davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-12-29
WAR AND THE UNITED STATES.

Diplomatic difficulties growing out
Of the war in Europe continued to
confront the United States govern
ment throughout the past year. The
submarine controversy with Germany.
since the sinking of the Lusitania. was
intensified March 2. when the British
Channel steamer Sussex and the Brit
ish steamer Englishman. both Of which
carried Americans. were torpedOed
and sunk without warning. This oc-
CURED about two weeks after congress-.
at the urging Of the president, had re-
fused to adopt q resolution warning
Americans to remain OF armed mer-
chant ships Of the belligerents. The
german government at drst denied any
responsibility for the attack on the
Sussex, and on April Is President VII
son addressed a note which amounted
practically to an ultimatum to the Ger
man government. In this note the pres
ident declared that unless Germany
Immediately declared and effected an
abandonment Of Its methods of sub
marine warfare against passenger and
States could have no choice but to
sever diplomatic relations with the
German empire altogether" Ger
many's reply to this note. received In
Washington May 8. promised compli-
ance IN the future with the laws OF
warfare In its submarine operations.
A supplementary note from Berlin. re-
ceived May 10. admitted that the Sus-
sex was torpedoed, expressed regret.
offered indemnity and declared that
the submarine commander had been
punished. No further serious contro
versy occurred with Germany until
after the sinking Of the Marina, with
Americans aboard, October %. 1t was
charged that the vessel was torpedoed
without warning. After an investiga-
ton Germany assumed responsibility
for the sinking Of the boat, declaring
that the captain Of the submarine
port.
An interchange of notes between the
United States and the entente govern
ments. regarding the seizure and exam
nation Of American mails. was produc-
tive of little result. In several COM
municntions Great Britain and France
insisted upon their rights to examine
neutral mails, but on October II they
made some slight concessions. promis-
ing to improve the mail service be-
tween America and neutral countries.
A blacklist against American firms
and individuals. charged with dealing
with Germany. which was published
by Great Britain July IS, and by
France August 6. brought emphatic
protests from the United States gov
ernment. but on November IA Great
Britain formally rejected the American
protests, declaring that the blacklist
was not aimed at neutrals
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-12-29
DISASTERS ON LAND AND SEA

Thousands Of lives were lost during
the year by the sinking Of merchant
vessels and warships as q result Of
their being torpedoed BY submarines
or blown up by mines. The greatest
loss Of life In accidents or attacks
Of this kind occurred February Is,
when the French cruiser Provence
was. sunk In the Mediterranean sea,
and 3,l3O persons were drowned.
April %. more than 1000 lives were
lost in n collision between q Chlness
cruiser and a transport.
February 2. the Japanese liner
Daijin was sunk In collision and 100
lives were lost.
February 8. the French cruiser
Admiral Charnier was torpedoed and
sunk with loss of 374 lives. February
l6. nine persons were killed when the
opera house at Mexia, Tex. was de-
stroyed by fire. February 20. great
snowslides in the Salzburg alps killed
nearly 100 persons. February q, ten
persons were killed In q triple COL
iision on the New York, New Haven
4 Hartford railroad. near Bridgeport,
Conn. February %. an explosion In
a mine at Kempton, w. Va, killed IS
men.
March 5, the Spanish steamer Prin-
cipe de Asturias struck q rock and
sank of the coast of Brazil, with a
loss of 200 lives.
and many were injured In a collision
on the New York Central railroad
near Cleveland. o.
April 10. Kansas and Missouri were
swept by tornadoes which killed II
persons. June 5. tornadOes killed 81
persons In Arkansas and 40 In other
middle western states. May 8. the
steamer Kirby sank in Lake Superior
and ~ lives were lost. May Is. an
explosion in the Du Pont powder plant
at Gibbstown. N. j., killed 13 men.
Hundreds Of fishermen were lost In
a monsoon of the CeylOn coast,
July 20. July "a, % men were killed
by an explosion of gas In q water tun-
mel at Cleveland. o. A trolley wreck
at JOhnstown, Pa., took toll Of 25
lives. August II. August %. the Unit
ed States cruiser Memphis was
wrecked by storm In the harbor at
Santo Domingo and II lives were lost.
Twenty-seven men were killed Sep
tember II. when the central span Of q
great bridge being built over the St.
Lawrence river at Quebec. col
lapsed and fell. September Is, .
great dam near Hannwald. Bohemia,
burst and 300 persons were drowned.
A fire In the Christian Brothers col
lege at st. Louis. Mo-. killed nine men,
October 5. and ~ persons lost their
lives In a fire which destroyed q hos
pital at Farnham, Que. October r.
:;ovember 3. the steamers ConnemarA
and Retriever were sunk by q collision
in the Irish sea and 90 were lost. On
November Z. so lives we're lost when
a Boston IL" car plunged OF a bridge.
An explosion at Bakaritza. Russia,
November p, resulted in the death q
341 persons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
BIG FRENCH GAINS

Paris, July 2O.-The French forces I've captured the entire first Ger an positions extending from Estrees the height of vermandouvillers ac- |rding to the official statement is- led by the war office tonight. They so have taken on both sides of the Eer about 2900 prisoners in today's |gagements. The statement reads:
 "To the north of the Somme we are the position conquered us this morning.
 "South of the Somme we extended tr front of attack in the course of the ternoon and captured the entire first erman position from Estrees as far the height of Vermandouvillers
 'In the course of the fighting today e captured on the two sides of the yer about 2900 prisoners, of whom
 were officers. Three cannon, about
 machine guns and important mate al likewise remained in our hands.
 "On the right bank of the Mouse we 'ntinued to progress by the use of .e grenade west of the Thiaumont
 (Continued on Page Twelve)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
LOWER PEACHTREE IN
 GREAT NEED STILL
Alabama Senators Receive Word That People in That Section Are
 Actually Starving

Washington, July 0.-(Special.)- )-Re- ports reaching Alabama representatives in Congress today are to the effect that residents of Lower Peachtree are ac- tually starving as result of the storms, and that people in sections near Mobile are in destitute circumstances.
 w. M. Clemens, secretary of the Mo- bile Chamber of Commerce, wires Sesk- ators Bankhead and Underwood that immediate action of the government in furnishing supplies and seed for re- planting is necessary. Former Senator Bourne of Oregon. now a resident of Baldwin county, reaching Washington today. declared that the ferocity of the storm transcended the most vivid de- scription and that the aid of the gov ernment was imperative.
 The agricultural department today ordered it's agents in Alabama to make an investigation of conditions In every county of the state as to the need for seed for replanting destroyed crops. The department declared that it could purchase seed of every variety at a minutes notice as soon as authorize tion was had. There was a great de- mand for six-weeks corn. soy beans, COW pears and other seed which in part will make up for the. partial destruction of cotton and corn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
Summary of the News
GENERAL NEWS

GEN ERAL NEWS 1-Teutons defending on all fronts President drives with iron hand. Elderly BretOns dash at Germans in boyish fury.
 Will investigate English failures. LaFollette again delays naval bill. Villa said to have won victory. Children die at tremendous rate. Tell of death Is increasing from havoc of floods.
 Cnrranxa agrees to plan outlined for neg0tiations. City will he logical place for credit bank
 LOCAL NEWS EOsear Wells says Birmingham Is in hank fight to win.
 Lumsden leaves and Dr. Fox arr riycs today. 3-Bcssemer plants pay off Saturday. 5-Smith to confer with McCormick. Property owners seek adjustment before tax board.
 Dr. Lumsden tells why our 5000 dry closets are city's greatest Urges help for flood sufferers. Typohid outbreak was caused by ice cream of local manufacture. Will seek federal aid to construct Warrior highway.
 Big corporations in lively contest. | 0--Alabama ginnera to elect officers. Bankruptcx petition filed by as- phnlt company. s. lS S.
 FEATURES 4-Editorfal comment. 6-society and Dolly Dalrympie., 
 SPORTS <. S-BnrOna drop close one to Pele. Christy Mnthewson Is traded ta Reds to bec0me new pilot. Y National tourney plans announced Food for fandom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
ELDERLY BRETONS
 DASH AT GERMANS
 IN B0YISH FURY
Peaceful Men of French Coast Province Proving Warriors of Spirit
 and Daring

Paris. July 20.-A notable tribute to the fighting abilities of the elderly Breton troops is given by the report of an official observer at the battle of the Somme.
 Those Breton reservists,' says the report, dashed at the Germans with the spirit of young men, Many times in this war they have distinguished themselves, but 1t was difficult to inn agine that these men of such calm as- pect could transform themselves into impetuous troopers and rush at the enemy with all the fire of youth The extraordinary resources of their tenn perament had not been fully realized before.
 "The general in chief already had declared that these men had proved the difference between the regulars the fact that these veterans marched like the recruits of the youngest class. At o'clock they started forward sing ing the 'Marseillaise' and at 9:30 they dashed to the attack with their sec tions aligned as if on dress parade.
 The official report lays stress on the complexity of the preparatio for a military operation on a grand scale. exceeding in its multiplicity of detail that of the largest industrial enter prise. Besides the plan of attack and the choice of the battle ground an es- innate of the number of effectives $ necessary. There also are hundred |contributory details to be studied such as the enemy's system of defense. the placing of artillery in co-ordinatins (Continued on Page Three)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
CHILDREN DIE AT TREMENDOUS RATE Epidemic in New York Is Killing in 20 Per Cent
 of Cases

New York, July 20-Health depart- ment officials and physicians who have been attempting to discover remedy for infantile paralysis showed keen interest today in a statement made by pr. N. McL Whitaker If Brooklyn that in about dozen cases of the disease treated by him benefit cial results had been obtained from hypodermic injections of quinine and ureahydrochloride.
 pr. Whitaker said tonight that this prescription can be used internally. but that he prefers to use it as an injec- ton because 1t acts as an anaesthetic and does not disturb the child's stom- ach, as when given internally. In all cases he had treated, he said. marked improvement had been observed In . few hours.
 Referring to pr. Whittaker's experi- ments, Health Commissioner Emerson said that the treatment had been used
 (Continued on Page Twol
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
REGIMENT
 ID ELECT COLONEL 10 SUCCEED WEISS
T. c. I. Company Issues Pay to Men Who Left Employ to Join Service-New
 Battery Forming

Montgomery, July 20.-(SpeciaL )--All of the officers and enlisted men on recruit ing service throughout the state have been ordered to report at mobilization camp, Montgomery, and no more fur loughs are to be issued. under orders from headquarters. This is thought to indicate an early movement of the troops.
 Montgomery. July 20.-(Special) Jon final confirmation of the report that Col William F. Weiss will, not be rein stated by the war department an elec- tion will be called in the Second regi- will elect colonel to succeed him in that position.
 Senators Bankhead and Underwood have been active in their efforts to have the war department waive the disabili- ties that caused Colonel Weiss rejec- tion by the examinating surgeons Wednesday the report came from Wash ington that the department had passed the question up to Gen. Leonard Wood. commanding the department of the east, and that General Wood had turned down the request that the disabilities be waived in this case. as he has done in many similar cases, arising in other states covered by his department in the present mobilization.
 Another pay day in camp will bring prosperity to soldiers who were in the employ of the Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company at the time of their enlistment in the service of their coun- try with the National Guard under tho present call.s Capt. c. P. Noland of Bat tery c has given notice to all of the men who were employed by the T. c. I.
 tContinued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
LAF0[LETTE AGAIN DELAYS NAVAL BILL Speaks Seven Hours to Stop Preparations for Defense
 of Country

