- ".w'-- ' - —7.—- —,™ fv-* ■ • "TT:" ~• Don t Fail to Follow "Somewherein France With Jfek HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH M &\\c otar-Inscpcnscnt W i LXXXVI— No. 307 12 PAGES ITALY RETAKES OLD POSITIONS; LOSSES HEAVY Following Bitter Fighting Covering a Period of Forty- Eight Hours, Italian Troops Win Back Points of Vantage on Col Del Rosso; Berlin Claims Capture of 9,000 While Winning Temporary Advantage; By Associated Press On the northern Italian front the Austro-German tactics appear to be to strike alternatively at vital points on either side of the Brenta. Checked at Monte Asolone last week the enemy had struck toward the Frenzela valley west of the river. After two days of bitter fighting the Italians have regained possession of lost positions on the Cc! Del Rosso west of the nid have attacked the AustroGennan positions on Monte Perit-ca cast of the rivci. Berlin claims the cfpture of 9,(.\!0 prisoners in ihe gain ing of the Col. Del Rosso, which later was lost to the Italians. I tome, l)ec. 2(1.—C0l Del Rosso and Monte Val Bella, on the Asinso plateau, were by Italian forces in a counterattack yesterday, l>at it huh found impossible to hold tliein, the War Office nnnouncod to day. Italian Army Headquarters in Northern Italy, Tuesday, Dec. 25. A general commanding an Army corps on the Piave front took the correspondent along the line occu pied by his corps today and pointed out the Austro-German nest on the west bank of the river which is the only foothold he has succeeded in maintaining. The main purpose of the Italian commander was to carry a holiday greeting to his men in the first line trenches, but incidentally this visit to the extreme front gave an oppor tunity for the general to explain the lay of the land and why the enemy was finding himself able to hang on. As the party moved forward it was noted that the defenses had been highly organized so that any sudden rush of the enemy would meet tre mendous resistance. Trot/.ky Protests Leon Trotzky, the Bolsheviki for eign minister, has protested to the Germans against the transference ot" troops from the eastern front but also has ordered Russian factories to stop the manufacture of munitions. He did not indicate whether his gov ernment would take any other step against German violation of the armistice. Peace negotiations at Brest- Litovsk apparently are making little progress. The Germans have de layed their answer to the Bolsheviki terms and it is reported the confer ence will be transferred to Stock holm shortly. In the meantime the majority party in the constituent as sembly, the Social Revolutionists has convoked the assembly to meet Jan uary 2, despite Bolsheviki disapprov al. German Savagery German savagery has been called officially to the attention of the American troops in France. An American sentry has been found with his throat cut and an official bulletin says "ho must have been so killed after capture" by a force of Germans which surprised him. In formation of enemy terrorism in driving women and children from their homes in the occupied sections of France and Belgium to make room for German troops, soldiers and war material also has been giv en the American troops. Germans Break Agreement While licir guns bombard the western front, the Germans are tak ing troops from the eastern front for use elsewhere despite the provi sion of the Russo-German armistice prohibiting such action. The artil lery activity in France has been moderate over most of the front and more violent on the right bank of the Meuse. northeast of Verdun, the scene of the German attack nearly two years ago. German infantry has not been ac tive and it is probable that Field Marshal Yon Hindenburg is waiting for more reinforcements before malt- THE WEATHER For Hnrrlnhurg ood vlclnltyi Fair nnil continued cold to-nl(cht nnl Thuratlnyi lowMt temperature \ tn-nlßht nbout 15 degree*. For Eaatern rennnylvnnla i Fair, continued eold to-night anil Tburnrtnyi light north wind* be coming variable. River The Sunqnehanna river nnri all It* hranchea will remnln generally (rebound and nearly atatlonary. A Mage of nbout 4.8 feet In Indi cated for Harrlnburg Thursday morning. tieneral Condition* The high prennure aren that wn over the Jiorthnet, Monday morning, ban overaprend nearly all the country ennt of the Ilocky Monntalna during the lant forty-eight bourn, attended by a genernl fnll of 2 to 40 de green In temperature In all dln trletn, except the Middle nnd Vpper Mlnaotirl Valley and the Houtli Atlnntlc and Kant Gulf fttatea, where It la warmer, par ticularly In the (Irnt named re gion, vrbere the rlne In tempera ture linn been decided. • Temperntnrei R a. m., 18. Rani Ttlnen. 