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CO iTJMTKR WATCHMAN, SVtttblUhod AprfL HUM. "Bm #n?l and Fear not?Bet an the ende at be thy Country's. Thy God's and! Trwth'e." 0 THE TRTJ o OCTBStON, F#rtAbMshe<1 Jon% T Consolidated Ahr. 2,1881. SUMTER, 8. 0., SATUBl k, DECEMBER 16, 1916. MM 4 VoLXLin. No. 36 ONE CHANGE IN CABINET. GREGORY WILL RESIGN AS AT? TORNEY GENERAL, WHILE OTHERS REMAIN. Possible That linker Will be Shifted to Department of Justice, and Me Oormlek sent In to lake Ills Place as Secretary of War. Washington, Dec. 11.?Every mem? ber of President Wilson's cabin jt, with the possible exception of Attor? ney General Gregory, is expected to remain la office after March 4, when ths president's second term begins, it was learned definitely today that all of them have b.isn or will be asked to keep their posts. Reports concerning possible resig? nations have centred chiefly around Seeestarles MoAdoo. Houston and Dake". and the attorney general. It has been taken for granted that Post? master General Burloeon and 8ecre farter Lansing. Daniels and Wilson would remain, and indefinite rumors that Secretary Red field might wish to retire to private business were de? nied some time agr< Secretary MrAdoo personally denied that ho had any Intention of lOtiign lrur. The reports In his cai;e have been moat persistent. Regarding Mr. Houston it became known that ths officials of Washing? ton university at St. Louis, have ex? tended his leave of absence as chan? cellor of that Institution so that he can continue as bead of the depart? ment of agriculture. Because of the Investigations into the high cost A living and other important work un? dertaken by Secretary Houston, the president Is known to consider hi* continued service In the cabinet as highly desirable. Although Secretary Baker has been credited with a desire to leave* the cabinet, it is learned that In all like? lihood be will remain. It is under? stood, however, that there Is a pos? sibility that he may be shifted to frM department of Jnntioe if Mr. Greg? ory tastet* on rsstimlpf thnt WfaewOtfc national committee, may be placed In charge of the war de? partment. In the attorney general's case the reports about his Intentions to resign have been very circumstantial, and have been generally accepted by officials as true, although he has given no Indications of hU Intentions. The president has offered Mr. Gregory a seat on the supreme court once and should another vacancy occur during the administration It is thought prob? able he would bo seriously considered again. THOUSANDS KILLED IN EXPLO? SION. New? Agency Reports Disaster in Rus? sin. Perl: . Dec. ? (via Sayville).?An explosion In a Russian ammuntioi plant has caused ths death of about 1.000 persona, according to the Over? seas News agency today, quoting tho Russian newspaper Rech. The news agoncy statement says: "The Russian newspaper Rech re? port* that a new* explosion took pluce In an arnmuultlon factory on Lu Sa? ls nnnya. The cause Is unknown. At the moment of the catastrophe about l.eoft persons were working lr. the factory, all of whom evidently per? ished. The factory was completely destroyed. FIFTY LONE LIVES. Dil? ?ter Occurs In Alexandria Ex? plosive* Plant. 'I i. in. Friday, Dec. 8 (via Paris. Dec. )?An explosion has occ irred In tho Alexandria explosive plant. It Is fiared that more than f?U people have been killed The cause of the disaster has no' ?n established. H#t York, Dec. 13.?Sixty-live thOO I i d ?arment workers struck 1: od ay? es, ths refusal of employers to gysjH $ ' a week increase in wages. Kl Paso, Dec. 18.?Pueblo. 60 miler southeust of Mexico <Mty and the gate? way to the capital has been captures by Gens. RobL.. and Diaz, who art leadi iit a new revolution In the south, according to dispatches received to? day. Villa continues his raids ar >und Chihuahua City. Fairfax. Dec. ! 1.?Over 200 farm? ers, merchants md business men mating hero tod iv, to form boll wc vll clubs In the seven border COUn? tie*. These clul s will Igtfrl the ton netfl. Gov. Manning was the pi neinnl BS>SOkSl at th^ meeting. Tlo ? r?v? i m attending promts* i their rop< P? ??? in meotlnt* ho changed OgrlcOf tuiul conditions. GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE PAY. EFFORT BY AMERICAN FEDERA? TION OF LABOR. I*lun to Provide More Money for nil From President to Lowest Wage Earner Because of High Cost of Liv? ing. Washington Dec. 10.?An organ'se? ed effort directed hy the American Federation of Labor to induoo con? gress to grant wage and salary in? creases to all employes of the United States government front president down to the humblest laborer