GREAT BRITAIN RNOIOOD TO TALK PEMX
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Hoover Hits Back at Spreckels in Emphatic Denial of Charges
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SUNDAY CAPITAL NEWS
Leads in News,
Advertising
Vol. XXXIX
BOISE, IDAHO, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 16, 1917.
No. 149
Expected Proffer of the
Kaiser at Christmas Time
Will Find no Response in
'Great Britain.
Message to Be Given to the
World by the Emperor
Himself at a Time When
His Military Strength Is
at Top Notch.
By LOWELL MELLETT.
London, Dec. 15.—Germany's expect
ed bid for peace, long forecast, is to
come In the form of a Christmas mes
sage by the kaiser to his people ac
cording to reports which reached hero
tonight.
Presumably, the war lord hopes to
time it with a German offensive on
the west front, already confidently an
nounced by the German press.
The fact that the kaiser himself is
expected to make the proffer, was re
garded here as another evidence of the
determination with which Germany is
conducting a "peace offensive" now.
v. hen her military strength at its
top notch and before the arrival of
American troops on the lino spells the
beginning of the end for his autocracy.
The kaiser does not propose to trust
Chancellor von Hertling with the pro
nunciamento.
LONDON UNCONCERNED.
Tsondon was not concerned with
peace proffers tonight. Premier Lloyd
George's ringing speech of yesterday,
coupled with President Wilson's re-1
cent address to congress, have roused :
British opinion to reconsecration of its !
aim for a peace only to be won by al- j
lied victory.
Germany's maneuvering for peace j
has been patent to British observers
for weeks. The military offensive!
which is to accompany that peace of- !
fenslve, was however, mainly in Eng- !
land's mind tonight.
Public officials are under no delu- |
sion as to the strength of this ex-1
pected blow. Russia's downfall gives j
the enemy a great number of veteran
troops. Great numbers of guns taken;
in the Austro-German drive in Italy
give the enemy powerful artillery sup- !
port.
HAIG L08ES INITIATIVE.
It has been borne home to British
officials that widespread stories of a
steady breaking down of German mor
ale, of lack of adequate reserves, of
scarcity of metal curtailing artillery
and ■ammunition, must now be swept
aside and that the nation will need
its most determined efforts against the
foe.
Hlndenburg has now gained the ini
tiative. Haig has lost It.
Many London newspapers are now
vigorously urging the abandonment of
British campaigns in Mesopotamia,
Palestine and South Africa and the
theaters of war, on tlfte western front
GERMANS USE AIR TO
SPREAD PROPAGANDA
With the British Arm lea in France,
Dec. 15.—The German army in using
the air now to »pread her propa
ganda.
On these fine days when the wind
favors the stunt, the Boches are loos
ing floods of small balloons from their
lines. Each one carries a load of
pamphlets glorifying German arms.
The notoriously Germaq manipulated
Gasette Des Ardennes Is included,
printing fanciful and colorful narra
tives of "glorious German victories In
Italy." *
The fine weather today brought
about a great increase in aerial fight
ing. At times there were flocks of ma
chines on both sides swooping and spy
ing and fi ghting.
AGAIN REPORTED THE
CZAR HAS ESCAPED
• Washington, Dec. IS.—Revival of
the report that the czar has escaped
from his Siberian quarters brought the
comment at the state department to
night that the rumor had not. been re
pealed in Its message since the Tiflts
consul originally forwarded it a week
ago.
The Tiflls report then said merely
♦hat the rumor was current that the
ex-Slav ruler had made his getaway.
The consul added nothing as to the
source of the story or any other de
tails.
EXPLOSIVE PLANTS
COSTING MILLIONS
WILL BE ERECTED
WASHINGTON. DEC. 15.—MORE THAN »90,000,000 WILD BE EX
PENDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE ERECTION OF GOV
ERNMENT EXPLOSIVE PLANTS, SECRETARY OF WAR BAKER
ANNOUNCED TONIGHT.
