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* THE BUMtnR WAI'CIIN AN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not?Ler all the ends Thon Alms't at be thy Country's, Thy God's and Troth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jnnj, 1 Consolidated Au*. 2,1881. SUMTER, S. 0., WEDNESDAY, FE %XUARY 7, 1917. Vol.XLIII. No. 60. GERMANY'S FAULT FOB WAR. IIAfi FORCED IT, IF IT COMES, BAYS FORMER PRESIDENT. In Speech Pointing Need for Ijeagut to Knforee Pence, Taft Declare* Tew tons Have Violated Pledge. Washington. Feb. 2.?Former Pres? ident Tuft prefaced a prepared speech on the league to enforce peace here j tonight with a reference to the neu Qenaan crisis declaring that If ffe< United States wore drawn into w if Germany woald force It by "her do fiance of plain principles of jostles and humanity which should obtain between civilised nations." "The responsibility which now rests on the pr sldent and congress is very heavy.' said Mr. Taft. "They should ; know and do know that the American people will back them to the end in their decision. May God give them good deliverance." The former president was speak life; before the Chamber of Commerce of the United States and answering par? ticular criticams by Theodore Rooot volt, W. J. Bryan, Senator Borah and others of the League to Enforce Peace idea. "1 had prepared this address," hu ?aid, "bet?re Germany startled this country and all neutrals by her lust note. The actual dangers with which It brings us face to faee may seem to make what I have been discussing theoretical, tame and inapproprlato. The truth ta, however, that this grout crisis only emphasises the imports net of the purpose and plan of the league. "Of all 'thmgo^we would avoid war." ho added. "We are not pre? pared for It Its awful consequences wo know, from Europe's suffering. Our prayer la for some escape from It in thin critical hour. If consistent with our national honor. But we must faao the avQts. **, *ta her campaign against bor one Man et?!**?* proposed ruthjeasly %?* "-if, - afh? dp)w*& to y la void of offense it W. H?r erhol and Indcfcn athta drowning without warning of more than a hundred innocent Ameri? cana on the Lusitania we condoned in view of her pledge against a repeti? tion That pledge is now withdrawn and she avows her purpose to resume her shocking course. "If war is to come between us she will be the unprovoked aggressor. We would avoid being drawn into the European vortex by eve^y honorable concession. If she force* us Into It she will do so by her defiance of plain principles of justice and huma-?*"?>? whlch should obtain between civilized nations. "In spite of her great strength and marvelous efficiency, Germany's mani? fest weakness has neen in a failure to understand other peoples. She may not know the spirit of the good na? tu rod. tolerant, war hating giant she now challenges. She may overesti? mate, as she has done before in the case of other nations, the Influence of sordid motives, of the inertia of comfort and of dissentient elements among us which she may expect to paralyse our action. 8he may stiv all active patriotism in our people which she does not suspect. "She may push us at once Into a league to enforce a just peace. She may force us into an organization of our potential military strennrth on the one hand and Into a moral lead. >? h.n In the malntenanco of International Justice on the other. Thenceforth our Isolation from the war* and welfare of the rest of the world would be at an end. When peace would come the eyes of our people, la spite oj warning* of statesmen who are look leg backward, would be opened not only to the wisdom but to the nocet sltf of our leading the nations in*<> a permanent world's league to enfo. peace." TO FIX NEW ELECTION DATES SjmvIhI D??mocr?Mlc Committee Call? d to Meet Tuesday to Arrange Pri martCM to Fleet CoiigrcMmun at ly Dote. Columbia, Feb. 3.?The special Democratic committee has boon cal ed to meet In Columbia Tuesday la change the dates for the elect log in the Pfth district. It Is Rooesaery, Gov. Manning has been informed, to elect a congressman at the earli -i possible moment. Private Bj4vltOi h dlcate that an extra session of ooc gress will be called for March 6. All of the candidates have be n called to rnret wltn the committee they will be asked to waive the rl ht? an to a second primary. T1 '*o highest men will run In the g< ?ral election. NECESSITY BASIS FOB STEP. MOST GERMANS REGARD IT AS ABSOLUTELY NECE1SSARW Tlii 11k Reckless War on Si lipping May Win Though It Antagonizes Amer? ica. Berlin, Thursday, Feb. 1 (v?