VOLUME 38. THE SMITHFIELD HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1919 Number 7. PERIL OF FRANCE PERIL OF WORLD American President Speaks at Lun cheon Given Him by French Sen ate, Bringing Together a Bril liant Assemblage—Meeting of Su preme Council to Consider Rus sian Situation Another Notable Event of the Day at Paris. Paris, Jan. 20.-— (By the Associated Press)—The two notable events of the day were the meeting of the su preme council tc consider the Russian situation and the gala luncheon to President Wilson at Luxembourg palace. The luncheon, besides bringing to gether a brilliant assemblage, aso brought out the declaration from President Wilson that „the peril ef France, if it continues, will be the peril of the world, and not only France must organize agamst the peril, but the world must organize against it.” The meeting of the supreme coun cil was attended by President W ilson, Secretary Lansing and representa tives of the other four great powers. An hour was given over to hearing M. Noulens, the French ambassador, who has just returned from Russia, where he personally witnessed the various changes which have been taking place in the government and conditions there. What he told the council was not disclosed, but an au thorized statement from M. Noulens sums up his views thus: “The bolshevist power is the enemy of the entente. It furnishes Germany with food during the war. It pro tested against the terms of the Ger man armistice. These acts show' an uncompromising attitude of hostility against the entente. Tyranny and Terror Increasing. “Tyranny and terror, which are in creasing daily, should pllaee the bloody chiefs at Moscow and Petrcgrad out side the pale of humanity. No so ciety of nations could deal with such a regime, which constitutes today the most serious obstacle to a general peace. “Until the regime falls, a develop ment which I hope the allies will ac tively seek to bring about, Europe will continue to be exposed to the severest risks of agitation and war. M. Noulens will be followed to morrow by the Danish minister, II. Schavenius, who will speak along the same lines. The luncheon to President Wilson was one of the most elaborate func tions thus far held, with 300 guests at the table, including two Presi dents and many premiers and public leaders, in the sumptuous setting of one of the finest of old world palaces. The throne room of the Bourbon kings was used for the first time since, a hundred years ago, Napol eon banquetted his generals return ing from battle. The republican guard in white uni forms and gleaming helmets lined the marble staircase as President Wilson ascended. The menu was a beautifully engraved work of art, bearing President Wilson’s portrait on the cover. Wilson Sends Note to Singer. President Wilson’s speech was warmly applauded, and as he closed the band of the republican guard took up the inspiring strains of the Marsellaise, with the voice of a tenor from the opera joining in the refrain. The President was so im pressed with the demonstration that he wrote a hurried note on his card and sent it to the singer. The guests then withdrew for cot fee in the saloon Victor Hugo, where two brilliant groups formed, the premiers and foreign delegates crowding around. The two Presidents again received military honors when they depart ed. President Wilson w’ound up a busy day by going to Hotel De Cril lon at 5 o’clock where he had a con ference with the American dele gates. Fayetteville Schools Closed Again. The Cumberland County Board of Health has ordered -the schools, churches, and all other piiaces of pub lic gathering closed in Fayetteville and Hope Mills, on account of the spread of influenza. NEWSY LETTER FROM OVER SELMA WAY — Selma, N. C., Jan. 23—A large num ber of the Selma people are sick as a result of the second influenza epi demic. None of the cases are reported serious however, except Mrs. John Jeffreys. Mrs. Jeffreys is critically ill but there ai'e other complications be sides the influenza. Rev. C. K. Proctor has been very ill this week, but not with the flu. His condition is considerably improved. Rev. J. E. Dupree, of Pine Level, has moved his family to Selma. Mr. Du pree is connected with the Johnstonian and in that way has made many friends in Selma. We are glad to have the family of Mr. Dupree come to our town. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Etheredge, and Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Winston visited Raleigh Tuesday and Wednesday nights to attend the plays given at the Raleigh Opera House. Mr. M. C. Winston attended the play in Raleigh Wednesday night. Mr. E. H. Moser spent last week end in Raleigh attending the meet ing of the legislative committee of the State Teachers’ Assembly. Mr. Moser reports that it is the opinion of the committee that the Legislature is in a mood to pass some real progressive school legislation this year. For in stance. a compulsory school law that counts; and measures to amply pro vide a six months’ school term for every school district in North Carolina with prepared end equipped teachers, receiving a living salary. Anything less than this will be a failure. The Selma High School basket ball team played the Fremont school boys Wednesday at Fremont. The game was not at all a fast or snappy one. Vet it was clean and well played. The Selma boys won by the score of 36 to nine. Mrs. John Jeffreys’ mother, of Con etoe, is visiting her during her ill ness; also Mr, Jeffreys’ sister, Mrs. Rose, of Clayton, is here. Mrs. Proctor, of Durham, mother of Rev. C. K. Proctor, is visiting her son and family during the illness of the preacher. Some of the much needel work on the Selma streets is at last being done. The beautiful weather during the winter has done a great deal in it self to put good streets in Selma. But the worst holes are being filled up and xhe fullest ditches are being opened. Some of these days you are going to see the people of Selma get together and figure out some kind of a drainage ■'ystem for the town. How soon?