was planned at a meeting here today pre? sided over by Samuel Gompers, presi? dent of the federation. Resolutions were adopted sotting forth that government salaries ht.vo not kept pace with the cost of neces? sities of life and directing that con? ic res? be petitioned to grant increases ranging from 10 to 33 1-3 per cent, to government employes whether in or out of the civil service. Mr. Gompers was authorized to ap? point committees to urge the cause before congress. The resolutions agreed to include a scale of In? creases which will be embodied in tho plan to be presented. It would provide 33 L-3 per cent, increases for those receiving less than $1,000 per annum; 25 per cent, for those re? ceiving $1,500 but less than $2.000; 10 I per cent, for those receiving $2,100 |or moro. No employe paid by tho day should receive less than $3, If paid by the month less than $00 or $l,0So .f paid by the year. Should the plan be acceptod by congrem tho president, cabinet offi? cers and national legislators would be Included In tho class to receivo a 10 per cent. Increase. The labor com ! mit tees, however, while meaning to overlook no one, will confine their ef 1 forts chiefly to procuring Increases in the lower paid grades. The question of Increasing* wages is already before the house of repre? sentatives in the legislative appro? priation RUSSIANS ANNOUNCE GAINS. > Aii?tro-Germsn Trenches In Transyl? vania Captured. Petrograd, Dec. 13.?Tho capture of a line of Austro-German trenches on the heights south of Auguslla Transylvanlan frontier is announced by tho war office. It is also reported thai strong German attacks east of Chibena and southwest of Putna val? ley were repulsed. GERMANS CAPTURE STEAMERS. Two Ships Carrying Contra baud to England Reported Seized. Berlin, Dec. 13.?The seizure of the steamer Caledonian and the Bra zilian steamer Rio Pardo, which were carrying contraband to England, was otflelally announced today. The Caledonian is not listed in Lloyds register. The fUo Pardo is a vessel of nine hundred and thirty-rive tons from Rio Janeiro. ALL PLANS COMPLETE. Germany Ready to Submit Concrete' Peace Terms. Berlin, Dec. 13.?That the central powers have agreed upon concrete peace terms was learned from an au? thoritative source today. Although these conditions wore not disclosed by the chancellor yesterday, they are iti definite shape and can be com? municated to the allied governments immediately should the pence pro? posals get ? favorable reception. Chicago, Dee. 13.?That indictments wil*. bt asked by the government against twelve egg und butter speou lutors and storage warehouse men I today, was announced at the distr.ct attorney's office. The twelve laelntfe only thfse Investigated by the grind Jury, Other indictments will be ask? ed Of the evidence tends to Involve ??! her dealers, Bertha, Deo. II,?The Danube and Ninth armies are driving forward In the wake of the retiring- lion mania us. Tim capture of more than 7,000 prisonsri by the Austro-Germsni yes? terday If. a.mourned by the war office. New York, Dec. 13.?"German> is ftvtnfj the allies an opportunity to make peace, but Is not suing for peace," according to Ihe New York Stats Zeitung, the foremost German paper of this country. Washington, Dec. IS,? The senate today is ready to pan the Immlgra I on bill in direct defiance to the White House announcement that President Wilson will again veto it. Neutral Powers 1 Central Allies W| Negotiations f oj Not Indicat* Annol i io mm ially Notified That 1 Once Enter Ioto ce?Peace Terms Preliminary ements Merlin, Dec. 12.?Germany t< not fled neutral countries tlutt central powers will enter at once peace negotiations. The announcement was given by the seinl-otficial Overseas N? Agency. It stated that Imperial Chane? von iiethman-Hollwegg hud given note to representatives of the Ui States. Spain, the Vatican and Si ?rhu. setting forth the purpo? the Cci.tral Powers to enter peace negotiations at once. Similar notes will also bo giv< tho above namod representatives,! Sofia, Vienna and Constantinople. Tho German chancellor will the not? and announce the p< plans at u special session of relehstag today. The Overseas News Agency si that the plan calls for lasting pt CAVSES PROFOUND IMPRESS^ Washington, Dec. 12 ? The tn cinl news of Germany's peace i?osals created a profound impel hore. The pi ess reports were '} before President Wilson by Secr< Lansing immediately. The ofllcli titlcation from Charge Grant, at lin, is not expected for several It is generally conceded that,' land will have the final veto powi whothor or not Germany's termi acceptable. The general disposition Is to the