davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Charge of the Union Men.

Union men charged that a suburban
line was utilized last night after mid
night to instruct some of the new men
In how to run cars.
officials of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company made no effort
TO conceal the fact that these men were
being brought here. They would not
say how many they had obtained.
I'VE have been trying to get new
men," Mr.. King stated early today. "W g
have advertised for them. We got
some of these new men before inaugu-
ration. Others are coming here now
We are seeking to place our barns and
shops and our employees generally on
the same basis as that which existed
before the present agreement went into
effect"
Mr. King then explained that the
company was not opposed to organized
labor. but that it did oppose what he
called the domination of our men by
outsiders"
it to the public to keep its cars run
ming. 1t is planning to do just that
There Will be no suspension of service
We are now in a position to give as
surance of that fact" Mr.. King con-
cluded.
When Mr.. King came away from tn.
conference with the CommiSS toner's he
reiterated his statement that the COM
pany would not recognize the union in
any way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
War Means Further Issues.

Many members of the House believe
that if the armed-ship order leads to
hostilities. the government will issue
still more bonds. They also believe
that all bills pending before Congress
in the excitement of special session
or war session will have to be care
fully scrutiniZed in order to keep down
the possibility of too much blanket au-
thority being granted to government
officials.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Congress Summoned to Meet April Is to Back
Up Executive, if Necessary, in Prote ction
of American Rights at Sea.
NAVAL GUNS AND GUNNERS READY
FOR SERVICE ABOARD MERCHANTMEN
Creates Condition Of Armed Neutrality, Changing to War First
Actual Conaict-No Information as to Details or
Sailngs to Be Published.

Guns and ammunition will be placed aboard
merchant ships Immediately they
TO fire on German submarines which attack them.
Navy yards ordered today equip the vessels
possible and the action will the United position of
armed neutrality the beyond diplomatic
relations with Germany and possibly the preliminary What
ships be armed first and when they will will
order avoid endangerng the lives OF them
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Orders to Gun Crews.

With the departure of the first armed
American ship it W>ll be necessary for
the Navy Department to issue instruc-
tions to gun crews as to the manner in
which the weapons are to be employed.
In that will be involved declaration
of policy as to whether the appearance
of submarine in the neighborhood of a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
BIPARTISAN RULE
RATED AS POSSIBLE
Continued Doubt Whether Re-
pubIicans or Democrats Will
Control Next House.
QUICK DECISION EXPECTED

Whether the House of Representa-
tives, upon assembling April Is. at the
call of the President issued yesterday,
is to be organized by the democrats.
the republicans or through bipartisan
agreement. dividing the control, cam
not at this time be forecast by any man.
Any one of the three contingencies is
possible.
Only one definite fact seems to stand
out-namely. that there will not be
long deadlock through balance of
power" holding out for advantageous
personal terms. but that the contest
over organization will be short. sharp
and decisive. one way or the other. with
admitted possibility of a patriotic shar-
ing of responsibilities and honors
equally divided between the two great
parties. the independents falling into
places allotted TO them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10

Mgr. Won Gerlach. an Austrian, was
private chamberlain to the Pope. He
was forced to leave Rome in January
through pressure brought to bear on
the Vatican, according to a semi official
dispatch from Berlin. by the represent
atives of the entente. Prior to his de-
parture an Italian named Ambrogettl.
who claimed to be Mgr. Gerlachs s
financial agent, was arrested, charged
with being implicated in the blowing
up of the Italian battleships Benedetto
Rrin and Leonardo Ia Ninci. Mgr
Gerlach was the only Teutonic prelate
in the Pope's retinuc.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10

