Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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lt.?A feature of the meeting held hero et _ la the Interest of the work SfttV OSaaeil for Defense wss the reoaptlon of the patriotic by tarn J. Nlcholls, con the Fourth district, eloquently urged the gfegdito five their undivided sympa thff **<dk support to the government hi tMf great task which Is before it the war from the nation to ha our friend and at the same time triad to "employ nations to make war upon uV war was declared." said Hr. Mtofcotto, "wo all had a right to but since a stats of war eaa be no halfway Every one of us Is either for itry or far Germany. There In no dodging the Issue." Further in *lo speech Mr. Nlcholls de th 'he man that deters his a. 4his time Is the snsmy of patriot who Hees in our broad aad "right or wrong. I am for ssy oouatry. aad I have no respect for the s? an who Is hot." The other Speakers at the mooting sf entiii ?vor by Lowndos J. Brown tag, chairman of the Union County Couaei of Defense, wore D. R. Coksr, ?an of the State Council dt De aad Dr Henry N. Snyder.j S% of Wofford College. Like Mr. N chol to both plaaded for the uneom>>roml*lag support of the peo? ple for the government In this hour of the country'! yerlata. Before the speaking there was a big automobile parade through Main Street to the city park. The autoo] decorated with "Old Glory" and mo among those la tha pa? rade was that of the Union Coun?y Rod Cross chapter. A reception was tendered the visiting speakers and all ettsisas of the county by the Elki* Club. , The speech of Congressman Nleh eUo'lo as follows: ,^-When I received an Invitation from your committee to speak in Union County at a patriotic celebri? ties, I- was not at all surprised, be? cause so far as the record shows j Union county is ths only county In y t^e Baited States which furnished more than her quota of men before the draft law was put into affect, therefore you can see why I was not surprised that patriotic meetings Wore to be held In your county. "I have spoken with much pride to cabinet members, to senators and to members of the house about your record aad before I start my discus stew of the war proposlton I want to sgatu eoagratulate you upon the splendid record that you have made. "1 fool that It is my duty today to tall you why ws were brought Into this war. because I think possibly, holding ths position I do. that I am mors fr miliar with ths situation than soms o ? you ars. Tou know, and 1 know, i hat no man has fought hard? er to keep this country out of the terrtblw conflct across ths water than our noble president. Congress was behind' him in this matter, and to be perfectly frank with you some of as thought trat ws had suffered too much before this wise msn gave usj the word 'Od.' To begin with, when the Bust tan la was sunt: aad our men. worn er and children were sent to the bottom of the sea the blood of every Amerl ean cttlsen rose In his veins and clambered for revenge. Our president sold 'Hold! If there is any reaaonabh Way for Germany to explain this tor rlblo tragedy, let's give them t> ehaace to d > It.' They tried to ex? plain by saying that American ell I sens should not travel on ships ol a belligerent nation. We never con ceded Ulis proposition for sn Instant but ws did. upon thslr assurance, ab solutsly sworn to by them, decldt that we would awslt development sad sOS whether or not they wou?r' be true to their pledge and not let tho thing occur again. Numerous oth or cases of tho asms kind happened and still we took their explanation Ii each ease, hoping almost against hop that Germany really was not trylni tu force ue Into the war. "In tho meantime Germany ht.< tho effrontery to deliberately Inforn i our government thst they Intended it sink, not only the ships of heiliger eat nations, hut the ships of th Ualted States, if they were caught lr certain sones, snd Immedistely sftei this notification they stsrted a whole sale slaughter upon not only th< property of American cltliens but th< lives of your people and mine. Ever then, although the whole country am the whole world knew that we haf every Justification for declaring ws? our president desisted, but Informe ' Germany that If these depredation*. GERMANS SACRIFICE. MEN RECK? LESSLY TRYIN? ? TO REGAIN GROUND. French and British Hold Fast to Oap tared Position?, Inflicting Great tosses ggsl Taking German Prison The Germans ara making desper? ate, but futile attempts to regain the ground on three fronts where they have been driven buck by the French and English recently. They violently attacked In the Verdun section last night after the French had gained important positions during the day. but the French h?ld the new po? sitions firmly, and tdmlnlstered heavy losses on the Germans.. The number of prisoners taken oy the French ex? ceeds five thousand. The Germans also attacked on the Ahme front, but were repulsed with loss, Paris reports. The Teutons also delivered three unsuccessful thrust* against the Brit? ish northwest of Ht. Quentln. They employed flame throwers In