El Paso herald., February 15, 1918, HOME EDITION, Image 1

About El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931

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1 - TODAY'S PRICES
Mexican bask notes, state bills, 9(5)1 Sc; pesos,
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I silver, H. & H. quotation, 85Jc; copper, $23.50;
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HOME EDITION I
WEATHER FORECAST. '
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cloudy, colder, snow east portion; Arizona, fair,
colder. (Tomorrow will be pork!es3 day.)
LATEST NEWS BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.
DELIVERED AX 1' WHERE 60e A MONTH
EL PASO, TEXAS. FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15. 1918.
SINGLE COPT FIVE CENTS.
14 PAGES TODAY
Airmen Drop Messages Among Troops Advising Sur
render; Relatives at Home Are Asked to Send Word
to Men at Front to End War; German Republicans
Are Working for the Overthrow of the Autocracy.
WASHINGTON. D. C, Feb. 15.
Agents of the 'allied conn
tries, working in harmony
with Germans who are working for a
republic to supplant the autocracy in
Germany, are carrying out a very
preat and comprehensive campaign
of propaganda in Germany.
Part of the work is done among the
r.erraan troops who are being urged
constantly to surrender and save
themselves. It is being impressed on
thm that the allies seek only to over
throw the autocracy and help the Ger
man people themselves.
Even Sausage Plays Its Part.
The ranch ridiculed German sausage
miy be playing an important part to
ward disintegrating the kaiser's army.
France's message to German troops
that they will do well to surrender
si'id give the password "kamerad re
I jblique" is being carried to the Ger
;i an front lines in sausage meat and
ir. other ways.
Many Surrender.
Small vials containing the message
on oiled paper are dropped in Ger-'
many from allied airplanes and rela
tives whe hope for peace and the lives
of their men to be spared slip the
message into things they send to the
troops. Many of those receiving the
message surrender and surprisingly
few spies have been found among this
number.
Information to this effect was given
today to the house committee on pos
tal expenditures, which was hearing
a representative of the committee on
public information on the propaganda
campaign being carried on in Ger
many by the allies.
Drop Propaganda Far Iniand.
Propaganda pamphlets showing that
the war aims of the allies are for the
overthrow of the Prussian autocracy
are being dropped from airplanes 200
and 300 miles behind the German
front line, the committee was told.
FRENCH PENETRATE GERMAN
LINE AND TAKE PRISONERS
Paris, Frence, Feb. 15. French
troops last night penetrated the Ger
man lines northeast of Courcy. on the
Aisne front, and returned with a
number of prisoners, the French war
office announced today.
A lively artillery duel was main
tained in the Champagne, notably in
the sector of Butte Du Mesnll, where
American batteries are stationed.
The night was marked by violent
bombardments on the right bank of
the Meuse and in the Woevre region.
AGAINST THE BOLSHEVIKI;
ARE TO SEIZE PETROGRAD
f ONDON, Eng., Feb. 15. Germany
Lhas resolved to renew military
activities against northern Rus
sia. This decision Is said to have
been reached at a conference at Im
perial headquarters, special dispatches
from Holland say
If thin news Is authentic It
means that Germany Trill be com
pelled to maintain a considerable
army In Russia for offensive op
erations. It vfonld require n very
large force to take Petrograd. es
pecially for policing and occupy
ing the Intermediate country and
for keeping open the lines of
transportation.
The conference was attended by
emperor 'William, chancelor von Hert
ling. field marshal von Hindenburg,
Gen. von Ludendorff. foreign secre
tary von Kuehlmann and others.
If o Teace, Then War.
The "no war but no peace" plan of
Leon Trotzky. the Bolshevik foreign
minister, was rejected at the confer
ence, according to the Amsterdam
correspondent of the Daily Express,
and as Trotzky does not want peace,
he will get war.
Invasion of Great Rnssia. It is
added, nil I continue, at any rate,
until Petrograd Is occupied by
German troops.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
Rotterdam says that the Germans
take the view that Trotsky's declara
tion, though It did not end the war.
automatically ended the armistice.
