davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23
ON THE FIRING LINE,

During several days of last week a
Canadian soldier, ON sick furloush
stopped over in Oroville, on his way TO
Spokane. He was Tommy WHO came
from and out of the thick OF the hell
|of trench fighting on the French front,
where he had served for ten months
daily in direct touch with the grim
reaper. He escaped the hail of mis-
sizes that is perpetually claiming a
bloody toll along the lighting line, to
as last succumb to gas fumes a. Yp,es.
the new and frightful method of
wholesale slaughter, introduced by
Germany and now initiated ~ about
Jail the warning nations. The lame of
the soldier is Richard Dean, known l..
the service as No. 22S1, attached to
the Sixth. Canadian Engineers Mr..
Dean is quite an intelligent young
man, and tells interesting anc thrill
ing stories of his experience il active
service.
Mr.. Dean is native of Canada, but
at the time of his enlistment was a
|naturalized citizen of the United States
having lived at or near, Spokane for
ten years. He said it was not exactly
patriotism that induced him to enlist
He was influenced by a yearnrng fol-
adventure. Adventure he has had
more of it than he bargained for, and
lis not looking for any more.
He Joined the engineering branch OF
the service but as soon as he reached
France a gun was showed into his
hands, he was consigned to the
trenches, and there he became fix
ture for ten months until wave ol
gas knocked him galley west"
Mr.. Deans account of his experience
was naturally fragmentary, a, he made
no effort to give a detiled account OF
his movements, and much of the irfor-
nation was dragged out OF him by
Questions. He stated that soldiers were
stationed in trenches in pairs, and
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

The daily press has contcined many
ro-German Communications since the
commencement of the European war,
in which the writer's have Displayed
their disloyalty to their adopted coun-
try in language that should not be toll
Grated. AS the relations between Ger
many and America have become rlore
serious these communications have
become more bitterly antagonistic to
the administration, the object being to
create division of sentiment among
the people, stir up conspiracy, encour-
age plots against the government and
instigate revolution. We have read
many of these communications care
fully, and while they have abounded in
Accommodations of the United States
they have never contained single
criticism of the German practice of
ruthless murder of women, children
and non -combatants. According to the
views of these writer's everything Ger
many does is right; everything that
America does is wrong. In their eyes
any barbarism that Germany may re-
sort to is perfectly proper and legiti-
mate any attempt to protect American
lives is a crime. Those writer's are
dangerous elements in any community,
and the time has conc when they
should be choked off, even if II is nee
essary to resort TO herp to silence
them. Judging from the sentiments
they express in case of war they would
not hesitate to lend aid to Germany
even resorting to the bomb and torch.
Even If they had not the CUTS TO resort
to extreme measures themselves, their
writing encourage other disloyal in
habitants who are willing TO take
chances. These writer's are abusing
the right of free speech. a right they
never possessed until they came to
America. If pro-American should ex-
pl ess himself against the Faiser over
in Germany, as the pro-German ex-
presses himself against the president
of the United States, what would be
the result? He would be taken ont hy
file of soldiers ad shot. If war with
Germany is declared 1t would have a
salutary effect upon the 1isloyal ee
ment in our midst # this brand of Ger
man kulture was introduced in this
country and those writer's who are try
| ing to stir up internicine strife were
slmmarily executed
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

