davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
FEAR FUR LIFE
 LEADS SMITH ID
 BABE HIS STORY
tRepusnean A. p. Leased wlrel


 SAN FRANCISCO. Dee. l5. That fcar for hs life at the hands Of sup posed German spies drove him 10 bare his story before federal authorities was testified today by Louis J Smith. the rovernmenl's chief witness in it's con spiracy suit against Franz Bopp. Ger man consul general here. and six CO., defendants.
 Bopp. with Vice Consul l.. II. Von Schack. Lieut.. c. W. von Brlaokcn. C C. Crowley. detective. and his as distant. Mrs Margaret ". Cornell. smith and J. von Koolberxen are charged with conspiracy to violate American neutrality by blowing up munitions shipments in Canada in 1915 The first five names are on trial In the United States district court.
 smiths revelation was dramatic Throughout a day of cross examination Theodore Roche. chicf counsel for the defense. had been trying tO extract from Smith an admission that his tes- timony had grown out of an alleged attempt to blackmail the erman con- sulate general 4 letter from Smith " ' kAf N.WnHWl Nffl 0ffAFh. dated September 22. 1915. from Detroit had been introduced in evidence by the de- fense., One passage in the letter stated 1.
 All my correspondence I have kept. and that shows where l stand. also where you folks stand, SD now l see you mean Co treat me Ike the Jew from Sacramento was handled last May"
 Whom did you refer to by the Jew from Sacramento United States District Attorney John W Preston de- mauded on conclusion of the cross examination
 That was somebody who did work on the steamer Sacramento for the Germans and accepted money from both Germans and British for his in- formation smith responded MT. Crowley told me he wanted the Jew done away with. He said that was the party who was responsible for my being suspected of the Seattle dyna . mite explosion in May. 1915"
 You suspected then, that you were 10 be done away with Preston ques- toned.
 Three times" the witness answered. Two of the men who kept following me looked like Germans
 Don Rathbun. chief of the local bu- reau Of investigation for the depart ment of justice. said tonight that he knew Of no person. Jew or otherwise. who had been done away with" in connection with the steamer Sacra- mento--a vessel involved in charge of having carried munitions to the Ger man naval fleet operating in the Pacific
 Previous testimony by Smith dcvel- oped that following the alleged receipt oi Sl.I34 from Lieutenant yon Brincken on July 2S, 1915. on behalf of the Ger man consulate general for his supposed dynamitine activities. he had gone to Detroit and found work with the stree; car company. That he had sought out inc British consul at Detroit and asked for protection before going to the United States officials was brought out in cross examination. The mntter oi the alleged espionage upon smith was not pursued further.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
WANTS FREEDOM IN CARRYING ON
 HIS CAMP PAICN
IRepubuean A. p. Leased wireI


 FL PASO, Dec. 15.-A Mexican reached the boarder today from Villa $ camp at Greet. fifty miles west of Minaca in the Guerrero district oi Chihuahua with proposals for the United States government that Villa would refrain from further destruction of foreign life and property in Mexico on condition that the United States would not interfere in any way with his campaign aga;Ist the CarTanza government.
 This was officially announced late today by a high representative of the government here after Villas proposal had been forwarded to Washington by telegraph. Villa even offered to pro- tect all foreigners and their property from the raids of irresponsible bandits il was also stated. This proposal in- cluded all Americans in Mexico, 1t was added.
 At the camp where Villa had left his wounded in the Guerrero district, believed to be Guerrero town. num- Der of Carranza wounded were also heing treated hy Villas surgeons after they had promised to jon the Villa army, the Mcyicals report to govern ment agents stated. Villa had eight thousand well armed men and three shnCsand rifles in reserve, the Mexican courier reported and also number of arsiller,' pieces with him ana a supply of shells for these pieces.
 From sources here known to be Friendly to Villa it was learned today ftat Villa vas anxious 10 put himself !n a better light wiJh the Unied States government and this was said tO ac- count for the fact that no Americans or other foreigners other fhan Chinese and Arabs. were killed in Chihuahua City during the five days villa was in -centroL The local Villa paItisans say Villa had pleEty of time in which to hunt down and kill all the Americans in Chihuahua City had he wished Villa. his friends here say. has realized that he could never win his campaign against Carranza with the United States opposing him actively and they say nc Is wiling t0 give guarantees to Amer jeans and other foreigners in the zone of his operations if he is permitted 70 continue his campaign against the de facto government un mOlested These Villa partisans say Howard Gray was killed at Parral be- cause he had taken an active part m the political affairs around Parral and had even organized a small military forve there they cla.n
 ,ieneral Luis Herrara has returned from Tepenuanes, Durango. Co the Parral district O Chihuahua. accord ing to Information received oy the AlVarldu Mining and Milling company today. General Herrera left Parral on November 2, when Villa started his advance frcm Jlilinez 10 that mining csl 1p.
 Reports received here by military authorities today from western Chi huahua said Villa was preparing to advance or Santa ROsalia, Parral, and Jtninez after which he would recap tu-e Chihuahua City and take Torreon.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
TRepuhIIcan h. D. Lea.ed WIrel

IbcphBNFdH t.- P. Eea5e0 Wirel
 WASHINGTON. Dee. l5.-Legisla- tive measures aimed al destruction Of the liquor traffic continue to accu- mulate in congress as both houses are deiuged with petitions from all parts of the country urging adoption of the national prohibition constitutional an endment and passage of anti-liquor measures including the Sheppard bill to prohibit lhe manufacture and sale of liquor in the District of Columbia.
 The house postoffiee committee re- ported fayOrabiy a idll by Represent atiye Randall of California designed 10 close the mails absolutely to advertis- ine of any intoxicating liquors and to deny mall order houses the right to go into either wet or dry territory 10 solicit sales through the medium of the naiis
 No move was made oy prohibition leaders in the house regarding the constitutional amendment reported yesterday from the house committee, but Representative Webb chairman of the committee, proceeded to ask the rules comsnittee for a special rule to get the resolution before the house soon after the holidays.
 House members are reflecting on the prospects for it's passage and the eon- census Of opinion sceris 10 be that l. cannot get the necessary two-third,; majority in the sixty-fourth congress.
 The District of Columbia prohibi ton bill was under consideration for seFeral hours in the senate today but wis tempofarily laid aside after Sen ator sheppard had sought an agree nent to ycte next Monday. When op- nHnents ot ihe measure gignified that they would he ready for final vote
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
MR. WILSON HAS NO
 MEDIATION PLAN

tical the state department does not desire to transmit three different yer sions and when all three are in hand tomorrow, a plan to avoid this will be determined upon.
 Tn England, France and Japan this government represents all three leu tonic countries and will therefore de- liver three separate notes. In Russia and Serbia the United States repre- sents Austria and Germany and will have to send in two separate notes Only to Belgium where Austria is represented and to Rumania. where Germany is represented, will it be possible to send only one note.
 To avoid duplication on cables by sending several copies of the same note to the same country, and also to insure one official version for all three notes entrusted 10 this govern ment il is possible that careful translation will be made al the de- partment and compared with the texts as arriving here. Even this involves 9 certain amount Of interpretation in translation and some officials think it woulG be safer to direct the three American anbassadors in Berlin, Nicnra and Constantinaple to send on the texts handed to them by the re- spective foreign offices for transmits sion in their original form to the countries named
 Switzerland's action in handing the German note to Italy without com ment as announced in the Berlin par liamcnt by Foreign Minister Sonninc was roted here with interest
 Definite indication of the attitude Of the entente allies is eXpected in the speech of David Lloyd George. the British prime minister next Tuesday
 Meanwhile. the authorized state men. of the German embassy here that partial disarmament will be one Of the subjects taken up at any peace conference is being disC ussed gen craliy in official and diplomatic circles, Y ith speculation IS to how far in this Germany might be willing to go.
 American diplomacy in the various ques ions relating to the war may he said 10 have stopped short tempo rarily. with the annourcmeert Of the Teutonic offer to talk peace. Tem- porari'v cut If mind are tfe suhma- rne issue. which again had reached an aggravated state with the com nletion of evidence that the steamers Marina and Arabia Were sunk with out varning or provision for the safe L. Of those on board and the Belgian deportation as 10 which Germany has just replied in a note believed to he to the state depart meut All the pending questions with Fngland are also dormant
 Peace has been given the rirht Of wav af the department and it has been physically impossible for 0ffi- cials already overwOrF"d with work. ta give immediate attention to other business waiting on their desks.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
REORGANIZATION OF
 PROGRESSIVE PARTY
 |S AGREED UPON
rRepubliesn A. P. Leased wireI


