Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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\ Abbeville Press and Banner Established 1844. $2.00 the Year. Tri-Weekly. Abbeville, S. C., Wednesday, May 11, 1921 Single Copies, Five Cento] 77th Year. M DR. WIRTH, CENTERIST LEAD ER, FINALLY ' SUCCEEDS IN FORMING CABINET WITH HIMSELF AS FOREIGN MINIS TER AND CHANCELLOR SUPPORT GAINED. Berlin, May 10.?Gemany has ac cepted the allied ultimatum. The reichstag tonight by a vote of 221 to 175 yielded to the final demands of the allied powers, and, in so doing, agreed to fulfill the terms of the treaty of Versailles to the capacity of the nation to do so. Dr. Wirth, the Centerist leader, finally succeed ed in forming a corlition cabinet composed of Centerist,. Majority So cialists and Democrats, which, con fronted by grave necessity speedily decided that acceptance of the ulti matum was the only course. In making this announcement to the reichstag the new chancellor aeked for an immediate decision by that body and in the voting which followed the government was sus tained. . The allied ultimatum required a definitely reply based on "yes" or "bo." No conditional reply would be entertained, and the ultimatum was formulated to expire on the night of May 12. The total sum which Germany is called upon to pay is 6,750',000,000; disarmament must be carried out by Germany in accordance with the pro vision of the treaty and the trial of war criminals must be put into ef fect. Numerous other important terms, in yhich Germany has been in default, will be accepted. Non compliance with the ultima-* turn would have subjected Germany to occupation by the allies of the Ruhr valley and whatever other mili tary and naval measures were deem ed advisable. The new cabinet is generally re garded as a makeshift largely un representative but good enough to accept the entente ultimatum, and thus avoid an advance in the Ruhr. While the cabinet obtained a com fortable majority in the reichstag it has the undivided support of only the Majority Socialists and Clericals The members of the other parties, it is declared have given |t support as a makeshift and are not pledged to give it parliamentary support. London, May 10.?Dr. Wirth, the x German Centerist leader says a Ber lin dispatch to the London Times to night, has succeeded in forming a cabinet from the Center party, the Democrats and Majority Socialists in favor of accepting the terms of the allied ultimatum. Dr. Wirth, pointing out in the reichstag the alternatives to the ultimatum said that Germany could aign, thus putting on Germany a t>uraen, tne end 01 w-mcn couiu nor be foreseen or refuse to sign, after which would follow occupation of Ruhr with terrible results to Ger many's industrial and economic life now and in the future. The unity and freedom of Ger many, continued the chancellor, had weighed more with the new cabinet, and the ministry has decided to ac cept the London terms, which they would undertake to fulfill within the limits of Germany's capacity. This woould be only possible through the work and energy of the people. Except for a Communist interrupt ion when Dr. Wirth asserted he was acting in the interests of freedom there was no demonstration during the speech. A VISITOR FROM CHARLESTON Hiss- Frances McNeil, of Charles ton, is in Abbeville and will make an extended visit to Mrs. Foster Mc Lane. Miss McNeil comes to Abbe ville each summer and she meeta with a warm welcome from her many friends. IMPORTANT CHANGE * IN SELECTION OF U. S. POSTMASTERS President Harding Modifies Orders Of Woodrow Wilson?Instead of Bfeing 'Limited to Highest Mark, Can Choose One of Three Highest Standing. Washington, May 10.?President Wilson's order for selection of first, second and third class postmasters I under civil service requirements was modified today by President Harding' to give a wider field from which postmaster be chosen. Instead of being required to se lect the candidate standing highest in a civil service examination for any specific postmastership, the ad ministration may under today's or der give the place to any one of the three at the head of the qualified list. About 13,000 post offices of the first, second and third classes are af fected by the order, which it was said at the White House would be applied to all selections made for those places beginning today. In making the announcement Pt-esident Harding issued a statement saying he hoped congress would take a fur ther step in the same direction by placing first, second and third class postmasters under the classified civil service as has been done -with fourth y:lass postmasters. The president pointed out that be sides the 39,433 postmasters' in the fourth class there were 700 post offices of the first class, 2,617 of the second and 9,582 of the third a total of 12,899. "Obviously these offices are busi ness agencies of the government in legal purpose and should become so in fact," he said. "Hie only certain ultimate way to bring this about is to classify, first, second and third class postmasters. This will require an act of congress. It is a step for ward, measured by the