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(She iUutchmait an? outl)rcm. ISM. "Be lm and Fear not?Be* nil the ende Thon t at be thy Oonntry'e, Thy God'a and Tratfc'a.' THE TRUE 80TJTF EatabMsbed Jama, S4M. Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. BUMTER, S. C, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1916. VoL .LIU. No. 38. IUI FOB UMVERSAL TRA1HIHS BILD FOR COMPULSORY MILI? TARY SERVICE BEING PRE? PARED BY GENERAL ?TTAFF. OfH Scott Umier Oos? Examination (ondfrnm National Guard and Hays It Can Never Be EtTeetl e?Admits Defects In Arsay System Washington. Dec. II.?A definite Plan far naive reel miliUry training will be laid b if ore congress next month la the nhape of a bill formu? lated ty the general staff of the army, accompanied by complete estimates of coal as compared to the present volunteer system. MaJ. Gen. Scott, chief Of staff, (old the house military committee today that tbe work was la pi sgi ess and would require about "? n month to complete. Chairman Dent {weald the committee would be glad to f see the httL In response to a laughing question an to who. would Introduce it In the house. Ropresntatlve Kahn of Cali? fornia anld: "I would be fflad to have the honor to introduce It" Oen. Scott vas subjected to sharp oiosn sis ml net on today on his reiterated reooinmendetlon for a uni? versal service neesure based In part on results of the volunteer system as shown In the mobilisation of the Na? tional Guard for border service. Five of the IS members of the commit? tee took occasion to assert their be? lief In the theory of universal Serv? ian, while two emphatically declared agates* such a system. Those fav oriag It were Represntatlvee Kahn. Green* of Vermont, and Ttlson of Connecticut (Republicans) and Olney of sfaeeechuset.s and Farley of New York (Democrsts), while those op? posed were representative McKellar of Tennessee and Qulnn of Missis? sippi (Democrats.) The statein?it of Representative who went to the) border as a In the National Guard, retlr owed G?n. Scott'a re? tten* fh* t>d*rnilaa m Pntarv needa pern, a majority of the National Gaardumen who come back from the border, are in favor of universal servlco," declared the chief of staff. "I agree with you," Repre eentative Tllson said, "that voluntary military srvlco Is not an adequate system and probably will break dovn In time of war us it has done before. The National G lard system in parti? cular Is economically unwise because of the dual control over the forces by the federal government and the ^m,.?? Representative McKellar declared he Was "one American" who did not wish to follow the example of Ger? many and France In raising and training armies. When Representa? tive Qulnn put a- question to the wit? ness on the assumption that congres? might paae sue! a bill. Representa? tive McKellar Interjected: ' You need no: fear. It will not." "It won't except over my vote," said Representative Qulnn. The probable nature of the bill now being drafted by a committee of the general staff wan not disclosed by Gen. Scott, who also refused to esti? mate the cost of such a system, ex? cept to say that proportionately It would be much lose 1 n the expense of the volunteer me?...od of raising troops. It Is known, however, that tbe possibility of welding Into the new project the various sections of the derenae act dealing with Indus? trial organisation for wai purposes, tbe riebt to take over und operate manufacturing plunts, railways and other peace time agencies is under consideration. Secretary Raker told tbe committee recently he was unde? cided as between universal military service and a system of selective con sorlptlon. tbe latter plan being un? derstood to include tbe Industrial sjfl well as tbe military services. "How close will this system you have proposed b Ing us to mlitar Ism?" asked Re ?restntatlve Little Pege. "Absolutely away from It," an? swered tbe officer. "I do not see that there Is anything like militarism in It. It s a democratic system." Tbe subject of summer training camps was brought up ifiy Kepreson tatlve Wise, *ho wild the department had not exueted from men thus train? ed the obligation for army service in the event of war authorised by the national defense act. "The war depaitment appears io have disregarded the mandates of con,Ti H.H."' rem.u i< ?d Keprescntath e MrKHInr Den, Krott said the training camp TO PRESS PROHIBITION FIGHT. DRY ADVOCATES PLAN TO PUSH AMENDMENT. Resolution for Constitutional Ban on Liquor Wins Favor of Senate Judic? iary Committee. Washington. Deo. 21.?Immediately after the holidays advocates of pro? hibition In congress plan to carry on a vigorous campaign for the proposed federal constitutional amendment and to exert every possible effort to get a vote on it at this session in spite of the general belief that It will be beaten. The senate judiciary committee's action today In voting to report the amendment with a recommendation for Its passage opened the way for the resolution In both houses, the house Judiciary committo