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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1917-10-18, Page 7RAIN SAVED GERMANS FROM A STILL WORSE DISASTER Stopped Haig's Drive Before Ali Objectives Were Attained. Heavy Gains ---600 Prisoners- Huns Use British Shells From Russia. /amain Cable — The supplementary report issued Friday nigat from gen- eral headquarters follows: "FreSh at- tacks were begun on a wide front in Flanders to -day by Entente forces at - ter drumfire haa been directed on the area from the Lys to the Ypres-Menin road, and the battle is still in full swing. To the north of Poelcapelle and to the southwest of Passchendaele the fighting still goes on at some places where the English penetrated our lines." London Cable — Far the first time since he started his series of attacks against the ,German positions in Flan- ders, Field Marshal Haig ha.' had to cease an operation before ail the ob- jectives set out ror were attained, It was not the German guns, however, that stopped the British. It was a mare than usually heavy rainfall, which started during the battle, and turned the already swampy region over which the men were supposed to pass into a veritable quagmire fran which they could not untraek themselves for a forward move. The drive, as has been customary in Haiga strategy, was started in the early hours of Friday morning and extended from near the lioutholst Wood to below the Ypres-Menin road. At several points the British troops succeeded in gaining ground over fronts ranging up to a thousand yards, but there the rain intervened and the fighting ceased for the day. During the forward movement over the six - mile front the British captured in the aggregate about six htuidred prison- ers, The struggle was particularly bit- ter to the north of Poelcapelle and around Passchendaele. In the latter region the Germans apparently have massed their strongest array of troops, hopeful of being able to etaY a further press forward by the British toward the Ostend -Lille railroad. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. The official report from Field Mar- shal Haig's headquarters reads: 'We attacked at 5.25 o'clock this morning on a front of about six mile northeast of Ypres. "Progress was made along the en- tire front. Rain intervened, however, and it was decided not to make fur- ther efforts to reach the final objec- tives, which it had been planned to take. The prisoners taken during the day approximate 500." BRITISH CAPTURE BREWERY.. • A Reuter's despatch from British headquarters says: "The rain is "re- ported to have brought operations temporarily to a standstill. but we have gained possession or the brewery east of Poelcapelle, which has been the centre of strong German •re- sistance. At .noon to -day our 'troops were said to have occupied the crest of a farm on the left of the Passchen- daele road, and to be within about five hundred yards of the Passchen- daele thurch. "Recently the enemy has biien firing at us some of our own simile cap- tured from the Russians. The fact that they are oringing these so far in view of great transpoit difficulties ia significant." PUSHED FORWARD HALF MILE. R. 'I'. Small telegraphs from Brit- ish neadquarters at the front: "To -day's dawn again saw the great Britisn war machine set in action aeross the Flanders mud fields against the German pesitions north-east of Ypres. At an early hour the attack- ing forces had penetrated several hundred yards into the enemy's terri- tory along a sixanile front, extend- ing from a place near Houthoist Forest down below the Ypres-Roul- ers railway, mot were battling along the Passchendaele village. "The offensive started at 5.25 in the morning. The condition of the 'ground was appalling but by 7.45 the report came back that every- thing was going well, and the troops over a wide section of the front had pushed forward to a depth averaging g00 yards or more. Prisoners al- ready Were beginning to come in, al- though slowly, owing to the con- dition of fhe grout& "The enemy's artillery barrage was slow in response ;e• ehe hoar of at tack' and the fire was not severe, but tbe Germans were putting a heavy machine -gen barrage ail along the central and southern pertains Of the battle front, especially about., Brood- seinde Ridge • and the Ypres-Roulers, railway. "Between 4 and 4.B0 this morning a' large number of gas shells were thrown along the British front Hee, probably thdicating that the Ger- mans were were there was trouale ahead." PllaHING THEM OFF RIDGE, In a despatch filed early in the day, lleuter's correspondent writ: "When the British awl Anzacs to -day resumed the process of ;mailing the Germans off`whaI remains of their foothold upon the geeat ridge system to the east of Ypres, the weather had im- proved, and there was a crisp breate liloWing and a blue sky. 