German chancellor's peace world fOT^PFWIfrW^iWoW7whe* Uer or not iff brings a cessation of the war. It became known today, however, that advance information which had reached Washington officials shows that Germany at least hopes to bring the representatives of the warring na? tions into a serious discussion of peace terms. Secretary Irnsing refused to dis? cuss the matter at length, until he Dads out whether Germany merely wants this country to act as messeng? er to place Germany's proposals be i fore the allies or wants the active aid j of this government. At the allies' em j basstOS here doubt was expressed as i to Germany's sincerity. WILL FIGHT ON. Rcrlin, Dec. 12.?Kaiser Wilhelm issued a proclamation to the troops stating that he has made peace pro? posals, but will fight on until they are accepted. PANIC IN STOCK EXCHANGE. New York, Dec. 12.?Peace reports caused wild trading, bordering on panic, on the stock exchange. Bcth i lohem steel, copper stocks, and other war brides tumbled three to ten points in an hour. WHEAT PRICES DROP. Chicago, Dec. 12.?Peace reports caused sellers to dump wheat Into the Pit this morning, prices declining one to four cents in less than an hour. WILSON WILL PRESENT PRO? POSAL. Washington, Dec. 12.?The central powers' first formal move for peace will be presented to the entente allies by American diplomats with an in? formal statement of this country's de? sire that the allies enter peace nego? tiations. President Wilson will ask the allies that they make every effort to have a peace convention result from the ini? tial negotiations, it was learned this afternoon. WHAT GERMANY OFFERS. Washington, Dec. 12.?The German embassy announced that the follow? ing are the main points of the peace proposals: That Poland and Lithuania should be recognized as independent king? doms, tbat Germany will restore liel glum and northern France and that the late of the Balkan States be set? tled in the general peace conference. VON RF. TIIM . W' HOLLWEGG'S SPEECH. Berlin, Dee. ii'.?"Germany and her allies, conscious of their respon? sibility before Cod. their own nation and humu? ity" have proposed to on tsr into peace negotiations, declared Chancellor von Bsthman-Hollwejrg In bis speech in tho relehstag today. BRITAIN IS UNCHANGED. WILL, NOT DISCI SS PEACE OF FEUS UNTIL TERMS ARE KXOWN. British Officials Pessimistic Concern? ing; German OITer of Peace Nego? tiations?Will Not Agree to Any Conditions Otlier Than Those Al? ready Enunciated by Premier. i London, Dec. 12.?The foreign of? fice today informed the Associated Press that it is unable to discuss the German peace proposals until the terms have been received. Mean? while the attitude of the British gov? ernment towards possible peace terms Iremains as frequently enunciated by the former premier and foreign sec? retary. A general note of pessimism pre? vails in London. One prominent of? ficial expressed himself to the Asso? ciated Press today as being very skep Mlcul that the proposed terms would >Offer even a basis for negotiations. ? This -official said, however, that the note was a dramatic coup which would create interesting developments the diplomatic situation and pro e the first official peace overtures the war. / A strong current of public senti tent opposed to the German peneo was evident in the firot cx itona available both from public igb definite terms and without any word from high authoritative sources indi ieating the attitude of the government. The only information in the press reports was from Berlin and in the absence of some tangible official pro? position, British officials were dis? posed to maintain reserve. It was noticeable that the proposal had not created any profound impression among the average I^ondonors. There was little talk in the hotels or other public places and this discussion was far less animated than in the recent ministerial crisis. Government circles also held aloof from any discussion, with an evident desire to learn more of the details be? fore committing the new administra? tion to a definite course of action. The foreign office would make no comment in the absence of the terms, but said that the British attitude up to the present was embodied in the declara? tions made from time to time by the former premier und Viscount Grey and that any new proposals would have to be considered by al! the en? tente allies before a definite attitude was possible. Those in close association with the new government took the view that the proposals would prove entirely unacceptable, mainly because they were not likely to touch what the ruling authorities regard as the most essential basis