davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
How the Boil WccyiI Has Helped TT.
to Appreciate the Value of Fertile
= Fields.

Until recent years Southern farm
ers as a whole, seemed to give no
thought to the state of their soil fer
tility. They continued to grow cot
ton with or without. commercial fer
ilizers, and without any thought for
the future of the soil. They were
able to do this longer than any other
one-crop farmers were ever before
able to do so. because cotton is the
best poor-land crop known and re-
spends best TO the use of commercial
fertilizers.
But at last the Southern farmer
was rudely jolted out of his indiffer-
ence to the state of his soil fertility.
Among other things which served to
awaken him to something like a due
appreciation as to just how poor
most of our soils had become and of
the importance of rich soil if his
farming was to continue to support
himself and bis family, was the COM
ing Of the boil weevil. When it be-
came necessary to grow other crops.
the poverty of his soil revealed itself
to him in a light which he had never
seen before. He had gone to the
very edge Of the precipice of de-
struction, through his absolute disre-
gard Of THE care of his soil; but the
boil weevil while sending many over
the precipice also stopped many a
man from going over and down to
destruction. Land that had produced
cotton enough, when fertilzed, to
give a bare living, absolutely refused
to give living yields of corn, oats and
other crops. 1t is said that every
people who go onto virgin soils de-
plete them, sometimes to the point of
near starvation, before they begin to
sufficiently appreciate the Importance
OF rich soil to cause them to do
those things necessary to even main
tain, much less build up, soil fertility
There is no denying the fact that the
boil weevil had much to do with
arousing Southern farmers to a real
ization of the extent to which our
soils had become depleted and start
ed many Of them to restoring as rap
idly as practicable their worn soils.
1t is unfortunate that some Of these
have been sorely disappointed, be-
cause of the slowness with which !
their soils have come back" This is
not really due to any fault Of our |
soilsN for they respond to good treat ;
ment amazingly fast; but it is rather .
due to the fact that these farmers eX-
pected too much and failed to realize
that what ii had taken many years to .
destroy could not be restored in
year or two. our soils may be made
fertile: more fertile than they ever
we're: but it will take time and ef-
fort, or money to do so, ana very
much money to do so Quickly.-The
Farmer.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
The Contrast.

Ihe first death penalty imposed
since 'he American troops landed in
+ rance was on an American soldier
VINO was found guilty by court mar
tial of the rape ana n,uraer ne n
eiicn woman. He was executed by
a hring squad. The details will be
pupIshed later, Stree it is the nur-
pose of the United States to make
pam 10 the world how the American
army will deal with, men who com.
INIT such crimes. The khaki will NOT
protect brutes from swift and full
punishment. Stern, relentless Justice
VIII be meted out 70 those who dis
grace the uniform thew wear ana
the righteous nation thew represent
In striking contrast is the record of
the German armies, darklv stained
with shame. The walls of hacked and
mutiiated children, The shrieks of out-
ragged girls, mothers, aged women and
nuns have rent the air whore tho
oeasts nave gone. Upon the white
pooles or the innocent and defenseless
is forever stamped the mark of the
German beasts in uniform. DR.. Leon
Daoo In a public address lately de-,
ilVered in New York said that "all tho
correspondents send over about tbe
atrocities that have been committees
all the inhumanities, all the bestia,-
ties that no paper can possibly receive
IN lnk-they are not only true. but
the worst of them n not he told
nave been in a hospital in the depart
ment of the Meuse in France, where
there are nearly one thousand girls.
not one is eighteen years OF age and
all will be mothers. Eleven per cent
In addition are stark mad. have seen
boys terribly mutiiated." Not since
the Middle Ages has been paralleled
the horror that the Hun has perpe-
trated upon defenseless womanhood
These brutes have not been punished.
So far as the world knows, not one
of them has been shot for his atrocitv.
Instead, there is evidence that these
barbarities have been instigated by
the arch-fiends higher up in the Ger
man army. There is no evidence to
disprove the assertitn that this cam
paign Of frightfulneas had the sacit
sanction of the Imperial German gov
ernment, whose way cry is Onward
with God"
The American army will follow the
policy that was best expressed by.
Gen. Robert e. Lee in his immortal
Chambersburg order, written when
the Confederate army was on foreign
soil:
The duties exacted of us by CIV
ilization and Christianity are not less
obligatory in the country Of the en-
envy than our own. No greater
disgrace would befa;l. the army, and
through it our whole people, than the.
perpetration of baroarious oyt1ages
upon the innocent and defenseless
and the wanton destruction Of private
property. 1t must be remem-
bered that We make war only on
armed men, and that we can not
take vengeance for the wrongs our
people have suffered without. lower
ing ourselves in the eyes of all whose
abhorrance has been excited by the
atrocities of our enemy and offending
against Him to whom vengeance be-
longeth, without whose favor and sup
port all our efforts must all prove in
vain. n."-Greenville News.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
The Need of Economy and Saving

