¢ pen The Daily British Whig YEAR 84: NO. 284 300 IN HALIFAX, N.S., PAGES 1-8 12 PAGES Fr tre t a aed -- LAST EDITION DISCARD KAISER KINGSTON, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1917. Leitch and his bride were in Ren-! | frew County on their honeymoon | trip. On the day of the crime Ben- | nett, a rejected suitor, made his ap-; | pearance and revealed to Mrs.! | Leitch by his actions and words that he was going to "get even' for the GERMAN AEROPLANE KNOCKED OVER IN AIR RUSH » ! AG 5 KILLED BY EXPLOSION When American Ammunition Ship Collided With Another Boat--Many Places Caught Fire--Freight Cars Blawn Off Railway Tracks. (Canadian Press Despatch.) Montreal, Dac, §.--S8cores of people have been killed, hundreds of build- | ings destroyed and a portion of Halifax set on fire by an explosion which oe- cured following a collision of an American ammunition ship and another morning, The explosion was so terrific that it destroyed ng here this the insta'lations in telegraph and telephone offices for thirty miles around Halifax, while it was heard at Truro, sixty-one miles distant. . It is reported that an American munition steamer was moving out from a pier and was rammed broadside by another vessel. tremendous explosion which practically destroyed the two ships and killed all their cPews. The concussion resulting caused the roof of the railway depot at North street to collapse, while all the warehouses on the water front for a mile and | The premises affected in many places caught fire. | a half were damaged Instantly there was a The force of the concussion was so great that freight cars were blown off | railway tracks. Help Being Rushed to Halifax, Messages asking for fire engines and fire fighting apparatus, , were received by a number of localities in Special trains were made up with everything re- At Truro, Windsor and here, City Councils met this morning, and decided to take and nurses, hogpital supplies, et Nova Scotia from Halifax. quired that could be secured afflicted people of Halifax. All the wires are down and cables has taken charge of all sources of news and nothing official is so far given | One report said the explosion of a bomb did the damage. out. Loss of Life Estimates. (Canadian Press Despatch) Truro, N.S., Dec. 6.=--It is report- ed here that the first esimate of the Joss of life in the explosion in Hali fax harbor this morning places it at fifty, while the number injured is correspondingly great. Cables from Halifax, via Havana say that hundreds were killed and thousands burt in this morning's catastrophe. The north end of the ¢ity Is in flamies. One peport says an area of nearly a mile square is a mass of wreckage, while several square miles was more or less af- footed. The Canadian Government Depot, also used by the C.P.R., is utterly crushed, while the repairing plant at Willow Park is wrecked. Halifax Reports 300 Dead. (Canadian Presa Despatch.) Truro, NGS. ec, 6.--Reports reached here this afternoon that it was feared that many people lost their lives when the railway station at Halifax collapsed. Twenty-five railway workers were killed on the track near Richmond. This afternoon word from Hali- fax gave the number of dead from the munition ship explosion at 300. Think Reports Exaggerated. (Canadian Press Despatch.) Ottawa, 6.--Authentic offi- clal advices as to the loss of life and the extent of the damage done at Halifax were stil lacking at the capital up to 12.30 o'clock to-day. One despatch says the munition boat was backing out of the dock when rammed. Officials of the Naval Department were trying to get into touch with Halifax by wireless after the first news of the disaster was received, but no further details had been ob. tained up to noon. It was said at It is understood that large quantities of food were destroyed and that the citizens of Halifax may soon be in danger of starving. It was decided that carloads of food must be despatched at once. : There is anxiety lest some of them immediate steps to render aid to the to Halifax are interrupted. The censor the department that wireless sta- tions are situated at some distance from the city itself, and the diffi- culty was in establishing communi. cation between them and Halifax. If a boat.can be secured to carry messages between the wireless sta- tion and the city the department can in all probability get - something through. Advices of the disaster were also reeceived at the Military Depart- ment, but they contained nothfug iu addition to the meagre details ob- tained by the newspapers. The opinion was expressed in telegraphic circles that early reports of the ex- plosion were much exaggerated. Red Cross Liner Fund, (Canadian Press Despatch) Truro, N, S.,-Dec. 6.--It is stated here that the ship which collided and was sunk with- the munition boat was a Red Cross liner. Dead Lie Thick in Streets, (Canadian Press Despatch.) St, John, N.B., Dec. 6.--Communi- cation with Halifax was established by the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Company this afternoon. It was learned that nearly one-half of the north end of the city is flat, that a great fire is raging, that the dead are fying thick in the streets and that all 'hospitals are full to overflowing so many injured are compelled to 'walk about untreated. Kingston Drafts in Halifax. Two Kingston drafts of infantry and artiflery, which left here two weeks ago, are still in Halifax, and have been killed or injured. The men of the drafts are in the armour- fes and should be safe, but some of the artillery officers were living in the King Edward hotel, near the I. C.R. station. ELECTORAL BOARD OF APPEAL WILL HAVE MUCH WORK. T. M, Asselstine, clerk of the Elec- tion Board of Appeal, is sending the following letter to each ,of the can- 'didates in the coming eléction: "To remove any misconception, the chair- man of the Board of Appeal, after consultation with his colleagues, de- sirés me to say that the board can hear only such cases of appeal against omission from the lists of which no- of the board and to the enumeratoh of the polling sub-division as provid- od by the aet. It will be necessary therefore, to establish in each case that such notice has been given. Pro- tice has been given both to the clerk duction by the enumerator of the no- "emer 1 0 ae a n rderer Sentenced: aiser and Peace Comes. Kr a New Pastor. . R Rhymes: with Nickle: Committee fons; is Select: $-<Distriet ws, ote Forum Announcements; S---dAbout Two Battallohs: Military t $ trical News. Matters; Thea Sch School 1 Peat af Publicity: £05 5 11 Lesson, Contin- 13--In the Wiarld of Sport. EE -------------------------------- Explosion: ly: Blind A Inci- acknowledgement signed by the en- umerator will be the most satisfac- "ory and convenient method of proof of such receipt." ! This is only one of the many ways in which questions which have come up under the new franchise acts will be-dealt with and lightened so that it will be possible for Judge Lavell and the Electoral Board of Appeal to get through their work. It has been es- timated that there will be perhaps a thousand appeals. On Thursday af- ternbon over 300 had been filed with the clerk of the board. On Friday morning the board sa 7.30 to 9.30 o'clock this evening in the Judge's Chambers. Sydenham, Ontario and St. Lawrence ward questions will be taken up principally though others will be aso handled. ---------- Hydvo-Electri¢ For Brockville. Broekvilie, Dec. 4.--The chief en. gineer of the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission has informed the local Utilities Commission that Brockville will soon be linked up' with the On- tario system through the transmis. sion of 10,000 horsepower fromthe Cedar Rapids Transmission Com- pany, which at present is develo and supplying 60,000 to 30.008 oe aluminum and { I | tice so received by him or a written| © t from 9 to 11 o'clock and will sit from | 9 The incident illustrated happened during a raid on the Belgian coast. The big Britisn bomber was attacked from above by a German scout, who, finding the upper air too hot, dived behind, hop- ing to rake her antagonist by firing at her from dead astern. She then-met the terrific rush of air from the two huge four bladed propellers of her foe and was literally blown over and fell at once, going down wing over wing, and had made four of these aerial somersaults before her pilot could get her once more under control. i HEAVY FIGHTING AROUND ASIGO soctors| 8 Still Going on, Leaving the Final Out- come Yet Uncertain. ASSAULTS BY THE ENEMY MADE WITH LIQUID GAS AND IN- FANTRY WAVES, It Is Officially Announced_That the British Have Slightly Advanced Their Lines Southwest of Lavac- querie on Cambrai Front, (Canadian Press wespatch.) Italian headquarters in Northern Italy, Dec. 6.