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TALK OF THE WAS WRITHR 8KKS KAIRKIt'8 URNKK AU1 WHO HAVE WAR FAME. HOW ARMIES ARE BOSSED Men Idolize Vop Emmich ? Von wjr \ v' Zwelil, Who Captured Mnubeutfo, Credit* British With Good Defen hIvo Tactics ? Zoellner, Sj>eciali8t on 'America, I^oarus JYom t)ur Army. A corespondent of The New York Times writes from the German Qreat Headquarters in France His letter, which follows, 's dated December 9: I have just eaten my way along the German front in France, for a second visit to the German Great Headquarters. This week's lunch and dinner "bag" Included Oen. von lleerlngen, "the Victor of Saarburg"; Gen. von Emmlch, "the Conqueror of Llego"; Gen. von Zwehl, "the Hero of Maubeuge"; Gen. von Wild, the new Quartermaster General, who be fore his appointment fought a twenty round draw with the English at YpreB, though he thinks he won on points, and hosts of coming cham pions. It is literally necessary for an American correspondent on this sido of the fence to eat his way to the firing line and bark again, for the German afield is as hospitable as the tented Arab, and thanks to their won derful Held telephone service, they "have you." The A. O. K. ( Armee Ober Kommando) telephone to the Corps Kommando that you are on the way, the Corps Commando relays the news to the Division Staff, the Divi sion Staff rings up the Regimental Commander, who phones the Bat talion or Hattory Chief. To reach the firing line you have to run the gauntlet of anywhere from three to six meals, and if you happen to be one of those "amazing Americans" and insist on being shown to an or chestra seat in the Hist trench, you will, be suro to find somo sort of a table Rproad for you in the very shadow of death, for their habit of hospitality is fireproof. Hut while robbing war correspond ing of all its old-time romance, the German, gastronomic way has the great advantage of giving you the maximum of information in the mini mum of time and of letting you meet the masters of modern warfare, the men who have done big things, under ideal conditions, for over after-dinner coffee and elgars you can and will ? if you are an American ? ask the . most imprudent questions with the certainty of getting a good-natured and courteous answer. Von Emmich makes the most In stant appeal to an American. Short and atockily built and looking every inch a fighter, he gives you the im pression of possessing tremendous, almost Itooseveltian vitality, with a saving sense of humor. Von Emmich is the general with a udpning smile. Ho could have been a successful machine politician if he had emigrated to America Instead of remaining in Germany and becoming the most popular general in the Ger man army, among the men, for he has the rare gift of inspiring his fol lowers with a sense of personal loy alty. HIb troops idolize liim. They break out into hearty hurrahs at the slight est provocation when they see him. It Is lese majeste, but none the less true ,to say that they think as much of their general as of their kaiser. Thoy toll you proudly that lie rode at their head when the city of I,ioge waR taken by storm, and after seeing him, | you could nevor picture von Erumich; bringing up the roai* in a motor car, after the manner that more prudent generals use. He has iron gray hair and a bristly close-cropped mustache to match, and a very florid complex ion, and looks absolutely unliko the sleok individual whose photograph was published with his obituary no tice in the London press while the forts of Liego wore still "holding out" on paper. Asked point blank, Gen. von Em mich stoutly and with groat good hu mor denied that ho had ever com mitted suicide or oven contemplated the stop. "But you know. Excellency, that you wero reported to have lost some thing llko 1 20,000 mon before Liege," it was suggested. "That's throe times as many as I had," he answered with the "win ning smile." Cien. von Emmich will talk qulto freely about anything hut himself and military matters, but a few odds and ends wero snapped up. It was interesting to learn that ho was in Liege only a day and a half, then pushed on ahead in the direction of Namur with tho bulk of his corps, leaving only His heavy artillery be hind to finish up the romalnlng forts. Ho did not even know that Zeppe lins had taken part in tho bombard inen of these forts until ho hoard about It afterward. L^ter ho turned up at Mons and had a hand In boat ing thn British or expediting their strategic retreat, according to the point of view. Ills subsequent move ments and present whereabouts aro intoroatlng, but would never j:ass the (lorninn censor. "Did you feel proud at being so locted to load tho way into Belgium, Excellency, " I Inquired. "Yos, of course I did," he replied. "Would you like to lend your corps Into England?" For Just an Instant what looked vory much llko tho light ?. of battle wan In his eye. "1 will go anywhere I am ordered to go ? anywhere," he replied with smiling emphasis. Hon. von EmmWfh'g headquarters produced an Interesting story. At 8 p. m. a general alaf-mwas Kent out