davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
PEACE TALK NOT
TIMELY SAYS new
SWISS EXECUTIVE
PRESIDENT OF LITTLE REPUBLIC
MAKES NEUTRALITY TALK
AFTER ELECTION.

Berne, Switzerland, Dec. II. - Ca
mile de Ccppet yesterday was elect
ed president of the Swiss republic ant
Edmund Schulthess, vice president. M
de Coppet Is former minister Of jus
tice and the present vice president o
the republic.
The elections were held at a specia
session of the national assembly In tht
morning, in which the upper and low
er branches OF parliament joined.
The American minister to Switzer
land, Pleasant A. Stovall, with part,
Of Americans, occupied seats in the
diplomatic gallery. The ceremony wal
brief one, resembling joint session
of the American congress to count the
electoral vote for president of the
United States.
Same Interests 40 United States.
After his election, M. De Cope,
gave an interview in which he discus
sed many world problems.
'"The interests OF the United States
and Switzerland" he said, "are much
the same. We both belong to repub
lies with the same ideas and aspira
tfons, the same form of government
and Just now the same international
policy Of remaining strictly neutral in
the present war.
However, America views the con.
hiet from distance whereas our geo.
graphical position makes neutrality a
very serious question with the fighting
elements all around us.
Jjlyo thu Tr~i4@L C%oAS.
have succeeded in maintaining abso.
lutte neutrality, not only without mill.
tary forces but also with every human
activity which Switzerland has been
called upon to perform, such as the
passing of exchanged wounded sol.
diers across our territory. looking af
ter more than hundred thousand per
sons dispossessed from invaded re.
gions and in administering an entire
postal service between prisoners Of
war of the various belligerent coun.
tries and their relatives"
Not Yet Ready For Peace.
When NJ De Coppet was asked
about peace and the possibilities of &C.
tion in this direction by the neutral
governments he shook his head and
said:
''The time has not come for any
serious movement toward peace and
it is difficult to say when that time
may arrive, with all the parties so
firmly fixed against considering the
question. In this, as in all questions
to the war, the principle Of
Switzerland is one Of complete disin-
terestedness and neutrality"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
MEXICO CITY MADE : Dry
Decree Against Sale Of Liquor Alss
Passed BY The Governor Of
Yucatan District.

Galveston, Texas, Dec. II. - The
sale Of alcoholic liquors In Mexico
City has been forbidden for ninety
days by the federal district governor,
according to advices reaching the Mex
lean consulate here today, as a meas
ure against the spread OF typhus. Gov
ernor Alvaredo Of the state OF Yucae
tan has issued decree permanently
forbidding the sale of liquors in that
state.
An investigation is to be made Of
damage to churches and church prop
erty as result of military operations
1t is declared that reports Of damage
of this character have been greatly
exaggerated in the United States.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
CRUDE OIL IS BEING HELD
Shortage and Consequent Rise
In Prices.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Dec. 17.-Failure Of
oil producers to market the oil they
have above ground in the face OF re-
peated advances during the past
three months, compelled the purchas-
ing agencies to announce a further
advance in prices today, five cents a
barrel being added to all grades ex-
cept Ragland, which commanded an
increase Of two cents.
Immense quantities of crude oil are
held in storage in the West Virginia
and western Pennsylvania fields, but
very little Of 1T is finding it's way to
the refiners, who openly declare that
they are short Of oil.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
GREEKS WITHDRAW
FROM ALLIES BASE

Paris, Dec. ia Havas dispatch
from Athens says that after the with
drawal Of troops from the district be-
tween Saloniki and the Serbian from.
tier, the headquarters of the Greek
army has been transferred to Koz-
hani, fifty-fve miles southeast of Mon
astir. The third Greek corps has
been ordered to Caterini and the fifth
corps to Nigrita. One regiment of en-.
gineers and one of artillery remain at
saloniki. The Greeks and Bulgarians
have decided on neutral zone two
kilome eters on each side of the bound
ary.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
SERBIANS SUFFER
DURING RETREAT