• DANIEL C. JACKLING. SAN FRANCISCO, WAS APPOINTED
TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE BUILDING OF THESE PLANTS.
THE NEW GOVERNMENT PLANTS WILL BE BUILT TO SUP
PLEMENT THE PRESENT OUTPUT OF EXPLOSIVES BY PRI
VATE MANUFACTURERS, CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT TO
MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S NEEDS.
JACKLING IS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A LARGE GROUP OF
COPPER MINES WHICH PRODUCE A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF
THE COUNTRY'S COPPER. HE WILL ACT UNDER AUTHORITY
OF SECRETARY BAKER. BY WHOM HE WAS APPOINTED.
"THIS STEP, IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S
PURPOSE TO KEEP ABREAST OF ITS WAR REQUIREMENT^
AND WHERE NECESSARY TO ANTICIPATE THEM BY FORE
HANDED ACTION," SAID SECRETARY BAKER.
IF MEN ARE IN WAR
WORK FOR GAIN THE
NATION WILL KNOW
Congress Determined to Go
to the Bottom of Matters
in Investigation of Con
duct of War.
Washington, Dec. —Congress to
night is determined To learn whether
any men now ostensibly serving» th.'
government at, great personal sacrifice
are really doing it at great gain.
The development followed swiftly
on the heels of disclosures in con
gressional investigations into the con
duct of the war.
If suspicions now lurking in the
minds of some congressional leaders
are shown to have foundation, offi
cial heads are sure to be lopped off, it
was predicted tonight at the capital.
TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
If these suspicions have no founda
tion. the country will learn, through in
vestigations, now under way and to
come, that its wartime government :s
above reproach.
Congress is. determined to smoke out
incompetence, greed or any other fault
which might seriously interfere with |
speedily putting this country's war
aims across and ending the'war.
BUT ONE PURPOSE.
"Congress is not trying to 'get' any
body," said one senator tonight. "Some!
individual congressmen doubtless j
would like to unseat some individual |
members of the government. But
congress as a whole, has but one idea
in investigating the government—to ;
learn how things are going, and if theyj
are going badly, correct by whatever j
means is necessary. Congress will go ;
right down the line until it has done
that"
RESULTS OF INQUIRY.
Summing up the results thus far of
the two chief inquiries, congressmen
agreed the outstanding facts are:
THAT THE MILITARY INQUIRY
HAS SHOWN PARTIAL PARALYSIS
OF THE VITAL ORDNANCE DE
PARTMENT THROUGH CAUSES
NOT ENTIRELY EXPLAINED.
THAT THE SUGAR PROBLEM
HAS SHOWN SINISTER MIXING OF
PRIVATE AFFAIRS WITH PUBLIC
BUSINESS.
LAWSON HEARD FROM.
Another figure entered the Investi
gation field today when Thomas W.
Lawson, the Boston financier, wired
many senators a demand that war pro
fits be investigated.
Lawson charged that the government
Is being mulcted of huge sums by con
cerns furnishing munitions and sup
plies for the army and navy.
"The country's Impression Is grow
ing," wired Tawson, ''that from a third
to a half the government's funds arc
profits to camouflage our front well."
HARDLY JUSTIFIED.
I^iwson's challenge did not find Im
mediate answer in the senate. Mem
bers said "too many Investigations at
once might defeat the purpose of all
of them."
Others referred to I,awson's state
ment as "somewhat wild" and "hard
ly Justified."
"When the military Investigation bv
the senate military affairs committee
is resumed..Monday, General William
Crozier, chief of ordnance, will again
be on the stand.
8ESSION TO BE PUBLIC.
This session. Senator Chamberlain,
committee rhalrman, said tonight, will
be publie. The last two hearings have
been executive, because Crosier was
giving confidential military Informa
tion.
Today's session developed evidence
'of what Chamberlain called "satisfac
tory progress" In production of heavy
ordnance--field artillery and siege
guns.
