davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Arrival of Text of Reply to Wilson Causes Tense Apprehension in Official Quarters
.LUSITANIA CASE IS
 (EVADED BY GERMANY
 BELIEVE OFFICIALS
Course of U. s. as Result of Developments Problemati- cal-Breach of Friendly Relations May Follow

Washington, July 9.-Ar- rival tonight of a press transla- ton of the German reply to the United States submarine note confirmed impressions current in official quarters for several days that Germany would re fuse to give assurances asked by the United States that the Wives of Americans travelling the high seas on unarmed ships of any nationality be not en- dangered.
 The express copy arrived too late to be read by many officials and those who saw it said they could not comment until vtne official text arrived. This probably win reach here late tomorrow or Sun day and President Wilson it is understood will start back for Washington to con slider the communication with his cab met as soon as word is sent him that it is here.
 The apparent restrictions placed by Ger many upon the use of American passen- ger ships, which it seems are to be given complete immunity from interference only if they do not carry contraband, was regarded in many quarters as adding an other to many issues which have arisen over submarine warfare.
 The Lusitania Case
 Assumption of liability for the loss of Americans in the Lusitania tragedy was considered to have been wholly evaded by Germany, and the chief principle for which the United States announced that it would omit ''no word or act'' to see observed was viewed as having been lightly passed over
 The general feeling that the note would be unsatisfactory and bring to crisis the friendly relations that have existed between the United States and Germany developed more strongly in official quar- ters as news of the contents of the note V . been renewed but officials have declined to manifest their displeasure or appre- hension over the situation. believing that nothing could be done said until the k official version of the German reply was at hand.
 Course Problematical
 What the course of the United States will be is problematical. Many of those in official quarters familiar with Ger many's proposals as outlined by Ambas- sador Gerard in the last few days are in favor of an emphatic assertion by the American government that it intends to exercise the rights which it holds under international law, placing upon Germany the responsibility for any future viola tions that may cause breach in friendly relations
 Persons conversant with diplomatic precedents in the framing of notes be- lieved the step of necessity would be an advance in the position of the United States, for, having asked for assurances and failed to receive them. the field foi further negotiations had been consider ably narrowed and now required some assertion of rights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
GERMANY REFUSES TO GUARANTEE TO PROTECT AMERICANS TRAVELLING ON UNARMED SHIPS OF HOSTILE INEQUALITIES
 INTERNATIONAL CRISIS IMMINENT AS RESULT OF ATTITUDE
SALIENT POINTS IN GERMANY'S ATTITUDl

American ships engaged in legitimate commerce will not be nterfered with by submarines and American lives on neutral ships will not be endangered
 While Germany is willing that American ships pass freely and safely in the naval war zone provided they carry no contraband, Germany N aests that of distnguishment by which Ass can vessels can be told from hostile craft be decidedS Ss ,n.
 22*
 Germany is willing, ino 2 er to facilitate American commerce and passengg -affic to allow four hostile ships to ply immune from submarine attack between the United States and Europe provided they carry traband of war and properly distinguished The dis tnguishment of neutral vessels and the four hostile yes sels provided for to be decided upon by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
HARDING RECEIVES REPORTS ON HAND
 TO HANDLE CROPS
Officials at Washington Anxiously Awaiting Warehouse Legisla- ton in Alabama and
 Georgia

Washington. July 9.-Preliminary re- ports on facilities in the south for hand ling the coming cotton crop have been received by W. P. G. Harding of the fed eral reserve board, from officials con nected with the four southern banks in the federal reserve system. The reports deal only with warehouse facilities. which are said to be adequate.
 officials in Washington who do not wish to see conditions this year such as confronted cotton producers last year, are anxiously watching for warehouse Legislation in Georgia and Alabama. If was pointed out tonight that Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina had laws which make warehouse receipts para mount liens against cotton on which loans are made, and that bankers do not fear to lend money on the security of such receipts in those states. Georgia and Alabama, so far, have not enacted such laws.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
MISSISSIPPI POSSE
 SEEKING SLAYERS
 OF HOMER WILSON
Brother-in-Law and Father-in-Law of Youth Charged With His Killing in Shaw,
 Miss