to tho reserve troops to propare for Im mediate retrent, as the French wore coming. Every hit of baggage was paoked up and loaded on wagons, the Infantry In full marching kit lined up ? everything ready In record breaking time without rush or con fusion to withdraw on tho word of command. Hut no command to march came ? Instead a "well done" from the general as he rode down tho long nolumn. It was Just a little "flro alarm drill" to keep the rosorvo troops up to tho high-water mark of ofnolenoy. den. von Zwehl, nicknamed Zwohl Maubougo, Is probably almost un known in America, though the dark 4 * " " " ' of tho throat ^>klU thing but a fighter ? a quiet, gentle looking soul with kind and a bit tired eyes, soft ollverly hair, and a whim sical sense of humor, a gentleman of the old school. "But you should Just see him In the field during a fight ? he's a regular whirlwind," one of his BtafT said. He confirmed the fact that Mau beuge had fallen on schedule time in ten days and that he had taken over 40,000 French prisoners, that he had given the French commandant till 7 p. m. (German time) to surrender, and that the appointment was kept with great promptness, also that the French were a b"t chagrined when they learned they had been "taken In" by a Bingle corps. I also learned that ho and his corps had arrived in time to stop tho first English corps which had crossed the Aisne and was marching on X. Gen. von Zwehl praised the Eng lish troops against whom he had suc cessfully fought, and who are now in tho north, saying: "The Kngllsh sol dier Is a splendid fighter, especially on the defensive." Asked if -he re mark of one of his staff that "the Kngllsh can't attack" was a fact, von Zwehl said: "I cafi only speak as far as my own experience goes, and that is that the English never were able to carry through a bayonet charge with success against my troops. They came on bravely enough, but when our troops would open fire on them at 60 yards and follow it up with a counter attack, the English would in variably go over into the defensive, at which they are at their best. They are particularly experienced in 'bush warfare,' and display the utmost skill in making the most of every bit of cover." The commanding general confirm ed the following grewnome story which one of his staff officers had told me: "Tho English apparently do not bother to bury their dead but let them lie. We are still burying Eng lish who fell on September 14 and later. Wo found and buried two only yesterday. That the abandonment of their dead is deliberate is indicated by the fact that we have found the bodies of dead English soldiers in corners and nooks of the approaches to tho English trenches where the wounded had evidently crawled to die, and where their comrades must constantly have passed them and seen them." More generals were met during a visit to the "office building" of the Great General Staff in the Great Headquarters. Here, too. 1 was al lowed to examine the historic room where around a large mahogony table the chiefs of the staff hold their daily conferences, at which the kaiser him self is often present. A huge map of France and a slice of Belgium cover ed the table and hung down to tho floor on either side. 1 noted with in terest that It was a French General Staff map. On one wall hung an other map showing the exact location of all the armies in the west. In the unavoidable absence of the combination chief of staff and war minister von Falkenhayn, the new Quartermaster General von Wild did the honors in the long Louis XIV. Room where the Great General Staff eats together ? an interesting sight, for it represents the round-up of tho brains of the German army. Gen. von Wild, until his promotion, command ed a division against the English at Ypres and spoke in generous terms of his opponents. "The English are excellent fight era," he said. "I have walked over many of the battlefleldB in the north ? grewsome sights, beyond words to describe. From what I saw, I am convinced that the English losses have been much heavier than ours." Gen. von Wild said that a puzzling and unexplalnablo feature of these battlefields was that so many of the dead were found lying on their backs with rigid arms stretched straight up toward heaven ? a ghastly spectacle. Here, too, was a German general who knew more about the American army than most Americans, the Bava rian general, Zoellner, the great gen eral staff's spehialist on Americana, and it was interesting to note that, in spito of its own pressing problems, the general staff is still taking a keen interest In thoso of America and de riving valuable lessons. "I havo been particularly interest ed in the Mexican troubles." Gen. Zoellner said. "To my mind, the lesson for America is the need of a larger standing army. I was particu larly impressed by the speed of your mobilization and your dispatch in landing your expeditionary force at Vera Cruz. I was also especially in terested in your tfplendd Texas cav alry division. Wo have nothing like It In the German army, because such a body of men could not be develop ed In