Washington. July N.-senator LaFol- lette again delayed passage of the naval bill today. continuing until a few min utes before adjournment the attack he began yesterday against the measure As soon as he concluded the Senate defeated, A to 8, his amendment to prohibit use of the navy to collect private debts or en- force claims of American citizens or cor porations. A substitute by Senator Nor ris to prevent such employment of naval vessels until court procedures had been exhausted and arbitration denied also was defeated.
 In a seven-hour speech Senator LaFol- lette charged that the big financial in- terests of the country centered in two great Wall street groups, known as the Morgan and Standard oil combinations. were responsible for the movement for large army and navy Speaking on his amendment. the Wisconsin senator de- clared he had been informed upon good authority that General Carranza was ne-
 sCoatinued on Page Threel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
Texas Hotel Man Kills
 Major of Sixth Cavalry

Alpine, Tex. July 20.-Maj. M. c. Butler of the Sixth United States cavalry and Mrs. H. J. Spannell. with whom he was out riding in an automobile, were shot and killed this afternoon by H. J. Span nell, husband of the woman.
 Immediately after the shooting Spannell went to the jail and surrendered Mrs. Spannell was, the daughter of MT. and Mrs, John Holland, well known residents of Alpine Spannell is the proprietor of the Holland hotel here.
 Nashville, Tenn, July 20.-Mrs. M. c. Butler wife of Major Butler, who before her marriage was Miss Margaret Howell. daughter of the late M. B. Howell, Sr., one of Nashville's leading lawyers, only short time ago left the city to join her husband on the border. They were married Il years ago and there Is one child, M. c. Butler, Jr
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
VILLA IS SAID ID HAVE WON VICTORY Reported That Government Garrison at T0rreOn Has
 Been Captured

Fl Paso. Tex, July 20.-Reports were circulated tonight in Juarez that the Carranza garrison at Torreon, Durango. 13o miles south of Parral. had capitu- lated today to the main Villa band. led by the bandit chieftain. The rumors also were to the effect that Villa. rid ing in a coach, crutch at his side, went into the town and received the surrender of the government com mander.
 Neither Gen. Francisco Gonzales. Juarez commander, nor General Bell. commandant here, were inclined to place any credence in the story. Gen. eral Gonzales said latest reports of the bandit campaign were contained in to- days Chihuahua City press dispatches.
 Arrivals from Chihuahua City today said a Villa attack on Parral a week ago last Sunday failed because a vil- la leader disobeyed orders. The Villa commander of 500 men. they declared.
 iContinued on Page Twol
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
MILL INVESTIGATE
 ENGLISH FA|LURES 4squith Consents to De- mands Made in Parlia-
 ment for Inquiry

London. July 20.-The government hs consented to the demands in the |ouse of Commons and the House of Prds for investigations in the Dar- hnelles and Mesopotamian campaign. Femier Asquith announced in the |ouse of Commons today.
 Inquiries will be held by small Pdies. composed of both houses and a Fpresentative of Australia, whose loops played prominent part at ths ardanelles. added the premier, and |tll be secret.
 Sir Edward Carson. who had moved he investigation in the Commons, ac- opted Premier Asquith's proposal and |ithdrew his motion. Sir Edward said D hoped the government was satisfied Eerything possible was being done 70 emedy what seemed from the corre- pondence has been very disastrous late of affairs In Mesopotamia It was oped, he said. that in co-ordinat tion |ith tho Russian attempt in that quar-
 tCsntinuea sn Pare 7wsl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
ALTA PASS REPORT DENIED

