Prince George Citizen volume 1 number 44 Prince George, British Columbia, Tuesday, September 26, 1960 five cents Combles captured by Allied troops special to the Citizen London, September 26. British and French troops reached the town of Combles on the Somme from today after having virtually pocketed the place in the struggle of many weeks duration and are fighting out to gain complete possession. Attacking from the north, British troops have forced their way into the place and are overcoming German resistance there. On the south the French have reached the town's edge and have penetrated the cemetery. In addition they have further close a small opening left in the Combles picket by capturing all of the village of Freigicourt, a mile to the east, thus cutting off all possibility of German evacuation. The Combles salient has long been a serious hindrance to the Allies, hammering them in their offensive toward Bapenne and Peronne. While the battle on the Somme front was at height last night the Germans attacked the French lines at Verdun, driving in between the Thiaumont works and Fleury, east of the Meuse. Paris announces that the French guns were effective in checking the German assaults. Spectacle was most splendid of all attacks by Allies during the war special to the Citizen London, September 26. Frederick Palmer writes from the British front in France: Monday was another great day for the Anglo-French forces on the Somme. As a spectacle for the Observer it was the most splendid of all the attacks made by the Allied forces since the commencement of the great offensive. What's either army was trying to do, and how they were doing it, what positions they held and sought to conquer in the team play of the blue French legions and the khaki clad British were comprehensible to the eye in the glorious autumn sunlight or a sweep of 10 miles. The scene had the intoxication of wars grandeur, if war can be said to have any grandeur. The greatest gratification of the British is that the fight is becoming even. Since the Germans have no more prepared lines both armies are fighting in the open. According to British officers the Germans on the fighting front have no longer any trenches except those which are dug under fire. Vienna has a bread famine special to the Citizen Z�rich, September 26. Vienna has been troubled with a bread famine for several days owing to transportation difficulties. The railway service has been greatly disturbed since Romania entered the war. Insurgents take cities special to the Citizen Athens, September 26. 30,000 insurgents in Crete has seized the principal cities and driven out the authorities. Premier Venzelos has left Athens, and is believed intends going first to Crete and thence to Salonika. Political crisis in Germany special to the Citizen Amsterdam, September 26. A great political crisis is developing in Germany. Pan Germans are determined before the opening of the Reistag to overthrow Bethman-Holweig. They regard him as the only obstacle to a campaign of ruthless submarine warfare. W. K. Billings found guilty special to the Citizen San Francisco, September 26. Warren K. Billings, accused of murder in connection with the bomb plot on the day of preparedness parade, has been found guilty. The jury recommended a sentence of imprisonment for life. Another raid by zeppelin's special to the Citizen London, September 26. A zeppelin air raid over the Midland counties last evening killed 29 persons. Italian troops again successful Rome, September 26. The war office announced yesterday that the Italian troops had taken by storm another mountaintop on the Trentino front inflicting heavy losses on the Austrians.. Two zeppelins captured in a raid on London special to the Citizen London, September 26. The London district was visited Saturday night by 12 zeppelins. Considerable damage was done and 28 persons were killed and more than a hundred wounded. Two of the zeppelins were brought down by antiaircraft guns. The crew of one airship was burned up in the explosion that followed, and the crew of the other captured. Work on waterworks rushed At last night's meeting of the city council considerable business importance was transacted. Owing to Mayor Gillett's absence, acting mayor Engel presided. Careful investigation has disclosed the fact that concrete storage tanks cannot be used in connection with the pumping plant. The oil causes the concrete to soften and disintegrate, and in time the great cuts the cylinders of the diesel engines. Wood tanks will be erected and said. These will cost slightly over $300 for the two tanks, a saving of $200 over the concrete tanks. At a special meeting of the Council Saturday it was decided the city would lay service pipes from the mains to the lot lines wherever service was required. These pipes will be half inch and inch galvanized pipes. Several applications have been received from people dwelling outside the city limits. For the benefit of those householders stand pipes will be erected at the city limits. Other stand pipes will be erected within the city where several families may use water from one tap. Each will be required to pay a share of a $10 deposit fee which will be required for such standpipe placed, and this amount at the end of three months will be placed to the credit of the users. This is to safeguard the interests of the city and ensure at least three months income from the services thus provided. Much of the important work in connection with the laying of the new mains having been completed, one or two formant will be laid off at expenses curtail. More men will be employed being trenches, in order that the pipe laying may be rushed to completion. Several applications for work have been received and no applications we refuse. A full supply of pipe is on hand. City Foreman Stauffer was asked to prepare an estimate of the cost of rough grading 3rd Ave East from the end of the present grade to London street, a distance of seven blocks. Third Avenue promises to be the most traveled street from the bridge and therefore requires attention. A special meeting of the Council will be held the first day of a new to consider the various tenders for the laying of service pipes. Tenders will close on Thursday at 10 a.m.. Red Cross concert tonight Private H. Peat, Mrs. Peat, and trooper Jerrett arrived in the city last evening in readiness for the concert to be given in the Princess theater this evening. In securing the splendid concert company the local Red Cross Society has given the people of Prince George and opportunity of spending a delightful evening. Private Peat has lived through some trying experiences and his account of his war experiences is strikingly interesting. Mrs. Peat is an elocutionist to note, while trooper Jerrett will undoubtedly prove as good entertainer here as in the London music halls. Hun aero fleet is driven back special to the Citizen Paris, September 26. 30 German airplanes were defeated in flights on the French fronts Saturday and Sunday and forced to land. Three Winnipeg editors jailed Winnipeg, September 25. Adjudged by Mr. Justice Gault to be in contempt of court for articles published yesterday in the Winnipeg telegram and the Winnipeg Saturday post criticizing the agricultural College Royal commission over which he is presiding. Edward Beck, managing editor of the telegram, and Knox McGee, editor of the Post, were committed to the common jail for one month and fined $500 each this morning. Be our deacon, news editor of the telegram, was committed to jail for two weeks and fined $100, and Stanley back, reported to the telegram, was committed to jail for one month. All were immediately given to the custody of deputy sheriff Piniger, and the commission adjourned for one hour, while the necessary warrants were prepared. War comes home The recent unusual activity of the Canadian troops in France has brought untold glory to Canadian arms, but at heavy cost. Private David Brown, formerly of Perry's clothing store in the city, has been killed in action. Wm. Angell, well-known rancher of Fort George, has been wounded. Of nine Russians who left ear, members of the 102nd Battalion, five have been killed. David A. Matthew, bookkeeper for the Fort George trading and lumber Co., before he joined 211th Battalion, has been wounded. Recent casualty lists contain the name of Henry H. Davidson of Prince George, as wounded. This is supposed to be Hugh Davidson, well-known here is a real estate salesman before he left with the 62nd. Five Hun planes shot down Paris, September 26. On the Somme front yesterday there were 17 aerial engagements, the war office announced today in which five German airplanes were brought down and others badly damaged. Bulgarians make violent attacks Paris, September 26. On the western end of the Macedonian front east of Florina, Bulgarians last night made violent counterattacks. The official announcement says the assaults were checked by the French. West of Florina, Russians and French made a combined attack and took several prisoners. Germany admits troops withdrawn special to the Citizen Berlin, September 26. Romanian troops have again occupied heights on both sides of Nezurduk and Vulean passes in Transylvania, says an official statement today. German troops repulsed all Romanian attacks against the passes, the announcement adds, but were withdrawn according to Army orders. A most enjoyable dance was held last Friday evening in Harmony Hall. Studebaker's orchestra furnished the music. Submarine "Bremen" now captive of Britain special to the citizen Philadelphia, September 26. The German merchant submarine Bremen has been captured by the British and is now tied up in Falmouth Harbor, according to a story brought here by Dr. Tait McKenzie, sculptor, and director of the Department of physical education in the University of Pennsylvania, who has returned to the city after 16 months in the Army training camp at Aldershot. Million men may join N.Y. strike special to the Citizen New York, September 26. Labor organizations including more than a million workers are voting today on the question of joining the proposed general strike, scheduled to begin tomorrow to aid the street railway men. Special to the Citizen New York, September 26. Governor Whitman promised to meet here this afternoon a committee of the members of the state legislature from Manhattan and the Bronx to hear a request for a special meeting of the legislature, "to deal with the situation" resulting from the threatened general suspension of work, Wednesday morning in sympathy with the carmen's strike was set forth by the committee. Disorders again broke out during the early hours today. According to the police at dozens and elevated trains were bombarded with bricks and stones thrown from rooftops by strikers and sympathizers. Peace River development means much to Prince George continued from last issue It is doubtful if there exists anywhere a waterway so strikingly attractive as the peace River. From the point where the Finlay and Pearson meet and from the peace, but the river presents to the traveler an unending succession of delightful pictures. Here the mighty Rockies are split asunder to permit the passage of the only waters which break through this grim barrier in their way eastward to the ocean. The frowning cliffs of Selwyn, "the mountain of gold" tower threateningly over the river's edge, and rise, in a series of castellated peaks, to a height of more than 7000 feet. From one of the numerous pinnacles which afford a few of the valley below, the scene is enchanting. The mighty river is dwarfed to pygmy proportions and winds its sinuous way eastward, a mere thread of white in the morning sunshine. 1 mile below the forks, the Finlay Rapids are encountered. This stretch of the river may be safely navigated during most stages of water by careful to Newman, but the savings time is scarcely worth the risk, and it were wiser to line down. During low water, in the spring and fall seasons, innumerable boulders split the poorly in the line Channel, while in high water, running these Rapids means a merry ride, fraught with little danger. From the Finlay Rapids to the Ne Parle Pas Rapids (the rapids which do not speak) 40 miles below, the river sweeps majestically along and no obstacles are encountered. The wicked river, evidently so named because of its earnest endeavor to reach the parent strain, enters the peace 8 miles below the forks, tumbling down out of the north in a never ending series of canyons and reference. So clear are its waters that the little wavelets along the banks seem edged with green. Here the Arctic trout or grayling delights to disport himself, and in ours wielding of the rod in this dream invariably means a full creel. Black bear are plentiful in the valley of the piece, but very little trace of other animal life is here with. Occasional goats are cited picking their way along the cliffs. These provide good hunting, though considerable climbing is necessary before they are brought within range. 5 miles below the wicked river, Bernard Creek comes in. Other tributaries are the Otter Tail, which flows in from the north rising in the vicinity of Laurier Pass at the North Carolina division, and the Caribou River, which enters from the self. Areas of coal have been located on this river and also in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain Canyon. There is very little timber along the peace River. A very striking anomaly lies in the fact that the lands along the north of the river have been practically denuded of timber, while on the south of the river are found almost unbroken forests of small spruce. The peace River, from the mouth of the Finlay and the Rocky Mountain Portage (the Portage of the mountain of rock) is navigable for steamboats for the entire length at every stage of water. The only obstacles are the Finlay and the Ne Parle Pas Rapids. The former could be greatly improved by removing the rocks which obstruct the channel, and the latter presents but little difficulty to navigation. The distance from the Finlay to the Rocky Mountain Canyon is 80 miles. The Canyon extends for 25 miles downstream and in this distance the water drops approximately 250 feet. This obstruction stops navigation east and west. A good portage Road leads to Hudson's hope, ahead of steamboat navigation, 240 miles above peace River Crossing, at which point the Edmonton Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway reaches the river. (Continued on page 4)