North Carolina Newspapers

HAVE NO PULL WITH ARMY. More Than 100 Drafted North Caro lina Men Have Learned After Jour neying to Washington That "Poli ticians" Have No Pull. Must Do As Crowder Says. Many Have Appeal ed to Senators Simmons and Over man in Vain to Have Them Ex empted or Detailed to Oglethorpe. Washington, Aug. 25. ? If you are between the ages of 21 and 31 and have been drafted in the National Army, do not appeal to your political friends, such as senators and con gressmen, to have you detaikd to of ficers' reserve trr-ining camps or ex empted from the service, unless you have some very good reason for ask ing for exemption. More than a hundred North C?roli na boys within the past month have paid their own way to Washington, or had their fares paid by friends or relatives, to appeal to Senators Simmons and Overman to have them either exempted from the dr. ft or transferred to the officers' reserve training camp at Fort Oglrthcrpe. Some North Carolina boys employed as clerks with government scrvice have asked for exemption on the ground that they cannot be spared by the government. Seriously, young man, it can't be "did." If you are drafted, you must report to the training camp designat ed by General Crowder. After you reach the celestial abode demonstrate to your commanding officer your es pecial qualification for serving as an officer or in some other capacity, and your application will be given, or rather should be given, due consider ation. But do not try to use political influence. It don't work at this time. The regular army is in control. The United States government has undertaken a huge task. Millions of young men have been drafted into the service of the American government. Each man of military age must serve and, according to Lawrencc MacRae and Cortez L. Wright, two of the main guards of Senator Simmons' of fice, each man muse serve his country and he need not and cannot expect political influence to wcrk for his ex emption. Your duty confronts you, and there fore do not attempt to shirk. ? P. R.A., in Wilmington Star. John Charles McNeill Book Club. Benson, Aug. 25. ? Mrs. W. O. Rackley, on Hill street, was hostess to the Jehn Charles McNeill Book Club, Thursday afternoon at 5 o'clock. There was no program arranged for the meeting. However, the mem bers showed the most heart-felt in terest in the several kinds of patri otic service^ Red Cross work was dis cussed, ana hearty co-operation was assured by all members in organiz ing an Auxiliary. It is hoped that this will be done at an early date. A letter was read from Mrs. F. H. Brooks, Temporary Chairman of the Woman';; Committee of the Council of National Defense for Johnston County, urging all members to attend a meeting to be held at Smithfield, Wednesday afternoon, August 29th. It is the intention of several of the members to be present at this meet ing. With baskets overflowing with the daintiest of edibles, the members of the John Charles McNeill Book Club with their husbands and several other young folks of the town, went to Par rish's Pond Friday afternoon at 6 o'clock. This little outing afforded much merriment and was one of the season's most enjoyable affairs. Local Officers Capture Still. Last Friday night Deputy Sheriff J. H. Atkinson and Mr. J. L. Ellis captured a still at the home of Loving Byrd, and arrested Byrd, who at the time of the arrest was running off a charge. With the still the officers seized about a gallon of corn whiskey and 75 gallons of beer. The still was a complete affair and showed the work of a genius in metal working. It was operated in the kitchen, using the stove flue to carry off the smoke. Byrd lives on the Jesse Hilliard place about a mile above Clayton, and is said to have been operating the still for more than a year. He was given a hearing immediately after the arrest. He waived examination and was bound over to court under $300 bond, which he gave. ? Clayton News, 23rd. ITALIANS PRESS AUSTRIAN'S. Valiant Airmen Greatly Help Cordo na's Offensive. Great Drive Not Yet a Week Old Resulted in Capture of Over 20,000 of Enemy up to Friday. The daily papers for Saturday car ried the following Associated Press summary of Friday's war events: General Cardona's army is still hard after the Austrians all r.long the Isonzo and Carso fronts of the Austro-Italian theater, and aided by the valiant Italian airmen, who are dropping bombs in great numbers on concentrations behind the enemy lines, it has made further progress and taken additional prisoners and awr stores. Already in the offensive not yet a week old 500 Austrian officers and 20,000 men have been sent behind the Italian lines prisoners of war and in the neighborhood of sixty guns of various calibers have been captured in addition to numerous others destroy ed by the intensive gunfire of ths Italians. On several sectors to the west the enemy has made semblances of offensives probably hoping1 to dis tract the attention of Italian com mander:ir.