these at? tacks. The continued success of the great Italian offensive le reflected In a re? port saying that t?m thousand Aus? trian prisoners have bsen taken. Heavy fighting contlnuea on the southern Rumanian front. The Rus ao-Rumanlans are oetng forced back but they offer stiff resistance. The Germans aro active on the northern Russian front with artillery. Roms, Aug. Si.?In reporting that the Austrian lines are bending back? ward and giving wuy. the Italian of? ficial statement is worded in terms of confidence ssldom hesrd during the war. It says the Italians are pressing forward to success, snd de? velopments of fsr reaching import? ance may follow quickly. continued ws would have to declare a stats of war. "While all theee murders were be? ing perpetrated our secret service msn had of course been trying to keep up with Germany and find out their real Intention?. At this junc? ture It developed, not by guess, but by direct written testimony, that Germany had made a proposition to Japan and to Msxlco to Invade our country, murder our cltlsens and take our property. They had even gone SO far as to promise Mexico the States of Texas, California and Nsw Mexico In ease Germany, with the assistance of Japan and Mexico, could conquer u.. "Have you ever beard of a more dastardly attempt to stab us In the back? Here waa Germany professing to be our frlsnd and at the same time trying to employ other nations to make war upon us. Even then af? ter knowing these facts, the presi? dent gave Germany an opportunity to explain. He went a great deal further than I would have gone and a great deal further than the patrio? tic cltlsens of Union county would have gone In order to avoid this war. "South Carolina has never sought a conflict, but no man can tell me truth? fully that South Carolina ever went so far as to allow her most sacred rights to be Invaded without rising up to defend them. These matters which I have told you about are what forced us Into the war. "I do not went you to overlook the fsct thst this country has never de? clared war on Germany. We have not declared war on Germany. Your congress has not declared war on Germany. We have declared that a state of war existed between Ger? many and the United States. It did not take senators and members of the house to come to this conclusion. "Any man that had two grains of sense knows that when our citizens are being murdered and our property destroyed a state of war did exist, and therefore it makes me tired, sick and disgusted when people go over this country stating that your rep? resentatives should not have taken he action which they did. "The proposition is simply this: Under the law any neutral nation is entitled to the use of the high seas. Citizens of the United States have as much right to travel them ts you have to travel the roads in front of your homes or the streets in your city. Germany has never been ibis to deny that this Is the law in the csee. "When, however, we sought to use the right given us under international law Germany said to us there are certain streets and highways that you can not use, even though you have the right to use them, because you are engaging in commerce with our ene? mies. "list's get the proposlton down to \ plain case: ouppose any of you had business with one of your neighbors, and suppose In order to transact this business you wished to use th" public road, when there was no question as to your right to use, * and suppose some man, who d<d not like your neighbor with whom you were doing 1 FIGHTING GREAT BATTLE. ITALIANS AND AUSTRIAN'S AT DEADLY GRIPS. Italians Cross Isonzo River and Take 7,ft00 Prisoners After a Fierce Bat? tle. Rome. Aug. 20.?The Italians in their offensive on the Isonzo; I front begun yesterday have crossed the Isonzo river and already have taken 7.500 prisoners, it was officially an? nounced by the war department to? day. Guns and many machines have been captured by the Italians, and the Austrians have suffered serious losses. The infantry battle continues vigorously. The statement follows: "A battle is proceeding on the Ju? lian Alps front. Yesterday morning after a bombardment of 24 hours, during which our artillery shelled the enemy positions with ever-in? creasing intensity masses of our in? fantry commenced the advance to? ward their objectives. To the north of Isonzo (seven miles north of Gorizia), after having brilliantly overcome technical difficulties and the resistance of the enemy numer? ous pontoons were thrown across the Isonzo, and our troops passed over to the left bank of the river. "From Plava to the sea, after hav? ing crossed the first line of the ene? my, which had been destroyed com? pletely, our troops brought pressure to bear upon him. Resisting strongly and being supported by considerable artillery and a large number of ma? chine guns, the enemy offered des? perate resistance." Commenting on ,the new Italian advance the press says that it, like he British attack in Flanders, will be of service If it demonstrates how the people and armies of the allied countries feel toward the premature peace