requirements of progress and is one which I hope will be made. Under existing laws, the executive has no power to require that these offices be placed in the classified service. "Moving in that -direction, how ever, the executive order issued, to day provides that if any such va cancy is not filled by nomination for promotion of one from within the competitive clasified civil service then an open competitive examina tion shall be held and the appoint ment shall be made from one of the highest three eligibles, as required now by law in the classified civil service, This order, which is for our own guidance in making these ap pointments, will bring an operation squaring with the requirements of * QT1TT rvvn kokl A 1 I ui.j yiwuayiC lUbUlC lCgldiailUIl. "Under this order the kind of J test and plan of investigation and ex amination which shall be provided for, shall be based on the appli cant's business training, experience, i fitness, organizing and executive ability, and general qualifications for an efficient administration and shall, in no sense, be a cloistered scholastic, examination, which might result in a high grade in theory, but not a guaranty of efficiency in fact. "This order applies to all present incumbents of postoffices whose terms have expired and will apply to all other incumbents as their present terms expire." SEASONABLE RAINS HELP THE CROPS The drought was broken last night when very seasonable rains fell. The rain was a steady and ad vices are that the rains were general throughout this section. The farm ers were suffering from the dry spell, crops being very much in need of rain. The dry weather has retard ed crops considerably and injured the stands but it is now believed that the rains will bring up all seeds in the ground and that the young crops will hum themselves. Mr. J. M. Harkey returned home Tuesday after an extended visit to his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Fowler, in Monroe, N". C. MEMORIAL D IS CELEB Memorial Day was beautifully ob served here yesterday when the city was literally turned over to the few remaining Confederate Veterans, who were lauded and feasted, befit ting their meritorious service of past but nojk forgotten history. The< exercises, in the morning, were held in the Opera House; the stage being decked w;th American anrJ Pon-fpHprafp -fines nnH fully decorated with potted plants) and ferns. I All places of business in the city were closed during the exercisesi and the house was thronged with ! spectators to hear and witness the exercises and to pay tribute to those loyal fellows who wore the gray. 'Major J. D. Fulp, master of the ceremonies presided. His happy., bright and humorous introductions of the several speakers was certainly an enjoyable feature of the exer cises. Seated on the rostrum with the ispeaikers were twenty-five Confed erate veterans, also Mrs. Fannie J. Marshall and Mrs. Lucy Thomson, j who themselves were heroines of the truest type during the dark days of the sixties. The exercises began with the sing ing of America by the entire audi ence and after the invocation, "My Old Kenucky Home" was sung by se lect choir. Major Fulp then read an editorial clipped from the Index^Joumal of Greenwood on "Abbeville Hospitali ty", written in appreciation of en tertainment shown the B. M. I. cadets while guest of the city last week. Mayor Mars in a short, but happy and pleasing manner, in behalf of the city, welcomed the veterans, j Among many other nice things the ; Mayor said:, "Every thing in Abbe-1 ville today at our disposal is at your command. Take any thing you see that you want and if you don't see it ask for it. The City is yours." Song?"Tenting Tonight" oy se lect choir after which Major Fulp read a list of those brave Abbeville Veterans, who, since last Memorial Day, have crossed over the river and now rest with Lee and Jackson, "under the shade of the trees"? j Year by year the ranks grow thinner j and those who today failed to an swer the roll call were, M. S. Ash-1 j ley, R. W. Crawford, John Evans, | E. P. Gray, W. M. Hall, G. W. Mil-1 ford, J. C. Martin, and G. ,W? Walk er. In addition to this roll call was read a tribute to Major J. Fuller Lyon, published in the Confederate j Veteran at the time of his death. Col. Spratt. Major Fulp humorously intro duced his fellow veteran of the World War, Col. Thos. B. Spratt, of the famous Thirtieth Division. Ther^ were few veterans of the World war present and Major Fulp attributed their absence to their modesty, v Col. Spratt, distinct and eloquent speaker told in no uncertain terms of how the Thirtieth Division had broken the Hindenburg Line, the wvonfoef rviilifovxr A ofoncio PVPV gl CClttOl 111UI IM1 J ~ known in history. "It was a critical point in civilization, practically every nation on the globe was en gaged in that war, but it remained for South Carolinians and Abbe ville county men to go 'Over the Top', win the decisive battle and make the woyld safe for decency and democracy." At this point Col. Spratt, feelingly, touchingly and af fectionately paid a beautiful tribute to the two thousand, wlio lost their lives that we might live. "They