- ?n- j don, Feb. 2,)?The attitude the I German people in respect to t? *0W ! submarine policy, ascertained today i from conversations with persons in j various walks of life, is .hat the in- [ auguratlon of an unrestricted subma- j rine campaign is dictated by stern necessity and for self preservation and that in such a life and death struggle no regard can longer be paid to other considerations. The all absorbing question in every discussion concerns the attitude of I America. Little criticism of the government | is heard. Even a Socialist speaker in the reichstag committee meeting to-1 day la reported to have aligned tho , party behind the government on this I decision. | One heat's estimates of the number I of submarines running to several hun | dred and the conviction is exprersed that the amount of tonnp.ge sunk monthly can bo increased to approxi? mately 1,000,000 tons, an addition to a large amount of neutral tonn ige which will be deterred from entering the prohibited areas by some terror. It Is declared that two to three ''months of operations on this scale would, provided the United States were not drawn into the war, bring England to a point where she would be willing to discuss terms. The great likelihood that the stop will precipitate a crisis in Germua Amerlcan relations, severance of dip? lomatic intercourse and perhaps fur? ther consequences is generally recog? nised and undoubtedly has taken into account the government's calculation. belief is often expressed to a break with the United 8tate*, a consummation which would be hailed with Joy by an overwhelming ma? jority. Discussions in the reichstag com? mittee revolve largely around the question of the prospective result of a campaign based on the number and efficiency of submarines. ALASKA DRY BILL PASSED. Measure Already Adopted In Konnte Receives Assent of Lower Bram-h Also. Washington, Feb. 2.?The Alaskan I "bone dry" prohibition bill, already . passed by tho senate, was pussed to | day in the house w'thout a roll call (after an unsuccessful fight to pre i vent Its consideration. ! CONFIDENT OF WILSON'S POLICY. Got. Manning Sends Message to Pres? ident That South Carolina Stands Squarely Behind Him. Columbia, Feb. 3.?Gov. Manning today commended the action of Prt et? dent Wilson In breaking of* diplo? matic relations with Germany. He said that South Carolina stands squarely behind tho president. The governor sent a long telegram to the president this afternoon expres ha confidence and cooperation. AUSTRIAN S1UP DAMAGED. Put out of Commission as Soon as Diplomatic Relations With Gor? many Were Severed. New York, Feb. 'J ?Police heal that the Austrian freighter Hlmlll y i, lying In New York bay, has been put ; out of commission since diplomatic re 1 lations were severed. Parti of the i - fine were sma.-bed with crowbars und axes. CANADA VOTtl WAR CREDIT. Premier Says $1:13,221.000 Required for Coming Year. Ottawa, Feb. 2.?The Canadian par. liatnent has voted a Wat CTSdlt for the coming year of 9000,000 000. Sir Robert Burden in making n statement on war expenditures yeatoi day said that the present fiscal ye I up to January 2o there ha- boon i psoded 9S19,90l,IS| and that it II estimated that the cost for the next Regal year would be 1411,1X4,000, The prime minister said that the ex? penditure had been much greater than was anticipated at the beginning of the war. Out of the appropriation of 1100,000,001 i large amount, he ? .? he hoped would he Available for < rodttfl for tha British government foi the purchase of munitions in Canada. Hinan \ HIS H, LAST. Ambassador Von Bernstorff Handed His Passports This Morning. Ambassador Gerard Replied From Berlin?Instructions Cabled Him to Ask for Ijis Passports?Break With Austria Hungary Expected to Follow Immediately. Washington, Feb. 3.?Diplomatic relations with Germany were broken off this morning. I Passports were handed to t^ewiian Ambassador von Bernstorfl and Amer- j ican Ambassador Gerard was^pftructed to request his of the German gov eminent. | President Wilson will address a jol nt session of congress at 2 o'clock this afternoon and will explain the situation in detail and why this action was taken. The decision to Fever relations with Germany came after the cabinet meeting yesterday and discussion of t he situation with senators. In the conference with senators, President Wilson was led to believe that this country will stand solidly behind him in breaking diplomatic relations with Germany. ' Whether a break with Austria-Hungary would also result was not learn-, ed definitely, but as Austria sanctione d Germany's action regarding subma? rine warfare a break is cxpectc\ M it has not already taken