The Arizona copper camp., 1916-02-25
SUMMARY Of
THE WEEKS NEWS

Three candidates for the republican
nomination for president formally an
nounced their intentions this week.
On Tuesday evening at a conference
of progressive republicans at Madison,
Wisconsin, Senator Robert M. La
Toilette of Wisconsin, announced that
ne would be a candidate for the
nomination, and at the same time
stated his belief that progressive re-
publicans should contest every foot of
ground in every state of the union for
representation at the Chicago conven-
ton.
The following day Senator Albert B.
Cummlns, OF Iowa, filed with the Sec
retary of state at Des Moines his
formal announcement that he would
be candidate for the nomination.
Theodore E. Burton, former senator
from Ohio filed his affidavit that he
would be a candidate on the same day
at the Ohio capitol.
So far there has been no definite
expression from Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt, who has been widely dis
cussed as presidential candidate.
David R. Francis, who served as
secretary of the interior in Cleve-
lands cabinet, will be the next United
States ambassador to Russia He has
signified his acceptance of the post,
and his nomination will be sent to
the senate for confirmation as soon
as inquiry can be made of the Rus
sian government as to whether he is
acceptable.
The presidents nomination of Henry
f. FLETCHER to be ambassador to
Mexico has been favorably reported
on by the senate committee, and will
probably be confirmed within very
short time
The announced determination of
Germany to sink all armed merchant
vessels or liners of the allies as if
they were actually men of war after
February 29 has caused great dis
cussion and concern in congress-
When the central powers first an
nounced their intention to enforce this
policy, the president through Secre-
tary Lansing was disposed to accept
the view that such vessels were to be
treated as ships of war. Upon more
mature consideration he expressed the
view that merchant vessels carrying
defensive armament could not be
considered war vessels. Their guns,
the president was disposed to hold,
were for use only in case they were
fired upon. For two days there has
been great agitation in congress in
favor of warning Americans not to
travel on armed merchant vessels of
the warning nations, and Senator Gore
even introduced a bill prohibiting
Americans from travelling on armed
belligerent ships. President Wilson,
replying to a letter from Senator
Stone, chairman of the foreign rela-
tions committee of the senate has de-
clared that he will not consent to
any abridgement of American rights.
and pointing out that to surrender
one right would be followed by re-
peated humiliations. The whole fabric
of international law, he says, would
crumble away piece by piece. The
president declared that the American
people covet peace, and would pre-
serve it at any cost but the loss of
honor.
The Germans this week launched
tremendous drive on the western
front, where they are trying to take
from the French the great fortress
of Verdun. They have driven the
French back from the first line of
defense, but as there are four lines
yet remaining, the French are conf
dent that the attack will not be sue
cessful The kaiser and the Crown
Prince Frederick William, the latter
leading the attack, have inspired the
German troops to tremendous efforts,
and the losses on both sides have
been very heavy. Most of the fight
ing has been in the form of artiller,
bombardments of the opposing
trenches.
The Turkish forces, which succeeded
in getting away from Erzerum, the
principal city in Armenia without los
ing many prisoners to the Russians,
are reported to still be retreating The
Russians are said to be in pursuit.
There are no developments of conse-
quence reported from the other fronts,
although engagements of more or less
Importance have been reported