 NEW YORK. Dec. l5.-" ReincaTna tion" Of the progressive party with a new sense of party independence" based upon the new liberal spirit" was agreed upon at a conference Of promi- nent progfessives from several states held here today.
 Funds were subscribed Go open national progressive headquarters in this city until the national convention meets in St. Louis. Permission for those leading progfessives who have made party mistakes" to re-enter the party was discussed but no action taken.
 Assurances were also given Co those who seemed to fear that the reaction ary group Of progressiyes" might gain control of the St. Louis convention that only those known 10 be loyal and true progressives who had refused to go over to the republicans or democrats" would have . voice. in organizing the new party. The conference which was called by Nathan Hale of Boston. na- tional vice chairman of the progressive party, lasted three hours. Mr Hale was authorized to select q committee to plan for the national convention some time in February Its members will be announced later
 4 resolution reaffirming the pro- gressive platform was adopted. Amend ments expressing the desire of the progressives to cooperate with the liberal element of every party and to disregard any party utilization since that time. even the choice of the pro- gressiye element in the recent elction. were attached to the resolution.
 Letters and telegrams read at he conference from prOgrcssives who could not attend showed that thirty six states were represented.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
LEAVE ME ALONE AND I'LL
 PROTECT FOREIGNERS, SAYS
 VILLA TO UNITED STATES
FARM CROP RECORDS
 BROKEN AS TO VALUES

Sl,oOS. .S94, 900. an increase of s95,25O,- 00O
 Compared with last years value, other crops showed the following in- creases:
 Oats. s9s,s7s.oo0; potatoes s95,O7l,- coo: tobacco $72,727000; barley s4l.- 36200O: rye s12.774,000; buckwheat s1.521 900; flax seed $13.e40 900: rice s10,974,000: sweet potatoes Sl3.l6l. 900; sugar beets S4.243.000: beans Sl7 7,qe2. 00O; kaffirs S2.112.000; onions sl,60l. 900; apples s27 7,e60. 900; oranges, $9,- 545.000. and wild hay Sll.053.0 600.
 tlnal estimates of production showed a decrease of 60000. 900 bushels in corn from the November estimate and g. . ,000 bushels increase in wheat.
 A revision of the 1915 estimates of crop production was announced by the department showing the corn crop to have been 2.994. 793.0O0 bushels last year reduction of 59.7420o0 bushels from previous estimates, and wheat for 1915 was placed at .025. .S01 900 bush els an increase of i3.296, 900 bushels over estimates made last December. The revised figures showed changes in other crops
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
Republican A. p. Leased Wlrel

IftpuDllCdn A. r. icdS1u wire
 WASHINGTON, Dec. l5.-President Wilson has decided that the notes Of the central powers rrcposing discus- sion of peace 10 the entcnte ahies win be sent forward by the American government actlng as intermediary without any accompanying meAiation offer Of it's CWn. He has not deler- miaed Wnetler any action in behalf of peace win be taken later by the United States on it's own account but k holoins himself in readiness to serve in any Way possible toward bringing the warning nations together
 The course 10 be pursued vas made known tonight after the president had conferred with Secretary Lansing. and after a prolonged cabinet meeting II was stated that the delay In forward ing the notes to the entente capitals was due to the fact that the mess ges received from Germany. Austria Hun- gary and Turkey, identical in sub stance, differed slightly in phrase- ol0gy as a result of different trlus- lations They probably will be put on the cables tomorrow.
 Since the first rotc arrived. the one from Germany the president aui his closest advisors have been absorbed in study of the situation created The Austtian note followed ard tEe one from Turkey came latc today. too late to be translated Tor the C; inet meeting. Those from Germany and Austria have been gone over carefully by the president and SecretIy Lam sins to make certain of thrir Wc8n-
 ns and so tuat tles rl- he sure 10 properly represent tha iater; D. the central Towcrs
 The fact that the cabinet meeting today lasted more than three hours and was .he most prolonged of the year. attracted profound attention in official circles and led to all sorts Of speculation. lt was cXrlained author itatively later. however. that the meeting was devoted largely 10 con sidcration of departmental me etters. and had been prolonged because f was the first time since the cam paign that all the members had been present
 Tn other quarters than the White House it was learned that soma word indicating the official attitude of fae entente allies toward the peace pro posal is being aual:ed with the deep est interest hy the American govern ment The president Nill not consider injecting the United States in'o the situation until he is thoroughly fla miliar with all its phases.
 Secretarv Lansing, explaining the delny in transmitting the eommuni- cations Of the central powers. pointed out that tho German rotc vas trans iafed into Errlish hr Charge Grew at Berlin and the anc from Austria hV Amha ssadnr PenfieiH af Nienra. while the Turkish nofe camc 10 the state department in French As fhe com were intended to he iden-
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
YAVAPA| MEN ARE KILLED BY
 THEIR CAPTIVES
(special to inc Reprblioan.l

SENATOR, Dec. lJ.-Caught after having robbed ranch house and on their way 10 Prescott, two unknown men turned on their captors. Nelson and John simpson near Senator this morning. shO' them dead and made their escape. Not content with infifct- ing what was probably instant death on the two old men whose home they had plundered. the pair turned loose n perfect fusillade of shots. apparntly emptNing their siX-shOoters One of the Simpsons horses was riddlcd with bullets the other terrified made his escape.
 News of the Killing was brought 10 the attention Of people In Senator by two Lows ot fifteen. the only witnesses to the tragedy. Notice was sent to Prescott. and sheriffs posses were hurriedlv formed. go that tonight. tho hills ave being secured. in every direc- tion from the scene Of the tragedy.
 Nelson Simpson was age 45 and John Simpson sixty. They were we'll to-dc mining and cattlemen. operating in the Bradsha.s some miles east of this place. They foynd the two un- known men who had pillaged their home. and armed with Iifles. took them into custody. mounted their hor- scs and were riding herd on their aptives toward the county seat
 The shooting %as apparently at a precc peerted signal Neither of the simpsons could have known the tram8s were armed: they made ne attempt to secJre guns or other Weap- 1nc it was early this morning when h. four nearcd Senator. The brothers wcrc riding about twenty feet behind heir captires. when tho latter turned swiftly and opened fire. Nelson Simp- son was shot through the head. John simpson was shct through the heart and again through the abdomen. Neither had chance to use n gun
 According to the witness, about a dozen shots were fired. indicating that ip their wild desire to destroy. the robbers had eniptied their guns
 The eseape was swift and complete No trace cf the killers could be found when men. called by the two ~boys from Senator. reached the scene.
 The boys were near enough to the ragedv to secure good desription of the men. and these have been fur niShed to score Of men who are prosecuting the most vigorous man. lunf YaYapai county has known in many years lt k said that escape is almost hopeless. as inc entire cauutrN- side has been warned by telephone, md hundreds are on the watch for he fUgitites.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
D1sarmament Py0b0sal
 Causes Wheat t0 Dyob

of series of. additional smashes that carried the market just four cents a pushed s.ill lower. Stock market weak ness anJ reports that leading neutral ls. especially the United States. were giv- Ing indications Of readiness to assist in stepping the war. tended materially to keep the wheat market headed most Of the time for lower levels. Estimates from Washington that tle 1916 yield of wheat in the United States was 22.O00c coo bushels more than was gen eriilly supposed did n good deal to discourage bulls yet further in the last part of the session,
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
simpsons Had Warrant

PRESCOTT. Dee I5.-Jehn and %elsrn Slmnsep. brothers were mur- aered at crook canyon bY two unden- uned men whon they were bringing .o Prescott to deliver to the sheriff
 The home Of the Simpsons. cattle men. iu Humhug district was robbed several days ago. Securing warrant 't Crown King the brothers started iE pursuit of the thieves and captured them. telephonlng the sheriffs office C. meet them and take charge of ths prisoners hst rlwht at the Senator mine. Officers were sent to the mine and after walt Of several hours re turned Co town.
 This morning the bodies of the brothers were fo1nd in the road. each having three ballet wounds. II is eyi- dent that they failed to search the prisoners and the latter waiting their chance killed their captors and made their escape During the battle Of bul-
 fContinued on Page TwoD
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
CHAPLAIN IS FOUND. GUILTY AT
 CLOSE .OF HIS SECOND TRIAL

given sentence of fifteen years Both are in San Quentin prison.
 MettheV A. Schmidt was found snilty and sentenced 10 life impris- onment last December His appeal is pending.
 disagreement was reported by the jury at Caplan's first trial.
 Caplan's second trial began October %. Practically the same evidence as adduced at former trials was pre- eautpi
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
[sepubican A. p. Leased wIreI

