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'? i / THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN AMERICA ESTABLISHED in 1784. ' Va >j VOL. CXXXin?No. 1087 STEP TOWARDS DRAFI ? Governor Stuart Calls for Services of Sheriffs, Clerks and County Boards of Health. The first official step in Virginia looking to the prompt enforcement of the draft feature of the army bill as soon as it is reported by the conferees and signed by President Wilson, was taken yesterday by Governor Stuart with the dispatching v - a 1 of the following message to nunuicuo of county officials. "Hold yourselves in readiness for the performance of national duties of the highest importance, the exact ' nature of which will be telegraphed to you by me in the next few clays. "All papers please copy." "HENRY C. STUART, "Govermnor'.' The telegram itself does not in so many words refer to the exercise of the draft, but there was no necessity, in the circumstances, for a more explicit allusion. For several days there have been in the hands of Governor Stuart and his military advisers full details of the plan which will be followed in carrying out the War Department's scheme for drafting the State's male nnm.iaiinn ?rms-hearine age, and Vivu V/A u? ----- ? c, ... as soon as the pending army bill becomes ia\v it will be made public. Local officials have already received the blank cards that all men of military ape will be required to fill out and file with the authorities intrusted with enforcing the draft. > Federal registration of Virginia ; men for service in the armed forces 1 t of the United States is expected to begin a few days after the army bill is signed. Prsident Wilson will issue a formal proclamation as soon as the measure is law, calling- all men within the minimum and maximum age limits to the colors. The indications are that the House and 1 Senate conferees will fix the draft age at from twenty-one to thirty. All men, without regard to occuv pation or claims to exemption, if they fall within thg age limits fixed, will be required to present themselves to the authorities and fill out the approved registration cards. Ex. H emptions for physical disability, or Hfor any other reasons to be declared V aceptable by the War Department, will be made by the proper authori ties after registration has taken V place. Attempts to evade military P Senate conferese will fix the draft tration, or by falsifying: as to one's age, will be punishable by heavy fines and imprisonment. Double Bill at Richmond Monday. . In "The Cure" at the Richmond Monday, Charlie Chaplin, appears as one who has loved conyiviality "not wisely, but too well," and when the genius of the screen makes his appearance wearing the preternatural!} grave expression which contrasts s< tvlvidlj with the pervasive Chaplir grin, there is irresistible comicalit} in the introduction. Concommitantly humorous is ths behavior of the Chaplin feet whici refuse to answer their steering wheel and convey the comedian involuntarily into a series of extraordinary situations. "The Sting of Victory," with Henrj B. Walthall will also be shown. The drama is distinctly of the Wal thall type. While filled with stirring action, yet, as the title indicates, ii deals' with man's innermost emotion? It treats of the problem of a mar torn by <he necessity of choosing be tween his own state in the South, hi: family and friends and remaining H loyal to the union which he is serv ing as an officer and his principles H which are opposed to slavery. I RESULTS COUNT in Printing as well as in all othe business. Estimates cheerfully givei B Commercial Press, H. W. Wade, Printers Phone 60. ? Publishei Maryland spring chickens at Ran mel's cafe. MONEY TO LOAN?On first mort gage in Alexandria and Rosemoni Apply to Howard W. Smith, 1C north Fairfax street. 1-12-t '[ORDER OF EASTERN STAR i Meeting of Grand Chapter of Virginia Held at Fredericksburg ? Many Prominent Members Present. A large delegation of members of the Order of the Eastern Star was present from all over the state at J the opening of the annual session at j Fredericksburg on Thursday morning at ten o'clock. Representatives were also in attendance from Washington, Maryland and Wisconsin. In the course of her address of welcome, Mrs. Mary Quinn-Hicks of Fredericksburg said* in parti It is with heartfelt appreciation of the honor conferred upon me that I represent Fredericksburg Chapter, No 29, in extending to this grand body a cordial welcome to our city, so rich in historic interest