7i2H a. m.| neta, 4143 p. m. Mooni Full moon, Friday, Hlver Ntngei 4.2 feet above low- , water mark. • Venterday'm Weather II ((lint temperature, 42. I.nweat temperature, it I, Menn temperature, 30. Norinnl temperature, 31, | ing his heralded attack. Russian advices telling of the German with drawals in the east add that some of the troops are being taken to the Rumanian front. Rumania is not taking part in the peace negotiations and the Ukraine, which lies beyond Moldavia and Bessarabia, is opposed to the Bolsheviki. South of Juvincourt, in the Rheims sector of Champagne, the French have carried out a raid into the German lines and brought back prisoners. On the British portion of the front there have been raids in addition to the artillery duel, but no large operations are yet indicated.- 1,000 Skilled Laborers Wanted at Once For Service With Pershing Washington, Dec. 26.—The new draft machinery 'was invoked fori the first time when Provost Marshal General CrOwder made public to day instructions to all Governors calling for the mobilization of 1,000 bricklayers, urgently needed by Gen eral Pershing at once. Local boards are called upon to examine questionnaires now being returned and report as rapidly as possible on the number of bricklay ers of draft age available for serv ice through local boards. They will taken either by draft or by volun tary induction into the military serv ice through local boards;. They will be forwarded to the aviation section, signal corps, at Kelley field, San An tonio, Texas. The purpose for which they are to be used in France is not disclosed. The order is the first application of the special occupational classifica tion provisions of the new draft reg ulations. The bricklayers in any board's jurisdiction will be assemb led in order of their draft number relationship to each other but with out regard to the men in any other occupation. General crowder's letter to the Governors indicates similar calls for skilled men in other trades are to 1)3 expected. Alleged Deserter 111 With Spinal Meningitis Dennis Delosier, of Coupon, at tached to Company D, 110 th Infantry, said to be a'deserter from Camp Hancock, Augusta. Georgia, Is in the harrisburg Hospital, suffering with a malady suspected to be spinal men ingitis, the disease wbicli caused the death of Lieutenant Bartlett some weeks ago. Delosier was removed to the hospital from' the county jail, where lie was committed by the re cruiting officers, at the recruiting station, 325 Market street, for safe keeping. The authorities at the jail considered his condition to be such that he should not be kept at the jiil. Wildwood Park Opened by City For Skaters Wildwood Park Lake was opened today lor skating by the Park De partment antl the red flag may be raised late today if the temperature does not rise too much during the afternoon. Much of the snow on the ice has melted leaving a fairly smooth coating over about six Inches of solid ice. The restroom has been opened and skates can bo rented there. With fair weather to night a large crowd is expected by the park officials. The Twelfth street pool }s open for children and the pond at Paxtang along the park driveway can be used also. Tuscarora Believed Lost With Crew Numbering 35 By Associated Press New York, Dec. 26. —The Ameri can steamship Tuscarora. formerly i lake vessel and requisitioned by the United States Shipping Boitrd for At lantic service together with her en tire crew of thirty-five men, is be lieved to have been lost at sea some where north of Capo Breton Island, according to advices received In shipping circles to-day from Nova Scotia. BIRLF, CLASS RKORGANTZKS . Newport, Pa., Dec. 26.