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? . . ....... ? J.. 'I - : ^ m.iiuy XI I I \ ? * / Abbeville Press and Banner $1.50 " ABBEVILLE, S.C., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1915. ' ' established a year. _ 18 4 4 COTTON STATES TO JOIN HANDS SOUTHERN BANKERS AND EDITORS MEET IN NEW ORLEANS . PLAN CAMPAIGN Support Pledged Farmers Provided Sufficient Food Crops are Planted To Insure Self-Support ^New Orleans, Dec. 6.?Final plans for the Cotton States Bankers' conference, which opens here tomorrow for a two days' session, were completed today at r. conference participated in by Joe Hirsch of Corpus Christi, Texas, chairman of the convention, and Morehead Wright of Little Rock, secretary, and member of the local committee in charge. The programme as previously announced was approved and it was decided to have the addresses and papers presented at the morning and afternoon sessions, and to have general discussions of the various subjects by the delegates at the Monday mivnf moifinr* In addition to the officers, more than 50 bankers from Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other Southern States reached we city early today and others were ty due to arrive early tomorrow. Mr. Hirsch said word has been received that about 250 bankers will attend tne conference. Financiers from Chicago, New York, St. Louis, and Washington also have announced the:*- intention to be present. W. P. G. Harding and Frederic A. Delano of the federal reserve board and Dr If rtonn nf fVto ^onovfmonf i i/xauiviu j.vua^/|y v/x uiv uvyut wapiti of agriculture are among the federal officials who are to attend and ad' oress the delegates. Managing editors of a number of the leading newspapers of the South have announced that they will meet in conjunction with the bankers' conference for the purpose of forming a cotton States' editorial association, with the object of suggesting policies for the newspapers to follow in solving this section's agricultural, industrial and economice problems, t The early arrivals include editors from Texas and Arkansas. The organization of Southern banking interests into a permanent body, which will include the bankers' asso. v ciation of the ten cotton producing ?> "States, is one of the purposes of the conference, according to a statement issued tonight by Mr. Hirsch. "One of the principal objects to be undertaken by the association of the Southern bankers' organizations is the construction of additional cotton warehouse facilities throughout the Southern States, looking to the gradual marketing of cotton crops of the future," the statement said, "it is planned to begin a general warehouse campaign by the establishment of a central warehouse committee from eacn bankers' association. "Realizing the great importance of the wise diversification of crops, wnich made the Southern farmers Dracticallv independent in 1915, it also is proposed to conduct a Southwide campaign of bankers, merchants and ail other business interests to the end that Southern bankers and Southern merchants will extend farm credits upon agreement from farmers to plant sufficient acreage in feed and food crops to insure self-support." JVlr. Hirsch said that with cotton now bringing attractive prices th,e cotton producer next year is apt to revert to the all-cotton crop. To prevent this it is proposed to inaugurate a vigorous counter campaign, l'he movement, it was stated, will W begin January 1, and will be a campaign similar to the better farming movements conducted in several Southern States during the last few years. LOTS OF MONEY IN COUNTRY; BIG CHRISTMAS BUSINESS i New York, November 30.? Merchants here say that Americans have more money to spend for Christmas shopping than in any year since 1906. The big retail stores are nreparing for a record December business. Wholesalers report that they are unable to fill orders in many lines. This is due, it is said, to the rush of buyers from other cities to replenish denlcted stocks. L. S. Pelz, secretary of the Wholesale and Retail association, says that the merchants never knew better times. ^ -!