--Heavy fighting around Asiago has developed rapidly. The enemy assaults began by liquid gas and waves of infantry, Fighting con- tinued throughout yesterday and last night along the heights back of Asi- ago, matked by the zone between the heights of Monte Sizemol and Monte Islotta. This line extends nearly ten miles. Attacks and counter-attacks Are going on, leaving the final out- come still open. -- British Advance Lines, (Canadian Press Despatch.) London, Dec. 6.--The British have advanced slightly their line south- west of Lavacquerie on the Cambrai front, it is announced officially. Berlin Claims Captures. Berlin, Dec. 6.--The capture by the Germans of Graincourt, Anneux, Cantaing, Noyelles and the wood and heights .north of Marcoing, is an- nounced by the War Office. The Germans are said to have advanced their line to a depth of four kilo- metres over a section of ten kilome- ters in length, Brothers Meet in France. Cobourg, Dec. §--Sapper J. S. Abernethy and Gunner Herb. Aber- nethy, Campbellford, met in France a shont time ago after a long sepa- ration. The former had been in the West for eleven years before enlist- ing there, the latter being only eight years of age when he left home. An- other brother, Carl, is in England Fred. Mohns, Pembroke, charged with - sedition, was acquitted by a jury at Pembroke on Wednesday. amounted to $ Team No. 1 . Team No. 2 Team No. : Team No. Special Banks Special .. aad x Conversions .. Net for City .. .. One applicant Bedford .. Clarendon .. .. Howe Island .. Hinchinbrooke .. Kingston .. Kennebec .. ... Loughboro .. Pittsburg . Portland Palmerston Storrington Se Wolfe Island .. Less Conversions City of Kingston Townships Total .... The Whig's Fund \ W. F. Nickle ... ... Senator Richardson . W. J Fair .. .. Steacy's Limited ... ... - "al "ely Ald. H. W. Newman for every five of the population. For Christmas Presents Children. SAN Ses cue a see eee a KINGSTON AND FRONTENAC GIVE" ~ $251,150 TO VICTORY LOAN The total subscriptions to the Victory Loan in Kingston and Frontenac $194,100 343,100 387,100 350,950 15,700 $1,290,950 358,250 1,649,200 615,000 2,264,200 91,600 $2,172,600 County of Frontenac. o | tended 28,060 50,400 10,400 2,600 39,600 33,2650 $310,850 92,400 ...$2,172,600 ..$2,675,160 . "REMEMBER THE KIDDIES !" to Soldiers' » A Pa Beh see sre awn ww + trea TAR Sab as areas aay Eran Royal Military College Cadets ... +. ... .. .. MAJOR. Campbell... -. oi. lh ss sre ee vee fae BOO 5.00 I . he was quite sane, the jury last night ) | immediately after having committed BLIND MURDERER 1S SENTENCED | Wiliam Beanett, of Moutreal, Seateaced to Be Hanged on Apu 17h, JAY DEGDES HM SANE HE BENNETT TOLD JUDGE WOULD DIE LIKE MAN. Owing to Loss of His Eyesight He Will Likely Be Sent to Prison For Life--His Aged Parents in Court. (Canadian Press Despatch) Pembroke, Dec. 6.--Satistfied that returned a verdict of guilty in the case of William Bennett, aged twenty of Montreal, who shot and killed Bruce Leitch who had just married the girl Bennett loved, at Sand Point, in July last. Bennett alee seriously wounded the girl and destroyed his own eyesight in attempting suicide, When Justice Latchford asked the priconer_if he had anything to say he replied: "No sir, [ will die like a man." He was then sentenced to be hang- ed on April 17th. Bennett's aged father and mother were in court. It is understood that Bennett's sentence will eventually be commut- ed to life imprisonment owing to the fat that the unfortunaté man is blind. Plea of Insanity. That the accused young man was temporarily insane when he mur-| dered Bruce Leitch and attempted to| murder his victim's bride was the! defence offered for William Bennett, {'Who was before Justice Latchford for trial.. The Grand Jury brought in a true bill against Bennett after a de- liberation of a few minutes. The prisoner endeavored to prove that a few years ago he was in a motor accident and injured his head. The blow was so severe that he was : subjected go temporary fits of a mild form of insanity. It was con- that while in ome of these moods he found that the woman, who had rejected him, was at Arn- prior, and, crazed with the disap- pointment he had suffered, sought the bride and groom 'and endeavored to murder both of them. He suc- ceeded in killing Leitch. The prosecution had a strong n of evidence which went to establish that Bennett not only killed Leitch, but according to medi- cal evidence was perfectly rational { the awful deed. The prisoner had made several statements in which he did not deny that he had murdered Leitch. Mrs. Leitch Testifies. Mrs. Leitch in the witness box told how Bennett, after killing her husband and wounding her twice, crawled to her side and stated that he had not intended killing her but Was not sorry that he had put Leitch out of the way. Realizing that he is in the shadow of the gallows the youthful murder- er, he attained his 20th year in jail a few days ago, has been showing signs of great worry. Mrs. Leitch retains a bullet in her Jaw, where it has been imbedded. Although fully recovered from the shock of the ex she under- seriously impaired owing to the pres- ence of the Bullet in the side of her dace. It is doubtful if her hearing Wil ever be normal. _ {was liberated on $2,000 bail. rejection of his. suit. Unperturbed by the fears of his bride Leitch took her for a drive in the country. In the meantime Bennett made a de- tour and when the young couple reached his place of hiding he re- vealed himself, and at the point of a revolver ordered the bride and groom from the conveyance. With unerring aim he fired at Leitch kill- ing him. Turning the weapon on Mrs. Leitch he wounded her. He then shot himself in the temple and for weeks afterwards was near death. The bullet severed the optic nerve and robbed him of his sight. SEA FIGHT LIKELY TO BE END OF WAR Arthur Pollen, Eminent Naval Expert, Says Submarine Menace is Ended. Toronto, Dec. 6.--This: greatest of wars 'will be ended by the greatest of naval battles, and that battle will be won by the Allies--if the allied offensive on the western front is made so strong that Germany can- not withstand it. That is the view of Arthur H. Pol- len, the eminent British expert on naval warfare, who arrived in To- ronto yesterday. The points by Mr. Pollen are: Greatest naval victory in - history will end the war if Huns fail on land. Submarine menace is averted; un- dersea war is on wane. Allies will soon be producing ships twice as fast as Huns can sink them. Submarine has failed as weapon to prevent military movements. Allies have carried 3,000,000 men in ships with loss of only 3,500. German navy, if it does not come out, may be crushed by combined land and sea operation. Canada's naval programme may be left until after the war. EXCHANGE OF PASTORS, St. James' Methodist Church Invite Rev. Dr. Henderson. Montreal, Dec. 6.--The quarterly board of St. James' Methodist church has decided to extend a call to Rev. Dr. James Henderson, pastor of the Timothy Eaton Memorial church, Toronto, to succeed Rev. Major C. A. Williams, whe has accepted a call to the Teronto church, Dr. Henderson is a former pastor of St. James'. > + ENGLAND IS RAIDED BY 25 AIRPLANES. (Canadian Press Despatch.) London, Dec. 6. -- About twenty-five airplanes raided England to-day, it is announced officially. Of these six reached London. Two of the raiders 'were brought down, the crew of three men on each machine be- ing captured. It is believed the casualties in the raid are few. The first group of enemy machines ap- peared shortly after 1 a. m. over the Kentish coast, and other groups reached London at 3a m Seven persons were killed and twenty-one injured in the Lon- don air raid, Chancellor Bonar Law announced in the British House of Commons. PEEP PP PPP 222240200 PEP PPP PPL P RSLS SIE t sed <4 L EDITOR TO BE TRIED . Pleads Not Guilty of Charge of Sedi- tion. Brockville, Dec. 6.--George Wil- Mam Mason, editor and proprietor of the Prescott Journal, was committed for trial on a charge of sedition aris- ing out of-an item appearing in his paper two weeks ago. Mason claims the matter was published without his knowledge during his absence hunting. Later he appeared before Judge Reynolds, and, selecting trial by the judge, pleaded not guilty, and the trial was fixed for Dec. 28th, He The item complained of referred to con- scription. NEW AVIATION CAMPS. Imperial Munitions Board Instruct. ed to Equip Five. Ottawa, Dec. 6.-The Impe-ial Munitions Board has received in- structions to equip a camp for five more aerial squadrons and for a school of aerial gunnery. The loca- tion of the camp has not yet been settled. : Foreigner Beat His Wile. Belleville, Dec. 6.--Damilo Tomi- co, a foreigner, was placed under ar. Test on a charge of beating his wife. Owing to the condition of the wo- man the accused was remanded to jail for a week. . 3 BDIT U. 8. Troops for Italy. resolution declares that the United States probably soon will send jroops to Italy. \ | ND PEACE CONES Let Germans Estabish Democratic Govern: | meat if They Wish Hostites to Coase. | | | THAT'S THE INTERPRETATION i 1 |OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S MES- SAGE TO CONGRESS, German People Can Calculate What | They Will Gain by Refusing to be | Led Further Astray by Their Mili. | tarists. New York, Dec. 6.--The German people may shortly know the terms on which they can have peace if they overthrow Kaiserism and establish- a democratic form of Government. This will be the result of Preel- dent Wilson's message to Congress if the allies accept the obvious invi« tation the President has extended to them to declare their war aims. Bargaining is the trade of diplo- mats, 'but American diplomacy wants hothing "eut of the war to be bar- gained for. Other belligerents, how- ever, are not in this position. They desire other things besides the estab- lishment of a Parliamentary Gov- ernment in Germany. France, for instance, wants Al- sace-Lorraine. The justice of these #mbitions and their relationship to a democratic peace would have to be' determined before any public an- nouncement of peace. terms were made. If the allies should state the irreducible minimum of their terms | they would have to take into consid- | eration the practical possibility of securing what they want, Nations Must Face Facts. To arrive at a basis in determining peace conditions is difficult because national prejudices are frequently 'hard to overcome. Nevertheless, be- fore the war can end, each nation must face the inexorable facts cone fronting it. President Wilson's mes sage to Congress is the most impor tant move yet made by a belligerent Government toward looking facts in the face. The final test of war aims must now centre about the extent of sacrifices a nation is willing to make to run the risk of getting what jt wants, Once det it be made clear to the Germans what these aims are, and the war will, have entered 'a new phase. The people of Germany can then calculate exactly what they will gain by refusing to be led further astray by their militarists and what they must pay for having started the war. ITALIAN CRISIS OVER, No Immediate Indication of a Big Enemy Attack. London, Dec, 6.--Gen. F. B. Mau- rice, Director of Operations, says of | the Italian situation: "I see nothing to modify my opin- fon that the Italian erisis is over. I see no immediate indication of a big enemy attack and the advance is defi- nitely checked." War Tidings. Foreign Minister Trotzky, of the Bolsheviki Government, threatens "gravest complications' to-day, if the Allied powers interfere in Russia's internal affairs™ British guns Wednesday smashed great groups of Germans massed for attack in the direction of Villers Plouich before the German attacking machine could get under way. French batteries shelled the en. emy lines, causing great damage at all points. TARRED AND FEATHERED. Colorado Pro-German 1s Dissiplined and Put on a Train. Hugo, Colo., Dec, 6.--Henry W,. Dutsch was seized by a mob last night because of alleged pro.German utterances by him, stripped to the waist and di coat of tar and feathers applied. His clothing was put on over the tar and he was placed ou a Denver-bound train in charge of an armed guard named Kaiser, with in. structions that he be turned over to the federal authorities at Denver. British Aviators Did Damage, (Canadian Press Despatch.) London, Dee. 6.--The British Ad- miralty report say that British ma- chines raided various German mili- tary posts in Belgium yesterday, doing immensd damage. All ma- chines returned safely. . +