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British and German Armies Fight Bloodiest Batt Gain
HARRISBURG {dSpftl TELEGRAPH
(The Star- Unfctprn&fnt -
LXXXVI— No. 107 24 PAGES
„ BIG BATTLE
RAGES WITH
NO DECISION
British Burst Through Oppy Line in Fighting That Is
Bloodiest of Present Offensive; Supreme Effort
Made by General Haig to Smash Wotan Line Back
of the Hindenburg Positions; France's Iron and
Coal Fields at Stake
The British have burst through the Oppy line and are fight
ing the bloodiest and sternest battle of the present offensive in a
great effort to smash the famous Wotan line before its organiza
tion is completed. The Hindenburg line, outflanked and pierced
in several places, has failed to stop the forward suige of the
British armies and the W otan positions arc the last gieat barrier
barring the road to Douai, Cambrai and Germany's richest prize,
in France, the great coal and iron fields north of Lens.
The Wotan line runs from Drocourt to Queant, a stretch of
fifteen miles running north and south about five miles west of
Douai and Cambrai. Around Queant, the southern extremity of
the line, General llaig has formed a great human nippers and is
striving with all the powyr at his command to close the jaws of
these nippers. Realizing the menace of the situation, the Ger
mans are fighting with a grim determination which reckons no
cost in blood tOQ high if it halts their advancing foe.
Germans Counterattack
Furious attacks are being- made by
the Germans to stop the progress the
British are making in. smashing |
through the Hindenburg line in
northern France. General Haig.
however, has made good the most
_ telling Kiiins effected in the renewal
tB of the great drive yesterday.
Fresnoy, three miles east of Vimy, j
and the captured lines north and
south of it are firmly held after the
repulse of numerous severe counter- >
attacks. A deep salient has been
created in the Opp> line here.
British Hold Fast
Near Bullecourt In the Croiselles
district southeast of Arras, the sector
of the Hindenburu line taken yester- |
day was also subjected to a heavy j
countei drive but this valuable posi
tion likewise remains safely in Brit
ish hands. The Germans in Bulle- i
court are nearly surrounded and |
threatened with capture, corre
spondents report.
only on one narrow front was the
British advance negatived. This was
in the vicinity of Chetisy and on the
Arras Cambrai road just to the north.
Here the advanced positions taken
were evacuated under the German
pressure.
New Successes
Meanwhile activity (fcveloped and
a new British success was scored in
another part of the fighting front.
Northwest of St. Quentin a deeper j
wedge was driven into the German
line and the Malakoff farm north
east of Hargicourt was captured.
The German, official report admits
the loss of Fresnoy and of ground in
the vicinity of Bullecourt to the Brit
ish. It claims the capture of more
than 1.000 prisoners.
The renewed fury into which the
great battle of Arras has flamed has
diverted attention from the possible
more significant events which arc
shaping behind the battlefront.
The German censorship has lifted
as far as to allow newspapers and
mails from Germany once more to
reach the outer world, but there is
■
[THE WEATHER
For llarrisburg und vicinity: Haiti
l hi* afteraoon ami to-night;
Saturday generally cloudy; con
tinued cool.
For Mantrrn Pennsylvania: Haiti
to-night; Saturday cloudy, proh
illy ruin in north portion: con
tinued cool; fresh to ntronK
rant winds, shifting to went,
Saturday.
Hlver
A (general rain. Indicated for the
>UM4|uehaiinn Valley duriiiK the
next twenty-four to thirty
hours. will probably cause a
Kcncral. though probably not
very decided rise in the river
and 11 m tributaries. A stage of
about 4.4 feet la Indicated for
llarrisburg Saturday morning.
General Condition*
The center of the Southwest storm
has moved from Went Texas to
Knst Tennessee during; the last
twenty-four hours with some
Increase in intensity. It has
caiiM*d rain since last report
generally south and east of the
Ohio ri\er. except the Florida
peninsula, and In the Missouri.
Middle and Lower Mississippi
valleys and the Wet Gulf
States, the heaviest reported
occurring in \\>t Tennessee.
