Wholesale Arrests, by Secret Service, Government Believes Is Stopping Leaks to Germany llfc HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH M LXXXVI— No. 197 14 PAGES TERRIFIC POWDER EXPLOSION KILLS AND MAIMS MANY By Associated Press 5,000 Persons in Quebec Munitions Plant When Three Blasts Rock Buildings; Telephone and Rail Connec tions Cut Off; Village of 100 Houses Nearby Razed; Flames Complete Work of Destruction Montreal, Aug. 18.—A terrific explosion at the powder plant of Curtis and Harvey, Limited, at Rigaud, Quebec, to-day is believed to have caused heavy loss of life. Five thousand men and women are employed at the plant which covers an area of tive square miles. Flames Raging Reports received here soon after the explosion said the plant was nearly all in flames. From points near Rigaud, it was learned that three explosions took place. The first at 9 o'clock was heard in Vaudreuil, twenty miles away. It was followed by two others in quick succession. The explosion disrupted telephone and telegraph communica tion with Rigaud, making it difficult to obtain information. Traf tic on the Canadian Pacific Railroad's Ottawa-Montreal line, which passes close to the plant, has been suspended. Village Is Razed * Trainmen who got away from the scene of the explosion reported that forty houses at Dragon, a little village near the powder plant, occupied by workmen, were razed by the force of the explosion. Rigaud is a post village in Vaudreuil County,- Quebec, on the j riviere A La Graisse, 45 miles southwest of Montreal. It had a! population prior to the war of about 1,000 persons. Relief Trains on Way The whole countryside was covered at 10 o'clock with a dense copper colored smoke. A special train of doctors and nurses left here at 10.30 o'clock for the scene of the disaster. Passengers on a Canadian Pacific Railroad train which passed the scene of the disaster, placed the number of dead from the first explosion at 20. OTTAWA HEARS 250 ARE DEAD IN POWDER EXPLOSION Ottawa, Aug. 18.—First reports received here from the scene of the powder explosion to-day at Rigaud, Que., state that in the neighborhood of 250 persons have been killed. Hie passengers said it was impossible to obtain definite figures as hundreds rushed into the open country when the first explosion occurred and few had returned when their train left for Montreal I he extent of the explosion may be judged by the fact that two farm houses over a mile from the plant were blown down. At noon the village of Dragon was blazing and it looked as if it would be destroyed. The officials here of the Curtis and Harvey Limited, lacked information as to the cause of the explosion. ' It was said that probably three hundred persons were working in the section of plant where the first explosion occurred. It was believed by the officials the two other explosions were caused by fire which spread from the first. c THE WEATHER For llarrl*hurg and vicinitys Fair to-nlKht and Sunday; not much . change in temperature. For Kantern l*enn*ylvanln s Fair, continued cool to-night and Sunday; lift lit nortlmcNt WIIMIN. Itlver The Su*|uehuiiiin river and all It* trltiutarleM will fall. A stage of about %.tl feet IN Indicated for llarriNburg Sunday morning. General Conditions "hat remain* of the *luggl*h area of low barometer that ha* covered ca*tern district* for the last ncveral days In passing sea ward off the New EnKlantl const. It has caused moderate ly heavy rains In the last twenty-four hours In the St. Lawrence Valley, New England and New Jersey. Heavy rains have fallen In Loulnlana and MhowrrM are reported from Florida, Northwestern Texas, New Mexico, Southern Colorado, Nebraska and Minnesota. The area of high barometer from the Northwcat now cover*. A broad belt of country extending from ilie I'aclfle ocean eastward through the middle part of the Inltcd States Into the Middle Atlantic States, with Its center over Indiana. It IN 2 to 8 de gree* cooler In the Ohio Valley, Middle Atlantic States and (Cast TenneNsee and In Louisiana, I tab. Idaho and Oregon; else where temperatures genernlly have risen V! to 10 degree* since la*t report. Temperaturei H n. m„ 00 degree*. Sum nine., Btl7 a. m.