a closely settled country. You may not know that only a short time before being sent to Mexico the Texas cavalry had received brand-new drill and exercise Instructions, but in spite of this they acquitted themselves splendidly, showing the remarkable adaptability of your soldiers. "In sending your coast artillery as infantry regiments to Moxico you an ticipated us in a rather similar use of our marine divisions on the coast. Tho most valuable lesson wo have loarnod from you is typhus vaccina tion. This wo owo to the American army. I bellevo It goes back to tho fact that your Gen. Wood was a medi cal man before becoming cbk>f of staff." (Jon. Zlellner Intimated that tho while Gorman army either bad boon or was being vaccinated against ty phoid on tho American plan. "And there Is also a very American flavor about our voluntoor automobile corps tholr dash and speed they havo learned from you Americans," ho con cluded. My previously formed suspicion thnt the Germans were making war on tho American plan, managing tholr armies llk? so many subsidiary com panion of a big trust, was fully con firmed by my second visit to tho of fice of tho great general staff. In stead of a picturesque bunch of gon orals spending anxious days and slooploss nights ovor their maps with faithful attendants trying to coax them to leave off dispatch writing long enough to eat a sandwich, I found a live lot of army officials, keeping regular office hours and tak ing ample time out for meals The staff was quartered In a handsome old municipal building; the ground floor, I devoted to living purposes, quite like an exclusive club; the business* of fices upstairs Gen von Haonlsch took mo aloft nnd explained to mo hoy business was done. A good telephone operator. It developed, was almost as Important r competent general ? the tele phone "central" tho most vital spot of an army. Hore were throo large fewl?6ht><>ar4? v/lth soldiers playing lelephone girl, while other soldiers. MILITIA DISBANDED B LEA BE MUSTERS OUT THE EN TIRE .NATIONAL GUARD. END OF OFFICIAL MUSS Governor's Action la Climax of His Ia>dk Continued Disputes With the United States War Department ? Government Officials Are Appar ently Unconcerned Over His Action. Gov. Hlease Monday disbanded the South Carolina organized militia. Thirty-one companies, comprising ap proximately 2,000 officers and men, are affected. Disagreement between the governor and militia and war de partment officials on the organization and equipment of the troops was given as the reason for the action. | Militia officers Monday night began ' a movement to prevent complete dis organization. Telegrams wero sent to South Carolina members of con gress at Washington requesting that they use their influence to have the war department delay asking tho re turn of $200,000 worth of supplies loaned the troops. Gov. BJease will retire January 19 and Gov. Manning, his successor, will be asked to re-instate the soldiers. While Mr. Manning has not yet Indi cated what action lie will take, it was considered certain by militia officers that ho would rescind the action of Gov. Blease. Gov. Riense explained in his order disbanding the troops that the exist ence of differences between the sec retary of war and the secretary of the navy and Adjutant General Moore of' South Carolina on one side and him self on the other, prompted him to take this step. These differences, he said, resulted in serious breaches of discipline in the militia corps. "The present governor of the state of South Carolna is of the opinion that it will be unfair and unjust on his part to turn over to his successor in office the militia of South Carolina in Its present condition," the order read. The controversy between Gov. Hlease and Adjutant General Moonc was said to have been the result of the governor's refusal to sign cer tain orders and official papers pre sented to him by the adjutant gen- | eral. The secretary of war and the sec retary of navy became parties to this controversy, according to official statements for about $100,000 worth df federal property these federal de partments claimed had been lost and destroyed by the militia organiza tions was held up. An accounting of this property was begun about a year ago and recently was completed and the finished reports were said to be ready for the signature of Gov. Hlease. The situation became further com plicated last summer when the gov-? ernor refused to permit the mtlltla troops to participate In the annual en campment ordered by the chief of the division or militia affairs. This ac tion, according to statements from tho adjutant general's office, resulted in appropriations by congress aggre gating about $55,000 for maintenance and equipment of the South Carolina militia being held up by the war de partment. Included in the three regiments of Infantry and auxiliary corps afTected by the order are 600 men whom the governor had refused to muster out of service upon orders received about eight months ago from the chief of the division of United States militia affairs. The militia was commanded by Adjutant General