'Tho German:4 were again 'eaught tinexpecteely. Tiny could hardly have fititicipated that we shoeld strike again so soon or in seek .aeatheie but Field Marshal Haig, whom I saw yes- terday looking partitularly well, and wearing an air of complete eatisfec• tion, fully realizes the value of time when the enemy is still staggering un- der the shock of previous blows. "The scheme of to -day's battle was Vaught with the most intersating isibilities. More than thia I must not any. W6 hae driven,. the Germane practieally out"of the tvhole depth of their defenelve frant over a Width of several thousand yards, Tic' result is that the Germans Must now op - pale us. mare . than an any previous Nashua akies tho first battle et Vprea with tiodt and blood instead 1.1 dugouts, defo trenchea and cen- t retod red stOta. "They are now elsovolime tip end Planing wire with feveriali letete in the rear, but the dominant ridge 'ena- bles Us tO tate all nal shell the if frk- ers with disturbing effeets. The "pine x' takes a month to conetruct and cannot be buil; in we. Ar frosty weather. "A barrage, more terrific than here- tofore, crawled ahead of our lads storming soaring, with incandescent corruseations every yard it travelled. The enemy's artillery response was somewhat ragged. It is always den gereus to draw general conclusion$ from local symptoms, but many re- Perts are current to the effeet that the Germans are getting short of big - gun ammunition. Certainly their army ordere invariably admonish in heavy type to husband them as much as possible. "It was reported at 7.40 this morn- ing that our troops had gained their first objectives. Machine-gun fire appears to be the chief trouble, indi-- cattng that a large proportion of the German artillery has been withdrawn well to the rear." GARRISONED BY DEAD. Describing the night after the last advance, Perry Robinson, telegraph- ing from British headquarters on Thursday, writes: "On the evening oi that first day we knew only that at points all along our lines our men had reached the farthest point set for their advance. Then night shut down and with it came more rain storma. The Germans made no attempt to counter-attack. At half -past six in the evening heavy shell fire descended on our forward positions and was re- peated at eight in the morning, but no infantry came. Far worse than any shell fire or anything the enemy did was the night, with its conditions of storm and celd, out in those water- logged shell holes. The troops who `mopped up' later, we know now, found innumerable minor positions which had not been reduced, beyond which small parties of our men had penetrated and pushed on. Scattered fighting went on everywhere in iso- lated poets which were bolding out. Buell was the confusion that many of our wounded started to walk or crawl to the German lines, having lost all sense of direction. For a time no transport -carrying parties with sum Plies could get to the advanced posts though, heaven knows, they tried. The mere physical difficulty of progress through the ever -deepening mire, car- rying a burden, made it impossible, and everywhere sheltie were bursting on tale surface of the slime whipped by bullets. Slowly, as the morning came, the 'mopping up' troops pushed steadily . on so that allethe ground behind . them, was secure.. "A definite line began to shape itself. It was not epeil the final objective, but about two -third of the way towards it. Somehow the gallaut little groups which had pushed through the final . line were called back, or came back of their own accord, and a new continuoue position was formed witl Which communication could be held with supplies. The dead were very Many. Souie `pill -boxes' were found gerrisoned onn, by dead, killed by shell -shock. But the most significant thing of all is that the enemy failed entirely to 'come back.' " ENEMY AGENTS FILL MOROCCO Plotters Swarm Spanish Zone of Activity And Other Interests Are Protesting. POINTERS ABOUT PLOWiNG--HOW AND WHEN TO DO IT Most Important Op eration in Tillage—Essentials Explained See ond Article—By R. Summerby. While it is true Mat good plowing er one. The crown is completed by however, can only be attained through setting* up another furrow to meet much practice. this one. This mottled is ono that Just as there is no marked differ - can be used on either stubble or sod once between the furrows of the crown and those of the land, there should be little difference between these and the furrows at the finish. If anything, the ones at the finish should be slight- ly smaller; tor if heavier the result will be a broader, deeper finish, with higher edges, which may hold the water on the land after rains. A good finish must be adapted to the soil soil and subsoil, If the sub -surface sail is good, a deep, broad finishing furrow will result in a narrow dead furrow, which can easily be filled in with the