davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1916-12-07
Earlier Decision in War
Is Predicted by Germans,
Owing to Asquith's Step
Ey the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
AMSTERDAM. via London. December
THE resignation Of Premier Asquith
clears the situation, according to the
Koelnische Zeitung. Commenting on
the English political crisis the paper
says:
The enemy's last forces will now be
brought into the field and when they,
like the others. have hurled themselves
vainly against the strength of Ger
many we shall find England ready for
sn honest peace"
THE Cologne Volks Zeitung says that
the Germans can view political events
in England with complete composure.
The leading man." 1t says. lin. the most
powerful Of the enemy countries con-
firms by his resignation the failure Of
the war policy hitherto followed by the
entente. II the strong men in England
row come Into power. this can only
please us for II gives the hope that .
decision Will come all the earlier"
Evening star., 1916-12-07
ARABIA TRANSPORT,
BERLIN CONTENDS
Says British Steamer Was
Warship and Received
Treatment of One.
GERMAN NOTE MADE PUBLIC

Germany in a note made public by the
State Department today contends that
the British steamer Arabia. sunk in
the Mediterranean November 6. was in
reality "a transport ship for troops in
the service Of the British government.
which is to be considered as an aux
iliary warship. according to interna-
tional law. and can therefore be treat
ed like warship."
The note follows:
The undersigned has the honor to
inform Mr.. Grew. charge d'afraires of
the United States Of America. in reply
to the note of the 21st ultimo, foreign
office number 14401. that the investiga-
tion conducted bv the German govern
ment concerning the sinking of the
British steamer Arabia has led to the
following results:
On the morning of November a
German submarine encountered a large
steamer coming from the Cerigo
straits, 100 nautical miles west of the
Island of Cerigo. The steamer was
painted black and had black super
structures and not. as is otherwise the
case with the p. and o. line super
structures. light color; the steamer.
which was Identical with the Arabia.
was not travelling on the route regu-
,arly used by the passenger steamers
between Port Said and Malta, as is
made plain on the inclosed map. but
was taking zigzag course toward the
west 120 nautical miles north of that
route: this course, on which the sub
marine had passed three similar steam
ers at the same spot on the same
morning, leads from the Aegean TO
Malta, 80 that the Arabia was moving
on the transport route Cerigo-Malta.
used solely for war purposes according
to the experiences until now.
No Women and Children Seen.
The commander of the submarine
further ascertained that there were
large patches of Chinese and other COL
ored persons in their national costumes
on board the steamer: he considered
them to be workmen soldiers, such as
are used in great numbers behind the
front by the enemies Of Germany; in
spite of the clear weather and careful
observation he did not perceive any
women and children.
"In these circumstances the COM
mander of the submarine was convinced
that in the case of this steamer he was
concerned with a transport ship for
troops in the service of the British
government, which is to be considered
as an auxiliary WarShlp. according 10
international law, and can therefore be
treated like warship. He accordingly
considered himself Justified in attack
ing the steamer without delay. and
sank It.
Should the American government
4 give the ofilcial data showing that the
Arabia was at the time OF the torpe-
doing sn ordinary passenger steamer
the action of the commander would not
have been in accordance with the In
struetions given him. since these In
structions are now. as before. in agree
,nent with the assurances of the Ger
man note of May. 1915. This would
then be a case of a regrettable mistake
from which the German government
would promptly draw the appropriate
consequences.
The undersigned requests the charge
d'atfaires to bring the above to the
knowledge Of the American govern
ment, and avails himself
(Signed) ZIMMERMAN
Evening star., 1916-12-07
REPORT THAT BANDITS
KILLED U. S. MINING MAN
Hanging of HowarS Gray at Parrall
Announced, But Statement is Sub
sequently Discounted.

FL. pASO. Tex. December T.--Howard
Gray. an American mining man at Par
raj. chihuahua. was killed by Villa
bandits when they entered the town
November 5. according to a telegram
received today by the Alvarado Mining
and Milling Company.
messenger who arrived from Par
raj shortly after the telegram was
made public said Gray was hanged by
order of villa.
The telegram to the mining company
said all other Americans were safe
and that American property was not
harmed.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
Good Roads Advocate Dies.

SPRINGFIELD. Ohio. December T.
Jesse Taylor. director general of the
National Highways Association of
Washington. D. C., and president of the
Ohio Good Roads Federation, died at
his home at jamestown. Ohio, near
here. early today from Ertght's disease
Although born in Ohio. Mr.. Taylor at
one time held the offices OF prosecuting z
attorney and probate Judge at Garden
City, Kan. He was one OF the best
known good roads adkocates in the
country. &5
Evening star., 1916-12-07
President Sends Sympathy Message.

NEW YORK, December IA tele-
gram has been received from President
Wilson by George C. Boldt, jr.. extend
ing sympathy because Of the death yes
terday of Mr.. Boldt. ST.. proprietor of
the waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The mes
sage read:
5. May I not express my deepest and
sincerest sympathy to you in your
great bereavement. In the death of Mr..
Boldt the community has lost a man
OF singular genius and usefulhesa.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
carranza Troops Retake parra1.

Carranza troops have regained pos
session of Parral. according to State
Department advices from Ell Paso,
which say all Americans who were in
the city while 1t was held by Villa. IS
forces are safe.
Doubts that villa himself was in
Chihuahua when the city was taken
from the Carranza forces were re-
ported to have been raised by the story
of a deserter from Villas band, who
ing by telegraph from Bustiilos' ranch.
near chihuahua. His story was Eorwa rd-
ed to the War Department today by the
American military authorities at Ell
Paso.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
Former Broker Indicted for Murder.

OSSIPE. N. H., December 7.-Fred-
erick L. Small. formerly a Boston
broker. was indicted today for murder
by the grand Jury. which Investigated
the death OF his wife. Mrs. Arlene c,
Small, who was strangled, shot and
beaten to death In her home here, which
was burned In an attempt to conceal
the crime In September 2S last.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
DAY IN CONGRESS.
Senate,

Met at noon.
Resumed debate on corrupt
practices bill.
Discussed Hoke Smith bill for
retirement Of federal Judges who
reach seventy years OF age.
William J. Bryan opposed ex-
elusive federal regulation of rail-
roads before joint railroad in
vestigating committee.
Houses
Met at noon. -.
Secretary Baker advocated di-
version of waters to American
side of Niagara Falls before for
efgn affairs committee.
Consideration OF omnibus ash
hatcheries bin resumed.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
AUTHORITY IS GIVEN:
FOR MORE TRACKS
Extensions to Be Allowed
Principally on 18th and
18th Streets.
RELI EVE CAR CONGESTION

For the purpose of affording addi-
tional transportation facilities to the
government buildings now built and in
sylvania avenue and west of 18th street.
and also of relieving street car con-
gestion at 18th street and New York
avenue. the public utilities commission
today authorized the Capital Traction
Company to make important connec-
tions and extensions to its lines. prin-
cipally along 18th and 18th streets south
of Pennsylvania avenue.
The Improvement was suggested by
the company. and recently considered
at a public hearing conducted by the
commission. The order issued today
directs that the work be finished by
October 1. next. According to J. H.
Hanna, vice president of the company.
an order for materials will be placed
at once and the work expedited in
every way possible.
Construction Of New Tracks.
The company is directed to construct a
single-track line on 18th street between
Pennsylvania avenue and Virginia avenue.
a single track line on Virginia avenue be-
tween 18th and 18th streets and a single
track line on 18th street between Virginia
avenue and F street northwest, and in
stall the necessary special work at the
intersection of Pennsylvania avenue and
18th street. at 18th and F streets and at
18th and F streets to permit cars coming
west on existing tracks on Pennsylvania
avenue to operate south on 18th street to
F street, thence either east on F street on
existing tracks or south on 18th street to
Virginia avenue. east on Virginia avenue
to 18th street and returning north on 18th
street to r street, and thence east on ex-
listing tracks.
To Relieve Congestion.
An important feature Of the order is
that the company install the necessary
additional special work at the intersec-
ton of 18th street and New York ave-
nue. to provide a double-track connec-
tion between the present tracks of the
l4th street line on New York avenue
and the present tracks on Pennsylvania
avenue west of 18th street.
With this connection Installed the
company will divert a large amount of
the traffic that now goes over the 18th
street tracks by operating 14th street
cars west over Pennsylvania avenue to
furnish the service over the new ex.
tensions. 1t is believed that this will
materially reduce the congestion of
trafie at 18th streat and New York
avenue The impr6vement Will cost
the company In the netEhborhood Of
Evening star., 1916-12-07
". J. BRYAN GIVES VIEWS
OF RAILWAY PROBLEM
Opposes Capitalization in Federal
Government of Power Over Inter-
state Transportation.

William J. Bryan appeared today be.
fore the joint congressional committee
Investigating transportation, problems
and opposed centralixation OF power in
the Federal government in connection
with railroad suggestions for Federal
Incorporation and the proposal to les
sen the power of state railroad COM
missions by lodging greater power OF
regulation In the interstate commerce
commission.
Gives Reasons for Opposition.
Mr.. Bryan declared his opposition was
based on the belief that to tran.fer
regulatory power to Washington weuld
impose an impossible burden on the
authorities here, ipject tremendous
political force into national affairs
which would enter into elections to
Congress and would be a most decided
step in Capitalization of government
AS counter proposal Mr.. Bryan sug-
gested the existing law be amended to
give the national government full
power to regulate railroads and still
permit the states to exercise their reEu-
latory powers.
Speaking OF government ownership,
Mr.. Bryan said he had for number
of years believed it inevitable and
only because the railroads will never
consent to effective regulation"
Evening star., 1916-12-07
London Now Is Chiefly Inter-
ested in Personnel of
New Ministry.
LABOR PARTY ATTITUDE
STILL REMAINS IN DOUBT
Support of Many Liberals and Union
lists in Commons Is Already
Assured.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. December z. 4:40 pm.-Ac-
cording to the Central News. the labor
party has decided to accept the invita-
tion to be represented in the new gov
ernment
LONDON. December THE king in
vited David Lloyd George to form min
istry. and Mr.. Lloyd George has con-
sented to act in cooperation with Andrew
Bonar Law.
1t having been decided definitely that
Lloyd George will undertake the forma-
tion of a ministry. political circles to-
day were interested chiefly in the per-
sonnel Of the new cabinet and the pros
poets of the new premier for getting
together a combination that will have
the support of majority in the house
Of commons
Few. if any. of the liberal members
of Mr.. Ascuiths cabinet are likely to
accept Office under Mr.. Lloyd George,
and some of the unionist members. like
j.. Austen Chamberlain and Lord Rob
ert Cecil. are likely to stand aside.
However. it is assumed that at the
conference at Buckingham Palace they
assured the new premier of their be-
nevoient neutrality. thus making his
task much simpler.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
THINK BOTH PARTIES
WILL HAVE DRY FIGHT
Senators Say Effort Will Be Made to
Get Planks Adopted by Ma
tjonal Conventions.

A great fight will be made to place in
the next national democratic and repub-
lican platforms prohibition plank,
in the opinion of senators of both parties
at the Capitol today. who commented
upon the appeal of William Jennings
Bryan to the democratic party to adopt
nationwide prohibition as one of the
measures to be enacted into law.
Only the passage during the next four
years of joint resolution by Congress
for a constitutional amendment for ma
tional prohibition and it's submission to
the states for ratification can prevent
the effort being made to have both parties
take UP the fight for prohibition. they
said.
Senator Sheppard of Texas. leader OF
the prohibition forces in the Senate. ex-
pressed his qualifications at the stand
taken by Mr.. Bryan. He favored
prohibition plank for the party.
Senator Kenyon Favors Plank.
Senator Kenyon of Iowa. a strong
advocate of prohibition on the repub-
lican side Of the chamber, said that he
believed. with the growing strength of
the prohibition sentiment in the coun-
put prohibition plank in it's platform
il the other adopted one.
"If Mr. Bryan runs for President on
the democratic ticket with prohibition
in his platform" said Senator Kenyon
the republicans could not hold the re-
publican party together in opposition
to him"
Senator Kern OF Indiana, democratic
leader, said that if he owned any stock
in 4 brewery or distillery he would
sell il In = hurry. He added. however,
that he did not think that a majority
of the democratic party would favor
imposing prohibition upon state in
which the public sentiment did not de-
mand prohibition.
Bryan Strong on Moral ISSUE" :
Senator Simmons of North Carolina,
one of the most influential democrats
in the body. was unwilling at this time
to say what course would be followed
by the democratic party in regard to
Mr.. Bryan's appeal
He made d great speech said Mr..
Simmons. NO one can equal Mr.. Bryan
when he discusses moral issue. I'm
less some action is taken in the next
four years looking toward national
u .i.ipt .on the matter will be live
issue at the next national conventions"
There were others. however, among
the democratic senators who, while
they did not care to be quoted, stated
tnat they did not believe that national
prohib ibitfon could be enforced and that
.e supnn~ters were aligning them
selves with the "speakeasies" They
wtie opposed to having the democratic
party take up national prohibition as
an issue.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
Favors Federal Supervision.

He spoke for federal supervision of
security issues, and believed there
should be legislation to insure divi-
dends sufficient to keep stocks at par
and provide a surplus fund for lean
years. Before such a measure was
passed. however. he said. capitalization
should be reduced Ito an honest basis
where it repreents the actual physical
property" In some financial opera
tions. Mr.. Bryan said. the railroads had
been guilty of things "discreditable to
an ordinary highway robber."
Mr.. Bryan was cross-examined brief
ly by members of the committee, and
will return later for further examina-
ton.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
offered Responsible Post.

The Central News says MIR. Lloyd
George has offered the labor party two
seats in the cabinet. one representative in
the war council and three undersecre-
taryshifs, and that the offer is under COLI
sideration.
YESTERDAY afternoon the king initiated
negotiations in the hope of composing the
differences among the members of the
Asquith administration. Mr.. AsQuith and
Buckingham; Palace. Mr.. Lloyd George
already was there A. J. Balfour. Arthur
Henderson ard Mr.. Bonar Law soon ar
rived. They and other members had been
in conference with the king for some time
before NJ. Asquitr. on receiving an inti-
nation thai his presence was required,
hur-i..N, left t" join them.
Th. conference at Buckingham Pal
ace ended at 4:30 o'clock, after which
Mr.. Asquita returned to his Official resi-
den:,. where he was visited by several
Of a.s colleagues in the late govern
mem. Mr. Liovd George was .,so n
cor .",.'.tion with some Of his support
ers
Speaking at public meeting, Lord
Derby threw further light on the cause
Of the political crisis. He said 1t be-
came apparent. especially in the mat
ter OF man power. that no serious grip
was being n.inea ined by the govern
,lert on thu position which eN;~t..i.
what was required. he said. was
small committee. which could come to
q decision quickly on any question and
make the department concerned carry
out the decisions arrived at. Unless
that were dorc there woul6 be great
danger that the pia.5 OF the general
STAFF might fail in the coming year. For
this reason. Lord Derby said. he asso-
cj..ted himself with the proposals of
MIR. LLOYD George. which provided that
the war committee should consider all
zeal questions in regard to the war,
constituting. in fact. a war cabinet. Its
6uties would be TO consider carefully
every possible proposal. and. looking
forward. anticipate what the policy
should be. Having adopted policy. he
said. the committee would stick to it
ard see IL through,
1t was proposed further that the
premier should be required to attend
ali meetings and should have power to
veto proposals Of the committee.
The difficulty arose over the compost
tion Of this committee.
Evening star., 1916-12-07
Members Of the Committee.