* V ]' v * * * * * * * * V $ V * f? * * * ATTACK AMERICAN VESSEL * * * * Washington, Dec. 6.? * * Minister Droppers at Athens * * has confirmed the report that * * an unknown American vessel * * has been shelled and sub- * * marined off the coast of * * Greece. * * * S*-. sje jjc s{; ****** >jt s|? * * % * * % sjc SEABOARD TRAINS MEET HEAD-ON One Killed and Several Hurt When Freight Hits Passenger Freight train No. 82, in charge of Conductor McDowell and Engineer W. J. Andrews, and passenger train No. 29, in charge of Conductor Casor and Engineer Haigler, collided head-on at 7:50 o'clock Monday night, between switches at Bacula, Ga. George Armstrong, colored, fireman on the passenger train, was killed and both engineers Haigler and Andrews were slightly hurt, the former sustaining a badly scalded foot. Several passengers were slightly shaken up, but are being cared for at hospitals in Atlanta by railroad authorities. The wreck occurring near a siding, traffic was delayed only a few minutes. PETITION FOR RECALL OF ATLANTA MAYOR FILED Atlanta, Ga., December 6.?The recall of Mayor James G. Woodward was demanded in a petition filed here today with city council. The petition contains 3,235 names, or 309 more than the 25 per cent of the registered vote of the city required by the Georgia recall law. The filing of the petition is an outgrowth of the fight which result ed several months ago in tne removal by the police board, of which the mayor is a member, of Chief of Police, J. L. Beavers. Petitions asking the recall of Police Commissioners James W. English, Edwin F. Johnson, Robert C. Clark, Robert T. ace, Andrew King and VV. P. Fain were expected to be filed to-day, but delays in completing necessary clerical v/ork caused them to be held up. it is expected they will be filed tomorrow. The petition filed to-day asks the city council to meet next Monday and set a date for the recall election. It is expected, however, that me date will not be set for some oo ^Vr-imrvinnc nf Mnvor Wood-I ao Viiaiuj^/ivtiw ? ^ <,vard and other officials nave indi-j cated that the validity of the names j *?n tne petitions and other matters connected with the recall will be congested in the Courts. PRIOLEAU MAKES CONTEST v . Washington, December 6.?Aaron ?. Prioleau, a negro who for sixteen years has contested all elections to Jongress from the Charleston, S. C., district, today filed a contest against the seating of Richard C. Whaley. Five other contests were filed in the House. BRITAIN GIVES OUT WAR LOSSES Lilt Totali 510,230 Killed, Wounded and Missing London, Dec. 2.?British losses in he war to November 9, totaled 510,-1 ?30 in killed, wounded and missing. J This figure is given by Premier As-1 quith to-day in a written reply to a' oreliminary question. Losses suffered by England in November are un-1 officially estimated to have raised j the total to nearly 600,000. The Premier gave the military I jasualtifes on the various fronts as follows: IN FRANCE. Killed or died of wounds?Officers, 4,620; men, 69,272. Wounded?Officers, 9,754; men, 240,283. Missing?Officers, 1,584; men, 54,446. DARDENELLES. Killed?Officers, 1,504; men, 21,530. Wounded?Officers, 2,860; men, 70,148. Missing?Officers, 356; men, 10,-! 211. OTHER THEATERS. Killed?Officers, 227; men, 2.052. Wounded?Officers, 337; men, 5,587. Micsino-?Officers. 7fi: men. 3.223.1 ""all naval losses.*' Killed?Officers, 589; men, 9,928. j Wounded?Officers, 161; men i 1,120. Missing?Officers, 52; men 310. TWO KILLED IN WRECK AT RAILROAD CROSSING Columbia, S. C., December 5.?' Special: Ashby W. Davenport and W. C. Swittenberg were almost instantly killed this morning at 3! o'clock when an automobile in which they were riding crashed into a moving freight train at the Seaboard Air Line crossing on Elmwood avenue. J. Frank Falls, the third occupant of the car who was riding on the back seat, was badly injured. Mr. Davenport has been a resident of Columbia for about two years, being engaged in the insurance business. His fathei, K. J. D. Davenport, is of Newberry, where he was at one time the president of a bank." Mr. Swittenberg was killed instantly. Mr Davenport was rushed to a hospital where he died a few minutes after being placed on the operating table. U. S. 10 EXPEL ALL FOREIGN PLOTTER! SAFE CONDUCT MUST BE GIVE] BEFORE RECALL WILL BE MADE RECALL IS HELD UI State Department Officials Remai Quiet on the Subject?Insist On Immediate Recall / Washington, Dec. 5.