davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
Whole Van Region Passes In
der Control of Grand Duke
Nicholas Armies.
SIDI BARANI IN EGYPT "
RE0CCUPIED BY BRITISH
Constantinople Claims Success Near
Alden, But England Counters
With Denial. =

PETROGRAD. via London,
March At is officially an
nounced that the Russians have
captured Bitlis. Turkish Armenia.
about ITO miles southeast of
Erzerum, near the southwestern
extremity OF Lake Van. The city
was taken by assault.
Bitilis is city of about $4,000 in
habitants and the capital of the Vilayet
of the same name. 1t has numerous
mosques and converts OF dancing der
wishes and is located 400 feet above
sea level.
The text of the Official communication
from the war office follows:
Our troops continue their pursuit
of the Turks. The fighting in this dis
trict is proceeding under exceptional
difficulties owing to the complete dis
organization of the roads. the severe
frost and deep snow.
THE news has just arrived that our
troops last night carried Bitlis by as
Turkish prisoners are seventeen Of
ficers. including a colonel
Whole Region Controlled.
Two Turkish divisions. reinforced by
troops that had fed from Erzerum. are
the forces that had been operating
against the Russians on the line run
ming through Mush. Bitlis and Van.
With the occupation of Bitlis the entire
Van region passed under the control OF
the Russians while the Russian sue
cess separates the two Turkish forces
operating in the regions OF Mush ana
Lake Urumiah. respectively
With the loss of Bitlis. ii appears.
Turkish reinforcements coming from
Mesopotamia would be compelled to
travel by rounda bout routes In oroer 10
reach the third Turkish army.
British Reoccupy Town in Egypt.
CAIRO. Egypt. March 4.-sidi Barani.
a town in western Egypt. has been re-
occupied without opposition by British
forces after being for three months in
the hands of tribesmen commanded ~
Turkish officers.
British Make Denial.
LONDON, March 4-The official press
bureau has issued the following state
ment concerning the claims of success
made in the Turkish official statement
of March 2:
NO engagement of the kind referred
to in the last part of the Turkish Of
fetal communication of March has
taken place in the vicinity of Alden.
There is absolutely no truth An the
report contained in the communication
of casualties and losses suffered by our
troops. 1t is not understood what the
can possibly refer to. .
The statement that poisonous gas
has been used by our troops is also I'M
true.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
ARMY NAVY.
Army Orders.

Second Lieut.. Lawrence b. Weeks.
Coast Artillery Corps, is relieved from
the 1920 Company and assigned to mine
PLANTER General Edward o. &. ord.
Leave of absence for two months is
granted Mai. Charles II. Martin. 18th
Infantry.
First Sergt. William Doyle. 18th Com
pany, Coast Artillery Corps. is placed
upon the retired list at Fort Mcdowell.
Cal, and will repair to his home.
Leaves of absence for two months
are granted Second Lieut. lvens Jones.
LIST Field Artillery; Second Lieut. Henry
d. F. Munnikhuysen. 9Th cavalry. aud
Capt. Charles f. Morton. infantry.
CAPT. Freeborn p Holcomb. 10th Cav
airy is detailed for service iii the
Ouartermaster Corps. vice Capt. War
rem w Whitside. relieved. Capt Hoi-
comb will proceed to the Philippine Is
lands for duty.
ARTILLERY Corps. Is relieved from duty
at the United States Military Academy.
west Point, N Y. and will proceed to
Jackson barracks. La. for duty
The resignation of First Lieut. Harry
C. Wood, Medical Reserve Corps. is ac-
cepted by the President. to take effect
March !. 1916.
The following changes in the torp
of Engineers are ordered:
First Lieuts. Richard I. NicnoiaS
Myron Bertman. Leo J. Dfllow. James
A. Dorst and Lunsford +. Olfver. IRON
duty at the Engineer School to the ISL
Battalion of Engineers. and FIRST
Iieuts Francis X. Newcomer. Gordon
r. Young and Rufus W. Putnam to the
I'd Battalion of Engineers.
Leave of absence for two months IS
granted Second Lieut. Harry A. Flint
4th Cavalry.
Army Orders.
Mai. Harold c. Fiske, Corps of Engt.
neers. will proceed to the hospital at
Hot Springs. Ark, for observation and
treatment.
cant John J. kingman. general
staff will make the annual inspection
of St. Johns College. Washington. D.
c., and Gonzaga College. Washington.
d. {.
granted Second Lieut.. Oscar A. East
void, Coast Artillery Corps.
First Lieut. William II. Rucker, 6th
Field Artillery. is detained Tor genera
Naval Orders.
Lieut.. ]. T. C. Stapler, from Castine.
to Alabama.
Lieut. Gunior grade) e. W. Magru-
der. from Downes, to command Per.
l1ins. 80.
Ensign j. NJ. Miller. from Tennessee.
To continue on leave of absence.
Assistant Surgeon T. s. Wilson, from
Naval Hospital. Canacao, +. l., to Mon
terey.
Assistant Surgeon A. E. Beddoe. from
Tennessee, to Vermont.
Lieut. Commander H. X. Cage. from
Naval station, Olongapo, p. L., to
Brooklyn.
Lent w. F. Amsden, from Elcano. to
Lieut.. 8. H. La Bounty. from Barry.
TO Helena.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
French Vessel Sunk.

LA ROCHELLE, France, March a.
The French steamship Lakme of Dun
kirk. BIZ tons gross. which sailed
from La Rochelle on Tuesday. was
sunk on the same day in the Bay of
ENscay at a point six miles northw est
of lie d'Yeu. She is believed to have
struck a mine. Six of the twenty-five
men of the crew lost their lives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
SWEDISH CITIZENS WARNED.
Advised by Government Not to EN-
bark ON Armed Merchantmen

STOCKHOLM, March 4, via London,
1885 p.m.-The foreign Office informs
the Associated Press that a warning
against embarking on armed merchant
men has been issued to Swedish citi-
Zens
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
DAY IN CONGRESS.
Senate;

Met at noon
Brandeis hearing continued
Resumed debate on Shields
waterpoWer bill.
HOuaeI
Met at 10 am.
Considered war claim bills and
legislative appropriation bill.
House leaders and rules COM
mittee members conferred over
plans to table resolutions to warn
Americans Off armed ships
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
LINER G|AVA IS SUNK;
NO AMERICANS ABOARD
French Steamship Lakme Sent to
Bottom by a
Mine.

LEGHORN, Italy. March 4.-The
Italian steamship Giava. which left
here February 20. has been sunk by
an Austrian submarine. There were
no Americans on board.
The Giava. 2.631 tons gross. and 333
feet long, was built at Newcastle in
1881. She was owned in Palermo.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
To Open New Chapter in Pan-Amercan Relations.

Charles vi. Pepper shows how the visit OF Secretary
McAdoo and associate members of International high
commission to Buenos Aires will open up business rela
tons for Uncle Sam; attempt will also be made for
mulate international commercial code You will
find this article tomorrow in The Sunday Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
introduced Today, 1t Pro-
poses Most Thorough Steps
for Greater Preparedness.
REGULARS OF ALL ARMS
RAISED TO $4,000 MEN
National Guard to Be Federalized
and Increased to 217, O0O-Vol-
unteer Reserve Planned.

The Senate army bill was intro
duced today by Chairman Cham
berlain of the military committee.
1t proposes the most thorough
measures of military prepared
ness ever presented to Congress
in peace times, and is the first Of
the national defense bills urged
by President Wilson to be COM
pleted and introduced.
The measure proposes to in
crease the peace strength Of the
regular army to $4,000 men Of
all arms. to federalize the Ma
tional Guard with peace
strength of 2I7,ooo, to create a
federal volunteer army compare
bic to the continental army plan
proposed by former Secretary
Garrison of the War Department,
to provide adequate reserve sys-
TENS of the regulars and guards
men under short-term enlist
ments with the colors, to create
a far-spreading reserve OF engi-
neers, doctors, mechanics and all
other civilian supporters OF the
fighting troops and to provide an
officers reserve corps with def
mite obligations to the govern
ment.
Authority of Government Extended.
Under the Senate plan liberalization
of the National Guard is proposed under
a military pay bill and the authority Of
the national government over the body in
times of peace or war widely extended
to secure adequate training and disci-
pline
ct is the most comprehensive meas
ure in the way of preparedness ever
presented to either House Of Congress-.
Senator Chamberlain said. The essen
tial features comprise sufficient IN
crease of the regular army to enable
the mobile force to be organized in
divisions and brigades, and to provide
a sufficient corps of coast artillery to
man existing and approved new bat
terieS.
The new mobile army will comprise
sixty-four regiments of infantry :6r-
ganized into seven divisions, twenty
five regiments Of cavalry organized
into two divisions and the remaining
regiments attached to infantry di-
visions, twenty-one- regiments OF field
artillery and seven regiments OF en-
gineers This will give proper gar
risons to Panama. Hawaii and the
Philippines and provide four infantry
and two cavalry divisions within the
United States.
More Liberal Appropriations.
In addition to the reorganization OF
the regular army. provision is made
for the organization of volunteer
forces in each congressional district.
More liberal appropriations for the Ma
tional Guard and other features intend
ed to build up that force are included
The volunteer force authorized Will be
strictly federal force and Will not
be under the control of governors in
any way.
Provision is made for an officers re-
serve corps and for a reserve officers
training corps intended to embrace stu
dents at colleges and other institutions
of learning where military instruction
is part of the curriculum.
"A short enlistment is provided to in
duce men of the regular army to enter
the reserve. and a payment of $24 per
annum will be made so as to insure
their connection with the War Depart
ment authorities
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04

George p. L. Hoover. seventy four. a
prosperous farmer Of Wakefield valley.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
Citizens Will Discuss Question
of Referendum on D. C. Mat
tiers at National Theater.
PROHIBITION FORCES CALL
FOR SESSION AT POLPS
Chairman of Former Denies Liquor
Issue Will Be Discussed, in Answer
ing Statement of "Drys."

There are to be two citizens mass
| meetings in Washington theaters to-
morrow afternoon. One Is to be in
the National Theater at o'clock Oh
the question of a referendum on all
matters affecting the general welfare
Of the District The other. in Polls
Theater at 2:30 o'clock. has been ar
ranged under the auspices of the Anti
Saloon League to counterfeit the as
semblage in the National.
The Anti-Saloon League. in an Of
fetal statement today. declares that
the referendum meeting really is fos-
tered by the liquor interests which
would be willing to have a referendum
taken on the question of prohibition
because $4,000 residents of the District
states and consequently cannot vote
here
The Anti-Saloon League statement
claims that this would leave the ques-
ton of prohibition to be decided by
too large percentage of those in
fuenced by the liquor traffic.
William F. GUIDE, chairman of the
referendum meeting. when his atten-
ton was called to this statement, de-
clared that there has been no idea,
plan or purpose that the referendum
mass meeting was desired to enter into
a discussion pro or con on the prohibi-
ton question and that at no stage of
the proceedings will there be a discus
sion of the rights or wrongs of the pro-
hibition question:.
AT the Poll Theater meeting the ques-
ton under discussion is to be "A Dry
District in 1916" and the speakers an
nounced are Representative James Har-
vey Davis of Texas, better known as
Cyclone" Davis; Rev. H. X. Hardin and
Rev. j. Morgan Chambers of Washing
ton and Rev. S. G. Dorey of Denver.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
include a declaration that the Presi-
dent shall handle diplomatic AFFAIRS
without congressional interference.
Debate Renewed in Senate.

Discussion of the armed merchant
men question broke out anew in the
Senate today Immediately after that
body assembled at noon. Efforts of the
administration leaders to bring to an
end discussion of this topic by tabling
the amended Gore resolution yesterday
had failed signally. though the sup
porters of the President today de-
clared that the vote In the Senate yes
terday was. decided victory for the
President.
The Shields dam site bill was before
the Senate owing to the fact that a
recess was taken yesterday evening in
stead of an adjournment. But as soon
as a quorum had gathered in the Sen
ate chamber, Senator Lodge Of Massa-
chusetts set the ball rolling by intro
ducing documents to prove that the re-
port Great Britain had warned her
citizens off belligerent owned mer-
Chantmen during the Russian-Japanese
war was untrue.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
MEMORY Of WEATHER
march 4 IN PAST YEARS
Recurrence Of Date Recalls Efforts
to Change Presidential Inaug-
uration Period.