of any peace, namely, such guarantees against German mili? tarism as will permit England, France and their allies to demobilize their vast armies, reduce their enormous military expenses and return to last? ing conditions of peace. Both Premier Lloyd-George and Mr. Palfour, secretary for foreign af fairs are slightly ill and this may re? sult In deferring the announcement of the plans of the new government ncx1 Thursday but if an announcement Is made it will possibly include reference to the German proposal though this is Mltllkel) pending receipt of the pro? posal Itself through official channels Berlin, Dec. 13,? Only artillery tir? ing la reported on the Somme and other Verdun fronts. Paris, Dec. 13.? Ridicule and in? dignation of Germany's peace prof? fer was reflected in Paris newspapers toda y. Columbia, Dec. 13.?The Palmetto Fire Insurance Company today no? tified the Secretary of state of an In? crease in capital from $25,000 to $100,000, Berlin, Dee. IS.?The mos! con? spicuous German newspapers hold out no hope that the peace proposals will be accepted by the allies. TEUTONS HUE CONFIDENT. SEEK PEACE MERELY AS A| PROOF OF THEIK LOVE OF IT. Do Not Believe That Their ITnsilllnii Can Hope to Recover Any of Ad? vantages dlained by Central Allies, or in Any Way to loivc Them to Come to Terms?Would Shift Re* ! spousihUity for Continuance of War London, Dec. 12.?An official Aus- j trlan statement referring to the pea.:e offer any a: "When in the summer of 1914 the patience of Austria-Hungary was ex hautcd by a scries of systematically [continued and ever increasing provo? cations and menaces and the mon? archy, after almost 50 years of un? broken peac found itself compelled ! to draw the sword, this weighty de? cision was animated neither by ag? gressive purpose nor by designs of ; conquest, but solely by the bitter '.necessity of self-defense to defend its J existence and safeguard itself for the ?future against similar treacherous ? plots of hostile neighbors, j "That was the task and aim of the monarchy !n the present war. In l i combination urltn its allies, well tried in loyal comradeship in arms, the i Austro-Hungarian armies and fleet, j fighting, bleeding, but also assailing 'and conquering, gained such successes ithat they frustrated the intentions of ! the enemy. The quadruple alliance not only has won an immense series of victories but also holds In Its power extensive hostile territories. Unbrok? en is its strength, as our latest t reach - i erous enemy has just experienced. "Can our enemies hope to conquer or shatter this alliance of powers? They will never succeed in breaking i in by blockade and starvation mea. ! urea Their war aims, to the attain? ment of which they have come no nearer in the third year of the war, will in the future he proved to have been completely unattainable. Use? less and unavailing, therefore, is the j prosecution of the fighting on the 11 i !t of the enemy. Li m*tm>#e**tii hf tin nVtien-u?ic^L. lUance, on the other hand, have effec Itively pursued their aims, namely, de ! fenne against attacks on their exist? ence and integrity, which were plan? ned in concert long sine and the j achievement of real guarantees and , they will never allow themselves to j be deprived of the basis of their exist ' ence, which they have secured by ad I vantages won. - i "The continuation of the murde ous war, In which the enemy can destroy ?much, but can not?as the quadruple alliance is firmly confident?alter fat.1, is evermore seen to be an aimless de? traction of human lives and property, 'an act of inhumanity justified by ac necessity and a crime against civiliza? tion. j "This conviction and the hope that j similar views may also ho begun to be entertained in the enemy camp, lias caused the idea to ripen in the Vienna cabinet?in full agreement with the j governments of the allied (Teutonic) ; rowers?of making a candid" and loyal J endeavor to come to a discussion with their enemies for the purpose of pav j ing a way for peace. "The governments of Austria-Ilun "iry, Germany, Turkey and Bulgaria have addressed today identical note^ to the diplomatic represntatives of the capitals concerned who are en? trusted with the protection of enemy nationals, expressing an inclination to enter into peace negotiations and re? questing them to transmit this overture ] to enemy states. This step was simul? taneously brought to the knowledge of the roprosenatlves of the holy seo!n a special note and the active interest jof the pope for this otter of peace was j solicited. Likewise the accredited rcp j I resentatives of the remaining neutral states in tho four capitals were ac qualnted with this pro* ceding for the purpose of Informing their govern? ments. I "Austria and her allies by Mil) step have given new and decisive; proof of their love of peace. It no - is for their enemies to make known their views before the world. What? ever the result of its proposal may he, no responsibility can fall on the quadruple alliance, even before the judgment seat of its own people, It it eventually is obliged to continue the war." London. Dec. 13.?"I pray that ? Almighty God may bestow his blessing on this step.'