-^-Official at tne merman embassy intimate this afternoon that Germany ma not act on the request of this Gov eminent that Captains Boy-Ed an Von Papen be recalled until th United States obtains the promise o the Allies to allow other German oi ficers to come through to this coun try to take their placcs. It wa stated that in any event it is highl; improbable that the officers will b recalled until it is made certain tha Captain Boy-Ed will be granted j sale conduct back to Germany. Siate Department officials wouli not comment on this developmen this afternoon. From high source it was learned, however, that thi Government is going to insist on th immediate recall of the two officers and will not permit Germany to de lay action. Dismissal of Boy-Ed, German nav al and Captain von Papen, Germa military attaches of the Germa Embassy here, was admitted to-da to be simply the first step in th Government's campaign to eliminat all foreign agents who interfer with American laws or industries. It has been decided by the Admin istration that hereafter all accredit ed representatives of foreign gov ernments shall be compelled to sta; within the exact limits of America] law. Boy-Ed and Von Papen wer selected as conspicuous examples o I the type of foreign agents especiall; j obnoxious to the United States. It was again very carefully ex plained by both the State Depart ment and Department of Justice tha the question of "obnoxious conduct was one that this Government is per mitted to settle upon "informatioi and belief" and that where foreign jers aie concerned legal evidenc against them is not required. Boy [Ed and Von Papen have been told t go. The German Ambassador ha agreed that; they shall be stripped o their official status. Captain von Papen will go to Mex ico, it was learned at the Germai Embassy to-day. Captain Boy-Ei will endeavor to return to Germany, It was said by an official of th embassy this morning that the Stat Department has assured Ambassado von Bernstorff it will try to get saf conduct fo:r either or both attaches The official added that the safe con duct will be asked only for Captaii Boy-Ed. He pointed out that Cap tain von Papen is officially credited to Mexico, and he will go there soon He will make the trip by rail, it wa stated. Suggestions were heard in officia circles to-c.ay that if the two dis missed officials proceeded to Mexici they would be in a position activel; to carry on a general propagandi agairst the United States, which with the enormous financial resour ces at their disposal, could easily be come more troublesome than any u] to the present time. However, thi Government can not make any ob jection, officials say, because Captaii von Papen is formally accredited a a German military attache both b the United States and Mexico. Still Probing Charges. Just who the next officials who wil be proceeded against is knowi only to Secretary Lansing, Attorne; General Gregory and President Wil son. Naturally gossip is busy wit! the names of Austrian Consul Gen eral von Nuber and other Austria] and German commercial agent whose names have been mentionei in the disclosures made by Dr. Gori car, a former Austrian Consul. It is stated that all of the charge that have lately been filed agains consular officials are still under in vestigation, and where a confirma tion is obtained, exequaturs will b canceled and the men either prose cuted under existing laws or expelle< from the country. Just what effect this latest devel opment in the relation between th< United States and Germany wil have on public feeling in German; is as yet unknown. Officials sa; they expect another wave of anti American fueling there, but they de clare this has been carefully consid ered by the President, and in viev of his announced policy he has take) the position that no matter who th official is, any representative ol ; foreign power who will not recog ! nize American neutrality can not re main here. I. NOT DISARMED BY GREECE. I London, Dec. 4.?Many Serbiai 'soldiers who retreated throug! Greek territory, after the fall o Monastir were not disarmed, bu were treated with every considera tion, says an Athens dispatch to th Daily News. OPTIMISM PREVAILS 5 ALL OVER COUNTRY [>4 FEDERAL RESERVE AGENTS SAY COUNTRY'S BUSINESS IS GOOD > OUTLOOK BRIGHT n Reports From Various Cities Tend To Show That Country Still Is Prosperous 1 s Washington, Dec. 3.?Reports of i - 1 1?.