| sets, OISP P- m. Moon I Full moon, September 1. Hlver stiiKei 0.1 feet above low water mark. Yesterduy'a Weather Highest temperature, 84. Lowest temperature, 07. Jln temperature, 70. Normal temperature, 7* Alderman Confiscates Musical Instruments Alderman DoShong and Constable Hodge, of the Tenth ward, confiscat ed a large cabinet of musical instru- WIMK la i ß 7n? l £ ht Q at the home ° f J ° hn Willis, Seventh street. Ac of,°Jnf,°rmation ln the hands of the authorities, they were placed < k G 'ace, recently ar rested in Danville for speeding. G ace was a violin repairman and run a small shop on Third street, fmm of , aU descriptions were ' i?„ J n t * le cabinet, which included and nth* it i l "* a P'ano, a violin nw?? articles. It is also said that (rlace bought a motorcycle and paid only a small installment on the ma cnine. MILK BEIXt; THROWN AWAY Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 18.—Dairy men in Northeastern Ohio are throw ing away milk because of a dis agreement over prices with Pitts bplnGovern°r Cox has fnr ™ , KBcst some means for preventing the waste, according to a statement piven out at that ex ecutives office. The Ohio war de tfon e COUnnll hnH tft ken up the ques . JAPANESE SHIP ASHORE San Francisco, Cal., Aug. 18.—The Japanese freighter Koto Hira Maru 7.? i £?2 th ? eastern Pacific on July 27 and vessel and earwro, valued at $1 000,000, will be a fotalloss according tc * message received here to-day by tho Chamber of Commerce. No details reparding tho fate of the crew were received. The steamship was owned and operated by Mitzul . X- ranclsco. The vessel sailed from a Japanese port for San Francisco and previously had been reported fourteen days overdue. CA THOLIC DIGNITARI MAKE PLEA FOR CONSIDER A TION OF PROPOSA L Bishop Philip It. McDcvitt, of the Harrisburg diocese of the Catholic church, gave the follqining statement to the Harrisburg Telegraph, voicing his hope for the careful consideration of Pope Bene dict s plea for peace. Archbishop Prendergast, of the Philadelphia diocese, urges careful consideration of the message. Their statements follow: ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST Ihe peace message strikes a responsive chord in the hearts of a vast majority of all the people in the civilized world. I'or more than three years there has been a constant daily account in the news papers of terrific battles and the slaughter and maiming of thousands. The cries of the victims and the moans of widows and or phans are always in our cars. And now that our country has been forced into the dreadful war, it is sad to think of the sorrow that must come into so many happy homes all over the land, if our brave young men are sent into the deadly trenches. God grant that the appeal of tjie Holv Father may help to bring to an >nd the saddest chapter in the history of the Chris tian world. R.R. STRIKE THREATENING BRITISH ISLES 40,000 Engineers and Firemen Want Eight-hour Day Rec ognized; Long Brewing AFFECTS THE WOUNDED Walkout Would Hinder Their Transportation as Well as Movement of Supplies By Associated Press London Aug. 18.—There is con siderable danger of an immediate strike involving about half the en gineers and firemen employed on British railroads. The main point at issue being the recognition of the principle of an eight hour day although the demand does not nec essarily include making the principle effective during the war. The men concerned number about 40,000 and belong to the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. This union is distinct from the much large National Union of Railway Men which is not involved. The trouble has been brewing for some time. The government re cently stated in the House of Com mons that the societies claims were inadmissable but President Stanley, of the Board of Trade, held two or three conferences with the leadeiu in the hope of arranging the dis pute although without success. At a meeting of the executive commit tee of the society held yesterday it was decided to strike because the demands were not granted. Late in the evening Secretary Bromley sub mitted to his colleagues further sug gestions which were not disclosed. The executive committee despite the decision to strike agreed to submit Mr. Stanley's final communication to a conference of delegates con voked for to-day. The newspapers point to the ex treme gravity of a strike at the present time which would cause delay in the