Temperatures have fallen 4 to 20
degrees over nearly all the ter
ritory between the Itooky Moun- |
tains and the Mississippi rive*
and continues helow normal
over nearly all the remainder of
the country. Fvosta occurred
this morning It Pennsylvania,
Xfw York, Michigan and In the
West.
Temperature: S a. m., 42 degrees.
Sun: Klses. 4:54 a. ai.
Moon: Full moon. May 6.
Hlver Stage: 4.2 feet.
Yesterday's Weather
Highest temperature, #O.
Lowest temperature, 43.
Mean temperature, 52.
Normal temperature, 57.
| little information as yet as to what
i lias transpired within the borders of
; the German empire during the last
week. The German chancellor is
once more reported to be about to
make a pronouncement on peace be
fore the Reichstag and his hand has
apparently been forced by the junk
er. These reactionaries, enraged
j and alarmed by the apparent domi
nance of the Socialist party, with its
program of peace without annexa
tions or indemnities, have presented
an Interpellation to the chancellor in
the Reichstag demanding that he
clarify his position. The junkers are ,
stll clamoring for the annexation of
Belgium and all reports indicate that
( the government must very shortly
' take a definite stand both on the
j question of war aims and internal
' reforms.
Germans Make Desperate
Efforts to Regain Lines
Lost in British Drives
British Headquarters in Franco, via
' London, May 4. —The Germans made ,
j desperate counter-attacks throughout
I the entire night against the position
i won by the British yesterday, but
were everywhere rapulsed.
All through the brilliant moonlit'i
night and again to-day British sol-
I diers were fighting on a wide front.
! tenaciously holding the positions won
yesterday in the face of the headlong
i ounter-attacks or their foe. In some
places the lighting ebbed and flowed
as in the old days in the Soinme cam
paign, when the casualties inflicted \
on the enemy were regarded as more
i important than specific gains of
ground. The present fighting, how-
I ever, is more intense.
The latest reports from the batle I
j front show that the Hindenburg line
i was pierced both northwest and
southeast of Bullecourt for long dis
tances. The Germans bitterly de- ]
fended these strong points and at
tempted several times to retake them ;
I but once the British were in the doep
trenches they held on.
The men fought so steadily that
1 there was neither time for tliougr.t
<>f food. The battlefields were dry j
i and dusty, however, and water bot
! ties had to be replenished, time and i
i again, whenever it was possible to
• do so.
British Compelled to
Fall Back From New
Positions in Cheristy
London, May 4.—The British last i
night made progress northwest of
St. Quentin and northeast of Hargi
court, capturing Malakoff farm, the
war office announces. On the Arras
from the British have maintained
I their hold on Fresnoy and all the
positions captured in that neighbor
hood In yesterday's drive. >
The British were compelled to fall
| back from the advanced positions
| captured yesterday in the neighbor
hood of Cherisy and Astride, the
, Arras-Chambrai road, the statement
I adds.
Annexation of Belgium
Planned by Reichstag
Amsterdam, May 4, via London. —
| A Berlin dispatch says that during a
j discussion of the tselgian Question
in the Reichstag main committee,
fhe progrcssve party declared that
j the annexation of Belgium must be
regarded as an accomplished fact
and discussion concerning it was un
desirable.
A Center speaker said that the
leaders of the Flemish people con
sider it would be dangerous for Bel
gium to come undbr the old dynasty.
: A Conservative deputy considered i
that the whole question was whether I
| the coast of Flanders was to come
| under German or English influence.
HARRISBURG, PA., FRIDAY EVENING, MA Y 4, 1917
CONSIDER MEANS
OF SOLVING FARM
LABOR SHORTAGE
Now Agent Is Installed at Bu
reau of Chamber ol*
Commerce
; TO DISTRIBUTE WORKERS
Food Gardening in City and
Country Will Be Placed
[ j on Systematic Basis
JI. G. Niesley, who was recently
selected by State College to direct
the work of the newly organized
Dauphin County Farm Bureau, was
| farm agent, this afternoon at one
1 o'clock in the office of the Chamber
' of Commerce, at a meeting of the
t officers and the executive comrnit
-1 tee of the bureau.