Shaw. Miss, July 9.-J. c. Davis. aged bloodhounds is in pursuit of Homer R. Wilson and John Wilson, his father-in- law and brother-in-law, respectively, charged with the killing as a culmina- tion of family feud near here late-.yes terday. While Davis was absent from his home Wilson and his son went to the house. it Is alleged and carried off Davis 14-year-old wife, formerly Miss Wilson. The husband was shot while In pursuit of the fleeing men. His dead body was found in ditch beside the road.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
EARL KITCHENER
 VISITS THE FRONT
Field Marshal of British Armies Takes Trip Over European War Zone-Meets King Albert
 and Visits She'll Torn Ypres-
By FREDERrcK PALMER

Later. with Premier Asquith, he visited the Second army, saw the troops. gun positions and trenches and went into shell-torn Ypres.
 That afternoon the field marshal met King Albert of Belgium and was shown the inundated area in front of the Belgian lines.
 On Thursday Lord Kitchener visited the First army, reviewed the Indian cav airy corps and saw the. French troops in position in the region of Arras. He re- turned to London Thursday evening. It was evident from the attitude with which Lord Kitchener was met everywhere what hold he has on the imagination of the army He showed less fatigue than some of the younger members of the party that conducted him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
GERMAN FORCES IN SOUTHWEST AFRICA
 SURRENDER TO BOTHA
All Military Forces of Province Give Up Arms to British Comman- der in Obedience to
 Ultimatum

Pretoria, South Africa, July 9. (Via London, II a. m.)-Genera1 Botha, commander of the Union of South Africa, has accepted the surrender of all German military forces in German Southwest Af- rica. The Germans surrendered suance of General BOtha's ultf- matum which expired at o'clock Thursday evening. With the ex- ception of the necessary army of occupation the citizen army will he brought home as quickly as possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
BRITISH CLAIM FURTHER GAINS
 NORTH OF ARRAS
Germans Fall. Back After Severe
 Bombing Duel, According to Sir John French in an Of- ficial Report

London. July 9-t9:so D. m)-Fur- ther British gains north of Ypres where the British on July captured ported in a communication tonight by Field Marshal Sir John French conl- mander in-chief of the British expedi- tionary force in the western theatre. General French states that after a looming duel lasting two days and two nights the Germans fell back. en- abling the British to extend their gain. All reports says the field marshal. in- dicate that tho German losses were se- we're.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
SEEKING TO STOP THE PAYMENT OF
 APPROPRIATIONS

Springfield, H.. July 9,-Four suits were filed in the Sangamon county circuit court here today. asking injunctions restraining Andred Russell, state treasurer. from pay ing appropriations of approximate s2,0oo,00O by the last legislature. The bils were signed by John B. Fergos. Chicago taxpayer. and were brought by Fayette s. Munroe, an attorney.
 Governor Dunne. members of the legis- lature and other high state officials were pictured in statement from Mir. Munro accompanying the bills. as having been in collision to mulct the state treasury fo, illegal increases in their own salaries ant for the lavish spending of public funds
 Bills of an even more sweeping natur, are to follow. according to Mr. Munro and will be filed for the purpose of twins up the entire $50. 100000 appropriated by tn; legislature
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Three residents of Sherbrooke-John c. Cavanaugh, a lawyer; Lucian Bourget a life insurance agent. ,and Eugene Arch- ambault. a waiter--followed Thaw to the stand Cavanaugh said he was sorry to say that he thought Thaw was irra- tionaf when he saw him in the jail at Sherbrooke. Bourget told of seeing Thaw throw a tray of food on the floor Arch- ambaut said he saw Thaw in the jaiT and that he complained of being perse- cuted. The witness added that Thaw did not appear very rational.
 Justice Hendrick having announced ha had been informed by counsel for the state that Evelyn Nesbt Thaw was too i'll to appear in court. Mir Becker read to the jury her testimony at a habeas corpus proceedings in White Plains. Ths reading was still in progress when an adjournment was taken until Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

