davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
VENICE, MECCA OF TOURISTS, DESERTED
 NOW IN WAR TIME
Storekeepers Unable to Pay
 Rents and Hotel Keepers ' Are Starving.

{ Venice, May 12.-Venfce, perha ps of all the cities in Italy, is feeling the war most keenly. At the height of the spring season in normal years there would be from 1000 to 13.- 900 tourists here. But today there are not a hundred in the whole city. Hotels with two to three hundred rooms are absolutely empty; some indeed are closed up
 The Piazza of St. Mark is deserted, and there are no strangers to feed the pigeons. The Grand Canal which ought to be black with gondolas, has no other traffic but the two-cent steamboats The gondohers are lit orally starving. Nearly all of them have been compelled even to pawn their gordolas. though all they can raise on them is six Hra-a dollar and twenty cents.
 The storekeepers are in no better plight, dependent as they are almost entirely upon the tourists. Most of and the landlords, with the help of the banks, are carrying them over
 until better times. Venice has no trades and industries,
 except in articles of luxury, such as
 1aces. leather goods. and fine glass
 ware. All these areN entirely at 8 standst1lI. 4
 Distress among the working classes Is widespread Even in norn1aI times
 the poverty in Venice is extraordi- nari1y great; some authorities indeed assert that one-fourth of the whole population are paupers. During the
 past month there have been food riots and thousands of people are close to starving. The municipality has been granting relief as far as possible, but now it is said that the 1 funds available for this purpose are well night exhausted
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
HUGE SALARIES FOR BRITISH DOCTORS AS
 SPECIAL ADVISERS.

London, May 12.-six prominent London physicians and surgeons are receiving $25,0O0 a year each from the British navy as special advisers during the war This fee, moreover, does not prevent them pursuing their private practice during time when they are not occupied with govern. ment business.
 This information was given in the House of Commons by the financial secretary of the admiralty, in reply to members question. The ques- tioning member urged that in his opinion and that of several other members. the expense was not justi- fled, and he announced that he would bring the matter up for discussion at a later date.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

z q Washington May 124The state de- zpartnaent yesterday made public a sworn statement received from Chief Master Ralph E. Smith of the Gulf light which was torpedoed off Scilly island. ln stfe Ameri- can Ship was flying a large U. S.. ensign at the time the incident took place.
 The Smith statement appeared Nto satisfy officials of the State Depart 1nent that no further proof is needed to establish the fact that the Gulf light was attacked by a German sub marine, and that Germany will be unable to convince this government or any court of law that she struck a British mine.
 Smith describes infinitely the ap- proach of the submarine and the ap- pearance of the torpedo. which was driven at the GuIhight without warn ing The amdavit was ca.bled to the State Department on iI1structions from President Wilson, who desired positive proof of the manner in which the Gu1hight was attacked before he took the matter up with the Berlin Foreign Office
 Report of Her Captain.
 The text of Capt. smiths. statement follows:
 .sMay II. 1915 S
 tsI am Ralph Ef. Smith, now master of the, steamship Gulf1ight- At the connencement of the voyage was chief officer The ship left Port Ar thur on the q 9th day of April. 1915 about D. n., laden with a tank car go of gasoline and wooden barrels o1 lubricating oil.
 Tine voyage was uneventfu1. When about half way across the Atlantic the wireless operator told me there was a British cruiser in our vicinity and that he had messages from this ship the whole time since leaving t Port Arthur, but she made no direci communication with or to our ship From the sound of the wireless mes sagess given out by the British shiT she seemed. to maintain the same dis, tance from us until about three day: before we reached the mouth of the English Channel.
 Sighted a Submarine
 sOn the first day of May, about Il o'clock in the forenoon, we spoke twe British patrol vessels named Iago an6 riley We were then about 22 ni1e west of the Bishop Lighthouse. I'm patrol vessels asked where we swer. bound After informing them VI were bound for Rouen they orderet us to follow them to the Bishop. Tn F41ey took up a position of a half mile distance on our port bow, tn Iago off our staYboard quarter. clos to us We steered as directed, an, about 12.22, the second officer beini orr the watch, sighted submarine ol our port bow-slig lightly on the DOT bow steafn1ng at right angies to ou course. The submarine was in sigh
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

