davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
SITUATION IS
AGAIN ACUTE
Talk Revived of Breaking off
Relations With Germany.
AWAITING DEFINITE FACTS
Situation Is outIined-Presldent May
Present All Facts To Congress
and Say Time For Action
Has Come.

Washington.-GermRny will be held
responsible if it shall be proved that
the Channel liner Sussex and the
steamer Englishman were torpedoed
and did not strike floating mines.
This was made very plain at the
State Department, where it was ex-
planned by Secretary of State Lansing
that only German submarines have
been operating in the waters of the
Channel and about the British Isles.
The question under investigation is
whether it actually was a submarine
that attacked the Sussex and the Eng
lishman. If it shall be ccnclusively
demonstrated that it was, then the
United States promptly will hold Ger
many to account.
Even if it develops that all Ameri-
cans were saved, it will not alter the
gravity of the situation, inasmuch as
the United States holds that no nation
has the right in international or hui
name law to kill or endanger Ameri-
cans through unwarned submarine at
tack.
Up to the present this Government
has no conclusive proof whether a tor
pedo or a floating mine was re-
sponsible. The bulk Of the evidence
points to a torpedo in each instance.
But so far it is inconcIusive.
Torpedo Fragment Found.
AS an instance, it was pointed out
that while a French naval officer at
Boulogne told the American consular
representative that a portion of
demolished torpedo had been re-
covered from the damaged Sussex, so
far this remains to be legally proved,
so far as this Government is con
cerned. This portion of torpedo is
said to be similar to that reported re-
covered from the sunken Dutch liner
Tubantia.
President Wilson is very seriously
concerned over the present situation.
If it is proved that submarines again
are attacking merchant vessels with
out warnirg-and the preponderance
Of evidence obtainable through diplo-
matte and unofficial sources seems
completely to demonstrate this-it is
unlikely that there will be any fur
ther diplomatic negotiations on the
subject. Instead the President will
present all of the facts in the case to
Congress and announce that in his
opinion the time has come for definite
action.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
VILLA EVADES
MEXICAN TROOPS
Difficulties of the Punitive
Expedition Increase.
BANDIT CHIEFS GOOD START
Now Believed That Villa Was Victor
In Battle With Carranzistas Near
Namiquipa, Instead OF the De
Eae4e Government Troops.

San Antonio, Tex.-Francisco villa
has escaped from the Mexican troops
that had checked him near Namiquipa,
and three columns Of American cav
airy are pursuing him.
Already they are almost $50 miles
south Of the border, and unless Mexi'
can forces bring the elusive bandit to
stand, this distance will be greatly
increased by the close of the week.
Villas success in extricating himself
from the dangerous position into
which he had been driven by the
American punitive force was related
in a detailed report by General Perish
ing that reached General Funston.
Colonel Dodd is commanding the ad-
vanced columns that are riding hard
after Villa and his men, and General
Pershing has divided his forces so as
to provide supporting columns along
the thinly stretched lines Of communi-
cations from his most advanced base
at El Vale.
A Lengthcaing Line.
From Ell Vale another line is be-
ing maintained back to Casas Grandes
from where communication with the
border is maintained. General
Pershing himself is somewhere south
of Casas Grandes directing the work
of holding together his forces and di-
recting so far as possible the opera
tions of Colonel Dodd; cavalry is be-
ing used along the lines communicat-
ing with FL Vale, where a detachment
of infantry is stationed.
Three aeroplanes are at Ell Vale
and will be used in scouting as soon
as the high winds that have been
sweeping that part of Mexico for al
most a week subside. These winds,
according to General Pershing, have
made effective assistance by the aero
planes impossible Of the eight ma
chimes that went into Mexico. two are
still out of commission. They were
damaged in the flight from Columbus
to Casas Grandes.
Details of the operations about
Namiquipa that concluded with the
escape of Villa were not revealed. but
there is little reason to believe that he
was badly whipped or even weakened
by the fighting directed against him
by the de facto government troops.
Unless fresh Mexican forces are sent
to meet Villa there appears no reason
why he should not make his way un-
interrupted into the mountains Of the
Guerrero district, toward which he ap-
pears to be moving.
The Bandits Chance.
Once there it is conceded his cap
ture will be difficult; and should he
choose to pass through the district
on into the south, there are trails over
which he might move his little army
until juncture is made with one or
more of his rowing organizations in
Southern Chihuahua or Northern
Durango.
If Villa moves into the districts
farther south military men realize that
the problem of capturing him will be-
come many times more complex. More
troops will be necessary and their pro-
visioning by way of country roads will
become practically an impossibility.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
AT vERDUN
BENT INTO LOOP
Germans Renew Heavy Attacks
Along That Front.
RUSSIAN FIGHTING SAVAGE
SlaVs Use Liquid Fire and Gas Bombs
Against Won Hndenburd, Who
Counter-Attacks In South.
Germans Report Gains.