place. Secretary Daniels announced this morning that none but officials of and regular employes at the navy yards w ould be admitted to such government I reservations. The United States also demaaiclc <i that Germany release Bixty-four Americans taken prisoners on prisict ships by South Atlantic raiders. The Americans were taken from the steamers Georgic, Mount Temple, and Voltaire. Sixty are confined in. the prison camp at Westfalen. . , The break brings the Ut to the verge of vfar. jNv hav^.two ?m ola?;^?!?., (Lttlon. Cer w many is said to be prepared to pay the price it will cost In the hope ot shortening the war. The administration is not unmind? ful of the possibility of disturbance by German sympathisers and steps will be taken u> meet the situat'on. At the capitol the news was receiv? ed with approbation on every hand. Democratic House Leader Kitchen today told Republican Leader Mann when the house convened that no ac? tion was contemplated by the house j today. I Senator Tillmnn said: "I am mighty glad of it. When I heard of the first note I favored telling von I'ernstO'ff to pack up his duds and go home to '. his barbarians. Congress ought to back up President Wilson like we did McKinley." Senator Lodge declared that he is with the president. Senator Fletcher said he thought last night it would happen. Ambassador von Bernstorff said he was sorry, but expected it. "There was nothing else left for the United States to do." He assorted that he expected President Wilson to keep up I his peace efforts, possibly through the Swiss government. It has been announced that Spain j will take over the diplomatic inter? ests of the United States. Ambassador Gerard's instructions arc to close all consulates in Germany as well as the embassy. All diplomat? ic und consular officials will be brought out of Germany. This makes the severance more complete than is usual In such cases. Spanish Ambasndor Riauo said he could not say whether Spain would follow the course of the United Stales In breaking relations with Germany. No special orders for increasing the guard at army and navy reservat'ons and arsenals have been issued, but each commanding officer has author My to take the necessary steps. Secretary Daniela said the winter cruising orders of the Atlantic fleet In Cuban waters have not been changed. It is announced that ijermany's diplomatic relations with the United States would be assumed by Switzer? land. Washington, Feb. g,? Senator Thomas introduced an amendment ? the house revenue bill proposing a half billion Issue of treasury notes to put the nation In a "state of naval, mili? tary preparedness." The notes Will be payable to persons from whom the government bought munitions, and could he used to pay taxes. They are to be redeemable in U?:ir,. Measures that have been proposed to protect the United States a gains* a'^V conspiracy growing out of the braofli With Germany will be considered by the senate judiciary committee immc I diately after the presidents address. [ The senate adopted a resolution ask? ing Secretary Daniels statement as to the status of the six million dollars appropriated to improve and equip navy yards at Charleston, Norfolk, New Orleans, Pudget Sound, Phila? delphia, Boston, Providence for ship construction. ? | I ~ ICRS. BYRNE RECOVERING. Paidoncd fay fipv. y Whitman on t> ^ difstuiidhia Tint She Will Not Vio? late Law. New York, Feb. 2.?Mrs. Ethel Byrne, at a hospital is today recover? ing from the effects of her hunger strike as a protest against 30 days' sentence for disseminating birth con? trol information. She was pardoned by Gov. Whitman on the understand? ing that she will not break the law. FIGHTING ON ALL FRONTS. No General Battles Reported But At? tacks on Trenches at Several Pobits. New York, Feb. 5.?Berlin an? nounces that German troops by a counter attack yesterday regained the greater portion of the trenches easv I of Beaucourt on the Somme front, re ! oently captured by the British. A British attack north of Beaucourt was repulsed. Petrograd says the German attack* on the Riga front have been repuls? ed. German raids south of the Somme have been beaten off, according to Paris reports. All the war capitals are apparently engrossed in watching developments in the German-American situation. MARRIED AT RISIIOPVILLE. Augusta, Gu., Postmaster Takes a South Carolina Bride. Blshopvllle, Fen. 3.?A marriage >f much interest took place here today at 12 o'clock at the home of the brid< on Church street, when Mrs. Anna McDowell McLeod, of Bishopville, am'. Col. John W. Clark, of Augusta, Ga., were married. The Rev. G. P. Wat? son, pastor of the bride, performed