BRITISH NEARING LENS
LONDON, April 17.—Terrific fighting is in progress
in the vicinity of Lens, the British attacking the German
positions with violence, and have captured the village of
Lievin, one of the suburbs of the city. Lens is tine of the
strongest of the German positions and here are stored vast
quantities of guns and ammunition. So rapid has been the
British advance that the Germans have been unable to oar
rv a wav these vast stores and they are now burning the
city to destrov them. The British have also stormed and
taken the village of Villieret. The Third Bavarian Division
was ordered to recapture Monachy at all costs, and attack
ed ferociously, but wTere driven back with utter losses. Ger
man counter attacks at other points have utterly failed.
MUNITIONS SCHOONER SEIZED
SAN DFEGO, April 17.—A large schooner, laden will'
munitions of war and headed for the Mexican coast, was
fired on by two United •tavts destroyers olt* San Dieir*. yes
terday afternoon. The schooner declined to heave to, when I
'signalled to stop and several shots were tired in front of
its bow. whereupon it lowered sails. An investigation bvj
officers of the destroyers revealed that the vessel was laden j
to the guards with munitions of war. destined to the Me.xi-j
••on coast. Most of the members of the crew are Germans.
The schooner was escorted to this port by the destrovers,
and will lie confiscated. The members of the eivw will l>e
interned as prisoners of war.
AMERICAN GUARDSHIP INTERNED
/
LONDON, April 17.—Tlu* Turkish government has
officially announced that the American guardship Scorpion
has booh interned for the term of the war. The Scorpion
has been stationed at Constantinople since 1908 as a dis
patch boat for the American embassy.
FRENCH ADVANCE ALSACE
S PARIS, April 17.—A war office bulletin issued thisj
morning states that the French penetrated the second Oer-j
man lines in Alsace last night after heavy fighting. An
• mormons number of German dead were found following I
the retreat of the Germans. The French also make further
gains south of the Oise and a heavy artillerv tire is being
maintained against the (iceman positions at St. Quentin.
GERMANY GETS NOTE
AMSTERDAM, April 17.—Advices received here
state that tin* Germany government has received the note
from Brazil formally severing diplomatic relations and
stating that the unwarranted sinking of the Brazilian
steamer Parana by a German submarine was responsible
for this act on the part of Brazil.
BRITISH REACH LENS
LONDON, April 17.—Advices from the French front
this morning state that British patrols have penetrated the
streets of Lens, and that the main British force under Gen
eral Haig is in the outskirts of the town. At St. Quentin
the Germans are apparently bringing up their reserves,
and are making a terrible resistance to the British and
French advance in the hope of staying it until the engineers
have completed the destruction of the mines and factories.
The British offensive in this section has put an end to the
desperate German counter attacks, and the beginning
the great French offensive has materially aided the British
advance.
CITES TREASON LAW
WASHINGTON, D. €., April 17.—The President,
through Secretary of State Lansing, today issued a procla
mation calling attention to the Treason Law, which pro
vides penalties ranging from death to a fine of $10,000 for
adhering to or giving information or support to the ene
mies of the country.
MEXICO REMAIN’S NEUTRAL
MEXICO CITY, April 17.—President Carranza, in
iin address before the Mexican Congress yesterday declared
•that Mexico would remain rigidly neutral.
MANY CANADIANS LOST
OTTAWA, April 17.—Reports received here state
that five thousand Canadian soldiers have been killed on
the French front in taking and holding Vimy Ridge. Three
hundred and thirty officers are also reported to have been
killed in the fighting.
•• 4
FHOfl BON.
TO CURB McADOO’H POWERfl^
- r\
Hold Conffrence This Afternoon Uij
j
I-Fame Amendments to Bonding'
Bill—Measure Be Reported Out of:
Committee Before Night.
4
"" " * I
WASHINGTON. D. C.. April 17.—
The Republican members of the Sen
ate are holding a conference this aft*
ernoon on the Bonding Bill. They are
unanimously in favor of the bond is
sue, but are anxious to curb the pow
ers granted to the Secretary of the
Treasury under the terms of the pres
ent bill and are framing amendments
to the measure to effect this end. It
is expected the measure will be re
ported out of the committee favorably
before night.
