FIERCE THRUST NETS GERMANS SLIGHT GAINS ')irect Attack Made Against Front When Advertised Drive Will Begin By /Irsoaated Press Koine, Tuesday, Dec. 18. The Italian war office to-day issued the following statement on military operations: "Yesterday, the seventh day of the battle between the Brenta and the l'iave, the enemy concentrated his efforts almost exclusively on the ■Monte Solarolo salient. At 11 o'clock in tlie morning after several hours of the most violent lire extending from the Col Dell Orso to Forte di Kalton, columns of infantry from the northeast and the north were launch ed against our position. The former, which advanced from the southeastern slope of Monte Spinonci, was caught by our artillery and a most effective and concen trated lire from French batteries. 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Dial 3253 fHURSDAY EVENING, tack before setting in contact with our line. The latter, consisting of a whoie division of German troops, preceded by assault detachments, made a direct and decided thrust against Monte Solarolo and the northern slopes at the head of the Calcino Valley. Our troops put up a most stubborn resistance and the enemy after a desperate struggle, being badly cut up by our tire and worn out by our counterattacks, was obliged to suspend action and re turn to his own lines. AVe captured prisoners and some machine guns. In the Col Delia Beretta region a thrust on the part of enemy infan try was crushed promptly by our lire. On the remainder of the front, the lighting activity was very mod erate." On the western front the Germans have not yet given strong indications of where their advertised drive is to begin. The German guns continue to bombard various sectors along the front from the North Sea to the Swiss border, including the V'pres and Champagne areas, and enemy raiding parties are harassing the British and French soldiers. Enemy raids have been repulsed by the British in the Arras area and northeast of Ypres, while the French have repulsed an attack at Renne vilje, northeast of Verdun. Germany's present strength on the western front, is estimated to approximate the maximum reached last July when ?t was 155 divisions. The allies, how ever, are believed to have a superior ity in numbers. British shipping losses for the past week total 17, a decrease of four compared with the previous week. The number of ships of more than 1.600 tons lost remained stationary, the reduction being in vessels under 1,600 tons. Veterans of Foreign Wars Give to Smoke Fund and Join the Red Cross Captain Howard I* Calder Post. Veterans of Foreign Wars, to-day turned over to the Telegraph Smoke Fund <lO from the proceeds of the military ball held recently. Tlie re mainder of the receipts go to a smoke fund for Harrlsburg and Dau phin county soldiers and sailors, a list of whose addresses the post has and whom it is supplying with to bacco. In addition, the post lias for warded a Christmas package to each member of the organization in the service and to many other Harrisburg soldiers. At a meeting last night the post voted $5 from/the treasury toward the Red Crosy fund and it was re ported that each member has taken out Red Cross* memberships for him self and every member of his family. HUNS PROPOSE PEACE OFFER TO THE ALLIES [Continued from First Page.] sack leader, according to a dis patch reaching London, from Petro grad, has proposed to the Bolslieviki that civil strife come to an end by declaring the independence jf the Don territory and providing against Maximalist intervention there. Peace Move Assumes Important Aspect, Is Opinion of London By Associated Press London, Tuesday, Dec. 18.