transportation of wounded as well as reinforcements of men and supplies to ports. J. H Thomas, M. P., of the National Union, says the union has protested strongly against the society's action which he regards as a breach of labor truce. The Rev. R. F. Sterling to Go to Indiana County The Rev. R. P. Sterling, for the last six years pastor of the Dauphin Presbyterian Church, will preach his farewell sermon to-morrow. Next week he will leave to accept the pas torate of a church in Indiana county. The Rev. Mr. Sterling has a wide acquaintance here, where he has oc cupied the pulpits or several Presby terian churches on various occasions.' He was compelled to refuse an offer to come to Market Square Church as assistant pastor several years ago. The Rev. Mr. Sterling was active In the affairs of the Carlisle Presbytery, being secretary for some time. This spring he attended the sessions of the general assembly in Texas. HARRISBURG, PA., SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 18, 1917 Different judgments may be formed of the wisdom and the efficacy of the appeal of Pope Benedict XV for peace. Neverthe less, no one questions that his letter to the warring nations expresses the longings and hopes of the masses of the people, the world over, for the end of the appalling conflict in Europe. No other individual is in the same posi tion, as is the Holy Father, in speaking to the Allies and the Central Powers, lingu lar and apart from all secular rulers he is accorded unqualified loyalty, in spiritual matters by millions in every nation engag ed in the present struggle. Hence his words on behalf of the holy cause of peace will find cordial approbation among his spiritual children in Europe and America. That his efforts for peace will be success ful remains to be seen. No doubt the radicals on both sides will endeavor to enforce extreme terms upon their adversaries. But in this time of sus pense—the prayer of every heart should be that God will guide aright the rulers of the nations as to the proper decision in re gard to a proposal made wholly and solely to bring sweet peace to a suffering and dis tracted world. PARADE MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR COMPANY D MEN To Move at 4.30 O'clock; Will Have Three Divisions; Route Announced The farewell demonstration for Cbmpany D, Eight regiment, which will leave Monday night for Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga.. will be held Monday afternoon. Final arrange ments for this affair were made at a meeting held last night of the gen eral committee in the City Gray's Veteran Association armory. All organizations participating will report at their respective des ignations at the ringing of the fire bells In order to ho in position to move at 4.30 o'clock. An invitation has been extended to all recently re turned commissioned officers from the training camps as well as soldiers of any rank in the city to partici pate. E. C. Humer will be chief (Continued On Page 7) American Forces to Train For War in Cuba By Associated Press Washington, Aug. 18. Cuba's offer to provide a mobilization and training ground for seme American forces has been accepted. The num ber or description of the forces to be sent cannot be disclosed for military reasons. The State Department to-day is sued this statement: "The government of Cuba has of fered in a most friendly spirit to the government of the United States the use of training grounds in that re public for the American forces. "This generous offer has been ac cepted by this government with great pleasure and careful consideration has been Riven to the question as to which of the American rorces would be most benefited by training on the island of Cuba. . "This question has now been de termined and American forces will proceed to the eastern end of Cuba for training at an early date. "The action on the part of Presi dent Menocal ir. making this friendly offer is considered as a further proof of Cuba's desire to give cordial co operation to the United States of America and to be of every assist ance to It In the war which both countries are now waging for the rights of humanity aganist the im perial German government." Killed on Way to Visit Middletown Relatives While on his way to visit relatives at Middletown, L. K. Budd, aged 35 Philadelphia, was instantly killed when his automobile turned turtle on a newly oilei road at Bamford, near Lancaster. His wife and 5-year-old son were seriously injured in the accident. They were taken to a hos pital in Lancaster. Former Senator Kern Is Dead, Aged 68 Ashevllle, N. C„ Aug. 18.