and Miasonic lore. No. 29, has for years been looking forward with eagerness .to the time when the Grand Chapter would accept our invitation to meet in Fredericksburg, thus giving us an opportunity to demonstrate the very essence of Vir ginia hospitality. The fulfillment of our desires has been reached this day, and most cordially do we welcome you to our hearts and homes. No doubt you will fee! that you stand on sacred soil as you visit the ground explored by Capt^ John Smith; the boyhood home of General George Washington; "Sentry Box," the home of Gen. George Weed on and Gen. Hugh Mercer, Revolutionary heroes; "Kenmore,' 'the home of Col. Fielding Lewis, who married Betty Washington, the home of M,atthew Fontaine Maury and John Paul Jones, the law office of President James Monroe, the Rising Sun Tavern, wftere so many notable statesmen, philanthropists and other dignitaiies were entertained in "ye olden days" and other places of historic interest. As you stand beside the tomb of that noted character, Gen. Lewis Lit(tlepage, in our Masonic Cemetery, the feeling deepens, and as you gaze on the marble shafts in our City Ceme tery erected to the memories of Dr. Francis Preston Wellford and William Willis, who so freely sacrificed their lives in a yellow scourge, your hearts will beat in tender, loving reverence, for where these heroes lie buried is indeed holy ground. Closely related to our beautiful order is Free Masonry; and in Masonic history Fredericksburg stands without a peer. Freed ricksburg Lodge, No. 4, A. F. and A. M., has the honor of making a Master Mason of George Washington, "the Father of His Country," and the Bible used on that occasion is still in possession of the lodge and cherished as one of its priceless treasures. In this lodge, Washington hold his membership for life, and it is interesting to know that Gen. Lafayette was enrolled as an honorary member. We record with commendable pride that our city has furnished eight Grand Masters to the Grand Lodge of Virginia and one Worthy Grand Matron to the Grand Chapter of Virginia, Order of Eastern Star, all of these ranking among the first rut/1 ftffioJnnpv. Ill ?..v. Fredericksburg, which opened her * doors in welcome to Gen. Nathaniel Green on his way home after the t revolution; to General LaFayette, on , his last visit in 1S-1; to Gen. An' drew Jackson, in 18.*?"; to the Society of the Army of the Potomac, in 1000; j ' to many other equally distinguished visitors from time to time; and to various organizations in conclave at . different dates, finds abundant room in her heart to greet with fraternal ' love and courtesy the Grand Chapter of Virginia, Order of Eastern , Star in its 1917 convocation, t In the name of this community, Fredericksburg Chapter. No. 29, bids ' you welcome! Thrice welcome! * The address of welcome was most s graciously responded to by Mrs. Fannie Bucher, of Phoebus. Reception Wednesday Night. Concerning the reception, given on Wednesday evening at the Princess Anne Hotel, the Free Lance says: r The reception given at the Princess Anne Hotel Wednesday night by the Fredericksburg Chapter. Order s of Eastern Star, and the delegates attending the convention here, was 1 a most enjoyable occasion. There were many handsomely gowned ladies present and a most pleasant I social time was spent in getting aequainted. etc. f In the receiving line were the ALEXANDE 1 ~ " !.' ? I Alexand v Mrs. 0. Frommelt loft this morning for Mt. Jackson, Ya., to visit her parents fur a week. Mr. John M. Dodd died yesterday morning at his home in King George county..Virginia, after an illness of several months. Mr. Dodd was a Confederate soldier in the 9th Virginia cavalry. He was S2 years old j and is survived by his second wife J [ and two sons. G. W. Dodd, of King ' George county, and J. M. Dodd, of; this city. In the Second Presbyterian church tomorrow at 11 a_ m. the Rev. Dr. John Lee Allison will administer communion and there will he reception of j new members. The evening service at S o'clock, will he evangelistic. Sunday schools will be at 9:20 a. m., in the Westminster building and Payne street chapel. Men's IJible Class will meet at 10 a. m. and the Christian Endeavor will meet at 7:15 p. m. In the Methodist Protestant Church the Railroad red and blue contest in the Sunday school was won by the boys. The boys travelling 5000 miles while the girls were travelling 4600 miles. The girls will give a banquet to the l-ovs in the near future There will i c Sunday school and Christian