davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28

Berlin. February 26-(Via London, Feb ruary 27.)-Commenting on President Will son's letter to Senator Stone. the Nor deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung says:
 ''The principles laid down in the Ger man memorandum by no means conflict with international law for the secret or ders to the British navy contained in the memorandum, expressly instruct armed merchantmen not only to defend them- selves but also to proceed aggressively. Individual cases cited prove this order has been carried out, so that according to the principles of international law such vessels cease to be peaceful merchant men.
 ''On the other hand, the course of oul enemies is gross breach of international law since they perform with merchant men acts of war to which oniy warships are entitled.
 When President Wilson asserts thal the measures announced against armed enemy merchantmen contradict assur- ances expressly given by German any Austria, his words evidently are based upon a inisconception, for those. assur- ances referred to peaceful passenger yes sels, but not to such as are armed fol aggressive action. His misconception evl- dently is due to the fact that the memo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
No Further Outburst Re- garding Armed Ships
 Is Expected
ICONSERVATIONISTS TO
 FIGHT SHIELDS BILL
Robinson Will Make Effort to Have Passed His Resolution for Investi- gation of Aviation Service-Prog-
 ress on Appropriation Bills

Washington, February 27.--Legisla- tive business will be resumed in regu- lar order at the capitol this week, aft CT the recent furry over international affairs that demoralized the work of Congress. In both houses adminstra- ton leaders have held in control the threatened revolt against the Presi- dent on the armed ship issue and no further outburst is expected unless there should be a development appear entity leading toward war.
 Leaders of the agitation for action to warn Americans off belligerent mer- chantmen carrying arms admit there is no chance to get legislation on the subject. Senator Gore. author of the warning resolution in the Senate, has publicly declared that there is no de- sire to stay the hands of the President in diplomatic negotiations.
 ABANDONS PURPOSE
 He also says the real purpose of his resolution already had been accom- plished, and this is regarded by admin
 tContinued on Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
Keep Out of War at Sacri- flee of Everything Save Her Sense of Humanity and Justice
TALKS OF AFFAIRS
 OF COUNTRY WITH
 UNUSUAL GRAVITY
Difficult to Think When Others Talk So Loudly Beside Point - Ashamed to Be Rash

Washington, February 27.-President Wilson told members and guests at a Gridiron club dinner last night that America ought to keep out of the Eu- ropean war. lat the sacrifice of every thing except this single thing upon which her character and her history are founded, her sense of humanity and justice"
 the speeches at the dinners of the Grid iron club, composed of newspaper cor respondents, are not reported It was made public tonight, however, with the consent of the President and the club because many of those who heard 1t urged that it should go to the coun- try.
 The President spoke of the nations affairs with unusual gravity His hearers, including several hundred members of Congress, government of fcials, business men and correspond ents, were brought to their feet cheer ing when he concluded with these words:
 'I would be just much ashamed to be rash as I would to be a coward. ValOr is seIf-respeeting. valOr Is cir eunspect. Valor strikes only when it is riaIit to strike. yaIor withkolds it. self from nli small implications and en- tanglemcnts and waits for the great opportunity, when the sword will flash as if 1t carried the light of heaven upon its blade.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
Race for Head of Utilities Commission Is Attracting
 Most Attention
WEEK IS FEATURED
 BY TART EXCHANGES
Kennedy and Merritt Spat-Former Seems to Have Advantage at Pres ent-Lively Contest for Places
 on the Court of Appeals
By l.. S. BETTY

Montgomery, February 2L-(Special) Candidates for state, county and con- gressional offices have been forced into the background during the past week or more owing to the interest that has centered in the various announcements for places on the Alabama delegation to the St. Louis convention. At the same time, however. candidates have not been inactive. They have been con- ducting. for the. most part. silent fight, but a contest not without re- suits.
 The principal contest is that !. for president of the Alabama public serv ice commission. This fight has been considerably enlivened during the past few weeks by vigorous pronounce ments of President Sam P. Kennedy of the public service commission, Henry P. Merritt and j. A. Carnley, the three candidates for the office.
 The Merritt statement was direct ed against Mir. Kennedy, and it brought
 tContinued on page Twob
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
FOREIGN SITUATION
 HAS HEAVY BEARING
 ON STOCK MARKET
Extensive Impairment of Prices Caused by Liquida- tiOn of Investors and
 Short EncrOachments

New York February 27.-Complications arising from the international situation dominated last weeks dull and sluggish market. Liquidation by timid investors, enforced sales of weak bull accounts and fresh .encroachments by the short interest caused extensive impairment of prices.
 There was some recovery from the low levels of the midweelz, but heavy sellng followed foreign advances which indicated another successful move by the central powers in the western theatre of the war. Special stocks. including those comprising the intuition and petroleum groups, were offered In some cases at the low levels registered in the latter part of January.
 Heavy sales during the week of the Anglo French war bonds were attributed largely to professional manipulation at this center. Forthcoming payment by a prominent industrial corporation of the major portion of large extra dividend in these bonds furnished a motive for the free offering of that issue.
 Aside from the disturbances at Wash ington domestic afafirs continued promis- ing. Leading industries of the country maintained unprecedented activity with further price advances for fabricated stsel and iron. Coppers were among the
 1Centinued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
ARE ' STILL IN EXCESS
 OF MILL CAPACITY
Steel Companies Are Placed Still Further Behind in Their Shipments by the
 Weeks Developments

New York, February 27--AIthough
 the steel mills last week refused many large orders for billets. bars, wire prod ncts, steel pipe and plates, acceptances
 were still in excess of mill capacity,
 placing most of the companies fur-
 ther behind in shipments The mills
 have orders which will keep them busy for months. although output Of rolled
 products is at a record. breaking rate.
 The railroads placed contracts for 10, 900 tons of rails. 41s2 cars, 76 loco motives and 3200 tons of bridge work. Marine work was again active con-
 tracts being placed for seven boats to
 be constructed on the Great Lakes and at Atlantic coast wards calling for 25.
 900 tons of structural plates and shapes Contracts were also placed for II. .0o0
 tons of additional marine work and an order of l2,0oo tons for tank boats lis pending. Merchant shipyards have contracts for building 275 ocean and lake steamships. exclusive of 57 boats for the United States government Activity was developed in fabricat ed steel late in the week, the orders for
 building and manufacturing plants ex tensions calling for 25,ooo tons oT steel.
 Buying of pig iron was more ac~ tive In all sections; sales amounted 10 100000 tons, half of which was for steel making iron.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
GERMAN ATTACKS ARE LESS VIOLENT
 PARIS

Paris, February 27.-Except around Fort Douamont, the French war office reports some abatement of the German attacks to the north of Yer dun. To the east and west of the Douamont position the French troops are closely pressing the German de- tachments which were able to gain a footing in those sections, and which, the war office further re- ports, are maintaining themselves with difficulty.
 The French deny that the Germans have occupied the Cote De Talon.
 The official communication reads as follows:
 Between Soissons and Rheims, de- structive fires have been carried on on the enemy works in front of Ven izel and to the east of Troyon.
 sIn the region to the north of Yer dun following the violent actions of the preceding days, there has been some abatement in the efforts of the enemy in the course of the day, ex- cept between the height of Doua- mont and the plateau to the north of the village of yaux, where strong attack, carried against our positions was repulsed.
 ITO the east and west of the po- sition of Douamont, the slopes of which are covered with German bodies, our troops are pressing closely the enemy attachments which are able to gain a foothold there and who are maintaining themselves with diff culty.
 According to the latest report, Cote De Talouis, rendered untenable as we'll for us as for the enemy by the bombardment of the two artilleries, is not occupied by any of the adver- sary forces.
 Tn the Woevre the enemy has come in contact with our advance posts in the direction of Blanzee and Moran vile, where their efforts to debouch toward Hill 255 failed.
 '.In the Vosges there was an artii- lery duel at Hartmans Weilerkopf. We took under our fire and dispersed an enemy detachment in the region of Senoines.
 The Belgian official communica- tion merely reports quiet along the Belgian front.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
GERMAN COMMENT ON WILSON'S LETTER
 TO STONE REVEALS VARYING ATTITUDES

The Lokal Anzeiger also believes the Presidents position is due to the fact that he has not yet read fully the Ger man memorandum and other nforma- ton which accompanies it. Other papers however do not make this allowance, and discuss his letter in a grave tone.
 PROTECTOR OF ENGLAND
 The Kreuzzeitung. which captions the Presidents letter, Wilson as the Pro- tector of England" cites the Presidents s declaration that no nation may change or disregard the principle of internat tional law during the course of war. Pre- cisely this standpoint it says, should however cause Mr. Wilson to adopt an opposite policy if really acting from a sense of legality instead of partisanshp, for by arming merchantmen for aggres- sive purposes, England ignores the first policy of international law. If the Pres dent wilfully shuts his eyes to this ele- mentary fact, he shows thereby that he is determined to be partisan and IS trying to protect England by all possi- ble means, perhaps because lie thinks her defeat would be harmful to Ameri- ican influence. From this we conclude that under Mir Wilson's presidency we never shall reach an understanding with
 tContinucd on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28

randum and the material which accom- panies it are not yet in the hands of the American government and therefore have not yet been examined by President Wilson,"
 DOUBTS CORRECTNESS
 Germania doubts the correctness of the version of President Wilson's letter which has been cabled here. because the letter finds cstensible conflict between Ger manys assurances to Washington anG Germany's memorandum, whereas it con tains TO word about the dishonesty of the British in solerhnly assuring Amer ica that merchantmen were armed solely for defensive purposes. while they have issued secret instructions always to at tack our submarines.
 'sIs this fact. which no where has been denied or doubted a matter of indiffer- ence to American honor. so strongly em- phasized? In that case. we must really doubt the sincerity of these repeated as sertionss Of Ameraca's love for peace. We can and must expect of the United States that it will weigh carefully without prej- udice, a new factor brought into ques- tions of international law by England in transcending the defensive character os armament If Washington will do that, the government can reach in our judg- sment, foFother conclusaun than we have reached
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
Summary of the News
tcontinued on Page Eigl,t)
GENERAL NEWS

GENERAL NEWS Pase i-German assurances apply only to unarmed ships, Bernstorff is told to inform the United States. Sister ship of the Persia strikes mine in straits of Dover and sinks with loss of 40 lives. No diminution in battle around yer- dun.
 Wilson's speech at Gridiron club din- ner thrills hearers. Congress will get to work foIIowfns 2 demoraIixine week.
 STATE NEWS Page 1-Candidates are busy under the surface. Page 2-Ideal place for truck farmer found by Keller.
 LOCAL NEWS Page 5-R. +. Hobson announces for Congress in the Tenth district against w. B. BanIhead. II. M. Allen expected to get Into race for committeeman today. Announcement of Mitchell for su- preIDe court creates sensation Barber's newest plan is for home rule for city. Dr. PersinGer predicts ratio W dc prohibition. History of sewanee sketched by Bishop knight.
 FEATURES Page 2--New York stories by q Bir- mingham man. Equal suffrage activities reviewed by suffrasist. Page 4--EditoriaI comment. Page s--SociaI service department. Page 2--FootliGhts and screen.
 SPORTING NEWS Page 7--Chattanoosa satisfied with schedule.
 Otto Jordan quits baseball for good. Students must study to he athletes r.Sw.
 Central High meets BirminEham col IeEc tomorrow. Page S--Alt plans completed for bi- cycle race.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
FURTHER GAINS ARE CLAIMED BY GERMANS IN REGION OF VERDUN
FRENCH FAIL TO RECAPTURE FORT
 BERLIN

Berlin, February 27.-Cvia Lon don. )-Five determined attempts made by French troops to recapture from the Germans Fort De Douau- mont one of the outlying verdun Notifications, were repulsed to- day with sanguinary losses, accord ing to the officail German head quarters staff. German troops, it was stated, had stormed the forti- fled works of Hardaumont as we'll as the lawn of Chaampneuville and the Cote De Talou. The number of unwounded Frenchmen taken pris- oner, it was added, totaled 15,OOO
 The text of the German official statement follows:
 West theatre: On various por- tions of the front there were in- tense artillery and mine battles
 South of Ypres British attack was repulsed.
 "On the heights to the right of the Mouse the French attempted by attacks, repeated five times with fresh troops, to reconqer the arm ored fortress of Douaumont They were repulsed with sanguinary losses.
 ITO the west of the front our troops have taken Champneuville the Cote De Talou and have ad- vanced as far as Nave on the southern border of the wood north- east of Bras.
 gro the east of the fort we took by storm the extended fortified works of Hardaumont.
 In the Woevre plain vigorous fighting is taking place on the Ger man frontier. the battles extending as far as the Cotes Lorraine.
 According to information at present in hand the number of un- wounded prisoners amounts to near ly 15.OOO
 Tn Flanders ore aeroplane squadrons repeated their attacks on the camps of the enemy troops.
 "A bomb attack on Metz by enc my aviators resulted in the injury or death of eight civilians and seven soldiers. Several houses were damaged.
 Tn the neighborhood of the fort ress French aeroplane was brought down in an aerial battle and by the bombardment of anti aircraft guns. The occupants of the machine included two captains, who were captured.
 Eastern and Balkan theatres There is nothing of importance to report"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
LINER MALOJA STRIKES A MINE IN STRAITS OF DOVER AND GOES
 TO BOTTOM IN THIRTY MINUTES
More Than 40 Drowned or KiIled-Dozens of Craft Witness Tragedy and Put Off to Her Assistance. Tanker Strikes Another Mine and Sinks