Ihe Need OF Economy and Saving
When we put a million and a half
soldiers in the field. we withdraw
those men from productive enterpris-
es. They do not while they are actual
ly in training or in service produce
anything. They do, on the other
hand, consume much. There is MOTH
ing more expensive on earth than to
support and maintain Il great army in
the field, especially if it is on the fight
ing line. The attrition of supplies and
everything else is tremendously great
when we have a fighting army in the
field.
America is the one great remaining
storehouse in the world of supplies
and credit. We must maintain and
make effective as possible our own
soldiers and the soldl of those ma
tions who are fighting for us. We
must therefore draw az little as nos
sible upon our common store of sup
plies and money. The more we lessen
our domestic demand, the more we
can contribute to the support and ef-
[ectlveness of our allied armies.
Economy is now a national duty.
Such duty upon the people at home
as lighting is upon those Americans
VINO are bravely Offering their lives
for the honor of America and the
preservation of liberty and justice.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
JUN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

washington, Dec 3.-An appeal to
mon between the ages of eighteen
and forty to join the enlisted person-
mel of the army medical corps was
made today by Surgeon General Cor
gas. Candidates were directed TO
apply before December Is to any re-
cruitlng officer of the army or TO tbe
medical officers OF any military post
or cantonmcnt.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
RUSSO-GERMAN ARMISTICE.
Agreement to Cease Fighting Signed
at Hcadquartcrs.

London, Dec. Am armistice be-
tween Russia and Germany has been
signed at the headquarters of Prince
Leopold of Bavaria, says an Ex-
change Telegraph dispatch from Am
sterdam today. The armistice is
valid As hours. .a.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

m something IS not done 90 check
the rising prices OF the neressaries OF
lic. there is going TO no some starry
ing ana freezing too I'm the good old
state OF South Carolina before the
springtimc comes round again.-
Ncwbcrry Observer.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

Paris. Dec. 4.-On the Verdun
front west of the Mouse the Germans
last nient attempted to approach the
French positions but were thrown
back, the war Office announces. On
the Champagne front heavy artillery
lighting is in progress.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
GENERAL STAFF SURRENDEKS
Russian staff Submits to Authority Of
ROlShCXiki

PetrOgrad. Dec. 4.-Ensign Kry-
lenko, the Bolshevili commando il
chief telegraphed today that the gor-
eral staff which has refused to recoC.
nize the authority Of the Bolsheviili,
has surrendered.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

No wonder Austria is desperate
when Germany thought ii would
WIN, Austria stood TO lose. And now
mat Germany is sure to lose Ans
tria also is bound to lose.-Burte
Miner
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

Artificial gas IS supplaut.ng coal as
fuei Ia Philadelphia II is also
pointed out ns an incentive 20 its use
that while the price OF coal has soar
ed that OF gas is either unchoneed or
lower.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
Stockings.

They say certain colored stock
in@s have dangerous germs i'm thon, -
Yes. but think what other trmcu
they have in them. Florida fines
Union.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08
OUR BREAD SUPPLY.
wheat Surplus and Deficiency by
States Develop Many Interesting
Facts.
Manufacturers Record.)

