davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
French Fort is Being Smashed by the Crown
Prince Who Moves Forward Behind
Hurricane of Fire.
HAND TO HAND FIGHTING At THE FORT
Artillery Duels are Taking Place Along the
Whole Battle Line from Belgian Coast
to the Vosges.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.1
LONDON. March six miles east
and northeast OF Verdun, the shifting
German attack Is being directed with
great violence against Forts De Vaux
and De Tavannes.r
The teutons are battering French
positions on the Metz-Verdun railway
with heavy artillery brought UP from
Etain. The French are making their
stand at the railway station of Elk.
The guns Of Fort De Tnyannes have
beaten back charge after charge by
whole German brigades.
North and south OF the railway,
the crown price is smashing heavily
at the French front. aiming to draw
the German net still closer around
the French fortress. The teutons NOV
Ing southwark from Dieppe. are ad-
vancing on Fort De Vaux, preceded by
a hurricane fire Of artillery. The
French are replying shell for shell
and holding their positions east of
Vaux village.
Thirteen miles southeast Of Verdun,
the city of Fresnes, an important
highway center, is two-thirds sur
rounded by Germans. Vicious fighting
is occurring around Manheulles, two
miles to the northwest, the French at
tempting to recapture the position
and strengthen their front at Fresnes.
The latest dispatches from Paris
report French positions holding firm
along the eight mile front north of
Verdun, but the German cannonade
increasing in violence, indicating the
beginning of a fresh assault against
Pepper heights.
Artillery duels are breaking out
along the whole western front from
the Belgian coast to the Vosges.
Opinion Is divided here as to whether
these form the prelude to general
offensive by the Germans or are In
tended to prevent the shifting OF
French reserves to the Verdun front
Hand to hand fighting around Fort
Douaumont continues with the great
est fury, Paris reported today. French
and Germans are in such close con
tact that neither side has been able
to use artillery effectively.
Confused reports regarding the sit
uation at Douaumont came from Paris
and Berlin today. Paris reported
Brandenburg regiments inside the
ruins Of the fort have been surround
ed by the French and that other Ger
man troops are trying to cut their
way through to their relief. Berlin
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
England Thinks Germany Bluffing
With New Submarine Decree

became effective, word reached Lon
don Of the sinking of the West Hartlo-
pool steamer Thornaby. Lloyd's dis
patches reported that all members of
her crew had been killed or drowned.
but there was nothing to Indicate
whether she had gone to the bottom
as the first victim of the campaign.
The first great sea tragedy, if one
comes as the result of the new sub
marine DEGREES, is expected to occur
In the Mediterranean. The number of
Austrian and German sUbmersibles
operating off the Italian coast is
known to have been greatly increased
recently. Through this submarine
zone are now passing armed Italian
passenger carrying liners. Any one OF
them is legitimate prey for an Aus
trian submarine under the decree is
sued by Franz Josof's government.
To meet the German charge In
memorandum addressed to neutrals,
that British merchantmen have been
instructed to attack submarines on
sight. the British government, 1t was
reported today, is contemplating maxi
ing known to the United States and
other neutrals the exact contents of
admiralty Instructions to merchant
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
GERMANS HAD
PLANS OF FORT.
Two Men Arrested ON Postal
Conspiracy Charge,
Had Unexpected
Evidence
NOT WANTED FOR THIS
Were Charged With Pretending to
Collect Funds for Suffering
BeIgians From Charitable
Persons.
NOT WANTED FOR THIS

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. ]
NEW YORK, March breaking
into the quarters Of Richard Won
Aherend and Rudolph Won Kracht.
said to be German naval neutenants,
to arrest them on postal conspiracy
charge, postoffice inspectors today
confiscated a batch of American forti-
f1cation plans found in the mems ef-
fectS.
ne men were rushed to the federal
building to be arraigned on a charge
of using the mails to further frau
dulent conspiracy.
The discovery, officials said, was
unexpected and reveals new angle
to the alleged allen plot investiga-
tions. ...E
The two men vii be arraigned late
today before U. S. Commissioner
Houghton. District Attorney Marshall
will demand they be Aeld in heavy
bond. Postal authorities said the men
preyed on charitable persons by pre-
tending to collect funds for suffering
Belgians.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
Germany Made One Before
England Instructed Liners
to Take Offensive.