having taken similar action two weeks ago. In the house It is proposed to appeal soon after the Christmas recess to the rules committee for a special rule to bring the resolution-before the house for a vote within a prescribed time. Champions of the resolution In the senate can resort to no such parlia? mentary expedients and must take their chance of getting the amend? ment ahead of other legislation. Sen? ator Sheppard, author of tho senate resolution, will urgs its consideration at every opportunity. The senate committee amended the wording of the resolution but Its ef? fect is unchanged and would prohibit the 'nanufacture, Importation and sale of Lquor for beverage purposes in the United States. As reported by the senate commit? tee the resolution would read: "The sale, manufacture < r trans? portation of intoxicating liquors with? in, the importation thereof Into and exportation thereof from the United rStates and all territories subject to th< Jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes, are hereby prohibited. ?The congress shall have power to enforce this article by all appropriate legislation. This article shall not be construed to abridge the power of the Ueveral States to enforce 8tate pru | ph?fcs?*4ogy. Srhlelit tome senator* de? clare strengthen the resolution. Sven the most ardent advocates of the amendment do not anticipate vic? tory at this session as a two-thirds majority of both houses Is required. But they do expect an increased ma? jority for the amendment In both houses, and ultimate victory in the Sixty-fifth congress Is their hope. The District of Columbia prohibi? tion bill will be voted on in the sen? ate January 9. Another measure to bar liquor advertising from the mails In prohiblton States was favorably reported today from tho senate post office committee. "I expect the District prohlbltior bill to pass the house." Democratic Leader Kltchin said tonight, "but 1 do not think any national prohibi? tion measure can obtain the neces? sary two-thirds vote In the house at this time." MUNITIONS FOR (iOVKKN MENT. Great Bethlehem Steel Works Will be Turned Over to Government When Needed. New York, Dec. The Bethle? hem steel plant, now fifty per cent, greater than the fimous Krupp works I of Germuny, will be tinned over to the United Stales moment it Is needed, without any strings attached, it was announced today by President Schwab. He declared that the concern has a capacity of a million rounds of heavy ammunition a month. He also stated that he believed peace would be a blessing to American business. regulations were being formulated. MaJ. Noble of the general staff ex? plained that UM war college comm't tee had construed the rejection by eoi srreMH of the federal volunteer plan proposed by former Secretary Ga M i son as forbidding the organization of aimy units other thun those specif! <?<!!>? authorized. Beprosentative Tilson said that the present regular army, despite Its eiuc mo um tost, failed to produce "even the nucleus of an army of do<*cnso." Under universal service plans, he ad? ded, it could be greatly reduce 1 in size, almost abandoned entirely ?>x cepi to furnish overseas garrisons end training units for the citizen army. "If we are to rely on the regular army it must be greatly increased at once, must it not " he asked. 'Tremendously," ?aid Gen. Scott. Keprcsentnthe Fairley said he had no questions to ask but favored uni? versal ser\ice. adding "we all take our rltlaenshln i?><? lightly." IS NOT THREAT OF Wt WILSON'S PEACE NOTE DOES NOT < PORTEND ENTRANCE OF I UNITED STATES | INTO FIGHT. Explanation of First Statement Gi^ out By Secretary Lansing Says Note is Result of Critical Posltl of American Reldtions With of Belligerents. Washington, Dec. 21.?Preside^ Wilson's note to the belligerents udj ing discussion of peace was official! interpreted today as not bearing m\ threat that the United States mig bo forced to enter the war because the continued Invasion of its rights} the warring powers on both sides..) This interpretation was made la today by Secretary Lansing in'| formal statement issued to overtaj what were characterized as Wii spread misconstructions placed i one made carMer in the day sayi: that because of the Increasingly crl cal position of the United States aj neutral, it was entitled to know es* ly what each beligerent seeks in j der that it might regulate its condt for the future. 