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-All rec ords for value of the country's impor- tant farm crops were exhausted this year despite the smaller size of the crops Their value was placed at S7. .641. 609. 900 today by the department of agriculture in it's final estimates of the year. That is s1.750 0000,0 900 more than the same crops were worth last year. Higher prices due partly To re- duced production and partly to the de- mands for American food from the warning nations of Europe were re- sponsible for the vast increase in value.
 Four crops each were worth more than billion dollars. Corn, with a total value of S2.295. 7S3, ,O00, showed the greatest increase being worth s57S.- l0S. 900 more than last years output.
 Cotton, the second most valuable, with a total of SLOTS. .59S,0 GOO. increased S475.37S.000 over last year
 Wheat the third. was worth Si .025,- 765. 900. or sS3, 462. 900 over the year be- fore. when the production was almost 400 0.000, 900 bushels more.
 Hay was fourth with a value of
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
KAISER CONFIDENT
 GERMANS ARE VICTORS

people in the east which had thought to stick d dagger in the back of our ally" The judgment of God had fallen on them. the emperor declared, in the campaign which had been conducted. according Co the brilliant plans of Field Marshal von Hindenburg. The em- peror added:
 "The old God of battles directed We were His instruments and We are proud of it."
 Afterwards the correspondent states. the emperor talked to the officers for half hour on the RUmanian cam paign. which he is said to have de- scribed as the irony of fate" which had permitted the corn purchased hy the English to fall into German hands
 The English" the correspondent quotes the emperor as saying. paid for it We ate it and this has been called war of starvation
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
Dedth Closes Brilliant
 Cayeey 0f William C. MxON

Mr. Nixon began his railroad career as 9 bridge carpenter when he was F years old. His next job was night watchman on the Atchis0n. Topeka and Santa F'e at Ecmporia. Kans. He entered the santa F'e offices at AL buquerque, x. M.. then was made agent at Las Cruces. N. M.. sub- Sequentlv being trainmaster of the Southern Kansas, branch of the santa Fe and 1902, vice president and general manager of the latter road.
 In 1906 he became vice president ana general manager of the Frisco.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
WOULD CLOSE MAILS TO All
 FORNS IF LIQUOR ADVERTISING

at that time, Senator Jones of Wash lngton as a friend Of the bill. objected Co fixing the date Debate on the measure and the Underwood amend ment tn provide for a referendum On the issue % the voters of the District of ColuTnDia will te resumed tomor- TOW.
 Senator Shoot of Utah, declaring that he Sheppard bill is nake-shifi. submitted substitute today which would not only prohibit tte manu- facture and sale Of liquor in tho capi- 'al but also prevent it's Importation fnr personal use.
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
teepublicsn A. p. Leased wirel

ST LOUIS. Dee. William C. Nixon president of the St. Louis and Sen Francisco railroad. died at ' o'clock this afternoon.
 Mir. Nixon has been president of the railroad since it's reorganization few weeks ago. and dErng the receiver ship he was one of the three receiN CTS. being in charge of operations.
 NIT. Nixon has been in poor health for some time. and for the last two weeks he'd been in a critical condition Death was due to heart disease. He was 5S wears old,
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
SONG WRITER DIES

SANTA ROSA. Cal. Dee. Gj.-Ioseph T. Miles. author of the song famous aBI q Spanish war chant, "Therell be a hot time in the old town tonight. ls dead here today. Miles. who was q veteran actor. was known throughout the country as 'Joe Hayden" He was nearly 70 years old
Arizona republican., 1916-12-16
rRepublican A ?. Leased wlre1

NEW YORK. Dec. 16.-The United States transport Sumner. which went aground off Barnegal N J.. in a fog Monday night and which has resisted all efforts of tugs to draw her off the sand was believed early this morning