IRv Carl w. Alderman. United Press
Staff Correspondent
TCopvright 1916 by The United Pressl
BERLIN. (via wireless) March L
"Germanys memorandum declaring
that armed merchantmen in the future
will be considered as warshfps doesn
change the pledges Ambassador Bern
storff gave the American government
because when they were given no
srch thing as an armed merchantmen
liner was thought Of" declared Baron
Numm Won Schwarzenstein, of the
foraign office, to the United Press TO-
dav.
When Germany made tnose
n1adges." he continued. "she never
dreamed that the British government
would instruct merchant liners to con-
durt offensive warfare.
For this reason, the two German
statements remain distinct and sep
arate The first. as made by Ambas-
eador Rernstorff. applies to liners as
thev should be to conform to interna-
tional law, not armed for offensive
purposes. The second memorandum
applies to ships armed for offensive
warfare, and also contrary to internar
tional law"
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01

men.
The British instructions quoted by
the Germans direct that the com
mander of merchantmen approached
by a submarine shall restrain his fire
until the submarine is within 800
yards. The Germans assert this is
positive proof of merchantmen's ag-
sressive intentions and that the order
to restrain fire until the submarine
Is within range WIS given to make
certain the attack would be effective.
The British government, on the 9TH
er hand. COrtends that this passage,
when read in connection with another
pararrarh of the Instructions to
merchantmen shows clearly that arm
ed trading ships are to act only on the
defensive The instructions to fire
only after the submarine has ap-
proacheG to within 800 yards is furth-
er proof Of this fact, it was stated.
The submarines approach to within
800 wards. it was held, clearly creates
a presumtion that it is about to at
tack
To remove all douot of these points,
Il ia r,rrnored the government Is plan
ming to take neutrals into its con-
fidence
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
T BY Charles P. Stewart United Press
Staff Correspondent

IBy Charles P. Stewart, United Press
Staff Correspondent
LONDON, March 1.-Germany's new
submarine decree, sanctioning attacks
without warning on beliigerent armed
merchant ships, went into effect at
the stroke of midnight. Thus far
there have been no results and no
definite reports Of torpedoing under
the new decree are expected before
twenty-four or possibly forty-eight
hours.
The situation today was similar to
that prevailing when der Tag
dawned On the Inauguration Of the
first Won Tirpitz campaign more than
a year ago. Shipping men were divid-
ed in opinion. Some regarded the new
order as a bluff, offering in particular
to bet large sums that no passenger
liner Of any nationality, armed or not,
will be torpedoed by the Germans
without warning. Others, made un-
easy by reports that the Germans
have turned loose a great fleet of U
boats for spectacular opening of the
new campaign, expressed concern for
the safety Of merchantmen crews and
for passengers aboard liners
Twelve hours after the new decree
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01

Agitation was earnestly renewed
| today In congress for the president to
appear before congress In executive
session with special message con-
corning his dealings with the central
powers.
Many members said the president
| should in fairness give congress all
his information before congress voted
on the subject, republicans especially
objected to voting ''in the dark"
Representatives Heflin, Alabama, sug-
gested inviting the president to ap-
pear in secret session.
Irritation and resentment of demo
Gratis who favor warning resolution
was scarcely concealed today. Many
regarded the presidents action in
writing Representative Pou, who has
never figured in the controversy
which has disturbed congress for a
week, instead of to Chairman Flood,
Speaker Clark or Democratic Leader
Kftchin, as a slap at these leaders, all
of whom, however, favor a warning
resolution.
Flood planned meeting of his
committee to draft the resolution
which will be finally brought out
That 1t will come from the foreign
affairs and not the rules committee
first, was regarded certain. The rules
committee will be needed to expedite
action with a special rule to bring
the resolution before the house, side
tracking all other business.
Immediate Action.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-Con-
gress will act on the presidents re-
quest concerning warning resolutions
s,t Cfnna Said fOd2v
following a conference with the presi-
dent today. He added. however, that
actual action would not be possible
today.
Senator Stone, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, Senator
Kern and Chairman Flood OF the
house foreign affairs committee, met
the president at 9 o'clock, remaining
until nearly ten O'Clock. At this con-
ference an agreement was reached to
have votes taken on one of the various
resolutions pending in both branches.
A few minutes later at the presi-
dents invitation, Speaker Clark, House
Democratic Leader Kitchin and Act
ing Chairman Pou of the rules COM
mittee. held a second conference.
This was to discuss the working ma
chinery to bring up resolution IN
the house.
Senator Stone indicated no decision
had been reached regarding the par
ticular resolution to be brought to a
test vote The same condition existed
as to the house situation. But 1t ap-
peared certain there would be a vote
on a straight warning resolution, in
Guiding the exact controversy over
sustaining Americas rights to travel
on armed ships.
Representative Flood said that a
new resolution would be brought out
bv his committee. This will include
the proposal to warn Americans off
armed ships It was considered at a
meeting Of the house foreign affairs
INantinuod 2N
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
Requests That a Vote be Taken at Once on
Support or Reputation of His Teu-
tonic Policies.
WASHINGTON SEETHES WITH EXCITEMENT
Warning Resolution Will be Method Adopted,
With Action Taken as Soon as
Possible.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.
WASHINGTON, March Support
or reputation by congress of Presi.
dent Wilson's teutonic policies hung
In the balance today. While all Off.
cialdom waited with grave anxiety
the first Austro-German submarine
shot in the new campaign against
armed merchantmen launched today,
decks were clear at the capitol and
white house for show down on the
administration policy.
Diplomatic negotiations with the
central powers waited while the con-
test between the president and con-
gress was put in motion.
Challenged by President Wilson to
vote on various resolutions regarding
warning Americans off armed mer-
chantmen, congress was in turmoil
ever the administration def.
There was little chance of a final
vote today in either the senate and
house on any of the resolutions re-
ferred to by the president In his let
ter last night to Acting Chairman
Pou of the house rules committee.
The president asked for full public
discussion and action" regarding the
various warning resolutions.
The preliminaries before the final
vote are expected to take several
days. 1t is believed the final roll
call will not be reached before next
week.
Today at the presidents request
Senator Stone, chairman of the SEN
ate foreign relations committee; Sen
ator Kern. democratic leader, and
Chairman Flood of the house foreign
affairs committee conferred at the
white house regarding action on the
presidents request.
capitol corridors seethed with ex-
citem ent. The presidents letter to
Representative Pou created a sensa-
ton Read for the first time today
by the bulk of congress, factions both
for and against warning Americans
off armed ships, were amazed.
Speaker Clark, Democratic Leaders
Kitchin and Flood were astounded
over the presidents plan. Not one of
the leaders in either senate or house
had the slightest inkling Of the presi-
dents determination to force the
issue.
Jockeying for parliamentary posi-
ton upon the final resolution to be
brought up, was the principal business
before both factions.
The general construction placed to-
day almost uniformly upon the presf
dents challenge, was that the ad-
ministration counted" both houses
and is convinced it has firm grip
on the situation with enough votes
assured to defeat any resolution re-
fecting on the presidents position.
If, as the president and admins
tration leaders confidently believe, a
warning resolution is voted down in
the house, vote in the senate would
not then be necessary.
1t also became known today that as
announced last Saturday by the Unit
ed Press, the president then favored
the show down with congress. 1t was
decided, however, to postpone action
over the week end. resulting in the
present proposal from the white
house.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
TWO DIFFERENT PLEDGES
ARE GIVEN TO AMERICA
A LuII Last Might.

The baron was encountered as he
was enroute from the chanCellor's Of
fee to the foreign office, armed with
flat and sombre loking map. He
has been working voluntarily as an
aide to Foreign Secretary Won Jagow
and Under Secretary Zimmerman. He
was asked why, in view Of President
Wilson's letter which has been care
fully. though unoffiCially studied here,
Germany would not admit the right OF
hostile merchantmen to arm for de-
fensive purposes.
Well along with the necessity for
the armament of merchant ships on
the high seas, the privilege of arm
ing merchant ships disappeared long
ago" said the baron, for 'cessante
ratione degis cessat lex ipsa' (when
the reason for the law ceases, the law
itself ceases.)
'If. perhaps, in some remote local
waters of blacklist Africa and yellow
est China, merchant ships may find It
necessary to defend themselves, this
Is done But present general usage
is not to arm merchant ships. This
usage certainly holds good on the
grey Atlantic and the blue Mediter-
ranean."
But this question can take back
seat for the merchant vessels Of our
enemies are not. only armed for de-
fensive but also for offensive pur-
poses This is clearly proven by the
British admiralty orders which fell in
to our hands. Look at these and you
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
WATER POWER MEASURE
TO FAIL IN THE HOUSE