HEAVY ASSAULTS
FORCE RETREAT
OF THE ITALIANS
Valor of Defenders Praised
in Highest Terms by War
Office — Germans Show
Desperation.
Rome, Dec. 15.—Retirement of Ital
ian forces out of Caprile due to a
continuous day long assault of violent
character by the Teutons was an
nounced today. The war office said
General T. Diaz'» soldiers had taken
"firm positions'' to the rear. The as
sault Colonel Caprile and Beretta
was described as waged by massed
forces with great desperation.
At the head of Monte Solarolo and
Coldellorso the statement reported vio
lent and repeated enemy attacks re
pulsed with heavy losses of the Teu
tons. An Italian counter attack there
compelled retirement and suspension
of even the enemy's artillery offensive.
The war office praised in the highest
terms the valor of the Italians in their
defense.
GOVERNOR APPEALS
TO FEDERAL BOARD
Columbus, O., Dec. 15.—Governor
Cox toduy appealed to Judge Lovett,
head of the federal priority board, for
a priority order so that several trains]
of coal can be rushed to Cleveland
from the eastern Ohio fields.
Akron and Canton are In bad shape
and similar requests- for those cities
are likely to follow.
ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF
ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER.
Denver, Colo., Dec. 16.—J. H. Jacobs,
a machinist, was arrested here today
charged with attempted murder of his
wife. The couple had separated and
the complaint alleges thul Jacobs visit
ed her home and put cyanid of potas
sium m food which she was eating.
Insurance policy of »10,000 on the
woman's life named Jacobs as beneft
oiary. She will recover.
Vigorous Campaign
on Conscription Ends
Montreal, Que., Dec. 15.—All Canada
vigorously campaigned tonight In the
closing bourn of the bitterest political
fight In. the dominion's history.
Next Monday the voters. Including
many newly enfranchised women, will
go to the polls and cast their ballots
either for the unionist government and
conscription, or for the Liberal party,
which favors continuing the voluntary
enlistment system.
The Issue may be decided In the
trenches. The vote of the Csnadlan
soldiers will total »50,000. Women
who exercise their franchise Monday
am all relatives of men In the army
and navy. Unionists claim the sol
diers' and women's votes will give a
big majority to conscription.
Sir Robert Borden heads the Union
ist government. It put through con
scription and the first call to the col
ors under this law Is Jan. 3. Sir Wil
frid Laurier, former premier, leads the
Liberals. If he wins he promises to
PEACE NOT
MENTIONED
BY ALLIES
American Delegate to Paris
Peace Conference De
clares Democracies Are
Working Together.
Allies' Naval Conference the
First Result of Meeting of
Americans With Repre
sentatives of Other Na
tions Fighting Kaiser.
New York. Dec. 15.—Peace was never
mentioned at the allied conference in
Paris, or the supreme war council
which recently met at Versailles, CoIq
nel E. M. House, head of the Ameri
can, mission, which recently visited
England and France, declared tonight
upon his arrival from Europe. Colonel
House said the allied conference
"brought things to a focus." He will
report to Presklent Wilson on Mon
day.
"The allied naval conference, forma
tion of which has just been announced
in Washington, is the first result of the
meetings of American delegates and
representatives of the other allies,
Colonel House said.
WORKING TOGETHER NOW.
"Before the conference," Colonel
House stated, "co-ordination was not
going on well.
"But we are working now well to
gether. We got together principally
on the economic situation, embargo,
food and finance. I regard the trip
as a complete success."
Colonel House said that the govern
ments must ratify all action taken. He
said an announcement of the work ac
complished by the American mission
might be expected from Washington
shortly.
The supreme war council, he said,
is a permanent body and the United
States has a permanent place in it,
if it so desires. The matter of Colonel
House making another trip to Europe
in the near future is entirely at the
disposition of President Wilson.
AMERICAN INTERESTS FIRST.
"The morale among the people in
both Great Britain and France is splen
did," he said. "Even French pacifists
admit that the morale was never bet
ter.
"American Interests in Europe are al
most paramount," he added.
