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proved by President Wilson Provides for Govern trol of All Railroads, Telegraph and Telephone Lines. a A despatch from Washington says: Government control and operation of all railroads, telegraph and télephone| lines, during the period of the war, and the drafting into the military ser- vice of the country of the employees of such common carriers, is authoriz- ed in a bill approved to-day by Presi- dent Wilson. The bill, drawn at the request of the President, will be introduced in the House to-morrow by Represent- ative William C. Adamson, Chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. - The draft of the bill, prepared by Mr. Adamson, re- ceived the approval of the President to-day. It is probably the most far- reaching of all the war bills prepared or in process of preparation by the Administration, Under the comprehensive provisions of the Administration measure, the President is given unlimited power to take actual possession of the physical property of all railroads and all tele- phone and telegraph lines of the United States, to direct their opera- tions and "to draft into the military service of the United States and to place under military control any and all officers, agents and employees of the railroads, telephone or telegraph companies whose lines are so taken into possession." Severe penalties are provided in the event that any person having control of the common carriers declines to de- liver into the possession of the United | telephone and telegraph lines, h hel Provides for Government Con: States the property demanded by the President. " J Persons who resist the military draft authorized are likewise subject to fine and imprisonment. an The drafting of employees is to be under the direction of "officers of the military establishment," who shall prepare a roster of all employees sub- ject to draft and shall serve notice upon the persons so drafted "as to the place where and the time when he British and French ; to Disctiss War With U. 8. Assembly in Washington within a few weeks of a great international war council was foreshadowed by an an- nouncement from the State Depart- ment on Wednesday that a British ! commission, headed by Arthur J. Bal- i four, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is expected to arrive within ten days to: discuss with the Government here questions connected with the conduct of the war. : eign Minister, the commission will shall appear and enter upon his ser- vi " -- ce. President Wilson is given complete: control and supervision of "the com- munication of intelligence over said an the transportation of troops, military property and stores throughout the United States shall be conducted un- der the control and supervision of such officers asthe President may de- signate." So broad are the powers conveyed by the bill that martial law is virtu- ally established throughout the coun- try so far as common carriers are concerned. There is mo limitation whatsoever upon the authority of the President to seize railroad, telephone and telegraph property, and to com- mandeer persons operating the same whenever the President may deter- mine that public safety necessitates so'radical a step. Not since Abraham Lincoln was given power to commandeer the rail- roads of the has any President been granted such unhampered authority. CANADIANS SWEEP FOE POSITIONS Situation in Northern France TWO HOSPITAL SHIPS ARE SUNK One Torpedoed in the Channel-- United States in 1862 Shows Vast Improvement Fifty-two Rersons in a Week. A despatch from Canadian Head- quarters in France, (via. London), says:--No serious attempt has yet been made by the enemy to counter- attack our new front, which hourly grows in strength. If the Germans return in force they will be met with some of their own guns, as well as their machine guns, which have been found in good condition, and will now be brought into service against their former owners. The subterranean galleries which were hastily abandon- ed by the Germans continue to yield much material, especially machine guns. One officer who has specializ- ed in exploration