* said Emperor Charles in his proclamation to his troops, no? tifying them of the peace movement. Washington. Dec. 13.?The official declaration of willingness t<> enter ne? gotiations to bring about peace hu not reached the White House at 10:30 o'clock this morning, but it is cxpet I ed during the day. COTTON CHOP IS SOT. INSECT AND STOUM DAMAGE DE? CREASE YIELD. Estimated Production of 11,511,000 Against 11,191,820 Imst Year?I>e crease in South Carolina. Washington, Dec. 11.?Another re? duction in the estimated size of this year's cotton crop was reported to? day in the department of agricul? ture's tinal report putting the pro? duction at 11,Sil,000 equivalent 500 pound bales, exclusive of lintevn That is 126,000 bales less than foie cast after the last condition report in October. Indications at the beginning of the growing season were that a crop of ;;pproximatelv 14,206,000 bales would I be produced but storms and insects wrought havoc with the growing , plants as the season progressed. The jacreage planted was the fourth larg? est on record. ] The average price a pound paid to j producers of cotton on December 1 was 19.6 cents. At that price the season's crop is worth $1,079,351,616 exclusive of the value of Unter cot? ton and seeds. Last year 11,191,820 equivalent 500 pound bales were grown and during the five years, 1910 to 1914, the av ara#n was 14,259,231 bales. The rec? ord crop was grown in 1914, when 16,134,920 bales were produced. Production by States with last year's figures for comparison follows: 2^16. 1915. Virginia . 29,000 15,809 North Carolina . 646,000 699,494 South Carolina . 920,000 1,133,919 Georgia.1.S45.000 1,908,673 Florida . 43,000 47.S31 Alabama. 523,000 1,020,839 Mississippi . 800,000 j 953,9G5 Louisiana . 440,000 341,063 Texas .3,775,000 3,227,680 Arkansas .1,145,000 816,002 Tennessee . 378,000 303,420 Missouri . 62,000 47,999 Oklahoma. 835,000 639,626 California . 60,000 28,551 {'A11 "TTriTeT^ScCtes*. 1,QmWa * TO RAISE SALARIES. Secretaries to Get From $1,500 to $2, 000 a Year and Extra Employes at $900 for Each Member. Washington, Dec. 12.?After a warm debate the house today voted rinto the annual legislate e, executive and judicial appropriation bill a pro \ . ion increasing the salaries of Rep j resentatives' private secretaries from $1,500 to $2,000 a year and giving each representative an additional employe ; at $75 a month. ! Chairman Fitzgerald, on the ap? propriation committee, predictee a treasury deficit of $284,000,000 for the current fiscal year. TO DINE AT WHITE HOUSE. Maiming Goes to Washington Today to Participate in Conference of Governors. Columbia, Dec. 13.?Cov. Manning goes to Washington today to attend la meeting of the conference of gov? ernors. He has accepted an invitation to dine with President Wilson at the White House tomorrow evening. The governor will go to New York to at? tend to several business matters be fcre rotu.ning to Columbia. He is ex? pected back the middle of next week. LITTLE GIRL BURNED. Elizabeth Antoinette Wcdanian Loses Her Life. Fomaria, Dec. 12.?Elizabeth An? toinette Wedaman was so badly burn? ed Monday morning that she died m about two hours after the accident. No one else was in the siring room at the time, but it is supposed that a toy with which she s/aa playing had rolled into the lire, and in attempting to ?et it out her clothes caught fire. She was one year, 10 months and 2S days old. Her parents are Dr. and Mrs. R. H. Wedaman. The Rev. S. C. Pallentine officiated at the funeral and her little body now ?estfl in Beth? lehem cemetery near Pomaria. ON UNUSUAL CHARGE. Negress Accused of Criminal Care? lessness. Chester, Dec. 12.?Annie JcfTord. a ncgress, has been placed in the Ches? ter county Jail on a warrant charging her with criminal carelessness In con noction with the death of Charlie Perry, the three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Perry, la: t ThHin? di v. She is said to have locked the child in a room to go on some er? rand for herself, and while she was gone the little tot got into the lire and was frightfully burned, dying shortly afterwards.