Colonel House visited the American
troops and said tonight that they were
in the very best of condition and could
be ready to fight when the time comes.
PRAISE FOR PERSHING.
"General Pershing," he said, "has a
very difficult task and is doing it
well."
The entire American mission re
turned with Colonel House, except
Commissioners Crosby and Taylor.
They will return In the near future.
The inter-allied council, Colonel
House said, should really be called the
"allies property board."
Colonel House emphasized the fine
wor'; being done by Admiral Simms
(Continued on Page Two.)
up
tion act.
Unionists declare the Liberals will
draw their greatest strength from
French Canadians, who are not sup
porting the war.
A total of 205 seats in parliament
are to be contested. Some have al
ready been awarded. Should the
Unionist government carry 134 seats
it expects to win the »lection with a
majority ft»- 41. The Liberals expect
a majority of 3» in the next house.
The Unionists are making their
fight on patriotic grounds, declaring
that defeat of Conscription now will
make Canada's troops overseas believe
the folks at home have deserted them
and cut off their reinforcements.
The Liberals are strongest In Que
bec, where the French vote Is heaviest.
The Unionists are banking on big
gains In western Canada. Voting in
Halifax. Yukon. Kelson and Manitoba
has been deferred until a later data.
Neio War Council to
Supervise the Supplies
For Army in Field
Washington. Dec. 15.—Creation of a'
Washington. Dec. 15.—Creation of a'
war council within the war department i
to oversea and co-ordinate all matters \
for the supply of the American field j
army was announced tonight by Sec
retary of War Baker. I
The war council will also bring in '
closer touch the relations between the
army in the field and the war depart- j
ment. I
Members of the council at the be
ginning will be the secretary of war
the assistant secretary of war, chief of
staffs and Generals Harpe, Weaver,
Crozier and Secretary Crowder.
GENERAL BLISS AT HEAD.
When General Bliss, chief of Btaff,
returns from Europe, he will assume
active supervision of the council. His
knowledge of conditions as they af
fect all branches of service will aid
the war department in prosecution
of the war. Later American officers
of extensive experience will be added
to the council and It will constitute the
main reliance of the department in ini
tiating plans.
The new organization will not as
sume specialized duties r. .he general
staff of the war college but will advise
the department in a broad sense.
Members of the council will, from
time to time, visit the theater of war
to make observations for information
of the body which they represent.
"CYCLONE" BOB NEAR
THE END OF THE ROAD
According to word received here
yesterday from Twin Falls Robert
M. McCollum of that city is near
death's door. It was stated he
«night not live through the night.
Major Fred R. Reed, a life long
friend of the stricken man, left
on the evening train to be at his
bedside.
"Cyclone Bob," as Mr. McCol
lum was known bemuse of his
tireless efforts to build up the Twin
Falls tract, was one of the pio
neers in the great development in
that section. He left the news
paper business at Shoshone and
entered heart and soul upon the
discouraging effort of building an
empire out of a waste. With his
associates he succeeded. He also
made a competence for himself.
Mr. McCollum has been in poor
health for a long time and has
not taken an active Interest in
business since the death of his
wife, who was known as the
"mother of the Twin Falls tract"
and whose home, among the first
in Twin Falls, was signalized by
being made by her the harbor
of "the Homeless Twenty"—a
score of empire builders who wer«
without homes at that time.
IDAHO TURKEYS FOR
BOYS AT CAMP LEWIS
Idaho will supply the Christmas
Birkeys for the soldier boys at
Camp Lewis, Tacoma. Weldemar
F. Henningsen, general manager of
the Henni ngsen Produce Co.,
Butte, which has the contract, Is
here making final arrangements
for shipment of the turkeys from
Caldwell tomorrow.
The turkeys have been gathered
from various points in this sec
tion.
The price paid the growers was
from 27 to 29 cents a pound and
10,000 turkeys were requisitioned
to make the selection of 5000 birds
or 60,000 pounds, for Camp Lewis,
The birds weigh from 10 to 20
pounds as required by government
specifications.