discs, so as uot to interfere with the growth of the crop, and the piper working of implements. Where the subsoil is poor, a narrower, shal lower finishing furrow, followed by a couple of strokes of the disc har- rows, or by a round with a plow when the land is being prepared for seed- ing, will give the best results; while where soil is poorly drained a deep- er finish must be made to meet that condition, under same conditions Would not be consalered good in others, many of the principles willhold in all cases. Good plowing ot a given field implies land. It requires Only One round and that all land in that area should be a half to cempletelt, but, on the other plowed. in eitell a Way as to achieve hand, the surface of the land le not the deslred object most efficiently all cut, nor" it is plowed to its full with . the least farther work, Thiu depth. It is one of the best types for Monne that not only must the type of sod land, but is excelled by the Pre - furrow used be eulted to the condi- Timis ones for stubble, where espe- tiotea' and purpose, but also that the cially thorough work is desired. crown, the ridge itself, and the finish, One of the most common methods be adapted to that purpose. of setting a crown in either stubble or sod land is one in which a light fur- CRO'Will VERY IMPORTANT. row is thrown out and a 'heavier one A score card is here inserted which is thrown against it. Under certain embodies the important features to be conditions this will prove satisfactory considered in plowing. Percentage but too often results in this part of values have been placed opPotate the land forming a starting point for these points to show their relative weeds, through the lana not being importance, Ixi this particular case, cut and turned. Again, on stubble land the figures are designed to relate to plowing done on sod land in the fall. Other conditions will require that different relative values be placed on it sometimes happens that a plowman will attempt to start the land by throw- ing up two heave furrows one against another, in the pretence of making a each paint, for more attention must be crown. This is the poorest method Two different stages in the double scratch, double comb crown, a method that is used on heavy sod land and adapted to fancy plowing. By this method the two crown furrows are placed on two light scratch furrows, made by means of a high cutting share. Paid to some than to others, depend- possible, in that there is a wide strip ing upon the time of year, the type of lana uncut and unplowed, and of soil, and the object to be attained moreover it is difficult to plow the in doing the work. • first furrows to their full depth. Any Points considered Values dangers experienced in the previous Crown or commencement . 20 method, through grass and weeds be - Shape of land When plowed .20 coming troublesome, are much more Finish ... . .. ... 17 apt to occur here. Style and evenness of furrow ...18. A type oi commencement that is Straightness . . 10 suited only to sod plowing and partic- Covering ... , 8 ularly to heavy soils plowed in the Ins and outs , 7 fall, is illustrated by Figure 3. wTo light • scratch furrows are thrown to - Total... ... • • .100 gether by means of a high -cutting No part of the plowing operation re- share, and on these the two crown quires more attention than the com- furrows are placed, forming what is meneement, for not only is the crown called a double comb crown. This me - itself important, but upon it also de- thod is used where the commence - pends the degree of excellence of a ment is made in a previous dead fur- leege part of the remainder of the row, and is in more common use at work. Evidences.. of neglect on ,this plowing matches than in general prac- score are to beeeeen in many. of our tice. It cannot be claimed that all the -grain and hay fields, where tlie origin- sod is cut, but the position of the al commencement is marked by the 'crown furrows is such as to make presence .of some of our•worst weeds, conditions favorable to the • smother - such as' couch • grass, bladder cam- ing Of the grass, that still remains. -pion; ch1cory...ex-0e daisies, etc. This It is also one of the most difficult Part ,of theelend, on account of its ones to set, but when properly done •" Tanglere Cable — The recent es - care of the German submarine at Cadiz arouees indignation among the authorities.