The international situation will play
an important part in framing the legis-
lative program. Undoubtedly strong
efforts will be made to pass the espion-
age bill asked for by the administra-
tion and passed by the Senate at the
last session. Another bill which will
muster sufficient votes in Congress is
the bill to amend the act creating the
United States shipping board so as TO
give the President authority to comman-
deer American merchant vessels and
shipyardS in times of war.
should this country become involved
in the European war within the next
few weeks, or during the time Congress
measures necessary to prosecute that
war to Il successful conclusion will be
enacted by Congress, no matter
whether the House be organized by the
republicans, or the democrats.
one of the most important measures
which is to come before Congress, par
ticularly in view of the recent dis
closures in regard to foreign relations.
is the universal military training Dill
| Undoubtedly it will receive far more
support than it could have received
even few months ago.
of the Presidents program for the
last session of Congress there still re-
main the railroad bills. the corrupt
| practices bill and the Webb bill per-
mitting the establishment of combina-
ton selling agencies abroad by Ameri-
| can interests. Undoubtedly these meas
| ures will receive consideration. There
has been strong opposition to all OF
| them, however. and it will take time
and amendment to put them through.
West to Urge Conservation Bills.
| Senator'S from the west will urge that
the so-called conservation bills. pro-
viding for the development Of the ma
| (Continued on Second Page)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
MORE GERLACH ARRESTS.
Names Will Be Revealed by Italians
at Secret Trial.

PARIS. March 10, sos ANA num-
ber of fresh arrests have been made in
Rome and elsewhere in connection with
what is known as the Gerlach case, ac-
cording to a Milan dispatch to the
Matin. The names of the accused will
not he made public until the trial,
which will be a secret one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10

to meet the expenditures incident to the
Mexican situation to- June 80, 1917,
$162.41S.00O. Notwithstanding these au-
horzed issues there will still remain
about sS1,000,000 of Panama canal
bonds that can be issued by the Presi-
dent
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
To Build Shipyard on the Delaware.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa. March 1o-A
shipyard equal to any in the United
States" will be built on the Delaware
river Immediately below the mouth of
the Schuylkill river. according to an
announcement by the Fort Miff1in Ship
building Company, recently organized
on the new yard will begin at once. the
announcement states. $50 acres of river
front property having been acquired as
q site.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Secretary Daniels Statement.

Secretary Daniels in his statement to
the newspaper men said:
You have read the statement issued
from the White House and now you
know that the President has the power
to arm American merchant ships max
ing trips on the seas on lawful errands.
and is free to exercise it at once. ! do
not think you ought to ask with what
guns they will be armed or how they
will be manned or exactly when the
power will be exercised. The govern
ment should be trusted fully to carry
out the policy announced in the best
way.
Il do not think you ought to ask
when the ships will be armed or print
when they will sail. Today | requested
every cable company in America not to
send out any news about ships sailing
to or from Europe. The wireless sta
tions are under the direction of the
Navy Department and no news of sail
ingS will go out by radio.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Activities Near Verdun.

con the west bank of the Meuse (Eer-
dun 'FRONT.' a French advance upon
Cheppy wood was without result. East
of the Meuse our storming detachments
entered Caurieres wood. and returned
with six officers, 200 men and two ma
chine guns. The remainder of the
French trench garrison escaped by
hasty flight Near F'liery. between the
Meuse and the Moselle, an enterprise
by a storminG detachment also had the
success planned for. In this instance
fifteen prisoners were brought in.
"Our airmen shot down six hostile
airplanes and two captive balloons. BY
defensive fire one hostile machine was
brought down. Lieut. Boran con
Richtofen was victor for the twenty
fifth time in an air engagement"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10

ship is sufficient warrant for opening
fire.
When the application of a shipowner
for arms has been approved by the
Navy Department the comma ndant Of
the nearest navy yard will be instruct
ed to place the guns aboard. Most Of
the work probably will be done at the
yards where facilities are available for
handling heavy weights quickly. In
some cases structural changes in ships
decks may be necessary to carry the
gun weight. In any event. however il
VIII take no more than a few days to
outfit any ship
, ,ohtracts for additional guns of suit
aoie SIZE are being speeded up Ii is ex-
pected that they can be completed SO
| .ilat weapons will be quickly available
Ior converting merchant craft into naval
duNiilarles II war comes
Navy yard commandants will s,Iperin-
Leho the actual installation of guns on
merchant craft. The rifles, ammunition,
mounts. range finders and other acces.
sorles are already stored at the yards,
Lhey range from heavy six-inch rifles to
IN @amiee-inch weapons and smaller guns.
ne number of guns to Eo-on each ship,
Tue personnel selected from the active
,ist or the navy or from the reserve to
iahdie the guns. the time of sailing or.
,he names of ships that have heet1
armed. will not he disclosed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
French Official Report.