—Former Senator John W. Kern, of Indiana, and Democratic nominee for vice president In 1908, died hejo last night of uraetnic poisoning. He was 68 years old. Ho came here a week ago to re cuperate. Up to the time of his retirement from the Senate in March last, Mr. Kern was majority floor leader and chairman of the Democratic conference committee. He waa a native of Indiana. BISHOP McDEVITT GERMANS MAKE ANOTHER FUTILE ATTACK AT LENS Are Completely Repulsed in Sallies Against Positions Northwest of City By Associated Press RIG GUNS ARE ACTIVE Rut Fail to Dent Allied Lines; Light Sea Forces Clash Another effort was made early to day by the Germans to recapture the ground taken by the British in their successful attack in the vicinity of Lens, giving them control of domi nating positions. The British war of fice reports that sharp fighting oc curred northwest of Lens and thpt once more {he attack of the Germans was repulsed completely. The Germans continue to pound the British positions heavily with i their artillery. In the vicinity of Ypres also the big German gur.s have kept up a lively fire but no in : fantry attacks are reportedf A naval battle in German waters between British and German light sea forces is reported by the British Admiralty. While the British were scouting a German bay on Thursday they sighted a German destroyer, which was badly damaged. Two Ger man mine sweepers also were dam aged and two German submarine at tacks were without result. No Brit ish ships were damaged. Another bombing raid was carried out Thursday night by British naval airplanes on the railway junction at Thourout, in 'West Flanders, eleven miles from Bruges. Fires were caused and the British Admiralty an nounces an ammunition dump is be lieved to have been hit. The British aviators dropped many tons of bombs on their objectives, returning safely. • Hostile Destroyer and Two Mine Sweepers Are Shelled by the British By Associated Press London, Aug. 18. —The Admiralty announces that a hostile destroyer and fwo mine sweepers were dam aged severely by British naval forces on Thursday. The British warships were not damaged. The announcement follows: "Some of our light naval forces scouting a German bight on August 16, sighted an enemy destroyed at 9.45 a. m. Fire was opened and the enemy destroyer was chased. She was seen to be repeatedly hit and to he on fire, but she escaped through the mist over the mine field. "Enemy mine sweepers were sight ed shortly after the sighting of tho destroyer and a heavy firer was open ed on them. At least two of the mine sweepers were seen to be very se verely damaged, but, similarly with Ihe destroyer, our ships wero unable to follow them, owing to the prox imity of the mine fields. "During the engagement our ves sels were attacked by a submarine and after the action a second sub marine attacked, In both cases with out result. Our vessels suffered no damage whatever." REICHSTAG TO DISCUSS POPE'S PEACE EFFORT j Will be Taken up Tuesday; Central Powers Seek to Reconcile Views JOINT ALLIED MEETING Washington Announces Mes sage May Hasten End of War By Associated Press £.ondon_ Aug. 18. —Pope Bene dict's peace proposals and the gen eral political situation will be dis cussed by the main committee of the German Reichstag when it is convened August 21, according to a Berlin dispatch transmitted through Copenhagen to the Ex change Telegraph Company. Copenhagen, Aug. 18. —The Ger man foreign office is not yet ready to announce the government's stand point on the Pope's peace proposals and an answer probably will be de- j layed considerably while the four I central powers are endeavoring to' reconcile somewhat divergent views' and interests regarding peace. An article in the Cologne Gazette per- | ! haps presages the German viewpoint' |by declaring it is the duty of all i governments to support any effort j i at honorable mediation and pointing j out that the Pope's action is in line '■ with previous efforts of Germany. It is evident that Austria Hun gary will throw its full weight in favor of an affirmative answer to the Pope's welcome proposal just as Bui. garia which recently has been mani festing extreme sensativeness upon Austro-German discussion of the future of Macedonia will flatly and vehemently oppose any acceptance [Continued on Page 2] Seven German Airplanes Shot Down and Eight Are Forced to Land By Associated Prcts Paris,. Aug. 18.