sals are expected soon but it is not believed they will satisfy the demands of the cabinet which insist upon the cession of all territory either raciaHy or strategicaI1y Italian.
 Final decision as to whether Italy shall declare war or remain neutral remains with King Victor Emmanuel. The Italian constitution gives to the sovereign alone authority to declare war, make peace and conclude treat Ies.''
 the capital, however, as to whether action by His Majesty should be pure ly formal or simply in accordance with the decision reached with his
 ministers.
 Apparently a majority of the peo- pie believe the cabinet must assume the responsibility one way or the oth- CT, with the certainty that its dectsE ion will be sustained almost unan4- mously by parliament and the coun4 try. The part that parliament is to play remains uncertain. It may or
 may not be asked to express an optn- jon as to the wisest course to pursue
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
SCISSORS BROUGHT INTO GREAT DEMAND THROUGH
 USE OF BREAD COUPONS

Vienna, May 12.-Scissors are odd 1y in great demand in Vienna It does not seem to have occurred to the authorities to perforate the coupon parts Of the municipal bread tickets, so theH have to be cut off with scis- sors. In consequence these, instead of being merely a professional or household necessity, have suddenly become indispensable for everybody.
 As bread can only be had in res taurants and cafes in exchange for coupons, the walters must be provid- ed with scissors and it is estimated that at least ten thousand pairs have been bought for them alone. The bakers must have them also as dis putes frequently arise as to whether it is the duty of. the buyer or seller to detach the coupon, many private persons carry their own scissors round with them.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

London. May 12-The following Statement representing the British of ficiaI view of Gernany's justification for torpedoingr the Lusitania was is- sued here last night .The German government states that resp onsibility for the loss of the Lusitania rests with the British gov ernment, (Which, through their plan of starving the civil population sof Germany, has forced Germany to re- sort to reailiatory measures. The reply to this is as follows:
 .'As far back as last December Admiral von Tfrpitz, the German Marine Minister, in an interview fore shadowed a submarine blockade of Greet Britain and a merchant. ship and a. hospital ship were tofpedoed January 30 and February l, respec- lively
 The German government on Feb ruary declared their intention of instituting a general submarine blockade of Great Britain and Ire land. with the ayowed purpose of cutting off supplies for these islands This blockade was put into effect Feb rl1ary IS.
 astAs already stated, merchant ves- sseIs hadf as a matter of fact, been sunk by a, German submarine at the end of January Before February. 4 no vessel carrying food supplies for f Germany had been held tip by. His Majesty'sf governmen ent, except on the ground that there was reason to be- 1ieve the foodstuffs were intended for t use of the armed forces of the ene- my or the enemy government. sH1s Ma5esty's government had, however, informed the State Depart ment on January 29s that they felt i fbound to= place in a Prize Court the foodstuffs of the steamer WilheImina, I which was going to a German port, in view of. the government control of I foodstuffs in Germany, as being des- tined for the enemy government and T therefore liable to capture.
 sThe decision of His Majestys gov lRernment to carry out the measures laid down by the Order-in-Council was sduesto the action of the German government in insisting on their sub marine blockade.
 This added te other infractions to British reprisals, which differ from l the German action in that His Males tvs government scrupulously re ] spects the lives of non -combatants
 travelling in merchant vessels. and dc not even enforce the recognized pen.
 atty of confiscation for bYeach O.
 the blockade, whereas the German policy is to sink enemy or neutra
 vessels at sight, with total disregard T for the lives of non -combatants ant -ii the property of neutrals.
 s'The Germans state that, in. spite of their offer to stop their submar- was given up, Great Britain has taker even more Stringent blockade meas.
 ures- The answer to this is tas fol. lows:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
US. CITIZENS IN
 PARIS PROTEST ON { LUSITANIA'S LOSS

Paris. May 12-More than 100 Amer jeans in Paris have signed the follow ing note to be forwarded to President Wilson: #.
 We, the undersigned, having ol- served strict neutrality though living in justice to our conditions and in or= der to preserve our self respect yFs must voice an indignant protest against the sinking of the Lusitania
 an act pre- eminent in it's savagery and which places the responsible govern n1ent outside civilized -humanity.'' .-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
THE DEMAND FOR
 SUMMER COTTAGES.