ALTA PASS hEPORl DENlED
 Asheville, N. C., July 20.-Denial from Spartanburg, S. C., of today's state ment that 10 lives had been lost at Alta Pass, N. C., in Sundays floods, caused the belief here tonight that the Alta Pass situation had been con fused with previous reports of Il deaths in another section of Mitchell county. ". H. Suttle. who brought the report here today resides in the coun- try near here and could not be found tonight and there was no wire com munication with points in the Alta Pass section. Members of the firm for which Suttle works said they thought his information might have confused the reports. Taking away the 10 re- ported deaths at Alta Pass would re- duce the death list throughout the flood swept sections to 7S, with pos abilities that some of these may be duplication. A number of persons still are reported missing. however.
 The general situation is much im- proved. Railroads and industrial con- cerns are rushing repair work and To- cal committees are caring for flood sufferers. It was hoped the Southern line from here to Spartanburg would be opened Tuesday next.
 As the waters returned to normal in French Broad valley near here damage was seen to be less than first feared, and it was said today that total loss around lower Asheville and at Biltmore would not exceed $75O,0OO. The latter esti- mate was basade on statements of some of the heaviest losers, among them being reduced to s25,000 it's first estimate of $75 GOO damage, and the Graham County Lumber company, which dropped its loss estimate today from s5O,OOO to $250O0. Many other concerns have lowered their esti- mates as receding water gave them an opportunity to make correct estimate.
 Nc more deaths have been reported in this section, it being apparent that the vania to Madison counties will stand at 20, as announced several days ago.
 Mayor Rankin of Asheville, today is- sued statement in which he said he deplored exaggerated reports of the flood which had appeared in certain news papers, and in which he stated that the Associated Press reports had been flair and accurate' He again called attention to the fact that the flood did not touch the city of Asheville proper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
Additional Reports From Devastated Sections Bring
 List Near One Hundred
THOUSANDS SUFFER
 IN WATERS PATHWAY
Industrial Plants Are Shut Down and Unemployment Is Great-Rail- roads Are Rushing Work on
 Repair of Damage

With the subsiding of the high wa ters which for the past few days have made torrents of the streams of west ern North and South Carolina, the citizens are taking stock of the great damage done, and it is seen that the first estimates of the losses were not much too high.
 100 and at least nine men are still un- accounted for, but it is possible that some of the deaths reported are the result of repetition and in some cases denials have been made of loss of life in some sections
 The property damage will be enor- nous and there Is now and will be for days to come much suffering among the poorer people of those sec tions where industrial plants have been forced to suspend operations. AL ready requests for government aid have been made through representa- tives in Congress.
 Large forces of workmen are rushing repairs to railroads, but it probably will be several weeks before normal tran schedules are resumed on the brancf railroad lines in the flooded area. Al main line tracks of the Southern, At lantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line railroads are open on normal schedules
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
SERIOUS PRIvATIONS

North Wilkesboro, N. C.. July 20.-Seri- ous privation exists in the more remote districts of Wilkes, Ashe, Caldwell, Watauga and parts of Alexander coun- ties in this state as a result of recent floods and persons arriving from the headwaters of streams in these counties say many families have nothing to eat but Notatoes. A mass meeting was held here last night and appeals made for outside aid.
 Two additional deaths were reported from Ashe county today. Jonathan Perry and a daughter of Robert Clary.
 The line of the Virginia and Carolina railroad running to Elkland through Ashe and Watauga has been reported as al- most completely obliterated and some travellers say it will take months to re- build it. Men who have ridden in on horseback report that 30 homes have been washed away on Roaring river. a score on the Yadkin river. 1s on Reddie's river, IA on Mulberry creek and others on Elk river.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
HEALTH WARNING ISSUED

Charlotte, N. C., July 20.-The body of J. N. Gordon of Charlotte, a Southern railway car inspector. was found lodged on Rock island. seven miles below Bel mont in the Catawba river. today. and was brought to this city for burial. Two white men and six negroes are yet un- accounted for as the result of the wash ing away of the Southern's Belmont bridge Sunday afternoon and all are be- lieved to be dead. Search will be con- tinued tomorrow for their bodies.
 The body of H. P. Griffin. supervisor. found at Belmont Wednesday. was to- day taken to Liberty. s. O., his former home, for burial.
 The receding of the flood of the Ca
 (Continued oa Page Twelvel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21

Flood waters which swept parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Vir- ginia, Tennessee and West Virginia, taking a toll of nearly hundred lives, rendering hundreds of persons home less and doing property damage vari- ously estimated at from ten million to fifteen million dollars, were the most disastrous in the history of the south. The upper picture shows crowds watching the water rise before the situation became perilous. The lower picture shows a group of refu- gees who have sought shelter in the outlying mountains and hills.