S.-(via London, July g. 5:12 p. m.)-For s.-(vit- London. July g. 5:12 p. m.)-For the first time since the army has occupied the present line Field Marshal Ear Kitchener has been at the front He arrived Tuesday, the guest of Sir John French. commander of British forces on the continent. That afternoon he visited the grounds of the flying corps the cadet school where officers are trained, and the machine gun school
 The next morning Lord Kitchener wal up at 5:SO o'clock and an hour later called Fat one of the department headQuarters tn the town. where he spent haIf-hour
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Justice Hendrick refused to grant the petition but instructed the jury that remarks by counsel were not to be con- sidered.
 Thaw himself was on the witness stand at the time of the occurrence. He was ing the day he told his own story of how he shot and killed Stanford White and gave his opinion of aliensts.
 Thaw's examination was conducted by He was allowed to give full explanations when he desired. With but one or two exceptions he answered every question directly and with emphasis. Spectators remarked that he seemed to bs sure of himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
ENGINEER KILLED
 AND SEVERAL HURT
 IN GEORGIA WRECK
Officials Believe Tampering With Switch Caused Derailment of At lantic Coast Line Train.
 Officers Investigating

Thomasville, Ga, July 0.-Engineer w. w. Phillips was killed and several passengers injured early today when Atlantic Coast Line passenger train from Montgomery to Waycross, Ga., was derailed by an open switch at Newark, Ga., near here. None of the passengers was reported seriously in- jured. Officials of the railroad assert ed that the switch had been tempered with and detectives have been sent to the scene to investigate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
German Forces in African
 Province Surrender-Ter- ritory Probably Will Be Annexed by Great Britain
ADVANTAGE LIES WITH THE ALLIES
 ON EVERY FRONT
French Gaining in Vosges and Russians Successfully Withstand TeutOn Attacks in the East

London, July 9,-(10:50 p. m.)
 The complete surrender of Ger
 man forces in German Southwest
 Africa to General Botha, com
 mander of the forces of the Union
 of South Africa; the French ad-
 vance in the Vosges of 700 yards
 on front of 500 yards, and the
 capture there of upwards of 800
 unwounded Germans, and the
 stand being made by the Russians
 in southern Poland against the
 Austr0-G German forces, give Brit
 ish military critics subject for
 comment on what they term "the
 turn of the tide" in the war.
 General Bothas victory was fore gone conclusion, but the fact that h won it after five months of warfar' despite the rebellion in his own coun try, and under many natural disadvan tages.s is considered by military ot servers to have been remarkabl To gain this victory Gen eral Bothas forces had to march in tn blistering heat through an almos waterless country in which the fe' wells had been poisoned and whel made 1t necessary for tn soldiers to wear goggles.
 With rapid, sweeping strokes. Ger cral Botha worked round the German
 (Continued on Page seven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1-Germany replies to United States
 note
 Tide of war has turned, thinks
 England
 Kitchener makes recruiting speech Charge lip reader is watching
 Thaw. 2-Bar association meets at capital. 3--Morgan busy on British loan. 4-Editorial comment 5-Merchant can help diversification. Says revenue bill will cripple city. Hearing on coal rates ends 6--Society. Says bankers violating U. S. neu-
 trality. S-Sports. s-Submarines of United States to be
 doubled 11--Markets. 12-Jane Addams welcomed home
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Bryan Makes Speech

Oakland, Cal, July s.-The American people worship the gods of wealth, fame, fashion, physical comfort. travel. pas sion, chance and drink, William Jennings Bryan said here today in an address be- fore joint meeting of the Baptist Young Peoples union of North America and the National Education association. He said the greatest of the Ten Commandments fore me-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Hearing Post poned

Clear Water. Fla. July 9.-The prelim- mary hearing set for today in the case of J. J. Mendenhall, charged with the murder of Mrs. Bessie Eliot and daugh- tery Susie Eliot, of Tampa. near here last Friday night, was indefinitely postponed on request of counsel for the defense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
CHARGE LIP READER
 IS WATCHING THAW
Attorney General Becker Asks Mistria Following Charges That Thaws Condolences With Counsel Are
 Being Read--Judge Refuses Petition

New July sA sanchfd
 
    be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Vessel Raced to Safety With Fire Eating Its Way to Giant Ammuni- ti0n Cargo
LITTLE DOUBT BUT
 THAT BOMB WAS
 WORK OF MUENTER
Plan to Destroy Ship Frus- trated by Failure to Set Bomb in Vicinity of the Explosives

