Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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AMERICAN GINS SUPERIOR. I'ultrd State* nrtliiMjirc in France ?nl Italj? jh)imc of Uiii Mo?i F?wer fui Wcapuiw, Washington, Feb. 25.?American built ordnance of the latent lyn? an \ heaviest calibre?tcn^hch, 12-inch and 14-inch ritlus are In service on the sector of Uve weatern front held by the American army and on the Italian front, it was learned today at the war department. The general belief has b*t?n that virtually very few Arne", lean bonny guns were in Europe. The suns sent to Italy incjuded a number of 14-inch rifles, both of tip' 45 and |% eallbre. The former was considered the most powerful naval weapon In- existence, until commission? ing of the Hritlsh battleship of the Queen Elisabeth clans with 15-inch runs. American experts still believe that the l-i-lnrh SO calibre rifle Ik harder hitting and more accurate even than the larger |lrltish weapon. Reports from Italy soy the results accomplished by tho heavy American CWdnanCA already hav > elicited expres? sions of admiration from the Italian rurners. In addition to hervy naval ord? nance. General Persh ng has received a. number, of reserve 12-inch rifles do signed otigtnatly for Installation In the coast defense of the United BUU>s. Mounted for hlgh-friigle firing, as they will he used In land operations, the 1 ?-Inch rides hgvo an estimated range of, not less thi n 3S.00O yards, or substantially 17 mi:es. The 1 l-4nch guns have a proportionately greater range. Large naval guns now ore beim* built as future^ A me nenn battleships are to have, lt-inch page of both th. forty-flya and 50 calibre. TRAITOR Hi UNIFORM. ? rktenrc Found Hist Cnpt. Henken Wps a Herns tor ff Agent Waehnngton. Feb. J5?Evidence that in spite of his commission in the United States army he was in touch With German agents, contributing to vor HernstorfT propaganda funds and working foi p-.n . tt my price before America went to war was largely re *4>onsit4# for tlio heavy punishment imposed upon Captuin David A Henkes, sentenced by oourtmartlal at Ooversjer's Island to dismissal from the eervice and imprisonment at hard tabor for twenty-five years. This evidence was d scovered afte* Henket wss brought back from Franca for trial. On landing, he asked te he allowed tc see his wife. T\r\W-was denied, but he was permit? ted to telephone, and cfflcers "listen ing in** heard him ins ruct his wife to burs all his papers. "Before Mrs. Henkes could carry out the. eider, the Incriminating let? ters and pupers were seized. Accord Ing t > officers of the Judge advocate general's department these proved that Henkes not. only had been in commumV ution with Co'int von Be: n sorff. then German ambassador t the United States, but legi contribut? ed to German. Austrian and Turkish funds, and hud been an active propa? gandists Henkes was born in Iowa In 1S75. and entered the army a: the nitbroak <>f the Spanish-America| war as pri vato in Oompuny O, First Wisconsin Infnntrv He was mode a corpora' and then a sergeant. He became v second lieutenant In February, 1001 and In 1*07 ho graudated from the Infantry ami 0X1 ill v school of the army. Red Cross Notes. I?..,, t w.iste time and energy s.i\ in ; cancelled .poetute stamps for the i:> I is Sen somewhere. has fitted one of those pleasant. bill llkeb. V? >>e anm?\ lug getlOfll concern In? the value of poetage stamps which . have served th*lr origins no: nose This time the idea spread ihre i is that the Am erb in ftt I Cross has deviied a method of ex r i ting the dye- from the concelU'd it mips, aid using the dy ?s. The post I department reports that sever.. Purs of old stamps have accumulate tkro.ij-i, lieg I Rid Will of peiMoi.H wh I base tlo.MKb' the) ".<m- dour: sonn d, Sg to help win the war. Within the Isxt two weeks, slop, eores of let ters have been received it U?d Cro: headquarters. from pei eons ask in'-' information regarding 'he matte. The stamp* ore of no use to the Ri I Cr Petrograd. Feb. 2s.?A special train le ft h? re Sunds e ..ht with llftj American*, im-iudm* purl of the em bassy ?nd mdltarv ?taffe One huu dred ?nd T,vei Americans are rtlll la Petrograd T Washington, Pab 2?*. -Forme President I ii- i ?* chosen today b the repress fsttves e>f eapltal as Ihr rpeeeentetive in the lolni eonferenc< here Iwtwr'n employers and employe s i? r-iabli?h a has'.t of relations dtir n.b tlx war. lUIY COAL IN RUMMER. l'uei Administration Suggests That llnuschotdcrti Proceed In Regular Way When Available. Washington, Feh. 25.?Fuel Admin istrator Uarfleld today advised ull householders to buy their normal sup? ply of coal for next winter in the reg? ular Way as soon as the coal is avail? able. Dr. Gardeld denied Ihat he had urged people last year not to put in their normal supply of coal for tnis Winter's use. Regulations governing the administration of coal for domes? tic purposes will be formulated upon the return to Washington of L. A. Knead, federal fuel distributor, who is visiting the state administration. The regulations may provide for a "ra? tioning" system