(The armistice expired February 14.)
The Germans now consider that they
have a free hand and mean to use
the opportunity.
Germans Try to Spilt Rnssia.
Thfs arcordinrr to the correspon
dent, does not mean necessarily that I
the Germans will Immediately try to
reach Petrograd. but more probably
that they will support the Ukraine by
force of arms. The Germans, he says,
are carrying on an active propaganda
In the Ukraine for the purpose of
suggesting to the rada that the new
state is endangered by the Bolshe
vikL It is declared that this is all
part of Germany's scheme for break
ing up the former Russian empire
with a view to extending her own
power and influence over the new
statse. of whom it is posing as pro
tector. Bolshevlkl to Attack Ukraine.
It is certain that the Bolshevikl
are now moving troops against the
Ukraine, a Berlin dispatch to the
Koelnische Volks Zeitung says, and
the central powers do not Intend to
allow themselves thus to be robbed
of the fruits of their lately concluded
peace. They expect supplies from the
Ukraine. The newspaper adds that it
"probably had been decided at the
conference at imperial headquarters
to resume operations on the northern
Russian front for the protection of
the Ukraine."
Hakes Breach on East Front.
Amsterdam, Holland, Feb. 15. j
Peace with the Ukraine was made
not only so that the central powers
might obtain foodstuffs, but also to
effect a breach In the eastern front,
it is indicated In a dispatch from
Vienna. A statement from a well In
formed source dealing with the con
clusion of the Brest-Litovsk negotia
tions and given to Vienna newspapers
says:
"As Trotzky"s attitude, particularly
concerning the application of the
principle of self determination, made
a satisfactory conclusion impossible,
it became the political task of the
powers who were working -for peace
to make a breach in the eastern front,
that is to arrange a peace with the
Ukraine, thereby also arriving at a
settlement of the Russian and Ru
manian questions. Peace with the
Ukraine had to be made if only be
cause a way was opened by it to
eastern Europe's richest granary.
True, the country is not yet organ
ized properly, but opportunity to ef
fect improvements Is now given and
In conformity with the agreement
stocks of food will be imported here
as fast as they are available.
Cholm Ceded to Ukraine.
The statement adds that peace with
the Ukraine was obtainable on one
condition, that Cholm should be ceded
to the Ukraine, the desire for which
could be fulfilled by the application
of the principle of self determination
which is recognized as applying to
Russian territory. Cholm. it Is de
clared, is such a mixed country ethno
graphically that there cannot be a
question of Its belonging to Poland.
It adds that the arrangement did
not surprise the Poles, who never re
ceived a definite promise and who
often advocated the principle now ap
plied to the demarcation of the fron
tier. "Peace with the Ukraine," the state
ment continues, "is the cornerstone
of the entire peace structure, and
opposition to these arrangements
cannot be regarded as compatible
with the interests of the monarchy."
GERMANY IS T0TALK
PEACE WITH RUMANIA
Amsterdam. Holland. Feb. 15.
Berlin newspapers of Thursday eve
ning Intimate that peace negotiations
with Rumania are about to be opened.
They say, although no official com
munication has been Issued, it may be
assumed that Rumanian negotiators
who will first discuss a prolongation
of the armistice have arrived at
place agreed upon.
GERMAN MASSES
FORGE
II PEACE
1
Are Rapidly N earing the
Breaking Point With
Their Dictators.
NOT CHEERED BY
"VICTORY" TALK
sil DiE ye!
ermans Murder Belgian Families,
utrage Their Girls in Prisons,
urn Bare Flesh With Hot Irons
y -j-AGUE, Holland. Feb. 15. Von
I Blssing well earned the name
-- of "the bloody butcher of Bel
fiimi," but his successor. Von Falk
er.hausen, bids fair to outmatch his
predecessor. This much I can say
tiithoat the least fear of contradic
tion: The terrors of life in Belgium
Tinder the rule of Von Blssing wers
nothing to the terrors of life there
today under Von Talkenhansen.