—The Young Men's Bible class of the East .Newport Church of God has reorganized with Thomas V. Miller as teacher. The other officers are Harry Seamhn, president; James Jeffries, vice-president: Oeorge Sea man, secretary; Clareneo Seaman, assistant secretary; Daniel Jeffries, treasurer: Kmory Bhatto, librarian; John Ilowell, assistant librarian. HARRISBURG. PA., WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMER 26, 1917 COUNCIL NOT VET READY TO GIVE UP ASH COLLECTION Morgenthaler Favors Munici pal Work After Month's Letup CONTRACT EXPIRES SOON Provision Can Be Made to Take Up Refuse About March "While some of the members of Council said to-day they were sure no private collector would submit a bid for the removal of ashes in the city after February 1, it was learned that the city officials have not decided definitely to abandon re moval of refuse at the expense of the city. Commissioners Morgenthaler de clared to-day he is in favor of ash collection paid for by the city, and has not given up hope that some provision can be made to have this done.. Other members of Council said to-day they would take no ac tion on abandoning ash collections plans unless it was recommended by Commissioner Morgenthaler. Mr. Morgenthaler said he had no intention of making such a recom mendation and that the only thing to be done would be to eliminate the provision for ash collections from the budget if Council intended to drop this work. "I do not think bids could bej received to have the work carried on from the time the present con-| tract expires, but if the collections were started, probably on March 1, proposals might be received. Coun-| cil, of course, must provide for the! expense in the budget, if the collec tions are to be continued. X think that question concerns all of us most as I believe the other members also are opposed to abandoning removal of ashes at the expense of the city." It was learned to-day that the water rates for 1918 may be in creased to the figures of several years ago before the late Commis sioner Bowman recommended a de crease to the present rates. If this is done city officials said about $50,000 would be added to available revenue for next year and will re lease other funds to pay for ash col lections. Open Session An open meeting of the budget committee will be held this evening at 7.30 o'clock when members of the Chamber of Commerce and apy tax payers who wish to attend, will ba told the financial trouble facing tha commissioners in the preparation of the budget for next year. This session is the result of a let ter from the Chamber of Commerce urging the commissioners to provide for additional policemen and incieas ed salaries for the force next year. E. L. MeColgin, secretary of the Chamber, sent out letters to al! members requesting them to anient? the open meeting when the question will be discussed. An executive t>es sion of the commissioners may be held after the open meeting, it was said. J. Horace McFarland, secretary of the Municipal League, yesterday the only reason the councilmen Have for avoiding the ash problem is that they are afraid of the results when they come out for re-election. Othe residents of the city predict a retur.i to the old conditions which existed in the city years ago with public dumps on many of the vacant lots, with paper and other refuse scatter ed over the streets. Comrade Tsitserin, Bolshevik? Ambassador Occupies London Cell London,' Dec. 11. (By Post). Comrade George Tsitserin, who has been appointed by the Bolsheviki as Russian Ambassador to London, is still in Brixton jail, in Southeast Lon don on a charge of circulating sedi tious propaganda. Tsitserin is well known to London Socialists. Kxiled frcm Russia many years ago he lived in Belgium until the outbreak of the war when he came to Lon don. He is described by liis friends as a man of considerable intelli gence, of good family, and indepen dent means. He i.i a Minimalist or Menshevik rather than a Maximilist or Bolsheviki, although the distinc tion is no longer very marked. Tsit serin's life in internment is similar to that of a prisoner awaiting trial. He is allowed to order his meals from outside, can have any books and papers which he wishes to read, and is permitted to do a certain amount of writing. Another prominent Bolsheviki, who is well known in London is Lieut. Schneura, one of the' Lentne representatives in the armistice ar rangements. He was in London less •than a month before his appearance as a member of the peace parley committee and several of his rela tives are still here. Greece Wants Her Citizens in U. S. to Enlist in Stervice By Associated Press Washington, Deo. 28.