fought bravely, died cooly and fear i 1? : ii 1 lessiy proving wieuiaeives wutwij j sons of worthy sires." At the con-j elusion of his address Col. Spratt was presented with a handsome bo quet by Mrs. Fannie Marshall. Rear Admiral McGowan. In introducing Rear Admiral Samuel McGowan, the distinguished and honored guest of the day, Maj. Fulp said: "Since recrossing the At AY RATED HERE lantic hi a captured Reversible Ger man submarne, I do feel that I can hardly introduce one so high in na val affairs without a touch of sea sickness, and in case of emergency I have supplied myself iwth a bottle of smelling salts." His introduction throughout was humorous, bright and happy. Rear Admiral McGowan was greeted with a rousing reception. His address to the veterans was short but everv utterance was elo quent and full of true American pa triotism for the living and profound reverence for the dead. His tribute to the women of the Southern Con federacy was especally touching. "Their deeds of valor were 110 less gteat than those of you who bore arms, :hey were the inspiration of the Confederate soldiers, they play ed their part well, they bore their suffering with Jhe truest Southern womanhood, and we with child-like faith love to honor them. They are not dead for they arc never dead |in til forgotten and they will never be forgotten while reason holds its sway." TTo vJv-iHlv cnnfrastpH f?nnrlitinn?; now with those gone through with after the Civil War. "We are now passing through the Day of Read justment, these brave heroes went through the Day of Reconstruction. We count ours a blessing indeed compared with the poverty, suffer ing and misery that they faced, fought and conquered. Let us see the rainbow through our mist and prove ourselves worthy sons and grandsons of the bravest of the brave." "Memorial Dayis a hallowed day and we honor ourselves in honor ing those \vhose stars have turned to gold." At the conclusion of his address he was presented with a handsome boquet by Mrs. Lucy Thomson. The audience rose and the choir sang "Dixie" at the close of which the old veterans made the walls vi brate and re-echo with a "Rebel yell." . A sumptuous feast wa& served the veterans at the home of Miss Maggie Brooks and the old fellows did full justice to this part of the program. There were no dispectics among their number and they thoroughly enjoyed and bountifully partook of the many good things to eat placad before them. Memorial Day exercises were con cluded; at 4 o'clock yesterday after noon when the school children march ed in a body to the public square and after singing several patriotic selectons marched around the Con federate monument and placed beautiful wreathes of folwers. There are seventy-one living Con federate veterans in Abbeville coun ty; there "were only twenty-nine present at the exercises. Those pre sent were: Capt, R. H. Armstrong, Mr. J. J. Botts, Mr. C. A. Botts, Mr. J. W. Rowen, Mr. M. W. Barnes, Mr. T. T. Cunningham, Mr. J. J. Edwards, Mr. R. P. Davis, Mr. A. R. Ellis, Mr. M. Ellis, Mr H. W. Gordon, Mr. J. S. Gibert, Mr. J. M. Gambrell, Mr. G. C. Graves, Mr. D. H. Howard, Mr. R. M. Haddon, Mr. D. P. Hannah, Dr. J. B. Moseley, Dr. J. M. Moseley Mr. A. T. Mcllwain, Mr. John Mc Pheley, Mr. J. D. Miller, Mr. L. B. Ramey, Mr. T. C. Seal, Capt. W. C. nt_, tlf TT C11 HjT A T onaw, lvir. w. n. onarp, iur. a. li. Scott, Mr. S. A. Waters, Mr. J. S. Williams, Mr. George White. ABBEVILLE DELEGATION ATTENDS MEETING Quite a number of prominent Ab beville citizens went to Clinton yes terday where they met with delega tions from other cities of this sec tion and with the engineers of the government to discuss plans and de vise means of pushing through the East and West highway. The meeting was an enthusiastic one and the local delegation is much pleased with the outlook. HARDING REQUESTED NO DELAY IN PEACE MEASURE'S PASSAGE Not Asking For Delay in Senate, It Is Said?Because of the Situation la Europe, in Reparations. The President Does Not Insist On Hasty Action. Washington, May 10.?President Harding' has requested no delay in the passage of the peace resolution in the house, it was stated today by in plnco fmirVi wifVi t.Vio WViif-o House. President Harding is not asking i for delay in the adoption by the house of peace resolution, it was said today in high administration quarters, but because of the situa tion in Europe growing out of the [reparations settlement, he is not in sisting that there should be any haste in putting the measure through. It was said that at the time of enactment of the resolution by the senate, the president was asked whether there was any reason for I delay in the adoption of the legisla tion there and the senate was in formed that there was none. To em phasize that there was no conflict between the president and congress, however,'it was stated that it was thought advisable not to inject a pos sible complication in the reparations settlement between the Allies and Germany by the passage of the reso lution by the house at this time. It was not indicated whether any pressure one way or another would be brought by the executive to ob tain adoption of