Moore of Ilarnwell, whose official position is not affected by the order. Gov. Hlease, however, was commander-ln-chicf. eff-ofllclo, (Jen. Wilie Jones of Columbia, was brigadier general of the South Caro lina corps. Headquarters of the First Infantry Regiment was at Yorkville; of tho Second regiment at Columbia, and of the Third at Charleston. Coast artillery corps was located at Charles ton. Sullivan Island, Beaufort and Georgetown, and each had an approxi mate strength of 60 men and officers. War department officials at Wash ington were not much concerned by news that Gov. Hlease had disband ed the South Carolina militia. They believed the Incoming governor speed ily would order Its reorganization to avoid as far as possible any loss of money allotted by the national gov ernment for tho militia's support. T'nder the lav to obtain any gov ernment funds for tho militia's sup port, South Carolina must present for inspection at least 900 armed and uniformed and drilled state soldiers This is on tho basis of at least 100 militiamen for each representative of the state in congress, including the) senators. Because of South Carolina's alleged deficiency in the matter of equipment, failure to measure up to tho regular army standards and fail ure to account satisfactorily for gov ernment supplies, the war department nearly a year ago withdrew federal financial support from the state's troops. After some spicy correspond ence between tho secretary of war and the governor a regular army in spection office ?v I si ted South Carolina, and made arrangements under which the war department, again began sup plying a limited amount of funds. If the governor's order disbanding the militia becomes effective imme diately, it was said at tho department that the government appropriation will bo cut off automatically. * messages on printed "business" forms. In tho noxt room sat tho staff officers on duty, waiting for tho tele phone bell to Jinglo with latest ro ports from tho front. Thoro was no waiting because numbers were "en gaged" or operators gossiping: you could get Merlin or Vienna without once having to swear at "long dis tance " (Sen. von Haenlsch had his chief of field telephone and telegraph ? rot out what looked llko a lingo family tree, but turned out to bo it most minute chart of the entire tele phone system of the nth army. It. showed the position of every corps and division headquarters' regiment., battalion and company, and all the telephone lines connecting them, even to the single trenches and batteries. Mfo Termers Overpower (Junrd. Four prisoners serving life sen tences overpowered their guards at Richmond, Va., Monday night and eg^ggd. _They used a rope from the NINE AIRMEN FIGHT SEVEN GERMANS AND TWO BEL GIANS 11AVE HIGH BATTLE. Dunkirk Thrilled m Defending Am planes Go up to Engage Bomb Dropping Invaders. A London dispatch eayB Dunkirk was visited by German aeroplanes In i force early Sunday afternoon. It Is reported that In all thirty bombs were dropped, and It is known that several houses near the station and docks caught fire. No one was killed in Dunkirk itself, but the correspondent reports that in the suburb of Malo les-Bains five civilians were killed , and a few Injured. There were also a j few civilians injured in the city. Ths Is the sixth visit which the Ger man aviators have paid to Dunkirk within the past fortnight. According j to an eye-witness seven aeroplanes appeared over the city at about 2 | o'clock. A fairly strong wind was blowing, and under the circumstances j their preseneo was not expected. The aeroplanes were llying at a height of about 5,500 feet r.nd almost In single file. The sky was somewhat obscur ed and rain was falling. As the military authorities were prepared, the raiders were met by a hail of lead from mitrailleuses and anti-air craft guns. Tho Germans took a leisurely survey of fortifica tions and then dropped the bombs in quick succession No damage was done to the military works, but evi- 1 dently incendiary bombs were issued, as seveial houses speedily caught fiie. Having had previous experience of these raids the residents hid them selves in their cellars on hearing the first explosions. After dropp'ng their missiles the airmen were preparing to leave when two Belgian aeroplanes | were seen coming to the attack. A I thrilling encounter in the air was the nwitnessed. Although outnumbered, seven to two, the Belgians fought gallantly and completely outmanoeuvred their opponents. They rose to a height of T.OOu feet and having gained this ad vantage fired at the Germans with mitrailleuses it was exceedingly dif ficult and dangerous work and de manded the greatest skill, for t lie slightest slip, resulting from the falr iy high wind blowing at the time, would have sent airmen and machines to the ground. The battl<? lasted only forty-five minutes. Then five of the German machines drew off. it Is believed, he cause they were short of ammunition. The two remaining aviators strove desperately to gain the advantage, but as they rose higher, so the Belgians rose and held their advantage