Beldam -and" her -people, " the
slaves of the German, baTe to
meet 'the foil fnry of the hatred
1 lint the Germans cannot poor
out upon their other enemies.
Mnrder. rape, and pillage, are
rifer than they were vt hen first
the tide of Invasion swept every
thing before It. Many of my per
sonal friends baTe fallen vic
tims to the German fnry old
women, young girls, boys they
have been shot down vrithont
mercy like so many cattle.
Not very long ago in Ghent, where
I Irved till repently, the authorities
experienced a further outbreak of
'"spy fever," a disease they periodi
cally suffer from. When this com
plaint approaches, the Germans make
wholesale arrests. People are rounded
up in all quarters of the town,
marched away to a military court ot
inquiry, given a mock trial, and, after
suffering all the fortures possible for
human beings to suffer, they are
shot. I have with others been made
to witness the most terrible murders
by the German soldiers.
100 Innocents Mardered.
Two months ago 1M people were
rounded up and marched away. All
wt re charged with spying for the
enemies of the fatherland. Yet I
an vouch that not one was guilty.
The people were condemned either
to death or to Ions terms of impris
onment and lined up beside a walL
i ;ich person was called by name to
etep forward before the commander
of Ghent, and the following series
of questions was put:
"Are you willing to confess to your
crime and thus save your life?"
"Will you give the names of those
associated with you?"
"Are you prepared, if pardoned, to
cssist the cause of Germany?"
In every case the answer was
given courageously in the negative.
Whole Family Mnrdered.
Among the prisoners condemned
to death were the father,
mother and three girls all of
one family. I knew them all
vrelL They were charged with
spying. All refn"ed resolutely
to answer the questions, protest
ing their innocence. Before the
eyes of the daughters, both
father and mother were shot,
By M0NS. AD0LPH 0BEN.
then the two filrl. one of them
bnt 15 years of flee -rere again
brousrht before the commander
and asked If they uoald Kire the
names of their accomplices.
"We have none," they eaid, and
the German ordered them to be
thrashed and cast into prison until
the next day. Once again they were
taken out, and made to stand over
the bodies of their dead parents,
which had been allowed to remain
whfireihp.v had fallen on the pre-
KQuaiftayv it was .loo much for the
gxns -tsoi.n lamtea as meyiww.vwo
bodies, and yeWe they lay therfe tm'
conscious theY wre shot.
Hot Irons on Ilnman Flesh.
It is not an uncommon thing for
both men and women to be thrashed
with hot irons, which bum into their
bare flesh, in order to make them
denounce others.
But, perhaps, the worst feature of
all Is the treatment of the Germans
towards women who may be charged.
Young girls and women are regarded
while in prison as the lawful prey
of the officers and non-commissioned
officers. Even though condemned to
death, more than one young girl has
been kept alive and made to suffer
terribly while In prison, at the hands
of the officers until fome new victim
had been found. Then when they
have no further use for the girl, she
is taken out and shot.
It is a penal offence for anyone to
take le ters out of Belgium, no mat
ter how Innocent the letters may be.
All manner of traps are laid to
catch the unsuspecting Belgian. 1
know of one instance where a Ger
man non-commissioned officer, hav
ing a spite against a man in Ghent,
asked him to convey a letter to an
other German quartered in another
part of Ghent- Fearing to refuse the
German, the Belgian complied with)
the request, and was given a letter.
He had not gone far along the street ;
before he was arrested. Loudly pro-1
testing his innocence, the man was
dragged off before a court of in
quiry, and the document the sergeant
had given him was taken away. It
was found to contain a forged letter
addressed to the man's son. who was
known to be fighting in the Belgian
army, giving man ay details regarding
conditions in Belgium.
Promotion For Trapper.
The sergeant who gave the man
.the letter went into the witness box
at the trial, and swore he had no
knowledge of it, that the writing on
the envelope was not his, as was
later proved. He admitted, however,
that he gave the information which
caused the man's arrest, and for the
way in which he had acted the Ger
man was rewarded.