t'rie resolution in the bouse after the present repara j tions crisis has passed^ SPINSTER'S CONVENTION ! WAS GRAND SPECTACLE 1 | Crowded House Thoroughly Enjoyed Every Minute of Enter tainment. i The packed house that greeted ;the. "Old Spinsters Convention" j Monday evening in the local Opera ; House was kept convulsed with I 1 la _j : i_i_ j. l - ? jaugntei aurmg me greater pari ui thfr ever.ing and there-was not one in the large audience but who thor oughlyenjoyed every moment from the rise to the final fall of the cur tain. To say the very least is to say that the entire program from start | to finish was grand. Every actor was j a "star" performer, and no part could have been better rendered than it was. The costumes were comic in the extreme. The paraphernalia, includ ing canary birds, poodles and cats, effectively displayed caressingly fondled, caused many a side to ache from convulsions of laughter. The local jokes were winners, and the songs and papers and speeches of the old maids simply 'brought down' the house. Upon the transformation of the first "old maid" "to a pretty little girl, the uproar of laughter and un confined myrth was changed into one of profound silence and intense in terest, and that sweet childish voice of little Miss Nona Tutt was never head o better advantage. The transformation of each "old maid" brought forth a being lovely or talented or both, and never were sweeter songs and music heard in iLi- -12. I tnis city. During the entire evening encore after encore was given and had the performers responded each time to the call of the audience, the "Old Spinsters Convention" would prob ably still be in session. THE VETERANS MEET The Confederate Veterans met Tuesday in the Court House and| elected the following Veterans to ? 4-"U~ I atrivu un me r cnaiun jjuulu iui uic next term: J. S. Gibert, J. H. Barks dale and J. L. Hill. The Veterans passed a resolution asking the Legislative delegation to empower the local board to classify the pensioners more accord ing to their different needs APPROPRIATION BILL SENT TO " SENATE?UNSUCCESSFUL EF FORT TO REVERSE PREVIOUS ACTION REDUCING SIZE OF . ARMED FORCES.?BYRNES MOVE STANDS. Washington, May 10.?The army appropriation bill carrying approxi mately $320,000,000 and providing for an army of 150,000 enlisted men was passed late today by the house and sent to the senate. The vote was 243 to 23. Before the final vote was taken, unsuccessful attempts were made to have the' house reverse its previous action in adopting ' an amendment providing for a reduction in the size of the army which now totals about 230,000 men, t<^150,000 and for the discharge from service "under reas onable" war department regrriati&ns of men making application. An effort by Representative Her rick, Republican, a new member from Oklahoma, to attach a rider declar ing the war at an end and directing the secretary of war to withdraw American troops from the Rhine was quickly checked by Representative Mondell, the Republican leader, witn , o TV/\in+ a f n* ? jpvillt Ui UiUUi When the bill was being consider ed paragraph by paragraph an amendment offered by Representa tive Byrnes, Democrat, South Caro lina, to reduce the force from 168, 1000 the number recommended by Secretary Weeks to 150,000 was adopted. Privileged to call for a second vote, Chairman Anthony of the subcommittee in charge of the bill, did so today but the amend ment was retained, 193 to 159. Representative Mondell spoke in opposition to the Byrnes amendment, contending that it would be impos sible for months to cut the army to 150,000. To keep within the appro priation during the 12 monthg period beg'nning July 1, he said, it would be necessary toward the last of the year to reduce the army to 120,000. Representative Garrett, Tennessee acting Democratic leader, lead the fight for retention of the Byrnes pro posal and on the vote had almost solid Democratic support and that cf many Republicans. Efforts on a second roll call to knock out an amendment previously adopted to permit enlisted men to be discharged on application failed, 183 to 169. As introduced the bill carried ap proximately $332,000,000 but substi tution of a ^maintenance allowance Isnv. i en nnn ?v^v. 1 ao nnn lui ?u\/y\j\j\j men nistcau ui j.uo,uuu men decreased the total amount $12 000,000. As passed at the last session the bill, which was pocket vetoed by President Wilson, provided for a force of 156,000 and carried a total of $343,000,060. ENTERTAINING THE VISITORS During their stay in Abbeville Rear Admiral McGowan w^s enter tained in the home of Judge and Mr3 Frank B. Gary and Col. Spratt was the guest of Major knd Mrs. J D Fulp. Admiral McGowan renewed many old friendships among people who remembered him as a boy and all found him a pleasant cultured gen tleman. Col. Spratt was given a warm wel come by the World War veterans ana all our people were delighted to do him honor. SCHEDULE CHANGES The schedule on the Southern has been changed, effective Sunday May 15th. The train taken off the short line between here and Hodges goes back on. This eliminates the wait in Hodges with connections for the South. .