The soldier boys will be allowed
a pound of meat each.
/The Butte concern also supplied
Camp Lewis with Thanksgiving
turkeys, shipping 50,000 pounds.
GERMANS BELIEVE
DRIVE AT BELGIAN
COAST AT AN END
Berlin. Dec. 15.—Failure of British
forces In their drive at the channel
submarine bases was accentuated by
defeat of Field Marshal Haig's armies
at Cambrai, the war office declared of- j
ficlally today.
"It Is more than four weeks since
the English discontinued their attacks;
In the violent offensive aiming at pos- j
session of the Belgian coast and de
struction of submarine bases." the |
statement said. "This effort is con -1
sidered closed for the present.
"The failure of the English was ac
centuated by the Cambrai defeat.''
PRESIDENT GIVES CLOTHES
TO RELIEF COMMISSION.
Washington, Dec. 1». — President
Wilson's cast off clothing was sent to
the Belgian relief commission today
for needy Belgians. At the same time,
the commission received from one of
Herbert Hoover's office boys, a pack- I
age of his own old clothes.
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NO INCREASE IN
MAN POWER OF
DUAL MONARCHY
Austria-Hungary Has Close
to Eighty Divisions in the
Field—Additions to Ar
tillery.
By W. S. FORREST.
With the French Armies in the
Field, Dec. 15.—Austria-Hungary has
1.192,500 men in 79 54 divisions now In
the field, according to accurate Infor
mation obtained by the United Press
today.
The dual empire's armies have not
been augmented in man power since
the end of 1916. At the present time
the 7914 divisions In fighting» trim in
clude 24 separate and distinct classes,
called up during the whole period of
the war.
At the outbreak of the war in 1914,
Austria-Hungary called up 60 divis
ions—approximately 900,000 men. At
the end of 1915 her total mobilized was
76 divisions—about 1,140,000 men,
ARTILLERY INCREASED.
While the Austro-Hungarian 'man
power has not been Increased, the an
tlllery strength has been tremendous
ly augmented since the start of 1917.
Reliable figures show that every
Austro-Hungarian division, with the
exception of some of Honveds and
Landsturm, have been doubled'in their
artillery strength. In addition there
has been a tremendous general in
crease in the number of machine gun.
Innenwerfer and small caliber cannon.
The total Austro-Hungarian artil
lery strength Is stated to be 2950 field
and mountain cannon; 1500 trench
mortars, and 922 heavy cannon.
SWITZERLAND GIVES
WARNING TO ALL OF
the Belligerents
Washington, Dec. 15.—Answering
the recent American message, Switzer
land informed the world that she will
retain her neutrality with her "own
forces and will repel n violation of her
frontier If this occurs."
Further, the Swiss served notice
that they will be the Judge of any sit
uation in which, like Belgium, an out
side power might volunteer to 'save"
Switzerland from an enemy.
Officials regard the answer as a no
tice to Germany and France—particu
larly Germany—not # to attempt a
crossing of the frontier, while at the
same time making the point that she
did not wish an offer to rescue her un
less Switzerland herself asked for such
aid.
COLONEL ROOSEVELT
AT CAMP SHERMAN
Camp Sherman. Chillieothe, O., Dec.
1 1 .—Colonel Theodore Roosevelt took
Camp Sherman by storm today as he
drove across the cantonment with,
General Glenn, commundant. Selects !
Jumped from their mess tables to
cheer him.
The colonel made the trip through
the camp streets, standing ln an au
tomobile, his hat doffed and wearing
his famous smile.
Roosevelt asked that the proposed
review of the troops be called off be
cause of a six-inch snowfall.
He ate mess with General Glenn.
An address to camp officers this
afternoon wound up his visit.
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NO FREE COINAGE
OF SILVER PLANNED
BY THE GOVERNMENT
Washington, Dec. 15.—Silver produ
cers asked the government to fix a
price of one dollar per fine ounce, it
was learned today.