—Peace negotiations between Russia and the ! central powers, an armistice having been reached, are assuming an aspect |of importance. Dr. Von Kuehlmann, the German foreign secretary, and Count Czernin, the Austro-Ilungar ian foreign minister, are both said : to be on their way to Brest-Litovsk, being accompanied by advisory suites from various government depart ments. It is also indicated from Ber j hn that the main committee of the Reichstag will be summoned to meet ] in special session in connection with | these negotiations and some Ger ] man newspapers interpret this as showing the will of the people's rep resentatives is about to assert itself. Another result of the armistice is that *Ensign Krylenko, the Bolshe- Viki commander-in-chief, lias been able to move divisions from the j northern front against General Kale j dines, who is reported to be gaining I new successes. There i 3 no direct i confirmation of the report that for | mer Premier Kerensky is in the vi j cinity of Petrograd with an army. Meanwhile the Bolsheviki adminis tration is adopting drastic methods • against their apponents, including ' the reinstatement of the death pen i alty. A dispatch from Tammerfors, Fin land, says the Russian troops are | preparing to evacuate Finland, their I transportation already having been 1 arranged. HARRISBURG t&Sf&fi. TELEGRAPH TROOPS LACKED AMPLE FOOD ON U.S. TRANSPORTS 15,000 Soldiers Suffered For Days on Ships Off France Washington, Dec. 20.—That 15,000 American soldiers were held aboard transports for almost three weeks without ample food and water at the port of debarkation in France was asserted yesterday by Representative Clnronce B. Miller, of Minnesota. Mr. Miller's revelations have aroused the deepest interest at the War and Navy Departments. In quiries were addressed to him by of ficers when he visited the Navy De partment on business yesterday morning. His colleagues in the House pressed him for additional de tails, but Mr. Miller replied that he would reserve them unti 1 formal presentation in an address to the House soon after the holiday recess. Mr. Miller said he saw the trans ports with the troops aboard at the port. Rations and water ran low, and only the most energetic action by Army officers with General Per shing prevented actual starvation. Mr. Miller has personal knowledge that the men were aboard the ship fcr a week, and he was assured by officers they could not be taken off for at least two weeks more. The reason for this was the neces sity for the French government to withdraw its rolling stock from the railroad running fro mtlie port to the American troop headquarters, when French troops were rushed to Italy to stem the tide of the Austro- German invasion. "Who was to blame?" he was asked. "Not one man, nor one bureau, here or abroad," Mr. Miller replied. "It's the system under which we are trying to handle so great a prob lem. This was one of several in stances of similar delays, but was the most serious X observed. "It meant not only personal dis comfort and possible suffering by the soldiers, but the loss to them, to the United States and the Allies by that delay in their training, which means ultimately their actual service ill the line. It meant also the loss of the use of those transports—the best we heve—for that period when they might have been carrying other troops or supplies. "Our duty, however, is to take nothing for granted." he continued. "It is up to us to be sure that fa cilities will be available for our troops when they get there. We can not afford to leave anything to cliancc mishap. "It is time we are beginning to think in millions, one, two, three, five million men. We've got to pro vide for such a force. It will not do to try to meet new conditions as they rise. Anticipate them by pro viding for the maximum forces. "We have got to handle our own problems. We must not depend upon the French .and I imply no criticism in that. We must build our own storage warehouses, our own buildings at the debarkation port, and we must lay our own railroad tracks, over which to operate our own cars and locomotives. We must see that when troops depart from American shores for foreign service every detail of their care and han dling is provided in advance." Smallpox Appears Among Laborers Dr. Samuel G. Dixon, State Health Commissioner, received a report to day that a case of smallpox had been found