'jj Seciotary Lansing's final stateme formally prepared and issued after had been called to the White Hej for a conference with President l| son, declared that he did not inti to Intimate that the United States 1 considering any change in its pjj| of neutrality and that the whplej| and language of the note were ?jm flcient to Indicate its puroose wltlg further comment on his pi rt. -3 Mr. Lansing's llrst statement, im orally, of which no official copyt.1 distributed, led to exaggerations dt language and purpose ihroughoraj ficial Washington. Its most stnM phrases, on which the widest ;jjp| lation was based, were that the | ted States was drawing nearlfifl verge of war and that the sendMj the note "will indicate the POSn| of our being forced into the wajfl that neither he nor President jH regarded, the note "as a peac$ Secretary Lansing's #trt,s|ffc9 ^reasons I for the sending' the notes were as follows: "It Isn't our material Interest we had in mind when the note was sent but more and more our own rights are becoming involved by the bellig? erents on both sides so that the sit? uation is becoming increasingly, criti? cal. "I mean by that, that we are draw-* ing nearer the verge of war ourselves and therefore we are entitled to know exactly what each belligerent seeks in order that we may regulate our conduct In the future. "No nation had been sounded. No consideration of the German over? tures or of the speech of Lloyd George was taken into account in the formulation of the document. The only thing the overtures did was to delay to send it until Monday. Of course the difficulties that face the president were that it might bo con? strued as a movement toward peace and In aid of the German overtures. He specifically denies that that was the fact in the document itself." Secretary Lansing also, said: "Tho sendinR of this note will indicate the possibility of our being forced into the war. The possibility ought to serve as a restraining and sobering force safeguarding American rights. It may also serve to force an earlier conclusion of the war. Neither the president nor myself regard this note as a peace note; it is merely an effort to get the belligerents to define the end for which they are fighting." When word of what the secretary' had said spread throughout the cap? ital It created the greatest consterna? tion in ofllcial circles and among the foreign diplomats, many of whom were calling at the state department to receive their copies of the note dis? patched to their capitals. It became apparent that the state? ment was not fully approved at the White House and that there was ques? tion as to the wisdom of making any comment that might be regarded as an addition to the note. The White House was concerned lest any word reach the foreign capitals to be con? strued as indicating that the Ameri? can note was anything but what it in? dicated on its face. So, after a con? ference between President Wilson and Secretary Irnsing, the second state? ment was formally prepared and dis? tributed at the state department. Tt follows: "I have learned fron several quar? ters that a wrong Impression Wgfl mado by the statement which I made this morning, and I wish to correct that Impression, "My intention ITU* to s?hnest the ren direct and necessary interest WAR TO THE END. PROSECUTION OF WAR MUST RE SINGLE AIM OF ENGLAND. ng George Tells Parlament That War Cannot be Ended Until Security of Europe is Guaranteed and Vio? lated Rights Have Reen Vindicated. I - London, Dec. 22.?The vigorous prosecution of the war is the single aim of England, King George declared In proroguing parliament today. The king's speech was as follows: "The vigorous prosecution of the war must be our single endeavor un? til we vindicate the right so ruthla.vj ly violated by our enemies and have established the security of Europe on a sure foundation. I am confident we shall achieve a victorious confirma? tion of the aims for which we entered I the war." rhich this country as one of the neu il nations has in the possible terms i'hich the belligerents may have in dnd, and I did not intend to inti late that the government was con lerlng any change in its policy of ?utrality which it has constantly lued in the face of constantly in tsing difficulties. T regret that my words were open any other construction as I now diso that they were. I think thut whole tone and language of the to the belligerents show the pur without further comment on my It hi needless to say that I am ?ervedly in support of that pur and hope to see it accompliah Lt the White House no comment fjtever was made on the note itself on the two statements by Secre Lansing. The German embassy no outward evidences of concern the sudden development, itente diplomats at first at an ;:t >ss how to handle the unexpected ion became convinced that a >r undemanding of the necessi id purposes of the United States that their fear of a move fa to .Germany was not well " gUu>t this ccf vntry would view grew that the United auu** feared that unless'the peace proposals go through now a period of ruthless ness and retaliation may set in or. both sides which will inevitably force this oountry into action. It is indicated therefore that the allied diplomats will advise their gov? ernments to view* the note in a friend? ly spirit and go as far as possible to? ward meeting the wishes of the United States. No indication was vouchsafed, however, as to whether the replies will be identical 01 indi? vidual in form or general or speciMc in nature. Secretary Lansing, in calling in the diplomatic representatives of the bel? ligerents, is understood to have made it clear to them individually that Ihe United