A study of the wheat surplus or
deficit, by States, this year and a
comparison with a five-year average
develops many interesting facts
The New England and Middle
States this year will need O,O0O, 900
bushels more Of wheat than they have
produced. New York, for instance,
will have deficiency in it's wheat
production of more than 100000
bushels, and Pennsylvania 23,500, 900
bushels. The only State in this group
which has raised more wheat than it
will need for it's own consumption is
Delaware, with a surplus of 100000
bushels.
The most striking fact, however
brought out by a study of this situa-
tion is that the great western States
of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and
Iowa all produced less wheat than
they consume. Their shortage this
year aggregates 100000 bushels
and California, which has been count
ed one of the great wheat States of
| the Pacific coast, has had such an
| increase in wheat consumption over
it's wheat production that it now falls
short by 100000 bushels of raising
wheat which it needs for it's own con-
sumption.
| No State in the South has such a
deficit as California in wheat produc-
ton. Taking the entire South, there
is wheat shortage Of only 81, 1,000,-
600 bushels, but some months ago
the United States Department of
Agriculture sent out n statement to
the effect that 1.-THE Southern States
consumed over 22,0OO,O0O barrels of
-four (equal to about 100000 900
bushels of wheat'') and that "all Of
this -four is imported into the South
from other sections
The detailed figures which we have
compiled from the official report of
the Department of Agriculture show
that the net shortage in the South is
only $1,000, 900 bushels. For the five
year period. from 1909-1913, there
was an average deficiency in the
South of 6S,0OO,OOO bushels of wheat
This has been cut down until the de-
ficiency for 1917 is only 100000
bushels.
The following table compiled from
the report Of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, is interest
ing as showing the surplus produc-
tion and the deficiency by States.
These figures do not, of course, COW
er the total production of wheat, but
merely show the amount of shortage
in some States and the amount of,
surplus in others. From this point of
view they are exceedingly interesting:
Theoretical Wheat Surplus and Dc.
ficicncy, by States, 1917 Crop.
1917
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

Lonine ana Trotzky cannot last. but
they can play hell while they are
there. Memphis Commcrcial-Appco
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-08

Total Southern
States. 80. 33,325, 900 63,OS4, 900
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
NEGRO TROOPS WHO KILLED
MANY CITIZENS DISARMED.

Houston. Texas.-Negro soldiers of
the Twenty-fourth infantry, who shot
up the streets of Houston, were be-
ing entrained TO be removed to Colum-
bus, NJ M.
Capt. l.. S. Snow, commanding the
battalion, said that the action of the
negroes was practically mutiny."
A scene probably unique in the an
nails of the United States army was
enacted at Camp Logan during the
afternoon when the six hundred sol.
diers Of the battalion Of negro infan-
try were disarmed
Flanked by a full battalion of the
Nineteenth infantry under Col Mil.
lard F. Waltz and three companies OF
the coast artillery from Fort Crock
EFT. the negro soldiers were marched
four abreast to the parade grounds
where their arms were stacked Army
trucks then loaded the rifles and am
munition and conveyed them to the
camp storehouse. where they were
placed under heavy guard.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
SITUATION IN RUSSIA
GROWS ALARMING

Washington.-Russia's critical inter-
nal situation. aggravated by the new
German drive against Riga threaten
Ing the capital, is watched by officials
here with grave concern. It became
known that official advices are closely
In accord with press dispatches de-
scribing grave political conditions.
The outcome OF the forthcoming
extraordinary national council to be
held In Moscow is awaited here with
interest scarcely less keen than in
Russia itself. The immediate fate of
Russia. 1t is felt, depends upon It.
Out OF the great gathering, in
which the conservative elements OF
all sorts are expected to unite in an
EFFORT to compel the provisional gov.
ernment to throw of the socialistic,
control Of the soldiers and workmen's
council, one Of two results Is expected:
"The formation OF strong central
izec government capable Of rapidly
reorganizing the army and resuming
the Offensive against the central pow
ers or open civil strife"
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
MISSION IS WARMLY GREETED
AT WASHINGToN-MoST IMPORT
ANT PROBLEM FACED Is DIS
POSITION OF SHIPS.
Mission Here to Greet American AS
Brother Nation Fighting For a Com
mon cause-How Best Two Nations
Can Cooperate.