until the final phases of the air combat were fought at a height of alHiut ?,OOG feet. Suddenly, the spectators say, one of | tho aeroplanes swerved and dropped. The airman had been hit in a vital ; spot and had lost control of his nm bine. This crashing to the ground in a ploughed field on the outskirts of the city on the road to Furnes, was completely wrecked. The airman was killed on the spot and waB found nmonK tho innntt of twinted metal. The seventh and last aeroplane quickly disappeared in the direction of Calais and appeared over that city as dusk was gathering. There three bombs were dropped. Two fell near tho docks and the third into the sea, no casualties or material damage be ing caused. As at Dunkirk the airman was im mediately fired on by the anti-air craft guns, which are ready mounted for tho purpose. After hovering about the city for a few minutes the airman swung round again in the direction of Dunkirk and was lost In the darkness. Tl'RNS IT DOWN. National House Refuses to Submit Woman Suffrage Amendment. The House of Representatives Tuesday night by n vote of 204 to 17 1 refused to submit to the states an amendment to the federal constitu tion to enfranchise women. A two thirds majority would have been nec essary for adoption of the resolution submitting the amendment. lindreds of women who sat in the crowded galleries throughout the eight hours of debate, greeted the announcement of the result with va ried expressions of approval and dis approval. Dejection mingled with enthusiasm as the purple and yellow sashes of the. suffragists and the red rose-bedecked anti-suffragists filed out Into the Mouse corridors, wearied with the long strain of oratory. RKPORT HUi WRKCKAfiH. (?ermans Claim Damage at Dunkirk as Result of Sunday Attack. Ii<>n<lon reports. "A wireless dis patch from Merlin says the military establishments in and near Dunkirk were completely destroyed by the Herman airship flotilla which attack ed that city on Sunday. The Dun kirk lighting plant also was destroy ed. The dispatch says l his informa tion is contained in a message from Rotterdam. "Dunkirk, on the coast of France, Is the British continental military hase. Troops anil supplies from Eng land aro landed at this port, whero extensive military supply stations have been established." Was Not Thinking of Presidency. President. Wilson has announced that he was not thinking of 1 {? I f? when he said :it Indianapolis that the people would have to pass judgment upon whether he knew their desires or not. Doesn't I ?i I* Note. The Dagblnd. Sweden's leading con servative pap'*r. s.i vs Oreat Britain's reply to tho l ulled States shows she intends to adhere to her harassing policy. Dirigible lla.se Near (Jliont. (leneva, Switzerland, reports that a Zeppelin base has been established near Ohent, where four dirigible and several aeroplanes are gathered Stamp Tax In Panama. To replace revenue lost been use of the Kuropenn war the government of J'anama has been forced to levy a stamp tax. (Jorman Slilp In Distress. Tho former Urltlsh collier Farn, which In now In German handn, put NAVY TO IMPROVE OFFICERS TO LEARN NEW TRICKS OF EUROPEAN WAR. WANT ONLY THE BEST Naval OMcots Are to be Sent to Field of Activity So Ah to Enjoy Best Facilities for Learning Latent Style of Naval Warfare and Marine Pre paration. The United States navy department is preparing to take advantage of the European war to get accurate infor mation in order to have the most up to-date navy in the world. This does not mean that Uncle Sam desires the largest navy, but what he has in the way of warships, auxiliaries and equipment is to be of the best that experience in tho pres ent war indicates must be had. That is the reason, it is said, that congress will not be aBked to build more than two battleships, six destroyers and eight to twelve submarines now. Secretary Daniels announces that the House bill would carry the fol lowing provision with his approval: "There shall be a Chief of Naval Operations who shall be an officer on tho active list of the navy not below tho grade of Hear Admiral, appointed for a term of four years by the presi dent, by and with the advice and con sent of tho Senate, who, under the secretary of the navy, shall be re sponsible for the readiness of the navy for war and be charged with its general direction. "All orders issued by the Chief of Naval Operations in performing the duties assigned to him shall be (per formed under the authority of the secretary of the navy and his orders shall be) considered as emanating from the secretary and shall have full force and effect as such." j The words in parentheses were in serted to prevent any effort on the part of the Chief of Naval Opera tions to supersede the president or the secretary of the navy. The House committee struck the following sentence from the forego ing provision: "In case of the ab sence of the secretary of the navv and the assistant secretary, he ithe Chief of Naval Operations) shall per form the duties of the secretary." 