Endeavor at the usual hours tomorrow. There will bo no preaching service in the church owing to the absence of the pastor, The Re". Raymond W. White, will arrive Wednesday, Mav 9, to assume his new ' chareo. The funeral of Mrs. Sallic Fendall Milstead. who died 011 Thursday, at her home in Ncwington, took place this afternoon at " o'clock from I Pchiek churchy The Rev. Dr. S. A. Wall is of the Episcopal Seminary, and the Rev. E. W. Moliichamp, pastor of the Pohick church, were the officiating clergymen. The deceased is. survived by three sons and two daughters, J. Shelter; and Geo. X. and the Misses M. and V. Belle Milstead. of Newington, and II. S. Milstead. of Washington and New York. CERTAIN OF VICTORY. Head of British War Mission Addroses ihc House. While the President of the United States sat in the Executive gallery and joined in the demonstration in honor of the British Commission, the Rt. Hon. Arthur >. Balfour, head of the commision. and the British for. eign secretary, told the House of Representatives today that the allies were certain to win in their fight with Germany. After referring to the conflict airainst Germany as n strujrelc "ayainst n despotic militarism which seeks the mastery of the world." Mr. Balfour aroused tremendous with emphasis: ''It is in that yrent cause that we are yniny to fiyht, and are fiyhtinjr at this very moment side by side atrainst militarism. In that cause we will surely conqueror." ATTACKS GERMAN" LEADERS. Russian Soldiers' and Workmens' Com mi! tee Fledyed to Uphold GovJ ernnient. Potroyrad, i\Iay ?Pro-German peace ayitutors arc beiny attacked ii. the -Tr vts of Petroyrad by crowds | of soldiers and citizens. Numerous I clashes have occurred. Several per. | sons arc reported to have been v. f untied. yrand officers of the Grand Chapter of Viryinia; the "Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons of various Chapters in the State. The School of Music, under direction of Professor Franklin, rendered * * ? ' " "inn many cnoiee selections uumm <- *<evening and refreshments consisting of fruit punch and cake were served to all. During the evening Mrs. Matilda Swartzman, of Martha Washington Chapter, of Alexandria, was presented with a handsome bouquet, as a token o* esteem from her Chapter. Among the prominent guests present were Mrs. Hudson, Grand Worthy Matron, and Mr. Rowen, Grand Worthy Patron, of the District of Columbia, and others. The convocation closed at 1 o'clock this morning and Richmond was selected as the next place o? meeting. ' ;IA. VIRGINIA, SATURD* ria City and ! Tho I'hristinn En(lc.Yi?V of the ! - I ; Second P-cs! yterian Church will bei j lead by Mr. Charles Howell in the | j Westminster Building- at 7:15. j ; The services in the Free" Methodist j Church, south Lee street, will be held j itomorrow at 11 a. m., and 7.30 p. m., j | by the pastor the Rev. W. H. Van] j Ness. { j j A meeting of the civilian committee of the Red Cross was. held Mon-i day night in the Chamber of Commerce rooms, when Mr. Leopold Ruben was elected chairman of this committee and Mrs. I.ucurgus E. Uhler secretary. A "meeting will be called in the near future to select sub-committees. Secretary Preston of the Chamber of Commerce reports that sixtyfive gardens have been entered in the contest for the prizes offered for the best garden by the Chamber of Commerce and that there will probably be seventy-five or more when the returns all get in. That is certainly a good start in a good cause. Services at Trinity Church tomorrow will be aR follows: Sunday School 9:30 a. m.; preaching at 11, a. m. by the pastor, Rev. A. L. Spielman. His topic will be "Vision and Duty." followed bv communion and reception to members. At the evening service the pastor's topic will be "The Hopefulness of Christ." Everybody will be welcome. The recent campaign for member-1 shin conducted by the Alexandria Chapter of the American National Red Cr? ss proved very successful. One hundred and twenty-two new members were added to the Association and $1S0,10 paid into the treasury, of which 'S49.1C were donations. The Chapter assures the Chairman and members of the Special Commit tr? in chavg-v-vjf- tl^iy-aMWjegns&t . of its thanks for their splendid work and also expresses to the public its :r::efc 1 appreciation for their generoas response. HOUSE Rl'NS INTO l)RUO STORE Myrtle Clark, a Litlia Girl, /injured Slightly and Doors of Warfield's Store Smashed. A horse owned b.V A. F. Saum, a farmer residing aliout five miles out :.i ! >/. cftimtrv