among the laborers en gaged by a firm of contractors who are erecting buildings for a mining town at Indianola, Allegheny coun ty, and that as a result the whole camp consisting of three hundred men, has been vaccinated, while nearly one hundred men are work ing under guard of deputy sheriffs, quarantined as contacts with the original case. These seventy men came from Cleveland a few days ago and shortly after their arrival one of the men was found to be suffer ing with smallpox. The sufferer from the disease is confined to one of the new houses the camp is building and the remaining men from Ohio are confined in two bunk houses. Still another case was reported from Sharon in Mercer county. A colored man walked into a doctor's office and the latter called the at tention of Dr. P. P. Fisher, the Health Department's county medical inspector, to the case, he pronounced it smallpox and the patient was put in the contagious disease hospital. He reported having come from a boarding house at Farrell several days previous. The boarding house has been put under quarantine and all residents vaccinated. Commissions for judges ami all other officers who will assume office on the first Monday of January, in cluding several hundred justices of the peace, will be mailed from the department of the Secretary of the Commonwealth on December 26, ac cording to an announcement to-day. This will be done to avoid the con gestion of the mails before Christ mas. The commissions will be sent to recorders of the various counties. Governor Brumbaugh to-day an nounced the appointment of the fol lowing superintendents of volunteer state police: Cumberland, Edward Brindle, Carlisle; Potter, James G. Covey, Coudersport; Lawrence, Clark S. Buell. New Castle; Columbia, George Wagner. Btoomsburg; Blair, J. L. Minnick, Altoona. Governor and Mrs. Martin G. Brmbaugh will spend Christmas in Harrisburg, according to present plans. Willie sitting at the meeting of the State Board of Pardons to-day At torney General Brown received word of the death of his brother, Alexan der Brown, at Boston. Mr. Brown, who was formerly a resident of Philadelphia, was SO years of age and engaged in business at Boston. He was a descendant of Governors Findlay and Shunk. Heads of various departments of the state government got together at the .office of Governor Brumbaugh this a'fternoon in an effort to ar range space requirements. Some of the departments and commissions claim to be overcrowded and that others have more room than they need. In addition estimates were presented for requirements for the next five or six years. The matter of reapportioning roofs will be taken up by the Board of Public Grounds and Buildings. HARSCRABni/R JI'HORS RXCVHKD President Judge George Kunkel to •day excused all jurors for the special session of court to try the Hardscrali hle appeal cases, until January 2. bo cause of the illness of Judge S. J. M. McCarrell, who Is hearing the suits. GUARDIAN APPOINTED Isaiah S. Daniel was appointed guardian to-day for Leo. Harold and Klva Troutmun. minor children of Emma it. Troutman. Woolen Uniforms Now Provided, Says Baker AVashlngton, Dep. 20.—Woolen uniforms for all troops have been provided, and are either at the camps and cantonments or enroute there. Secretary Baker said yesterday, ex plaining steps the War Department htit" token to meet the unsatisfactory health conditions at the training posts pictured in reports of Surgeon Genera! Gorgas. The Secretary announced that all except one of the recommendations of the medical department had been complied with immediately, and pointed out that the reports upon which action was taken were re ceived for the most part two weeks or more ago. General Gorgas' one proposal that remains to be acted upon, Mr. Baker said, is that regarding the estab lishment of observation camps, in which shall be gathered all new drafts of recruits for a period of two weeks before the men pass into their company organizations at the training camps. The Surgeon Gen eral believes