davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
OFFICIALS CALM DESPITE GROWING SERIOUSNESS OF
 THE ISSUES WITH AUSTRIA
Suggested That President May Submit Whole Matter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Before Formally Breaking Off Diplomatic Rela- tions-Senate Would Stand Firm Behind Wilson
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

inasmuch as declaration of war must be forthcoming from Congress, any act which might le8d to war should be an act of Congress, and it Is confidently be-
 lieved that should the worst come to gress might share the responsibility with him.. will submit the entire correspond ence respecting the Ancona incident. and request that the Senate act in conjunc- tion with him.
 And there Is said to be no doubt that the Senate would immediately acquiesce.
 The latest information received by the
 Swiss press from Vienna states that Aus
 trian official circles are opposed to the
 acceptance of the second American An
 coma note unless 1t is modified and a
 rapture of diplomatic relations is believed
 to be imminent. notwithstanding the strong opposition of the liberal and Hun garian parties and diplomats. who de- mand that an agreement shall be reached with Washington.
 The reply to the first American Ancona note, it is declared, was drafted in Ber- | lin. Such pressure was brought to bear on Austria that both Count Tisza and Baron Burian, who favored policy of conciliation, had their hands forced and therefore 1t Is claimed that the question more directly concerns Berlin than Vi- enna. It is considered that there still is a possibility of an agreement within the next 2z hours, but if the situation comes | to a rupture of diplomatic relations not only Vienna but Berlin will be- affected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30

Washington, December 29.-(SpeciaL) Washington has accepted with an unusual legree of certainty that the early har- bingers of the Austrian reply are cor feet and that because the Austro-Hun- harlan government has failed to meet |he demands of the United States respect Ing the Ancona case, diplomatic relations
 Eill be- severed.
 The department of state has vouchsafed ho intimation of what is pending. save bnly to declare that the Austrian note has not been received
 It Is unofficially stated. however that America will not accept the Austrian sug- Eestion that the points in dispute be sub- |mitted to arbitration. The idea obtains hat should that suggestion be accepted, the United States would have run the kamut of national degradation and per |mitted itself to be made by European hations an international football. AS if the Austrian reply had been re- eeived and interpreted, Washington is dis fussing with remarkable calmness and Eravity that it would be the crOwning policy of the administration were the
 President. before severing relationship, to
 Bubmit the entire case to the Senate com lnlttee on foreign reSations.
 It is pointed out that it is not neces- nFy that the Prestdent so act. but that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
THE BRITISH FLEET
 PROTECTS NATIONS
 0F ENTENTE ALLIES
A. J. Balfour, First Lord of Admiralty, Views Moving Picture Record of the
 Grand Fleet

London, December 29.-"The British grand fleet, which as grand fleet has never yet had the opportunity of being in action, has nevertheless from hour to hour. day by day, through all the months of the war been the foundation upon which everything else has rested,' was the summary by A. J. Balfour, first lord of the admiralty, of the lessons to be derived from a moving picture record of the activi- ties of the fleet, over the first pro- auction of which he presided this aft ernoon.
 MT. Balfour declared that the film deepest import to Britons and to the world" The success of all the land operations of the allies, from Archangel on the north, to the Persian gulf, ulti- mately depended, he believed, on the British fleet. because were it removed, the allied nations, "now banded to- gether against the tyranny oi the cen tral powers would be cut off from the outer world and from each other. He doubted whether the ma gnitude of the task thrown upon the British navy and "so far triumphantly accom- plished" was yet realized.
 Though silent" said the first lord,
 it is performing at this moment not alone for the allies, but for the whole world the greatest, the most import ant part in the drama being played out for the freedom of the world, The world has yet to know how much it owes to the British fleet and how the assured victory which is coming to us in the future is coming at least as much as the gift of the British navy as of the splendid valor of the allied troops, whether British or foreign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
WILL INVESTIGATE

Washington December 29.-Representa- tive Buchanan's claim of immunity frein arrest is under investigation by the de- partment of justice. A decision of the supreme court in 1908, written by Justice White, now chief justice. is regarded as sufficient authority for the official ccn- tention that congressman are entitled to no immunity in criminal prosecutions.
 In that case, Representative William son of Oregon was fled and sentenced on October 10. 1906, to 10 months imprison- ment upon conviction of conspiracy to suborn perjury. His term did not expire till March 4, 1907. and he protested that he would be deprived of the right to at tend and return from the ensuing session of Congress.
 Justice White decided against him. holding that the words treason, felony and breach of the peace" used in the con stitution to designate exception to im- munity, should be construed in the same sense as those words were commonly used and understood in England as applied to the parliamentary privilege, and as ex- cluding from the privilege all arrests and prosecutions for criminal offense and con- hning the privilege to arrests in civil cases
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
THE WAR SITUATION

     frontier Vienna while asserting that renewed attacks against the
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The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Inner Circles Now Discuss ing What Presidents
 Emissary Is Doing
.NEWLANDS TO GET
 CREDIT INVOLVED IN
 UNDERWOOD'S PLAN
But tO Alabamian It Makes No Diff ference Who Introduces Bill. Negro Segregation Serious
 Problem at Capital
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington December 2s.-(Special.) Col F. M House went to Europe this week to discharge duties as difficult, it is possible, as were the seven tasks as- signed to Hercules.
 In London he will impress Ambassador Page with the fact that he IS not the superior American, representative In Petrograd he will enjoin Ambassador Marve to be more expeditious in making reports to Washington.
 i He will ascertain in Berlin why the Lusitania case has never been settled. He will ascertain why Ambassador Ger ard has never reported the result of an interview with Kaiser Wilhelm, two months ago.
 He will ascertain if any blame can be attached to the manner in which the American embassy handled the submarine differences between this nation and Ger many.
 He will ascertain the general political atmosphere in Berlin.
 | He will explain why the United States censors all wireless communications from America to foreign nations.
 And-if reports are true-he will ascer- i tain the European sentiment for peace and the advisability of this government attempting to bring about settlement of the great war.
 THE PEACE MISSION Of course, Colonel House has not made public his assignments. The President has authorized no statement save one to | the end that his envoy goes to com municate with representatives of this gov ernment in the foreign service. But the 1 'inner circle appears to be familiar witf
 the labors of House, and that circle ad- mits that if he discharges his duties, he will be entitled to rank among the great est diplomats of all times.
 The idea that Colonel House goes to feel out the peace sentiment gener- ally obtains. As is known up to the pres | ent time President Wilson has exercised care not to appear too officious in med ding with the affairs of the belligerents And at the same time, despite the opposi- l tion of his former counsellor, Colonel Bry- an, he has spoken to Germany, Austria, England and France with convincing I firmness. And having so spoken and
 not, despite the prophecies of Bryan, in
 volved this country in a terrible conflict ] it is regarded as natural that he would 1 like to add to the feathers in his cap just
 one other-that which would be awarded were he to put in motion the machinery which led to peace in war stricken Flu
 | rope.
 l And thus it is confidently believed that Colonel House. the close friend and ad-
 wiser of the President, will quietly, and
 of course, wisely. ascertain the real sen | timent across the seas.'
 WILL WARN DIPLOMATS
 | Indeed, in some quarters, the peace
 mission is regarded as the prime object
 l of the House visit. Of course, while ir
 | Europe he will see the several ambassa-
 dors, and will endeavor to take steps
 which will in the end greatly facilitate
 business. For instance, the government
 has been advised that Ambassador Page (Continued on page TwOy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
WARRANTS ISSUED
 FOR THE ARREST 0F
 FRANK BUCHANAN
Monnette, Taylor and Lamar Surrender and Make Bond. No Congressional Immu-
 nifty for Representative