- the subjects ot the allied powers and the large Moslem and Hebrew population, who have al. ready often witneseed the distressful state of the crews of allied and neu- tral vessele landed here after their Ships had been sunk by submarines. the nefaribue inetigation of murder and massacre by the German Cense- late at Tetuan in .continually Supply - jag the retest army in' the Tan re - ;lone with anus and =been:Alen and -requireitents froii. the ports of the 'Spanish, Napa, .the feroci- ouspropaganda of sd-eallea eireuttals• from Alcazar. and German intrigues with Rafael!, ant} other chiefs. The Spanish resiaent-general at Jordana and (len. Barera at Larache have shown an honorable desire to guard the stricteet netarality, but unfortun- ately their example is not accepted and followed by others, Daily fresh 'proofs are arriving of the facilities given the German propaganda of crime. !Silence has been kept to° long. Germanizing of the Spanish sone in Morocco will Drove dangerous to the peace of Europe in future. Islamic Dowers like England and France can- not permit the installation in Span- .sli 'eloreee0, nine-tentlu3 of which Spain Ma not yet °Mune& of a great unchecked eentre of atiti-English and alai -French hitrigue amongst elosieM People,e. Already this •dailger is cost., .ng Franco lama of life and great ea- penditure in protecting the northern of her zone where it borders on Spanish territory. Spate meet remember he has other interests in her sone beyond the divi- dend of a few iron millets, The fact that she has not yet oecepied one- tenth of lior territory is no exetise for what the f14rmane are doing Its the other nine -tenant. ,also the tenth al- ready oeaupleci, The fact that the Spanish. Government le reported to have realized that the Cole batty for paeifying the zOtie Must be by a. vigorous tempaign and that preparations have already been un, dortaken to Carry out the tampaign In the spring Is eatiefactory if true, afs fixing a littit to the existing polies Of lethargy with ,iteeompalfying facil- Hide for German crime propaganda. The.style of furrow should be suit- ed to the conditions and aims, but as this bas been discussed it is unneces- sary to repeat it. Iashould, however, be as uniform as possible threughout. Gaps and flaps are serious objections in plowing, but if their prevention Is imposible, such as would be the case on stoney ground, the plow should be got back to its proper depth and width as son as possible. Evidences of poor plowing on this score are to be seen in many fields, and in such cases a poor crop and a prevalence of weeds is always the result. Straightaess ot furrow is a desir- able feature in plowing, but has not the relative importance that the inex- perienced is apt to believe. As will be seen from the score -card, several other points are considered of great- er importance. Its greatest value lies in its influence upon the typo of fur- row, and upon its bearing on the char- acter of the finish. It is also desir- able from an aesthetic standpoint, but this need not be emphasized here. In both sod and stubble land it is desirable that all grass, weeds or stubble be turned under, This is re- ferred to as "covering." Its import- ance is due to the fact that when grass or weeds are left protruding from between the furrow slices, they are apt to start and grow if oppor- tunity offers, whereas when turned under proper conditions are more fav- orable for their decomposition. More- over, if the grass is abundant in the uncovered condition, it seriously hin- ders the best action of cultivators and harrows, and, therefore, more work is required in fitting the land for the purpose desired. In the score -card above the heading "Ins and Outs" in included. Under this is considered the evenness, neat- ness and- abruptness of the furrow ends. Eacbfurrow slice should con- tinue -in its full size and shape to the head -land, and there be broken off abruptly. This is done by having the plowshare enter and come out of the soil as abruptly as possible along a straight line at the ends of the. land. Unless this is done a considerable Three progressive stages in setting an ideal crown on stubble land. Tvvo furrows are first thrown out and then the whole is•thrown together by one round to form the crown. This is the crown that more nearly ap- proaches the ideal, but requires three full rounds to complete it. • Ahalf round can be saved, as explained in the test, by working from the stage shown at the left. greater depth of soil and better con- ditions generally, should be producing the best part of the crep, Instead of forming a stronghold for weeds. An ideal crown is one that meets all the aims of plowing on that par- ticular part of the land. This involves that all weeds should be destroyed, and that as .far as possible the land should be cut and turned to the full depth of the rest of the plowing. Wben completdd, the crown furrow or furrows should stand out slightly above the others, but no marked dis- tinction should be possible. Further, when the soil settles after cultivation aud seeding, it should do so evenly, without leaving an inverted V-shaped ridge where the commencement was made. Different types of crown are, of course, itecessary to suit different conditions, A fevt of these in commoxt useaencluding those that are consica erect the