proposals of Pope Benedict. It; II said Austria apparently realizes the gravity of the situation, as announce? ment Is made that Emperor Charles is soon to visit the Austrd4Italian front, presumably to encourage his troops. business, stood at the side of the road with a shotgun and told you that you could not pass along this road, because he was an ' enemy of the man with whom you wanted to conduct your relations. "What would have been the result ? Knowing you as I do, I know you would have said to him: T have a right to use this road, and you have no right to stop me, and I am going ; to arm myself end protect my, rights, and if you interfere with me we will shoot this thing out.' "That is a rather crude* ?Illustra? tion, but that is exactly what we had told Germany, and we are 'arming ourselves and we are going to shoot It out, and when we get through the shooting you may rest assured that Germany won't block any more roads. "War Is a terrible thing. None of us wanted to get into lt. T opposed it as long as there was a chance for us to avoid It honorably. The cost in men and money, the broken hearts, the bloodshed, the suffering of those at home who do not have to go, is appalling. I could not but shudder and sigh when I cast my vote as I did. "This war was brought home to me two years ago, whsn the only broth? er I had, realising earlier -than we have realised the ruthlessness of these German tyrants, went to Eng? land to do his bit to stop them In their murderous course. He today fills a soldier's gra"e on the battle? fields of France, out I do not feel that his work was in vain. I only wish that he could have lived to have served his own country in this time of stress. I hope you wl . pardon I this personal allusion. I merely men? tion it to show to you how well knew the suffering that this war would bring to our people. "Your ancestors and mine fought for the liberty which you and I now enjoy. Your ancestors and mine by their blood and treasure established a government that has ever since held the respect of the world. Will you stand quietly by and let a brutal gang of murderers take your liberty away from you, kick you around like a football, and make you the laugh? ing stock of the civilized world? "I know you will not. Yoti are not bred that way. If I thought you would, I would resign my seat in congress tomorrow, because I would think it was a disgrace to represent you. "Some people are making state meats criticizing the administration for declaring a state of war. Some people are crltlczing congress for its action. They have a right to theii opinion as to whether or not we should defend our national honor, but that is past history. "Tho congress of the Fnlted States has decided to defend its nat lonal honor. There Is no looking back now. We are in this war and any man who does anything to hinder TANKS WIN BATTLE. mmmmm*^? CAPTURE IMPORTANT POSITION} TEUTONS HAD HONEY-COMB? ED WITH MACHINE GUNS. Big Armored Tractors Walk Througl Defense? and Capture Many Prison em*. British Front in France and Bel gium. Aug. 20.?(By the Associatec Press).?British tanks scored anothej triumph in the capture of importan German positons yesterday morninj in the neighborhood of the Ypres Poelcapelle road north of St. Julien It was a tank show almost from star to finish, and the infantry in thh case played the part of the super? numeraries in support of the leading actors, while large numbers of th? enemy troops add d a final melodra matte touch ry surrendering abjectlj or fleeing in terror as the "hcav> leads" lumbered on to the stage am "reached for their shooting irons." As recorded in the official commu nieation, the British captured German defenses aiong a mile front to a deptl of 500 yards. Among the strongholds occupied were the famous Triangle, Hibau an< Cockcroft farms, the sites of ex ceedingly strong concrete and stee' machine gun redoubts that menaced the infantry advance. It was dawn when the tanks lined up and waited for the signal to g< over the top. The British artllle^ observing no less of chivalry to th< tanks than to the infantry in tin past poured a preliminary stream <>* shells Into the German lines, then dropped a barrage ahead of the iron monitors, which started forward looking for all the world like great dragons that had rolled out from on< of Hans Anderson conceptions into the gray morning light that shroud ed this battlefield in the cockpit of Europe. i Behind them came the infantr> I ready to do the cleaning up of the I remaining enemy. But there was lit tie for the infantry to do except as aemble and care for the prisoners gl I the tanks proceeded. There \va: hard fighting at several positions such as the three redoubts mention? ed, but it was always brief. The tanks wheeled into position and turned a heavy fire on the forti? fications and the Gemans were killet or else) they surrendered. The enem> casualties were heavy. Great num? bers of Germans were seen fleeing terror-stricken ap the tanks appearet. in the distance and a considerable number threw down their arms and surrendered without offering resist? ance. The