New York, December 29.-Warrants for the arrest of Congressman Frank Buch- anan of Illinois, H. Robert Fowler, former congressman from Illinois: H. B. Martin and Herman Schulteis, four of the eight men indicted yesterday for conspiracy to foment strikes in American munitions factories, were sent to Washington to- night
 Three of the remaining defendants, Frank s. Monnett, former attorney gen eral of Ohio; Jacob c. Taylor. president of Labors National Peace council, and David Lamar, appeared voluntarily to- day in federal district court and were re- leased in $5OOO bail each. The eighth man indicted is Franz von Rintelen, the German agent who is said to have financed the alleged conspiracy. He is prisoner of war in England.
 WILL RESIST ARREST
 Each of the four men for whom war rants were issued has announced his in- tention of resisting arrest. Buchanan has asserted that he is protected by his pre- rogatiye as congressman, but this was denied by United States Attorney Mar shal The warrants will be served in Washington tomorrow morning by United States deputy marshals
 Following his arraignment, MT Mon nette issued statement from the offices of his counsel in which he denied ever having accepted o rhaving been offered any German money. He said he never knew either Lamar or Won Rinteien. end that. as far as he knew, neither lad any connection with the peace council. Mon- nette denounced the shipment of mun- tions to the allies as criminal and illegal. He declared President Wilson was being deceived and that he was anxious to do everything in his power to undeceive him.
 Taylor also made statement denying categorically the charges brought against him and also claiming that both Lam;lr and Von Rintelen were strangers to him. Lamar refused to make any comment.
 The investigation into the activities of German agents in this country will be ie- stunned by a federal grand jury on Jan uary 6.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Bee Little Ground for Belief
 That Ministers Are Likely to Submit designations at
 an Early Date
HAVE NOT THE RIGHT
 TO RESIGN WITH THE COUNTRY IN PERIL
Difficulties of Government Likely to Diminish as Compulsory Military Ser vice Goes Into Effect

London, December 30.-In order to give time for a pos Bible reconciliation of con- flicting opinions on the re- Pruiting question, a cabinet eouncil, called for today, has been further postponed un- Fil Friday, and there is very great hope that it will then be found that the cabinet is n practical agreement on the accordance of Premier ksquith's proposals.
 It has become known that the prime minister found much greater support han had been supposed, some of the Enti-conscriptionist ministers having Fealized that peculiar situation calls Tor exceptional treatment. Among hese are A. J. Balfour, first lord of he admiralty, whose influence is very great, and Arthur Henderson, who, however, will be guided by the views If the labor party
 The usually well informed parlia- nentary correspondent of the Daily News, the liberal organ, says that Sir Edward Grey, the foreign secretary, will not resign and that he believes hat both Walter Runciman, president If the Board of Trade, and Reginald deKenna, chancellor of the exchequer, flso will remain in the government.
 Earl Kitchener also has at last de- ended his opinion that the time is ipe for compulsion. Much depends now bn the attitude of Reginald McKenna, |hancellor of the exchequer, and Wal er Runciman, president of the Board If Trade, both important members of he cabinet. But there is tonight a hopeful feeling that they may yet be induced to support the premier in the Interests of ministerial unity.
 Sir Edward Grey, the foreign min ster, looks with great apprehension pon any signs of disagreement as hav- ng bad effect upon the allies and is working hard for conciliation and if t turns out that the line the govern hent has chosen is not for compulsory birect enlistment, but for compulsory (ttestation along the lines of the Derby scheme, it is very probable that host of the doubtful ministers may be ound supporting the premier and that he resignations will be confined to wo or three ministers of lesser im- Eortance, such as Lewis Harcourt, first Commissioner of works, and Sir John 6imon, home secretary, whose de- barture would not involve. serious |risis.
 MAKING FOR UNITY
 strong point making for unity on he new government policy is that it has met with much less opposition rom the liberal press than might have
 (Continued on Page Twelve)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
FAIRBANKS IS IN A
 RECEPTIVE MOOD