The Belgian was condemned to
death, and actually suffered the
penalty. More than one German sol
dier and non-commissioned officer
has earned promotion by trapping in
nocent Belgians, and securing their
conviction.
And Back Again
A GERMAN Socialist who secured an assignment from Bis El Paso
Herald and other Ameriean newspapers to visit Germany has just
returned to Zurich, Switzerland, after six months of travel in his
Fatherland, and reports his "tragic experiences" exclusively to the news
paper syndicate which sent him.
Children, old men and women are dying of starvation and disease.
Germany today is a changed country. The while nation is suffering
agonies.
They are going through a slow process of deterioration and extermina
tion, tie heard thousands of German children cry for bread while men
and women of all trades and professions curse the name of their ruler
through clenched teeth."
The German people have become rode and quarrelsome street brawlers;
their nerves are high-strung; at the slightest provocation they come to
Hows.
In hundreds of cases the correspondent witnessed hosts and guests
come to biowa.
Tie Cemian people are kept in ignorance. What the German people
are thiiikmL' and saving are told graphically.
Tomorrow The Herald prints the first instalment of the series. There
are nearly 15.000 more words to follow.
Doot fail te read the first instalment; youH surely read the others
as they appear.
GERMANS DENY WANTING
TO TAKE COALING STATIONS
Amsterdam, Holland, Feb. 15. Com
menting on premier Uoyd George's
speech in the house of commons this
week, German newspapers argue, that
chancelor-.von Hertling's reference to
British coaling stations-was not at all
a question of German "demands."
Nobody in Germany, the Vorwaerts
says, saw anything in the chancelors
remark but an ironical interpretation
of president "Wilson's principles which
if carried out might prove incon
venient to America's allies. It added
that evidently the speechmaking on
freedom of the seas, instead of re
moving misunderstandings, is creat
ing new ones. Therefore, it declares,
a direct discussion is preferable.
The Taglische Rundschau, discuss
ing president Wilson's speech, says
the president is angry because "we
supposedly wanted to give a portion
of American territory to Mexico,
which, however, was only the un
fortunate idea conceived in a state
of terror by one diplomat
AMERICAN TROOPS RELIEVED
FROM DUTY IN TRENCHES
Paris, France. Feb. 15. The first
contingent of American soldiers on
leave after duty in trenches in the
American sector is to arrive late this
afternoon at one of the new rest
camps which have been prepared for
the American troops In the mountains
of Savoy, in southeastern France. The
men will have ample and comfortable
hotel accommodations.
Entertainment will be provided by
professional actors and theatrical
managers. Including E. H. Sothern,
Winthrop Ames and lllss Lole Fuller,
who will meet the soldiers today at,
Aix Les Bains.
WO FRENCH AIMIEN
PARIS. France, Feb. 15. An en
counter between two French hy.
droairplanes and a German sub
marine In the English channel recent
ly probably resulted In the sinking of
the U. boat after It had been bombed
by the planes, according to an official
announcement by the- French -admir
alty.
The airplanes were on patrol duty
over the channel when they discovered
'the submarine on the surface. They
attacked it, after maneuvering so that
the sun was at their backs, and the
submarine plunged, but it did not dis
appear before the aviators had suc
ceeded in dropping several bombs on
or near the periscope.
TJ-Boat Sinks, Badly Crippled.
While one airplane returned to the
base for more bombs, the other kept
watch and saw the submarine emerge
after a few seconds with a list to port
of 45 degrees. After attempting to
right Itself, the submarine again dis
appeared, only to reappear a third
time. Its instability, however, in
creased and suddenly the observer
saw the submarine list still further
and sink, so that even the periscope
could not be seen.
One Instance of Many.