tanks cleared thp whole terri? tory desired and then trundled back home. They suffered no damage and the casualties for the operation totalled fifteen. . This has been the most strik? ing incident of the latest fighting along this front. our success at the front or at home is a traitor to his country and is not worthy of the respect of a patriotic citizenship. "Before war was declared we all had a right to our opinion, but since a state of war exists there can be no halfway ground. Every one of us is either for our country or for Ger? many. There is no dodging the is? sue. "Robert E. Lee was opposed to se? cession, but when his mother State declared for it he resigned his com? mission in the United States army and drew his sword to carry out the mandates of his people. You can'; make me believe thot the people or this country are any less loyal today than they were in 1776. You can t make me believe that the people of this country are any less loyal than we Southerners were In 18C1. And I know you well enough to know that you will do your duty. The man that deters his country at this time for any reason is the enemy of every patriot who lives in our broad land. Suppose that they should suceeed in blocking in any way the early termi? nation of this war. Every day will mean thousands of lives lost, every day will mean millions of dollars spent; and can you tell me that a man who takes this positon is a friend of his country? "There have been differences of opinion as to the way of raising the army to fight this war. 1 personally believed In and fought with all the might that I possessed for the volun? teer system. I gave my reasons in n speech which I m ule and which I mailed out to you for my attitude in this matter. The majority of the house and the administration differed with me, and as betwen the draft sys tern and the volunteer system voted for the draft system. "After I had been defeated for the volunteers I voted for a bill which followed the Pleas of the majority. It was a question of voting for this hill or not having an army with which to light this war. 'It was such a case as would be PROTEST NOT EFFECTIVE. XAll DEPARTMENT CONVINCED THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO SEND NEGRO TROOPS SOUTH. Objection by Southerners to Placing Negro Troops in Southern Camps With Wrhite Troops Will Not Cause Change of Plan. Washington, Aug. 20.?Apparently chere is nothing that Governor Man ling and the members of the South 'arolina delegation in congress who will meet with him here tomorrow ?an do to prevent negro soldiers from foing to Southern military camps. The war department is said to be irmly fixed in its conviction that this dep'1 is necessary and the only thing '.o be done. The question also of preventing roops from Puerto Rico to go South will be discussed, hut like the first natter it is doubtful if the war de? partment will change its plans. On this subject the Washington Times today says: "Notwithstanding protests from tome of the Southern States, the war iepartment has decided that all units )f negro troops attached to National luard organizations shall accompany hose organizations to the divisional cantonments where they are to be rralned for service in Europe. Most )f these cantonments are in the South. That decision was reached after long md careful consideration, it is said, on the general theory that an army, being raised to spread the principles of democracy throughout the world, "?an not sanction racial or class dis? tinctions. "In accordance with this policy, the newly organized negro regiment of '.ho New York National Guard, now in camp at Fishklll, N. Y., has been ordered to accompany the other units of that organization to the canton? ment at Spartanburg, and the First Separate Battalion of the District Na? tional Guard will encamp with the other units of the District guards at Anniston, Ala. Similar action has been taken with respect to the negro units in the National Guard of the States of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Maryland." It is said that Anniston is also pro? testing vigorously. Washington, Aug. 21.?Gov. *'an ning of South Carolina, accomj J by the South Carolina senators and congressmen protested to the war department against training negro joldicrs in South Carolina. The pro? test was also particularly against Porto Hicans. He urged that the Porto Hicans be trained in Cuba. Oth? er Southern senators felt that the negro training camps could be con? ducted without friction. Some sym? pathized with the Carolinians, while others believed the South to be the best place to train the negroes. ENDORSES POPE'S PLAN. German chancellor Will Announce That 1*0000 Proposal is Sympa? thetically Received. Copenhagen, Aug. 21.?At a meet? ing of tho main committee of tn< reichstag, called today, the chancell? or Is expected to declare that the Pope's peace note is in general ac? cord with Germany's peace over? tures of December, 1916, and there? fore are sympatheticaly received ir Germany. DRAFT RULES UXOHANED. No Modi Heat ion of Regulations Re specting Exemption on