best onedaare here discusS- ed: Probably- the crown that approach- es neakeet. to the ideal is one. in which two full rounds are first thrown outwards, and then.the whole is thrown together by a third one. This results in all the advantages meetioned above, but this type cannot well be used on sod land, Unfortunate'. ly, too, it requires much time, as it takes three full rounds before the crown is Completed. This method is illastrated in Figure 2, which shows throe different' stages of the opera- tion. The first figure will also serve to illustrate a second method, in which only one round is thrown out instead of two, and a strip about 6 inches wide Is left. This is then cut off with. the wing of the share but allowed to remain in place, and on It the crown is formed by turning the first furrowbeck by means of deep- er Mies. This is thus a modification of the firat Method and requires only two and a half rounds instead of three. A third method, which Is also a modification of the above, is one 'in which One complete round is thrown vitt, without leaving a strip in the 'centre. These two furrows are then thrown in to form a crown by Wow* big •Mere deeply, thus accomplishing the work In two full rounds. While neither Of these latter methods ore as Offielent as the first one, both are More quickly done and are oleo effi- denb enough for ordinary wark. Both are also best adapted to stubble !and. One stage of a Mirth style is ShoWil itt Vigtlre 1. Here a, light single fur- row haw been turned out and then thretVii back Into its place by a sleep- wifik,-41#0.10 lends itself well to a nicely shaped land and, moreover, the soil settles evenly in such a case. WHAT THE FINISH MEANS. Of the seven methods mentioned above, the first six are used in stub- ble land and ar discussed in order of efficiency for thorough work. The fourth, fifth and seventh are adapted to sod plowing, and of these the fourth one is probably the best adapt- ed for general work. No matter what method is used, however, the aims of the plowing should be kept in mind in this part of that operation. With regard to the shape ot land when plowed, it should be as level as possible, with a slight but gradual slope to the finish, and with no pro- nounced rise at the crown. If the land is heavy, and not well drained, this slope should be more distinct. Hollows and depressions in the land result in puddles of water after heavy rains ,and may this cause much dam- age 'during the growing season, while In the fall and winter they are apt to cause 'winter -killing in grasses, clov- ers and fall sown crops through the formation of ice. Much can be done toward filling in such hollows by a good plowman, by changing the depth of the furrow as the plow enters and comes out of the same. skill in this, 4 amount of land in this area will not be properly plowed. Apart from the discussion relative to types of furrow, nothing has been said with regard to the time of plow- ing. Clay soils and land that is not properly drained require the action of the frost to pulverize them, and should, therefore, be plowed in the fall. Moreover, if left until spring, it is often impossible to get on them to work before most crops should be seeded. Neither of these facts hold true with regard to sandy or gravelly soils,. and equally as good -crops can often be grown when plowing is done In the spring, providing it is done early, arid that the proper cultivation is given. Experiments with our most important grain crops, however, show so much advantage in favor of early seeding that it is advisable to do as much fall plowing as possible even on these soils, when intended for grain. Fall plowing, moreover, allows of the absorption and retention of moisture. When land is intended for corn, more time is available in spring before planting time and, under ordinary? conditions, well drained land of a sandy or gravelly nature can, if ne- cessary, be plowed to good advantage In the spring for this- crop. In a few cases only is it possible A Coed type crown for use In either sod or hi. lettlidg BRITISH RIFLE AND BAYONET HAD PLAY IN FRIDAY FIGHT Fierce Hand -to -Hand Struggle Followed the Rush For Passchendaele Ridge. Foe Knew Attack Was Eue, Eut Could Not Beat Off the "Tommias." (Special (labia by the Associated Press.) 