-ehief from the work he now has in hand. But seemingly there is little likelihood that for the mo ment at least with the Austrians un able to withstand the pressure, he is to be diverted from pressure on to ward his objective ? Triest. French Take Hill 304. Although it had been believed the I French would rest content with the gains they had made against the Germans in the region cf Verdun, Friday saw them again hit the line of the German crown prince and capture the famous Hill 304, 'the scene of some of the bloodiest conflicts of the war, the Camard wood and fortified works between the Haucourt wood and Bethincourt. The penetration of the German front was at an average depth of one and a quarter miles. Hard fighting continued between the British and the Germans around Lens, in northern France, and Ypres in Belgium. The Canadians have cap tured and now hold trenches at the south-western edge of Lens on the monster slag heap known as the Green Crassier. The position was not cap tured without the hardest kind of fighting, bing taken and retaken sev eral times before it rested securely in the hands of the Canadians. Haig's Forces Repulsed. Near Ypres, however, Field Mar shal Haig's forces have met with a slight reverse at the hands of Crown Prince Ruppreclit's army, having been compelled to yield ground captured Wednesday along the Ypres-Mcnin road in the face of extremely violent attacks carried out by fresh reserves. The battle is still going on in this re gion. The Berlin war office assrts that in the recent British offensive twenty one "tanks" were destroyed by the German guns and are now lying in front of the opposing positions in No Man's Land. Some of the crews of the monsters were made prisoner while others were killed. Details of the German offensive in northern Russia to the west of Riga are still meager, but the German war office announces that the German troops have reached the vicinity of the river Aa along the gulf of Riga. The Petrograd official communication dismisses the hostilities in this sector with the bare announcement that only fusillades have taken place. Sincc April 9 the entente allies have made prisoner 167,780 men of enemy armies. Clayton Watermelon Season Closes. This week will close one of Clay ton's best melon seasons in a number of years. A total of 80 cars has been shipped, besides a great quantity in small shipments and retailed on the local market. The prices have been good all the season, and the crop has netted the growers quite a nice sum. Mr. A. R. Duncan, of Clayton, has been the main strength of the market this year. He has bought and shipped 46 cars, worth about $0,000. To his efforts is due much of the succcssf of the watermelon business. ? Clayton News, 23rd. Daily contract with great litera ture, with the ideal in some form, gives a keen sympathy for humanity and a longing for human justice in the world. ? Prof. W. H. Wood. ITALIANS ON ISONZO FRONT. General Cadorna's Men Making One of Their Greatest Efforts of the War Thus Far and Marching on To Complete Victory. Sharp Local En gagements in Progress on British Front; Small Advances Conceded. Sunday's daily papers carried the following Associated Press summary of Saturday's war events: The battle along the Isonzo has de veloped further brilliant successes for the Italians who, it is now plain, are making one of their greatest efforts of the war thus war. General Cado ra's men, who at the beginning of the offensive effected a new crossing of the river north of Gorizia, at a point where the Austrians believed such a feat was impossible, have won another spectacular victory by scal ing Monte Santo, 2,245 feet high, and placing their flag there. This mountain top, seven miles north of Gorizia, dominates the plain to the east of the city, and the Aus trian forces there have been able to hold up the Italian advance since Gorizia was taken. The Austrian line of defense was broken at several points, and the Italians are pursuing the retiring Austrians. Farther south, on the Carso, fight ing continues violently and incessant ly. Austrian efforts to win back lost positions were defeated. New gains have been made by the French on the Verdun front, round ing out the victory won in the of fensive begun on Monday. The French advanced last night north of Hill 304, Paris announces, and captured three