Indianapolis, December 2s- Action look ing toward placing the nams of former Vice President Charles w. Fairbahks be fore the country as a candidate for the republican nomination for President probably will be taken tomorrow at the party love feast, according to many re- publicans who had gathered here tonight for the occasion. It was csuiilated that more than 5000 already had signed a pe- ition to place the former vice president s name on the ballot in the Indiana pri- mary next March.
 Edwin F. Morrow, the republican can didate for governor in Kentucky last No vember. and Congressman w F. Hum- phrey of Washington will deliver the two principal speeches at the meeting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1-EngIish papers comment on cabinet
 crisis.
 Houses mission to Europe is diff
 ficult one. N Wintry weather proves a serious ob-
 stacle.
 Secretary Garrison makes war plans 2-Roosevelt writes on Social Values" s-Chaloner makes remarkable plea. 4-Editorials. 5-Chamber of Commerce committee to
 consider Warrior highway. Peace apparent on eve of meeting Salvation army's Christmas tree makes
 many happy. 6-Society. q--Every session featured by peace. 8-Sports. 9-lron and steel review. 2-Politicians arriving in city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Is DiScharned

London, December 2y.-Miss Maria Goodrich Moseley, an American arrest ed recently on the charge of having removed her niece from possession of the child's mother, was discharged in police court today. the case having been dropped. Counsel for the mother, Mrs. Helen Moseley Drewry. said his client was now satisfied Miss Moseley did not take away tlre daughter and had promised to assist in finding the girl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Changes Route

London, December 29.-With the sailing today of the steamer Kitano Maru from London for Japan. the Japan Mall Steam ship company inaugurated its new route Iby way of the Cape of Good Hope. instead of through the Suez canal. The decision to change the routing was reached be- cause of the submarine dangers in the Mediterranean, emphasized recently by the loss of the Japanese liner Yasaka Maru.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
MT. Garrison Has All Data Concerning Military Bills and Is Trying to Solve Preparedness Problem
OUTLINE OBTAINED
 OF PROGRAMME THE
 ARMY WILL URGE
To Train a Mobile Fore of at Least 500,000 Men Within Three Years--Try New System

Washington, December 29--Sccrc- tary Garrison, at his home in New Jersey, is giving over the entire holt day week to preparation for the task of presenting to the congregational miI- itary committee the army's part of the administration national defense pro- gramme. When Congress rcconvcncs Tuesday he will he ready to submit facts, figures and argument In sup- port of the plans.
 When Mir. Garrison left Wasn.ngton he took with him copies of every depart mental report and official document bear ing on the preparedness problem He be- lieves, it was asserted tonight by an official who has had much to do with the framing of the plan, that correct state- ment of the problem can lead only to the general conclusions embodied in the con- tinental army scheme. From this official who will be among those authorized to present to the committees an amplifica- tion of the administration views, was obtained the following outline of what the secretary expects to tell Congress what the proposed programme will do:
 l. Write definite military policy founded on the unanimous conclusions of military experts of the nation, past and present, and which, therefore. Is sound in theory and correct in applica- tion.
 ? Enroll within three years and give some preliminary training at least to 5o0,- OO0 nohjle tronnc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Heavy Storm

Marion, December 29.-A windstorm of great velocity passed over Perry county from midnight up until o'clock this morning. Shade trees, fences and small buildings were blown down in many places. On the plantation of w. l.. Long large barn fell on a herd of cattle, killing several. The wind velocity was at times so miles an hour
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
EMPLOYEs MAY BUY STOCK

New York. December 29.--The United States Steel corporation has decided to offer its employees for 1916 under the profit sharing plan 35,O00 shares of the common stock at S5. 1t was announced today.
 No offer of either common or { preferred shares was made last year because of adverse business conditions. but in 1914 the com pany employees were permitted to subscribe to the preferred stock ct f06 and to the common Tt 57.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Most Dreaded Period of the Winter Is During Month of January-GrOund Is Soft and Mushy
HAVE ENOUGH MEN TO BREAK THROUGH
 TEUTONIC DEFENSES
Battle in Vosges Regarded
 With Significance - No New Offensive Before the Spring-Saloniki Is Safe