Seven years ago today Washington
was struck by one Of the worst bliz-
sards in its history. March 4. 1909. was
inauguration day for President Taft.
ana the weather upon that occasion
Will not be forgotten in years.
fnree years ago today. March 4. 1913,
the weather in Washington was of the
cold and raw character, popularity
known as pneumonia breeder" That
was Inauguration day for President
Wilson.
Talk Results In Nothing.
Inauguration day-or, rather. March
fin Washington, generally brings
bad weather. but notwithstanding all
the talk there was at the beginning of
the present administration of changing
the date Of Inauguration day. nothing
ever has been done. The beginnings of
other administrations, when the exam
pie of the weather of March is fresh
In mind. have witnessed other lengthy
DEBATES about changing the date of in
auguratton day. without result.
April 8, 1913. Senator Shafroth intro
an amendment to the Constitution
which would have changed the inaugu-
ration date. 1t died with the last Con-
gress. 1t has been reintroduced in
different form in this Congress, and is
in the hands of the committee on
judiciary.
Warmer Weather Promised.
Fair and warmer weather for the
District during the next twenty-four
hours is promised by the weather bu-
reau, with diminishing winds, veering
to the southwest
Last nights lowest temperature was
eighteen degrees above Zero-official
reading-tonight the mercury is ex
pected to go to twenty-five degrees.
Freezing temperatures prevailed along
the Atlantic coast last night as far
south as northern Florida
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04

on armed merchant vessels, be reported
to the House with the Recommendation
that 1t be laid on the table. Under the
Constitution, the practice and preceden!s
in this country, the conduct of diplomatic
negotiations has been left to the fresi-
dent, and with this practice the commit
tee does not feel it proper for the HOUSE
Of Representatives to interfere.
We know that if the President reaches
a point in any negotiation with foreign
governments at which he has exhausted
his power in the premises ne Will IN
the usual way report all 1acts anu az
cumstances to Congress for its consld-
Grafton.
Three other proposals were voted
down by the committee. one, oleiso
by Mr.. Shackleford, declaring conn
dence in the President and containing
a warning feature, received only fou:
votes The Gore resolution, oHereo oy
Representative Thompson. got one
vote. Representative Harrisons motion
to report the McLemore resolution ana
recommend tabling it without further
comment was defeated overWhelmlnsiy.
Representative Harrison at one polht
endeavored to stop all dc pate anu &c.
a vote, and this caused Representative
Cooper of Wisconsin to denounce the
democratic party, to criticise secret
diplomacy" and to attack the evldent
desire of the democrats to gag the con-
mittee and the House on the proposal
before them.
Vote of II to 2 Recorded.
Because the republicans and others
opposed to the Presidents stand be-
lfeve that the last paragraph OF the re-
port contains a gentle slap at the ad-
ministration policies. the entire report
and the recommendation to table the
McLemore resolution received vote
of II to ,. There was an unconErmed
rumor that Representative Thompson
of Oklahoma was one of the two, put
the committee members preserved 81.
lence on the subject of the personnel or
the votes. and no record was kept. as
some of the members have been the OBJ
ject of bitter criticism in their home
districts because of their stand IN the
matter.
One of the odd developments was that
the report should have been almost
word for word a copy Of resolution
which Representative Porter of Penn
sylvania. a republican, had intended to
introduce. AS it contains no affirma-
tion of confidence in the President the
republicans find it easy to indorse IT.
However. the vote in the House is not
on the report by any means-it is on
the question of whether or not the Nc
Lemore resolution shall be tabled.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
FAIRIES HOLD A REvEL
ON STAGE At BE[ASC0
Everybody Believes in Them After
Seeing Performance by Miss
Hawkes. Pupils.