All of the officers and the mem
bers of the committee, who are ac
i tive farmers with the exception of
i Robert McCormick, the treasurer,
i were present at the meeting. Prof.
F. P. Weaver, of the extension bu
■ reau of the agricultural department
1 of State College, was also present
| at the meeting.
Will Distribute Workers
Following the installation of the
new farm agent general plans tor
. work were discussed. The most im
j portant discussion was that of as
_ | sisting the farmers in the labor
t problem, now confronting them.
The Chamber of Commerce is now
ready to become actively engaged in
[Continued 011 Page 16]
200 Carpenters Out;
Men Under Agreement
Continue at Their Work
i Officials of the Carpenter's Union
, this morning announced that more
than 200 of the men were still out
on the strike as their demands for
50 cents per hour and an 8-hour day
have not been met by many of the
contractors. Men who were under
agreement for the contractors who
have met the demands of the union
, | are still at work.
A majority of the members of the
Master Bricklayers' Association, it is
said, have refused to sign the new
1 scale, although the union is making
| every effort in that direction. Where
I • the contractors have signed the
union men have returned to work.
; The men have asked for an advance
from 65 cents to 75 cents an hour.
• The master bricklayers say they
1 have offered to compromise for 70
cents an hour, but the men are
holding out for the full amount.
Mrs. Wilson Presents a
Fine Virginia Ham to
Joffre For His Wife
By Associated Press
Washington, May 4. Madame
Joffre, wife of the marshal of France
is going to get a fine big sugar-cured
Virginia ham, a gift from Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson when the marshal
returns to Paris.
During one of the marshal's calls
, at the White House Mrs. Wilson
learned that Madame Joffre was very
fond of American ham which is very
scarce there. Mrs. Wilson sent to
; Virginia and procured an extraordin
arily fine ham and sent it to Marshal
Joffre, asking him to take it back
to Madame Jeffre wth her compli
, , ments. The ham carefully packed,
will go with the marshal's personal
. effects when he leaves the United
States.
Definite Plans Made to
Send Hospital Units
to the French Front
By Associated Press
Washington, May 4. Definite
1 plans have been completed for send
ing United States army base hos-1
pltals to the fighting front in France.
The number of the units, the time of
their departure, the means of their
. transportation and their exact des
-1 tination cannot for obvious reasons
r be disclosed.
The sending of the American hos
pital units is in accord with the plan
.! to increase hospital facilities behind
the front. •
Turkey Plans to Destroy
Its Jewish Population
, , By Associated Press
London, May 4.—According to the
' Jewish Chronicle, the Turkish gov
ernor of Palestine has publicly pro
i claimed the intention of the author
• ities mercilessly to destroy the Jew
ish population, applying the same
policy adopted in Armenia. The
Chronicle says that many thousands
of Jews in Palestine are starving and
r I homeless.
OOAI/ AT S 13.20 j
. By Associated Press
New York, May 4.—The lowest
bid offered on a city coal contract
for the next eleven months is $13.20
; a ton. This is nearly 60 per cent,
above the price paid by the city for
coal last year. The feeling was
expressed by city officials that much
of the Increase in the bids was specu- I
latlve.
CAPITOIi HI 1.1. Ol'T NEXT WEEK ,
Chairman Woodward, of the Houne :
approriations committee, will have the!
appropriation bill for Capitol Park '
extension reported out next week, j
The subcommittees are favorable to
I allowing as much of the half million
asked as possible. t
LEADER OF RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT UNDER FIRE
gmmm K Iqjiv EL
V . J|L $
H| MHr ]
PROF
Professor Milukoff, minister of foreign affairs for the Russian provisional government, has been
designated as the strongest . figure in the reconstructed empire. He is now under lire of the soldiers and
workmen organizations tor his statement that ltussia will not desert he r allies. To-day's reports are to tho
effect that his resignation is demanded because he did not consult 1 abor in formulating this policy.
MAY KILL PLAN
TO ALLOW EXPERT
NAME ARCHITECT
Five Members of School
Roard Cast Rullots Against
Joint Finding
Dr. K. L Keen, llarty M Kretx,
Harry A. Boyer, William A. 801 l and
George A. Werner, five members of
the City School Board, yesterday aft
ernoon voted against the plan pre
sented at a meeting of the Schoci
Board and Citizens' Advisory Com
mittee, to submit the selection of an
architect for the high school devel
opment program to Professor War
ren P. Laird, dean of the School of
Architecture of the University of
Pennsylvania, an authority in this
country on architectural questions.