from Alexandria, broke loose from where it was tied near May and Son's store, corner Kins* and T.ee streets, this afternoon at three o'clock, and ran up King street, attached to a light buggy. Arriviner at Warfield's drug store, corner King and Pitt streets, the horse plunged into the doorway of the store, smashing one of the doors into pieces and scattering the glass in every direction. When the horse finally came to a standstill it was inside the store, trembling from fright and bleeding from cuts it had received apparently from the broken glass. The horse broke from the buggy when the wheels struck the curb or outside of the store, the thrills being broken off. Myrtle Clark, a little gir] residing at ~>10 north Alfred street, saw the horse coming and ran inside the | store to get out of its way, but was i struck and injured, sustaining a cut on her head and bruises on one of her legs. Mr. Saum says he tied the horse near Mav and Son's store while he went inside on business and does not know what caused it to run away unless it was because the animal might have been frightened by a small cart which was run past by a little boy. The runaway caused much excitement as King street was quite crowded with people at the time the accident occuirrd. GUN CREW SAVED. Roal From Torpedoed Rockingham, Has Been Picked Up, The boat containing the naval gun crew of the steamer Rockingham has been picked up. All the gun crew are reported well. A consular dispatch to the Department of State was made public today. I FOR SAFE?lfi shares stock Alexandria Water Company. Apply to P. O. Box 3(12 l-106-3t. j Deviled Crabs. little necK clams and | clam chowder at Rammel's Cafa. ' V"'. ' - ,7?. . ~;A;f: ; *"; " v. lY, MAY 5, 1917. ?? 'S Suburbs Governor Stuart has recommissioned P. F. Marbury a Notary Public for this city. Theie was a still alarm of fire about 4:40 o'clock this morning. The fire was not located and the department did not respond. The May term of the circuit court will convene at 10 o'clock Monday Judire .T. 13. T. Thornton will preside. The. State Corporation Commission ! has granted a charter to the Potomac Transfer Co. Inc., Alexandria. A. L. Stratton, president, Alexandria; William C. Robertson, secretary and treasurer, Washington, P. C.. Capital, v"),000. A called meeting of the Alexandria Chapter of the American National Red Cross will be held at the Chamber of Commerce, 10 a. m. Monday, May 7th, 1017, The object of the meeting is to elect delegates to attend the dedication of the new Red Cross building in Washington on May 12th. The Masonic school of instruction will meet on Monday evening In the Masonic Temple, at 7:30. The Shriners will also hold a meeting the same evening at 8 o'clock. On Tuesday oven!!!;* Mount Vernon Chapter, Koyal Arch Masons, will confer degrees, Alexandria Washington lodge will convene on Thursday night and the Lodge of Perfection. Scottish Rite Masons, will meet on Friday evening. John P. Scott, of 521 south Lee street, this city, who will apply for a commission in the Officers' Reserve Corps, passed the extranee exnmina-l tion on Thursday ami has heon ordered to report at Fort Mver for further instruction on May 14th. lie had the benefit of several months' service on the Mexican border last summer with one of the Washington companies. S. 0. Rlanton and II. 0. Nolly, of the Alexandria High school. Emmet Reid Dunn, who has been a teacher at Smith College, and Frank L. Slaymaker, are among the others j from Alexandria who have also np. j plied for commissions. TO WEAKEN KAISER Reichstag Commiltee Votes to Amend Herman Constitution. Amsterdam, May 5.?The first move to curtail the Kaiser's power has been taken by the recently appointed constitution committee voted to amend the German constitution so that hereafter all decrees and ordinances issued by the Kaiser must he countersigned by the imperial chancellor, who thereupon becomes responsible to the Reichstag itself for the orders therein. Philip Scheidemann, the Socialist leader, was recently appointed jihtmdent of the committee which was chosen by order of the Kaiser himself to recomment changes in the German form of government. Its recommendations must 1)0 approved by the Reichstag itself, and presumably also by the Kaiser. Roberts' Chapel. Sunday school 9:30 a. m., Chas. Robinson Supt,; 11:00 a. in.. Preaching by pastor. Theme: "The Four Princely Boys," The Rev. J. W. Jackson; 4:30 p. m.. Junior League, Mrs. M. Evans, President; 7:30 eve,. Preaching by pastor. The