Halifax, July 9.-A bomb placed
 aboard the Atlantic transport liner
 Minnehaha, probably while she lay
 at her pier in New York, caused
 m explosion and fire at sen, which
 forced the steamer to put here
 for examination, in the opinion of
 the vessels officers.
 The explosion occurred in No. hold and was of terrific force, shaking the vessel from stem to stern. Those of the crew forward at the time were stunned by the shock and two sailors were hurled bodily into the air. Flames followed quickly and for two days and nights the crew battled heroically to save the ship.
 The ships officers do not doubt that Erich Muenter alias Frank Holt. or con federates, were responsible for the ex- plosion which occurred on the afternoon of July ', the date on which Muenter predicted that some vessel the name of which he appeared uncertain, would be destroyed.
 Plans Frustrated
 Muenters plans were frustrated by the fact that his pon of destruction was placed with miscellaneous freight forward and was not near an enormous cargo of ammunition.
 While the sailors fought the fire, Cap- tain Claret headed for Halifax and brought the vessel safely through gale and fog to an anchorage in the lower harbor here today. The flames mean while had eaten their way into No. 4 hold, but late today it was announced they had been extnguished.
 The theory of spontaneous combustion was not entertained as the explosion was followed by suffocating fumes which seri- ously hampered the crew in their fight. and which the officers insisted had been let loose by some internal instrument.
 Thrilling stories were told by the 100 men who made up the freighter's crew. The first two days out were uneventful. The Minnehaha sailed from Now York for Liverpool last Sunday. A half-hour after midnight Wednesday morning Cap1 tain Claret and his officers were startled by the receipt of a wireless message warning them that bombs were reported to have been placed in vessels that had sailed from New York for English ports recently The captain immediately or dered the small boats swung out.
 Big Bomb Explodes
 At quarter after that same after noon, when the ship was 57O miles south east of Halifax. something let go in the third compartment and the ship trem- bled violently. One of the hatch covers shot of, carrying two sailors with it sew eral feet in the air. One was slightly injured. The crew removed enough of the freight to enable them to get with in striking distance of the flames.
 Steam was driven into the hold and soon the fire appeared to be under con- (Centinued on Page ssvsn,J
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Big Bomb Explodes

(Continued on Pase Seven)I
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09
Fiftieth
Anniversary
of the Fall
Petersburg,
Richmond
and Mobile

there was n good road crossing the 1tn
and leading to the South Side railroad
This railroad has Lynchburg and Dan
vile connections and was of highesi
Importance to Lee in Petersburg.
At Five Forks this road was defend
ed from the Federal positions by in
trenchments. and at Dinwiddie Court
House, five miles southeast, there were
outposts and defenses to guard Five
Forks. Sheridan and the infantry
corps Of Warren, Wright and Hum
phreys moved together toward the Fed
eral left, and Lee sent out General Il.
II. Anderson with detached divisions
to cope with this strong force. Fftz-
hugh Lee was in command of the Con-
federate cavalry in this vicinity, and
his chief ordered him TO Five Forks.
Fitzhugh advanced to Dinwiddie
Court House with his cavalry and
fought Sheridan there on the Both. On
the 31st Sheridan's entire force fought
Fitzhugh Lee. Rosser and w. H. f.
Lee. with some infantry under General
George Il. Pickett. who commanded
the force in the trenches at Five
Forks. That night Fitzhugh Lee re-
tired all of his force to the forks, and
Warren's Fifth corps vas added to
Sheridan's command and marched to
the left to join in al attack on the in
trenchments at Five Forks, where
Pickett had five brigades of infantry
and ten guns.
- -.
threaten the position and engage the
enemy, while Warren's troops assault
ed e point Of the works on the White
Oak road. Warren found the point
and in u short time had placed Craw-
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09
Lee
Make
Terms
With
Grant

The fall of Forts Whitworth and Gregg
and the failure to dislodge General
Parke's Ninth corps east of the city
decided the fate of that place, and Lee
ordered its abandonment that night
Petersburg was not surrounded, but
its southern exits were cut off. II
could communicate with Richmond,
but Richmond was invested north and
east, and the play Of twenty miles be.
tween the two places and a single out.
let to the westward from a point be-
tween the two was all that remained
now to the army with Lee, the chief
reliance of the Confederacy.
Lees Desperate Retreat.
Some time after midnight on tho
Sd the magazine at Fort Drewry, on
James river. little more than halfway
from Petersburg to Richmond, blew
up, lighting the whole heavens. II
was visible on the Petersburg lines.
and as it was followed by other ex.
plosions and by fires nearer to Peters.
burg 1t became very plain that a gen.
Lees twenty miles of defenses. At
daylight the Ninth corps pickets ad.
yanced to the enemy's trenches and
found the camps deserted.
The brigade of General Ralph Ely
moved rapidly toward Petersburg on
the river road and received the suiren.
der about 4:30 a. m. President Lincoln
reached the city about noon Grant
was already there, and there was
hearty rejoicing among soldiery and
citizens because the tedious siege was
over. News came from Richmond that
that stronghold had been entered by
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09