This is one of many similar in
stances recorded In which seaplanes
have taken an Important part in com
batting the submarine menace. The
airmen ride high above the waves,
and, when favored by a strong sun
light, they are able easily to detect
enemy submarines lying under the
waters waiting to attack snips.
urainariiy, tne aviators renaer
greatest service by patrollng, re
porting to the destroyer patrol the
presence of any submarines they de
tect, but occasionally, as In this In
stance, they make attacks on their
own account, dropping bombs on the
hostile craft. More than one sub
marine thus has been disnatched.
All over the Inshore portions of the
war zqne. these seaplane scouts are at
work.
BRITISH TAKrfPRISONERS
IN PATROL ENCOUNTERS
"inaSn;"Ehglaffa. FeD. IS. Follow"
Ins- is todays official communication:
"The enemy's artillery showed con
siderable activity .early In the night
against our front line in the uueant
sector. Apart from patrol encounters
in the neighborhood of Lens. In which
we secured prisoners, there is nothing
xurtner to report on tne rjritisn iront.
"Yesterday morning an attack by
a German raiding party on a Belgian
post east or iiercKem was successful
ly repulsed."
RECORDS F0RBUILDING
"DESTROYERS ARE BROKEN
Washington, D. C Fen. 15. Secre
tary of the navy Daniels announced
today the receipt of a telegram from
the Mare Island navy yard, California,
stating that the destroyer Taylor was
launched there yesterday. 66 percent
complete, four months after the keel
was laid. The speed with which the
Taylor was made ready for launching
established a navy yard record for
swift construction.
MUNITIONS F0RFINLAND
SEIZED AT STOCKHOLM
London, Eng., Feb. 15. Great
quantities of arms and munitions
bound for Finland have been seized
in the harbor ot Stockholm, the So
cial Dcmokraten of Stockholm says,
according to an Exchange Telegraph
dispatch from Copenhagen. The
workmen at the vesteras factory
have informed the government that
they will stop work if exportation of
munitions is permitted.
CONSER VA TIONIMPOR TANT,
)DUCTION MORE SO
BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
IT IS very important that we should conserve many
things but especially food. It is, however, very ranch
more important that we shall produce the food in order
to conserve it The governmental attitude toward produc
tion during the past year has been, at points, very unwise.
There has not only been failure to encourage production,
the one thing vitally necessary to this nation at this time,
but there has been at times, by unwise price fixing, a direct
discouragement of producing.
We have suffered severely during this winter because of
this attitude in the matter of coal production. One of the
factors in producing the misery and discomfort, especially
among people of limited means, during the severe weather
of the last few months, was the improperly low price rate
established last summer and the uncertain and contradictory
attitude of the government on the question of coal pro
duction. But important though all production is, the production
of food, the production which we owe to the farmer, is the
most important of all. This country needs more food.
Its allies need more food. Only the farmer can give the
food. It is nonsense to expect him to produce it unless he
can make his livelihood by so doing.
The farmer is thoroughly patriotic He stands ready,
as he has stood ready in every crisis of the nation, pledged
to do his full duty and a little more than his duty, but he
makes his livelihood by producing what is essential to the
livelihood of the rest of us. He cannot produce unless
he makes his livelihood. Hot a step should be taken that
intoTt" oroo vtyftfi Vi J o rrrcAft ro r ntra o sniih rrrlrt H !
tious inquiry as to make us certain that the step is neces
sary. We should do whatever is necessary to help the
farmer produce the maximum of food at this time. More
over, every step we take should be conditioned upon se
curing the farmer's permanent well being.
The city man is often utterly ignorant of the work
and of the needs of the man who lives in the open country.
The working man and the business man who growl about
one another, are a little apt to join in growling about the
fanner. The city Socialist is more utterly ignorant of the
farmer than any other human being. Last fall the So
cialist campaign in New York had for one of its battle
cries the announcement that they intended to make the
farmer give them five cent milk. Apparently the detail
that the fanner had to feed the cows and take care of them
struck them as unworthy of notice.