the ceremony. Mrs. McLeod is wido.v 0 fthe late Dr. U. Q. McLeod, of this place, and was before her first mar? riage Miss Anna McDowell, of Can don. Col. (.Mark is a well known u i I 1 ighly honored Citizen of Augusta. Ii. held the office of sheriff of Richmo i 1 county, Qa? for sixteen ye .rs and re signed to become postmaster <>i Augusta, which position lie now holds. , The bridal party left Immediately for 1 i Columbia, after which tiny will go to their future home in Augusta. FOR WEATHER STATION. Senate Passes Bill for Greenville Plant. Washington, Feb. 2.?Senator ?? D. Smith today secured passage in the senate of his bill as an amen ment to the agricultural bill pro* d inp- for an appropriation <>f $2o,oon to equip and establish a branch f>f the United states weather bureau at Greenville. Por many reasons Sena? tor Smith believes Greenville an Ideal j location for such ? Ptation und he thinks that the best Interests of the government would bo served by sui-hj establishment. AWAITING mm MOVE. UNITED STATES WILL TAKE NO AGGRESSIVE ACTION IMME? DIATELY. Course of Government Will Be Shap? ed by Action of Germany in Carry? ing Out Threat to Wage Unrestrict? ed Submarine War fa it*?Preskh nl Wilson Still Hope* Tliat Force (if Neutral Opinion May Yet Brim; About Ponce. Washington, Feb. 5.?The govern? ment began a vigil today that may be broken momentarily or may be long | drawn out. It is believed that the United States' course will be shaped immutably as Germany makes ef fective the unrestricted warfare order. President Wilson hopes, however, that hostilities may be avoided and that the force of neutral opinion may bring about peace. It has not been revealed if any re? sponses have been received from neu trals respecting the president's sug gestion that they follow the Unite States' example and break diplomatic relations with Germany. It appears irom the reports received that the sinking of the Ho?satonlo was hot illegal. iShe was carrying contraband, a cargo Of wheat. The ship recc:\ warning from the submarine and the crew was saved. Germany's acquiescence to the Unit? ed States* demands for the release of ? Americans taken from ships sunk y the German raider is regarded as showing a conciliatory attitude. Although ofllcials refused to admit that the formal announcement of Austria's adhesion to Germany's sub t marine position had been received, it is before the government and the ac? tion to be taken is being considered. A resolution endorsing the prest \ dent's action in severing German re j lations was introduced in the senate j by Chairman Stone, chairman of the j foreign relations committee. Scna j tor Stone requested that the rosotu . tlon go over, and tf.1s-.way do ie v-it U ! dirt'Vttbute. " N?? m j Arrangements are being made loi 1 all German consular officials in the I United States to accompany Ambas I sador von Bernstorff out of the coun , try. ' A party of more than three ? hundred w ill probably go via Cuba 'and Spain. President Wilson has ap? pealed to congress to dispose of all I routine matters and have the decks cleared for any eventuality. He wains j congress to be ready in case he is forced to address it again to give him j authority to use the resources of the I country to protect American ships I and lives. J Customs Collector Malone Of New j York reported today that a bomb i hail been found under his bouse, i Ambassador von Bernstorff and ; Consuls plan to leave the United States via Key West. President \\ il I son conferred with Secretaries Baker and Daniels today, discussing ways for expediting legislation to empower the government to take over Bhip ! yards and munition plants if it should j become necessary. A railroad bill j without compulsory arbitrating, but j empowering the president to to'ce charge of the railroads in war time ! was reintroduccd in the hou: e. i SINKING FUND HAS LOSS. ; Bij* Loss in 1016 Duo to Fires at Ne? gro State College at Oraageburg. Columbia, Feb. 2. - "Atter payment of the expenses and heavy lire losses incurred during the year 11*10 t ie assets of the insurance sinking fund amount to $147,115.56 on December 31," says the report of D. H. Means, secretary of the sinking fund com? mission. During the 14 years of its operation [prior to 1916 tin? insurance depart? ment of the sinking fund commission carried Insurance upon public prop? erty very profitably, an average oi 5 per cent, of receipts during th? ie years being carried to assets after the payment of all expenses and lire id ; cs. Last year the expenses am tire losses exceeded the income by * 1,016.23 due to the heavy losses at the State negro college at Orangeburg. The