Rev. J. W. Jackson, Theme: "Thou Shalt not ill." The Holy Communion shall be given both morning and evening, and the pastor earnestly desires all memI hers .to be present either at one or the I r>fl->r>r sm'ices. At both sen-ices, there will be special music by our vested choir. A cordial invitation awaits all strangers. COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. Thousand German Prisoners Taken in Champagne Fighting. Paris, May 5.?Vigorous fightin; on the Champagne front, with Gfcr man counter attacks were checked was reported in today's official stateI ment. The German attacks were ! made with large numbers of fresii j divisions. I More than a thousand prisoner: ' have been taken by French troop? ! in the fighting here. Fish, Clams. Oysters. Crabs, at I Phone 307J. J. BRILL No. I King St f| I saaisooa jo ?1% w^vAim?ssi? Experts Testify That no Sane Man Could Have Written the Missive in Question. Christiansburg:, Va., May o.?When the fourth day of the trial of Pre!'. Charles E. Vawter for the murder of Stockton Heth, Jr., close;! u '< o'clock yesterday evening: the ore outstanding fact that both the prosecution and the defense feeis the most vital tiling to be definitely established is the condition of the professor's mind at the time he wrote to Heth virtually otrerinr to ex. change his wife's honor for the payment of a $(52.30 liquor bid. This developed after the prosecution had introduced a witness to prove that instead of trying to keep Heth and Mrs. Vawter apart, Professor Yawter, as late as January,! went out of his way to arrange a meeting between them. The professor's mental condition was fought over all afternoon, the prosecution seeking through the introduction of expert testimony, to prove that no sane man would write the letter referred to and the defense, i.y longdawn out cross-examination, endeavoring to break down the testimony of the experts. Or. top of this legal battle, by far the most heated that has taken place since the trial began, came the announcement that before the trial is over the jury will be taken to Blacksburg to view the premises where the shooting occurred, thereby making it plain that the case probably will not end before next Tuesday. The reason so much importance | is being attached to tl:e condition\ of Professor Vawter's mind at the J ' iT-.i- ii.. i: l.:n I lime no wrote uein me utjnui uiu letter is that, if he was sane when he wrote it, then his claim that he was so infuriated when he saw his | wife coming; of Ileth's room on the night of the shooting that he hardly knew what he was doing falls to the ground, for in that letter ho told Hetli. he could thereafter love Mrs. Vawter without fear. While Professor Vawter asserts he shot ifcth in self defense, there is no doulit about the fact that his attorneys are to he a very large extent relying upon the so-called "unwritten law" to save him from prison or the eletric chair. Before the trial began one of his lawyers is alleged to have made the statement that, in his judgment, no Virj ginia jury ever would convict a man for defending the honor of his own ! home. The case was proceeding, apparent, iy. largely on this assumption, when Attorney Toe. for the prosecution j flashed the letter that figuratively j speaking, swept ti e opposing attorneys off their feet. Their first act. after they recovered from theiJ surprise.was to get Professor Vawter to say on redirect examination that he was either crazy or drunk when he wrote the letter, as he knew nothing about it. and their next move a. _ tltunn \f\ ?i? j r\v\ thP was to pi at i- .-.v stand tn prove that no sane man couM possibly have written such things as the letter contained. The theory now which they purport to entertain is that Professor Vawter was temporarily deranged as the result of excessive alcoholism when he wrote Ifeth. They contend that he drank more last May than he ever before or since drank in one month. i Vawter swore that he did and his wife swore that he did. He went so far as to say that for a while during that month he was unable to satisfactorily attend to.his duties as professor of physics in the institution with which he is connected, though he admitted, when recalled to the stand, yesterday afternoon that he heard of no complaints being made by any members of the college faculty about his drinking until i sometime the following fall. The students did complain, he said, about his coming to the classroom with liquor on his breath, but so far as he knew their complaints did not reach the ears of the authorities. Neither of the physicians who tes : tified for Vawter is an alienist, nor is any one ot the several who testi. fied against him todav a specialist ) * 4 . in mental and nervous diseases. All practice in the country. All on one side swore the other way. At this t time, therefore, it is a case of fifty,1 fifty, hut the prosecuting attorney? i -. ' .4 r, - =<\ : Cloudy and continued cool tonight Sunday fair, slightly wanner; 'wate to fresh north and north?in winds. h tides 6:34 a.m.; 7:05 p.m. I Suii rose 5:04 and sets 7:04. i J PRICE ONE CENT. jgerman peace terms Von Bethmann-Hollweg's Schemes Apparently Fail of Their Object. 