1 A more important part of the new bill says: "To assist the Chief of Naval Operations in preparing gen eral and detailed plans of war, there shall be assigned for this exclusive duty not less than fifteen olllcers of and above the rank of lieutenant commander of the navy or major of the marine corps." Secretary Daniels explained that aft r this bill goes into effect the president will still be the "Command er in Chief of the Army and Navy," and the secretary of tho navy will still be at the head of the navy. Tin.* secretary of the navy will not be! made a flgurehea' This is the out come Secretary Daniels desired. Immediately after the new bill is enacted into law the present admin istration will start at least half of the officers selected to assist the Chief of Naval Operations to Europe to ob serve the effects of the naval engage ments and other operations in the war. Expert navy men will be kept abroad until the war is over, and longer, for the United States wants all tho information there is to be had, so as to know exactly what to urgo upon congress. It is believed by the officers of the navy department that the United States does not know the half of what is going on in the waters occu pied by the navies of the fighting na tions. Preparations are being made for an elaborate study of the use of cer tain weapons of war as soon as hos tilities cease. The program of the navy for next year may be entirely different from what It is now as to tho sort of ships to be constructed. At the urgent request of Secretary of War Garrison. Senator Chamber lain of the Senate military affairs committee has introduced a hill pro viding for an increase In the coast artillery arm of the army by nearly 1 0,0 00 men "The coast defences could not be regarded an efficient unless the com missioned and enlisted strengths were at least sufficient to furnish one relief for the guns, mortars and mines and the equipment necessary therrto.' Secretary of War Oarrison stated In a letter to Chairman Cham berlain. "It is Imped that one-half of the officers and men required for the guns and mortajw of the. home defenses may bo supplied from the roast ar tillery of the organized militia of the seaboard states that is. the policy that is being followed looks to the states to supply T 4 <? oflicers and I K HP. I enlisted men. ' While the slates up to the present time have made provision for only III oflicers and 7.122 enlisted men. Renato hill G,5Mi7 assumes that the full state (|uota will eventually he supplied, and the numbers of oflicers and enlisted men enumerated In the hill, with what is now authorized, will provido one complete manning body of regular <? ast artillery for all the oversea fortifications, for the mines at home and for one-half of the guns and mortars at home. "The total cost of the coast de fenses to date is about $ I <10,000, 000, 000. In view of the high efllc.lency of the material of the defenses It Is desirable that a personnel should be provided that will realize the full de fensive value of this great national ex pendit ure." Another bill which the committee will take up Is one Increasing the army to full strength, adding ap proximately 25.000 men. Still an other provides for a sharp Increase in the number of oflicers, adding 1, 000 to the preosnt number. The idea of this bill Is to provide sufficient of ficers for the proper training of re cruits in war. and also with a view , to having plenty of officers In time of war to take actual command, the ex perience of the F.uropean armies hav ing been that the oflicers are killed off so fast that it Is embarrassing to provide a sufficient number for the commands The navy department Is preparing to build the first submarine over constructed In the government navy yards. "At Portsmouth," Aimld Secretary Daniels, "Naval ?v<l\ftlT>ndnr Adams wlll^hRvo the LEGISLATURE ORGANIZES GENEItAL ASSEMBLY STARTED NEW SESSION TUESDAY. Host Elected Speaker of House and J. \V llsou Gibbon In the New Clerk ? Nothing New Comew Up. In a decidedly business-like manner the general assembly of South Caro lina organized Tuesday fur its 7 1st session. The refusal of the Senate to accept an invitation to visit Winthrop college January 20 is taken by ob servers as an indication that the up per house is resolved to waste as Ut ile time as possible. A significant incident in the House of Representa tives was the applauding of a refer ence in the speaker's address to the necessity for passing a compulsory school attendance law. The Senato was called to order at noon by Charles A. Smith of Tim monsville, retiring lieutenant-gover nor. The Senate, acting under the caucus of Monday night, elected Le Graud Walker of Georgetown its president pro tempore and M M. Maun of St. Matthews its clerk. In addition to the annual message, the Senate received from the governor a special message recommending the continuance of the State warehouse system started under an act of the October special session. The senate debated the question of going to Win throp and finally decided not to do so. after an hour of discussion. The Senate met Wednesday at noon The most interesting feature of the organization