Washington. - Japans mission to
the United States with a message Of
congratulation and appreciation to
President Wilson from the emperor
and people OF Japan. was welcomed to
Washington with warmth and enthu-
siasm by the public with the highest
mark OF courtesy by the government
Passing through streets thronged
with people. past long lines of school
children dressed in white with the red
sun OF Japan on the fronts of their
gowns. the distinguished visitors were
escorted by cavalry to the residence
Of Perry Belmont, where they will be
the guests OF the government during
their stay. They VIII make the formal
calls which must precede the official
conferences being arranged for them,
and they they will dine with the Pres
ident.
Viscount Ishii, the special embassa-
dor, spoke to the newspaper CORE.
spondents Of his qualification at the
welcome given the mission here, at
Honolulu, San Francisco and at all
stages OF its Journey He said:
We Are All Delighted.
ITO say am pleased to be in
Washington would be too convention.
al. am delighted-we are all de.
lighted-with the cordial reception.
I'm speaking to the gentlemen of a
newspaper press which wields such
enormous power in this great country
| am well aware that purely conven-
tional utterances is worse than moth
ing. But at the same time, what can
| say? Obviously it will be improper
to anticipate the message carry from
the emperor of Japan to your great
President
MY last visit to America was lust
ten years ago. Since then many
things have changed and now that
Japan and America are brothers in
arms fighting for a great common
cause I have every hope and conf
dence in success. victory and for per
manently continued international
unity"
The mission. II Is authoritativcly ex.
planned. has not come here on q com.
mercialy or political errand, but to
greet the United States as brother
nation fighting for a common end To
decide after a consultation how best
the two nations can cooperate both
In an economic and military sense, IN
carrying on the war.
Among the most important prob
lens Is that OF the disposition OF Japa.
nese shipping, with the view to max.
Ing 1t of the greatest assistance In the
conduct Of the war.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
AMERICA REAFFIRMS FAITH IN
FUTURE OF NEW RUSSIAN
DEMOCRACY.
LANSING IS NOW OPTIMISTIC
Secretary Of State Makes Public Note
Renewing Wilson's Sympathy and
Confidenee.-Money for Supplies
and Equipment.

Washington.-The United States re-
affirmed its faith in the new Russian
democracy and gave concrete evidence
hundred million dollars to the provi-
sional government.
Announcement OF the loan came
from the treasury soon after Secre-
tary Lansing at the state department
had denied formally that reports from
Russia were of an unfavorable nature
and declared that on the contrary con-
fidential dispatches to the government
were the basis for his belief that the
administration at Petrograd was
strengthening its position.
Il regard the government of Rus
sia as stronger today than it has been
for month" Mr.. Lansing said 81
mean In general, both from political
and military points of view. This opin-
ion is based upon reports more or less
confidential that we have been get
ting"
So far as the military situation is
concerned the secretary said he felt
little concern over the advance upon
Riga by the Germans recalling that
the place had been evacuated five
times during the war. Major General
Scott, chief OF staff, who was a mem
Der Of the Root commission, agreed
that the capture Of Riga would not
be an important strategical loss. A
German advance upon Petrograd from
Riga would be followed by removal of
the seat Of government to Moscow,
seat OF the conservatives upon whom
the allies are counting to maintain a
firm republican government and the
city looked upon by million Of Rus.
slams as the natural capital of their
country.
In addition to his statement Secre-
tary Lansing made public a note he
had just sent to Ambassador Bakmet.
eff replying to message OF assurance
from Foreign Minister Tereschtenko.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
SHOULD NOT FORCE WIFE TO
WORK TO SUPPORT SELF
AND CHILDREN.
WILSON MOD|F|ES RULES
Clears Up Contested PoInts.-orders
For Mobilization Of First incremen.
Changed and Experienced Men VIII
Be Taken First.