/
 (From the Boston Traveler0
 The early spring rush usually in evidence about this time of year at the offices of the transatlantic steamship lines where globe-trotters have been wont to secure desirable acconmodations for trip abroad has this season been transferred to the offices of agents with summer cottages to let In the latter places or business the sthire nows' movement IS on with a degree of earnestness that was hardly to have been anticipated even with the unusual conditions that are now prevailing.
 Year by year the o1t-of-town-for- the-sumner movement has been gain ming, in volume. And not only do more people go to the seashore and the country with each returning sea son. but they go earlier and stay later than was formerly the custom. To this normal annual increase in the number wishing to secure cottages or other out-of-toWn accommooaIlons for the summer must this year be added the many who are prevented by, theATwar from following their usual habit Of spending the season abroad
 Already the people of the nations at war as well as those Of the ueu- tral countries of Europe, areRlanent- ing the prospect of the loss or the large amounts of money which American tourists have been carrying to them every summer. But what is 'Europe's loss will, to a large degree, be Americas gain, and since New England with her mountains ana her great line of matchless sea coast. is truly sstr1e summer playground1 of the United States, doubtless she will profit more than will any ether sec ton because of the conditions abroad which will compel so many ATner7- cans this summer to spend their time and their money at home
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
POSTMASTER GREENE HAS = NEW ALLOTMENT or SEEDS

Former Congressman Jeremiah Donovan has sent to Postmaster Charles F. Greene an additional all lotment of 2.O0o packages of vege- table seeds for. distribution in Bridge port. Bridgeporters who wish seeds may apply to the postmaster's office, either in person or by mail
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
AMERICAN DEAD TO
 BE BROUGHT HOME

New York, May 1e-The Lusiania's s American dead, so far as identified, now lying at Queenstown and other towns in Ireland, will be brought to New York according to a cablegram received here today by the Cunard line from Liverpool When and by what vessel the bodies will be brought across the sea was not stated by the message.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
GERMAN CITY WILL
 PUNISH PARENTS. OF
 CHILDREN WHO SMOKE

Berlin, May 12.-The senate of The free city of Luebeck has adopted an ordinance aimed against the use of tobacco by children under 16 years of age. It makes parents or guardians liable for violations of the law This. so far as known, is the first law of the kind to be passed in a German municipality.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
BRINGS FIVE DEAD I ASHQRE

Queenstown, May 12.-A Lusitania. lifeboat bearing the. bodies of three women and two boys which has been adrift since last Friday, is srepoFted ashore today near Baltimore on the south Irish coast.
 There were no American first cabin passengers among the IT dead brought into QueenstoWn this morning.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

/ The Pere Marquette railroad filed at Detroit a suit tos enjoin the State of Michigan from enforcing the tyvo- cent fare law
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

until Wednesday, about 3 D.. m., when
 members from the American Embassy were present. The divers at this time made an external examination only of the ships bottom, and left the ship with me at $40 D. m.''
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

At the War Department in Wash- ington reports that General Wood had been ordered to Washington were em- phatically denied.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
BRIEF NEWS NOTES.

Employing l. 800 men, who work In eight-hour shifts, the Du Pont powder mills at Haskell. N. J.s are running 24 hours a day
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

Ninety persons have cancelled pas sage on the. White Star liner Cymric scheduled, to leave for .LiverpooI Fri day. She flies. the British fIag.-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
IAPAN sENDS SYMPATHY
 ON LUSITANIA DISASTER

Tokio, May 12.-The Japanese gov ernment has sent to Great Britain and the United States nessa ges of sympa- thy upon the loss of life in the Lusi- tania disaster.
 The press of the country bitterly ar .raigns germany for the sinking of the passenger ship. The Shirnbun charac- terizes it>as g. massacre of innocents' certain to excite the righteous indig- nation of Americans Other papers declare the time has come to remove forever the German menace"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

The Chinese minister called at the State Department and communicated a statement from his government an rouncine its accession to Sthe modified Japanese demands
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