Everybody believed in fairies yester-
day afternoon when the Belasco stage
revealed to a capacity audience legions
OF sprites, gnomes and wood elves, who
combined the artlessness of childhood
with the grace Of professional skill.
The high standard of excellence of
which Washington measures Miss
Hawkes. work was maintained. and. in
some instances. eclipsed in her produc-
ton of DO You Believe in Fairies?'
a musical fantasy in two acts and nine
scenes, book and music by Minnie A.
Saxton. who also took leading char
acter in the play.
AS Betsy, a little girl in search of
happiness, she danced and sang pref
tily and had for companions along
the road to springtime." and. in sue
cession. to the land of the other sea.
sons. merry and lovely crowds of
FAIRIES. blue birds. witches. bats. won
derful living leaves, mechanical dolls
and Teddy bears.
Song and Dance Exhibit.
An exhibition of songs and dances.
opened by Miss Dorothy Minister. vio-
linist. gave splendid evidence of the
highly developed talent of the young
artists, each of whom was enthusiasts
tically recalled. They included Jean
Densmore. Katherine Power, Gene and
Charles Hoffman, Janeiro Brooks. Louis
Smith Hamilton Bell. Dorothy Birch.
Marian and Virginia Gaddess, Virginia
Barton. Enid Sims. Elizabeth Berger.
George Jenvy-Abrams. Lelita Dawson.
Marjorie Evans. Thomas Bromley.
Katherine and Gladys Tucker. and a
final Spanish advertisement by Misses
II. Gallagher. NJ. Hayes. H. Woodson,
y. Gore. NJ. Holmes. V. L. Robinson. X.
Wuttke, j. Warfeld, NJ. Bohrer. NJ.
Gaddess. f. Avery. J. Densmore. X.
Power and Master Ingham Mack.
The Cast of Characters.
Others who took part i'll the produc-
ton were Minnie A. Saxton. Camille
Little, Marian Robinson. Beatrice Pol
lock. Edna Wright. Donald Thompson.
Louis Smith. Laura Lejeune, Daniel
Wright. V. Barton. E. Branson, j. But
Ter, A. ". Concklin. NJ. Mccarthy, r..
Richards, J. Richards. f.. Woodson. NJ.
Newcomb. r. Jones. f. Waller. j..
Mason. F.. Whitesides. NJ. Woodson. S
Gordon. NJ. L. Whitesides, j. Hoffman,
L. Newcomb. l.. Goodhue. NJ. Burke,
Mitchell. w. Avery. D. Wright, r. Alien,
R. Bond, J. Poole. NJ Atkinson, X.
Sweet 8. Emmerson and b. Randolph
Enid Sims. premier dancer" deserved
the honor conferred.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
Anti-saloon League Statement.

The statement issued by the Anti
Saloon League is as follows:
THE Anti-Saloon League is aware of
some misunderstanding in certain quar-
tiers as to the meeting announced to be
held in the New National Theater to-
morrow Sunday afternoon. 1t seems
not to be clear to all that the meeting
is in the interest of the proposed refer
endum on prohibition for the District,
and that it has the support of the
liquor interests. 1t is reported that at
a meeting held to plan for the theater
meeting William u. Barry, the presi-
dent of the Retail Liquor Dealers AS
ISOLATION of the District. presided and
that other members of the association
were present
The Anti-Saloon League being op-
posed to referendum is not support
ing the meeting in the New National
Theater. but will voice it's opposition to
such referendum at d prohibition mass
meeting Sunday afternoon at Polls
Theater at the same hour.
There also is some confusion a 8 to
the attitude of the league toward the
question of suffrage for the District.
1t is charged that it is opposing suf-
frage. AS an organization the league
can take no part either for or against
suffrage. 1t is not opposing it now,
nor has it ever done so. The question
is one of Importance and no doubt will
require careful consideration in the
future. but it is not now under con-
sheraton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
Why It Opposes Referendum.

But the league is opposed to the
referendum in the present fight for Dis
trict prohibition. approximately $4,000
residents, many OF them taxpayers
here. retain their citizenship in their
respective states and would not give
up their permanent franchise and en-
danger their government position in
order to vote on prohibition or any
other question in the District. citi-
zen may not enjoy voting privileges in
two jurisdictions at one time
Thus would the determination Of a
terests of the National Capital be left
in the hands of too large proportion
Of those who are directly or indirectly
financially interested in the saloon and
to those who have been debauched by
the saloon. Before the machinery for
registering tine votes and conducting
the election could be perfected frauds
would be committed and the result
would likely be such a farce as would
bias the consideration of the general
question of suffrage for the District
which many of our best citizens favor
1T has been made known that the
local liquor interests are demanding
vote on prohibition. Do the liquor in
terests really desire vote? 1t is sus-
pected that the demand is made in or
der to confuse the issue. and to delay
and defeat action on the Sheppard pro-
the liquor interests are so willing and
anxious to submit their fate to the
expressed will Of the people at the
ballot box as they try to make it ap-
pear, even under so favorable condi,
tions for them"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-04
Neutral on Prohibition Question

Our committee is not tied up to any
special interest on either side of the
question. 1t has extended an invitation
broadcast without regard to afiliat ton
on the prohibition question and the
people of Washington can depend upon
lows il will be carried out along the
same broad lines of general public in
terest.
LAS already indicated. the people of
Washington can best appreciate the po-
sition we are maintaining by attend
ing the meeting. 1t is open to the
citizens of Washington, generally. their
families and friends"