Washington.-At the direct sugges-
ton of President Wilson. Provost
Marshal General Crowder telephoned
to all governors supplemental ex-
PLANTATION OF regulations governing the
status of merried men under the draft
law. No change in regulation is
made, and the purpose OF the state
ment is to clear up -misunderstand-
ings
In letter to Secretary Baker
quoted by General Crowder, President
Wilson states his opinion that the
regulation directing local boards "to
establish the fact OF dependents in
addition to the fact of marriage ought
not to be abrogated'' This leaves
the regulations as they are and the
supplementary statement is designed
merely to make the application Of the
rules uniform.
While the statement regarding mar
ried men was in preparation orders
were issued changing entirely the
mobilization arrangements previously
made. Congestion of rail traffic and
the necessity OF making better pro-
vision for receiving the men at the
cantonments dictated the changes.
Under the new orders. five per cent
OF the white men, preferably those
with military experience, from each
local area, will be started forward to
the camps September instead Of
thirty per cent. They will go in nve
daily detachments of equal size and
form skeleton company organization
and set up a going concern into which
the remainder OF the total quota can
be absorbed without confusion as they
reach the contonments.
The next forty per cent OF the quota
will go forward September 10. when
the second thirty per cent originally
was scheduled to go; second forty
per cent will go forward October 3
instead of the third thirty per cent
and the remaining fifteen per cent
will be called up as soon thereafter as
practicable.
Local boards are directed to disre-
gard order of liability numbers TO
some extent in selecting the first five
per cent as men OF experience such as
cooks and former soldiers are desired
at that time. Warning is given
against getting into this levy by reas-
on OF his experience, any man who
might get otherwise have been includ.
ed In the first increment OF the dis
trict at all.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
New History Issued.

Spartanburg.-"The Government of
England, National, Local. Imperial"
is the title Of new 400 page volume
by DIR. David Duncan Wallace, pro-
fessor of history and economies at
Wofford College, which has just been
issued from the press. The new
book is meant to give a clear concep.
ton of the government of England to
the reader who may not be we'll
acquainted with the facts. 1t is well
written. clear and authentic and gives
the history Of the government as 1t is
today
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
COULDN'T LOCATE LAND
PEARY SAYS HE FOUND.

Sydney, N. S.-Donald B. Mac
Millan's Arctic expedition arrived
here after four years spent In the
polar regions. Macmillan. who was
one OF Rear Admiral Peary's lieuten-
ants on his successful dash for the
NORTH pole, confirmed dispatches
that there was no Crockerland such
as has been reported by Peary
Peary's mistake was due to a mirage
SO real that the Macmillan party had
been deceived by II for four days.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
CASES OF
PARALYSIS REPORTED

Richmond, Va.-Fifty-three cases of
infantile paralysis have been reported
to the state health, department during
August, according to figures secured
from DIR. Enhoid G.. Williams, state
health commissioner. During July
there were forty-eight cases, making
total OF 101 cases of the disease since
the outbreak of the epidemic in the
valley OF Virginia. While the disease
has not been entirely confined to the
valley and northwestern part of the
state. 1t is believed by the health
authorities that the infection is radi-
ating from Rockingham. which has
taken the lead in number Of cases.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-08-30
GREAT VICTORY CROWNS
iTALY'S NEW OFFENSIVE
With Austrian Line Broken italians
PurDuo Enennv

with austrian Line Broken italians
Pursue Enemy.
The battle along the Isonzo has de-
veloped further brilliant successes for
the Italians. who 1t Is now plain are
making one of their greatest efforts OF
the war thus far.
General Cadorna's men, who at the
beginning of the offensive effected a
new crossing OF the river north Of Go
rizia, at a point where the Austrians
believed such a feat was impossible,
have won another spectacular victory
by scaling Monte Sano. 2.245 feet high
and placing their flag there.
Farther south, on the Carso. fight
ing continues violently and incessant-
ly. Austrian efforts to win back lost
positions were defeated.
New gains have been made by the
French in the Verdun front, rounding
out the victory won in the offensive
begun on Monday. The French ad-
vanced last night north OF Hill 3O4.
Paris announces, and captured three
fortified forts near Bethincourt. the
official German statement however.
says French attacks between Malan-
court and Bethincourt, as well as near
Hill 304. east of the, Meuse, were re-
pulsed