That bad smell is not the GermabE exploding a. bomb of noxious gases but merely your neighbor's automo-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

Vill Respect Flags of Neutral Countries, Says Note to State Department, and Non-Beliger- ents Ships Will Not Be Sunk Unless Search Reveals Contraband Cargo Washington Be- heves Measures Will Be Taken To Protect Passengers.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

An the women of Europe have 8s do now is to produce another genera ton that shall be ready to be saot q the earliest possible moment
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

The output of the Rand gold mines | ceR.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

The Chancery Court in London named weston B.. Woolr1dge, legal representative of Charles F'rohman, reeiver and manager for the Frohman properties in Great Britain.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

Thomas Mahoney 21. branded as the meanest of thieves was held un- der $500 bail for stealing s8-25 il pennies from the poor boxes of the Church of the Sacred Heart. New York. .-.. ,t.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

Cardinal .O'DonneII, in an address before the state convention of the Knights of Columbus in Boston. warmly commended the views ex- pressed by President Wilson in hin speech st Rhnnde1phias
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

Serious anti German rioting was re- ported throughout Great Britain.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12

The New York Court. of Appeals upheld the contention of Attorney General Egbert B. Woodbury that Indians are amenable to the fish and game law and liable to5 prosecution for violating it.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
CAUGHT Huge PickereI.

We guess A. E. Kenyon holds the
record for catching the largest pick,
erel in these parts for some time
Last Saturday Mr.. Kenyon and Ammi
Smith autoed down to the lower pow
er dam 10 try their luck. OF course
a. E. has had the reputation of be-
ing one of the best game fisherman
in these parts, and has been coaching
Ammi for some time. When Kenyon
hooked the pickerel there was some
excitement in the vicinity, we are
told. The pickerel was giving Mr..
Kenyon all kinds of trouble in land
ing, and Of course Mr.. Smith went
to Genes rescue. He made a grab
for the pole and missed and into the
river he went, and Kenyon had the
time of his life landing Ammi and
the pickerel on the bank. The fish
weighed over five pounds; besides
they caught a huge catfish and nu-
merous croppies.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Along Came Ruth.

What do you think Ruth?" be-
gan her aunt, as Ruth came in,
Johnny has been using my carving
knife in the garden and he left it on
the back porch in the rain last night,
and this morning it is covered with
rust. Don't you think / had better
throw ii away and get new one?"
by no means!" answered Ruth,
let me tell you what will take all
the rust off the blade. Put the
knife in a basin and cover il with
coal oil, then set it aside for several
hours. At the end of that time, take
It out and stick it in the ground for
a short time, then by working it in
and out of the soil for a bit, You
will remove all the rust. Easy ism t
it?"
why yes, and if l have a new
edge put upon it, / will have a new
one at the mere cost of sharpening,
and l was sure should have to buy
a new one"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Purchased Dotseth Bakeries.

Yesterday o. Dotseth sold his
two bakery establishments in De-
corah 10 Messrs. Carston Alstad ana
H. c. Jensen. The gentlemen took
possession of the bakeries this NOR
ming. Mr.. Alstad has been in the
employ of Ness & Christian grocery
for some time and Mr.. Jensen has
been a valued employe of the Hut
Crimson grocery for several years
Both young men are hustlers and
possessed of good business qualifca-
lions and we predict a nice business
for them. They will conduct mod
ern up-to-date bakeries in every re-
spect.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Down From Minneapolis.

Bert Daniels came down from
Minneapolis Saturday on visit. The
family moved TO Minneapolis about
five weeks ago, and are conducting a
store there and doing fine. Bert has
been in poor health all spring and
has been sufferer from lumbago
and complication of ailments, and
consequently has been unable to at
tend to duties at his store in Mime
apolis, and decided to come to Decor
ah to try and recuperate a little, the
climate here seeming more beneficial
to him.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Confirmed SUNDAY,

Confirmation exercises were held
Sunday at the Synod Lutheran
church in DEBORAH, and the following
class was confirmed by Rev. l. B.
Torrison:--Ella Amanda Anderson,
Nora Barbara Borsheim, Gertrude
Olise Borseth, Lucille Louise Haberly,
Norma HauGen, Louise Helen Dale,
Hildegarde Camilla Moe, Dagna Ruth
Olson, Viola Norma Sorenson, Flor
ence Anna Thompson, Alma Beatrice
Take, Alice Charlotte Wick, Grant
Melvin HalVorson, Lloyd julius Rygg.
Daniel Bernhard Swenson, Christian
Magelsen Quandahl, Olaf Tideman
Williams, Alvin Conrad Severson.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Won Case i'm North Dakota.