—Greece wants her citizens in the United States to enlist In the American Army. Not only will she suspend punishments which ordinarily would follow enlistments of Greeks with a foreign power but she will reward them for supporting the American arms. This is the substance of a note from the Greek Government delivered here today to the State Department. PKJfNSYLVANIA COMPANY DKOLARFN DIVIDION l> Philadelphia, Dec, 26. —The board of directors of the Pennsylvania Company at a meeting today de clared a dividend of three per cent on the capital stock of the company payable December SI to stock of rec ord December 29, 1917, J "We're Behind You, My Boy, to the Absolute Limit" D 19P. Thi ftatrerf ftl! ~~~~" ~~ (MAN'S REPORT IS HEARD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Testimony Regarding Ordn ance, Clothing and Supplies Not For Public Washington, Dec. 26.—Aroused by reports of shortages of winter cloth ing in National Army camps, the Sen ate Military Affairs Committee to day in resuming its investigaUon in to Army conditions adopted a resolu tion requesting the Secretary of War to immediately ascertain conditions by wire, supply deficient troops and suspend departmental routine if nec essary, by direct purchases from sources near the camps. Conditions in the American over seas forces and National Army camps were described to the Senate Mili tary Committee when it took up its inquiry into war operations. Uen eral officers of the National Army just back from inspection trips in France were called by the commit tee, when temporarily postponed further examination of Quartermas ter General Sharpe. Officers testifying included Major General John F. O'Ryan, of Camp Wadsworth, S. C., and Major Gen eral Edwin St. John Greble, of Camp Howie, Texas. The committee closed its doors to hear General O'Ryan's statement regarding tlie. American expedition abroad. ills testimony regarding sufficiency of rifle and other ord nance equipment, clothing and other supplies of General Pershing's torces, the committee felt, should not be made public. Steals Contribution Box Intended For Red Cross The meanest man, according to Pennsylvania railroad attaches turned up yesterday. During the early morning hours he stole the Ked Cross contribution box from the stand of the Union News Company. The box contained between and $lO ac cording to an estimate giyen by local manager Wendell Fackler. There was a big rush of travel be tween 3 si nd r> o'clock yesterday morning. Kll Fackler the night man ager had his hands full taking care of the buyers. The box and money was there at t o'clock. One-half hour later it was missing. Pennsylvania railroad police, sta tion employes and a number of citi zens joined in the search for the thelf. • The box hnd been on the newsstand fop several months. During the past few days contributions have been nu merous and the box which has a glass front was almost full. It was the Intention to turn over the cash today to the local lted Cross repre sentatives. Rotary Club to Give Xmas Dinner For Poor The annual Christmas dinner to the poor children by the Hotary Club of Harrlshurg will be given to-mor row afternoon at Chestnut Street Auditorium, Admission will be by invltatlon card only, The blgr time starts' at 1 o'clock. The committee In charge has prepared an Interest ing program, l.ocal Kotarians will assist in the distribution of Christ mas cheer, AI'IMI MMKHN APPOINTHII The court has appointed C, W. Ifsrdt, Warren H. Heiin and John Do- Gray as appraisers of the property of the Halifax Water company which the borough officials want to buy, DR. C. T. GEORGE, PROMINENT AS DRUGGIST, DIES Served Long as Secretary of State Pharmaceutical Ex amining Board DR. CHARLES T. GEORGE Dr. Charles T. George, pioneer druggist in the West End of Harris burg and for many years secretary of the State Pharmaceutical Exam ining Rourd, died at 3 o'clock this morning at his home, 1306 North Third street. Nearly everybody In Harrlsburg and thousands of men throughout Pennsylvania knew Dr. George, who was for a long period a dominating figure among the druggists of tho state. He always stood for the high est ideals in the profession and was Instrumental In eliminating many evils practiced by unscrupulous dealers. Thousands of young men took their pharmaceutical examina [Continued on Page S.] Pretty Girls Adopted as "Godmothers" Liable to Choke Mail Service By Associated Press With the American Army In France, Monday, Dec. 24. The American expeditionary force wishes to discourage the budding practice of American women in "adopting" Individual soldiers In Franco for the period of tho war, The practice al ready threatens to choke the' con gested mail servloe and result in de lay in the transmission of Important matter, Moreover, tho censorship regulations