similar to those al? ready adopted by some local admin? istrators. Dr. Garfleld indicated that the fuel administration Was giving serious con? sideration to the proposal that all Street railroads be required to adopt the "sklpstop" system as a conserva? tion measure. CHARLESTON LUMBER PORT. Government Prepares to Ship Millions of Feet Through South Carolina Port. Washington, Feb. 25.?It was learn cd sere today that the war department Ig preparing to ship 5,000,000 feet of lumber through the port of Charles? ton Immediately for construction work abroad. This Is the first prac? tical use of the port of Charleston on I large scale as a resilt of recently announced plans. GERMANS CORNER WOOL. Wealthy Merchant Operates Clever Scheme. New fork, Feb. 25.?Alleged to be agent In the United States for Ger? man interests which have been seek? ing to corner world's wool market, Hugene Pchwordt, a wealthy wool merchant of New York and Boston, was arrested here today as an ene? my alien and will be interned. Schwerdt's alleged activities were disclosed to the federal authorities b. the attorney general of New York State, Schwerdt's name having ap? peared in the correspondence of Hu? go Schmidt, banker and alleged pay? master in the Bolo Pasha case, which the attorney general investigated. According to Deputy Attorney General Alfred L. Becker, Schwordt 1 was in correspondence with II. F. Al? bert, former financial agent here for the German government. Although claiming to be a Belgian citizen, Schwerdt was, In fact, born in Muenster, Germany. He resided in Belgium, but came to the United States |g 1914, at the time of the dor man bombardment of Antwerp. The p.an of Schwerdt and his as? sociates, according to the attorney general, was to minimize the effects of a possible British economic em? bargo against Germany after the war by making It possible for German In? terests in America to honrd their great stocks of wool which it was in? tended to send to Germany when PSPCS came. A letter made public by Mr. Beck? er, who conduced the Inquiry, araa written by Schwerdt to Albert In Jan? uary. 1917. In this communication Schwerdt informed Albert of the woo situation in America and outlined plans for obtaining control of woo stocks for Gorman consumption after the war. "There rim be no question/' Mr Becker said in a formal report to the Btatl department, "that Schwerdt tui> considered himself a German, that his sympathies are pro-German, that he has been engaged in the wool trade In behalf of German interests a id mas queradlng under American names an that at the present time he is en deavorlng to dissimulate his real sen t intent s and those of his son. In gen era!, ho was not. so far as appears a German government agent, .but WSI 'ting on behalt Ol German manufac lurers, clients of the Deutsche Bank." cAPi t Hi D ship WRECKED. Spanish steamer in Hands of Gcrmut Crow Ashore on Danish Const. ConOU hit gen, Feb. 26.?The Spanlsl imshtp IgOtf Mendt, with a Gei? lnau prlSt crew from the PsCltV ocean aboard, is ashore near Skaw Lighthouse. Two of the prisoner kboard ar? Americans. The prison ers were taken from six ships Which had boon sunk. Twsnty-two person* Including line women, two children nid two Americans, have been landed Tim Germar OOininnndor has been in? terned, but the donnas crew refused 10 leave the ship. Washington, FelK l?.?Arrange mentl have been luade to mOVO American* In Moscow to Samara, the I ttndred II des to the oast. No Imme? Ii occupation of Moscow Is expect ? ?d, but It was thought advisable |c move the Americans, Ptm9m$A% ^ M0MM P??I) supply. Shipments From Xnrtlicrii Kuropeun Neutrals Reduced ?."? to 83 Per tont. Washington, r*sb, m. Food Ship? ments from the Northen? M?ropean neutral countries to Germany have' been out G5 to 8 5 per cent since las'i Year by the operation of America's export control as disclosed tonight in j the first annual report of the war I trade board. The ?fleet has been also to decrou&e to a marked extent ship? ments of other commodities from neu? tral countries to the. enemy. The hoard disclaims any policy of coercion or retaliation In its dealing with neutrals and sets forth that it is proceeding on a policy of negotiation and agreement. "In undertaking to supply the j food gnd other vital wants of neutral peoples, Under carefully considered ag.-cetue:v It is declared, "the board has desired to prevent acute suffering in these countries and to prevent them from falling under the econom ic power of the enemy. With Ger? man traders and comforters in neu tr'i countries, however, there is no compromise indicated, but relentless isolation." The report tells of the embargoes which have been in force for several months against neutrals, and outlines the agreement reached with Switzer? land, under which the Swiss will get food from the United States in return for assurances that^ none of it will reach Germany and that shipments of some of her'oivn commodities to Ger? many will be limited. A review Is given of negotiations a Ith the northern neutrals for ton? nage by which the United States and Gren; Britain have obtained 1,400.00) ?ons deadweight of Norwegian ship pirn- for the period of the war and the United tSatcs has chartered for ihres months 450,000 tons from Hol? land, and for a similar period 250,000 tone from Sweden. > The report discloses that licensing finally has taken the place of the British system of letters of assurances, and tells of the abolition of Halifax as a port of call of American and neutral ships. 