department is carrying $2,811,* 767.48 on public buildings in South Carolina. Fifty-live per cent, is placed with the old line companies. Mrs. Will Smith of Lynchburg. S. C, died at Floreno infirmary yest< - day morning after an Illness of a bo it three Weeks. She leaves two brol v.rs and one sister, g. a. Lentmon, of Suinter, s. c. w. E. Lemmon >f Lynchblirg and Mrs. Alice Keels of Nynchburg, 8. C. Three daughters, and three sons, W. K. Smith of Clio, 8. C, R. A. Smith, W. M Smith. Miss Estelle Smith, Mrs. W. R. Kilpatri < and Mrs. R. B, Joye of Lynch burg, S. C. Her funeral services will be held at her home today. ? Floren? e Times. SPEED UP SHIP WORK. DAMMS ASKS CONGRESS FOR AUTHORITY TO COMMANDEER PRIVATE PLANTS IF NECESSARY. Chairman Padgett in Speech on Sub? ject Appeals to Patriotism of House?Would Amend Naval Bill. Washington, Feb. 3.?To insure quick construction of naval vessels anu manufacture of ammunition and equipment for which private plants are under contract, Secretary Daniels asked congress today for authority to commandeer such plants if necessary i and operate them in the public ser ! vice. , A draft of the proposal sent to the house by the secretary was presented to Chairman Padgett, of the naval committee, as an amendment to the annual naval bill on which debate was just closing. "This is an hour of reflection and serious consideration," said Mr. Pad? gett. "I address myself to the pa? triotism ar.J wisdom of the house. There is no partisanship in consider? ing the navy. Under the circumstances I at this time, that sentiment linds cor? dial expression from every member. This is not the hour to hesitate." Several Republicans expressed simi? lar sentiments, urging that the naval I bill be brought to passage as quickly as possible, but others on both sides of the house entered objections against the commandeering amendment. Speaker Clark interrupted the discus? sion to ask why warships could not be constructed more rapidly and to urge the naval committee to employ every means to speed up building. General debate was concluded today and detailed consideration of amend? ments will begin Monday. FIRE DAMAGES CHURCH. 1 iist Baptist Church at Darlington Suffers Heavily Fr^m Blase. 2 near e this 4.?ThV large r*irst Baptist church caught fire afternoon in the basement and the interior of the church, the organ and j furnishings were badly damaged by fire and water. The firemen, who J did splendid w?rk in extinguishing the Harnes, had great difficulty in getting i at the fire for some time but finally ' got it under control and saved the building. This church was buit sev? eral years ago at a cost of about I $35,000 and is one of the largest ' churches in the State. ? The whole inside of the building will have to be done over and the dam? age to the organ, pews and other fur S nitUrt cannot be estimated at this ' time. The buildiim and furnishings ! were insured for $25,000, which will ' likely cover the damage. Rev. Howard L. Weeks, pastor of the church, had been conducting a re ' rival meeting for the past three weeks 1 and the last service was to have been j held in the church tonight. Dr. Paul I A. Bagby. a distinguished preacher of I the Baptist denomination, had been ! pi eaching a series of very strong ser ' mons during the revival, which has ! beer, attended by the people of all de I nominations. REVENUE BILL PASSES HOUSE. j Will bo Taken up in Senate Within Very Few Days. Washington, Feb. 1.?The adminis? tration revnue bill framed to meet the prospective treasury deficit next year was passed by the house late to? day, by a vote of 211 to 196. It will be taken up In the senate in a few days. Republicans, whose attacks on the bill and demands for a retain to higher tariff rates had featured the debate, voted solidly against the measure and were joined by the Pro? gressives, Representative London of New York, the Socialist, and four Democrats?Representative Caldwell, New York; Callaway. Texas; Dough* i ton and Pago, North Carolna. Voting with the Democratic majority w ere I Representative Kent. California, ln ' dependent, and Randall. California, Prohlbltionis . Tile 1 ill is designed to raise about 1 (248,000,000 to meet extraordinary military and ni ral expenses. It also authorises bond issues aggregating $100,000,000 to cover the purchase of the Danish West Indies, Alaskan rail* roa l expenditures and other perma? nent investments. Washington, Feb. 4.?Reelection of executive officers including Rhett of Charleston, president, was announced today by the directors of the Cham? ber of Commerce of the United States, Which held its annual meeting here last week. . ,