that they were instructed TO hrc ava!
continuously, without seems an! oous
to shoot at, pointing tier gun ID 'he
general direction OF the enemy
trenches, presumably for the purpose
of discouraging any attempted rush
by the other fellows. All of which ac-
counts for the enormous expenditure
of ammunition. He said that the young
man who accompanied hun ffoir Spo-
kane lasted only five days AFTER the
firing line was reached. Trey were
paired together, and one day, after
banging away aimlessly for two or
three hours, Mr. Deans companion
said he was going 70 see what lie WAS
shooting at. He suddenly ieap.d 10 the
| top of the trench, and instantly fell
back dead. No part of the BODY couid
II be exposed without inviting shot
from sharpshooter and ne sharp
shooter rarely missed. Reckless ex-
posture was simply suicide. Mr.. Dean
said not infrequently solid rs would
lseemingly lose their heads. o: go tenn
porarily insane, and crawl olt oil the
trenches in full view. The result OF
such exposure was always tie saline.
Instant death.
| Mr.. Dean was in one of the many
trench rushes at New Chapelle, or in
la number of them. One al particular in
which he was participant is impress
ed indelibly upon his memory. For that
matter his whole experience was
nightmare that he will never forget ii
he lives a hundred years. Th4 British
had secured trench positions within
100 yards of the Germans. Orders
were received to charge with the bay
onet and hand grenadas. A hurricane
loi fire was concentrated on the opro-
site trenches and then the rush was
made. The goal was won, but at what
lar awful sacrifice 70 { 'o3s the inter
lvening space consumed bat few sec
onds of time, yet in those few moments
2 900 men were killed and multitude
wounded. OF course MANY Germans
were killed and disabled by the hal
storm of preparatory fire, and tn,
trenches gave up only 800 or 400 pris
loners The Germans did hot wait fOl
the cold steel. When the Canadians
reached the trenches those remaining
alive surrendered.
Mr.. Dean says that the hand gren
Jade, which is such deadly and effect
i've weapon in trench warfare, is abou
the size of base ball, d trifle heavier
land charged with n high explosive. ]
IS attached to short stick which i:
readily grasped, and is thrown into thu
trenches when some distance away
1.-THE bomb explodes with the slightes
impact, scattering missiles like
lshrapnel and has force enough t.
lblow a man to pieces. The machn
gun is the deadliest weapon of inoderr
warfare. 1t simply 6prays bullets owe
an extended frontage. Mr.. Dean say.
1.-THE most effective machine gun in us,
lin the English army is the Lewis. an,
Ievery battalion is supplied with six
This is the gun offered to the Unitd
Estates by the inventor, aud was refus
led. The English government after
test purchased the patent, and i
lproves to be marvetous death dealer
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

7. weighs but twelve pounds anu can
he carried by one man. 1t is hxed 10
trinod like that used for camera
while firing the gun moves IN an arc
= q circle automatically. and can DC
changed in second or two. the great,
est advantage is that 1t can De nreo al
dav long, or for a week steadiiy' ac
'cording TO Mr.. Dean, without stoppihs
to cool off. 49,. IN
Speaking of the prisoners token ia
the New Chapple charge MI. Osah
s,atad that after they were taken back
TO the British trenches they were giVei,
what food there was on hano' oreau
and cheese and coffee. The poor iei-
lows ate ravenously and declared ina,
i, was the first time that they had ma"
enough to eat at a single meal 10 sup
ply the cravings of hunger for seVera'
months. Among the prisoners taken
" ere boys only IL years old ana oiu
men of so. There is no bitterness
among the private soldiers. Mr.. Dean
said that he had mingled and talked 10
herman prisoners ut the front and IN
detention camps in England. ana the|
isll declared that they had been driven
Into the army by the authorities, ana
Iexpressed no love for the higher ups.
There was none of the blood thirsty
spirit manifested among 'he prisoners
that shows itself in the comnunica
It,ons published in the daily press Oh
this country from pro Germans thous-
lands of miles from danger. Prisoners
are well treated by the English. There
lis no disposition to insult them nor
Ito gloat over their captivity. 1t is only
when Zepplins visit England and MUIR
lder women and children that the peo-
lille show any resentment toward the
IGermans.
Mr.. Dean says the effects OF gas Is
1.-THE same as about any powerfui ana
esthteic. 1t causes Inconsistencies
land if the affected person is not re-
moved at once, death follows in It"
minutes. 1t leaves the victim with
lshort breath, as though suffering from
lasthema, there is terrible pains IN the
lungs, the eyes smart. and he is in
Isuch a weakened condition that he
lprespires freely weeks after being
under the influence.
Mr. Dean stated that there were up
WARS of 10000 Americans in the Can
adian contingent and they light like
devils" Those at the front feel con
|fident of but one final ending to the
Iwar, victory for The allies. Mr.. Dean
claims that the British have 3,O0l.0Ot
TRAINED men now in England that viii
be placed at the front early in The
lspring. He thinks hat when that time
Icomes there will be something doing
lbut at an awful cost in life.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

The threatened railroad strike, that
would have tied up about every rail-
road in the country and worked untold
hardships upon the people, who are
never taken into consideration in case
OF this kind by either side of the con.
troversy, was amicably adjusted Mon
day. The president appealed to thu
patriotism of the railroad heads at this
time of serious stress, and to the cred
of the employers they acceded to the
demands of the employees The very
next day the supreme court, by vote
Of five to four. declared the Adamson
bin constitutional, and that would have
settled the controversy in favor Of the
employees had not the nployers grant
ed the demand. 1t was a happy issue
out Of what promised to be a great
affliction, and it is to be hoped that
employers and employees will get
nearer together so that another situa-
ton of this kind may never arise
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

During the past week the allies have
the Germans falling back on new lint
of defense. The allies have no reason
to feel over jubilant over the small
gain. The move probably has been
made for strategetic reasons, and the
pursuing forces will run up against
stone wall of defense Germany is far
from the end of it's resources, and tho
wonderful fight the central powers
have put up may continue indefinitely
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