The farmer must have labor. Bat there must be no im
portation of Chinese or any other cheap labor, whether per
manent or temporary. The emergency need of farm labor
planting and harvesting can be met at this time just as
the need for the national army was met. The farmer must
have first class prices for his products. No price fixing at
his expense must be gone into without the clearest necessity
being shown, and above all, there must be no repetition of
the folly that marked the dealing with the fuel situation
last summer. The farmer must have what capital he
needs at a rate of interest not excessive in order to plant
and reap his crop this year. The aid can be given to
groups of farmers who underwrite one another, so to speak,
and of course, if he can be given it by private means, so
much the better. If that is impossible, then the govern
ment should act- We should profit by the admirable Cali
fornia example to see that the help is given only to the
man who is a real farmer and can really make use of it, but
that it is extended in such a way as to be of genuine and
material benefit. This is the immediate need, and let us
treat meeting this need as the opening wedge of a policy de
signed to preveVt the growth of the tenant farms at the
expense of the farm owner, who tills his own soil, and de
signed also to put a premium upon the permanent pros
perity of the small farmer as compared with the big land
owner. Copyright 1918 by the Kansas City Star.
Self Restraint and Respect
For the Law Rapidly
Giving Way.
By TAX DEB. KMJTE.
-- AGUE, Holland, Feb. 15. What-
never hidden strategy may un-
great national dispute. It is Impos
sible to deny that the German masses
are perceptibly nearer the breaking
point than they have ever been be-fore.
The signs of bitter discontent are
more open than at any time during
the course of the war, and the causes
are more pressing and more varied.
Never has the general Ill-health of
the civilian population been more ap
parent than now, Just as the period of
extreme scarcity is opening afresh for
the winter.
Substitute goods and substitute
clothing have undermined the stout'
est constitutions; and now Germany
wakes to the realization of the fact
that no substitute can be provided for
mei, to warm ana light tne war
weary workers through the bitterest
winter they have experienced for
quarter of a century.
Slocked Bt "Victories."
Victories no longer arouse anv gen
uine entnusiasm among these people.
wno nave ceieoratea too many count
ed successes In the field, only to find
themselves more destitute and hope
less as a consequence.
The promised offensive in the west
is the cause of nothing but apprehen
sion, the relatives of the soldiers
openly prophesying another "blood
bath of Verdun."
Faith in the submarine cam
paign has given way to loudly
expressed fears of the ultimate
consequence of frlghtfoInesV at
ea upon Germany's economic re
lations with the oatside world.
More Important stilL the German
IcnhUci has-at last zteataed that inn
X... litl Ur AJlbUltA 1 . X t i tin,
WAR IS XO MERE BLUFF. AS THEY
HAVE SO OFTEN BEEN ASSURED.
The fact that millions of American
soldiers will be poured into the war
zone Derore the summer has reached
Its prime is generally recognized, and
misgivings have turned to a profound
pessimism.
Wave of Crime.
Self-restraint and respect for the
law have given way under the strain.
and crimes against property have In
ci eased abnormally. Many young
women have figured In the courts,
charged with forgery, embezzlement
and similar offences, and all seem to
aavance tne same plea.
Money will still buy necessities and
luxuries In Germany, though the
prices are Infinitely higher. These
girl thieves all declare they stole to
buy rood for themselves and depen
dants. One girl, who had paid $75 for a
ham and $0 for a goose, to furnish a
dinner, with other accessories at pro
portionate prices, was sentenced to 12
montns- imprisonment. Her case was
so common that it escaped comment
in the German press.
Political Chaos.
The downfall of Hertling and Kuhl
mann, like that of Bethmann-Holl-weg.
represents the failure of the
kaiser's attempts to adjust thi3 popu
lar discontent and demoralization to
the aims and objects of the war party.
The fall of Mlchaelis represented
the failure of an attempt to ignore
the collapse of the fighting spirit In
civilian Germany.
All the portents point to another
attempt to Ignore the soirit of the
people, and the insistent cry of Ger
many's allies for peace, nut nonular
feelinar flows much more strongly
than at the time of the last reaction.
and the experiment may prove a most
haz-rdous one.