States expected the replies of their governments to be absolutely frank in all details. The idea was gathered that the United States was looking forward to forming itsrjlf into a clearing house for views and prob? ably for terms. The general understanding was that the purpose of this explanation wus to enable the envoys to com? municate to their own governments the underlying purpose of the presi? dent's action at this time. The opinion prevailed also that the United States expected to be fully in? formed of all terms, including those relating to territory. It is felt in various diplomatic quarters that while statements re? garding terms, especially those con? cerning territory, might readily be passed along by the United State-*, they must not. if the negotiations are to have the slightest chance of suc? cess, be conveyed to the public gen? erally. Should definite territorial terms be made public, it is feared a certain section of public opinion in the countries affected would foment additional embarrassment. The world diplomatic crisis seemed temporarily moved to Washington during the day because of the presi? dent's note, Secretary Irnsings com? ment and the anxiety of the diplo? matic corps to understand the Ameri? can purpose. Ry noon all the rank? ing diplomats from the belligerent countries had called lit the State de? partment, necessitating for the first time in months extreme care to pre? vent meetings between representatives from hostile States. The president's note was declared today to be a ' hit mound the whole circle' without intention of favoring or condemning either beligcrcnt group to the prejudice of the other. Never? theless, certain facts ere cited as In? dicating beyond doubl where the chief tension lies mi present in the relations TO PROPOSE NEW SYSTEM. M?MASTER GIVES SUMMARY OF BILLS TO BE PRESENTED TO GENERAL* ASSEMBLY. Insurance Commissioner to Pass Rating Agreements Between Com? panies?Building Code, Investiga? tion of Fl. Causes, Qualifications of Insurance Agents and Other Mat? ters to Receive Legislative Atten? tion. Columbia, Dec. 21.?F. H. McMas ter, insurance commissioner and chair? man of the special commission yester? day prepared a summary of the sev? eral fire insurance laws to be propos? ed to the general assembly. The summary by Mr. McMaster fol? lows: "Tho letter of transmissal to the gov? ernor sets forth the governing pur? poses of the committee appointed by him to study the fire insurance situ? ation and to recommend fire insur? ance laws. The several laws which are recommended for enactment are indicated in that letter. It may be well enough for me to indicate con? cisely the substance of these laws. "The first is a building code pro? posed to be enforced In all incorpo? rated towns in the State. The code proi>osed is similar to that already in force in 40 odd towns in the State. It is by no means so complex as that in force in a number of the largest towns, but is a simple code applicable to the smallest municipality. "The next law recommended is one providing for the investigation of all fires to determine the responsibility for the fire. It has nothing .vhatever to do with the insurance on property but deals entirely with the causes of fires and proposes to impose fines in case of those guilty of criminal negli? gence in causing a fire. "The next law is one providing cer? tain qualifications for fire insurance agents. It will do much to eliminate the irresponsible agent and its pur? pose is to protect the intelligent agent and at the same time prevent all agents from over-insuring property or from dealing unjustly with the in? jured or with ^d^Aniea^ ..." posal to the public is that of the rat? ing law. The law proposed differs from the Laney-Odom act in that while this act prohibits compacts and of this country as between the two groups. With the entente, apart from a lit? tle trouble over Count Tarnowski, it was pointed out, there has been no published diplomatic correspondene* for months. This country owes re plies on both the blacklist, and the mail seizures. Trade matters have been very vexing, but have largely been setteld out of court without publicity. Towards the central powers, how? ever, particularly in the last month, a decided feeling of tension has been evident In the sending o1" about a do-S? en inquiries on submarine linking*-, followed by publication of th3 details and also by the correspondence on the Belgian deportations. It became evident that it Is on the sea it is feared this country may be caught between conflicting belliger? ent interests. Lloyd-George's state? ments that all Uritish ships will be nationalized, together with the ap? parently official German decision to treat such ships as liable to sinking on sight, has led to the growing con? viction that it Will be essential for the safety of Americans, both pas? sengers and sailors, to lay down some flat distinctions as to what are pri? vate ships and what are naval auxil? iaries. President Wilson today received R telegram from Former Seeretar> Bryan