London.-German troops have re-
sumed heavy attacks against the
French front northwest of Verdun, ac-
cording to Paris dispatches.
Following 24-hour lull, the German
batteries turned a terrific fire on the
French positions south of Malancourt
and around Dead Man Hill. French
guns roared in reply. 1t is believed
in Paris that the decisive battle on this
sector has begun.
French Position Dangerous.
By battering through the French
lines in Avocourt wood the Crown
Prince bent the French front in the
shape of dangerous loop. The neck
of this loop is less than four miles
wide.
German artillery posted on the ridge
near Dead Man Hill, on the northeast
side, is sweeping the four miles of
wooded plain with heavy fire. On
the southwestern side Bavarian regi-
ments are striving to cut through the
intervening four miles, cutting off
French forces holding Bethincourt and
Malancourt.
D1spitches from Berlin declared the
French we're in an extremely pre-
carious position.
Savage Fighting n Russia.
Savage fighting is going on at Jacob
stadt, 80 miles southeast Of Riga,
where the Russians, using liquid fire
and gas bombs, are battering in the
German salient.
At the same time the Slavs are at
tacking vigorously at Friedrichstadt.
General Kuropatkin's aim apparently
is to squeeze Won Hindenburg out of
this important salient by threats Of
development, forcing the retirement
Of the whole German line from Riga
to Dvinsk, on a front of 140 miles.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
Germans Report Gains.

Berlin.-Continuing their advance to
force the evacuation of French posi-
tions northwest of Verdun, the Ger
mans have captured two more
trenches in the Haucourt region, the
War Office announced.
The Germans pressed forward south
of Malancourt against the southwest
ern side of the French salient. The
advance further imperils French posi-
tions at Malancourt and Bethincourt.
In the fighting in this region French
prisoners now total S81.
Violent Russian attacks continued
yesterday and last night southeast of
Riga and in the region of Dvinsk. All
the Russian assaults, however, broke
down under German fire.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
For oiIino shaftInns.

There is danger in the oiling OF
shaftings. Even though the machinery
Is stopped, someone is likely to star
it before the worker is through with
his task. This element Of danger is
removed through the invention of al
Oiler, which may be used while tn,
worker stands on the floor. thus, o5vi
sting the necessity Of going anon
running belts. puIleys and shafts, pos
pibly on q rickety ladder.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
RESCUED FROM GYPSY BAND.
Girl Of IS Says She Was Affianced To
One OF the Nomads.

Clarksburg, w. Va.-Rescued by
ministers and police from a gypsy
band that has been quartered here all
winter, Annie Awfrancijo, 15-year-
old Brazilian girl of Chicago, is on her
way TO that city. The girl said that
she had been kept prisoner under
threats of death and that she had been
afianced to one of the gypsies.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
A Military BHl.

Mr.. McCusker, of Baltimore, intro
duced in the House tonight bill which
is based upon the Hay military meas
ure now pending in the National
House of Representatives. The bill
applies the same qualifications and ex'
emptions to service in the Maryland
National Guard as apply to the Regu-
lar Army
The militia is divided into two
classes, the active and the morgan
ized The latter are liable to service
on order by the Governor. The Presi-
dent of the United States is also au-
thorized to organize the unorganized
militia. Failure to respond to the call
within "a hours constitutes desertion,
with all of the penalties Of desertion
attached. Under the general provi-
sions of the bill the Governor is given
the same powers over the Maryland
National Guard as are given the Prest-
dent of the United States over the
Regular Army and Navy.
Publicity Commissioner.
Assuming that the immigration
Bureau will be abolished, Senator
Johnson introduced bill providing for
the appointment of publicity COM
mission who shall collate and publish
information tending to benefit the
State. He is to be appointed by thu
Governor and $4,000 appropriated fol
the conduct of the Office, $4,000 20 be
his salary and $500 for stenographer. y
The remaining $1,000 is to constitute
a publicity fund to be used by paying
expenses.
Marriage Bill Killed.
A bill providing for uniform State
marriage laws was killed in the House.
The House accepted a favorable re-
port on a bill which will give to a
widow, if there are no children, one
half of the real property left by her
husband.
Blue Sky Bill Advanced.
Without any fight, the House ac-
cepted a favorable report from the
Judiciary Committee on the Fox Blue
Sky Bill.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
$4,000 FOR VILLAS BODY.
Resolution To Pay For Capture Offered
In Senate.