'J# Copenhagen, May 5?The silence of German Imperial Chancellor von Beth mann-Hollweg concerning Germany's ! peace terms, if, as declared, it is j based on a desire to avoid disrupting the unity of feeling in the country by : discussion of contentious questions i has failed of its object. An acrimonj ious controversy is now raging in j Germany between the big annexationists, the little annexationists, and the I advocates of no annexations and indemnities whatever. The pan-German league has sent circulars to its branches throughout the country asking them to organize meetings everywhere in the interests of "German peace" and against the !socialist peace program. The conservatives have introduced an interpellation in the reichstag in an endeavor to smoke out pon Bethmann-Hollweg and force him to declare himself for or against the' Scheidemann program. The radicals have introduced a similar interpellation in the Prussian diet. London, May 5 ? The Exchange Telegraph Company's Amsterdam correspondent wires that, according to travelers from Germany, popular discontent because of the government's silence concerning Germany's war aims in forcing the German imperial chancellor, Dr. von BethmannHollweg, soon to make a definite statement of his policy. The chancellor, it is stated, has been discussing | the question with Emperor William and Talaat Pasha, premier of Turlc! ev, while Count George F. von Hert|ling, the Bavarian prime minister, dis cussed the matter with the AustroI Hungarian cabinet at Vienna. The chancellor, it is said, is now awaiting a complete agreement before delivering his promised speech to the reichstag. Copenhagen, May 5.?Either Germany's war managers are playing their shrewdest publicity game since the war began, for the purpose of causing a relaxation of America's war preparations?or Germany is actually beset by the worst internal dissensions any beligerent has been I compelled to deal with in that time> Private advices yesterday from sources which appeared to lie most authentic emphasized the seriousness of this situation in Germany and Austria and carried the broad bint that one solution may be the appointment I of Count von BefnstorfF, former German Ambassador to America, jas successor to Foreign Secretary Alfred Zimmermann. The appointment would be with the specific idea that Berr.storff attempt a reconciliation with the United States. The fact that such information came through seemingly authentic channels and was accompanied by a vast amount of other reports of. dissensoiits, permits two conclusions. One may be that Germany is actually sorely tired. The other that she is playing a deep Teutonic game?the idea being to lull America into belief ?that dissolution of Germany may be near, that conditions in the empire indicate no necessity for much war preparation. Such a move would be in line with other plays foi4 time which Germany has regularly practiced. Since revelation of the Zitnmermann scheme to align Mexico and Japan with Germany against the United States, oposition to the foreign minister has increased. On the other hand, proponents of Bernstorff point out his complete familiarity with America and Americans is something for which there is desperate need in the foreign office, Moreover it is ht'ld Bernstorff might very j effectively work for adjustment of America's quarrel with Germany. The hardest blow of all comes in their realization that America intends to fight a real and not a paper war. j Xo official thought sne wouia actu! ally fight. Zimmermann is blamed for not having known that America would go the limit.Bcmstorff is figured as likely to correct this mistake hv restoring German-American rela> . tions. ; - ' say they will have a real mental expert to place on the stand either to. i dajJ or Monday and that he will com pletely demolish the contention of i Vawter's counsel.