The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-12-17

James Murphy, 1o7 years old, believ-
ed to be the oldest man in Illinois,
died at Joliet He was born in County
Mayo, Ireland, and came to the Unit
I'd States when 16 years old,
The untitled tonnage OF the United
states Steel corporation on November
80 totaled 7,1S9,4S9 tors, an increase
OF 1,024,037 tons over October.
Former President Taft, in Chicago
to address the Chicago Association Of
Commerce, denied he was working to
get the Republican presidential nom
ination for Elihu Root.
The quantity of foodstuffs sent by
the United States to feed the rest Of
the world during the first ten months
this year was more than double that
in the same period of 1914.
The Rev. DIR. Frank Sewall, writer,
educator, teacher, for sixteen years
president Of Urbana university in
Ohio and author of the Christian hymn
nal, died at his home in Washington In
his seyerty-ninth year.
Washing ON.
Senator Hoke Smith, Democrat, on
Friday demanded an investigation OF
Great Britain's interference with neu-
trail trade and Senator Lodge, Repub-
lican, replied with .emand that any
investigation include the loss Of Amer
lean lives.
Bills for an million-dollar
government armor plate factory were
introduced in both houses of congress
py Chairman Tillman CT the senate
and Representative Tavernner Of Ill
rois.
Emperor William has personally re-
called the naval and military attaches
cf the German embassy at Washing
ton, who, by their actiy tiles, rendered
themselves persona non grata to the
United States government.
New laws to protect the United
States against neutrality violations
such as have marked the progress of
the war in Europe and the Mexican
revolutions, was asked of congress by
Attorney General Gregory in his an
rual report.
Diplomatic relations with Austria
are in grave danger Of being broken
off over the sinking OF the Italian
liner Ancona with the loss of American
lives.
Secretary Daniels has announced
that contracts for the construction of
battleships numbers AZ and A author
lied by the last congress had been
awarded to the New York and Mare
Island navy yards, respectively.
FOREIGN.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles s. Brom-
well, head of the army engineer corps
at Honolulu, shot and fatally wounded
himself. He died two hours after the
shooting. He had suffered a nervous
breakdown.
Another epidemic of suicides Is re-
ported among the German forces in
the vicinity of Dvinsk by prisoners
captured in that reg IN, according to
the Petrograd newspapers.
The allies have retreated completely
out of Serbia and the Rulgarians have
followed them into Greece.
A dispatch to the Exchange Tele-
graph company from Copenhagen says
II is reported that Ieace demonstra-
ton of large proportions occurred out
side the reichstag in Berlin Thursday
evening.
In an address in the reichstag, the
imperial chancellor declared that Ger
many is ready at any time to consider
a peace suggestion from the countries
with which she is at war, does not
wish continuance of the war and dis.
associates herself, under these circum.
stances, from any responsibility for It's
prolongation.
The general opinion in London
seems to be that the German imperial
chancellor's speech has completely
dashed any hopes the peace advocates
may have held on any early termina.
ton of the war.
Count Alvaro de Romanones, chosen
by King Alfonso to form new Span.
ish government in succession to the
Dato cabinet, which resigned on Mon.
day, has announced his selections.
Three hundred Villa soldiers were
killed, leo taken prisoners and the re
mainder of the forces under General
Jose Rodriguez dispersed five miles
north of Fronteras.
At a caucus of the free conserva-
tive members of the German reich
stag resolutions were adopted de
handing, as the object of peace. a
Germany strengthened in its position
of power and Importantly enlarged
and recompensated for its expendi.
lures through the retention to the ut
termost extent possible of all districts
occupied"
Important battles have begun or are
impending in Mesopotamia, where the
German field marshal, Baron Won der
Goltz, has taken command of the Turk,
ish forces and is about to attack the
British at Kut-el-Amara, in southeast
ern Serbia.
II Is annOunaad that in cnnfnrmitv