Crown Prince Crashes People.
The crown prince returned to Ber
lin the other day to accomplish the
fall of Hertling. the chancellor, just
as he had previously acted as the
open instrument in the downfall of
Bethmann-Hollweg. The great crisis
of the war finds Germany in the
throes of a political convulsion.
with Hertling. it Is extremely like
ly that Kuehlmann will also be cast
from office, and that the old breach
between the German and the Aus
trian emperors will be reopened.
The reconstruction of the ministry
has again been brought about bv the
military party, backed by the whole
strength of pan-Germanism and the
money power of the great munition
kings.
Mot Important Connetl.
The situation Is so serlons that It
caused the most important council of
the war to be summoned at Berlin.
Not only the military chiefs and the
crown prince, but Buelow and Berns-
torrr. among others, were called from
their particular spheres of activity to
participate.
Both Bernstorff and Buelow are
mentioned as possible successors to
Hertling. while von dem Bnssche, the
slimy yonng junker, who formerly
represented uermany in Itnmanla and
who is Kuehlmann's understudy at
the foreign office. Is supported by the
pan-German section as successor to
his chief.
Once more the name of the crown
prince bulks greater In the readjust
ment than that of his father, the
kaiser, and once more the war extre
mists are calling for the appointment
of Hindenburg as military dictator.
FLOTILLA OF HAIDERS MAKES
QUIGK ATTACK; THEM ESCAPES
Attack Takes Place in Straits of Dover and Germans
Run Away Before They Can Be Engaged by British
Warships; All Ships Sunk Are Small, Seven Being
Drifters and One a Trawler, With Small Crews,
LONDON, Eng., Feb. 15. Eight British craft which were hunting
submarines have been sunk by a raiding flotilla of enemy destroyers,
it is announced officially.
The attack occurred in the Straits of Dover connecting the North sea
and the English channel. Dover lies on the English side and Calais. France,
cn the opposite shore.
After having sunk these vessels, seven of which were "drifters" and
one a trawler, the enemy destroyers returned rapidly northward before they
could be engaged.
There is no announcement yet as to the fate of the English crews.
Trawlers and drifters are small vessels with crews of about 20 men.
SENfiTOR WEEKS SSI'S PRESIDENT
PIT HUBS IB IB DISPUTE
Declares Democrats Were Summoned to White House to
Head Off Senate Discussion of Conduct of War Prepa
rations; Weeks Alludes to Failure in Military Prepa
rations and and Advocates the War Cabinet Plan.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Feb. 15.
President Wilson was
charged with deliberately in
jectlng politics Into the controversy
over war efficiency by senator Weeks,
a Republican member of the military
committee. In a speech today vigor'
ously criticising the war department
and anther- branches of the govern
meat
Supporting the military committee's
war caninet ana munitions director
bills as a constructive, non-partisan
effort to aid and not embarrass prest
dent Wilson in unifying America's
war force, senator Weeks detailed de-
lavs and difficulties or tne govern
ment's military preparations. He de
clared that lack of a central body to
make and direct all of tne govern
ments war plans is largely respon'
eible for present and past troubles.
sayx l'rextdrat Kaised ramsansnin.
In bis charge against president Wil
son, tne senator said:
"Not a question indicating partisan
ship was raised until the president
oeiioerateiy injected pontics into tne
situation oy an attacK upon tne chair
man or tne committee (senator Cham
berlain of Oregon. Democrat), and the
committee itself, and by calling to the
wnite nouse many Democratic party
leaders, not for consultation nurnoses.
out to insist tnat a discussion of this
question on the floor of the senate be
prevented, If possible. Have we come
to sucfi a pass that the action of the
most important committee In congress
at mis time is to be lormaaen by the
president?"
teeierrintr to secretarv nf -war
Beker, senator Weeks said after
praising many army achievements:
-Neither do X wish unlustly or un
reservedly to criticise the head of the
war department. Ho has had to deal
with a multitude of questions, the dis
posal of many of which meet my approval.