While this recommendation to /the
[Continued on Page 17]
Social Democrats Hit
at Milukoff's Policy
By Associated Press
London. May 4. —A Petrograd dis
patch says that the Novaia Zhizn,
the organ of the Social Democrats
and other Extreme Left newspapers,
severely criticise Foreign Secretary
Milukoff's not to the Allies asserting
Russia's determination to vigorously
push the war against Germany. The
note will be discussed this evening
at an extraordinary general meetine
of the Council of Workmen s and
Soldier's Delegates.
English Are Two Weeks
Ahead in Their Schedule
By Associated Press
Washington, May 4. —The British
forces on the western front are two
weeks ahead of their attacking
schedule, according to a cablegram
received here to-day by Secretary
Balfour from the Foreign Office. The
advance, it said, has been much
faster tnan expected and the losses
smaller.
The losses were said to be only
one-half as large proportionally as
those on the Sotr.me offensive last
year. This is attributed by members
of the mission to an incomparably
better artillery preparation and the
fact that the men are not allowed to
outrun the guns.
Advertise Bids For
Riprapping River Slope
Commissioner E. Z. Gross of the
Park Department, to-day advertised
for bids for riprapping the river
slopes front Calder to Maclay streets.
The proposals will be opened May
14 at the Park offices.
This important improvement, de
layed throughout the entire sum
mer last year, will be started as
soon as possible this spring, Com
missioner Gross announced.
When the slopes\ are planted,
serious wash-outs along the bank,
which usually occur with the spring
floods. Will be prevented. Fortunately
so far this year the river did not
get high enough to cause any seri
ous damage to the slopes.
Vawter Completes His
Defense in Murder Trial
By Associated Press
Ohristiansburg. Va., May 4.—The
defense in the trial of Professor
Charles E. Vawter, charged with
murdering Stockton Heth, Jr., rested
this morning after presenting two
witnesses who testified that they saw
Vaster between 9.30 and 10.30
o'clock on the night of the shoot
ing and that he was not drinking.
Mrs. Vawter was not recalled to
the stand to-day for continued cross
examination as had been expected.
After a brief recess the state then
began the introduction of testimony
in rabutuU.
FOURTEEN U. S.
GUNNERS PICKED
UP BY BRITISH
I .
Americans Missing From Tor
pedoed Rockingham Are
Rescued at Sea
' Loudon, May 4.-—Tlie admiralty
reports that the missing boat from
the Rockingham, with ull the four
teen men, has been picked up by a
British steamer. The gun crew on
the Rockingham was in charge of
Chief Petty Officer Arthur Wood.
Captain Charles Edwards, of the
American steamer Rockingham, was
j barefoot when he arrived in Lond'on
j derry, Ireland, late Wednesday night
j and the 32 members or his crew who
were with him were scantily clad.
They were eared for by the Ameri
can consul.
Tried to liscnpe
Captain Edwards said that he
. lighted two submarines on Tuesday
1 afternoon at a distance of five miles
| and attempted to escape by steering
j a zigzag course. Despite his efforts
a torpedo struck the steamer near
I the engine room on the starboard
I side and killed two men. One of
the vessel's four lifeboats was
smashed, but the others got clear
just before the steamer sunk.
One of the submarines came close
to a lifeboat and asked the destina
tion, carao and tonnage of the Rock
ingham. Captain Edwards asked
the Questioner to tow the lifeboats
toward land, but the man pretended
not to understand, although he spoke
good English. He finally refused
to give any help, told the refugees
they could get ashore as best they
j could and the U-boat submerged.
The three lifeboats kept to
gether until nightfall, when one got
separated. A patrol boat rescued
the men in the two boats which had
remained in company, but could not
find the third.