--* XI 1 X. 1 1 - ^ r vwi^iv^vu. f j n New York Optimistic. I n Activity and improvement in trade y and industry continued during the 1 e month, New Yoik reports. Retail i e and department stores have found i e business very much better with an 1 increasing demand for higher grade < - goods. Steel orders are reported as < > very heavy, notwithstanding steadily j advancing prices. ( y Philadelphia says conditions ^ n through that district are gradually 1 e becoming better and substantial im- \ f provement is being reported in neary ly all lines, with mills and factories j of all kinds working at nearer nor- ( :- mal capacity than for some time ( ;- with voluntary wage increases with ( t some concerns and reduced working i " hours and larger payrolls than ever . before. t n A tremendous demand for steel ( - products and unprecedented activity j e in the steel and allied businesses j - continued through the Cleveland dis- ( 0 trict with prices the highest since } s 1908. Output from automobile and j f rubber manufacturers is at capacity f and there is a scarcity of labor. Further developments of 'the very , n satisfactory general conditions hered tofore reported" features the Rich. mond district. This is said to be e strongly in evidence and general e business is described as in excellent r position both immediately and pros- J e pectively. >. Business development in the Chii cago district is reported as favorable n and confirms former reports of geni eral recovery with accumulated or- < 1 ders for future 'delivery in steel 1 i. equipment, cars and heavy structur- < c? ^1 <*/-?r?rvic? nvPD.arlinn? oil nrovinnc ov_ 5 perience. Confidence in the future 1 .1 is held to be indicated by expected undertakings to enlarge output. 0 At St. Louis/ ? Sc. Louis says there is indication 1 of a considerable increase in busil> ness activity, in all parts of that dis~ trict; with business men optimistic " is to the future and generally conP fident. Improvement in the last two s months is said to have gone far to ward wiping out the losses of the early months of the year. s Industrial conditions are reported 0 good in the Minneapolis district with labor fully employed. Although farmers in the Kansas j 1 City district are reported as showing | 1 a decided inclination to hold wheat j y for higher prices, a considerable * - amount is mcving. The district is * h said to De facing the next few ' - months w'h optimistic complacency. n Reports from Texas, Southern Ok- J s lahoma, northern Louisiana, south 3 ern New Mexico and southeastern j - Arizona, are said to show a grati- 1 lying recovery from conditions ex- ? s isting at this period a year ago. * t San Francisco is hoping for reas- ? - report declares, with a perceptible - report declares, with a perceptable 2 betterment in lumbering with im- ; - portant inquiries and considerable J ^ buying which have somewhat streng- * thened "the demoralized prices." t ? e r I VON MACKENSEN HIT * it r y BY TWO BULLETS c s \ Copenhagen, Dec. 5.?Field Mar- t v shal von Mackensen was twice * i wounded during the Serbian cam- s e paign, acording to letters received r a from Berlin. A bultet fired by a t - Serbian sharpshooter at Belgrade i - went through the German leader's ? arm and two days later a spent Lul- c let struck him in the shoulder. * I nl For nearly two weeks the German * h General Staff made no mention of f Von Mackensen in the official ret ports. At the time this was attri. butcd to the fact that he was be- r e lieved to have been sent to Constan- i tinople. t d Dusiness conaiucns Lnrcugnout me < y country from federal resserve agents, \ _ are, in the main, favorable, and j d show improvement for November, , e according to information from these ] f sources published today by the re- \ _ serve board. < Atlanta reports: general conditions s there as representing more of a con- ] y tinuation of the favorable situation i e and outlook for the previous month \ t than as possessel of new features, n Boston, one of the least oDtimis- < tic of the 12 reserve district cities, d says that there business has improvt ed "but slightly, if at all, but that s the economies ol: the past months s are not now being so rigidly observe ed and that the public generally is spending money .more freely than in >- the past, due presumably, among , other things to the fact that labor , ic niArD fyonoralltr omnlr.vorl " i WILL STAY OUT OF THE WAR "Will Never Fight the Alii*." Declares the King Athens, December 7.?Via London, December 6?