fortified works near Bethincourt. The official German statement, however, says French attacks between Malan court and Bethincourt, as well as near Hill 244, east of the Meuse, were re pulsed. On the British front, sharp local engagements are in progress. The British captured a trench position west of Lens and a post near Lom- 1 baertzyde. The official German state ment concedes a small British ?d * vance, near the Ypres-Menin road, but says that at other points the British were repulsed with heavy losses. The capture of a British posi tion east of St. Julian is reported. The situation on the northern end of the Russian front remains ob scure. Official Russian reports earlier in the week made it appear that a German offensive, with the capture of Riga presumably as its object, was under way. The German communications have not borne this out, except that an ad vance to the river Aa at several places was reported on Friday. The German statement of Saturday spoke of no further activity in this sector. Neither did the official report from Petrograd mention any military oper ations in the Riga front. On the central Russian front, a German battalion penetrated the Rus sian lines on the Oklinsky canal, northwest of Pinsk, but later the T< u tons were ejected by a counter at tack. On the Rumanian front, the but tles which raged during the we< k have died down. In the Caucasus the Russians are i showing greater activity at several points. Turkish positions on the heights in the region of Mount Tcnev redag have been occupied by the Rus sians, the Turks retiring under pres sure. SUGAR TO BE SOME CHEAPER. Beet Sugar Producers' Agreement Announced by Hoover Means a Sav ing to the Public of $30,000,000 Be tween Now and the First of Next Year. Washington, Aug. 26. ? An agree ment by the country's beet sugar pro ducers to limit the price of their prod uct so as to effect a reduction of about one and one-half cents a pound in the present price of sugar was announced "tonight by the food administration, with a notice to the public that this should mean a saving of $30,000,000 between now and the first of next year. It also was announced that the wholesale grocers had agreed to limit distributing charges to prevent ex horbitanl charges. In the near future the administra tion will state the price at which wholesale sugar should be delivered at large consuming centers. The best sugar price fixed is the equivalent of $7.25, cane sugar basis, f. o. b sea board refining ports. RED CROSS CHAPTER MEETS. Permanent Officers >Vere Elected Yes terday. Mrs. H. P. Stevens, Chair man and Miss Mattie Pou, Secre tary. Chapter Donates $100 to Kalfi^h Ambulance Corps. To Take Part In Patriotic Rally. A moat interesting meeting of the Smithfield Chapter of the American R< d Cross took place at tho Woman's Clul) rooms yesterday afternoon. A large number of ladies was present, while the men were well represented also. Patriotic addresses were made by Hon. W. W. Cole and by Judge F. H. Brooks. The Star Spangled Banner was beautifully rendered by a selected choir, the entire audience joining in enthusiastically. The Chapter donated one hundred dollars to the Ambulance Corps of Raleigh, of which several Smithfield bovs are members. The Chapter decided also* to co operate with the Council of Defence in any observance of "Patriotic Day" (nrxt Monday) which may be deemed suitable. The Chapter docided its intention to present tc every drafted man, of the lirst. division, .Johnston County, a "Comfort Bap," when he is called to the colors. . The following permanent officers were elected for the ensuing year: Chairman Mr ;. H. P. Stevens. Vice-Chairman ? Mrs. E. W. Pou. Treasurer ? Mr. R. N. Aycoek. Secretary ? Miss Mattie Pou. Executive Committee ? Mr. W. M. Sanders, Judge F. If. Brooks, Mr. J. 1). Spiers, Mrs. W. H. Byrd, Mrs. H. I.. Skinner, Mrs. T. J. Lassiter. The central Committee of the Rod Cross suggests that "Comfort Bags" are a most useful as well as a simple part of a soldier's outfit. Some la dies in the county will doubtless wish to make these for their soldier friends, and for their benefit, we copy from a Red Cross bulletin a descrip tion of the bag and its contents: "Bags should be made of washable material and may contain any or all of the following articles. (Size of bag 10 by 13 inches with draw-string at top.): "Black sewing cotton No. 30. "White sewing cotton No. 30. "Whito darning cotton. Needles No. 5. Darning needles, needle case, buttons, black and white, medium size in bags 3 by 5. Large thimble, blunt pointed scissors, cake of soap, safety pins, medium size; common pins, comb, tooth brush, tooth paste, small round mirror, handkerchiefs, lead pencil, writing pad, envelopes and post cards, pocket knife, shoe laces." The Smithfield Chapter is making these bags very satisfactorily, of khaki. NEWS OF INTEREST. The first bale of the new crop of cotton received on the Norfolk mar ket arrived Friday consigned to Holmes & Dawson from Blenheim, Marleboro County, South Carolina. Friday afternoon near the Wilson County home the residence of Mrs. L. I). Killette was struck by light ning and the fluid in passing down by one of the pillars under the house, by which two brood hens were hovering their biddies, were instantly killed as were six of the feathered beauties. Rev. Ben Cox, pastor of the Central Baptist church, of Memphis, Tenn., noted for his original methods in re ligious work, will be director at Camp Sevier for the Y. M. C. A. during an extended leave of absence from his church, it was announced Saturday. He will report at Camp Sevier next week. Heavy over-subscription of the Treasury's latest offering of short time certificates, issued in anticipa tion of the second Liberty Loan, was announced Saturday night by Secre tary McAdoo. The issue, $250,000,000, "brings the total thus subscribed up to $550,000,000, the previous issue, $300, 000,000 also having been over-sub scribed. Monroe, N. C., as usual, gets the first bale of new cotton in North Car olina. The first bale of new cotton of the crop of 1917 was sold in Monroe Saturday by J. A. Arant to J. E. Stark & Co. and graded good mid dling. Wcifcht 549 pounds; price, 24% cents. Mr. Arant received $134 for the cotton and $37.50 for the seed, the seed selling for $1 a bushel. SERVICE OF AIRMEN GREAT. StriiKKle In Bij? Battle on Carzo Front Again Becomes Terrific. Italians Still Advance. French Troops Drive Crown Prince Back. Taking; New Positions. Sunday war events are thus sum marized by the Associated Press and published in Monday's Charlotte Ob server: With the dominating height of Monte Suno securely in their posses sion the Italians are continuing their drive of the Austrians eastward over the Bainsizea plateau, notwithstand ing the violent resistance the enemy is offering with infantry, machine guns and light artillery. Here and also on the Carzo frowt in proximity to the sea where the battle again has assumed terrififS proportions after Saturday's slight lull, the Italian air men are still lending wonderful aid to General Cadorna's forces, dropping bombs or using their machine guns with telling effect on troop concentra tions behind the lines. The daily number of prisoners tak en by the Italians ? both officers and men ? is mounting, the latest report showing that six hundred officers and 23,000 men have been captured. In addition the capture of war stores by the Italians has been enormous, in cluding guns of all calibers and arms, ammunition, horses and motor trac tors. From the supply depots aban doned by the enemy in his flight the Italians now are enabled to replenish their troops fighting in the difficult country. On both sides of the river Meuse in the Verdun sector the French troops continue their gains against the fom s of the German crown prince on the right bank, having cap tured positions over a front of two and a half miles, to a depth of two thirds of a mile, taking the Fosses and Beaumont wood and reaching the environs of the village of Beaumont and on the left bank having driven their advanced posts to the outskirts of Bethincourt and along the banks of the Forges rivulet. The Germans in counter-attacks twice have endeavored to retrieve lust ground on the heights of the Meuse, but each time met with repulses and heavy losses. Aside from artillery duels, there has been little activity on that part of the line in France and Belgium held by the British. Field Marshal Haig's men, however, have carried out several small trench raiding enter prises with success and repulsed Ger man counter-attacks. Evidently the German advance to wards Riga, Russia's big port and na val base on the Baltic, has ceased, for neither the German nor Russian official communications mention the operations in this region. To the south, however, the Russian and Rus so-Rumanian armies, respectively, around Vladmir-Volynski and in the Rumanian theater, are keeping up their strong resistance against the Germans. At Moscow has begun the extraor dinary council upon which the fate of Russia as a factor in the war prob ably depends. M. Kerensky, in his opening address, gave warning to those who are opposed to the govern ment, declaring that all attempts with armed force against the people's will "will be crushed with iron and blood." An interesting report of the Ger man