'British Front in France and Belgium. Oable—There has been more rifle and bayonet work to -day than in the last battle or two in Flanders. The inacaine guns, however, played an im- portant pert of the German defense. The enemy fought better than usual in seine places, but in others he has shown a lack of fighting spirit. The Germans evidently guessea in advance that the attack was to be lauuehed at daybreak. During the night they shelled the communicating roads and front lines. heavily, and as early as 2 o'clock this morning they threw a large number of gas shells along the British forward positions, As the attack began the enemy main- tained a heavy machine gun barrage ;Mr large sections of the front. On the right of the advance, which roughly was in the direction of Pass- chendaele, the British were faced with the greatest difficulty, About the Ravesbeek River the ground was aw• ful, In addition, there were numerous strong German positlo.ns along the slopes of the Passchendaele ridge which dominated the advance, and made it possible for the enemy to pour heavy machine gun fire into the approaching troops. The Germans, knowing that the attack was coming, were ready with a merciless fire when the British pushed forward. In the wood southwest ol; Passchendaele there was • a coacrete pill -box, and many machine gun forts improvised out of debris. The British -charged this place with the bayonet, and hard hand-in-hand fighting followed. But the enemy holden; of the position finally were killed or captured or forced to flee. Here and at other potato along the battlefront many Ger- mans were killed with cold steel. Bellevue, 1,500 yards west of Pass- chendaele, was another point that held up the 13ritish advance with ma- chine gun fire, Bellevue is located on a spur witich rises above the sur- rounding ground, and there were many German pill boxes packed on this elevation. The fire from these strongholds was incessant. There was also hard fighting about the copse just to the northwest of Bellevue. North of Wallemollen the depth of the attack gradually tapered off as it swung northwestward toward the Houthoist forest. Here grave daft culties were encountered along the Lekkebotherbeke and Broenbeek ers, where the grouna was a horrible mass or seemingly bottomless mud. The latest reports received were to the effect that .the British had driven the Germans from their brewery stronghold in the eastern outakirts of Poelcapelle, and had pushed on be- yond. Just how far they continued to advance it is impossible to say at this hour. to do away with plowing, This will hold true on well cultivated and light soils, after potatoes, roots, and, HuN RAIDER in some cases, corn. It must, however, be replaced by thorough and deep surface tillage. On the heavier soils, and -on those that have not been thor- oughly ,worked, plowing will prove the most efficient and economical method of preparing the land for grain crops. Light, well drained corn - land that has been thoroughly culti- vated, may be fitted for the follow- ing crop by 'running a furrow along each row, deep enough to turn out the corn roots. This should be done In the fall, and if followed by thorough cultivation in the spring, may be the best way of preparing the seed bed for grain and for seeding sown on this land. • Although present 'day conditions make it imperative that the operation of plowing be accelerated wherever possible by means of gang plows, and ,in some cases, that it be replaced by the more speedy methods of till- age, it still requires to be thoroughly done. It is yet the most important operation in cultivation, but must be followed by other implements to com- plete the work if its best results are to be realized. The slowness and ex- pense of the operation makes this all the more necessary. Good plowing, followed by intelligent tillage to com- plete the work, would go a long way towards making "two blades of grass grow where one grew before," and would place agricultural production In Canada on a much higher level than it now is. —The Canadian Countryman. DUTGH MATERIAL1 FOR HUN FORTS Blockade Minister Explains Cable Embargo. Holland Makes Nasty Reply to Charge. London Cable — The prohibition of all commercial cable communication with Holland until such time as the Netherlands Government places an absolute reatriction on the transit of sand, gravel and scrap metals through Holland from Germany to Belgium, \vas explained to the Associated .Press to -day by Lord Robert Cecil, the Min- ister of Blockade. "The Dutch in recent months," he said, "have been allowing the Germans to transport across Dutci waterways from Germany to Belgium vast quan- tities of gravel and sand. The total was out of all proportion to that trans- ported in peace times and there ia not the slightest doubt. that the Germans are using enormous quantities ot con- crete in pill Nixes, • dugouts alai in many other ways, "The Dutch do not claim that the Germans should be permitted to trans- port material for this war concrete through Duteh territory, bUt they say the Germans have giveit them assur- ances that all this material is belng employed in strictly civil purposes. I have no doubt that the Germans have given such assurances, and there may he some juggle by which they are able to submit paper proof, but we have this feet—enormous quantities of con - elate are being used at the frontand an enormous quantity of concrete ina- torte' Is going into the war one through Holland. "We made repeated diplOmatie com- plaints, with no result, until we finally, decided, inasmuch as the Hutah liave no right to Use our cables, except as a mutter of courtesy, the,t, we should my to the Dutch we cannot see our way to permit you the further use of our cables until something -is done about the transportation of conerete material. That's where elle enateer stand s at the present," OUFrioUs FATALITY AT CALOARY, Calgary Deport — A runaway hone on the MaeLead trail last night, after passing tIvo motor cars coming in the opposite Mention, jumped Into the third car el.(' instantly killed Mrs. M. 0. Pope, of Mackie. The driver of the ear was seriously Injured. On Monday last the Pope hOine, near Mackie, was destroyed with all effects, and Mra, Pope wag on her way to Calgary to purchase tiothing ta her Children, FOOLED BRITON "Seeadler" Passed Inspec- tion by Cruiser While Disguised as Lumber Carrier, 'WILSON RULES ALL COMMERCE Honolulu Cable — Details of hew the famous German commerce raider Seeadler, which preyed on allied com- merce seven months in the South Pacific before meeting her fate on the reefs of Mopeha Island, passed inspec- tion of a Britieh cruiser by assuming the disguise of a lumber carrier, were revealed here to -day by Capt. Hadar Smith, master of the American schooner R. C. Slade, one of the known victims of the German craft.. After capture by the British and aubsequent escape the Seeadler put into Bremerhaven, a German port, and in December, 1916, fitted out as a motor schooner under command of Lieut. von Luckner and a crew of 68, half of whom, according to Capt. Smith, spoke Norwegian. With forged Norwegian clearance papers and two four -inch emus concealed by a deck -load of lum- eer, the vessel put _to sea, encountered British cruiser, passed inspection, mounted her guns and proceeded to sink thirteen veseels in the Atlantic, ,wo of them Britishers. Capt. Smith said. The final capture in the Atlantic was. French barque, on which 300 of ,,the deeadler's prisoners were put and sent ‘.o Rio de Janeiro. The Seemlier escaped pursuers and rounded Cape Horn, the mediately beginning a campaign of lestruction in the South Pacific. Depredations of the Seeadler, a con- verted American vessel, were an nounced by the Navy Department on Oct. 4. .•• HUNS OUTFLANK RUSSIAN ARMIES Have Seized Islands in Gulf of Riga, Which Means Threat to Capital. London Cable — The 'Germans have landed troops on the Islands of Oesel and Dago, in the Gulf of Riga, according to a Reuter despatch from Petrograd Oesel and Dago 'elands are at the entrance to the Gulf of Riga, and Provide easy access to the mainland over small intermediate islands. They are off the coast of the Russian Pro- vince of EsthOnia. Dago island is about 200 miles from Petrograd. Its Position derives additional importance from the tact that it is almost at th.e month or the Gulf of Finland, at the bead of which is Kronstadt, which de - feeds Petrograd. Omel Island le nearlY 100 miles north of Riga, which the Germane captured recently. The landing of Ger- inan troops in Eethonia Would threa- ten the outflanking of the Russiait line, and probably conipel a retreat on a. wide Seetion Of the front, if in- deed it did not opea the way to Pet- rog,rad Itself. A rally/ay line follows the coast all the way from Hama!, °prolate Dago Island, to Petrograd. Oeeel Island, the larger of the twO. is 45 miles long and hale an area of 1,010 square lailleks, and a Poptilation 0f about 00,000, It has a difficult ooastline, in the forin of precipitous limestone Cliffe. Issues Order Taking Great Powers Granted Him. Last Hope of Aid to roe Agents Gone. THE ENGINEERS, Brantford', Iterort.-At a conference of Stationary engineers, held here under the Auspices of the total lodge, it was decided to appeal to the Provinetal tlovernment to divide certificates for Audi engineers into three classes. with the lowest com- pulsory upen All engineers, firemen, night watchmen And Janitors in charge oc steam plants. It was elleged that there Aro many steams plants operated where the man in charge has no quallfieetione for the position. President Gofton,,ICia chener, Peat President Cosford, of Ham. ilton; MPftfletl. Lyons, London; Bele and 6:Meet, Hainilten, all gavo brief teldresta as, urging greater prreautions. Washington, Oct. 14, President Wil - sou an EaecutiVe order to -night by the sweeping terms of whiCh he put Jut° effect practically all of the great pOWers vested in, aim by the provisione of the trading with the enemy oat, one of the most drastic pieces of leeslation that has passed an American Congress, By the regulations set forth, the President twat over complete control of American commerce and trade, both as regards exports and imports, and prescribed, in careful detail, the conditionon which trading with "enemy" interests