The announcement follows:
South of the Avre yesterday we made
several attacks which enabled us to in.
fiict losses on the enemy and take pris-
oners East of Armancourt our detach-
ments penetrated to the third German
trench. which was completely destroyed
by our fire. Northeast of scissors, near
Crouy. in the course Of an expedition
into the German lines, we took half a
score of prisoners. Two attacks on our
small posts in the vicinity of Rheims
were repulsed.
In the Champagne the night was
marked by violent fighting at certain
points. On the front between Butte du
Mesnil and Maisons de Champagne the
Germans made several attempts to re-
capture the trenches we had taken. On
the left of this sector. after alternate
advances and retreats. we finally elected
ther eHefnyT-and made progress. On the
right of this sector German attacks were
broken by our fire and we maintained all
our positions.
"On the right bank of the Meuse the
Germans made a new attack on the
trenches taken by us north of Caurieres
wood. Our counter attacks at once
forced back the enemy from certain
trench elements which he had succeeded
in penetrating.
There is nothing to report from the
remainder of the 'front.'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10

Fraught with the gravest possibili-
ties of war with Germany. in case there
is armed contact between American
merchantmen and German subma rines.
President Wilson's decision to proceed
upon his constitutional rights in arm
ing American vessels was taken only
after he had been officially advised by
the Attorney General and the Secretary
of State that he has such rights and
only after he was convinced that Ger
many actually is proceeding with her
campaign of ruthlessness and had made
efforts to plot with Mexico and Japan
against the territorial integrity of the
United States.
The Presidents action was taken
from sick bed. as he has been con-
hned to his room for several days with
heavy cold. In deciding that he has
the power to arm the merchantmen Of
the United States. he took the position
that the statute of 1919. alluded to in
the Senate debate as prohibiting his
ar1nlng the ships without congressional
action. has no application in the pres
ent situation. He is satisfied that the
nation stands behind him. He accepts
the recent overwhelming vote in the
House of Representatives in favor OF
armed neutrality and the recorded
opinion of large majority of the Sem
ate that he has the support of Con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Means Armed Neutrality.

Armed neutrality will be the status
of the United States the moment that
the first merchant nip under tho
American flag puts to sea with cannon
mounted for protection. Presider4
Wilson made that clear in his addres4 4
to Congress February eS. when he,
asked specific authority to arm mcrs
chant ships for dercnse against sub
marines. the steps he now has ordered
on his own responsibility.
Writers on Internal ionai law hav.
held that armed neutrality consists in
placing the country in a position to
defend itself and its neutrality against
threatened attacks or threads 10y
belligerentS. That state of prepared
ness may last AN indefinite length Of
time, through good fortune in AVOID
ing contact with bellig forces
atloat or ashore or through the dcs -
Of the belligerent to coniine its dccia-
ration of purpose to infringe the nnu-
trality of country to mere three
unsupported by action.
On the other hand. the staits
armed neutrality may change into
of actual hostility. through a coilsi n.
such as a submarine attack oa "a
armed merchantmen.
President Wilson has said that t.
may not he necessary to put aru-"'l
forces anywhere into action. All vi'l
depend upon the future attituG" "f
Germany and the treatment of Amer
lean shios by German submarine COM
manders.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Armed U. S. Ships May Fire
on Submarines at Sight.
Is State Department View

The mere appearance of a German sub
marine or its periscope in the presence of
an American merchant vessel would en-
title that ship, according to State Depart
ment opinion today to take all measures
of protection on the presumption that the
U-boat's purpose was hostile. Under this
ruling an American armed merchantmen
could fire on a German submarine the
moment it was sighted. without being
considered as taking aggressive action
This view is based on Germany's de-
clared intention to sink on sight within
certain zones all vessels. neutral as well
as belligerent. and whether passenger
vessels freighters or contraband carriers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Many Prisoners Are Young.

thick snow clouds gave evidence OF
their presence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Stands on Former Warning.

