt. The certifying physician is not, however, an insurer of the truth of statements in the certificate. All the law re quires of him is that he should sat isfy his judgment in each particular case, with the individual features in cident to it, by the ordinary means accessible to him. He commits no crime unless he wilfully and know ingly makes a false statement, or makes such false statement recklessly without belief, or any fair and just ground to believe, in its truth. A conscientious physician, and a large majority of them are, applying these general rules will have little difficulty in dealing with particular cases." EDITOR MAY HAS THE "FLU" Editor Fred H. May has been sick with the "flu" since Sunday night. He had hoped to be out before this time, but had a relapse Tuesday night and is still confined to his bed. It is hoped he will be out in a few days. If the paper is not up to standard this week just charge it up to "flu." It has not missed a member of the News-Topic force. NOT IN JAIL A letter has just been received from Mr. W. R. Nelson of Bayard, Neb., in which he requests that we advise the people of Lenoir and Cald well county that he. is not in jail; that he 'says some of the people here think he got in trouble and is now in jail, but that he is not in trouble, neither is he in jail. JUDGE MAKES AN IMPORTANT RULING Federal Judge Call ruled at Tampa, Fla., last week that a warrant was not needed to search business houses and automobiles for liquor. The court held, however, that a search warrant was necessary before enter ing a private residence. MISS LIZZIE GLASS IS DEAD Miss Lizzie Glass died at the home of her brother, Robert Glass, on Mul berry, Monday morning at 9 o'clock, and was buried Tuesday at 3 p.m. near her home in the family burying ground, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. D. M. Armen trout. MRS. CORPENING IMPROVING The many friends of Mrs. C. E Corpeniug will be glad to know that she is greatly improved and will soon be out, having been confined to her home for several weeks on account of sickness. Her small son, Charles Lee, has also been sick, but is about well again. Newspapers in China ire : and three times over. 1 r previous day's issue uted among the lower . tion. They are then distrn by being sent out to the vin. country districts, where they at' a fraction of the original old two s of the distrib- popula- d again ges and are sold cost NEAREST LAW APPROACHING MOVIE CENSORSHIP The nearest law approaching the censorship of moving pictures enact ed by the 1921 session of the general assembly is the Gallert bill, which passed both houses before adjourn ment, making the exhibition of ob scene or immoral pictures a crime. The text of the bill follows: "That if any person, firm or cor poration shall, for the purpose of gain or otherwise, exhibit any ob scene or imimoral motion picture, or if any person, firm or corporation shall post any obscene or immoral placard, writings, pictures or draw ings on walls, fences, billboards or other places, advertising theatrical exhibitions or moving pictures or shows; or if any person, firm or cor poration shall permit such obscene or immoral exhibition to be conducted in any tent, booth or other place or building owned or controlled by said person, firm or corporation, the per son, firm or corporation performing either one or all of the said acts shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and pun ishable in the discretion of the court. That for the purpose of enforcing this statute any spectator at the ex hibition of an obscene or immoral moving picture may make the neces sary affidavit upon which the warrant fur said otFense is issued." Whether this law is not already covered in the common law was ques tioned at the time the bill came up for consideration, but to be sure of it the statute was written into the law. GOVERNOR WANTS NO HASTY ACTION IN ROAD WORK Gov. Cameron Morrison thinks the , public should not be disappointed should road work under the new $o0, 000,000 appropriation be deiayed several months. The governor is un willing to begin the construction on roads in North Carolina while the present high prices prevail, and while the bond market is such that the money cannot be secured at a reason able rate of interest. So far as his personal influence will go with the council of State he does not intend to authorize the issuance of short-term notes for more than 5 per cent, and he is decidedly of the opinion that the road construction should not be started and the money made abso lutely necessary so that short term notes would have to be issued in lieu of bonds. The new road commission, com posed of Chairman Page add tlin - representatives irom rne nine con- pre, ana tne top Durned off. rne nay struction districts, will not take, which was in the wagon was burned, charge until April 1, for the appoint- and the potatoes damaged consider ments are effective on that date. ably. The fire was put out before Chairman Page is busily engaged in the wagon was burned, however. It this preliminary work at the present has not been learned who was the time, and will be in a position to, owner of the wagon, or who set it make definite recommendations to-afire. the commission at its first meeting. ! STILLS CAPTURED AT SETZER'S STEADING-GRIST WEDDING AT i GAP AND BUM CREEK GREENVILLE, S. C. Two copper stills and complete a preuy weaning occurred at nign noon Wednesday in Hampton Avenue M. E. church, Greenville, S. C, when Miss Eunice Janet Grist became the bride of Mr. I. Walter Steading, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. C. M. Morris, pastor of the con tracting parties. On account of the serious illness of a nephew of the bride only members of the family and intimate friends of the couple were present to witness the cere mony. The bride was most becomingly attired in a traveling suit of navy blue tricotine, with hat, gloves and shoes to match, and carried a shower bouquet of bride's roses. For several years the bride has been in the freight office of the Southern Railway Company as a member of the efficient clerical force, during which time she made many friends in Greenville. Mr. Steading for several years has been in the employ of the Piedmont & Northern Railway Company in the mechanical department, and likewise has many friends in the city. Immediately following the cere mony the happy couple left for Jack sonville, Tampa and other points of interest in Florida for a short wed ding trip, after which they will be at home to their friends at 206 Frank street, Greenville, after the first of April. Mrs. Steading is the (laughter of Mrs. Mary Grist of this place, and has many friends who extend good wishes to the happy couple. MAJOR HARPER IS VERY SE- RIOUSLY ILL Maj. G. W. F. Harper has been seriously ill since last Saturday. Last week he fell as he was starting up the steps at his home and suffered a broken nose. He had not been very well, but he insisted on going to the Bank of Lenoir, and fell on his return home. Apparently he was getting along nicely until Saturday night, when he became very much worse. He has been in an uncon scious condition since Monday, and as we go to press his condition is not improved. MR. ROGERS TO TAKE CHARGE OF HIDDENITE HOTEL Mr. J. J. Rogers, president of the Southern Hotel Cotmpany, has bought a considerable interest in the Davis Springs Hotel, at Hiddenite, Alexan der county, and he and Mrs. Rogers and son, Bill, will go there this sum mer to take active management of the hotel. Mr. Rogers now has charge of the Carlheim. Mr. A. C. Bizzell will probably take charge of the Carlheim when Mr. Rogers leaves for Hiddenite. The Rogers have made many friends in Lenoir who will regret to lose them, even for the summer. GERMANS APPEAR CHEERFUL OVER OCCUPATION Vague hints that work throughout the Ruhrodt district in Germany would cease within the next few day as an immediate result of allied oc cupation of Duisburg, Duesseldorf and Ruhrodt and the seizure of cus toms were made by German mine op erators, several officials and work men at Duisburg. There seemed to be little unrest aimong working men and those gathered on the streets to watch the French. They appeared quite cheerful and showed no resent ment at the presence of allied troops. Well-informed allied officials de clared they did "hot believe there would be. a strike, one asserting: "The people do not intend to strike. Communists are pointing to ward Russia as German"s salvation, but workers have already repudiated that idea and will repudiate it again. American troops on the Rhine are "standing pat," Secretary of War Weeks says, and a similar attitude as to the Rhine situation growing out of the occupation of additional Ger man cities by the allies was expressed at the State department. No additional instructions have been sent to Maj.-Gen. Allen, com manding the American forces, it was said at the State department, and no inquiries have been made of the al lied governments regarding the sanc tions to be imposed upon Germany which include collection of customs duties at the new line established on the Rhine and their payment to the reparations commission. BOYD'S STORE ROBBED Saturday morning about 3 o'clock the store of G. R. Boyd, on Virginia avenue, was entered and the sate robbed. From the evidence it seems that a key had been used to unlock the front door, as it was unlocked and standing open when Mr. Boyd went to open up at the usual time. The safe had been dragged to the rear of the store and set upside down on sacks of flour which had been piled on the floor. A hammer was then taken and the door was bursted to pieces. Between $25 and $30 was secured from the safe, which had been righted and left on the floor Nothing else in the store was dis turbed. There is no clue as to who robbed the safe, or who the burglars were. On the same night as the robbery a covered mountain wagon loaded with potatoes which had camped for ',nlght,Mitt'iV outfits were captured and destroyed by Sheriff Triplett and his assistants Tuesday. The first still was located in the Setzer's Gap section, and the second one on Bum creek. The first still captured was of about GO-gallon capacity. This still had been watched for some time, and the officers had made three different trips to this place in an effort to eatch the parties who were operating it. However, it is ce dent the oper ators had gotten wise and they did not return to the still. On their first trip the officers found several gal lons of beer, and on their second and third trips the beer was still standing at the same place. They therefore destroyed the beer and the still. The sheriff was accompanied on these trips by Deputy Walsh. Mr. F. T. Sherrill also accompanied them on one trip. The second still was of about 70 or 80 gallons capacity, but was not in operation. It is said this still had last been used to make monkey mm, as there was evidence of molasses around the still. No beer or liquor was found, and no persons were seen around the place. CAMPBELL-DOUGHTON CONTEST HEARING CLOSED The contest hearing of Dr. J. Ike Campbell, contestant for the seat of Congressman R. L. Doughton of this district, closed last Thursday in this county with practically nothing of value brought out in favor of the contestant. The examination of the scores of witnesses was a slow and ted;ous task, and disclosed nothing of nn injurious nature to the election officials. Mr. Doughton was highly gratified over the hearing, and if Dr. Camp bell does not find more evidence of discrepancies and disorders in other counties than Caldwell it is hard to see how he can hope to unseat the Democratic congressman. The hearing is being held in Ashe county this week. BETTER PAY YOUR DOG TAX The law in regard to the taxes on v dogs reads as follows: "Section 1675 consolidated stat utes states: The fines or privileges herein imposed shall be due and pay able on the first day of October of each and every year, and all persons after December 1, thereafter, who own or keep a dog or dogs upon which the license or privilege tax is not paid, whether said dog or dogs have been listed or not, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, ttpoa conviction, shall be fined. not more than $50 or be imprisoned more than thirty days." ; . Every dollar that is collected by means of the dog taxes goes to the building and incidental expense fund of the public schools. 1 . r , X c.'.Vl-