London, December 2s-The winter weather is likely to prove the most severe obstacle to war operations on the pr,nct- pal fronts during tho next few weeks, according to dispatches from both the east and west.
 The most dreaded period of winter Is from the end of December to tke end of January" was S French generals reply a year ago to the demands Cor a great offensive. The same remark probably would apply equally this 5sar.
 Reuters correspondent at western head quarters after asserting that the British staff is confident that the allies now have enough men and munitions to enable them to break through the German lines whenever the right time comes declares that the weather is the ehiee reason for pCstponing the big movement and adds.
 such a movement needs careful plan- ming and extreme caution. Rolling-up tactics always involve the possibility of counter attacks, which may erd in rolling up the aggressor. With the face of the country in porus and mushy condition. it is impossible to effect the essential quick movements of artillery. without which any big offensive is foredoomed to 4
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
FOR COAST DEFENSE

ID. Furnish an adequate trained force to man all coast defcnses, now lacking nearly 50 per cent of the necessary per sonnel
 II. Build up within four years reserve supply of material to cost $l04 O,OO0 and estimated upon the consumption of ann munition shown by the best available reports from the European war.
 F. lnaugurate system under which commercial intuition plants can be fos- tered by the government in peace times insuring an adequate and continuous sup ply of guns and shells in time of war
 The vital thing, it is contendcd. is to obtain the names of 100000 men who are obligated to come to- the colors at call to supply them with necessary arms. equipment. organization and mobilization instructions and to give them rudimen- tary military training at least, probably month year for each of three years being all that could be hoped for If this were accomplished, experts say and if officers and noncommissioned officers for the force were found and assigned. great stride would have been taken, d short cut to the formation of a volun.
 tContinued on Page Twelve)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
Yates Is III

Omaha, Neb., December 29--John T. Yates, sovereign clerk of the Wood men of the World. is reported seriously i'll of pneumonia at his home here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
CLEVELAND RECOvERS

Cleveland December 29.-Cleveland vi- cinity tonight had partially recovered from the worst blizzard of the winter. Service on all street car lines and on most of the railroads entering the city was behind schedule. The heavy snow fall has completely isolated some of the outlying suburbs. Telephone and tels- graph systems were damaged. Four per
 tContinued on Pnsq Nine)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
FURTHER PROVISIONS

3 Provide within six years for an sadi- tionai force of 5o0,0o0 reserves for the troops with the colors.
 4. Furnish the most attractive form of voluntary military service it is possible to devise, thereby serving as final and conclusive test of the possibility of or ganizing in peace times an adequate volunteer army system.
 5. Furnish a system to which universal military service could be applied quickly and without the necessity of extensive reorganization.
 6. Furnish regular mobile army suf- ficient to cooperate in the training of the continentals and also to carry on the necessary peace activities
 T. Furnish through cadet companies at tached to regular regiments and ade- quate and certain schools for regular continental and reserve officers
 &. Furnish, beginning at once a system under which an adequate enlisted serv- ice for the regular army would be built up and maintained.
 g. Begin at once, to be concluded in four years, the expenditure of $S1, ,0Gt. GOO on extension and improvement of coast defenses. making them far superior to those which any other nation has ever contenplated,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-30
NOT ATTACKING

Reports that the Austrans are attack ing Scutar are authoritatively denied. According to the latest advices the Aus. trians were at Bjeopolje, where they were recently repulsed by the Montenegrlns. and cannot reach Scutari without crossing the Albanian Alps and the flooded river district.
 No official announcement is yet avail- able as to the decision of the cabinet in favor of compulsion, but the politca, at- mosphere has been considerably cleared by the admission that the principle of compulsion is accepted by majority of the members of the cabinet. Public cpin- ion has not yet ciystallized. but there 10 widespread approval of Premier Asqulth's general attitude, and there Is fceiinA that the public is quite ready to be con vinced.
 The difficulties within the cabinet may be expected to diminish as the question shapes itself in practical form.