TENDERS ESTATE'
FOR SAROENS
TO REDUCE COST OE LIVING
Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr. Tenders
6,000 Acres of Her l ust Estate to
Be Used As Vegetable Gaidens This
Summer.
TARRYTOWN, N. Y„ April 17.—
John D. Rockefeller Jr., announced
today that she was willing to turn
over the 6.000 acre Pocantico estate
of the Rockefellers for vegetable gar
dens to aid in the reduction of the
high cost of living.
AVERAGE FAMILY PAYS
$425.54 FOR FOOD YEARLY
WASHINGTON'. D. C\. April 17 —
The annual food bill of the average
family has grown from $339.30 in
1913 to $425.54 at present, the de
partment of labor announced today
in a review of food prices. In ten
years, the department’s experts esti
mate, the advance in the cost of food
has so far outstripped wage increases
that the workman who drew $3 a
day in 1907 now finds himself just
69 cents a day worse off.
The heaviest increase in food prices
during the last four years is shown
in potatoes, the cost of which has
risen from $18.96 to $44.69. Other
large increases are in eggs, from
$33.01 to $43.07; flour. $15.12 to
$25.40; butter. $45.72 to $54.78.
Of the whole list of foods only
sirloin and round steaks are cheaper
than five years ago.
FRANCE TO LET THE U. 8.
USE BREST AS NAVAL BASE
9 1
PARIS, April 17.—The "rst war
measure to be taken with the entrance
of the United States into the war was
introduced in the chamber of .deputies
today. It provides for an agreement
with the United States, if necessary,
for use of the port of Brest by Ameri
can naval forces.
U. 8, FIELD AMBULANCE
BURNED NEAR BORDER
FORT BLISS, April 17.—Fire !ea
troyed the camp Field Ambulance.
Company A, of the United States
army early yesterday near the fort.
The ambulances and muleB were sav
ed but the men lost all their equip
ment. An investigation is being made.
Band Meeting Tonight
The Moose band will meet tonight
for practice in Moose hall. All mem
bers should be present.
H. L. Rider and son Bruce came up
from Latoucbe island this morning in
their own launch. .
TORPEDO MISSES ITS MARK
German Submarine Launches Torpedo
I
at United State* Destroyer Smith,
But Misses Mark—Report Is Offi
cially Confirmed.
!
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 17.—
The report cnrrent last night that an
enemy submarine had tired on the
United States destroyer Smith was of
ficially confirmed today. The attack
occurred about 100 miles outside of
New York harbor but was unsuccess
ful. The submarine launched a tor
pedo at the destroyer, but it missed j
Its mark by a wide margin.
STEEL TRUST TO
PAY HUGE TAX:
j
OAKY ADVISES STOCKHOLDERS
Head of the Steel Trust States that
the Ooi*|M>ration Will Have to I'av j
$47:1,000,000 Taxes l'titler Eetleral
Fteveuue I .atvs.
NEW YORK, April 17.—Jugde
Gary, head of the United States Steel j
Corporation, has presented to the
stockholders of the Company a state-1
ment showing that under the new fed- j
eral tax laws the company will have:
(o pay a tax amounting to $473,000.-1
000 this year. I
HLAXCHETT DENIES
HE KNOWS ACCUSERS;
"
SANTE EE. N. M„ April 17.—El- j
bert W. Blanchett declared yesterday
that callers at the county jail who
said they knew him as Clyde D. Ar
mour were strangers to him. Blan
cett it is alleged, impersonated Ar
mour at Sante Fe and Albuquerque;
after killing him in the Glorieta
mountains.
Blanchett’s left arm is useless as
the result of his attempt to kill him
self when he was arrested at Friday
1 Harbor, Wash., on the charge of mur
der by firing a charge of shot into
his neck.
j NEW YORK CITY IS
CLOSELY WATCHED
—
NEW YORK, April 17.—The finan
cial districts, usually deserted alter
dark are being closely watched these
days. Extra police guards have been
detailed in the waterfronts and tbe
patrol boats are constantly on the
alert with their big flash lights play
ing on the Bbore. To all outward ap
pearances the city is well guarded.