'FIGHT TO LAST DITCH. Tmtzky Henri From Stockholm of Strained Relations Between Berlin and Vienna. London, Feb. 24.?If peaco is not brought "bout, the Russians will fight to a finish, Leon Trotzky, the Russian foreign minister, is quoted as having said in an interview with the Petro? grad correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company. The interview follows: "If we don't get a separate peace, we shall fight to the finish. We do not lose hope. We arc informed from Stockholm that relations between Ber? lin and Vienna are strained. If we possessed an army able to fight we would start war with Germany. If there is any one able to resist the German invasion It Is our (Bolshevl ki) party. We have declared that we were forced to sign a peace declara? tion and our humiliation Is not greater than when strikers are forced to agree to the terms of capitalists i The symptoms of panic will soon pass and we shall apply resolute methods in order to finish the war." british DOSSES low. Week's Figures Smallest for Several Months. London, Feb. 25.?British casualties reported In the week ending today were :>,571, the lowest for any week for several months. They are divid? ed hs follows: Killed or died of wounds, officers. 24; men, 736. Wounded or missing Officers, 77; men. 2,734. SAVED FROM LOST SHIP. Brave Sailors Rescue Forty-four From FlortzoL St. Johns, N. F., Feb. 26.?Boat irOWg from the Newfoundland steamer ProsperOi braving the brenkers which ue battering to pieces the wreck of ?he Rod CrOM liner Florizel on tlu ledges north of Cape Race, today ook off H survivors, all that were left alive of the ship's company of lit. The death list tonight stood at if, Of the rescued 17 are passeng rs. only two of the 12 women on board and none of the four children were saved. Columbia? Feb. 26.?The toll of lead from yesterday's wreck on the Southern Railway, near here, stood at I - this morning. Reports from hos? pitals indicated that the 37 most se? riously Injured are doing well. The coroner's Inquest to place the respon slblllty for the wreck convenes :>i nun. Washington. Feb. 26.?To Stimulate I he movement of farm products to COngtimerS the postmaster general to? day increased the allowable weights >f parcel post packages, effective March 15th. ?PRISON FOR CAPTAIN. OHicol* or 'Sixteenth Infantry Did Not f aro to Fight Gorman Relatives tili? I Friends. New York, Feh, 24,?Capt. David A. lienkete, Sixteenth infantry, V. H. A.i has been sentenced to dismissal from the service ami confinement at hard labor for 25 years by a general court held at Governor's Island. llenkos, who is of German descent, endeavored to resign his commission, saying he did not care to fight against relatives and friends. C.aptain.iHehkeH, who wns stationed at Snn Antonio, Texas, last May wrote to the secretary of war urging him to accept the resign;.'lion, which he had already submitted and giving reasons which, he declared, would no longer allow him to serve as an officer of the American army. "Further service as a commissioned officer must sooner or later take me to Europe and there bring me in con? flict with my relatives and friends, al? though for the time being my legal enemies." Captain Henkes wrote. "My father came from Germany. My moth? er was born here shortly after the arrival of her parents. We have many other relatives and friends there. "I can not force myself to the con? viction that I am capable of making war on my kindred upon their soil in a manner that would become my duty and station. I earnestly request that I may not be required to under? go this ordeal. I seriously C >ubt mj ability to withstand it, and would avoid, in the interest of my country, family and friends, what at least ap? pears the probable consequences." Captain Henkes soon after he had submitted his resignation was ordered tc France with the American expedi? tionary forces, and from there, on June 29, 1917, wrote the adjutant gen? eral in Washington calling attention to his resignation and declared his battalion commander, the department quartermaster and the commanding officer of the southern department had approved his action. Again on October 10, while still on duty in France, Captain Henkes wrote to the adjutant general urging ac? ceptance of his resignation. "The underlyinfg facts are intolerable" he declared. Captain Henkes was then ordered to this country and summoned before a general courtmartial at Governor's Is? land, where he was formally charged with violation of the 95th article ol war. This charge recited that "hav? ing taken an oath of office ' which among other things, he swore to 'sup? port the. constitution of the United States against all enemies, forelgr and domestic,' and that he would 'hear true faith and allegiance to the same,' he had written the letter con? cerning his resignation. The same charge was made in connection with the other letter. The courtmartial found him guilty and findings having been reviewed by the judge advocate general, thr sentence' of - the court, dismissal from the service and confinement at hard labor for 25 years, were ordered car? ried out. The United States disciplin? ary barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Kan., was designated as the place of mprisonment and It was declared that "Capt. David A. Henkes, Sixteen? th Inlantry, ceases to he an officer of the army from February 23, 1918." The report was signed by Ma.1. Gen. William A. Mann, commanding th^ Department of the East and by Col. W. E. Simpson, adjutant. MEATLESS?WHFATLKSS DAYS. Hoarding House Kreimers Sign Agree The following additional hoarding house proprietors have signed the agreement to observe the wheatless md meatless days as far as possible, that is when substitutes can be secur? ed on Monday they will serve no wheat hut Will serve corti and rye bread instead, and will serve buck? wheat or corn cakes or some other substitutes Instead. On Tuesdays they will serve no ham, beef, or pork. On Wednesdays they will observe the same rules as on Mondays. On Sat irdays they will serve no breakfast aeon, ham. or fresh pork. Mrs. J. B. Gordon. Mrs. S. F. Daw kins, Mrs. M. T. Hall, Mrs. C. H. lames. Mrs. J. D. Griffin. Mrs. .7. W. N'orris, Mrs. S. C Gentry, Miss Lizzie Pringle, Mrs. T. A. Hussey, Mrs G. W, Brunson. Several committees have yet to re? port. It is confidently expected that every hoarding house in Sumter will : Ign the agreement. Mr. p. g. Bowman has a limited number of the pamphlet. "German Practices." which he will give to .hose who wish to acquaint themselves with the officially attested facts of the rttrocitlea perpetrated by the Herman? upon civilians, nnd prisoners of war. The defection Of Russia saved Frederick the Great ? William II may be proud to find himself associated with the great man of the family - 1 Florida Times-Union. ment. TO WORK roll <.()OD ROADS. measure direct the activities niid use-* - j fulness of the club will be appointed Sumter County AutomobiU and Good | alter the adoption of bylaws at the Roedfl Association Org.iiifzori. | meeting to be held Thursday nlgM at the Court House. From The Daily item, Feh If, ln terming this club Sumter ha? Last night at the Court House tin J placed herself in line with the most Sumter County Automobile and Good IProgressive communities in the coun Roade Association was organized with the following officers: Dr. E. .S. Booth, president; s. k. Rowland and J. H. Myers, vice presi? dents; k. H. Witherspoon, secretaryi and treasurer; L. D. Jennings, mem cr of Jcgislative committee Of Amer? ican Automobile Association or Di? rector at large. The following committees were appointed: By Laws: I. C. Strauss, C. G. Rowland, W. P. Smith and C. B Huff. Membership: H. J. McLaurln. try and she thereby makes It possible to avail herself of the well organized and systematic methods which havo been employed elsewhere wKh such marked success in permanent road construction. At the meeting Thurs? day night a full statement of these methods will be made. The membership committee will make an active canvass at once and Will report Thursday night. At least one hundred new members are ex? pected by then. If you want better Jr., D. C. Shaw, S. L. Kramoff, R. H.|roads in Sumter county, don't wait Witherspoon, J. H. McCollum, F. to be solicited. Call up some member Leon Scott, J. H. ?yers, S. K. Row- \of the committee and give him your land, C. H. DuRant, W. J. Shaw and W. Y. L. Marshall. It is the purpose of the association to bring into its fold every good road.? advocate in the county and for this object t,be above committee was ap? pointed. Several of the most import? ant committees which will in a large name. If you want part of the auto? mobile license tax to go to bridge building, join this club and put yourself in a position to effectively cooperate with others. Subscribe to The Daily Item. Only 10c per week, delivered. LIBERTY BONDS All Coupon Bonds have been received?Please call for yours The First National? SUMTER, S C. r' The National Bank of South Carolina OF SUMTER IF CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS OF YOUR BUSINESS APPEALS to YOU, THIS BANK IS THE PLACE FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. Capital Stock Surplus Profits $200,900.00 150,000.00 30,000.00 CG ROWLAND, President. P. E. HINNANT. Cithftf. r ALL LIBERTY BONDS are here, ready for de? livery, including $50 bonds. Owners will please call for them as soon as convenient. We will be glad to keep these bonds in our vaults for safe-keeping for any who may desire us to. i J. P. Booth. President. W. J. Crowson, Jr., Cashier. ?-?+-?*+?+-M-4-?4 ? ? ? i > h h <????????? h ? ?? ? h h h m ? ? ? Everything In the Building Line AH Kinds of Feed BOOTH & McLEOD, Inc. Everything at one place PHONES: 10 and 631 ?????????????tt+TVtf+tvO.