Paris, Dec. 1.-THE arrival at
Athens yesterday Of A. Nikolitch,
.r&esident Of the Serbian national as
sembly; Nj. Trifomovitch, former
premier; several former cabinet mem.
bers and number Of members of the
Serbian assembly, is reported by the
Havas correspondent at the Greek cap
ital. The Serbians report that the
sufterings Of their people during the
retreat of the army before the invad.
ars were indescribable.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
plan
FOR MOBILE ARMY
An UNUSUAL ONE
CONGRESS Asked TO SPEND
FIFTY MILLIONS YEARLY IN
PROVIDING FORCE.

| Washington. d. O.. Dec. 17.-Senatol
Works OF California, told the senate
yesterday that standing army Of /.
100000 men would be necessary to de.
fend the United States against pos.
sible invasion. and declared that the
Pacific coast was completely at the
mercy of Asiatio attack.
Senator Works spoke on the subject
Of national defense, but proposed as q
part OF the scheme of preparedness
the creation Of mobile land force and
military reserve OF 100000 men at q
cost Of $50.000,000 a year for ten years.
The proposed enlisted men In the
civil and military reserve would be
settled, according to the Works bill,
with their families In comfortable
five acre tracts provided by the gov
ernment, supplementing ten months
OF productive work at reforestration,
irrigation, and flood prevention with
two months OF military training each
year.
Army Of Soldiers Settlers.
They would be soldier settlers under
control Of the secretary of interior In
times Of peace and subject to orders
of the department in time of war.
Pointing to American occupation Of
Vera Cruz as an indication that war
was a constant possibility, Senator
Works said:
who can say after this exhibition
Of ungovernable passion, after this
slaughter Of the innocent citizens Of
another nation and the forcible invas.
ion OF its territory for so trivial q
cause, that this nation does not need
to prepare for war. II Mexico had not
been weak from internal conflict we
would have even then have been at
war, for our forcible entry upon its
territory was itself an act Of war.
There are enough Japanese In
California now to man and destroy
every line Of communication from tho
east, isolating California and depriving
1t of all aid In troops and munitions.
Mexico is open to the entry Of the
Japanese, and once there it is but a
step across an invisible boundary into
the United States.
"The plan to add 100000 men to our
present army Is dangerous step In
the wrong direction. 1t would not
avail day to defend California
against Japanese invasion. 1t would
find difficulty In maintaining itself
against the Japanese already in the
state. II we are to be consistent, we
must either put the army on war
footing of at least million men or
turn to more efficient means Of de-
fense."
Outlining the scope of his bill, Sen.
ator Works declared million families
could be recruited from the tenement
districts Of the great cities alone and
settled on homestead tracts in the
west at less cost than is now spent
in the annual flood wastes Of the
Mississippi.
His bill would provide for enlist
ment term Of five years. It would
authorize public lands or purchase OF
lands and construction Of water rights
necessary to supply such lands The
bill would further direct that these
garden farms be so located as to
establish an entire regiment on ad
jacent homesteads.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
FLETCHER NAMED
FOR MEXICAN JOB

Washington, D. c., Dec. II. - Henry
Prather Fletcher, now ambassador to
Chile, was nominated by President
Wilson today for ambassador to Mex
leo. Elesio Arredondo already has
been appointed Mexican ambassador
to the United States and Mr.. Fletch-
er's nomination today restores dipIo-
matte relations between the two coun-
tries. broken off nearly three years.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
ITALIANS DESTROY
BIG GERMAN GUN

Rome, Dec. IA correspondent Of
the Idea Nazionale telegraphs from
the front that one Of the famous
Krupp AZ centimeter guns was brought
from Germany recently and placed in
position before Rovereto The gun
was fired fifteen times without doing
any damage, he says, and then the
italians located it and demolished 1t
with few well placed shells.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
TO-DAY IN CONGRESS

SENATE - Met at noon.
Took up the house resolution ex.
tending the emergency revenue act
one year.
Senator Shafroth introduced a
bill for universal disarmament
through an international tribunal.
Foreign relations committee in
definitely deferred resolution propos.
ing investigation of British interfer-
ence with American ships.
HOUSE - Met at noon.
Representative Buchanan did not
appear before the judiciary commit.
tee to substantiate his Impeachment
charges against U. s. Attorney Mar.
shall Of New York and the commit.
tee will give another opportunity
after the holidays.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
floating MINES
GET TWO VESSELS

Rome, Dec. 16.- delayed "Details
just announced concerning the sinking
Of the French transport Re Umberto
and the Italian destroyer Intrepido in
the Adriadc sea recently show that
the destroyer was blown up by float
ing mine when she rushed to the res
cue of the steamer after the latter had
struck a mine and was about to go
down.
The captain was assisted by the
military chaplain, Father Parolin, a
relative of the late Pope Plus x. AS
Father Parolin was standing on the
deck of the sinking ship, he saw some
sailors struggling in the water, and
removing his life preserver, he threw
1t to the men, who were saved. The
captain and the chaplain were the last
to leave the steamer, which sank i'm
mediately after they had got away.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18

The above officers have been elect
ed by the Iowa State Grange which
closes its meeting here this evening
and Des Moines has been selected az
the place for holding the 1915 conven
ton.
The business session was held this
this morning and at o'clock this
afternoon music opened the meeting
This was followed by talks given FOL
the good OF the order. The evening
session opens at $50 with degree
work, the fifth being In charge Of Ma
haska Pomona grange, and the sixth
by the state officers. A banquet al
the Ballingall which follows, vii
close the weeks meeting here All
business sessions have been held al
the armory and the 200 delegates have
been staying at different hotels al
though the official headquarters have
been at the Ballingall.
Much comment has been heard
among the grangers today on the
splendid address given Thursday after.
noon for forty-five minutes by Mrs
James Dewitt OF Oskaloosa, secretary
OF the Iowa State Women's Suffrage
association. Mrs. Dewitt is very able
speaker, has pleasing manner about
her which attracts her hearers atten
ton and holds 1t. She stated at the
outset Of her talk that. in her opinion
the grange reaches true democracy
more nearly than any other organiza
ton and that she believed 1t to be the
greatest ally known for equel suf.
frage. The local reasons for this Mrs
Dewitt thinks Is because that in no
other walk Of life do women work Sc
close to the men as in farming.
'It Is true we say that woman's s
place is in the home" said Mrs. De.
witt, "but who would insult that word
by confining It to the four walls Of her
dwelling place, If they are interested
in their homes they are Just as inter
ested in their farms, their neighbor-
hoods, their townships, their towns,
their cities and their nations. They
are interested In the temptations that
befall their sons, their daughters and
some times their husbands. They want
to know about the amusement places
In the cities. the liquor traffic and the
red light districts. Enemies Of wom-
ans suffrage claim that women's votes
will not affect the liauor question. Suf-
frage does not try to pledge any wom-
ans vote, but why Is 1t, that in every
state where there is suffrage agitation,
the combating Of it is financied by the
saloon interests? Doesn't that look
like they expected 1t to have some in.
fluence on the matter"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
MURDER TRIAL IN
PARIS POSTPONED

Paris, Dec. 16.- Delayed - The
trial Of Raeoul william, on charge Of
murder growing out OF the assassina-
ton of Jean Leon Jaures, the French
socialist leader, has been postponed
on the ground that the proceedings
might disturb the public peace. The
trial was to have begun next week.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
ILLINOIS HANGS
COLORED SLAYER

Decatur, ILL.,, Dec. 17.-Jim Conner,
colored wife murderer, today paid the
penalty at Hillsboro with his life. The
trap was sprung by Sheriff Charles
Johnson at a. m., and Corners neck
was broken. Thirty-five persons wit
messed the execution behind stock
ade fifteen feet high. Conner made no
statement and died peacefully.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
LOSSES ADMITTED.

Paris, Dec. 16.-(Delayed)- )-The
Saloniki correspondent Of the Havas
agency sends the following under date
Of December Is:
"In the course Of the fighting dur
ing the Franco British retirement from
Gievgeli (Serbia) toward Saloniki the
Bulgarians captured two French ma
chine guns and two batteries of Brit
ish artillery, as well as 200 British
prisoners"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
President and His Advisors
Spend the Morning on
the Ancona Matter
DISSATISFIED WITH
yIENNA'S ATTITUDE
No Break to Come, However,
at Least Until After
Another Exchange

Washington, d. c., Dec. 17.-Aus-
trias reply to Secretary Lansing's
note on the AncOna, received during
the night, was laid today before Presi-
dent Wilson and the cabinet and dis
cussed more than an hour.
The gravity of the situation caused
by Austria's rejoinder to the Ameri-
can demands, which is considered
evasive, unsatisfactory and unaccept-
able, remained unchanged.
The next step will not be decided on
until some minor points not clear In
the official text are checked up. The
apparent discrepancies are not import
ant and may be due to transmission or
translation from the state department
code, but they will be cleared up be-
fore another move is made.
Secretary Lansing said the official
text of the note certainly would not
be made public until he had an oppor-
tunity to study 1t at length.
No Break Vet.
Diplomatic relations, although In
danger of being broken off, are not
likely to be discontinued, at least, be-
fore there has been another exchange
of notes with Vienna, and so the crisis
may be said not to be in its final stage.
Another note setting out why the
United States cannot accept Austria's
reply will go forward before the situa-
tion takes on more settled aspect.
Meanwhile there are some hints Of
informal negotiations which might
smooth out the troubled situation. The
frequent calls of Baron Zweidinek, the
Austrian charge, at the state depart
ment, give some color to discussion
along that line, and those who expect
that at the end the differences will be
adjusted count on the influence of Ber-
lin to counsel Vienna to avoid a break.
How much ground there is for such an
expectation is not disclosed by those
who entertain it.
Does Not Change Plans.
So far as was apparent today, the
situation has not affected President
Wilson's plans for going on his honey
moon Journey after his wedding to.
morrow night.
Before the president leaves, how.
ever, he will agree with Secretary
Lansing on the outline of reply to
Austria's note and If there should be
duy luILucT Cudu6c III tuc 61ludLlOu
Mr.. Lansing will go to confer with the
president at the place where he will
spend his honeymoon. That place,
however, has SO far been kept secret
Some time after the cabinet meet
ing, Prince Hohenlohe, one of the en-
bassy attaches, called on Secretary
Lansing and presented communica-
tion. Both the prince and the secre-
tary's Office refused to indicate it's
nature but the presentation of an
other communication lent strength to
the belief that some informal negotia.
ing was being done
French Expect Break.
Paris, Dec. live shall be very
much astonished if the American gov
ernment does not reply to the Aus
trian note by simply instructing AM
bassador Penfeld to ask for passport
and by handing his passports to the
Austrian charge at Washington" says
the Figaro.
"Austria's answer is barely dis.
guised refusal
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
RELIEF SHIP BEAcHED.

London, Dec. 1.-THE Belgian re-
lief committees steamer LevenpooL
from New York for Rotterdam, has
been beached on the English east
coast in sinking condition as re-
suit of striking mine.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
ITALIAN ARMY At AVLONA
Thirty Thousand Soldiers at Albanian
Port Which May Be Made o.
fensive Base.

Paris, Dec 1.-THE Milan cores
pondent Of the Journal says 1t is esti-
mated there are thirty thousand Ital-
ian troops at Avlona, Albania While
the Avlona position Is hardly favor
able for an offensive movement, he
says, the expedition may be regarded
as the starting point of operations on
large scale.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
MuRDERERs ExEcuTEp.

Ossining, N. Y, Dec. 17.-Worthy
Tooley of Athens, N. Y, and Ludwig
Marquardt Of Kingston, N. Y, murder
ers, were electrocuted at Sing Sing
prison today.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
GRAVE CHARGE MADE.

Berlin, Dec. 1.-THE charge that
Russian warships several months ago
destroyed building flying the Ameri.
can flag is made in an official publica-
ton Of the Turkish government, the
Overseas News agency announced to-
day. The statement deals with vari.
GUS alleged violations of international
law by enemies of Turkey.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
PRISONERS REACH FRANCE.

Marseilles, France, Dec. 17.-Seven
hundred and fifty Bulgarian, German
and Austro-H Hungarian officers taken
prisoners by the Serbs, and forty thou
sand soldiers captured in Serbia arriv.
ed here during the night on their way
Ito concentration camp.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
Changers Decide on Capital
City for Convention In
Morning Session
OFFICERS ELECTED
FROM OVER STATE
All of Iowa Is Represented
in Election; Suffrage
Address Is Heard
NEW OFFICERS.

Master-A. q. Judson, Baifour.
oversesr-J. r. Mcciafn, Daven-
port.
Lecturer-I. N. Taylor, oskaloosa.
steward-L.. !. Richardson, Bal
four.
Assistant eteward-P F. Carroll,
Wilton Junction.
Lady Assistant SteWard-Ml lss
Blair, Manchester.
chaplaIn-Mlss Yocum, Daven-
port.
Treasurer - NJ. z. Blair, Man.
chester.
secretary-W. A. Caldwell, oska.
loosa.
Gate Keeper - Perry 1. Moffet.
Ceres-Mrs. A. b. Judson, Balfour.
Pomona--Mlss Ida Wild, Council
Bluffs.
FIora--Mrs. w. A. Caldwell, oska-
loosa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
Border City Is Captured By
Storm, Defenders Being
Forced to Retreat
RUSSIAN ATTACKS
ON GERMANS FAIL
Allied Assaults on Western
Front Are Repulsed By
Kaiser's Soldiers

Berlin, Dec. 17.-At army headquar
ters the announcement was made to
day that the Austro-Hungarian troops
which are invading Montenegro have
captured Bjeloploje on the Linn river
about twenty miles west Of the Serb
ian border.
Russian attacks against the German
lines in the northern lake region held
by Field Marshal Won Hindenburg's
forces were repulsed, Berlin declares.
The Russians are reported to have
lost heavily.
Some minor operations along the
front in France are recorded by Ber-
lin. The British penetrated German
position southeast of Armentieres but
were soon forced out. They failed al
together in similar attempt nearby.
Paris mentions only bomb fighting,
artillery exchanges and encounters be.
tween patrols.
Big Army Offered.
According to statements by French
authorities, reported from Paris, a
force of 100000 Abyssinian troops may
be available, If they are desired by
the allies, for operations in Egypt and
Mesopotamia. The young Abyssinian
ruler is said to be so favorably dis.
posed toward the entente powers that
he offered them this number Of fight.
ing men.
Petrograd reports that of the 1,O0O,.
100000 rouble Russian loan, 6OO,0OO.
900 roubles were subscribed by Rus
sian banks and Of the remainder the
people already have taken 3vO, 900, 200
r0ubles worth.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
NEW ITALIAN oFFENsE?

Greece assuming Qu1eter character
there has been a partial detection O.
interest in the European capitals t
the Italian plans regarding Albania
The general belief seems to be tha
the operations in this new theater Of
war will be on a grand scale. The
Italians, in strength, are already safe
ly ashore at Avlona, as we'll as at Ger
tain new points Of strategic import
ance.
For years Avlona has been regarded
by Italy and Austria alike as the key
to the Adriatic and it is a maxim ir
south central Europe that whoever
commands Avlona commands the
Adriatic. Avlona has been for several
months occupied by light force OF
Italians for policy purposes.
The anxiety with which Italy
watches the Albanian coast is due tC
the existence there of good harbors
in contrast with the total absence OF
such harbors along the Italian shore
Should any Of these harbors fall into
hostile hands the Italian fleet woulC
be gravely handicapped.
Italy Is expected to contribute great
ly to the reorganization of the Serbian
army, which is now concentrating In
Albania, where it's ranks are being re
formed and supplies landed by the
allies during the past fortnight, dis.
tributed.
Quiet In Greece.
In Greece the assurance which the
Greek government received that its
territory should remain for the pres
ent free Of incursion, not only by Bull
garian but by Austro- German troops
has produced relief and optimism, and
1T is believed by many that the central
powers and their allies propose to
leave the entente powers in status
quo at Saloniki, themselves fortifying
a line north Of the new neutral zone
and turning their main attention to
other points.
kilograms from the Austrian south.
ern front report that great difficulties
are being encountered owing to the
heavy snow storms. Advices from
Russian northern front say that sim.
liar troubles are being met with there
but Petrograd still believes the Ger
mans are preparing great push in
the Dvinsk region.
Full details of an attempted Turco.
German coup in Persia, received in
London, show that the alleged plot
failed only by the narrowest margin
Russia has now occupied the town oi
Hamadan and the campaign is pro.
ceeding actively in this district.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-18
ANOTHER SHIP SUNK

London, Dec. 1.-THE Italian steam.
er Port Said has been sunk, it is an
nounced here.