Pralnes Baker, With Reservations.
"If I were to criticise the secretary
personally, it would be that he has
undertaken to do too many things
himself, some of which might have
been left to subordinates. If 1 were
to make a further criticism, it would
relate to bis temperamental relation
ship to the war. Doubtless he him
self would admit that he Is a pacifist
by nature. For example, even now ,
ne is opposes to universal military
training and I cannot divorce myself
from the conclusion, based on bis
own testimony, that he has been in
clined to plan for prosecution of tea
war and this condition has to serae.
degree permeated the department t n
the basis that we are 206a miles away
from the front. Instead of hasten as
preparation with all the Vigor wo
would exercise if our borders were tha
battle, fronts . .
Referring to 3Ir. Baker's reply
wben asked, by the committee :f other
men could not have done things bet
ter, that he aid not know all the men
la the world and could not judge their
capabilities: senator Weeks sa.d tra
answer was "somewhat flippant. and
that it is impossible to expect a de
partment whose head makes such a
statement to make many changes
which an outside In vesti jati -a hava
shown to be necessary
Discredits Centralization.
"One of the notable features of the
present situation," senator W its
contended, "is the virulence used u
attacking those who favor the com
mittee's plan (of centralization Thev
are referred to as plotters, m sci-ev-ous
meddlers and even as servitors of
the enemy. Every means of faise sug
gestion has been used to discred-t a,
sincere and loyal attempt to make a.
change which will materiallv Increase
the efficiency- of our war ainutustra
tlon." Asserting that it is "phys-ay tn
posslble" for the president individual
ly to coordinate and direct ail of the
government's functions, senator
Weeks added:
Present System A Failure.
"Can it be possible the president
will be embarrassed . ,,
lnet? It nonld seem as though ha
would be embarrassed to a greater ex
tent by a perpetuation of tha dis-
tnfntMl evtnm ,aK
. ......... uuv ex sts, a
system which failed to prodnco ships,
notwithstanding the shipping pla's
which has failed to deliver coal, not
withstanding the unbounded coal sun-
-. r , v ,: " wcu respon
sible for a failure to protect our sol
diers against sickness and furnish
them with suitable clothing
"We are the. inventors and leaders
planes. We have the greatest steel
.v.jo ... t..it wv.m aau yei we nvs
few guns. Wo lead the world m auto
mobile manufacture, and yet we are
(Continued on page 4. eoinmn 5.
DHITISIl IX PALESTINE
MAKE TWO MILE OAIX
London, Eng., Feb. 1. The British
forces in Palestine yesterday made an
advance of two miles on a front of
six miles northeast of Jerusalem, the
war office announces.
The Garden Book Is Free
EVERY good American who has the use of a piece of ground, large or
small, will plant a vegetable garden this spring.
The nation can raise enough food in this way to help out mightily
in meeting the shortage that the demands of our allies and our armies
must bring.
The Department of Agriculture has just published a new book for the
guidance of tie home gardener. The Herald will send you a copy of this
book free. Read it over carefully before you plan and plant your garden.
Keep it by you all through the season, and you will get results.
Let t make the garden campaign of 191S even bigger than last years
cyunpaign. Food is a vital factor in the military situation. Enthusiasm
plus science win?.
Send for the Garden Book today. Write to The EI Paso Herald Informa
tion Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, director, Washington, D. C-, enclosing a
three-cent stamp for return postage. Ask for the Garden Book. c
EL PASO HERALD INFORMATION BUREAU
FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Director,
Washington, D. C,
Enclosed find a three-cent stamp for which you will please send
me, entirely free, a copy of the pamphlet, "The Garden Book."
Sfame
Street Address ...... ..................................
City t.State
NOTICE Do not address youafejHUtlfia to The EI Paw
Herald at El Paso, but to FreJerir1K?Haskin, director, Washing
ton, D. C. s
Thank The Army If We Rid Ourselves Of That Foul Sore Near The Sme