congratulating him on his note to the heligerents. It said: "You have rendered an invaluable service to a war stricken world in asking the belligerent nations to set forth in specific terms the concession; and assurances which they deem nec essar.y to the establishment of a last ng peace. It would be a reflection upon the nations at war to doubt that they know the ends for which they are lighting or to assume that they have any purpose which they are un? willing to reveal. "A definite statement by both sides no mutter how far these statements may be apart, will clear the air and afford a basis for negotiations an<l When negotiations begin they are not likely b> terminate until an agreement is reached, because neither side Will consent to assume responsibility for continuing the unspeakable horrors of this conflict, if any reasonable terms can be secured. "Accept cordial congratulations and my earnest wish for the BUCOSS of the movement which you have had the honor to inaugurate" Wf: FOR WAR VICTIMS. T , & JNTRIBUTIONS MADE FOR * JEWISH SUFFERERS. ?an is to Collect $10,000,000 for Des titutc Hebrews in War Stricken I.a mis?Only The First Step. New York, Dec. 21.?Neariy $2,500, 000 lor the relief of Jewish war suf? ferers in Europe was pledged at a great mass meeting in Carnegie hall tonight. Jacob H. Schiff of this city and Julius S. Rosenwald of Chicago, headed the list with $100,000 each. A total of $466,875 was subscribed by 40 persons. The meeting was the first step in a campaign undertaken by the Ameri? can Jewish Central committee and the People's Relief Committee to raise $10,000,000 for war relief measures in 1917. The subscriptions received to? night came from all parts of the country. Thousands of Jews who had not been supplied with tickets surrounded the hall before the doors were opened. Rich and poor, old and young strug? gled for admission. Prosperous busi? ness men rubbed shoulders with strug? gling immigrants. Women and girls who had toiled all day in shops and stores went dinnerlest; that they might be on hand early. The floor of the ha.l and the stage were filled early by representative Jews and their sympathizers in the fund campaign. MUST EXCHANGE IDEAS. England Will Not Reply to Wilson Note Until Views of Allies are Known. London, Dec. 22.?Chancellor A. Bonar Law announced in the House of Commons today that England could not deal with President Wilson's note until the government has had an op? portunity to exchange ideas with her allies. does not clearly permit the coopera? tion of the companies in re?sj||g|<j? I the inspection and claasifh law .pecifically permits to establish rating bureaus and ehttT into agreements concerning them, but it requires that these agreements shall be in writing and shall be filed with the insurance commissioner and open to public inspection'. It permits perfect freedom on the part of the companies in that no company is re? quired to be a member of a rating bu? reau. The principal of State super? vision set forth in the Laney-Odom act is continued in the proposed Pill but by a different method. In the proposed bill the insurance commis? sioner is to act as an intermediary between the companies and complain? ants as to rates and only in case his efforts should fail to bring about a satifactory adjustment is the matter referred \o a commission of five, two appointed by the insurance interests, two by the insurance commissioner or the party interested, and one by the government. This commission shall have the right to review and pass upon discriminatory and excessive or unreasonable rates. The interests of the local companies are particularly safeguarded and it is hoped that their growth will be encouraged. "The commission without attempt? ing to resulate the amount of mu? nicipal license fees finds that the great variation in license fees in the municipalities of the State works in? justice which is reflected in the rates paid by the citizens. Therefore the commission recommends that munici? palities be required to fix their license fees for irsuranee companies on a fixed and invariable percentage basis. This v ill be equitable to the small company or to the new company just entering ard attempting to establish itself. , "The commisson recommends the repeal of the valued policy law, but in its stead proposes an enactment which will require the speedy settle? ment of claims and the immediate payment of such amount as the com? pany will admit as just and proper, leaving only the difference to be ad? judicated. "Another enactment proposed is ?ne makng the insurance commis? sioner the sole attorney of insurance compares to accept service in case of uiits and providing means for this process "The bill does not represent the ideas-nf any particular member of the commission, The meetings of the com? mission have been marked with har? mony throughout. There has been give and take and the bill is a com? posite one representing what the nine members of the committee believe to be the best laws for enactment at the present lime."