found five machine guns, all in good condition: During the night of Tuesday the enemy sent forward patrols, and occasional en counters took place, in which there was distinct advantage to the Can. adians. It will be interesting to the people at home to know that in machine gun equipment the British army now is greatly superior to the German army, ag in artillery also, A remarkable incident is reported as having befallen the official Can- adian photographer He found a body of forty Germans and two enemy officers in "No Man's Land," who, while a battle was in progress, had surrendered, but there was no one with them to conduct them to the rear, and they were crouching in a large shell-hole to escape the German bar- rage, There the cinema man photo- graphed them, afterwards sending them on, "tame as sheep," was his comment. rf KING GEORGE NOW CHIEF _ OF ROYAL FLYING CORPS $ A despatch frora London says:-- King George has become Colonel-in- Chief of the naval and military wings of the Royal Flying Corps, "to mark his admiratidn of the splendid services both wings have rendered since the commencement of the war." | | Drowned. A despatch from London - says: -- The British hospital ship Salta was sunk by a mine in the English Chan- nel on April 10, the War Office an- nounces. Fifty-two persons were drowned. The British 'hospital ship Glouces- ter Castle was torpedoed without warning in the English Channel on March 30. All the wounded on the ship were saved. There were no wounded on board the Salta. A German wireless despatch of April 11 says the Gloucester Castle was torpedoed by a German sub- marine. The British steamship Gloucester Castle, 7,999 tons gross, was built in Glasgow in 1911 and owned in Lon- don. The only Salta listed in maritime reference books is a French merchant- man of 7,284 tons gross, owned in Marseilles. ' There are no records of her recent movements. : Bm FOOD CRISIS MAKES ALL FATHERLAND TALK LS Vorwaerts Warns Government of Con- sequences of Bread Diminution. A despatch fro Lendon says: --The food - situation is dominat- ing all other considerations in Ger- many, according to The Berlin Vor- waerts as quoted iff an Amsterdam despatch to the Central News. The Vorwaerts says: "Notwithstanding all the big events, the new food regulations which are to be introduced on April 15 form the exclusive subject of discussion in the most considerable circles of the peo- ple. A diminution in the bread ration forms a serious difficulty for the entire population and causes great preoccupation." Some weeks ago the German news- papers announced that the bread ra- tion would be reduced by one-fourth, scarcity of wheat. = ------ "he beginning April 15, owing to the tion of the various {ish navy; General Bridges, of the | army, and the Governor of the Bank of | England, attended by a numerous | staff. | This was as far as the announce- ment made by the State Department ! goes, but it was learnéd authoritative- ly that a French commission, compos- ed of officials and officers equally as distinguished as the British represent- | atives, also will be" in Washington about the same time. This commission ! will be headed by M. Viviani, at pre- sent Minister of Justice in the French Cabinet, and formerly Premier. ced eee a CROPS IN GERMANY SET BACK BY STORMS. Severe Weather Will Delay Harvest of All Foodstuffs. marked, according to reports in the German newspapers, by a return of Winter weather, over a large part of | the empire, an occurrence of consider- able intportance in connection with the prospects for the next harvest, Partic- ularly sharp drops in temperature with snow, were reported in the important grain-growing regions of Germany. Before this development the agricul- tural papers had:complained of the] effects of the severe and protracted Winter. The Winter grain crop was several weeks behind its normal de- velopment, although it is declared that the proportion requiring resowing was comparatively small. Farmers were unable to commence their Spring planting, and it seems certain that the | Fall harvest of all food crops. The net result is that there will be' increasing difficulty in