—French aviators yesterday shot down seven German airplanes and a captive balloon, in addition to eight German machines which were'compelled to land, badly damaged, behind the enemy* lines. Yesterday and last night more than 28,000 pounds of projectiles were dropped in'the course of bomb ling raids, in which 111 French ma | chines took part. Two 'French ma chines did not return, the official • statement said. Reject Appeal of Famous Dutch Dancer Condemned to Death Paris, Aufr. 17.—A revision court - j martial has rejected the appeal of j the Dutch dancer, Mata Hari, who I recently was condemned to death as I a spy. She still has the right of an i appeal. Mme. Mata Hari was born in the Dutch Kast Indies and claimed to be of Dutch nationality. Before her marriage she was Marguerite Zell, the daughter of a Dutch planter. The girl is said to have begun her dancing in Burma in a Buddhist tem ple. Later she is said to have fled from her husband, an English baro net, and gone to Paris, where her dancing won fame for her. After ward she danced in all the European capitals and won further renown. The woman is said to be-between the ages of 30 and 40, handsome, with black hair and eyes and olive colored skin. Twelve Missionaries From U. S. Rescued by Marines • By Associated Press Peking (Thursday). Aug. 18. Twelve American missionaries and a dozen other foreigners, mostly women and children, who were besieged by Chinese bandits at Tabul, a town about 160 miles northwest of Peking, have been rescued by officers of the United States marine corps. Captain Calvin B. Matthews ani? Lieut. Thomas M. Luby, of the marine corps, who are attached to the Peking legation. left Kalgan early this month, accompanied by a detachment of Chinese soldiers, to bring out the besieged missionaries. Word was re ceived here to-day that the American officers and the missionaries had ar rived at Kalgan from Tabul. Says There Are Plenty Left For Mayor, So Goes By Associated Press Reno, New, Aug. 18.—Reno is the first city in the west to lose its mayor in the army draft. Roy Frisch, al derman, who is also acting mayor, qualified yesterday before the ex emption board and when asked if he wished to claim exemption as a civil officer said: "There will be plenty of men left for aldermen and mayor, but Uncle Sam seems to need soldiers, there fore I will not claim exemption." RKAI)IN(i STATION ABLAZE Reading, Pa., Aug. 18.—Fire was discovered at 11 o'clock last night In the Philadelphia and Reading freight station, on North Eighth street, here. The building Is in a densely popu lated section of the city and for a while other structures were threat ened. The entire Are department was called out, but the blaze was under control at midnight. It is im possible to estimate the damage. Single Copy, 2 Cents HOME EDITION KOENIG, RELATIVE OF DEUTSCHLAND CAPTAIN, ENLISTS Father of New Company 1) Recruit Is Cousin of Ger man U-boat Commander IS SWORN INTO SERVICE j Harrisburg Boys Leave For Camp Hancock Monday Night; Plans Complete Company 1), just on the eve of de parture for Camp Hancock, at Au gusta, Ua., has particular cause for elation. Last night a new recruit was secured. The young man suc cessfully passed the test and was sworn in. Ilia name is Koenig, and thereby hangs the tale. For several generations the Koenig family has been prominent in army and navy circles—but not in America. The family tree is located in Ger many, and Paul Koenig was selected command the Deutschland when that now famous submarine sur mounted all obstcales and brought ~,, s country a cargo valued at millions. The new recruit to Company D is Fred Koenig, Jr. His father. Fred Koenig, Sr, and Captain Koenig, of the Deutschland. are sons of brothers are consequently nrst cousins. Young Koenig was born at Kni Jiaut, Dauphin county, and is a pi inter by trade. For some time h® has been employed in the State 1 r,,t ery \. Respite the fact that he \*ill in all likelihood have an oppor tunity to clash arms with some of his cousins, he is an American through and through and looks for [Continued on Page 13] COMJIERCK CHAMIiKK Bethlehem, Pa., Aug. 17.