Washington.-A resolution authoriz
ing the Government to offer a reward
of $5O,00O for the body of Francisco
Villa" was introduced in the House 0y
Representative Scott, of Pennsylvania
1t stipulated that the body of the ban
lit was to be turned over to the mill.
tary authorities. The resolution was
referred to the Foreign Affairs Com.
mittee,
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
March 81, 1915.

Germans bombarded Libau.
Russians fought way down slope
Of Carpathians into Hungary.
German army corps cut to pieces
in North Poland.
British steamers FIaminlan and
Crown Of CASTLE sunk by subma-
rines.
German soldiers near Thourout,
Belgium, killed by bombs from aero
planes.
German airmen raided ostrolen.
ka, Russia.
King George gave up liquor In
royal household.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
Militia Wanted At Ell Paso.

Ell Paso, Texas.-Evidences of the
seriousness with which the local au-
thorities regard the border situation
was SuPPII0u III a1I t1ffif0 etiife4it =!
Sheriff Peyton James Edwards that he
had telegraphed Governor James E.
Ferguson that he believed the Texas
National Guard troops should be sent
to the frontier.
Sheriff Edwards said he did not
wish to be considered an alarmist," :"
but that developments in Mexico con-
vinced him that additional protection
was needed for Americans along the
border.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
TO STOP FAKE STORIES.
New EI Paso Law Provides Fine For
False Reports.

Ell Paso, TeXas.-The city council of
Ell Paso, Texas, passed an ordinance
providing that correspondents sending
out matter Calculated to injure the
general business or reputation Of El
Paso and known to be false" shall be
fined from $25 to $500. Mayor Lea said
the ordinance was prompted by the
circulation of reports that a state of
anarchy existed here. AS matter of
fact, Ell Paso is peaceful and as busy
with the ordinary enterprises as any
city in the land" he said.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
March 29, 1915.

W'e'~E' -~1 WI
French pressed Germans hard In
Champagne.
Germans again Shelled Reims.
Austrians maLe gains at several
points.
Dutch steamer Amstel blown up
by mine.
Attack on 5osporus and parda-
neIIes continued.
German Baltic fleet out.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
rAeeART SWORN IN AS SENATOR
Most Of Indiana Delegation Present
At Ceremony.

Washington. = Thomas Taggart,
Democratic National Committeeman
from Indiana, appointed to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Sen
ator Shively, took the oath of Office.
It was administered by Vice-rresident
Marshall and most of the Indiana Rep
resentatives were on the Senate floor
during the ceremony.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
NO REVISION OF ALLIANCE.
Japan Foreign Office Says Japan and
England Are Agreed.

Tokio-The Foreign Office declares
that rumors concerning a revision of
the Anglo-Japanese Alliance are base
less. Japan and Great Britain have
reached an amicable understanding
concerning patrols in the Pacific for
the inspection of ships.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
SOLDIERS WEAR SAND MASKS.
Those In Mexican Campaign Adopt
coIorfuI Protection.

Washington.-The sand mask is the
latest in military dress.
The Mexican campaign through a
desert land mothered this invention,
which is gay and colorful, not mon
strous, like the gas masks of Europe
In fact, all there is to a sand mask
is a handkerchief pulled up over the
mouth and nose, in bandit style. Red
banGannas are much worn.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
March %, 1915.

Russians broke into Hungary and
attacked Lupkow and Uszok passes.
British liner Falaba sunk by Ger
man submarine; 110 lost.
British steamer Aguila torpedoed
oy Germans; 20 lost.
Russians bombarded 5osporus
forts and allies shelIed Dardanelles
forts.
More air bombs dropped on
Calais.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
WANTS wARsHIPs, NOT SEEDS

Farmer Shows Feeling Of People On
Preparedness.
hington.-Another indication of
how the country feels on the subject
of preparedness is seen in the reply of
an Ohio farmer to his Representative
in Congress asking whether or not he
wanted any of the Governments free
vegetable and flower seeds.
The farmer addressed a postal card
on which was written in large, bold
letters:
"Cut out this graft-we want battle
ships, not seeds"
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
WON'T DIsARM SHIPS.
Entente Powers Formally Reject Pro-
posal Made BY U. S.