Heroism Shown in Rescue
of Drowning Soldiers
By Associated Press
Paris, May 4.—A Marseilles dis
patch to the Matin says that the pa
trol ships which went to the rescue
of the torpedoed transport Arcadian
showed great heroism and determina
tion in saving the victims of the sub
marine. Both officers and men leaped
overboard and held up drowning sol
diers. One patrol saved 236 men in
an hour and a half.
Ex-President Taft's Son
Is Rejected by U. S. Army
Cincinnati, 0., May 4.—Robert A.
Taft, a lawyer, son of former Presi
dent Taft, was rejected by physicians
examining applicants for the officers'
reserve corps at the General Hospital
here yesterday. His eyes were found
to be weak.
Young Taft was approved in all
other departments of the test.
OFFER U. S. BIG PLANTS
By Associated Press
Pittsburgh, May 4.—A. L. Humph
rey, president of the Pittsburgh l<Vn
ployers' Association, It was announc
ed to-day, has offered to the gov
ernment many manufacturing plantß
in the Pittsburgh district represent-,
ing an invested capital of $500,000,-
000 and employing 100,000 for war
time needs.
PHtI.ADBI.PHI4 OKFIC&Rg HERB
Colonel Hamilton D. Turner and
Major Harry A. Hall, of the Second
Artillery Regiment of Philadelphia,
were in consultation with Adjutant
General Stewart to-day regarding the
equipment and recruiting of the com
mand.
GOVERNOR MAS THIRTY 811.1.K
Governor Brumbaugh has thirty
bills In his hands for action, the larg
est number at any one time In weeks !
Most of them were passed this week '
by the Legislature. The Governor has 1
vetoed over a score of bilis. 1
STEELTON PLANS
GREAT PATRIOTIC
DEMONSTRATION
I Steel Mills and Industries to
Re Closed; City Invited
to Take Part
Steelton is to have the greatest I
I borough-wide demonstration May 19]
!in its history. Aside from Steelton ;
; residents taking part In the demon- 1
1 stration, invitations have been ex- j
! tended to all orpar'nations in this j
j city and to residents of Highspire, I
I Oberlin, Enhaut, and all surrounding 1
I towns. About 12,000 people from
Steelton and nearby hamlets will
i take part and several thousand are
expected from Harrisburg.
About 150 residents, representing
churches, fraternal, civic, Red Cross
[Continued on Page 15]
Bands Will Play French
National Hymn in Honor
of Jotfre on Visit Here
j It was announced at the Chamber
j "f Commerce office this morning that
| definite information as to the time of
| arrival and the length of the stay of
j Marshal .Toffre and the French Mis-
J sion in Harrisburg on Tuesday had
[ not yet been received by the commit
| tee yet, but that such information
j is expected early to-morrow morning.
| As soon as the definite time of ar
• rival of tbe French general is learn
ed the committee will make detailed
I plans for the big reception,
j The committee has already planned
for plenty of music and the "Savior
of Franc#," the Minister of Justice
and the other members of the party ,
will e greeted with the martial
strains of the "Marsellaise," the
French national hymn, as they set
foot in Harrisburg. It is the plan
of the committee to have the l-Fench
general and his party complete a
I short line of march so that every
j person in the city will be given a
chance to see them. Three bands will
be secured for the occasion.
300 Labor Unions to Be
Represented at Convention
Here 3 Days Next Week
More than 300 labor unions will t},
represented in the convention of th®
American Federation of l.abor to ha
held here May 8 to 11. Prominent
speakers will address the meetings tp,
he held In the Board of Trade build**'
ing. including John Price Jackson. Dr.'
J. R. Anderson, of the Association ht"
Labor Legislation and H. M. Bioolts,
I president of the Central Ijibor Union.
| The Railroad trainmen will be repre-J
sented by George B. Rowand and S.l
R. Turner.
The credential and auditing com
mittees were at work this morning In
the Federation headquarters. Plans are
being made for the entertainment qf
the men who will come to the city,.'
One of the evenings, possibly Thurs-!
day, the delegates will attend the MiA-;
jestic Theater In a body. The meef
irigroom will be decorated by Keene*"'
the florist. '
Neither Scott Nearlng or Samuel
Gom tiers will he able to speak at the I
convention as had been expected. Both
men have asked to be excused because
of previous engagements and signi
fied their willingness to come to Har
risburg when they are able and it Is
suitable to the Federation.