that during this two weeks' segregation period, and with the recruits under close medical ob servation, it would be possible to prevent the communication of epi demic diseases to the troops in train ing. • JEaociOEaoaoßOEaoooEaaomociomoEiociOßiox _ STORE NOW OPEN EVENINGS Until 9 O'CLOCK 8 D "A Heart and a Dollar It is the imperative duty of every loyal American to li H T j°' n Cross —An official booth at this store. I Everbody Come to Toyland I] Q VQ J a Wonderful Stock of Toys vllrrrti H fi In the Bargain Ba,ement H Q AT KAIFMAX'S „ AT kai fmu ii ■ it K>rmvs =r g n OUR PRE-XMAS SALE OF Suitable Gifts * wooi, SWEATEIIS —sizes i „ T _ _ . ... For Women Q WOMEN'S and MISSES' 2 M collar. Pink, blue and brown fi iTO kIT r\ flTTimn tu 'i ? \^ s i'r tnm ,ey All n5 0 ass&&.sr_ COATS AND SUITS ""iiifvir H II I S—White, trimmed will" .DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION '° v „ 2 LI pink or blue, 40c to *l.4t I.ONGCI-OTH GOWNS © ts mZ?' sand ana !l 8 S&M COATS J? SUITS 3 If trimmings a.4."i iyTffib. 'I CI 1 ■— at $14.00 at $10.95 n % AT KAUFMAN'S _ \ \ Wk ft A Host of Gifty Women's and \ Women's and The Most Comfoi t -0 _ . Misses' k ,;'r IMP& Misses' at)le Ulit 5 Things PftATS rtkMW ciiitc rKM'E |1 M Fancy Party Hag,. 1J M 4 5 'S OUI 1 O K5" SnfS""siS'TM D ~~1 .t $18.75 1 ai $12.95 g A i OM , 'T® 1 WOMES'S BATHROBES 13 W r .. p . earled ' Silvered and Gold —— , / 1 Made of Beacon blanket .| II Dr mished Jewel Boxes, Women S and If ' ' omen's and cloth in assorted colors. Silk H 48c and 08c ' ' iv/r- < trimmed, fancy buttons, patch pin ... ; C. .1 Misses ! Misses' pockets and silk cord. Sizes w „ COATS W SUITS $2.95.. $5.90 D Sanitary Powder Puff Bags. d")*) *7 C /V I jtf* 1 T AI - SECQKU KLOOIt " W Powder Puff Purses . . at at If> 15." 5 =AT KAi;FMAVS=- O fy infants' ivorv Toilet SECOND FI.OOK Military Sweater IjmJ H Military Sets, 8o To S2JS ===== IvAM MAN S- For YoU r Soldier Boy 1 =n,s T F,o„n= MFN' MFN' MFN' 2 a AT i% tii invt 1 • If ILul 1 • Splendid value. Christmas || Economy Carnival Price. m She Will Appreciate SUBSTANTIAL CLOTHES AT LOW PRICES $2.45 u,,d $3,45 g L This Gift Men's and Young Men's Men's and Young Men's Men s Military Kht-Khi M 0 Women's and Misses' Winter ft-l AJ* ft Suits Ifi Cft 11 rwr m_ „ Overcoats tb 1 *+. Jll at vitlw ulation Army sweater. Christ \ rcoats V * * v " All handsomely haml-tailor- mas Economy Carnival Price, U /*.J.ij JL iJ ed, perfect lltting;. All-wool r%C J (DC AC ■ Every new model plain and Worsted*, Cheviots .\nd Velour SlllCl JpO.J/O M 0v^. ,,, ?o sn B t beited - B,ack ond oxfo,d - a^ l J =k„ST ~,,00 H 1 S C or e^ofo e r ß Ch l n o e Thoole" from Gray and Mixtures. extra st-ut me,„ * _____ Ar K At. MAVS = S Trimmed in lace, sailor, or W 0 Holly IZ b"o X 36 'your MEN'S BATH ROBES M en > I: n J GLOVES choice for - A pleasing variety of the ITien S Lined i 1 r* mas Sconomy 'carnivii Corduroy Pants A Needful Gift M 2 *pl.y£> Prl, a„- Qe WOMEN'S © Dw.'Ja and yc.uD CHAMOISETTE GLOVES m —FIRST fi mh - ___________________ Plain white Kayser make, Pre-Xmas Sale ® 1 = ...k.™, w= SERVICEABLE CLOTHES FOR BOYS g | Wouldn't She Like a BOYS'NORFOLK SUITS 8 Pair of Slippers? New Trench style coata with patch pockets and full <tO QC cut knicker pants. Sizes Bto 16 years either color with corrractim? HJ BREVK BOYS'NORFOLK SUITS P,*.. 51.75 © ribbon trimmed: colors gray, Newest models with slashed or patch pocket, coatts and S wine, brown and black , pants full lined. Sizes 8 to QC WOMEN'S KII) GLOVES ill 18 i' ears French kid 2-button clasp II slc29 BOYS'MACKINAW COATS f, o^" g 7 to 17 > ears stitching. Pre- Off w 1 WOMEN'S FELT SMPPRits * A wonderful maekinaw coat at last year's price. This means Xmas Sale Price >4i£u tarf For Christmas gifts, comfy rou can get a $6 quality at our Christmas Economy d A QC I ors P, iavende, I ? o nKh r t i pini" Carnival Price WOMEN'S SILK GLOVES 11 O" taupo and old lose. ' p ' BOYS' MACKINAW COATS Kayser make. Plain white „; ..ft. or bluck o| . e)t , l<!P color utth 0 M (1 1 . . j , un w ,i , .x, contrasting stltchiugs. Pre- m 1% I <M This years newest models, belt all around, either button Xmn 8nl Pri™ fi P A *J*J or buckles. The newest checks and stripes, ChristQC 4r- a II i mas Economy Carnival Price .POcI7U 59? 