The committee which waited on Mr..
Larfn. Jere Connolly. John S. Beach.
Owen P. Kellar. Miss Florence Ether
idge, Lillian Keathley, Joseph H. Hur-
ley and e. J. Newmyer.
The committee is anxious to obtain a
horizontal increase for all government
employees. including those in the postal
ment They have not set any definite
percentage OF increase, but are willing
to talk over this part of their claims
with the chairmen of the committees in
charge OF the bills.
In the meantime various leaders In
the House are holding almost hourly
conferences in an informal way, trying
to reach a definite conclusion as to the
scope of the increases. Whether the
maximum salaries to be raised should
be in the eighteen hundred dollar class
or lower is one Of the questions.
Plan Of Representative SABBATH.
While the House appropriations COM
mittee worked today along a definite
plan for an Increase in the salaries and
wages of government clerks, half a
dozen other schemes for advances were
urged by individuals. Among these was
one Dy Representative SdDdtn OF I'LL
nois, who introduced bill giving
graded increases to government en-
ployes under $500. Under the SABBATH
plan every employe receiving $1,000
or less would be given an increase of
25 per cent: employees receiving from
1900 to $500, 20 per cent, and en-
ployes receiving from $500 to $500,
10 per cent The legislation includes
those working on per diem basis and
employees of the Senate and House Of
Representative SABBATH. n speaking OF
the bill today. said: Il hear some mem
bers object because they feel a general
increase would benefit many who are
really not entitled to it. / have
made some investigation of this
subject and / know that 95 per cent
of those who will be helped by this
are faithful ard efficient
employees. There nay he some WHO are
drones and not worth So q day. bJt
would not retard beneficial legislation
for the great majority because Of these
few. / did not include those above
500 because their problem il; meet
ing the advancing cost OF living Is not
so hard and in some cases they are
pets and secure advances through in
nuence What / want to help is the
masses. They feel these high prices
most. They reed the higher salary
most."
Evening star., 1916-12-07
CAMPING Is Captured
BY German Invaders;
Rumanians Fall Back
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
\ BERLIN. December z, by wireless to
Sayvilie.--The defeated Rumanians are
retreating along the whole front. the
war office announces. The Teutonic
troops have captured CAMPING. on the
railroad between Kronstadt and
Ploechti
In yesterdays fighting more than
5000 Rumanians were captured.
In addition to the capture of CAMPING.
the statement recounts the taking OF
Ploechti, announced last evening, with
the capture of 4 ucharest. and also OF
the important toTn of Sinaia, pre-
yiously reported in Teutonic lands. The
statement reads:
..Front of Archduke Joseph: In the
wooded Carpathians and on the front
of the Moldayian mountains there was
a temporary increase in artillery hre
and advance skirnishes. from hich
there developed Russian attacks north
of Dona Watra. and in the Trotus VAL
ley. These were repulsed.
Credit to Won Mackensen.
ARMY group Of Field Marshal Won
Mackensen: Notable successes yester-
day crowned the efforts and the en-
eagements in which, in command of
troops of the 9Th and the Danube ar
mics under clear-sighted leadership
defeated the Rumanian enemy and the
Russian reineorcements that had been
summoned to it. by means of speedy
strokes The commander and the troops
received the reward OF their victory-
bucharest, the capital Of the country,
which is now the latest victim OF the
entente policy: together with PloechL,
CAMPING and Sinaia. which are in our
possession.
Tine defeated enemy is retreating
eastward along the entire front. Cour-
ageous fighting spirit and a tenacious
will for victory caused the troops that
attacked and conquered to respond to
all the efforts asked of them. In addt-
tion to the German main forces. brave
Austro- Hungarian, Bulgarian and
Turkish troops did splendid work.
The Sth army reports the taking
Yesterday of 1O6 officers and 9.100 men
as prisoners.
THE operations and engagements arc
proceeding"
Evening star., 1916-12-07
START FIRST DRAFT
OF SALARIES BILL
House Leaders Work on Plan
to Increase United States
Clerks Pay.
Mr.. KITcHIM FAvQRs RAISE

Congressional policies toward a hori-
zontal increase of salaries and wages
for government and District of Colum-
bia employees began to take definite
shape today. Work on the legislative.
executive and judicial appropriation
bill progressed to point where the
first draft of the final bill was started
and hearings on the District bill were
continued. so that report on that all
important local measure may be ex-
pected within few days.
President H. H. McLarin. president of
the Federal Employees Union. accom-
panied by a representative committee
of government and District employees,
jority Leader kitchin.
House leaders got together this aft
ernoon to discuss a general plan for
advancing wages SO that a horizontal
increase would be effected to include
employees Of all branches Of the gov
ernment.
Employees Committee Encouraged.
The committee of employees was con-
siderably cheered after the conference
with Representative Kitchin. majority
leader. He told them he favored better
salaries for employees. but indicated that
there are many members of the House
who do not believe in civil pension
list, unless 1t be on contributory plan:
II want to see the government pay
it's employees enough money SO they
may put aside something for old age,
or for the rainy day." said Mr. Kitchin.
On the other hand Mr.. Kitchin advised
the employees committee not to ask for
too much at once, for practical rea-
sons. One of these reasons is that often
heard on the floor of the house-that
regardless Of the merits Of the state
ment. many persons not in the govern
ment service have the impression the
government clerks are a favored class
already. and for that reason moves to
increase governmental pay and to pro-
vide civil pension lists are unpopular
in certain quarters.