The United States was said to stand
fatty on its armed merchantmen warning
of March 81 last. i'm which il deflitrl.-
recognized the fright to prevent capt lr-''
as part of the right of self-pro;ect.oE
which could be exercised either by hg.
or resistance. The mere presence -!
German submarine is declared e.olaf -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Prisoners Are Taken.

The official communication issued last
evening says:
"In the region of CrapeaumesniI, to
the south of Roye and near Auberive
our detachments at several points pene-
trated enemy trenches. to which i'm
portant damage was done. During these
actions we took about twenty prisoners.
I'm the sector of MaiSons de Cham
pagne the Germans launched three Vio-
lent attacks on the positions we re-
conquered yesterday. Our Darrage fire
and the fire of our machine guns broke
down the attacks of the enemy. who
was obliged to withdraw, leaving a
large number of dead on the ground.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Session to Last Several Months.

Senate leaders indicated today that the
special session in all probability will con-
tinue for several months.
The Legislative program will be de-
termined by President Wilson and the
democratic leaders in Congress, and much
will depend upon VIII ether the democrats
or republicans organize and control the
House. as to the success of this program.
The appropriation bills which failed to
pass at the last session OF Congress must
be passed. They are the army appropria-
ton bill. the sundry civil bill. the general
deficiency bill. tie Military Academy bill
and the river amt hs rbor bill
If the interpational situation re-
mains practically the same at pres
ent. undoubtedII one of the first meas
ures which Congress will put through
will be a bill giving the President such
powers to protect American vessels
and American lives at sea as were con-
tanned in the armed neutrality bill
which failed at the last session. 1t is
true that the President has determined
that he already has power to arm mer-
chant vessels to protect themselves
against the submarines. but the armed
neutrality bin give him other and
wider powers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Preliminary Steps Taken.

Preparations for defending American
merchant vessels had already been
taken by the government. and actual
work of equipping them only awaited
the Navy Departments approval of ap-
plications from shipowners. In the
various navy yards along the Atlantic
coast are stored guns. ammunition and
other necessary equipment ready for
installation.
In official circles today confidence
was expressed that Secretary Daniels
appeal to newspapers not to seek or
publish specific news of the arming
and sailings of American merchant
men would be observed. A similar ap-
peal was made to telegraph and cable
companies.
The best news the readers can
have" said the Secretary, lis that the
government will protect the rights of
America to the freedom of the seas.
The publication of details can serve no
good purpose and might jeopardize hu-
man life
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Clerk to Call House to Order.

The next House will be called to order
by the clerk of the last House. a con-
tnuinS officer, who will call the roll
from the unofficial list now in his hands.
That roster shows 2l5 republicans. PA
democrats. prohibitionist, l progress
sive. l progressive -protectionist, l So
cialist. Independent and l vacancy.
That vacancy. however. is to be
filed at a special election to be called
by Gov Whitman. and democrat will
be returned, which will. unless there
are other deaths meantime. make the
score 21J to 21o. with five independents
The course of the independents has not
yet been determined beyond the UNDER
standing that the socialist member. Mr..
London of New York. may answer
Present and not express a choice for
Speaker.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Bipartisan Plan Outlined.