carrying over until the harvest on the scanty reserve of stock, even if the harvest itself is not affected in quality, i "DEFENSIVE SEA AREAS" AROUND U. S. DESIGNATED Regulations Governing The Move- ments of Vessels in These Waters Issued. : '--An Executive order designating | United States and its insular posses-| | sions was made public on Friday. Re- | gulations governing the movements of vessels in these waters are appended, $2 land the order concludes with this statement: "The responsibility of the United States of America for-any damage in- flicted by force of arms with the ob- ject of detaining any persons or ves: sels proceeding in contravention to re- gulations duly promulgated in accord- ance with this Executive order shall cease from this date (April 6th)." JES a TO PROYIDE FOOD : FOR USE OF ALLIES. Head of Board Appointed in U. 8S. De fines America's Present Duty. A despatch from London says: Herbert C. Hoover, head of the Ameri: | can Commission for Relief in Belgium, {has after consultation with his col: the chairmanship offered him by the National Defence Council of the ne food" board in the United States. Mr. Hoover expects to leave short- ly for America. Meanwhile he has in- itiated a wide enquiry in France, Eng land and Italy regarding the existing food situation, having the co-opera- overnments in this work. TE conto A despatch from Washington says: i In addition to the For- fam include Admiral DeChair, of the Brit- A despatch from Copenhagen says: $1 The Easter holidays in Germany were § new delay will materially defer the |--No. 2 A despatch from Washington says: |e | "defensive sen areas" on coasts of the } leagues on the commission, accepted |$1 «Spring lambs $20; acooHing / Peas--No. 2, nc 3 freights outside. ; Barley--Malting, $1.20 to $1.28, ac- ding to frel , outside. Gos oak feat 3 las to $1.40, according frei 0 eo. R Tenge i) $1.68 to $1.70, according to_freights outside. ~ Manitoba flour--First patents, n bags, second e i 0; 8, $10.2 id 'oronto Winter, according to! 443: in bags, track | onto, pment; $8.10 to 20, bulk seaboard, export grade. i iifecd--Car lots, delivered Montreal ts, bags included--Bran, per ton, $38; shorts, per ton, $40 to $42; mid-' dlings, $43 to Jor good feed flour, per of $2.70 to $2.80. ay--Extra No. 2, per ton, $11.50 to il .60; mixed, per ton, $650 to $11, track oronto., Straw---Car lots, per ton, $7 to $7.60, track, Toronto. ' Country Produce--Wholesale Butter--Fresh dairy, clioice; 40 to 41c; Creamery prints, 43-to 46c; solids, 42 to Cc Eggs--New-laid, in cartons, 39¢; out oe uptey-L row, 1b. 20 0° 2 ve poultry--Fowl, 1b, 0 26c; chickens, 20 to 26c. Dressed poultry--Chickens, 23 to 26c; fowl, 20 to 22¢; ducks, 22 to 260; squabs, per doz., $4.00 to $4.50; turkeys, 25 'to C. Cheese--New, large, 27 to 27ic; twins, 27% to 8780; triplets, . 274 to 28c; old, 28ac; twins, 28%c. ney--White clover, 2jalb tins, 143 to 6-1b.tins, 14ic; 10-ib, 13hc; 60-1b, ! buckwheat, 60-1b tins, 10 to 10dc Comb honey--extra fine an eavy Felabt per doz., $2.76; select, $2.60 to $2.76; No. 2, $2 to-$2.25. Mable syrup--Imperfal gallon, $1.50 to bag, per per bag, Potatoes--On track Ontario, ver 3.00; New Brunswick Delawares, bag. $3.30 to $3.40; Albertas, in Provisions--Wholesale Smoked meats---Hams, medium, 27 to 28¢c; do, heavy, 24 to 2bc; cooked, 38 to 39c; rolls, 24 tp 26c; breakfast bacon, 80 to 33c; backs, plain 32 to 33c; boneless, 35 to 36c. a Lard--Pure lard, tlerces, 25 to 26ic; tubs; 26% to 263c; pails, 253 to 263c; com- pound, tierces, 194 to 20c. Cured meats---Long clear bacon, 21 to 22¢ per 1b; clear bellies, 20 to 20jc. Montreal Market Montreal, April 17.--Oa western, No. 2, 78jc; do. extra No. 1 feed, 77hc. feed, $1.09. Buckwheat--No. . Flour--Man. Spring wheat patents, firsts, $10.80; seconds, $10.30; strong bakers', $10.10; Winter patents, choice, $10.00; straight rollers, $9.30 to $9.60; do. bags, $450 to $4.86. arrels, 46; do,, bag: Bran, 4] to '$38, dlings, $42. te ts--Canadian 0. 3, Tic: Parley --afan. $1.32. $ Shorts, $40. Mid- Mouillle, $45 to $60. Hay per ton, car lots, $13.60, Cheese--Itinest westerns, 24 to 24jo; finest easterns, - 28 to 284c, Butter-- Choicest creamery, 43c; 4lc, Eggs--Fresh, 36c; 88c. Potatoes, per bag, car lots, $3.15 to $3.26, % Winnipeg Grain Winnipeg, April 17.--Cash prices: -- Wheat--No. 1 Northern, $2.08f; No. 2 Northern, $2.044; No. 4, $1.88§; No. b, $1.693; No. 6, $1.80§; feed, $1.10. Oats --No. 2 C.W., S880; No. 8 C.W, 68 extra No, 1 fed, 66fc; No. 1 feod, 65 No. 2 feed, 63§c. Barley--No. 3, §1 i 4, i feed, 92c¢; rejected, N.W.C, $2.99; No. 2 C. fe: 12; 92¢, Ww., / United States Markets Minneapolis, April 17---Wheat--May, $2.08%; July, $2.003; cash, No. ard, $2.193 to $2,220; No. 2 Northern, to $2.15%; No. 2 Northern, $2.0 16%. Corn--No. 3 yellow, $1.26 . Oats--No. 3 white, 62} to Flour unchanged, Bran, $38.00 0 $38.50. Duluth, April 17---Wheat--No. 1 hard, 2.143; No. 1 Northern, $2.093 to $2.13%: No. 2 Northern, $2.06 to $2.08%; Mati $2.06%; July, $2.004 bid. Linsced, $3.06} to $3.084; May, $3.064; July, i Live Stock Markets Toronto, April 17.-~Extra choice heavy steers, $12.00 12.50; cholce heavy steers, 4 11.75; ood heavy steers, $10.60 to $10.75; butchers' cattle, choice, $11.25 to $11.75; do., good, $10.66 to $10.90; do., medium, $10.00 to $10.60; do. common, 9.50; butchers' bulls, choi€e, 3 bulls, $9.26 to $9.76; do., 8,26 to $8.76; do. rough bulls, $6.40 to 6.50; butchers" cows, choice, $10.00 to $10.26; do., go , $8.76 to $9.50; do. medium, $7.00 to $7.26; stockers, $7.60 to $8.35; feeders, $9.50 to $1 : g and cutters, $5.26 to $6.26; good to choice, $85.00 to .00; do., com. and med. each, $49.99. to $60.00; springers, $60.00 to $110.00; light ewes, 0.00 to $14.00; sheep, heavy, $8.50 to .B0; calves, good to choice, $12.50 to 14-5: spring lambs, each, $8.00 to 12.00; lambs, choice, $14.26 to $15.60; 0., medium, 0 to $12.50; hogs, fed and watered, $16.50 to $16.60: do., welghed off cars, $16.76; do. f.o0.b., .76. 4 Sionirenl, April 17--~Good to choice milk-fed calves, $8.00 to $11.00, others $4.00 to $7.00; sheen $9.60 to' $10.50; , $12.00 to $15.00 each; selected hogs. at $16.70 to $17.00, meeps Lol : % Hearing has been restored to more than two-thirds of his accidentally deafened patients by a French physi- cian who massages their ears with : val 'against the enemy. : in ute | A despa 3 > trong 1 alate iy hs bags, sSwitt hamuer blo 3% many rol ints | court-Qu sleet, British troops north of the Vimy "trench systems south of the Farbus GUNS. LiLaiiiiearansaes Trench mortars ......... 'Machine guns ....c.ocver Many captured guns are being north and south of Arras last week showed that General Haig's drive is far from over, though the resistance of Hindenburg's troops stiffened per- ceptibly. Boring through the slush underfoot and the falling snow Ridge carried their lines along both banks of the Souchez River to within a few hundred yards nosthwest of Givenchy, while the Canadians, sweep- ing down the southeastern slope of the ridge, overran a mile of German Wood. as South of the Scarpe, too, where the British are trying to. straighten out their front toward Cambrai, a notable success was won. Driving down from! Neuville Vitasse to the banks of Co-| jeul River, Haig's men stormed and | held Hill 90, and pressed onward to : | Wancourt and Heninel. Both these towns, with their adjoining defences, were captured, and the victors de-| ployed across the stream and occu- | pied the heights on the right bank. | The fighting in this segment was an all-day matter, and the ground was won foot by foot. The British are! clearly determined to shoulder the Germans out of the entire angle be- tween Monchy-le-Preux and Croi- silles, and seem to be doing it. Meanwhile the fighting for the key positions at Monchy was furious. The Germans feel the loss of this town and of its heights, which they admit in their official statement, and have thrown repeated counter-attacks against the British defenders. Accord- | 84 fe says: |! and | ca] the trench systems just south of Loos, the British divisions drove ahead and captured six. villages--Angres, Gi- venchy, Vimy, Petit-Vimy, Willerval, and Bailleul. South of Bailleul line was bulged back cles Scarpe. Two of these towns; and Givenchy, were fortified by sys- tems which the Germans considered impregnable, Northeast of the min- ing and railway centre of Lens the British have also obtained a footing. Further victories were recorded south of Arras. Straightening out the German salient which projected into their lines between Monchy and' the Cojeul River, Haig's men stormed Wancourt Tower, on a spur east of the village of Wancourt, and accord- ing to Friday night's official news re- port, have advanced astride the Hin- denburg line as far as a point seven miles southeast of Arras. The com- muniques of the British War 'Office have not hitherto mentioned the Hin- denburg line, But success did not stop here. To the southward the British battalions progressed on a front of about nine miles between Metz-en-Coutre and a point to the north of Hargicourt. The captured positions include Sart Farm, Gauche Wogd, Gouzeacourt, strad- dling 'the rofid to Cambrai, and thgf wood near the village. : i Throughout the length of interlink- ed chain of advances the fighting was of the utmost ferocity. Prisoners and ing to the accounts of observers, they 'guns were sent to the rear. Aceording suffered some of their heaviest losses' to the official report Friday night, | Red Cross towards British wounded | * (have been made to the Berne corre- since the present series of battles * | started, several of the charging -bat- talions being practically annihilated under the rattle of British machine guns, , Prisoners who were attached to German batteries complain that so many German guns were lost because" of a shortage of artillery horses. They say that the British were up and over their pieces before they could be hauled back down to safety. On the Vimy Ridge alone the storming Can- adians took four 8-inch howitzers, nine of the famous 5.9 guns, the most mobile and useful piece in the German battery, and 28 other pieces. Elsewhere the British took a dozen. there are now more than 13,000 in the British cages back of Arras, and the number of captured guns has reached 166. - General Nivelle's forces are fighting desperately against the Germans south of the town of St. Quentin ] tween the Somme River and the 8 Quentin Railway. Friday nightsgf- that ficial report from Paris says battle infront of the positions captur- ed bythe French continues. The Ger- mans resisted desperately, but the French carried several lines of trenches between the river and the railway. Artillery actions are report- ed between the Somme and the Oise and in Champagne. { --- » Those Employed by German Red 1 ENEMY WOMEN BRUTAL | TOWARD THE PRISONERS Cross Show Themselves as Bar- barous as Any Huns--Spit in Coffee Handed to British A despatch 'from London says: Ap- palling revelations of the systematic brutality of German women of the | spondent of The Times by scores of British soldiers of all' ranks released from German. prison camps. On the long journey of the British wopnded | through Germany it was the common amusement of these women to tempt Troops. - while the women looked on and laugh- An equally common ente with thesé women was viv wounded man a glass of water 'and then pour it slowly on the ground. Cases of physical maltreatment So British wounded by German nursed i were just as common and systemati® ©' as the refusal to give them nouvish- ment. # The nurses not only refused to at- «= our men, who were in the last extrem- tend to British wounded but regular- ity of hunger and thirst, by holding ly insulted and spat on them. Fre- out food and drink to, try and 'make quently they even struck or kicked a them snatch at it, and then withdraw- bandaged limb in order to give pain. = * sound waves. : Doings of the Duffs. ing it. Many of the wounded begging for water had coffee, water and soup tendered to them, and then at the last moment the gentle nurse would spit in the cup or glass. Frequently the; wounded had to drink the defiled stuff! "If," says The Times, "the German Red Cross is merely a branch of Ger- man militarism it has prostituted ts sacred sign, - shamed its name 'and forfeited all right to be regarded as. an organization of humanity." 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