Dover, February 27.--The passenger steamship Mnloja, 12,4s1-ton vessel be- longing to the PeninsuIar and Oriental line, struck mine and sank within half hour two miles off Dover to- day. More than 40 persons were drowned or killed.
 The Maloja left TiIbury yesterday for Bombay with mails, 119 passengers of all classes aboard and crew nuni- bering about 200. most of them Las- cars. Other passengers were to board the ship at MarseilIes.
 The steamer was opposite Shakes peare Cliff when an explosion shook her from end to end She listed im- mediately to port. High seas were running and the captain tried to run her aground. but the engine room was swamped and the ship became unman- ageable.
 The plight of the vessel was ob- served and dozens of craft went at full speed to her rescue. One of them, the British tanker Empress of Fort Will Ham, of 21S1 tons. struck another mine and sank nearby.
 ALL POSSIBLE DONE
 Aboard the Maloja everything pos sible was done to get the passengers and crew off All the boats had all ready been swung out before she struck as Q precaution against acci- dent, and all those aboard had suffi- cient time to put on life belts. instruc- ton in the use of which had cen given the previous evening.
 Boat after boat and a number of rafts were sent away. but several per sons leaped Into the water and were picked up by the surrounding craft. It was at first thought that all had been saved, but later bodies were washed ashore and their number was gradually added to during the day.
 Owing to the fact that Dover is un-
 lContinued on Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
No Change in Verdun Front During Night
 PARIS

Paris. February 27 Notwithstand- ing violent German attacks in a blind in snowstorm. the battle front in the region to the north of the French fortress of Verdun underwent no change during the night, according to the official announcement by the French war department today. It was admitted that the French advanced posts in Woevre district were with drawn but it was declared that this was effected in an orderly manner and without interference by the Ger mans.
 s'In the region to the north of Yer dun our troops during the night con- tinued to reinforce their positions.
 (Continued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
ONLY WHEN NECESSARY

'I have very little to say tonight except to express my warm appreciation of the invariable courtesy of this club and of the reception you have so gen. crously accorded me. find that I am seldom tempted to say anything now adays unless somebody starts some- thing, and tonight nobody has started anything.
 Your talk, Mir. Postmaster, has been great deal about candidacy for the presidency. It is not new feeling on my part, but one which entertain with a greater intensity than formerly, that man who seeks the presidency of the United States for anything that it will bring to him is an audacious fool. The responsibilities of the office ought to sober man even before he approaches it. One of the difficulties of the office seldom appreciated. dare say, is that it is very difficult to think While so many people are talking, and particularly while so many people are talking in a way that obsecures coun- sel and Is entirely off the point
 NOT ON EXPEDIENCY
 The point in national affairs, gentle rnent, never lies along the lines of ex- pediency. It always rests in the field of principle. The United States was not founded upon any principle of expediency it was founded upon profound principal of human liberty and of humanity, and whenever it bases it's policy upon any
 tContinued on Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
NEW INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED
 BY U-BOAT CAPTAINS
Too Late Now to Postpone Order Even if America Asked It-To Emphasize Instructions Given British Merchant Shippers

Washington, February 27.--Ger7nany has instructed Count Won BerBstOrff to inform the United States govern ment that the assurances regarding the future conduct Of submarine war fare, given in the Lusitania and Arabic cases. still are binding. but that they apply only to merchantmen of q peaceful character. The German government Is understood to contend that armed merchantmen have, with out regard to the nature of their arma- ment, shown themselves not to be peaceful. and therefore are subject to destruction without warning.
 The instructions direct the German ann bassador particularly to tell Secretary Lansing shat British merchantmen armed ostensibly only for defense carry guns for the special purpose of attacking Ger man submarines. To support this claim the Berlin foreign office has sent the ambassador for presentation to the state department a list of at least 20 incidents where it is claimed British merchant ships have attacked submarines.
 RECEIVE NEW ORDERS
 Confidential adviees from Berlin state that German and Austrian submarine commanders have received their new or ders and that from midnight Tuesday they are authorized to sink without warning all armed merchant ships og Germanys enemies It was said also that many of the submarines probably had left their bases on cruises and that even should the United States request the postponing of the opening of the cam paign it would be impossible to get word to many of the submersibles. While Count yon Berustorff declined to dis cuss fle ihstFuctioAs from Betlin in any way, it is believed the ambassador will present them orally to Secretary Lansing tomorrow.
 They will not, it was said take the form of a note unless Secretary Lam sing desires it. The German ambassa- dor will lay much stress upon the as- surances regarding the arming of rner- chant ships which were given to the United States by Great Britain in mem OFdnQuu1 SlSueQ DN oT 0ecH cpTluS- Rice, the British ambassador on August 25, 1915. Tn this the British ambassador wrote the following:
 T have been instructed at the same time by his maiesty's principal secre- tary of state for foreign affairs to give the United States government the full est assurances that British merchant vessels will never be used for purposes of attack, that they are merely peace ful traders, armed for defense, and that they will never fire unless first fired upon, and that they will never under any circumstances attack any vessel
 VIOLATED ASSURANCES
 Germany claims that Great Britain has deliberately violated these assurances and Secretary Lansing will be so informed. Ambassador von Bernstorff's attention (Continued on Page Eight