75c -P ' $ I .25 BJ I IHST FI.(10H-==. =I lUS'f KI.OOH ■===== HST g ) Pr ! ctlcal Gifts #n3hesar(iainsademenL g fei|D 1 J and White Ware, 1 Casserole, 3 ——r—i ■ m^ — vlfHHlllft Yuletido , fa __ Pudding Dishes and # Custard (I \ i Wm~ lilft 52 C "P S S* I ] n Christmas Stationery $2-7S n 11 W mgjjjf W ißoth a Sensible and Pleasing Present u' ■/' l ''''ffy vneuum cienurr. I O < 6 s=Ba j all All Boxed For Gift Giving MIUC Q Box Stationery " housework M Initial stationery .. n, " ck >; e " th ' rome see thlß^^ | MuhOKaiiy Smoking Stand*. r- j " 1 ■■■ Hnndbngn, well made Cleaner demon- I Owith complete holder and match cards and finished; 16, 17 strated , $3,03 pM *j 1 case nsv, „ . and 18-inch sizes. , H Gift Stationery, boxes. 39c, 49c, 98c, M-kei pited ci-er-oie-. Big 2 1 j Alun "" m , 98c, $1.25, $1,50, $1.98 ' '^Tur^o^.nd'M.n'Ar' 1 ° va '' H oaOa<l^^3ooooM3oool^K>^M^^n)C3oE3ol Philadelphia Wants Soldier Boys Home For Christmas Season Philadelphia, Dec. 20.—Philadelphia, through its representatives in Con gress, appealed yesterday to the War Department to rescind the order that would hold 10,000 of <the city's sol diers of National Army at Camp Meaile, Md., away from their families over Christmas. Congressmen Vare and Costello, ex-Representative J. Washington I-ogue, Mayor Smith and many others pledged themselves to exert every effort that the men upon whom will fall the burden of defend ing world-wide democracy may be given a holiday in the homes of their fn inilies. Realizing the soldiers called to Ad miral, Md., are under rigid military discipline and are at all times sub ject to the routine of army life, the Congressional representatives, as well as Mayor Sinith, believe the Govern ment can confer no greater tribute of thanks to the mothers, sisters and sweethearts of these men than to al low them to nave one of the two midwinter holidays away from camp. DECEMBER 20, 1917 Secretary Daniels Appears to Testify in Inquiry By Associated Press Washington, Dec. 19. Secretary Daniels and Paymaster General Mc- Gowan of the Nevy, were the iirst witnesses summoned to appear to-day before the House Naval Subcommit tee delegated to begin an investiga tion into the Navy's war activities. Chairman Oliver, of the subcommit tee, announced that part of the ses sions would be public but those at which subjets considered Navy sec rets, were discussed would be hid in "executive session. The purpose of the investigation, he said, is to learn what the Navv has done and give it a clean bill o'f health if the facts warrant. More Luxburg Messages Will Appear Today Washington, Dec. 20.—Some two score more of telegrams which passed between Count Von Luxburg. German minister to Argentina, and the German Foreign Office will be made public to-day by the State De partment by agreement with the Argentine government, which also will publish them simultaneously at Buenos Aires. Exposure of Count Von Luxburg's "sink without trace" telegram by Secretary was what caused a rupture of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Ger many. First Lightless Night Observed This Evening Washington, Dec. 20.—The first weekday "lightless night" will bl observed throughout the country tof night in strict compliance with ths rules of the fuel administration. Ite ports received here from public utiU itles companies supplying electrio current for display lighting and ad vertising express complete willing ness to co-operate to relieve the heavy drain on the nation's coal supply. Failure to observe the new regu lations. it has been announced, will result in penalties for the offender. Cuticura Soap and Ointment for Skin Troubles Soap 2Sc. Ointment 25 and SQc. Xmas Chocolates BEAUTIFULLY BOXED GORGAS I 16 N. 3rd St. Penna. Station. 5
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers