Loading...
The Wingham Advance, 1917-09-27, Page 7HELD ALL GROUND CAPTURED; ADVANCED AT MANY POINTS Betweel 3,000 and 4,000 Prisoners Taken by Britisii—German Dead Cover Field. Many Stung Counterttacks About Menlo Road Were Repulsed. British Headquarters in France, cable: German officers taken pris- oner in Menne road battle were im-, pressed greatly with the magnitude of the British success, and have expressed keen diesatisfaction with their own higher command. They freely admit the great efficiency of the British ar- tillery preparation before the attaek, and characterize as awful those tre- mendous barrages which swept over the German territory ahead of the as - vaulting troops. The vast nuinber of German bodies which lie in the muddy shell holes within the territory traver- sed by the British and the devastation wrought by the big guns give added stringent in their testimony. London cbie says: The number of German prisoners taken by thellritish in yesterday's 'fighting on the Belgian front now exceeds 3,000, according to the British War Office statement to- night. The British repulsed several strong counter-attacks of the enemy, who suffered exceptionally heavy losses. The text of the statement follows: L'vening—"Farther evidence shows the continuous and obstinate nature of the enemy's counter-attacks yesterday in which he suffered exceptionallY heavy losses and gained no advantage. "During to -day fighting of a minor character has taken place on differ- ent parts of the battle -front. We have advanced our line at a number of points and have beaten off further German counter-attacks. This morn• ing English county troops attacked and captured a collection of German trenches and concreted strong points south of the Tower Hamlets, "Later in the day the enemy laun- ched a powerful counter-attack against the Tower Hamlet ridge. This attack was repulsed after heavy fighting. East of St. Julien regiments from Liverpool and Lancashire gained possession of a fortified farm, where a party a the enemy had succeeded in holding out during a previous attack. These regi- ments also cleared up a number of dangerous and strong points lying in front of their position. This evening another German counter-attack eat Langemarck was broken up by oar ar- tillery. "The number of prisoners taken by us in yesterday's fighting so far le - ported exceeds 3,000.' HELD BACK RESERVES. ;British Front in France and Bel- gium cable says:The importance of the mew ground won liee in the fact that .that it waG high ground, taking in the ridge on which the Anzacs' flag no wflies, and extending southward and constituting the keystone of the German defences here. Over this the onrushing British yesterday swept with irresistible force. The British infantry did not pro- ceed without oppositiop to their ob- jective, but the details of the fighting show no particularly spectacular fere tures. The whole question was a most as- tounding performance, but it was ac- complished with such clock -like regularity that it left one gasping, It was as though one had witnessed the wiping out of a city by a huge dyn- amite mine, which doeG its work in- stantaneously. The German prisoners clearly feel the weight of the blow inflicted. They are dazed by it, and many of them look on the situation as dark Indeed for their forces. Virtually every counterattack the Germans have attempted since the of- fensive has been shattered by artillery and machine gun fire, and the enemy undoubtedly lost a great number of men in these abortive attempts. Throughout yeeterday he struggled determinedly at many placee to regain the ground Met, but as each attempt , was broken in a deluge of explosives ' burled into his make, he finally itdopted the attitude of waiting, and during the night offered little opposi- tion to the victorioee forces opposite him. Yesterday'e fighting from Lange• marck southward to the Ypres. Routem railway was largely among strong concrete and eteel redoubts, with which this section le pitted. Roee Farm, Quebec Farm and many other Well -defended pceitione fell before the British. In most instances their capture was accomplished after the troops had forged forward through mud and water and aurrounded them in the face of machine-gun fire. 00UNTER-ATTACKS. FAILED. Many Germans lost their lives in the region south of Lahgemarck. Along this section the enemy attempt- ed six Counter-attacks during the day the _first being essayed as early as ten o'clock, but in nearly every instance they were met by such a murderous artillery fire that they were forced to withdraw, leaving large nurabers of dead and Watuided on the field. Early in the afternoon a' °Limn • of 2,000 Germans; advanced- frem the. direction Of OCet Rieuarkerke for, e cOuhter-attack, As they proteedid through-attaek. As they proce.cdee through the village they came ender the artillery fire and aeroplanes net.. reseed them continu.allY. The ern. pioyment of gas shells by the British forted the Gerntens to eat ea gas Meeks, and they oroceeded lit this miner to the front, where they de- ployed In waves and atteeked at two points. .0ne of the atteeking forcee was smashed to plecee wirli artillery find Machine-gun fire. The Wend Wee pertly eticceseful end of Lange. friarek, but soon Was forced back and eittfered the sante fate as. the Other. A strong GerMan position on the high ground south of the Lange- Marek-Zonuebeke road Wm captured by the British troops early in the day. As Mu Nvgs an important defence the. Gernialie delivered a limey eoanter- attaek here last night and Intee hand- to-hand fighting developea, In whin the bayonet Was used freely. 'The Germans Were forted to withdraw at ter ft ehert bet deeleive I Atilt. AlISTRALIANS' FINE! 'WORM Smith of the Ypreeelloulere Railway the Aitstrailan trOopti tarried eilt the early stageOf the task Without en. Conritoring many snags, but they were ounter,attacked quickly, and sharp fighting followed at many placee, They had reached their final objective, which carried them well east of the Nun's Wood, the Glencorse Wood, and into the western Part of the Polygon Wood, a little after 10 o'clock, and in Venni places the outposts had gone a donsiderable distance in aelvance of the main line. The terrain over which they had to travel represented some of the most difficult ground in this section, but the artillery had made mattere easter by ernasbing twist ot the shell -hole defences and shattering the forests which clothed the eleva- tions. THE GERMAN VERSION. Berlin cable says: Britisb troops at Paseehendaele and Gheluveit, on the Belgian front, at times yesterday pressed forward for a distance of more than two-thirde of a mile, says the official statement issued to -day by the German general staff, which reads: "Western theatre: Army group of Crown Prince Rupprecht—Troops of the Fourth army fighting under the leadership of Infantry -General von Arnim have successfully withstood the first day of the third battle of Flan- ders. "The fire effect of the last few due, presaged a powerful effort on the part of the English and the concentration of figlat means employed by the enemy on Sept, 20 on a front of 12 kilometres (I% miles), reached the limit, of its intensity at Hoechstmass. "Behind a formidable wave of the most intense drum -fire from guns and inine-throwers of D,11 calibres,. there advanced to attack in close formation in the morning, between Langemarck and Hollebeke, at least nine British divisions, inciuding several Australian divisions, which were often supported by armored cars and flanie-throwers. "After fluctuating fighting as a re - stilt of the attack, the enemy was able to advance as much as one kilometer deep, into our derence zone, and at Passchendaele and Gheluvelt the en- emy at times passed further forward. West of Passchendaele he was pressed back again by our counter-attack. North of the MenineYpres road, a por- tion of terrain remained in his hands. "In all the other sectors of the battlefields, the English, sustaiaing the heaviest losses, were thrown back into the crater field or our fighting zone by the stubborn and heroic fighting of our troops, which lasted until late in the afternoon. Reinforcements of the enemy, which were newly brought dp into the fire throughout the evening, were not able to gain any further ground. The villages situated within the fighting zone are all in our pos- session. "So far this morning the English have not resumed the,battle. As in the termer battled in Flanders, our leaders and troops reached the high.- eet point cf Efficiency." CANADIANS DECORATED Long List of Awards After Lens Battle With Some Gallant Deeds Recorded. (By Stewart Lyon, Canadian Press Correspondent with the Canadian Forces.) Canadian Headquarters In France, Sept. 23.—In connection with the bat- tle of Lens the following awards have been made for conspicuous gal- lantry in action: Distinguished Service Order—Act- Acting Lieut. L. E. Jones, of a west. - 'ern Ontario battalion; acting Major A. F. Miller, of an Eastern Ontario bat- talion; Lieut. Allan Cockeran, of an Eastern Ontario battalion; Acting Lieut. -Col. W. H. Brown, of a New ,Brunswick battalion. Liettt. Cockeran gets hie decoration for a very gallant act, When his battalion was attack- ing during the battle of Lens, it came under heavy fire from a machine gun on a slag heap. Taking with him two men, Lieut. Cooke= rushed forward, climbed a slope and personally killed the gun crew. On trying to carry off the gun he found there was a booby trap attached to it. He tnrew the gun from him, Whereupon the trete explod- ed and the gun was brought In. Al- though wonded in action, Lieut. Cockeran refused be go to the rear, and later in the day while scouting i11 some ruined houses in front of tti:e neerposition, accompanied he two 'ffenr-connireatieohed officers, he got a party of Germans, including two staff officers, all of whom were killed. Next morning Lieut. Cockeran aided in repulsing a very severe counter- attack, and lat hand-to-hand fighting accounted, for several of the enemy. In this action he was severely wound- ed, but was carried in. Major Miller'a deceration Was Won hi the same engagentent. Twice the enemy drove our men out ot their newly -Won positions and twice he led them back, finally holding the ground. 41e accounted for several Germans with his revolver during the struggle. Military .Cross—Lieut. Leonard A. Reid, Of the Canadian Field Artillery'; Captain D. 3. Corrigan, of a centra.I Ontario Wealth:el; Captain J. D. Bell, of a Western Ontario Batten Lieutenant F. W. Fenton Of a Western Ontario battalion; Capt. Allan Parker, C.A.M.C.; Capt, E. H. McCusker, C.A.M.C.,• Captain Frank ilft Dtnthant, Lieut. A. J. It. Craig, of a Western Ontario batten ion; Acting -Major 13. M. Clarke, con- tral Ontario battalion; ActIng-Capt. R. W. Gatti), central Ontario battalion; Capt. It. N. Jape, central Ontario bat- talion; I, M. Bennett, entre! °Marie battediell; 1.40Iet, W. Wald. rcentral Ontario hattallen; IP. U. Canaan, central Ontario bat. telioe; Lieut. J. 0. E. Audette, east - era Ontario battalion; 4out. E. 3. Wood, eastern Ontario battalion; Lt. 3. D, Davie, eastern Ontaria battalion; Lieut. 3. 11. L. Irwin, eastern Outer - to battalion; Acting -Major II, Chasse, Quebec battalion; Lieut. le. II. 1Vior- gam Quebec battalion; Lieut. N. W. Robbins, Quebec bataillon; LieUt. A. Durnate Quebec battalion; Lieut. A. Payette, Quebee battalloa; Lieut. P. E Cole, Quebec battalion; Lieut. W. Morgan, Quenec battalion; Lieut G. E. LaMothe, Quebec battalion; Lieut. P. 4. Guay, Quebec battalion; Lieut. G. B. Hallett°, New Brunswick battalion; Lieut. R, A. Maier, New Brunswick battalion; Licata, R, Smith, New Brunswick battalion; Act- ing -Capt. T. H. Fisher, NoYa Scotia battalion; Lt. C. 3. Orem, Nova Scotia battalion; Lieut. J. A. McCapius, rna- chine gun corps; Lieut. R. F. Merrick, machine gun corps; Capt, A. 5, Diwes Cauadian Field Artillery; Lieut. L. C. Spence, Cle.A.; Lieut. A. S. Fennell, C.P.A.; Lieut, T. 11. Lockett, Royal Engineers, Distinguishea Conduct Medal— Corp. S. Finnktter, of a British Colum- bia battalion; Lance -Corp. S. Temper- esq, central Ontario battalion; Come Sergi:Major T. Jackson and Serge H. A. Templeman, eastern Ontario battalion; Sergt. C. Brusselments, Sergt. E. Keller and Corp. P. J, Bale lie, Quebec battalions; Sergt, J. Vass, Corp. W. Oakley and Pte. C. P. D. E. Bow, New Brunswick battalions; Sergt, D. R. C. Grant, Serge Kilpat- rick and Pte, J. Lacey, Royal Irish Regiment. • • • MCOBSTADT IS HUNS' PREY City On River Dvina, and 25-Mi1e Front, Taken. Russians Have Taken Up a New Line. London, Sept. 23.—Jacobstadt, on the Dvina, has .been captured by the German forces on the Russian front, together with the positions on a front of 25 miles and six miles deep on the west bank of the river, army head- quarters announced to -day. The Recelans, after giving up their bridgehead and the terrain it pro- tected, fled to the opposite bank of the Dvina, leaving Jacobstadt in Ger- man hands, together with more than 400 prisoners and more than 50 guns. The German aviators engaged in the operations at Jacobstadt were un- der the leadership of Prince Fried- rich Sigismund of Prucsia, cousin of Emperor William. Tne Petrograd official statement states that the Ruesians have fortified themselves on the right bank of the Dvina, Describing the evacuation of Jacobstadt the report says: "In the region of Jacobstadt the enemy yeeterday morning fiercely bombarded our •positions. particular- ly in t.he Doktemelburg sector, and also other pointe at our rear. At noon the enemy attacked, and after piercing our lines, occupied parts at our positions southwest of Admini. In tine sector some of our positions two miles distant from the Dvina also were captured. Our detachments, under the cover of our rearguards, retired to the right bank of the Dvina." After a battle on the Riga front yesterday Rueelan forces advanced in the region of the village of Rudna and nreeeed back the German ad. voiced guards, it was officially an- nounced to -day by the Russian War Office. Gen. Doukonine, chief of staff to the commander on the western front, has been appointed chief of staff to the commander-in-chief of the Rus- sian armies. The evacuation of Jacobstadt un- der German preeeure le not coneld- ered by some of the military writers to indicate an attempt to advance on Petrograd, farther than the capture of the whole Dvina line. The Birzhe- viya, however, says that a further ad- vance on this section is expected, and that the situation is serious, on which account (Premier Kerensky will remain at headquarters for some days more. Other newspapers explain „that M. Kerensky's absence from Petro- grad is due to his interest in the lo- cal Korniloff inveetigation. The Rechs' military writer predicts; that the 'German commander, General von tichhorn, aims to establish him- self on the right bank of the Dvina, and then begin operations againet the Dvinsk fortress by marching east along the Kreuzberg-Porche railroad.' The Provisional Government has decided to reduce the nuinber of men In the regular army, This decision wee reaehed tor two reaeone. First, because the country minuet remain longer without male Water, and, sec- ond, because it was thought desirable to relieve the army of men who are too old to fight, or who hese been wounded, and whose fighting capac. ity, therefore, is not great, It is be- lieved the measure will have import- ant financial results by reducingatlie total amount required for soldias' de pendents. ' to, HUNS TRYING TO BUY IN BRITAIN London, Sept. 23.—Dr, Christopher Addision, Minister without portfolio in charge of reconstruction, speaking et Iltaideysfield lag night, referred to the activity of the Germans, who, he coed, were endeavoring to obtain kip - plies of materials for naunitione and building from different parts Of the World. The Germans, he said, nave been making, and still are making, efforts to acquire control of great minerel deposits, even atteMpting to purchase theta in England (luting the war, ea. Patience—lee's vern niee to hie wife When they Etre out in compat v, but at home he acts like a bear. Patrice—Oh, to. he clown% She says he never huge hen—Yonkers Stateente,n. A South Floridian tens the Times., Union thee, (IOW floCSn't, fall. Now if he will Map things front falling duo he will confer 0, real favor.----Plorida Thnee-Union. Mrs. CralvfordenDoe't you think Your husband Would be happier if you let litre littee his oWn Way Ifiere,? Mee. Hehpeckeelle might be happier, Me dear, but t wouldn.t.---Life, • HID MICROBES IN CONSULATES UNDER U.S. FLAG Black Treachery by Huns Exposed in Bucharest, Roumania. 1.1.00,1••••.1101,,olonkal., TO POISON STOCK Strongest Explosions Also Secreted for Foe Use. Washington, Sept. 23.—"How Ger- many shamefully abused and exploit- ed" the . protection of the United etatee by secreting iu the German Legation at Bucharest, after the American Government had taken charge of Qermanyea affairs at the Roumanian capital, quantities or powerful expiceives for bomb plots and deadly microbes, with instruc- tions for their use in destroying horse e and cattle, was revealed to- day by Secretary of State Lanalug. It was another of the series of Mr. Lansing's disclosures of German in- trigue, made public without eomment In the same manner as the von Lux - burg telegrams which have brought Argentina to the verge of war with ,Germany, the von Eckhardt letter from Maxie() City and the von Bern- otorlf telegram asking the German Foreign Office for authorization to spend $50,000 to influence Congress. The lateat story is told in a report to the State Department from William Whiting Andrews, aecretary of the Legation at Bucharest, and a letter from Foreign 'Minister Porunibaru, of Roumania. . Parcele• and boxes taken into the German .Consulate at Buchareet witit display of great precaution aroused the suspicions of the Roumanian Government, On August 27, 1916, the evening prior to the date of Rota mania's declaration of war, some of the cases were taken to the German' Legation, located in a different build- ing from the Consulate. Convinced that the boxes were not taken away from the Legation by the German diplomatic miesion on its deearture from Bucharest, the Roumanian au- thorities later ordered the police to find and examine their contents. The police communicated with American Minister Vopica, then in charge of German interests, who reluctantly as- signed Secretary Andrews to observe the search. ADMITTED KNOWLDDGE. The boxes were founa burled in the garden of the German Legation. Air. Andrews' report said: "Upon my return from the exam- ination, which resulted in the discov- ery of the explosives and of the box of microbes, both of which the Lege - tion eervante admitted having placed in the garden, the former confidential agent of the German Minister, Dr. Bernhardt, who had been left with the Legation at the German Minis- ter's request to aesist in the care of German intereets, admitted his know. ledge of the explosives placed in the garden; told me that more were in the garden than had been found; that a still larger quantity had been bur- led in the house of the Legation, and that still worse things than tine box of microbes were contained in the Legation, and insinuated that they would have been found even in the cabinets of dossiers, which I had sealed. "Dr. Bernhardt also stated that all these objects had been brought to the German Legation after our Legation had accepted the protection of Ger- man interests, which agreed with the statement of the servants. A similar confeseion was made to the Miuister by this; man. "The protection of the United Stated was in this manner shamefully abused and exploited. In this instance, at least, the German Government can- not have recourse to its usual system of denial." Fifty-one boxes were taken from the ground in the garden. Fifty of them contained each a cartridge filled with trinitrotoluene, among the most powerful exploeives known, one fifth of each of one being sufficient to tear up a railroad track. In the other box were bottles of liquid found to be cultivations of the microbes of anthrax and glanders. It bore a seal showing that it carne from the German Consulate at Kronstadt, Hungary, and inside was found type -written note in German, saying: "Enclosed, four phials for horses and four for •cattle. To be employed as formerly arranged. Each phial is sufficient for 200 he'ad. To be introduced, if possible, directly into the animal's throat: if ,not, into their fodder. Please make a MU* report on the success obtained; in case of good results, the presence of Mr. Kostoff for one day here 'would be desirable." PROVEN INDISPUTABLY, Foreign Ministtr Porumbaru ac- companied his letters with documents to prove the origin of the boexs and their coutents. "It has been possible to prove in an indisputable way," he said, "that be - tore our declaration et war to Austria- Hungary, when observing strict neutrality and keeping up normal relations with the Gentian empire, the personnel of the Gerraan Legation, violating all rules of neutrality attd all duties of diplomatic missions, in- troduced clandeetinely eonsiderable quantities of an extremely powerful explosive and cultivations of microbee destined to effect demetitic anixnals, and in consequence susceptible Of pro - yoking terrible epidemics else among the buman population. "There can hardly be any doubt about the way by whin these sub- stances were introduced into Rata martian territory; the very stringent pellee measures an all frontier sta. tions taken by the Royal Itotnuaniati GovernMent eince the outbreak of the war, and continually made stricter sinte, prove sufficiently that. these eeplosives and mieorbes cermet have reathed this country otherwise than by diplerriatie courier. "On the ether hand, there dm be ne doubt Of the final object of the ine- Pertation inte Itounlarcia as Well as about the U80 tei which they Were assigned. The expleleivee and the Microbes Weid destined to be used in Reurnattia, very peoblibly In time of Deem Front all this it reenits that In time Of pence members of the Ger- mon Legation, covered 14 their int- munitY. Prepared in concert with the - Bulgarian Legatien the perpetuation on the terrinery ef a neutral and tete directed reeeinst ftflies(laitYet"te t g y 0, s state and againut the lives of its elibleete. "The Royal Government makes it its slay to proteet ageenet these Criminal practices, and espeeially against the Use et the microbes, an illegal weapou and certainly worse titan poison, the use Of whIch was formally forbidden by the fourth core ventiou of The Hague, as well as against this violation of the duties and of the loyalty which International law imposes upon diplomatic miselone as an exeliange for the privileges wince are guaranteed to them." HUNS AVOID BREAK By Humbling Themselves to Argentina, Buenos Airiest Argentina, Sept, 23. —Just as the Argentine Chamber ef Deputies was preparing to vote on the question of breaking dilpomatic rela- tions with Germany, an offieiel cont. munication was received from the Berlin Foreign Office. The note disap. proved of the idea expreseed by Count von Luxburg, the German Minister here, regarding Germany' "cruiser warfare." Tile word "cruiser" leaves some doubt as to whether or net Germany intends to modify her sub- marine campaign. However, a declare. tion of war by Argentina on Germany lime been postponed. In its ultimatum the Government demands a formal statement from the German Government on its tti. tude toward the behavior of its Min- ister, Count von Luxburg, and a repetition of the promises made re- specting Argentine shipping in eon - flection with the Toro settlement. FOOD SHORTAGE TELLS ON HUNS Prisoners in Late Battle Show Ghastly Pallor. Lack of FOod, With Defeats, Has Weakened. • London, Sept. 23.—Telegraphing to -clay from British headquarters in France, Reuter's correspondent says: "The situation is unchanged upon the new front created by Tnursday's great victory. The most satisfactory news means that the Germans' costly efforts have been in vein. What we nave we hold. "The guns roared with earth -shud- dering intensity all night long, but tor every cramp of British shell we have at least half a dozen blasts of British gunfire. "One now begins to bear some- thing of the features' of the battle from participants in it. It consisted entirely of open fighting on our side against coucealed fightlug on the part of the enemy. Apart from the admirable staff work which co-cirdi- nated all the infantry movements and the artillery work, there was little of a distinctive tat:Heal character. "The infantry bad to attack visible positions and to deal with the here- totore undisclosect ones as they went forward and the initiative of the regi- mental officers was one of the great contributory causes of the success. Occasional opportunities for display of tactical genius were always grasp- ed in the ablest manner. "The A.ustrallans are in extraor- dinarily high spirits over their suc- cess. They had anticipated a very inuch higher ratio of casualties than they suffered, knowing full well the tough task set them. It is no mere figure of speech to say that these splendid fellows are thirsting to be at the Huns again. It is the literal truth as expressed in terms of un- mistakable sincerity by an enemy prisoner who asked, "What can the Germans hope to do as man to inan against such troops?" 'The almost ghastly pallor of the Gernuen prisoners appears to indicate that short rations are doing their work in the Gei-man army. The .de - meaner of practically all officer pris- oners strikingly illustrates the chang- ed spirit of the enemy. Their atti- tude is that of tnen who have lost all confidence in the future. As usual the prisoners belonging to the differ- ent arms are indulging in mutual re- criminations, while all unite in derld, ink the German dirmen." Telegraphing last night, the corre- spondent stated: "The Germans are doing just what was expected of them, and for which we were fully prepared, 'namely, counter -attacking in great force.. The first began, at 6.5.0 last night against a wide front held by Draftee and Aus- tralian troops. The night being, good for aerial 'co-operation, oar ertillery did great work. The attackers were fresh troops, brought up from re- ser.''vTells oattackers, despite the intense artillery fire and heavy losses, press- ed an With great determination, actu- ally penetrating on a front of three hitndred yards, where desperate hand-to-hand fighting ensued. Oar supports, however, took up the strug- gle and the enemy wavered, they _be- ing infiladed from a number of pill- boxes and concreted shell holes which wo had recently taken. "Tho ground was soon piled up with copses, and by 0 o'clock tho ene- my was beaten back with heavy casualties. "Two very heavy counter-attacks felloWed further South, which were also beaten, and thotigh othera fol- lowed, each on A formidable scale, all Wero repulsed with great losses. Our casualties have been relatively light, Many of them beitig walking casesn The weather is inclined to be misty, but we have bei lucky on tho whole in. title respect." PittNell FRONT. Spirited Cannonade On the Banks of the Meuse. Paris, Cable. --The offIckil stritenirtt lesued to -night by the French War 0!- fkt "An enemy eurprIse &Week againat one of our small posts to the north of eotiy elided In failure. The terinorittde W& s tether epirited en both banks ef the Meuse, Calm prevailed everywhere else, "Avlittlon: During Weenesdae an a Thursdity, two Germarc rrieditities were brought down in the daylight awl two others, xerlottely damaged, everahnrced to land ulleg the Matt." e- t SOUKHOML1NOFF MUCH WRONGED Is His Counsel's View at Russian Trial. Says Spies Testified 'Under Year. ....01raml,•••••••••••••••••• Petrograd, Sept. 23,—General Soule- homlinoff, the former Minister of War, was depictee as the victim of a con- spiracy, in which M, Guchkoff, his for- mer friead, was the arch -conspirator, by Attorney Zacharin, the et -Minis- ter's counsel, in the closing arguments of his trial on a charge of treason. Dealing with General Soukhomlill- off's alleged 'relations with Altschul - ler, whom the prosecution charges with being a master spy, Zacharin de- clared that the only ground of preju- dice against Altschuler was that he was a Jew. "If Altschuler was a spy, how was it possible that 'he lived for thirty years in Kiev, which was packed with countless secret agents," asked the de- fendant's lawyer. He branded allega- tions against Altschuler as frivolous. Hia said the prosecution's reference to are office maintained here by Altschul- er, in which he was supposed to have had secret dealings with Souelminlin- otf, proved nothing, as he also had columerCial dealings With other Minis- ters. There was no proof that he had received favors from General Souk- homlinoff, who proved by his dealings with his own relatives that he was ex- tremely scrupulous. The prosecutor, Attorney Zacharin, declared, being unable to prove that General Soukhonilinoff had had mer- cenary motives for treasonable acts, attempted to prove it by referring to "mysteries" in the War Minister's life, but all tilt was "childish gossip." Concerning General Soukhomlinoff's relations with the traitor, allassoy- doff, M. Zacharin said that this store was invented by M. Guchkoff with the aim of driving the War 'Minister from power and replacing him with Gener- al Poliovanoff. The lawyer attempted to discredit M. Guchkoff's evidence at the trial. He pointed out that when he asked Guchkoff the source of his information that there were spies in the entourage of General Soulkhom- Ruoff, Guchkoff had answered: "I do not wish to say." "M.Guchkoff alleges that he knew of these epies dealing with Soukhom- linoff before the war. If that is so, how is it possible that the president of the Duma and one of Russia's great &len did not take measures • against these spies?" asked al. Zacharin. "How could any man neglect to do this in view of the terrible misfor. tune threatening Ruseia. The tact Is that the original frieadship be- tween Guchkoff and Soukhornlinon developed later into enemity be. tween the mein" The general's counsel declared the evidence of the Austrian spy, Mil - 'ler, which was obtained behind closed doore, should be discredited becalm :Miller, threatened with execution, was ready to invent "ridiculous fab les" in order to save hie own neck. CANADIANS -AID IN CONSOLIDATING Road and Railway Men Busy About Ypres. Our Boys Not in the Menin Road Battle. (By Stewart Lyon.). Canadian Prue% Correspondent With the Canadian Forces. Canadian Pleadquartera lii Fran, Sept. 23.—Occasiona1 attempts to raid our outposts, sharply repulsed, are the only evidence of enemy infantry acti- vity on tuis front. The use of gas shells in copsiderabie numbers as an: other devioe of tne Germans whien requires constant vigilance at night oa the part of the men in our tr,meheet. There has been a marked renewal of tne enemy aerial activity during the past few months. This seems to be asseciated with the increase in his long-range shelling of the back areas and the counter -battery work. While the Canadians had no part, in winning Thursday's victory in the region east of Ypres, where for many months in 1915 and 3916 they kept the flag flying under niost difficult 'con- ditions, they are doing their full part in the consolidation of the ground won. A.1 at Mee -sines, part of the road and railway maintenalice under fire is undertaken by companies of Cana- dians, who have remained In the Ypres region ever since 1915. During a visit to the region south-east of Ypres on Saturday 1 encounteed a par- ty of men with Maple Lead badges assembling preparatory to going out to their work on the roads in Hill 60 region. COSTLY SALMON. Competitive Bidding May Close Canneries. Vancouver despatch; Live bidding for salmi), at Stevestoti, where many of the largest fish packing plauts on the Fraser River are located, to -day forced the price of salmon to a point Where both Canadian mid AMOrtean canners were cornpelled to pay exces- sive pricee. Bach of this movement, It is asserted that Japanese fishermen hold the canners virtaally in the hollow of their hank, and it is said that if the price -advances much fur- ther, every canner on the. river will be forced to dole Within the week. Anierteau buyers have invaded the PraSer River Ilinits to such an extent that two canneriee have already shut down, being unat le to meet the com- petitive bidding. Seventy cents was offered for sockeyes to -day and 75 tents bid by Amerlenns, "A Mel and his money Aro soon Darted," Quoted tho Wise 'Guy. "Noth- ing strange abaut that," replied the Sinntle Mug. "The remarkable {Wag I e haw thee ever Managed to get to. peter in the first plane," HUN PLOTSfIN TUE STATES ARE REVEALED BY *LANSING - Stories of Treasonable Conspiracy Civulged by U. S. State Secretary. Sup:eme Court Justice in 'Nei! York City Among Big Men Involved. Washington, Sept, 23.