forbid tho men to cor respond with strangers and as this rule, is being enforced rigidly It Is desired that the people at home re train from putting them in an em barrassing position, as they feel un der obligations to answer such com munications, An example of the interest certain women at home are taking in "adop tions" is an advertisement which has reached headquarters, showing the picture of a pretty girl and urging soldiers without godmothers to write to a given address, LAUDER TELLS AMERICANS TO i FIGHT TO END No Truce With Prussianism,- He Says; Sings Another New and Stirring War Song "Turn your silver dollars into silver bullets, men, and shoot straight." Get solidly together, stand | more closeiy shoulder to shoulder | than ever you did as a people before I and make yourselves shareholders iin the bank of humanity. If dollars will give back a son to his mother ! again, don't withhold the dollars, I Don't measure your dollars in the | lives of men. The men at the front I don't hesitate when the call comes !to go over the top. Eaeh man does | his best without question. The talk lin the trenches Is not of how any ; may dodge his duty or get away : from the lighting, but 'when will the | next push come.' So must it be with ! every man in this room." In this vein Harry A. Lauder, ; the world-famous Scotch singer, j who has lost an only son in France, talked to the men of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Com merce, who gave him a luncheon at the Hoard of Trade at noon to-day. IJONCS His Son Lauder had worked and saved up a fortune of two millions of dollars that his son might have a place of prominence In the life of Scotland. A great estate had been bought for him and a bright future was in store —and then came the war. Jjiuder's son to the front as an officer, and one sad day his death along the fighting front in France. louder visited his grave and before the lit tle cross that marks it on a shell scarred hill, he vowed to devote the remainder of his life to service for his fellow man, Every penny he had went Into the purchase of war securities and nearly all the inter-I est from these goes into the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A, and other forms of war work. Then he started out to preach the gospel of war against the Hun, and he has done wonderful work In stirring Amer icans to a realization of what the war means. Arthur D. Baconf, former president of the Rotary Club, presided at to day's luncheon and recalled that it was for the Harrlsburg Rotary Club two years ago that had writ [Continued on Paeo B.] SENT TOBACCO TO SOMUEHS The lodgers of the P. O. S. of A., the Red Men, the Independent Amer icans and the Nlnety-Niners, meet ing in the hall at Nineteenth and Derry streets, joined together in sending packages of tobacco and chewing gum to their members in the Army, Tho packages contained each a box of 50 cigars, tobacco, clgarets and cigaret paper beside the chewing gum. MINERS RESUME WORK Hazleton, Pa., Dec. 28. —All (he! mines of the Lehigh Coal fields were! in operation today with practically! complete forces of men, Although it has been customary to close the mines In former years on the day! after Christmas, miners this yearj agreed to work all week including New Year's in order to maintain a maximum production on account of the war. Single Copy, 2 Cents HOME EDITION BOLSHEVIKI NOW FACING DISASTER; DISORDER GROWS Lack of Authority, Objection] to Work and Poor Food Arc 1 the Reasons Given MO R E DRUNKENNESS j Fighting Is Last Thing Maxi malists Arc Willing to Do or Intend Doing Tjondon, Dec. 26. There have been occasional assertions In recent Petrograd dispatches that the in fluc and power of the Bolsheviki was waning, but never with such I unanimity as in dispatches dated I from the Russian capital Sunday and printed to-day. Nearly all make the point in one form or other that de fection from the Workmen's and Sol diers' organization is drawing con stantly. Among the causes alleged are general lack of authority the in crease in drunkenness, the reluctance of the population to work and the scarcits of foodstuffs. The main desire of the soldiers Is said to be for peace. The correspondents cite instances of Bolsheviki troops refusing to march, declining to attack the Ukra [Continued on Page 3.] Many Attend Fanners' Week at State College State College, Pa., Dec. 26.