tent of sacrificing the deep-seated.
fundamen principles of this sub
ject."
This was the conclusion of a state
ment in which he pointed out in de-
tail the points in the Shields bill to
which he says he cannot agree. The
lack of an anti-monopoly clause, the
difficulty of government regaining
sites after the lease period has ex-
pired, and the failure to permit the
government to regulate stock and
bond issues and control rates, he
names as the principal objections.
Unless foreign a-airs completely
dominates the attention of the SEN
ate. a vote is expected on the Shields
bill this week. There are forty-two
amendments pending and one of them
by Hustng, is offered as a complete
substitute.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
T RAJ Nee


UNITED Press Leased Wire Service ]
PARIS, March IA German sub
marine torpedoed and sank the
French auxiliary cruiser Provence In
the Mediterranean Saturday with a
loss Of life now estimated at between
900 and 1,1OO, the ministry Of marine
announced today.
A statement issued early today,
made known tho fact that the Prov
once was a submarine victim and at
the same time established tho Identity
of the attacking craft.
Though an official statement yester-
dav afternoon reported about $40 Of
the 1900 persons aboard tho Provence
saved, the latest dispatches today ac-
counted for only the 6e6 survivors
landed at Malta and MeIos. It Is be-
!ieved possible, however, that other
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
It Al. !

EUnited Press Leased Wire Service. ]
ROME, March IA strong party
In parliament was prepared to advo-
cate a declaration Of war against
Germany, when the sessions opened
today.
Premier Saiandra was expected to
inform parIiam ent Of the result Of the
recent visit Of the French prime min
lister to Rome. No action by the
party favoring war declaration is
expected for several days, pending
the outcome Of conferences at the
foreign office.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
Mediate neighborhood are firmly helt
by teuton forces.

, declared that Doua umont and the I'm
m mediate ne1ghborhood are firmly helt
by teuton forces.
A LuiI Last Night.
LONDON, March IA lull in tho
Verdun fighting throughout last night
was reported in wireless dispatch
from Paris this afternoon.
The despatch gave warning, how.
ever, that there is no reason to be-
lieve that the German offensive move.
ment has been abandoned.
The Germans, the dispatch said,
are making preparations for a heavy
assault against the Pepper heights
north of Verdun and probably will
not hesitate to attack. no matter what
their losses.
Luu Before the Storm. Y ts.-.g.
! LONDON, March 1.-Fighting in
the whole region around Verdun came
to an almost complete halt last night,
official dispatches from both the
French and German war Offices agreed
this afternoon.
At the same time Paris gave warn
ing that the Germans probably are
preparing to renew the offensive on
gigantic scale .he lull in activities
is believed to presage the beginning
of new Teutonic drives against Pep
per heights and from the east. against
Forts De Tavanne and De Naux.
where lively engagements occurred
late yesterday.
The German war office reported ar
tillery actions continuing on the
whole front, but explained no engage
ments of importance in the Verdun
district.
Paris reported intermitten lombard
ment of the French front northwest
of Verduu, but no o-4er actions in
the Verdun district.
The French war office paid some
attention, however, to the movement
Of German troops near Pont-A- Nous
son, thirty-five miles southeast of
Verdun, reporting concentrations OF
troops having been dispersed by
French artillery
Minor air activities were reported
by both sides. The German war Of
flee claimed the destruction of -wo
French and one British aeroplane and
the bombardment of an enemy sup
ply train, on the Besanson-Jussey
road. Paris reported that a German
flier was brough, down in an encoun-
ter with a French aviator near La
Bassee.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
TIE. WEATHER.