-I wonder. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Edgerton, of Wilson, were in Selma Monday. It 'ooked natural to see these former Selmaites cn the streets again. They received a warm welcome. Miss Elizabeth Sasser of Goldsboro, was in Selma Sunday visiting Miss Lottie Lee Jones. Eula Mae Edgerton, of the Selma High School, spent the week-end in Wilson with her parents and friends. Mr. Frank Brantley, of Zebulon, was in town Tuesday to see Mr. E. H. Mo ser. Mr. Brantley said that Zebulon was moving along and doing things in a way that is characteristic to fhat little progressive town. The farmers in the surrounding territory are taking advantage of this beautiful weather to haul guano and other supplies needed away from town and back to the farms. Much early nreparation is going on for the crops. It ought to be urged upon the farm ers that it is necessary to raise as much grain and meat as possible this year. America will be called up on with strong appeals for food sup plies for the starving world this year. It is our duty to supply the demand as far as we can. Food sup plies of all kinds bid fair to bring fabulous prices. We need to see that this county produces gre.in and meat to sell this year. When we get to oroducing grain and meat to do us and then some to spare our prosper ity will show signs of reality. High priced cotton and tobacco will never make us a really prosperous county if we have to spend all this fabulous wealth for food of all kinds that is equally fabulous in prices. Edward Edgcrton, of Trinity Col lege. spent the week end with his paients in Selma. There is much talk of a new de pot, modern and well equipped for public service for Selma. We all hope this report is true. Nothing] TROOPS SHELLING AMERICANTOSITIONS Enemy Apparently Prepared for Gen eral Offensive in Shenkursk Sector. Battle 30 Miles to the South. Archangel, Jan. 21.—Bolshevik troops are heavily shelling the far thest south positions of the American and Russian armies at Ust Pagenda, on the Waga river, 30 miles south of Shenkursk. They also are showing considerable activity west of Shen kursk on the Tania river. It has been impossible to determine whether the attack will develop on a greater scale. The enemy apparently is prepared for a general offensive in the Shenkursk sector. Sunday the enemy, under cover ot heavy bombardment, attacked with infantry the American and Russian population at Ust Pagenda. The al lied outpost withdrew, but the Bol shevik attack on the main position was repulsed with heavy losses. There has been no mfantry action. There has been a constant rain of shells on the village. The American infantry was vigorously replying yes terday. Flying in a temperature of 16 degrees below zero, one American airplane bombed the enemy and se cured direct hits on important Bol shevik positions. The fighting is going on in cold, clear weather but the temperature is so low that it is difficult for the in fantrymen to remain in the open any length of time. The Bolsheviki also are shelling the American positions on the Vologda railway. With the exception of a fewr days early in January, when the allied forces attempted to improve their po sitions southward on the Kadish rail road. and on the Onega sector, the of fensive on the Archangel .front for oaveraT months has been ih the trend* of the Bolsheviki. They are boasting that in the vicinity of Kadish they will drive the allies into the White Sea in March. Along the Murmansk railway front the Russian and allied troops yester day raided the village of Rugozerka, RO miles southeast of Soroka, where they either killed or captured all the Bolshevik garrison. The allied forces did not suffer a single casualty. STEPS FOR PERMANENT MERCHANT MARINE. Washington, Jan. 22.—The founda tion for a permanent organization having for its purpose the mainten ance and expansion of the American merchant marine was laid here today at a conference of ship officials, buil ders and employers. The meeting was called by Senator Ransdale, of Louisiana, who presented subjects for discussion and who, as temporary chairman named committees on per manent organization and resolutions which are to report at the final ses sions tomorrow. TRAIL HITTING BEGINS IN SUNDAY MEETING. Richmond, Va., Jan. 22.—Trail-hit ting in Billy Sunday’s campaign be gan at the city auditorium tonight. The first to hit the trail was a young girl about 15 years old with her hair done in braid down her back. She was followed by an aged wo man. Next there were young wo men nearing or in their early twenties. The first ten were women, the elev enth was a gray-haired man, follow ed by a young man in khaki, a lieut enant. When the last invitation had been offered and the last verse of “Just as I Am had been sung heads were counted and it was found that fifty six had hit the trail to God and His truth, to borrow one of Sunday’s most treasured expressions. would do us more good or fill a great er need for the travelling public, uu ;oss perhaps some prosperous indi vidual decided that he wanted to be more prosperous and erect