PRESIDENT NOMINATES
TANNER FOR MARSHAL
WASHINGTON, D. C.. April 17.—
President Wilson this morning sent
the name of J. J. Tanner of Skagway
to the Senate as United States Mar
shal for the first division of Alaska.
World To End
PHILADELPHIA, April 17.-Dr.
Benjamin G. Wilkinson, Seventh Day
adventist clergyman, in an address
here has prophesied the destruction
of the earth by Are after the world
war. He pictured an earthquake which
would cause the largest buildings to
tumble, backing up his statements by
interpretations of Scripture,,.
James Galen has gone on a business
trip to Latouche.
The launch T. N. B, left this morn
ing for sound points to the westward. \
The launch B. F. M. left this morn- j
ing to return to the Granite mine. j
WILSON APPEALS TO PEOPLE
ASHINGTOX, I). C„ April 17.—Yesterday after
noon President Wilson issued an appeal to the entire na
tion asking for the co-operation of the people in carrying
on the war, declaring that the government was not actuat
ed by a single selfish consideration, but was fighting for
democracy and humanity. He stated that the fate of th<
Nation rested with the fanners, and that it was imperative
that they make the largest harvest in the history of th«
country. The federal and state authorities, he said, wouh
give a ready co-operation to secure seed and machinery for
the farmers and to expedite the movement of crops. Ht
urged the middlemen to give the country an efficient an*
disinterested service, stating that the country expected i!
relinquishment of unusual protits for the work. He als<
appealed to the miners, stating that the world awaits 01
t he mining men, and if they slackened their pace the armies
and navies would be helpless. He declared this crisis th>
supreme test of the nation. Now, he said, was the time foi
America to correct unpardonable extravagance and all act
together for the common good.
TO MEET BALFOUR
WASHINGTON. [>. ('.. April 17.—Senvtarv nf tin
Navy Daniels announced last even ini; that Admiral
Fletcher would to New York to meet the British For
eign Secretary Balfour and escort him to the capita!.
URGES BIG CROPS
WASHINGTON. I). ('.. April 17.—Son-itaiy of Aj;
rieulture Houston has issued an appeal to the farmers of
the spring wheat holt of Minnesota. Washington. Dakota.',*
Montana and Idaho to till every available ineli of soil and!
.Jo raise, tile largest possible erops, pointing out the large1
profits that will accrue to those who are engaged in the pro
duetion of foodstuffs.
DEFICIENCY BILL UNCHANGED
WASHINGTON. I). April 17.—The fcreiirr
committee last night adopted unchanged the general defi
ciency bill carrying an appropriation of $100,000,000 for
President Wilson to use at his own discretion in carrying
on preparations for war.
ESTABLISH PEACE TERMS
WASHINGTON, l>. ('.. April 17.—It is expected that.
President Wilson will announce today the date of the first
conference of the British and French coniniisisoners with
the United States officials. It is probable tliat the outcome
of these conferences will be kept secret, as it is anticipated
that one of the important results of the conferences will be
the arrangement of the exact terms of peace. The Presi
dent is convinced that a frank statement of the Kentente
purposes is necessary to a complete understanding between
these powers and the United States.
ROOSEVELT DETAILS PLANS
WASHINGTON, O. C„ April 17.—Col. Roosevelt has
written to Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs, and to Congressman Dent,
of the House Military committee, detailing his plans for
enlistment of an overseas army. The Colonel approves of
universal service, yet states he is confident that tne volun
teer plan will place the required number of troops in the
field within four months.
BALFOUR DUE TODAY
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 17.—The British for
eign secretary Balfour, is expected to arrive at New York
todav, and the French commissioners are due to arrive
about the same time. President Wilson is preparing a re
ception in honor of the distinguished visitors, and for the
conference on the conduct of the war.
DANIELS NOT INFORMED
WASHINGTON, I). C., April 17.—Secretary of the
Navy Daniels stated this morning that he had received no
official notice of the internment by Turkey of the American
guardship Scorpion at Constantinople.
BRYAN WANTS TO S^RVE
WASHINGTON, I). 0., April 17.— Former Secre
tary of State William J. Bryan held a long conference with
the President yesterday afternoon. Bryan states that he
is willing to serve the country in any capacity, and tender
ed his services to the President.