HI SS TO SEND MISSION
Petrograd, May 4.—A commission ■
representing the Russian provincial
government will leave in the near
future for America, to confer with
I American government officials, con
jcerning the Industrial, economic and
financial relations of the two coun
tries. Information to this effect was !
obtained by the Associated Press :
from a high official source.
I.V> GERMAN DBI.BGATtON!!
By Associated Press
Copenhagen, via London. May 4. |
The fierman Socialists have sent an
Imposing delegation to the Intern
tlonai conference,! at Stockholm. ;
IN AGAIN
Davy Lowe has been sent to Jul I
again.
Single Copy, 2 Cents HOME EDITION
RUSSIAN MINISTRY
ATTACKED FOR ITS
STRONG WAR STAND
Resignation of Milukoff, Strong Man of the Revolution
and Best Friend of Germany's Enemies, Demanded
For His Proclamation Stating That Country Would
Continue War Without Slackening Effort; Parade
With Red Flags
Disquieting reports come from Russia of the attitude to ele
ments among the soldiers and workmen toward the provisional
government. Demonstrations are oecuring in the streets of Pet
rograd against Paul N. Milukol, the minister of foreign affairs,
his resignation being demanded.
Professor Milukoff is considered one of the strongest men in
the new Russian regime, a true friend of the entente cause as a
whole and thoroughly in favor of an energetic prosecution of the
war by Russia. The radical elements opposed to him appear to
have beee excited to action by the provisional govern
ments's communication to the allied nations, made public
yesterday which committed the government to continuation of the
war without slackening of effort. They declare they should
have been consulted in this matter.
Pctrograd, May 4. Some of the banners carried by the
paraders were inscribed "Down With Guchkoff" (the minister
of war), and "Down With the Provisional Government."
The executive committee of the workmen's and soldiers'
delegates discussed M. Milukoff's note to the allies all of Wed
nesday night, it adjourned at daybreak yesterday without having
reached a decision. Later in the day the committee sat in special
session with the council of the provisional government of a dis
cussion of the government's motives in issuing the note. The
executive committee finally decided that it must take some action
regarding the note, but it saw no reason for demanding the res
: ignation of the provisional government. The committee induced
the soldiers engaged in demonstrations to return to the barracks.
Petrograd, May 4. via London.—
Detachments of soldiers have gather
ed in front of the palace which is
used as the headquarters of the pro
visional government, carrying red
flags with inscriptions demanding
*' HOUSE STRIKES OUT CENSORSHIP |
if
4 ensorship section of !
the A
t
, CHICAGO GREETS FRENCH ENVOYS.- L
11
at noon Marshal Joffre and former Premier V
i were greete i *, ►
jj SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES INSURANCE
' Washington, May 4. Tnt admin !
1 1 insurance of lives of crews on American merchan- ►
* ships was reported favorably to day by the Senat' |
f Finance Committee. L
I n
£ DISCUSS SHIPPING PROBLEMS
Washington, May 4. lmportant
* i
j
<
CONFER ON ARMY BILL -,i
, j Washington> May 4 Conferees of the He j
: ( ;n the an 1 1
N sidering • conscript >n The principal differ-
II cnoe is the. age limit The Senate made it 21 to 27 and 1►;
i • the HOUM made it 21 to 40.
j i ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PROSECUTE ' ]
Philadelphia, May 4 —Attorney ( i
' day annou t ,
< • prosecute every person who had anything. to do with 1 |
I' alleged fraud in the Pittsburgh Life and Trust Company. '
!
'■ * ' ■ i
!' ' . ...... V *v' ,i
<
MARRIAGE LICENSES "<*Wr ,
!| 1 >
SSlff SZZZ SiES.",:? WaEiri:?
, KlUHbethtown. *' •!',
Ralph KUrltlnger Mannlnu a n d Kettle Lonltc Ballet*, Harrlaburs.l >
i •
the resignation of Foreign Minister
Alilukoff.
The resignation of M. Milukofl
was demanded by thousands of sol
[Continued on I'HKC 17]