May De carried on. One provisions is that no cent of the money iavolved shall be permitted to be contributed to the welfare of eneniy countries. Provisions of far-reaching conse- quence are mare for the taking over, when deemed advisable of enemy property in the United States by an alien property custodian to be named by the President. It is further pro- vided that enemy -bale patents maY be used to aid in the winning of the war. To throw every possible safeguard around information which might get to the enemy, the Preeident created a Censorship Board, with full powers to censor cable, radio, and mail eoni- munication. Censorship of the foreign - language press is vested in the Post- master -General. Some of the war -time machinery already in existence was reorganized by the terms of the order. The Ex- ports Administrative Board goes out ot existence and is replased by the War Trade Board, which will super- vise exports and imports, and consider applications for licenses to trade with "enemy" firms, thus making it pos- sible to shut off coal from South -Am- erican public utilities now le German hands, if it is deemed expedient. Foreign insurance companies in the United States will pe subject to a li- censing system which will be control- led by Secretary McAdoo, of the Treas. ury Department, who also will retain control of shipments of gold, silver bullion and currency. Vance McCormick, chairman of the Exports Administrative Board, will remain as chairman of the War Trade Board, and the present person- nel will not be changed. A repre- sentative of the Treasury Depart- ment will be added. A War Trade Council will be organized to act in an advisory capacity and will include the present members of the Exports Coun- cil, and Chairman Edward M. Hurley, of the 'United States Shipping Board. The additional powers thus vested In the various branches of the Gov. ernment's war machinery, It is believ- ed, will make it possible for the Un- ited States to cut off absolutely the last vestige of hope of German agents to get aid to their nation. The law provides heavy penalties for the punishment of those engaged in such traffic. • . POOREST APPLE CROP ON RECORD Yields From 10 to Less Than 40 Per Cent. Other Fruits 4s Well Are Very Poor. A Toronto report: The September report of Dominion Fruit Commie - stoner Johnson shows that this year's apple crop in Ontario is the smalleet on record since the Province really began to grow apples in a commercial way. In a() one district will there be a 40 per cent, crop, and the one section in which this figure is even approach- ed is in the valleys of the St. Law- rence and Ottawa, where fruit -grow- ing Is, at best. a very minor line of activity. In Prince Edward country, one of the heavier producing district, a 30 por cent, crop is counted on; In the Georgian Bay district and along the front of Durham county, also im- portant apple sections of the Province, the yield is not expected to exceed 10 per cent. September sunshine has giv- en a fine color to the fruit, but worm holes and fungus will force the bulk of the crop below No. 1 grade. Re- liance for domestic needs must be largely placed on Nova Scotia, which has a moderate crop of well -covered and generally clean apples, according to Commieeioner Johneon's report, The situatton is all the more un- fortunate by reason of the fact that other fruits as -well as !tiptoe are short, Peaches in the Niagara dis- trict are only a 50 Der cent, prop, and the trop is still lighter in Western Ontario. Peal* in the Niagara dietrict are also only half a crop, and bhe best report outelde of Niagara pointe to a 25 per cent. yield. Plums have given equally light ylelde, and the supply of grapes will be greatly shortened, owing to the failure to mature as a result of adverse conditlone In Miring and early summer. Tomatoee, which May also be eonsIdered as a fruit crop, wore held back by cold, wet weather early in the seasoh ,e.ad yielde have been eliOrtehed by early auttnieft treats, Taking everything together, 1917 will rank tie the poorest year to date in the history of Ontario fruit groia Ing. Priced have beeu high, but not nearly high enough to Offset, redue- tion in production. HUN RAILWAYS SHORT OF PUEL. 1.ondon, Cable. --The German state rall%ays are faced with it, great short- age of fuel and (trestle litultation of traffic has begun, aceording to reports icsehing hero. The railways propose to levy heavy OXCtAtl fares on exprem train,* eo es to dlecourare eiimeot tinavelde ebb* bustneas journeys. targe number of faat traina have been ellinlimted frcut Ute winter time tables. The Wurtent. berg rallWays will charge heave eiteeles farce for traffie on Saturday effernoons and Sundays. ,The edge of a eileneo elOth should be finialied with a button hold atiteh; A IteM Makes a ridge under the table- eolth. Don't button Wale it tee elOoek