Washington.-All of the Entente
Powers, through their embassies here,
have handed to Secretary Lansing,
formal responses rejecting the pro-
posal made by the State Department
in it's circular memorandum that they
enter into modus vivendi and dis
arm all of their merchant ships with
the understanding that the United
States Government would endeavor to
secure from the Central Powers a
pledge not to attack any such unarmed
ship without warning and without pro-
viding for the safety of the passengers
and crew.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
THE EUROPEAN WAR A
YEAR AGO THIS WEEK
March 27, 1915.

French captured summit of Hart
mannsweiIerkopf.
Violent fighting In the carpa-
thians.
Austrians made gains In suko-
wilma.
U. S. battleship Alabama sent to
Norfolk to keep Prinz Eitel Fried
rich from leaving.
German aViators dropped bombs
on Calais and Dunkirks
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
STATE NEWS BRIEFLY TOLD

At the Hagerstown municipal elec-
ton DR.. J. Mcpherson Scott, mayor Of
Hagerstown, was reelected for his
fourth consecutive term by majority
of 21. The Democrats elected two
members of the city council. The
election was hotly contested. The
electorate also decided whether the
city should expend $75O,OO0 for a
sewerage system and the proposition
to construct sewers carried by SIG ma.
jority.
Andrew J. Cummings, who repre-
ented Montgomery county in the
House of Delegates several terms, is
critically i'll at his home at Chevy
Chase. Several weeks ago he suffered
an attack of pneumonia. He recovered
sufficiently to be able to get about
his condition has become so serious
that his friends are much concerned.
The Susquehanna River is now free
of ice and fishermen are preparing for
the spring catch, but are not sanguine
of great success. The prospect is said
to be dismal. The pound nets that
close the bay have destroyed the shad.
The same condition is reported from
the Delaware river fisheries.
A large shovel plow or dredger is
being used by the Canal Towage COM
pany in dredging the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, preparatory to opening Of
that waterway to traff1: on April 8.
Run over, it is believed, by his own
carriage, the body of John H. Walls,
-almer, of Prime Hook Neck, was
found lying in the road.
William H. Griffin, manager Of the
c. E. Cline furniture store, at Freder-
lex, was crushed to death by an eleva-
tor in the store.
At the annual town election at
North East, Marion Rose was elected
Mayor and Andrew Reynolds and Will.
liam Pugh, Town Commissioners, for
a term of two years.
The Rowland Manufacturing Com
pany has served notice on it's employees
that on April 1 the plant at Port De-
posit will be closed, throwing a large
force of workmen out Of employment.
George Hahn, of Hagerstown, was
severely burned By che explosion of a
can of gasoline which he was pouring
over what he thought was a dead fire
in the kitchen stove. He was taken
to the Washington County Hospital
suffering with burns from the feet to
the waist.
Mrs. Leona Powell, woman farm
agent for the Agricultural Department
liz Allegany county, has arranged for a
thyee-day meeting, April 5, 6 and Z, at
the Methodist Episcopal Church build.
ing at Piney Grove.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
March so, 1915.

Russians stormed mountain
rests in Carpathians.
Austrians began big drive across
ltaL
Turkish seapIane dropped bombs
.on British warship near Darda
relies.
Turkish government promised tc
protect Christians at Urumiah.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
LATEST U-DoATs OF HIGH SPEED

Can Take Crews Of Ordinary Ships
Aboard, Says Paper.
nhagen.-According to the Dan
ish newspaper Politiken, the latest
type of German submarines are so
large that they can take aboard the
crews of ordinary merchant ships
which they sink. Politiken states that
the submarine which recently sank the
Norwegian steamship Lindfield carried
a crew of 80 and was capable of very
great speed. This submarine, says the
newspaper, took the Lindfield's crew
of 80 on board and carried them for
four days, finally trans-shipping them
to Norway.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
April I, 1915.

French occupied Fey-en Haye.
Russians began lively offensive
in Central Poland, but were re-
pulsed by Austrians near InowIodz
on the PiIica.
Germans checked Russians at
RaWka river.
British took Aus, German West
Africa.
British vessels and airmen shelIed
Zeebrugge and Hoboken.
German submarines sank a Brit
ish and a French steamer; 80 lost.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
No News Of Fighting.