Atty. j. A. Nelson arrived home
Saturday from Dickinson n. D.
where he had been for two weeks
On legal business, appearing for the
defendant in a case in court. The
case was that of Void VS.. Stems
gard. The former was a former
resident of Madison township. but
now lives in Canada, and the latter
is resident OF Quandahl, Iowa. Mr..
Void brought suit for money ad-
vanced the defendant in proving up
on homestead. 1t was a hard
fought case and Attorney Nelson
won it. The jury was only out
three minutes when it returned a
verdict for the defendant
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
NOTICE.

Sealed Proposals will be receive
at the Office of the City Clerk I'M ii
July 18th, 1880 P. NJ. for the lawns
OF 4 in. water main from Maple
Ave. in the Fifth Ward North to The
intersection of North street estimat-
ed 600 feet more or less.
Also separate proposals will be re,
ceived at the Office of the City Clerk
until July 18th 1870 P. NJ. for the
laying of in. water main at the
intersection of Jefferson street and
Upper Broadway street, south est
mated 800 feet, more or less.
Also separate proposals will be re-
ceived at the Office of the City Clerk.
until July 18th 1880 P. NJ. for the
laying of in. water main from the
intersection of ST. Lawrence street
and Day street, south to East Pearl
street, estimated 625 feet, more or
less.
The City Council reserves the
right to reject any and all bids.
Dated June Sth, 1915. 23-2
F. NJ. HUGHES,
City Clerk.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
NEW AUTOMOBILE LIGHTS.
MessrS. G. Christen and Walter Mott
Invent Something New in Auto
mobile Lights.

What is destined to become one OF
the most popular attachments for au-
tomobiles has been invented by Clar-
ence Christen Of this city and Walter
Mott, of Cresco. The invention is
called Safety First Light and is
something entirely new in the auto
mobile world. The gentlemen have
been working on the invention for
three years. Mr.. Mott was down
from Cresco Monday and was demon
strsting the lights on his car TO a
number of our people.
The lights are similar to any other
automobile lights, but are so arrang-
ed that when the car is turned
around in any direction the lights
turn with the front wheels and shows
the roadway or ground in perfect
manner. 1t works thru the drivers
wheel by n little gear underneath
the car. 1t is about the finest ar
rangement one could wish for, and
will be great thing for all automo-
bile owners.
A patent has been applied for and
the gentlemen are getting a large
number manufactured in Chicago
now Any information about the
lights can be secured through Clar-
ence Christen, or DEBORAH or Walter
Mott, of Cresco.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-06-09
Valentine stoskopf Passes.

Valentine Stoskopf, one of the vel
known pioneer residents of this coul
ty passed away at his home on thu
West Side last Thursday, after an ex
tended illness, dropsy being the i'm
mediate cause of his death.
The deceased was born in Ger.
many July %, 1888, and would have
been 50 years old next month. He
left his native country when a young
man, going to Canada where he
made his home for some time and
was married there. Afterwards Mr..
and Mrs. Stoskopf came TO Winnie
shiek county, locating on a farm in
Canoe township where the family
home was until twelve years ago,
when they removed to DEBORAH to
live. Three children were born to
the union, one child, a girl passing
away when seven years old. The sur
viving children are Philip of Preston,
and Mary living at home, who with
the bereaved wife and mother are
left to mourn the loss of a kind and
loving husband and father.
The deceased was a man of high
ideals and during his long life here
was respecte and well thought of
by all who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance.
The funeral services were held Sat-
urday at 1890 o'clock from the
home and the remains were taken to
Locust for burial The services were
held in the Evangelical church, Rev.
Damerow speaking in German and
Eey. Scholer in English.