sessions of the House was the hotly contested election for clerk J. Wilson (.Jibebs of Columbia, who had a lead on the first ballot, was finally elected after the roll had been called nine times. As had been an ticipated, James A. Hoyt of Columbia was made speaker without opposition. In a brief speech he outlined his views on important measures which will be introduced shortly. Members applauded him when he said that the general assembly c uld not afford to ignore the passage of a compulsory school attendance law, under the in junction laid down by the voters in the last primaries. The House passed unanimously a resolution introduced by Mr. Mrigham of Aiken, felicitating President Wil | son on his administration The reso i luton commended the president in the highest terms, praised the Sim mons-Underwood tariff bill and eon-1 I gratulated the nation s chief execu tive on his policy as regards Mexico Important amendments propos ?d to the rules of the last House caused the House to defer their adoption until; Wednesday. One of the amendments offered makes it Impossible to carry I on a filibuster such as blocked for a number of days the passage of the bond issue bill in the House during the special session. Another amendment does away with the limitation on the number of members on committees, leaving this to the discretion of the speaker. In dications are that a fight will be made on this amendment, to the end that not more than 1 :J members can be appointed on the more important committees and not more than nine on the others. In the House the annual messago of the governor was received imme diately after the chief executive was notified of the organization of the body. The reading of the message was interrupted by a motion to ad journ until 11:45 o'clock Wednesday morning. The message will not be printed in the journal, under* a spe cial order from the House, until it has been read in full. department at any of its yards. "In this vessel and in submarine E-2 wil be installed a set of Edison batteries, the first vessels in our navy or any other navy to be equipped with this triumplh of Mr. lOdison's genius." CLASSIFIED COLUMN Marry ? Large list of wealthy mem bers wishing early marriage. Con fidential description free Reliable club. Mrs. Wrubel, Hox 2 6, Oak land. Cal. Ludy Wants position as housekeeper; home with children preferred. Hest refernces. Address "Housekeeper," care Letter Carrier No. 14. Charles ton. S. C. etaoln shrdlu cmfwyp vbgkqj x/.flflfffTi Salesman Wanted to sell vinegars and ciders. Exclusive or side line. 25 p?r cent, commissions. Weekly set tlements. IteJlands Mfg Co., Rich mond. Vn. Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage I'lant-s ? Shipped fresh from the noil. Parcel post, 20c hundred; 7F?c f>00; $1.20 1,00?, prepaid; by express, r.00, fiOc; 1,000, $1; r.,000, $4.7r?. "Hermitage Farm," Clark Wilcox, Miirrells Inlet, S. C. Superfluous llalr Is easily and quickly removed from face and arms by TONDO HARMLESS HAIR REMOV ER. Highly endorsed, safe, effective. Generous I: ox fifty ccnts postpaid in plain wrapper. So-thefn Special ty Co., Savannah, (Ja. Olve your wife, mother or sister a nico Xmas present. Set of William Roger's Carnation pattern Tea Spoons, 87c. Rogers Pros. 1847 Vintage pattern, $1.74. Wrlto for prices on other silverware. W. Y McNeill, Waterloo, S. C. Notice ? The PRINCE -? NOINEER IN(i-M AC1IINR WORKS at Sumter will contain APPRENTICE DE PA HTM ENTS for automobile re pairing and machine work. It w!ll bo the means of teaching our youn,, men mechanical trade and "KEEP TIIEM AT HOME." Request ap plication blanks, and list of second hand cars, parts, and motorcycle, being cleared out Automohlllsta ? NEW YEAR starts our NEW PLANT. ft. 000 square feet, concrete floor Will accommo date 100 cars Washstands, pits, and machine tools for ANY repair. Painting, top and upholstery de partments Winter is time to paint, overhaul and fix tops; wrlto fot prices, naming car If you llvo near, shop In, or pass through Sumter, wft have THE place to enrn for all your motor needs IN THE PROPER WAY Write for list of second hand cars, parts and motorcycles being cleared out; als application for apprentice department If you I want tq learn AUTOMOBILE RB-J ;no change in war KKSl'LT DEl'K.MW l/PON VVKATH KK OH PARTLY OF OTHKHS. SOME FIGHTING SEVEHF Relief in Allied Countries That Ital)' mid Roumania Are About to Kilter ? Russian Movement Stop pod by Had Weather ? Fi^thlng in 1- ranee renters Around SuIsnoiis. Only a change in the weather or entrance into the war of Rouumnia or Italy, or both, is 1 i K ** I y to briug about any marked chant;)' m the military situation iu Kurope f< r some time to come. The belief is growing in countries allied against Ucrmaiij, Austria and Turkey, that Rouu.ania with her well trained artuy of not less than ?imu.ium.i men, soon will thiow h< rselt into the coniliot. This, in efTect. would link Koumunia with the extreme Russian left now forcing its way into Hun gary through Rukowina. Taking into consideration the Ser vians and Montenegrins, this would form a line