CU. S. Department of Agriculture,
Weather Bureau1
For KeokuE and vicinity: Snow or
sleet tonight and probably Thursday.
Colder tonight.
For iowa: Snow and much colder
west: snow or sleet and colder east
portions tonight. Thursday probably
snow. Colder east and central por-
tions.
For Missouri: Snow or sleet to-
night and probably Thursday. Colder
Thursday and north portion tonight.
For Illinois: Snow or sleet north;
rain or s1eet south portions tonight,
colder west portion. Thursday prob
ably snow and colder.
Weather Conditions.
The western storm, which is causing
snow In the north from the Rockies
to the central valleys, is central in
the middle mountain region this morn
ing. Along the northern boundary a
large field Of high pressure extends
from the Pacific coast to the st. Law
renee valley. and cold weather pre-
walls throughout this region, with the
temperature below zero from the
mountain region to the upper lakes
this morning.
Local Observatolns.
Feb Mar. Bar. .Tner. Wind. Weather.
20 D. IN. 30.02 80 SW Clear
u a. m. :. 80 80 q Cldy
River stage, a. m, feet, tenths.
Mean temperature, Feb. 90, 90.
Highest, 35.
Lowest, %.
Lowest last night, Is.
FRED q. GOSEWISCH.
Observer.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
Warning is Given by Chairman
Ferris Against the
Shields Bill

United Press Leased Wire Service.1
WASHINGTON, March IA warn
ing that the house will not pass the
Sh-elds water power bill if 1t succeeds
an the senate, today was made pup
lie by Chairman Ferris of the mouse
public lands committee and tne ad-
m1nistratfon conservation leader.
AS the legislation now stands, ne
said, the house and senate are far
apart. l am in hopes he d1vergen.
views may be settled, but l am not
favor of = compromise to the e1-
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
Coal on In Furnace.

Coal on In Furnace.
TUnited Press Leased Wire Service ]
BUSHNELL, Ill.,, March Mrs. G.
e. Crist, proprietress Of the National
hotel here. is dead Of burns she re-
ceived when she threw kerosene in
the furnace In the basement of the
hostelry this morning. to hurry the
fire. Her body was almost burned to
a crisp. She was worth 100000.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
GERMANY

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
BERLIN, March IA luIi on the
verdun front and elsewhere on the
French battle line was indicated in
an official statement from the war
office this afternoon.
The official statement reported ar
tj'Iery active all along the front, but
mentioned no infantry engagements
Of great Importance.
Near Menin, an English bpiane
was shot down, the war office report
ed. Two French blplanes were down.
ed near SoIssons.
FREsNEs TAKEN.
BERLIN, March 1.-French troops
were forced to evacuate the city of
Fresnes, thirteen miles southeast of
Verdun on Tuesday, according to the
correspondent Of the Lokal Anzeiger
teiegraphing from tho crown princes
headquarters today.
[This is the first report Of the
evacuation of Fresnes. London dis
patches today reported Fresnes al
most surrounded by the Germans.l
SWEPT BARRtcADEs AWAY.
BERLIN, March I. (via wireless to
sayvIIIe. e.)-In the first few days Of the
Verdun offensive, the crown princes
army captured only about four square
miles, less than the French conquered
In their Champagne drive last septem-
Der, according to dispatches received
here today.
"The attack was carefully prepared
by heavy sheIine Of the French bar
ricades in the forests, where barbed
wire was tied from tree to tree In
manner especially apt to resist bar
ricade fire., said dispatches to the
semi-officiaI news agency.
"When tho Germans stormed these
positions, they swept also the more
distant barbados and positions be-
fore the French had been able to ral-
iy their badly scattered troops. The
German losses were surprisingly
ANAL. while the French had terrific
losses, on account OF the splendid
collaboration Of German artillery and
infantry.
ain some places hundreds Of French
dead were closely crowded together.
The French line has been broken on
both sides Of The road from Verdun
northward."
A German aeropIane bombarded an
enemy transport on the Besanson-
Jussey road, the war office stated, and
made further successful attacks upon
the supply train with Its machine
guns.
HELD UP A TRAIN.
BERLIN. March 1.-For the first
time In history an aeropIane has "hcld
UP" an enemy train, forcing the crew
to aIIght. The German war office &C
count Is:
"a German aeropIane piIoted by Re-
serve Lieutenant keuhl with Reserve
Lieutenant Habar as observation off,
Ger, yesterday stopped an enemy mill.
tary transport train on the road from
Besancon to Jussey by bombs and
then successfully attacked with ma
chino guns, forcing the crew to
aljoht"
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-01
War AGAINST PORTUGAL,

War Against Portugal.
IUnited Press Leased Wire Service ]
AMSTERDAM March 1-Advices
received here from Berlin this after
noon reported that a German declara-
ton of war against Portugal is i'm
m1nent