Account oi Marriage. Washington, Aug. 21.?If there il to be modifications regarding the marriage basis for draft exemption it is known only to the president, who has sole authority to alter tho war department's ruling. The war department is continuing on tho ba? sis of dependency rather than on the mere condition of marriage. Washington, Aug. 21.?President Wilson cancelled the regular cabi? net meeting today to give time to consider the coal situation. He is about to appoint a coal administra? tor, but has not selected the man for the place. in our election system, when In the primary I could not win for m> man, and, although I thought that he should hive been elected, I voted In the general election for the can didatc whom I had opposed. I think this explains to you my position. Af? ter the draft bill was passed it be came the only law in this land for raising an army and I propose to up? hold the law In every way within my power. "I have talked to you longer than 1 intended to. I hope 1 have given you our reasons for getting into this war. We may have been wrong. I do not grant that; but, right or wrong, 1 am for my country, and 1 have no respect for the man who is not." MONEY FOKSHIPS. BILLION DOLLARS TO COMPLETE 18 MONTHS' IUTLDIXO PRO? GRAM. Many Contracts to Bo Let?The Pres? ident's Approval of Request for Appropriation Will Be Sought Im? mediately. Washington, Aug. 20.?A billion dollars probably will be the sum ask? ed of congress by the Shipping Board for completion of its 18 months' building program. Contracts soon to be placed for a great fleet of fabricated steel ships, ordinary contract about to be let and the cost of commandeering ships un? der construction, it was learned to Jay, will send the total far above the $500,000,000 additional estimated by :he old board. President Wilson's ap? proval of the request for the appro? priation will be sought immediately. The board already has been given .hree-quarters of a billion dolars, all of which has gone into contracts and :he purchase of ships. The billion more sought is needed before the >oard can proceed with its program. Contracts for government owned fabricating plants will be- placed in a few days. The submarine boat cor I poration and the American Interna? tional, it is understood, will construct the plants for the government and wdl be given contracts for building ships in them. Foreign vessels building in Ameri? can yards, which have been comman? deered along with ship? under con? struction for the American flag probably will be retained by the American government. The question of the final disposal of the British hulls has been a subject of prolonged negotiations with the British govern? ment, it is understood, has agreed that the United States is to pay for their completion and put them under the American flag. WOULD CONSCRHT WEALTH. Senator LnFollettc Presents Minority Plan to Finance Committee. Washington, Aug. 21.?The con? scription of wealth to pay war bills was urged by Senator LaFollette in presenting the minority plans to the finance committee for higher taxa? tion of war profits and incomes. He suggested raising the war tax bill to more than three and a-half billion by such increases and the elimination of consumption taxes. He predicted bread lines in the principal United States cities this winter, unless the government checked high living prices. HOOK WORM IN ARMY. A Xumlier of Recruits Found to Have Disease. . Washington, Aug. 21.?The dis? covery of hookworm among forty seven out of seventy-five militia re? cruits resulted in the public health authorities recommending prompt ex? amination of all recruits. Particular? ly those from the South. One recruit that the officer ruspected of shirk? ing was found to have the disease. Doctors state that the prevalence of the disease in the army would un? doubtedly result in soldiers being un? justly punished for offenses due to remediable conditions. THE PRICE OF VICTORY. British Had Twenty-eight Hundred Killed This Week. London, Aug. 21.?Briteh casual? ties reported for the week ending today were fourteen thousand, two hundred and forty three, and of i these twenty-eight hundred were killed. TAX OX WAR PROFITS. Senate Favors Higher Rate of Taxa? tion on Excess IVofits. WaBhingtan* Aug. 21.?Sentiment ?n the sena e favoring higher taxa? tion rates on war profits already strong Is apparently gaining strength. Istintors who were absent ere coming to Washington, on telegraphic notice from leaders, to vote on disputed sections of 1he war tax bill. ROBBED THE PRINTERS. rodornl Trade Commission Finds That Price of Paper is Excessive. Washington, Aug. 21.?The ad? vance In prices of book paper last year was excessive and unwarranted, the federal trade commission has re? ported and proceed Inga were ordered >gainst certain practices. Spokane, Auk. II.?Advices from various parts of Washington, Idaho, ?n-egon and Montana failed to show one instance where Industrial Work? ers of the World obeyed the order to strike yesterday. I*ast night's re? ports from St. John's. Washington, saying that eighty struck there is de? nied. ~J