—The most startling revelation of German in. troign.ue in the United States that bee been enade since the war began, ira p in! icoartlienagn we let il zeeicnnsohWi pa a ninde en nwylotiov iugclaim A Supreme Court Justice lit NeW York City, was made last night by the Gov- ernment Committee of Public Informa ti In a bulletin styled "official expoee" the coinraittee quotes numerous let- ters, seized by the Department ot Justice in April, 1916, in a raid on the New York office of Wolf von igel. Von Igei, in carrying on his mane cold anti-American activities, docu- Meats ehow, was in constant touch With the German Embassy, and with Count von 13ernstorft, then German Ambassador to the United States, "In the form of letters, telegrams notations, cheques, receipts, ledgers. cash books, eipher codes, lists of spies and other memoranda," the committee says, "were found indications—in some instances of the vaguest nature, ai.ers of the raost damning con- clusiveness—that the German Imperial m Governent, through its representa- sciotct liotvaneeetelconcerned de wthiethn:triendly nation, was "Violation or the laws of the United "Destruction of lives and property in merchant vessels on tbe high seas. • "Irish revolutionary plots against Great Britain. "Fomenting ill -feeling against the United States In Mexico. "Subornation of American writers and lecturers. "Financing of propaganda. "Maintenance of a spy system under the guise of a commercial investiga tion' bureau. "Bubsidizinga bureau for the pur- posetionpolfansttise.ring labor trouble in muni - "The bomb industry and other re- lated activities." The committee, of which Secre- tafies Larlsing, Baker and Dahicis are members and and George Creel chair- nalioaini,andh:as this to say concerning 'HOLLAND IMPLICATED. - "It has lone been an open secret that Holland is merely a way station for Shipmenteof cohtraband into Ger- mane. Here is official confirmation from the von Igel records which would seem to indicate a suspicions and 'con- fidential relation between the Holland commission and the German diploma, tIc oficials accredited to this country, or possibly a belief' by the Germans that they could nat successfully get the enunitions• to their own Gauntry. The message ?in epee with interlinear translation is entered as 'A.2493' and headed 'German embassy, Washington, D.C., April 6, 1916.' It follows: "Telegram from Berlin by secret roundaboug way for Carl Heysent. Consent • sale, Holtand 3,000 chests (-cartridges) and 200 tons powder, Please get in touch with Holland com- mission. Sender, War Minister, for- eigu office, in representation.Hatse' " " `(Signed) feldt. Prince Hatsefeldt was an official of the German embassy. The Hamburg -American line's bur- eau of investigation, the committee states,an"innocent pretending agency," was at the outset the secret service of the Ilniburg-American Steamship Com- eau. Under Paul Koenig, its. man- ager, it zecame an adjunct of the Ger- man diplematie secret service. A let- ter dated July 20, 1915, from "Cr." one of its operatives, to "7,000" (character- ized by the committee as Captain von Papen, former German military at, tache)ntells of the payment of $150 for' an unnamed person, under peculiar precautions after the recipient had made this statement: ENCOURAGE IRISH REBELS. "I intend to cause serious damage to vessels of the 'Allies leaving ports of the United States, by placing bonths, which 1 am making myself, on board. These bombs resemble ordinary lumps of, coal, and I, ang planning to have them concealed in the coal to be laden fenthtley Awileineet;" Money from Ger- oilsnteeyamaeprpsaor man sources in tho United States through embassy channels to Sir Roger Casement, the Irishman exe- cuted evienraLlolnindecnse tween the German diplomatic service and the Irish revolutionary movement are indicated in the captured docu- ments," the statement continues. "John Devoy, of New York. now ed- itor of the Gaelic Atnericau, a vio- lently anti-British paper'was one of the active agents of this cohnection. Significant entries appear here and there; references to messages from the German embassy at Washington and the German consulate at New York: mention of a secret code to be em- ployed in communicating with him and of 'cfpher decoy,' also a notation, the (Waite of which remain undiscov- ered, concerning communication re- garding mahufacture hand grehades." The following reference to Justice Daniel F. Cohalan. of New York, is contained, the conlinittee states, 15 a letter found in the von Igel papers, in cipher with interlinear translation. numbered 336-16, and inscribed at the tee "very secret." "Judge Colialn required the trans - Mission of the following remarks: "The revolution in Ireland eau only be successful If supported by Gere inany, otherwise England Will be able to suppress It, °Yen though it be ante* after hard struggles, Therefore hell) le necessary. This shotild eoltsiet primarily of aerial attacks on tug - land and a diversion of the fleet siin- tiltaneously with Irish revolution, , All) Bit