—Definite steps were taken to organize a Chamber of Commerce for the new city of Bethlehem, which will have at least 800 members. A campaign will take place in September similar to the one which raised one million dollars for the bill-to-bill bridge. A •secretary will be secured from out of town and also <i city manager. 3 STRIKE OUT C7.T CENT BANK 2 ~AX | | J Aug. 18.—In di t | 4*o: the wet i. , .x bill, the Senate ttr-dsy by r. • :cf"* to 4* T , • ... , 4> <§4 - • struck cut fhe provision inserted by ;hc 11 :nr.cc Cop- X 7 mittee.for a cnc cent sumo tax cn hank* cfcec'jc, drafts V ■~,'i A w .Ltd certificates cf deriosit, designed to rcise $10,000,000 j X. in revenue. # *7' #* j AIR ALARM IN PARIS SOUNDED NEEDLESSLY £ Paris, Aug. 18.—Official announcement was mad: Jt Tby the Paris authorities at noon to-day that the alarm V X given last night for supposed enemy airplancr, approach- X •& X n j 4 ing the French capital was occasionsd by a French air- T man whose motor -eeuld plainly be heard hut who failed * Xto send cut the customary signals announcing his iyT I "}* nationality. ' 4 La, AMERICANS NEEDED TO WIN WAR , , IT iatCii ** [•PI -day that the war can only be won by hard and '*l h I roopa * * I X T I ■ 4 TRANSFER fefej FROM EIGHT,H REGIMENT m JL Sunbury, Aug. 18.—Brig. Gen. W. G. Price, Jr., cf |* Philadelphia was to-day ordered to assume command of I division headquarters here in the absence of Major X *l* General Clement, who leaves for Camp Hancock, Mon- Hh * *jjj -4 day. Thirty-five enlisted men from each of the Eighth ♦! and Tenth infantry were to-day detached and permanently J 4* assigned to the 149 th machine battalion. *s J . *• jx # RUSSIANS START OFFENSIVE T ▼ Petrograd, Aug. 18.—The Russians have taken the 3 r ♦s 4 offensive on the Caucasian front and have occupied a *f* series of villages. -> I T X 5 FRENCH MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS X T Paris, Aug. 18.—The French last night made further y 4 progrcs:, in Belgium north of the road between Bixschoote T and Langemarck, it is announced officially Tliey cap- T tured a Strong point of support east cf Stetnbeki itm 4 * German attacks on the Aisne front were repulsed. I MARRIAGE + *£► T* . . Norn Strode, Holdlcr, M. Urrlna, anil Aliln I.clsh, l'hlladel- A pnloi Maurice Venncr, Holrilrr, and I.OUIPM- K. Illalne, cltyi Henry HT* f !'r,VI m,, l?'f.." nd ( ' hrl " tln l<awa, city i William A. McCarthy and uL T* city" city 1 ISracat H. Sulllngcr mid Gertrude V. Berry, GERMAN LEAK IS PLUGGED BY MANY ARRESTS Lloyd Line Auditor Taken Into Custody; From Home Saw Sailings OTHERS TO BE INTERNED Three Chemists Are Taken Into Custody by Secret Service By Associated Press New York, Aug. 18. —The arrest of Heinrich S. Ficke, the auditor in this city of the North German Lloyd Steamship Company, as an alien enemy was expected to be followed to-day by the detention of numerous other men, all of whom probably will be interned until the end of the war. Ficke was arrested last night by United States Marshal Power, who said to-d&y that "through his arrest and others to be made soon, the leak to Germany will be stopped." The marshal added that he was satisfied with the facts in his possession and that he had ample authority to act under President Wilson's proclama tion relating to dangerous aliens. The Ficke home on Staten Island is only a short distance from Fort "VVadsworth, one of the- main fortifi cations guarding the harbor ap proach to New York City. From the house, it was said, all ships leaving New York during the day can bo seen and a short Journey to St. George or Stapleton would make it possible to obtain information on the movements of all the ships during the night. The mystery surrounding the ar rest here yesterday of three German chemists had not been cleared to-day. The men were still contined in a po lice station where it was said they were being held on orders from the Department of Justice. Two of the men under arrest are Dr. John Hraba and Robert Sterne. The police re fused to make known the identity of a third man who was arrested by a I secret service agent.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers