davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
WILL REPLY PROMPTLY
Feeling OF Profound Dissatisfaction
Produced In Washington BY Ger
man Note-Prompt Answer
Will Go To Berlin.

Washington.-Germany's reply to
the American note concerning the
sinking of the Lusitania, with a loss of
more than 100 American lives, pro-
duced a feeling of profound disap-
pointment here.
Secretary Bryan would make no
comment Other Cabinet officials
were reticent, but there was little con-
cealment anywhere that the answer
from Berlin had produced a grave
situation in the relations between the
United States and Germany. Just
what course of action the United
States will pursue is undetermined.
From previous knowledge of Presi-
dent Wilson's position it was generally
predicted that prompt answer
would be sent to Berlin. This is ex-
pected to give the American Govern
ment's understanding of the facts
that the Lusitania was not armed and
carried no concealed guns; that she
sailed from the United States a peace
full merchantmen, and that, under all
rules of international law and hu-
manity, the vessel shouold have been
visited and searched and her passen-
gers transferred to place of safety,
whether she carried ammunition or
not. American law does not prohibit
ammunition from being carried on pas
senger ships, 1t will be asserted, but
only self-exploding material.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
GIVES GERMAN REASONS
DR.. Won Jaeow Regards American
Communication As Leaving Way
Open For Preliminary Dis
cussion,


Berlin, via London.-Gottlieb Won
Jagow, the Imperial German Foreign
Secretary, outlined the reasons which
impelled the German Government to
send an ad interim note to the United
States Government instead of a final
and definite reply to the American
representations regarding the Lusi-
tania and other ships that have been
torpedoed, and Germany's submarine
policy.
THE issues involved" said Herr
Won Jagow, ARE of such importance
and the views in regard to the Lusi-
tania show such variance that the
German Government believed it es-
sential to attempt to establish com
mon basis of fact before entering into
a discussion of the issues involved.
"We hope and trust that the Amerl-
can Government will take the same
view of the case and let us know in
what points their understanding of the
facts differ from the German view
point as set forth in the note, and in
what points they agree, before looking
for a direct answer to their communi-
cation.
"The American note, of course,
leaves the way open for a preliminary
discussion of the situation, as suggest
ed in the German note. hope thar
such Common basis of fact, once
established. may serve as the ground
work for further conversations"
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05


against the clear provisions OF the
American law, which expressly pno-
hibits the forwarding Of passengers
on ships carrying ammunition, and
provides penalty therefor. The com
pany, therefore. is wantonly guilty Of
the death Of so many passengers.
There can be no doubt, according
to the definite report Of the sub
marines commander, which is further
confirmed by all other information,
that the quick sinking Of the Lusi-
tania is primarily attributable to the
explosion of the ammunition shipment
cansed by torpedo. The Lusitania's
passengers would, otherwise, in all
human probability, have been saved.
The Imperial Government con.
siders the aforementioned facts i'm
portant enough to recommend them to
the attentive examination Of the
American Government.
Wlthholds Final Decision.
"The Imperial Government, while
Withholding it's final decision on the
demands advanced in connection with
the sinking of the Lusitania until re-
ceipt of an answer from the Ameri-
can Government, feels compelled, in
conclusion, to recall here and now,
that 1t took cognizance with satisfac-
ton Of the mediatory proposals sub
mitted by the United States Govern
ment to Berlin and London as a basis
for a mOdus vivendi for conducting
the maritime warfare between Ger
man and Great Britain. The Imperial
Government, by its readiness to enter
upon discussion of these proposals,
then demonstrated its good intentions
In ample fashion. The realization of
these proposals was defeated, as Is
well known, by the declinatory atti-
tude of the British Government.
"The Undersigned takes occasion,
etc. "JAGOW."
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
WILSON WILL CALL
HALT ON MEXICO.
President to Put an End to
IntOIerabIe Conditions.
TALK OF INTERVENTION
Seizure OF Red Cross Supplies Re-
sPonsibIe For Reading OF
Riot Act To Rival
Factions.

Washington.-Mexico has displaced
the war in Europe in the attention of
President Wilson. There was made
public at the White House an appeal
from President Wilson to the Ameri.
can public to help the American Red
Cross to furnish relief to the starving
people in Mexico.
President Wilson, it is understood,
mas come almost to the end of his long
patience with conditions in Mexico,
and it is believed that in q statement
to be issued he will declare that the
present conditions in the faction-rent
republic across Ine Rio Grande have
become intolerable. 1t is perhaps pre-
mature to say that President Wilson
nas determined on Intervention in the
name of humanity, but it is certain
that Mr.. Wilson has finally concluded
that conditions in Mexico must change
for the better or must be changed for
the better.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
NEBRASKAN HIT OFF
COAST OF IRELAND
U. S. Ship Mined or TOrpedOed
in War Zone.
NO LOSS OF LIFE ABOARD
British Admiralty Reports She Was
Torpedoed - Captain Not Sure
Whether He Was Attack
ed Or Hit Mine.

London.-The American steamer Ne.
braskan, Captain Green, from Liver
pool, May "a, for Delaware Break
water, was torpedoed by submarine
at a point 40 miles west-southwest of
Fasnat, off the south coast of Ireland.
The sea was calm at the time. The
crew at once took to the boats and
stood by the steamer. 1t was soon
ascertained that the Nebraskan was
not seriously damaged She had been
struck forward, and her foreholds were
full of water
The crew returned on board and got
the vessel under way. No lives were
lost among the crew. The Nebraskan
did not carry any passengers.
The foregoing information was re-
ceived by the British Admiralty in
London and it was at once communi-
Gated to the American Embassy.
Big Surprise To Officials.
The torpedoing of the Nebraskan
was surprise to American officials
here. Apparently it occurred about 9
O'Clock. All foreign vessels leaving
Liverpool recently have had their
names and nationalities painted in
large letters on their sides and have
flown large flags. The evening was
clear, and the period between 8 and
8 o'clock is the twilight hour in the
British Islands at this season.
A message to Lloyd's says that an
armed trawler went to the assistance
of the Nebraskan and stood by her all
night.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
CALLS FINAL GERMAN RESERVES.
Relchsanzelger OF Berlin Publishes
Official Order.

Amsterdam, Holland. via London
The Reichsanzeiger, of Berlin, has pub
1shed an order calling to the colors al
frst-class members of the LAndsturm
Or the final reserve forces, not pre-
yiously summoned. This order does
not apply to Bavaria. Germans in
Germany must report between June S
and June 10; Germsns outside Of Ger
many as soon as possible.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
Won BERNSTOREF
ASKS AUDIENCE
German Ambassador to be Re-
Ceived at White House.
WILSON TO ACT PROMPTLY
Carrying OF Ammunition With Pas
sengers on Lusltanla Not Vlo-
IatIOn OF United States
Statute.

Washington. - With evidences to
show that President Wilson means to
lose no time In telling Germany that
her reply to his note on the sinking
OF the Lusitania is disappointing and
unsatisfactory, Count Won Bernstorff,
the German Ambassador, requested a
private audience with the President at
the latter's earliest convenience. The
President agreed to receive the Am
bassadOr and fixed Wednesday as the
time for the interview.
lnasmuch as it is regarded as GER
tain that the American rejoinder to the
German reply will have been COM
pleted, at least in rough form, by that
time, the coming conference is awaited
with the greatest interest.
May Offer Explanation.
twill be the first time the Ambassa-
dor has called privately at the White
House since the outbreak Of the war,
and while it was not stated officially
what the purpose of the visit would be,
1t is understood that the Ambassador
has been directed to have a personal
interview for the purpose of explain
ing the position of Germany in greater
detail.
There was report current in diplo-
matte circles that the Ambassador
wished to elicit from the President
definite idea of what he would like to
have the German Government do, and
that Count Won Bernstorff, moreove
might seek to learn what the position
Of the United States would be with
reference to foodstuffs and shipments
of conditional contraband embargoed
by the Allies If Germany acquiesced in
the views of the United States. It
was believed, too, that he probably
would seek to impress upon the Presi-
dent the opportunity now presented
for the United States to secure an ad-
herence to international law by the
Allies as we'll as Germany and thereby
gradual stages point the way to gem
eral peace.
1t Is safe to say, however, that what
the Ambassador tells the President
will have to be vastly more to the
point than what the formal reply con-
tained in order to remove the bad i'm
preston which the document itself has
made in official circles.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
MAY SETTLE PACKERS, CASE.
English Business Men Believe It VIII
Not Reach Prize Court.

London. = The dispute between
American packers and the British gov.
ernment concerning the amount to be
paid for cargOes of meat taken over by
the authorities is believed to be in
fair way to settlement The Foreign
Office said 1t was without information
on the subject, but among members Of
the unofficial committee of business
men which has been seeking to ar.
range a settlement the belief prevails
that there are now brighter prospects
of adjusting the matter without re.
course to the prize court.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
WANTS SKILLED MECHANICS.
England Searching For $4,000 To
Make Munitions.

Ottawa, Ont-In quest for as many
of 10000 skilled mechanics as the
Dominion can supply, George N
Barnes, member of the British Parlia.
nent from Glasgow, and w. Windham
Of the British Board of Trade, reached
Ottawa to confer with government Off.
cials. Messrs. Barnes and Windbam
were commissioned by the British gov.
ernment to visit Canada on their mis-.
sion.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
TWO AMERICANS WOUNDED.
Corporal E. c. Bliss, OF Washington,
On Canadian List.

Ottawa, Ont.-In an additional state
ment just issued the names of 152
more members of the Canadian CON
tingent are added to the casualty list
Four of these, including two officers
were killed and 2S are missing. The
remainder have been wounded. Among
the wounded are Charles 2. Pettengill.
Woodward, Okla, and Corporal E. c
Bliss. of the Fourteenth battalion, ad-
1ress of whose next kin is given as
Headquarters United States Army
Washington, d. c."
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
GETS ONLY $1,000 OF MILLION.
Former Princess De chlmay Cut OF
BY Mother.

Chicago.-Out of an estate valued at
more than $1,0OO,OO0 the former
Princess de Chimay, who was Clara
ward, of Detroit, Mich, is bequeathed
only $1,000, it was learned, by the will
Of her mother, Mrs. Catherine l..
Ward-Morrow, of London. The will,
filed here for probate, disposes of the
estate to various relatives, and the
only mention in it of the former Prin-
cess is a provision for $1,000 "equaliza-
ton money" in a codicil.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
BAPTIST BEHIND Will SON.
Northern Convention Indorses the
Stand for Neutsal Rights.

Los Angeles, Cal.-The Northern
Baptist Convention in its closing ses.
sion here adopted resolutions indors.
ing the Presidents stand for neutral
rights in the European war and urging
national prohibition, the enactment Of
federal statutes to govern divorce and
the strict enforcement of Sunday clos.
ing laws everywhere. Another resolu.
tion recommended international arbi
tration as means of insuring world
peace.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
TURKS DRIVEN BACK 8 MILES.
Athens Reports Allies Have Advanced
At Sedd-EL5ahr.

Athens.-The Allies in the region of
Sedd-El-Bahr have advanced 10 kilo-
meters (6A miles) and hold fortified
line between Krithnia and Atchi-Bahr.
Counter-attacks by the Turks have
been repulsed with heavy loss by the
allied feet, which is bombarding the
Turkish positions day and night. The
Allies have occupied numerous posi-.
tons as the result of bayonet attacks.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
NEW SHIP WARNING.
Germany Requests NeutraIs To Carry
Lights and Other Signs.

Lights and Other Signs.
Washington.-An urgent warning to
American shipping against traversing
the naval war zone incautionsly and
to have all neutral markings displayed
as conspicuOusly as possible, includ-
ing illumination at night, was com
municated to the State Department by
the German Government through the
American Embassy at Berlin.
The German warning was an
nounced in the following statement,
made public by the State Department:
The American Ambassador at
Berlin has been informed by the
German Foreign Office that in
view of the fact that during the
b last few weeks it has repeatedly
occurred that neutral ships have
been sunk in the waters designat-
ed as an area of maritime war by
the German Admiralty on Febru-
ary 4, 1915, and especially in one
case where it was established that
the sinking was traceable to an at
tack by a German submarine,
which took the neutral ship for an
English vessel in the darkness on
account of the inadequate illumi-
nation of its neutral distinctive
markings, 1t is recommended that
American shipping circles again
be warned against traversing the
area of maritime war incautiously
and also be urged to make the
neutral markings as plain as pos
sible, and especially to have them
illuminated promptly and suf-
f1ciently at night.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
17-YEAR LocUsTs COMING.
Five Maryland Counties Due For Visit
This Year.

?
This Year.
Washington.-Swarms of 17-year-
old locusts will visit five counties in
Maryland next month, according to an
announcement of the Department of
Agriculture. The counties are Car
roll, Cecil, Montgomery, Prince
Georges and Washington.
Charlotte, Chesterfield, Fairfax.
Powhatan, Prince Edward and Smith
counties, Virginia, and New Castle
county, Delaware, also will be on the
calling list of these pests.
Almost the entire Atlantic seaboard
together with many Middle Western
States, will be touched in spots by the
locusts next month.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
BACK COMPTROLLER WILLIAMS.
Supervisors Of State Banks Indorse
His Policy.

Oakland. Cal-The policy of John
Shelton Williams as Comptroller of
the Currency, was indorsed by the
National Association of Supervisors of
State Banks in the closing session
here. Albert e. Fuolt, Wisconsin State
Bank Commissioner, was elected presi-
dent in place of T. J. Smith, of Ken
lucky, Louisville, KY, was chosen for
the 1916 convention.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
Talk OF Intervention.

Talk of Intervention, which has
been dormant ever since the European
war diverted attention from the situa-
tion nearer home, was Immediately re-
vived by the White House statement.
Many diplomatists, who interpreted
the latest events as the forerunner of
new policy, thought that intervention
was an inevitable outcome of the
situation and that the United States
was paving the way for such action by
notifying the world of its purpose to
take the step for the sake of humanity.
Tney pointed out that similar utter
ance had preceded Intervention in
Cuba in 1898.
For the present it is understood the
notification to all the Mexican factions
Of the intolerable state of affairs and
the desire of the American govern
ment for a betterment of conditions
will he allowed to stand without ex-
PLANTATION, while the relief work of the
American Red Cross is undertaken in
earnest.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
THE COUNTRY AT LARGE.

A committee of one hundred of the
prominent men of the country. headed
by former President Taft, have issued
q call for a conference to be held in
independence Hall, Philadelphia, on
June IL to consider the adoption of
proposals for a league of peace or
league Of nations.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
DE PALMA WINS AUTO RACE.
Breaks Record In 5oo-MiIe Information.
al Speedway Classic.

" ~FNNN''07J ~'4o1IN'
Indianapolis.--Ralph de Palma. driv-
ing a Mei cedes, won the fifth annual
500-mile International Sweepstakes on
the Indianapolis motor speedway here
" +he remarkable time of 5 hours. 33
minutes and 55 II seconds. ne victor
travelled at an average speed of 1884
miles an hour and broke the record for
the race established in 1914 by Rene
Thomas, who finished in hours, 3
minutes and 45.9 seconds.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
AIRMEN RAID VENICE.
Large Number OF Bombs Dropped,
Causing Extensive Fires.

Vienna, via London.-In an air raid
on Venice by several naval air-men q
large number of bombs were dropped,
causing extensive fires in and near an
lrsenal. Another bomb caused an ex.
plosion in Fort Nicolo.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
ITALIAN WOMEN POLICE.

Nearly 1900 Enroll When Govern.
ment Authorizes Formation.
Paris.-The Rome correspondent NJ
the Temps telegraphs that nearly
1000 women have enrolled in a fe-
male police force, authorized bv the
Italian government. These women he
long, for the most part, to the middle
classes. They will undergo special
physical training and wear uniforms
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
AUSTRALIAN CHIEF KILLED.
General Bridges Shot In Battle with
Turks,

London.-General Bridges, in COM
mand Of the Australian division on the
Gallipoli Peninsula, was mortally
wounded in an attack by the Turks
against the Austrian position on May
II and has since died. This fact was
mode known in detailed narrative of
the recent land fighting at the Darda-
nelles just given out by the War Office.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
RUSSIAN TROOPS IN PERSIA.
Turoo-eerman Agitation Makes Re
inforeements Necessary:

Petrograd (via London).-A tele.
gram from Teheran, the capital OF
Persia, says that Turco-German agi.
tation in that country has assumed
a threatening nature. On this ac.
count Russia has sent in additional
troops to reinforce its contingents at
Kasbin and Khry. The Persian gov.
rnment has been notified that. this
step has been taken solely to protect
Russian subjects.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
CANAL SURPLUS EXPECTED.
Nearly Every Month In Last Nine
Showed Gains.

Showed Gains.
Panama--The Panama Canal will
nave earned In the first year of its
operation sufficient to pay all its run.
ming expenses and probably leave a
small surplus, according to the figures
now being compiled in the Office of the
canal auditor. The loss now is about
5 per cent, as against 20 per cent. at
the end Of February. The deficit of
about 20 per cent. incurred during the
first eight months of the waterways
operation has been nearly eliminated
and will be completely overcome by
June 80 when the first year of opera.
tion will end.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05


the United States Government. pro
testing against the killing of Ameri-
Aans and the destruction of American
property by German submarines and
calling for cessation of submarine war
fare against merchant shipping the
German Government claims that it is
justified in prosecuting warfare
against commerce in this fashion, and
plainly intimates that it has no inten-
ton Of abandoning it's submarine cam
paign.
Regret is expressed for the loss of
lives in the destruction of the Lusi-
tania, but the claim is made that the
sinking of the liner was a justifable
act Of self-defense.
Final Decision ls Withheld.
Suggesting that certain important
facts having a direct bearing on the
sinking of the Lusitania may have
escaped the attention of the American
Government" the note proceeds to re-
cite these facts ard recommend them
to the attentive consideration of the
American Government" and then
states that the German Government
will withhold its final decision on the
demands of the American Government
until a reply has been received from.
Washington.
The following is the text of the
note:
"The undersigned has the honor to
submit to Ambassador Gerard the fol-
lowing answer to the communication
of May Is, regarding the injury to
American interests through German
submarine warfare:
DlsclaImS Desire To lnJure Neutrals.
THE Imperial Government has sub
jected the communication of the
American Government to a thorough
investigation. 1t entertains also a
keen wish to cooperate in frank and
friendly way in clearing Ut possible
Misunderstanding which may have
arisen in the relations between the two
governments through the events men
toned by the American Government.
Regarding, firstly, the cases of the
American steamers Cushing and Gulf
light. The American Embassy, has
already been informed that the Ger
man Government has no intention of
submitting neutral ships in the war
zone, which are guilty of no hostile
acts, to attacks by a submarine or sub
marines or aviators. On the contrary,
the German forces have repeatedly
been instructed most specifically to
avoid attacks on such ships.
''If neutral ships in recent months
have suffered through the German sub
marine warfare owing to mistakes in
Identification, 1t is a question only of
quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the British
Governments abuse of flags. together
with the suspicious or culpable be-
havior of the masters of the ships.
1.-THE German Government, in ali
cases in which 1t has been shown by
its Investigations that neutral shin,
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05

A list of S6 household tasks which
can be accomplished with the aid OF
ele ctricity has been compiled.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
MAY BE GETTING TOGETHER.
Negotiations Going On Between Rou-
mania and Bulgaria.

London.-A Bucharest dispatch to
the Excnange Telegraph Company
says important negotiations are in
progress between Roumania and Bul-
garia. The Bulgarian Minister to
Roumania, the dispatch ADDS, left for
Sofia. Turkey, according to report
current, has offered to cede Adrianople
to Bulgaria.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05

"Manifestly. submarines cannot
be used against merchantmen, as
the last few weeks have shown,
without an inevitable violation of
many sacred principles of justice
and humanity.
at 1.-THE Government of the
United States] confidently ex-
poets, therefore, that the Imperial
German Government will disavow
the acts Of which the Government
of the United States complains,
that they will make reparation so
far as reparation is possible for
injuries which are without meas
ure, and that they will take imme-
diate steps to prevent the recur-
renee of anything so obviously
subversive Of the principles of
warfare for which the Imperial
German Government have in the
past so wisely and SO firmly con-
tended.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05

The directors of the Northeastern
saengerbund, in session at Brooklyn,
N. Y, recommended that the saenger-
fest next year be held in Baltimore.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05
WHAT THE UNITED STATES SAID
TO GERMANY.

In its note to the Imperial Gov
Srnment Of Germany, under date
of May Is, the Government of the
United States said, in part:
This Government - as
Sumes that the I'M
.perial Government accepts, as of
course, the rule that the lives of
non-cOmbatants, whether they be
OF neutral citizenship of citizens
OF one of the nations at war, can
not lawfully or rightfully be put
in jeopardy by the capture or de-
struction of an unarmed merchant
man, and recognizing also, as all
other nations do, the obligation to
take the usual caution OF visit
and search to ascertain whether a
suspected merchantmen is in fact
Of belligerent nationality, or is in
fact carrying contraband of war
under a neutral flag.
Middletown transcript., 1915-06-05

"The Imperial German Govern
ment will not expect the Govern
ment of the United States to omit
any word or any act necessary to
the performance Of its sacred duty
Of maintaining the rights Of the
United Sattes and its citizens and
safeguarding their free exercise
and enjoyment"