menacing Austria-Hun gary along the entire southeastern frontier from Russia to the Adriatic .lust as rumors persisted for days prior to Turkev s enerance into the war so rumors now center about Ron mania and Italy There is a strong feeling among the general public in France and Kngland that definite ac tion will not be long delayed. Only sporadic lighting is taking place on the battle fronts, acocrding to latest reports, and almost all of this is done by artillery. I'robablv the heaviest infantry engagement was on the lower N'ida river, in southern Poland, where the Austrians claim they repulsed with severe losses Rus sian attempts to cross the stream at several places. Most of the fighting in the west has centered about Soissons, where the Hermans have delivered a violent bombardment and inaugurated a strong attack, which, so f;ir as latest advices indicate, has not terminated I.ondoii reports: "French attacks north of Soissons, on the Aisne and near 1'erthe, east of Rheinis. are de veloping into a serious offensive. Tin gains the French have made at these points, it' followed up. would have two-fold importance. They threaten the railways which the (iermans are using to supply their troops in the lighting line and are a serious menace to Herman forces which hold positions to the north of Rheims. "The French have found it impos sible to take by frontal attacks posi tions from which the Hermans are bombarding Rheims, but advances on either side would envelope them and force a retirement, thus giving the Cathedral City relief from the Her man shells. "In the Argonne and on the heights of the Meuse the Hermans claim to have made further progress. It is re ported that tho Germans have sent heavy reinforcement s to this district to prevent the French from breaking their linos, which are close to their | own border and not far from Metz. I "French Herman troops dispatched | to Alsace, combined with the wintry weather have stopped the French ad vance in that region. Along the rest of tho front artillery'is doing most of I the work. Only isolated attacks are being attempted, had weather and mud making movements of large bodies of troops out of the question. "Neither Fast Prussia nor Poland furnishes any change in the general situation and strangely, the Russians have added little with reference to expected invasion of Hungary by way of Pukowina. although more than a week ago they ch imed to he at the threshold. It is conceded, however, that virtually the whole of Rukowina is in Russian hands and dispatches reaching London from Rncharest say that thousands of fugitives from that territory are crossing the Roumanian frontier, some of them proceeding to Vienna. "in restricted areas along tin* River Rawka. near Dollniow, however, the.e has been Herce fighting. Severe fight ing continues on the Nida River, where the Austrian?; oppose Russian attempts to penetrnte to Cnuow. "The Hermans nro keeping Die Ma zurinn Lakes open with Ire breakers to hlork the Russian advance in Kast Prussia. Russian troops tiold posi tions around the lakes and have been waiting for thorn to freeze over before resuming ttieir offensive. "The Turks deny they have been defeated by the Russians in the Can casus. To offset this denial. Petro grad had a report that Noury Hey, chief of the general ntaff of the Third Ottoman army corps, who was sent by the sultan to investigate the re port* of tho defeat, has been captured by Cossacks. "The Turks have been offering stubborn resistant' to the Russians (i t Kara Crgan, where a battle has been in progre -t for five days:. The position at this place is more favor able for the Turks, who have not the deep snow of the mountains In < on tend with and are in (loser touch with their base. It is a death strug gin for them, for so long as the Kus slan lloet commands the lilack Sea the Turks can not get reinforcements from K u rope, I lie overland route tie ing a long and cifictiH one They have an army corps at Bagdad. but. this Is needed to oppose the advance of the British Indian army from the east 'The Austrh'im charge that the Russians are using Austro Hungarian uniforms to cntch Austrian patrols. It Is declared the rights of 'oelli??er enta will not tie accorded Russians who are captured so masquerading. "A synopsis < f n alleged treaty be tween (Jermany and Turkey, as re celved In Paris from Hedearach. H 11 1 garia. purport'- to provide that (!er many shall supplv Turkey with muiii (Ions of war, mon< ,v and C.erman offi cers and military specialists. In the event of victory Germany will pay Turkey one-fifth of her war indemni ty, and in case of defeat will intro duce a clause In the peace treaty guaranteeing the Integrity of Otto man territory." Itorlin reports: "In the Arronno forest a French vantage point was taken on the Roman high road In this engagement two officers and I to men fell info our hands "In the battles on the eastern side of the Argonne we have taken since January X, Including those already mentioned, one major, three captains, 13 Meutonftnta and l.r.OO men. Th^d FjtaMOh total loss. Including kUlMWHH