chancellor's recent visit to grand headquarters where he received per mission to form a sub-committee of the reichstag main committee to confer with the government on peace and foreign affairs is that the chan cellor also was given the power t? transform Alsace-Lorraine into an in [ dependent federal state. Music Teacher at Four Oaks. Four Oaks, Aug. 27. ? Miss Alice Gafdner, of Wison, has charge of the music department of the Four Oaks Graded School. She took the full course at Atlantic Christian College and then graduated at the Conserva tory of Music at Durham, N. C. Since then she has taught 4 years. She comes well recommended. She will begin her class on Monday, Sep tember 3rd, and will be in Four Oaks several days before hand in order to get in touch with patrons and pupils. She desires all prospective pupils to meet her in the school building on Saturday morning, September 1st, at 10 o'clock A BIG PATRIOTIC RALLY. Will Be Held In Smithfield Next Mon day in Honor of the Young Men Who Have Been Called Into the Service of the Army. Plans Are Be ing Made to Have Good Speaker Here. In accordance with the Governor's proclamation Smithfield and other citizens of the county are planning to have a big patriotic rally here next Monday, September third. The young men of the county who have been called into the service of the country by the two exemption boards of the county are to be the guests of honor. More than three hundred young men, the first to be called under the Selective Draft System, are given a pressing inviation to come to Smith field where they will receive a glad welcome. The people will show that they honor the men who are to be our representatives in the army which goes to fight for us and for the com ing generations. A prominent speaker will be invit ed to be present and plans are being considered to make the day one long to be remembered. A parade is planrv ed for all the drafted men, both white and colored. Those of the black race who have been faithful in an swering the call of their country are not to b? forgotten on this occasion. Every town and every organization in the county arc invited to partici pate in this great patriotic rally. Let the ladies of every woman's club have their representatives here and take part. Let the entire county turn out to honor these men. WILSON'S MILLS NEWS. Wilson's Mills, Aug. 27. ? Eli Chap pell, a colored farmer who lives about eight miles north of this place, was found dving in the road near the Boykin place on the night of the 24th. He recently passed the physical exam ination and was about to be accepted into the service of his country. Points about the wound caused by a pistol bullet in his breast induced some to believe that he met death at his own hand. Farmers are astounded at the sud den drop in the price of cotton. As though in time to comfort them a splendid rain fell last Friday. The Christian church of this place is being renovated and the members have reason to be proud of the inside appearance of the building since the new coat of paint has been applied. On account of t'r.e painting Sunday school and Christian Endeavor ser vices were conducted in the High school building Sunday. Professor and Mrs. R. A. Pope have recently occupied the dormitory va cated last May by Professor and Mrs. J. H. Gentry. The new principal is fast acquainting himself with his pa trons. He is now taking the census of school children and visiting t!.<m as preparation for the Fall Term. Mr. Carl Parrish, the efficient sales man of the Uzzlc-Davis Co., has just returned from a few days stay at Wrightsville Beach. He reports a pleasant time. A NEGRO COMMITS SUICIDE. Wildt'rs Township Man Takes His Own Life by Shooting Himself. Selma, N. C., Aug. 25. ? Eli Chap pell, a colored man living with Mr. H. B. Boykin in Wilders township, committed suicide Friday night by shooting himself. Chappell had been doing hi3 usual duties of feeding Mr. Boykin's stock Friday night, and had finished. Soon after finishing the feeding a shot was heard, and he was found lying in the road dead. County Coroner, J. H. Kirkman, was called to tho scene Saturday morning and pronounced it suicide. There were no witnesses to the tragedy, and there is no known cause for the act. Mrs. Sanders Entertained. Warsaw, Aug. 25. ? Mrs. H. Faison Pierce entertained with a delightful dinner party at her home on last Thursday, in honor of her charming house guests, Mrs. W. M. Sanders and Miss Sarah Sanders, of Smith field. The table was attractively dec i orated with red and white flowers, and an enjoyable three-course lunch eon was served. Dr. Thel Hooks made a business trip to Raleigh yesterday.