—Hun dreds from every county of Pennsyl vania met today for the twelfth an nual farmers' week at State College. The sessions continue four days. Since Farmers' Week became a I fixture in the agricultural program | of the college there has never been a keener interest in the improvement of farming. To match this spirit on the part of the soil tillers those directing the conference are present ing a program of great importance. During the week lectures and demonstrations will be given by 111 speakers, mostly men and women in the employ of the state agricultural institutions, or experts in some line of work connected with the farm. * # 4 COMTTROLLER MAY IJE R. R. ADMINSTRATOR T . # Wa unfcton, Nov. 26.—John Skelton Williams, §• | * comptroller of the currency, was being discussed to-day J •* in official circles as the most probable selection for fed- 4 f l s *r j # eral rai road administrator, should President Wilson de- fc ** cidc to appoint one. jf* I Washington, Dec .26 -The Senate Military Corn- "F !'m itte' in tigation of the Army'-a preparations tor war J | r was resumed to-day niter a short Christmas recess with * 1 T* | • Quartermaster General Shnrpe again on the stand to I give testimony regarding clothing and other supplies, 11 j* cantonment contracts and thfe transporation and ration- * <|t ing of troops. ¥ t t PLOT TO I'OISON BANDAGES FRUSTRATED • r ¥ 4 Cleveland, Dec. 26.—A plot to poison Red Cross X bandages and spread wholesale death among the soldiers * * 4 t America and her allies has been exposed and frustrated * X ■ Revclatii n pf the conspiracy were made to-daj # * • v hen it becamo known that Department of Justice agents 'f ► T * 4ft wciv. iinnt;;-jj the perpetrators X "■'* ¥ i* f AMERICAN TROQPS GUARD OUTLETS } '|l • Marfa, Texas. Dec.*26.— American troop? to-day Were jr gu . iutl ts to Van liorne Canyon, where 100 • . . . It JL Me: ian t indits on Christmas; morning crossed the Amcr- ( X rder, t lided the post office and general store on ,* 1 •? ranch, miles southeast of here. ' , NOTHING SPECIAL ON BRITISH FRONT * | lon, Dec 26. —"There was nothing special to. re * . j ort," on the. British front in France yesterday, says the # | T••• ■ icfa] sta > ment issued to day by the v.ar office. • ► | MOTOR FLEET REACHES'MARYLAND LI 4 .. | ! J r ladelphia, Dee 27.< The fleet, of thirty-six United n| || States Army motortrucks w|uch utilized the Lincoln J |i highway through Pennsylvania for a test trip with sup J * T* plies frqm the west, was- expected to pass over the state I * m border to-dap Word received in this city by Colonel | 7 Lewis E. Bcitler of the Pennsylvania Committee of Public * * Safet;, indicated that the convoy would reach Carroll, '* * X Md . to n'c'it. * * A ;; $ MARRIAGE LICENSES'I' (itil|pr Oraullo anil 'lVr*n lntrrlrrl, Strrlton; Arthur S. * * -'t l.rlto.v, l*hlln<lrl|>hln, and I.coin A. Khnrr, llarrlnliurst J. C, . m ! I'nliiijrn, nnd Klorrnrr Jl. Ilrnril, niilillftiinni Merrill A. I.tiltfl, *?* l uMlrxvlllr. anil I'curl llrrklrl, Kllsiibrlhvillri Irwin T. Smipr, II I -A < Hnmmflln, and Ktbel \V Jackan, Unltlnioret llarrr W, Smith M f and Abhlr M. Miner. Hnrrlaburgi Charlea I). Rlaalnser and Ardclla 7> (>. Stabler, llnrrlahuru. 1 ¥ I SANTA CLAUS IN AIRPLANE GREETS FRENCH KIDDIES American Roys at Front Cele brate Christmas in Howl ing Snowstorm FEW STUNTS CANCELLED Score of Community Trees; Youngsters Get Presents Most Desired By Astactctei! Press With the American Army In France, Tuesday, Dec. 23.—The American expeditionary force in Frarc celebrated Christmas In a howling snowstorm which rolled in from the mountains in the early hours, continued all day and showed no signs of abating to-night. De spite the difficulties due to the storm few features of any program were canceled for most of the festivities were held in doors. Even the celebration at the quar ters of the American air squadron were carried out although a blinding snow swirled into the hangar where a tree had been erected for the chil dren of a nearby village. There Santa swooped down from clouds dripping white and with a pack on his back stepped from an airplane. ' His goggles, cap, red suit and sack **'•* were dusted heavily wtth snow [Continued on Page 12.] Stefanssen Party Safe at Fort Yukon By Associated Press Ottawa. Dec. 26. —Vilhjalmur Stefanssen, the Arctic explorer, last heard from in a letter received in March, 1916, has arrived with his party at Fort Yukon, according to word received by the Naval Depart - i ment.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers