davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
ENGLISH PRESS IS
 CALMLY DISCUSSING PEACE PROPOSALS
Sentiment Is Growing That Germany's Offer Should Not Be Summarily Dis
 missed by the Allies

London, December 15.-Public opinion as represented by the British Press was largely occupied today in discussing the brief expression made yesterday by An drew Bomar Law, that the British gov ernment's policy was still based upon adequate reparation for the past and se- curity for the future''
 Some influential newspapers declare that this leaves way open for not sum- niarily refusing to consider the proposal, and for an enunciation of the essential aims and objects for which the allies are contending.
 The Westminster Gazette says if the German proposal takes an offensive form and appears as though demanded by com querors from the vanquished the only re- nly fc the insult would be q corfemptuopA sissnee. and continues:
 But if it Is sincere we should desire to answer with a reasonable explanation of why our principal aims cannot be compromised and what kind of Euro pean system we think necessary to se- cure the future"
 The newspaper points out that Ger manys chief appeal is to neutral ship ment and that it is expected to be oi the greatest importance that Great Brit tain should carry neutral opinion in the final stage, "by presenting our aims and objects, in a manner which will kindle neutral sympathy and be clear to their understanding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
THE WAR SITUATI

northeast of Bucharest. has been cap- tured by the Austro-Germans. The re- treating Russians and Rumanlnns are reoprted to be burning villages behind them.
 Four thousand additional prisoneru have been taken by Field Marshal Won Mackensen's army.
 Simultaneously with the taking of Buxeu, the AustrO-Germnn Danube army and the Bulgarians have begun m offensive in Dubrudja. The Russiana and Rumanians, Berlin states, havaj evacuated their positions under tha pressure exerted by the advance iss Great WalIachia.
 British troops have taken the ofs fensive near Kut-El-Amara, in NIeaos potamia. and Turkish petitions on the right bank of the Hai river, south of Kut-EI-Amara. have been taken, Lanx don announces. At one place the Brat> ish are within two and one-Aalf nilea of Kut-El-Amara.
 The Greek government has accepted the demands of the entente alliea cons tained i'm an ultimntum presented to the Athens government Thursday, It n reported unofffcially. Greek troops arn to be withdrawn from Thessaly aua only a certain number arc to be stn@ Iioned in the Pelaponnesus. 1t is sald.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Summary of the News
GENERAL NEWS

 I-Wfll transmit peace notes to allies without any comment. Russian Duma spurns offer of peace.
 Total tonnage of allies lost now TABOO. is Berlin claim. "War brides" and wheat in race to markets bottom. English press is calmly discussing z peace proposal. SmOOt introduces real "dry', bill as substitute. French take more ground along BrotherhOOds and railroads may yet agree. 2-Public schools will observe day for Improvement. Gregory not yer decided on meth : cd of naming federal judge. 3-yalue of crops break nlI records despite shortage. 7-No consideration given offer of Villa of truce to Americans Mass meeting is held in New York to protest against Belgian depor- tation. 12-Extra session of Congress may be necessary.
 David CapIan found guilty in con- nection with Los Angeles Times explosion.
 LOOAL NEWS c-Suffragists much encouraged. 3-Deep regret felt here at news of death of Frisco president. 5-Barber no longer allowed to run wild at city hall. Mitchell heads lawyers and new plans are suggested. Coke joins others in breaking all records.
 Second Whitehead trial is begun. Officers elected for traffic bureau. Back of cold snap is broken dur ing night.
 FEATURES 4-EditOriaI comment. G-society and Dolly Dalrymplc. l1-Markets.
 SPORTS S-Baugh reelected president of the Southern league. American league owners depart for home.
 Annual road race of n. A. C. today, Drevfns fails to get Garry Herr mnnn's scalp.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
WAR BRIDES" AND WHEAT IN RACE ID MARKETS BOTTOM Turbulent Scenes on the Ex- change When Stocks Take
 Further Tumble CHICAGO PIT PRICES
 GO OFF ISIS CENTS Peace News Is Cause of Frantic Ef- fort of Longs to Rid Themselves
 of Accumulations-Bargain
 Hunters Active

New York, December 15.-Violent de- clines of to 10 points in leading specula- tive shares and as much as 471s for Bethle- hem Steel, most distinguished of the war brides," with belated rallies on half
 or more, attended today's turbulent ses-
 sion on the stock exchange.
 It was the third day of licuidatie9 spd in all resbects the most severe. esta z fishing minimums for many months. .h- ing was again largely enforced o@I to that extent somewhat indscri aInate, with further material assistance rom an emboldened short interest, flushed with it's success of the three preceding days. Soft spots were again discovered in the
 war group and related issues.
 United States Steel. which registered an extreme loss of AZ points on it's turnover of about coo, 900 shares, or one quarter of
 the days total operations. was once more the main objective, of the professionals, hut other industrials, equipments, the coppers, marines and Atlantic, gulf and West Indies, the motors and many other issues of an indefinite character shared considerably in the frenzied movement ot the morning.
 Bargain hunters were at work, how ever as evidenced by the quiet absorption of numerous stocks. Covering of short commitments served in a measure to re- store price equilibrium. while the strength of rails was an element that made for greater confidence.
 The more noteworthy net rallies in cuded Bethlehem Steel, 91a industrial Al cohol. 5% for common and for preferred.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
GERMAN EMPEROR IS 'WAR-LIKE" IN TALK
 TO TROOPS AT FRONT
Tells Them Confident of Victory, He Has Made Proposal of Peace, and
 Responsibility Is on Enemies

London, December 15.-s'Confi- dent that we are completely the victOrs. yesterday we made pro- posaI to the enemy to discuss the question of further war or peace" said the German Emperor in ad- dressing the troops in Alsace re- gently. according to dispatch published fin the Cologne Gazette, says a Reuters dispatch from An,- sterdan.
 "What will come of it. I do not yet know,p the Emperor is re- ported to have continued. "It is n matter for the enemy now to de- eide if the fighting still is to go on. If the enemy still thinks he has not had enough, then I know you wilp'-here the Emperor, says the correspondent. made a "war- like gesture," which "prOduced fierce smile on the faces of all his men.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Teiper Admits Lying as
 to Financial Condition

Buffalo, N. Y.. December 15.-John Ed
 ward Teiper, under cross-examination to-
 day in his trial. on the charge of mur-
 dering his mother named time at
 variance with that of other witnesses in his story as to when the killing of Mrs. Teiper and her son Frederick occurred January 30 last. Teiper said that the time he was attacked was 1:9 p. m, or about 20 minutes after his mother, brother Frederick, sister Grace and he had left his home. Persons who were in
 house near the scene of the murders have testified that they heard the screams
 and shots at 11:45. Teiper said he could not tell what happened during the 25 minutes between the attack on him and the time the screams and shots were heard.
 1 Teiper admitted that after the tragedy | he had lied to the authorities about his financial condition and about his owner ship of the revolver found near the scene of the murders.
 'T did not want to admit anything
 about my financial condition he said, | flor fear that I would be charged with this terrible crime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16

French troops again have made an effective thrust in the Verdun region.
 Striking at the German positions be- tween the Mouse and Woevre rivers, north of Douaumont and north-north- east of the fortress, along front Of about six miles, sE.s French forced back the soldiers of the German crown prince of distance of almost two miles. More than 75OO prisoners and numerous guns were taken from the Germans, Paris announces.
 In its latest official communication the German war office admitted that "advantagesv had been obtained in this region by the atsackers.
 The. United States government will not express any feeling of it's own when the proffer for peace negOtia- tiOns from the central powers is trans mitted to the entente allies. An an- nouncement from the White House says it has not been decided what steps will be taken in the future to- ward bringing the beliIgerent powers together in peace conference. An unofficial report from Petrograd is to the effect that the Russian Dpma has unanimously passed resolution against the acceptance of the peace offer.
 Buxeu. an important railway center
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
RUSSIAN DUMA| |S OPPOSED ID ANY
 FARLEY ON PEACE
After Spirited Speech by the Premier Body, by Unani- nous Vote, Spurns
 Germany's Offer

London, December 15.--A Reuter-
 dispatch from Petrograd says:
 ''The Duma has unanimously
 passed resolution against the
 acceptance of the German peace
 proposals after a spirited speech
 by the minister of foreign affairs.'
 The text of the statement as re- ceived here. follows:
 "The Duma. having heard the state nIent by the minister of foreign af- fairs, unanimously fs4vos a categor- teal refusal by tue allied governments to enter. under present conditions, into any peace negotiations whatever.
 Tt considers that the German pro- posals are nothing more than fresh proof of the weakness of the enemy and hypocritical act from which the enemy expects no real success but by which it seeks to throw upon others the responsibility for the war and for what happened during it, and to ex- culpate itself before public opinion in Germany
 "The Duma considers that a pre- mature peace would not only be a brief period of calm but would in- volve the danger of another bloody war and renewal of the deplorable sacrifices by the people It considers that lasting peace will be possible only after a decisive victory over the military power of the enemy and after definite renunciauon by Germany of the aspirations which rendered her re- sponsible for the world war and for the horrors by which it has been ac- -cOmnE EShed."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
TOTAL TONNAGE: OF ALLIES LOST NOW
 744,60OISCLAIM Berlin Report Contains Sum- mary of All Ships of Five Nations Sunk Since
 the War Began

Berlin, December 15.-A summary of the total losses of the various entente navies in warships since the beginning of hos tilities, according to the German figures, was given today by the Overseas agency. This supplements the recent report of this agency, in which the aggregate losses were given as 192 vessels, including sub marines, but excluding special types of ships and auxiliary cruisers, the aggre- gate tonnage being given as TABOO. The detailed losses as computed are
 British warships, 123, of a total of 563, 200 tons.
 French, 20, of 53 300 tons
 Italian 20, of 63,600 tons.
 Russian, 16, of 54,S00 tons.
 Japanese. 4, of 9100 tons.
 The figures given are inclusive of the French battleship Suffern, recently re- ported to have been lost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
MACEDONIAN REPORT

Paris. December 1.-The official com munication on the progress of hostilities on the Macedonian front given out by the French war office this afternoon, reads:
 There was intermittent artillery firing particularly in the vicinity of Laka Dolran. In the region to the north of Monastir an enemy column was dispersed by our fire.
 There has been much activity on ths part of the allied aviators. An enemy airplane has been brought down south of Petrik'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
'SMOOT INTRODUCES REAL ADRY' BILL AS 4 SUBSTITUTE This New Measure Out -Shep- pards Sheppard in Sup
 pressing Booze
UNDERWOOD PLAN TO
 HAVE VOTE FAVORED
Is Thought Referendum Measure Will Prevail - Bankhead's Committee to Consider Liquor Advertis-
 ing Beginning at Once
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

Washington, December l5.-(Special9 Just after Senator Sheppard had amend ed his District of Columbia prohibition bill this morning to the extent that 1t would permit any individual to import for his or her own use liquor in any qnanttty Senator Saioot executed his coup ketat
 As a substitute for the Sheppard ''un- limited personal consumption bill, he offered a real prohibition measure, one which would prevent the importation of all liquor save for medicinal or sacrl- fic!al purposes. He declared his bill would stand a constitutional test if the Webb Kenyon anti-shipping bill was held con- stitutional.
 T cannot foretell,' he stated, ''just how many votes my bill will receive. Certainly. however, all prohbitionists will ardently support if
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Fear of German Spies Is Reason Why Smith
 Told Story, He Alleges

San Francisco, December 15.-That fear for his life at the hands of supposed German spies drove him to bare his story before federal authorities, was testi- fled today by Louis J. Smith, the gov ernments chief witness in it's suit against Francis Bopp, German consul general here, and six co-defendants, charged with conspiracy to violate American neutrality by blowing up munitions shipments of the entente allies.
 Smiths revelation followed attempts on the part of Theodore Roche, chief coun- sel for the defense, to extract from Smith an admission that his testimony had grown out of an alleged attempt to black mail the German consul general
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Strenuous Efforts Are Being Made to Save the
 Stranded Submarine H-3