The suggested bipartisan plan of
organization contemp1ates selection of
Champ Clark as Speaker. the committee
chairmanships then to be awarded in
rotation between the democrats and re-
publicans. the membership of the COM
mittees to be in even instead of odd
numbers. equally divided between dem
oCrats and republicans. The House
patronage also would be equally ap-
portioned.
The bipartisan suggestion is at this
time merely tentative and largely con-
tingent upon a threatened deadlock or
a state of war, which would unite both
parties into an american party" so
to speak. for the conduct of the af-
fairs of government.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
WEATHER.

Fair; warmer tonight: tomorrow
partly cloudy and warmer.
Temperature for twenty four hours
ending pm: Highest. SO. at . pm
today; lowest, 30. at Z am. today.
Full report on page IL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Republicans Plan Reorganization.

The republicans already have laid
the groundwork for reorganization in
case they should have a majority to
elect a Speaker and control commit
tees. A committee of twenty-seven
regulars and progressives will report
to a republican caucus to be held five
days prior to the announced assem-
bling of Congress a plan expected to
he adopted by the caucus as party pro-
cedure.
Under that plan the caucus will de-
eide upon the partys candidate for
Speaker, generally understood to be Mr.
Mann of Illinois. who will be the chair
man of a special committee of fifteen.
to be chosen by the caucus, which COM
mittee is to make the appointments to
the committees of the House and select
their chairmen. ~-
II the democrats have majority in
the House they will name Champ Clark
for Spea ker, and the committee on ways
and means will designate the commit
tee memberships. 1t is presumed that
hold over members would retain their
committee places held in the last House.
with but few exceptions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
President Issues Orders.

FreS1denC Issues OrQerS.
President Wilson issued the neces-
sary orders yesterday. in the belief
that he has ample executive power
without special authorization from
Congress. simultaneously, however,
he called Congress to meet in special
session April &c. to be in position to
support him. if necessary.
1t is expected that the extra session
of Congress quickly will vote suffi :
cient money to pay for the expense of
armed neutrality. The bill which fail
ed of passage in the Senate when the
last Congress came to an end provided
500, ,0o0, 900 for that purpose. 1t is in
dicated that the government has
enough money to go on with, until the
extra session votes more. Under a
bill passed in the last days of the last
Congress the funds at the disposal
of the federal war risk bureau. to in
sure American ships. were increased to
$4,000. 900. 1t is expected that the
extra session of Congress also VIII
vote more money Immediately for in
surance purposes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
German Casualties Heavy.

FROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WITH
THE FRENCH ARMIES IN CHAM
pAGNE, FRANCE, March 9.-The sue
cess of the French troops Thursday
between Butte du Mesnil and Maisons
de Champag gne was even more i'm
nortant than was thought at first. The
troops advanced along 1.500mete
front to depth ranging from 500
to 500 meters. occupying it at all
noints. The casualties of the Germans
were very heavy. and up to the present
136 prisoners. including three officers,
have been counted. Throughout We'd
nesday night and Thursday morning
the French artillery of every caliber
had shelled heavily the German line
Every gun was trained on trenches
and blockhouses opposite the French
line.
The Associated Press correspondent
saw the first infantrymen Chamber out
of the front trench and proceed at a
slow pace across No Mans Land pre-
ceded by complete curtain of fire
from the artillery. which raised and
dropped methodically as the footmen
advanced. The German artillery, mean
while, opened a heavy curtain of fire
which, however, did not restrict the
French advance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
Many Germans Surrender.

Gradually the French troops reached
the first-line German trenches. where
the German occupants could be seen
here and there rushing out. their hands
raised in the air as token of sur
render. after which they were passed
through the advancing French ranks
and hurried to the rear. At some
points, however. the Germans had
made their positions regular fortresses.
and here there was sharp grenade and
rife fighting. But the positions sue
cumbed one after another to the French
attack.
Waves Of infantry could then be seen
making their way slowly up the slopes
until they attained their fixed objective
While the fight was in progress French
airplanes circled overhead and watched
the movements of the Germans behind
| the point attacked. No German air.
planes made their appearance during
lthe fight, but an occasional sharp
rattle Of machine guns behind the