ZEPPELINS. "Then, if possible, landing of treepe,arnis, amerninitien in Ireland, and possibly seine ()Mem from Zen- pelins. Vile Would enable the Wall ports to be cloeed againet Ettgland, the estitblisliMent of stations for sub- inerince on the Irish coast and the cUtting off Of the supply of food for England. The services of the revolu- tion may, therefore, decide the war. "Be asks that a telegrru to this ef, fect be sent to Berlin." This letter was signed "513284670- 230." It was addressed to Count ,on Bernstorfa "Jmperial Authassaeor, Washington, D. C." A code message sent to Berlin was given Na tai os owGe sr m: ania insurance con- tract certainly promised. Executor is evidently satisfied with the protection. Necessary steps leave been taken. (Signed) "Henry Numan," Of this message the committee has this to say: "Not so innocent and harmless as it looks, for what the message,really means t "Irish agree to the proposition. The necessary steps have been taken." "Information carefully and exten- sively set forth in the secret dome ments of tne German officialdom." the communication continues, was sometimes wide of the facts. For ex. mete, a lengthy ineniorandum' of March 1, 1916, transmitted by the secret agent, Capt. Boehm, dealing with the Mexican crisis, appears to nave been largely the work of some :ervid and projective ituagination. MEXICAN CONSPIRACY. "It predicts that the President will attribute Mexico's antaAmericen -ac- tivities to Gernaan money and incite- ment, that he will all upon Congrese to support him in radical measuree (the prophet even attempts to para- phrase •the language to be employed .n the Message); that Congress will indorse the President's stand, follow- ing which upward of 150 German 4pies and agents were to be arrested end the Ambassadors of Central pow- ers were to receive their passports," After citing an extract from Cap- tain Boehm's letter, the committee states that he was "too loose of ongue" for the good of his service Ind, citing a report of the German nilitary Information bureau of March el, 1916, quotes the report as follows: "Too great confidence in the silence of his fellowmen, especially the mem- bers of the American Truth .Society, . . was probably the cause of his becoming known here." The committee's statement contin.• •nes: "So the notorious American Truth Society, which so strenuously cleated its pro -German associations, figures as indirectly linked up with Ger- many's secret representative. This society is still extant, and Jeremiah A, O'Leary, its moving spirit, is now the editor of Bull, recently shut out of the mails for publishing seditious matter." Many inventors, . the committee states, are represented as having plans involving the use of devices of destruction. One entry is cited as follows: CONTRACTS FOR BOMBS. "June 15, 1915. Sender G. S. Vier- isk. Contents, enquiry as to bombs; supply often Told to send further de- o"ssibly the further details," the statailtement continues, "are indicated In another entry, four months later: " 'Sender, Vierick. Contents, offer et picric acid.' "Picric acid is a con- stituent of many high .explosives." An entry entitled "pure war ex, penses" from the von Igel papers Is madepublic by the committee as fel bows: "Edwin F,merson, e1,000, fair plat, r. Braun), $2,000, fain play (Mr. Braun), $1,500, Marcus Braun, $1,000, J. Archibald, $5,000." The statement continues: "Concerning the identity of the last entry there might be room for doubt but for a signed receipt from J. F. J. Archibald acknowledging the sum of $5,000 from the German Embassy for propaganda work." The committee concludes its expose as follows: : "1,Vhile chiefly concerned with mill - tem, affairs in Europe, the represent- atives of a suposedly friendly nation were keeping an interested watch on our own activities in that line. A sec- ret code message of April 11, 1916, signed '1323246672946919,' addressed Von 'gel to this effect: " 'Herewith respectfully send an extract regarding the troops stationed in California and the armament of the coast fortificatioase " A NEW GERMAN FRIGHTFULNESS (By R. T. Small.) Staff Correspondent of the Aesociated Press. British Headquarters in France, Sept. 23.—It is reported that the Bri- tish battalions which captured Shrews- bury foreet and Bulger vood, to the east of the former place, in Thursday's drive, experienced a new kind of Ger- man frightfulness. The advancing troops are said to have scan fired an with "flaming bullets." These bullets set the men's clothing afire, . aud in eevcral instances, according to the ac- count received here, wounded men had to be rolled in the Mild by their com- rades to extinguish the flames. 'Using Bits of Etnbroidory. Save any embroideries of denim cushions, etc., after the material itself on which the embroidery Is done, Is so worn out that the piece is of no further use. The initials front handkerchtlefs all old lingerie can be but on new lingerie again, They are ahnost at ways as good as new. With the rest of the etnbroideriee charming little gifts can be made. The pretty butter- flies in colors on a woraout etishien Were it in the flaps of a child's White apron. The trailing poppies of a cushion were appliqued on. a hateiral color linen garden apron, Other uses occur front tinle to tithe. Wigireel belieVethey are now Otte perimenting with a imbstititte for lea- ther. Wagg—iitilizing the by-produet of the railroad eating stand sandwich Industry, 1presume,