Eureka, Cal, December 15.-Under the rays of searchlights the work of saving the United States submarine H-S, which stranded in the breakers near here yes terday and from which the crew was rescued by means of a brooches buoy, was carried on tonight both from shore and from the sea.
 An effort was being made to have everything ready to pull the diver into deep water at the first favorable op- portunity. All day until late this after noon seas were breaking over the vessel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
DEUCE OF PETITIoNS

Washington, December 15.-Legislatiye measures aimed at destruction of the liquor traffic continue to accumulate in Congress. as both houses are deluged with petitions from all parts of the coun- try urging adoption of the national pro hibition constitutional amendment and passage of other anti-liquor measures. including the Sheppard bill to prohibit the manufacture and sale of liquor in the District of Columbia
 The House postoffice committee opened the door to another phase of the prob lem today in reporting favorably a bill by Representative Randall of California, designed to close the malls to advertising of any intoxicating liquors, and to deny mail order houses the right to go into either wet" or dry territory to solicit sales through the medium of the mails.
 TO ASK SPECIAL RULE
 No move was made during the day by prohibition leaders in the House regard Ing the constitutional amendment re- ported yesterday from the dietary com mittee, but Representative Webb, chair man of the committed, plans to ask the rules committee for special rule to get the resolution before the House soon after the holidays.
 Now that excitement occasioned by the unexpected action of the judiciary com mittee in recommending the resolution passed by the House members are re- flecting on the prospects for it's passage and the consensus of opinion seems to be rat it cannot get the necessary two thirds majority in the Sixtyfourth Con gress, Representative Webb is confident that the amendment will receive more votes than it did in the last Congress and by the time the next Congress has adjourned the victory can be won. DISTRICT BILL UP
 The District of Columbia prohibition bill was considered for several hours in the Senate today, but was temporarily
 (Contfnued on Page Seven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
RUSSIAN STATEMENT

London, December 15-The Russia n official statement today says:
 Under the cover of darkness and fog the enemy attacked two of our ambus- cades in the region east of Koniukhi and compelled one of them to retire on our first line trenches. In the neighborhood of the other ambuscade the enemy took to cover in front of our wire entangle- ments.
 "Our airplanes yesterday were engaged in three aerial battles in the neighborhood of Zalocze. Luchtche and Mlynovze- In each case we compelled the enemy to re- tire behind his position.
 Caucasus front: The situation is un- changed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
WILL TRANSMIT
 PEACE NOTES TO ALLIESWITHOUT AN Y COM " EN 7
President After Careful Consideration Has De- cided Not to Add Word of Concern, But to Wait Reception of Proposals Before Talk ing Action Leading to Intervention.
 Long Session of Cabinet Has
 No Meaning

Washington December 15Presdent Wilson has decided
 that the notes of the central proposing discussion of
 peace the entente allies will be forward by the American
 government acting intermediary without any accompanying mediation offer of it's He has whether any action in behalf of peace will be taken later by the United States it's account but holding himself in readiness to any possible toward bringing the nations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Germans Capture City of Buzeu
[ FRENCH REPORT OF VICTORY

 Paris, December 15.--The French of- ficial report of the successes secured between the Mouse and Woevre rivers is as follows:
 After several days of artillery preparation we attacked the enemy to the north of Douaumont, between the Mouse and the Woevre, on a front of more than 10 kilometres. The attack started at 10 o'clock
 "The enemy's front broke down ev+ anywhere to depth of about threa Kilometres.
 ''We have taken a great many pris- yet been determined. Seven thousand five hundred of them, including 300 officers, already have been passed through our commandant's posts.
 we have taken or destroyed num- erous pieces of heavy and field ar- tillery and also g. considerable Quan- tity of material.
 ''Nothw1thstanding the rnfavorahis weather conditions. our aviators took a brilliant part in the fighting. Our success is complete. The troops have given vent to great enthusiasm. Our losses are slight"
 Belgian communication:
 An artillery battle which started the night of December 14-15 has con tinued with violence in i sregion of Steenstraete and further J the north Belgian ruTs of all calipi aud trenya artillery have sps9itedly taken to task the enemyas batteries
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
SHEPPARD WILL OPPOSE