No news of the proposed fighting be-
tween Carranza and Villa forces near
Namiquipa or of the report from Mexi
can sources that the bandit chief and
his followers were surrounded five
miles south of Namiquipa by American
and Mexican troops was received here.
According to the Mexican Consul
here, Andreas Garcia, the Mexican
wires have been cut between Casas
Grandes and MADEIRA. The same rea-
son was given by Consul Garcia for the
dearth of news following the first en-
counter reported near Namiquipa some
days ago.
The contradictory reports received
from Mexican sources and the absence
of definite information from General
Pershing have raised new doubts here
as to the status of affairs in the district
where Villa is supposed to be. The
fact that the American field COM
mander made no reference in his re-
port of any fighting, despite the fact
that he announced that American
troops were at Ell Vale. only 40 miles
from Namiquipa, was regarded as
significant.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
"ToM" PENCE DEAD.
He Was Secretary OF the Democratic
National Committee.

Neutrality-suspicious. J. Pence, sec
retary of the Democratic National
Committee, died at his home, here, fol-
lowing a lingering illness, due to COM
plications. Pence was stricken with
pneumonia early in January and for
two months was confined in the hos
pital. A week ago specialists de-
SPARED of his recovery.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
POLICE GET "PoIsoN PEN" MAIL

Wilmington Girls Bothered BY An.
onymous Writer.
Wilmington, Del.-Postal officials
are seeking for the writer of poison
pen" letters which have been sent to
several weh-known women of this city.
Miss Agnes McDermott is one of those
to receive such letters and her brother.
City Councilman Joseph L. McDermott.
turned them over to the postal Off
cials. Miss Mabel Evans, 1901 Mary
land avenue, and the Misses Fitz-
gerald, 1909 Maryland avenue, have re-
ceived similar letters.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
CHILD LABOR BILL UP.
Redrafted, Its Friends Believe It To Be
LaWyer-Proof.

Lawyer-Proof.
Observation-Disclosures so that its
friends believe it "lawyer-proof," the
Keating-Owen child labor bill was be-
fore the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee for final action. The sub
committee of redrafters- -Cummins
Robinson and Smith Is. C.)-en.
1eavored to meet especially the consti-
tutional objections urged against the
aw by James Emery, counsel for the
National Manufacturers Association.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
April 2, 1915.

Heavy artillery fighting between
the Meuse and MoseIIe.
Russians took offensive along en-
tire front.
Moorish rebels occupied Fez and
Mekines.
German submarines destroyed
several W!ssels.
Allied aViators made numerous
aids on Germans on west front.
American sanitary experts saiIec
fight typhus in Serbia.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
MoNcoLIANs NOT WHITE.
Honolulu Court Decides That Japanese
Art Not Eligible To Citizenship.

Honolulu. = American citizenship
was denied to Takao Ozawa, Japan
ese, in a test case here. The court
ruled that Japanese are Mongolians
and that the word white" does not in.
clude the Mongolian race.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
TORNADO KILLS EIGHT.
Had Taken Refuge In Farmhouse In
Storms PATH

Oklahoma City, Okla-Eight per-
sons were killed in a farm house two
miles east of Davis, Okla, by a tor
nado which struck that section. The
path of the tornado was eight miles
wide.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
WHY HE NEEDS RAISE.
Teamster Asks For It When Quad
rupIets Are Born.

INPIVS0 NJ = @~' III
Media, Pa. = William Pasco, a
teamster, applied for a raise in pay
from his employer. He gave q" his
reason the birth of Quadruplets at his
home. Three girls and boy were
born during the night and all are doing
we'll Twin boys were born to Mrs.
Pasco Is months ago.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01

Mrs. Leona Powell, woman farm
agent for the Agricultural Department
ir Allegany county, has arranged for a
t1See-day meeting, April 5, 6 and Z, at
the Methodist Episcopal Church build.
ing at Piney Grove.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
MARYLAND
LEGISLATURE

Annapolis
Senator Chesley introduced a bill
which is intended to facilitate the
work of the legislature by making pos
sible an early organization. The
measure provides that within so days
of the constitutional time for the
meeting of the legislature and not less
than 10 days before the first Wednes-
day in January in every legislative
year the members of the majority
party shall meet in Annapolis, or in a
more convenient place, and in a caucus
shall elect their presiding officer and
desk officers and appoint such commit
tees as shall enable the General AS
sembly at its first meeting to at once
carry on the legislative business of
the state without the usual delays.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01
Marriage Bill Killed.
Blue Sky Bill Advanced.

Without any fight, the House ao-
cepted a favorable report from the
Judiciary Committee on the Fox Blue
Sky Bill.
Middletown transcript., 1916-04-01

A large shovel plow or dredger is
being used by the Canal Towage COM
pany in dredging the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, preparatory to opening Of
that waterway to traf1: on April 8.