Denying rumors that establishment
of the bi-metalllc standard or free and I
unlimited silver coinage Is behind the |
government's plans to control the sll- j
ver output. Director of the Mint Ray j
Baker said:
"The negotiations affprd no opening 1
for a revival of economic issues.' The 1
government desires only to place
American silver production pnd men!
on a more satisfactory and scientific
basis and to render foreign exchange
more sta He."
MINISTER READY
FOR PEACE MEETING
Stockholm, Dec. 15.—Bolshevik! Min
ister Vorovskt arrived today from Pet
rograd and announced he was directed
to handle peace negotiations as soon as,
central power representatives get here.
Food Administrator Says
Independent Operator Is
"Sore Because Pocket»
book Has Been Touched."
Statement Follows Sensa
' tional Charges That Gov
ernment Officials Are
Hand in Glove With Sugar
Trust Magnates.
WASHINGTON. DBC. 18.—CLAUS
SPRECKLES' ACCUSATIONS BE
FORE SENATE SUGAR PROBERS
THAT THE GOVERNMENT PRICE
FIXEIRS WERE HAND IN GLOVED
WITH THE! "SUGAR TRUST"
BROUGHT HE7ATED ANSWER
E'ROM HERBERT HOOVER TO
NIGHT THAT SPRECKELS— INDE
PENDENT "is sore: at the:
FOOD ADMINISTRATION" BE
CAUSE HIS POCKETBOOK HAS
BEEN' TOUCHED BY FEDERAI.
REGULATION.
SPRECKELS' CHARGES.
This statement marked the culmin
ation of Spreckels' spectacular testi
mony in the probe charging:
That Eiarl D. Babst, trust head,
and Hoover—International sugar
committee member—asked him to
write President Wilson urging dis
missal of the pending dissolution
suit against the "trust."
That the food administration
created a sugar shortage when
there was a large available supply.
That sugar went through New
York where there was famine, to
Canada because Canadian refin
ers were allowed to import It when
Americans were not. That the
Hoover sugar committee — the
price-fixing body—forced Amer
ican refiners to close when 70,000
tons of Cuban sugar was avail
able.
That this committee—which he
dubbed a "mere adjunct -to the
sugar trust"—fixed prices without
consulting anybody representing
consumers.
That it now Is trying to ftx
high sugar prices for years to corns
through contracts for Cuban sugar.
BABST 3TIRRED TO ANGER.
Spreckels devoted most of his tes
tlmony to an effort to develop that)
the sugar committee was dominated
by the sugar "trust." Then Spreckels
made his startling claim that Babst
had sought to have hlAi use his influ
ence to have the anti-trust suit drop
ped.
Rabat's anger was stirred. Deeply
flushed, he demanded an opportunity
to reply.
"Spreckels asked me for 13,000 bags
of sugar to help him cover oversold
orders." Babst said, "and I asked him
whether, if our other competitors
would recommend dismissal of thé suit,
he would Join them. He said he'd think
It over. I absolutely deny that I ever
asked him to write the president."
"You deny that?" Spreckels Inter
rupted.
"I do. under oath," retorted Babst.
Spreckels' testimony will be finished
early next wetk. if the Christmas re
cess does not intervene, the commit
tee will give an early hearing to ths
food administration's ease.
PARTIAL ANSWER.
In the meantime. Hoover made par
tial answer. "Anything I have to say
to Sir. Spreckels' statements will oe
said in due time to the committee,"
said Hoover.
"It requires no proof from me - to
establish that Mr. Spreckels, a leading
sugar refiner, Is sore at the food ad-,
ministration and would like to see it
destroyed. I realize that Mr.
Spreckels' balance sheet will not look
(Continued on Tage Two.)
Local forecast for Roise and vloltiltys
Sunday, rain.
Forecast for southwestern idahb:
Sunday rain.
Yesterday's weather here: Highest
temperature, 51 : lowest temperature
36; mean temperature, 44. ,