Immediately thereafter Senator Shep- pard intimated to reporters that he, for one, would oppose the Smoot measure The idea prevails tonight that the Un- deiwood amendment referring prohibition to the people of the district, will pre-
 vail If Senator Underwood proves t, the satisfaction of the Senate that such reference would be constitutional, it is believed the people will vote themselves dry or wet" Senator Jones has con tended that a referendum in the district could not be legally sustained. Senator
 Underwood will argue to the opposite eff
 fact
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
Flour Prices Demoralized

New York. December 15.-Flour prices were demoralized by the break in wheat today and dropped almost 50 cents a barrel with spring patents quoted at $S barrel. This is s2 bar rel decline from the recent high point.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
RuMANIANs RETIRE

London, December 15.-The British ada mralty has intercepted and makes public the following telegram collected by the Wireless Press:
 "Petrograd December 15-Russan offi- cial statement:
 "Rumanian front: The Russian and
 tContfnued on Page seven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
FIGHTING IN MEsopOTAMIA

London, December 15.-Britsh troops in Mesopotamia have taken the offensive successfully at Sannyat, on the Tigris river short distance above Felahie and near Kut-El- -Amara.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16
LIQUOR ADVERTISING BILL

Senator Bankhead announced to the Senate this afternoon that his commit tee on Tuesday would begin the consid- eration of a bill denying mails to liquor advertising literature directed to dry territory. It is thought probable that the bill will be amended excluding metropoli- tan newspapers and magazines and then favorably reported
 Politicians tonight express belief that the national prohibition amendment will fail of passage. and regret that the fu- tile agitation of the subject must effect democratic chances to carry the congress sional elections two years hence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-16

together.
 The course to be pursued was made known tonight after the President had conferred with Secretary Lansing and after a prolonged cabinet meeting It was stated that the delay iu forward. ing the notes to the entente capitals was due to the fact that the messages received from Germany, Austria Hun gary and Turkey. identical in sub stance, differed slightly in phraseology as result of different translations. They probably will be put on the cables tomorrow
 STUDIED SUBJECT CLOSELY
 Since the first note arrived, the one from Germany, the President and his closest advisers have been absorbed in study of the situation created.
 The Austrian note followed and the one from Turkey came late today. too late to be translated for the cabinet . Austria have been gone over carefully by the President and Secretary Lans- ing to make certain of their meaning and so that they may be sure to prop erly represent the intent of the cen tral powers.
 The fact that the cabinet meeting to- day lasted more than three hours and was the most prolonged of the year taI aft ftov, ir off cial circles and led to all sorts of speculation. It was explained authori- tatively later, however, that the meet ing was devoted largely to considera- ton of departmental matters and had been prolonged because it was the first time since the campaign that all the members had been present.
 WILL GO SLOWLY
 In o.ser quarters than the White House 1t > IS learned that some word indicating the official attitude of the entente allies toward the peace pro posal is being awaited with the deep est interest by the American govern ment. The President will not consider injecting the United States into the situation until he Is thoroughly fa- miliar with all it's phases.
 DELAY EXPLAINED
 Secretary Lansing, explaining the de- lay in transmitting the communica- tions of the central powers, pointed out that the German note was trans lated into English by Charge Grew at Berlin and the one from Austria by Ambassador Penfield at Vienna, while the Turkish note came to the state de- partment in French As the commit nications were intended to be identical. the state departme does not desire to transmit three different versions an} when all three are in hand tomor- row a plan to avoid this will be de- termined upon.
 Tn Englaxd, France and Japan this government represents all three Teu- tonic countries and will therefore. have to deliver three separate notes Tn Russia and Servia the United States represents both Austria and Germany and will have to send only two sep arate notes Only to Belgium. where Austria is represented, and in Ru- mania, where Germany is represented,
 (Continued Sn Page Seven)