Federal troops at 8 o'clock in ii
morning. The Army of the Potoma
rested around Petersburg, and Gener.
road, where Ord was moving on a lin
parallel to that taken by Lee. tha
Appomattox river between their
marching columns.
The experiences at Petersburg had
been repeated at Richmond, with the
exception of the assaults. Inside of
Richmond confusion reigned all day ON
the I'd Sunday, the day of the sue
cessful Federal assaults at Petersburg.
Dispatches from Lee caused the gov
eminent to begin a hasty flight.
Four Days Running Fight.
On the 4th Lee united the Richmond
and Petersburg defenders at Amelia
Springs. A day was lost in gathering
r~ations, and the weary troops marched
toward Danville. Sheridan's cavalry
was at Jetersville, on the Danville
road, and Lee changed his march to-
ward Farmville. Longstreet's corps
had the advance, A~nderson's, Ewelrs
and Gordon's following.
On the 9th the Federal cavalry pene-
trated between Longstreet and Ander-
son, and in a running fight Anderson's
and Ewell's commands were captured
reducing Lees army to two corps.
On the 7th the retreat was delayed all
day at Farmville and High Bridge ra-
tioning troops and resisting attacks.
Longstreet, Gordon and Lee reached
Appomattox Court House on the 9Th,
and, in spite of negotiations opened
for surrender, the lines were formed
to march on and fight On. The corps
of Longstreet guarded the rear and
tanks, the last defensive line of battle
at A~ppomattox.
The main Confederate strongholds at
Mobile. Ala. were yielding while Lee
debated surrender, and Johnston's
army, the only relieving force to be
considered, was retreating westward
in North Carolina after fighting of at
tacks in three directions for over a
month. For a year the star OF the
C~onfederacy had been waning. Heroic
battles had been in vain. On April 0 Lee
accepted Grants terms. This was a sig
nal for the other forces TO ground arms.
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09

1O%4 "a h7AC IL Inv 100 -
Pickett's across a coveted road. The
Confederates lost six guns, 1880 pris-
oners and thirteen flags.
Fall of Petersburg.
Promptly on learning that the army
had carried Five Forks Grant ordered
a demonstration on the Petersburg
lines. A bo~mbardment was kept up all
night, and Grant began an assault at
4 O'clock on the morning of April ?
with the men Of Ord's, Wright's and
Parke's commands. Wright's Sixth
corps carried all before it and press
ing on to the South Side railroad, leav-
ing, however, the original defenses en-
circling Petersburg IN its right rear.
This compelled Wright to face about
and form a new line.
Ord and Humphreys also carried the
works on their front and, pressing
through to Hatcher's run, cut the Con-
federate army south of the Appomat-
tox in two. Parke's Ninth corps troops
took the outer lines In front of them,
but could not carry the inner lines.
1ue 0"Ouleuerdte uItiileEy war dn III
position and swept every foot of
ground along the whole front. Several
attempts were made by General Cor
don, who still commanded in front of
the Ninth corps, to retake the ground
seized by Parke. but all failed.
The river roads along the Appomat-
tox running into Petersburg from the
south were held by Ord and Wright.
Near where they passed the Confed-
crate defenses there were two strong
works. Forts Gregg and Whitworth.
Fort Gregg had a garrison of 200 men
and two guns. Fort Whitworth a bri-
gade and three guns. After a stubborn
fight Fort Gregg yielded, and Whit
worth was then abandoned. There
we're ffty-f~e dead C~onfederates in
Fort Gregg, and the assailants lost
ever 100 killed and GOO wounded.
The Confederates were now COM
psetely separated, one column con-
fronting Sheridan and Humphreys,
who had swept westward along the
track from Petersburg, and the other
being in the contracted lines at Peters
burg and along the James toward
Richmond. Lee vas at Petersburg.
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09

ford's division squarely in the rear of
Pickett's across a coveted road. The
Confederates lost six guns, 1880 pris-
oners and thirteen flags.