(By a staff correspondent of the Associated Press). Constantine I, King of the Greeks, received the correspondent of the Associated Press to-day and gave him a message for America on the attitude which Greece has assumed in the world war, and the reasons for the policy which has been followed by the Greek Government. "I am especially glad to talk for America," said the King, "for America will understand Greece's position. We are both neutral and are together determined, if it is humanly possible, not to court destruction by permiting ourselves to be drawn into the frightful vortex of the present European conflict. Both are trying by every honorable means to ?uard our sovereignty, protect our )wn people and stand up for our national interests without sacrificing lL-j. A. 1!x- 1--' v Mai neutrality wmcn we recognize is our only salvation. "America is protected from, immediate danger by the distance ivhich separates her. from the battleleld. We, too, thought that once. But the battlefield shifted and may sVn-ff ocrcklr? U/hai* IO ""a w ii tu ilurrvlllii5 111 Greece to-day may happen in America, Holland or any other neutral country tomorrow, if the precedent iow sought to be established in the :ase of Greece is once fixed." Hat Given His Word. "Finally, I myself have given my personal word that Greek troops will levev be used to attack the FrancoBritish forces in Macedonia, merely ;o allay unjustified suspicion. "Yet, despite all these evidences of :he good faith of Greece, the Entente Powers may demand, in a form which is virtually an ultimatum, that ;he Greek troops be withdrawn from Saloniki?and that means all Maceionia?leaving our population unprotected against raids by Bulgarian :omitadjis, or all the horrors of war which lay Belgium waste, should ;he allies be driven back within our Frontiers. << t n of on nnnffl 4*vi a CI ?ir*YY\ otic woro u uo u o u me v* wx ?? vi. w n a position to demand that your country concede the use of Boston )r Seattle as the base for an attack )n Canada. What would you say? \nd if all your military experience ind the advice of your general staff ;old you that such a landing was loomed to failure because made with in inadequate force, and you realzed that the British troops in Canaia v/ould pursue the retreating Gernans across New England, destroyng as they went, would you accept ;he prospects without a struggle?" TWO ACCUSED OF HORRIBLE CRIME ? Mleged They Robbed Boy, Saturated Clothing With Oil, Applied Match Lexington, Dec. 5.?Special: Sharped with one of the most un V * ? xl. -r IL: learc-oi crimes in tne nistory ui mis :ounty, Quincy Miller and John W. Shealey, young white men, are in ;he Lexington County jail. It is :harged that Miller and Shealy held jp Cleveland Bell, a small negro boy, )n the railroad hear the town of Gilbert, a few days ago, robbed him )f $1.50, all the money he had, soured keresons oil down his clothng, which filled his shoes and thormghly saturated his clothing, ap>lied the match and order the young legro to run. The frightened boy >beyed his orders, it is alleged, ;preading fire in his flight, which iglited the dry leaves of the woods ;hrough which he was forced to pass, vhile his clothing was a stream of ire. With presence of mind the Utile negro plunged into a pond of wa;er, but not until his clothing had )een almost consumed by the flames ind his body had been terribly mrned. The little negro's screams and :ries for help attracted persons to j ;he scene. He was carried to Gil>ert, where his injuries were treated >y Dr. Paul A. Smith, and where to i number of persons he related his iwful experience. The boy's legs ! tnd body were burned badly, and his :ntire frame suffered burns. The little negro stated that two vhite men had robbed him of his " i - 1 1_ 1 noney while he was on ms way Dae* .0 Columbia, his home, from Augus- 1 a, to which place he had gone with 1 i show company. He is hardly ! nore than 13 years of age, but is )rignt, the officers say. He gave a lescription of the men. The crime 1 >ccurred on Saturday afternoon, and 1 ;o wrought up over it were the vhite people of the community, that hey immediately took the matter in . land. Sheriff Miller was notified tnd he went to Gilbert early Sunday ; norning, using practically all of the ' lay in an effort to ascertain the guilty parties. Others freely assist- : ?d the sheriff in his efforts. Both 1 >f the accused men, it is stated, 1 vere in Gilbert Saturday afternoon ind under the influence of whiskey. 3oth of the men deny their guilt : utterly. SHIP BUILDER DIES. Buffolo, Dec. 5.?Edward Smith, j iresident of th-2 American Shipbuild- ' ng company, died at his home here . oday. He was 71 years old. G4TH CONGRESS NOW IN SESSION WILSON READS MESSAGE IN PERSON?NATIONAL DEFENSE A BIG ITEM DEMOCRATS LEAD Increases From Elections Held la November Brings Average Up to Sixteen Washington. Dec. 6.?The first session of the 64th congress convened "t n^on to'lay in the last congre3- ? sional meeting before the 1916 presidential camnaign. All 435 member* of tbe house and 32 senators, (1-3 of the whole senate), were sworn in. Of the former, 116; of the latter, 9 were new. Resting upon the legislative program of the new congress today was the shadow of the national and world politics. Tomorrow the administration's program will be outlined personally, by President WilCAn wlion V*n Vii a Anoninw WW** ?? iivil liV A. VUUO llio JiiVO" sage at the joint session. Its known, big outstanding features are: National Defense, Revenue, War Measures and Government Ship Purhase. There is a mass of other legislation comprising the largest, longest pnd most important program of a decade. Since adjournment of the 63rd congress last March a score of new vital questions have arisen in addition to many left over. Continuation of this session well into next summer is predicted by veteran legislators. There were the usual mammoth crowds in both senate and house galleries, representing the eyes of a hundred million Americans. Today's actual business was confined to the routine of swearing in new members, organization of both houses and notification of the President of the new legislative epoch. As the gavels fell at the stroke of twelve at both ends of the capitol officials and spectators were soDerea by the gigantic tasks looming ahead. Secretary Baker presided in the senate and South Trimble, house clerk, in the lower body pending Speaker Clark's election. After the routine tasks both bodies adjourned until tomorrow to await the President's message, according to ancient and legal precedent. As complemented today, the result of congressional elections in Novem1Q14 tViA Democratic maioritv in rthe senate was increased from 13 to'16. In the house it was reduced from 143 to 25. The new Senate line-up today was: Democrats, 56; Republicans, 40. The new House:' Democrats, 230; Republicans, 196; Progressives, 7; Socialists, 1; independents, 1. The last house had 286 Democrats, 125 Republicans, 17 Progressives and 1 independent. For the first time since the 62nd congress the socialist party was again represented today, Meyer London, of New York being the member. The suffragists, several thousand of whom are in the city, gave a demonstration this morning in a parade. The proposed amendment to the con- A stitution will be the first bill in the House. It will be introduced by Representative Mondell, of Wyoming. The galleries began filling early. Senator Owen was the first member on the Senate floor. Conservation bills will be reintroduced, in one ox the principal administration bills have yet been launched. The ship purchase bill has been postponed. None of the revenue measures have been drafted as yet. The battle lines are being drawn between the opposing factions. Senator Gallinger was re-elected chairman of the Republican caucus. Representative Gardner proposed the investigation of preparedness and peace propagandists of the house and of others. Representative Jones, of Virginia, favors the extension of self-government to the Philippines, and Representative Montage, of Virginia, permitted members of the Cabinet to appear on the floor of the House and the Senate. Representative Kincheloe, of Kentucky, favors an appropriation of one million dollars to each state for good roads provided the same amount is raised by each state. On the Senate side Senator MarHn. ^resident pro tem, swore in Sen ators beginning the new term, including Senator Clarke, pro tem. BOX SUPPER. There will be a box supper at Buffalo school house, Thursday night December 9th, for the benefit of the school. :jc :V # >. * * * * * * ^ * * * PREPAREDNESS FIRST * * * * New York, Dec. 6.?Col. * * Roosevelt, former President * * Taft, 21 Governors and 3 * * former ambassadors want * * preparedness to come first in * * Congress, not as a party * * measure. * * > * *!