Sheriff Clair Ward has reported to
the Okanogan Independent that sew
|eral dogs and several head of cattle
and hogs in various parts of the Coun
t. have died within the past few weeks
from the effects of rabies impaired by
|cayotes, and it is his intention to have
the law requiring the killing Of all un-
muzzled dogs strictly enforced. Mako
"a note of this warning all We owning
dogs that are not already wearing q
face protector.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

The country is practically in a state
of war, although congress has not off
|cially declared wa. as congress is not
il. session, and to congres alone is that
power delegated by the constitution
War is wholly of German seeking, and
all the sophestry Of German sympa-
thizers cannot becioud that fact.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

The American people are patieDt
people and will submit to be smeared
with guano, but wnen it comes to rub
bling it in they protest. They have
reached the protest stage just at this
ltima
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

At last Secretary Daniels has bur
in the seat of his trousers He is speed
ing up the construction of submarine
chasers. 1t is claimed that boats of
that character can be completed within
60 to 80 days. Why in Sam Hill did he
not order the boats 80 or 50 days ago?
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23
Whatever NAV be the outco

Whatever may be the outcome of tn.
trial of the mayor, chief of police and
other officers of the city of Seattle on
the charge of bribery in the whisky
conspiracy cases the suspicion will al
that they were guilty. And from what
can be learned from residents of Sc
attic, and those who have recently Wis
tied that city, that opinion prevails
generally among citizens of Seattle.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

Had he done so the coast defenses
would not be in such a helpless con.
dition against submarine attacks as
they are today.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

By the sinking of three American
merchant vessels during the past week
By German submarines one without a
moments warning, and the murder of
American seamen following their vo-
cation peacefully on the high seas,
Germany has to all intents and pur-
poses made war upon this country. Ac-
cording to the stand taken by the pres
ident months ago war is now the only
alternative. Heaven knows this admin
istration has patiently submitted 10
indignities long enough, submitted TO
indignities that Germany. ror no other
first class power would hare stood for
for moment No one can charge the
president with undue haste in resort
ing to extreme measures Even in the
present crisis he seems to be moving
with a hesitating and undecided step.
What he should have done, considering
the seriousness of the situation, was to
have called an extra session Of con
gress Immediately after the end of the
last term.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

Feverish activity Is being displayed
lie the navy department, rs il is upon
the navy that the brunt of the war
would fall in case of hostilities with
Germany, or any other foreign power
Construction of vessels for defense
end offense is being pushed to capac~
ity by the government and private shin
yards; ships and men are being mo-
bilized, merchant vessels are being
armed, and every effort is being strain
ed to put the country on a war footing.
The DANCE Of an open break with Ger
many finds this country wholly unpre-
pared. and what il now doing alon
the line of preparedness should have
been done two years ago. Then the
country would not be as helpless
against an enemy as it Is today
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-03-23

Prof. II. l..
dayed in Orov |
Ernst Shirli
from Nelson y
G. F. Travis
itor In town "
Tom Bean y
his Similkand
Miss L.oret1
Monday from
DR.. T. f. i
willie. was
Friday last
March is C
! earned reput
disagreeable
I There was
ton of resi'
country at
i night.
Y Mrs. f. B.
natchee Mo
gram annou
d very low.
Autos are
road betwe
but drivers
along the VI
Mrs. Rutl
here the la
iting her I
Riverside y
:, Jack Lol
last Thurs
Il ana report
tween LOCI
The para
full band, |
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
GOMPERS TURNS
DOWN PACIFISTS

Washington, May 10. - President
Gompers of the American Federation
Of Labor sent the following reply to IL
request from a group of peace advO-
Gates for use of his name on a call for
a peace conference
Il prefer not to ally myself with the
conscious or unconscious agents of the
kaiser in America"
The invitation was signed by Emily
Balch. Louis LoChncr. Joseph Cannon,
Norris Hillquit and Judah Magnes. 1T
proposed calling the first American
conference for democracy and terms
of peace" to be held in New York May
30, to promote the principles of speedy
and universal peace. no indcmnitics no
forcible annexations, no foreign ALI
ancc. international organization after
the war, opposition to conscription,
defense of free speech and statement
of terms by our government"
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
Ten.Day Attack on Espion-
age Measure Results in
Amendment.
CENSORSHIP CLAUSE
IS GREATLY MODIFIED
Roll Call Is Expected Before
Adjournment of Sem
ate Tonight.

Washington, May l0.~~Debatc on the
administration espionage bill, whose
press censorship and embargo rrovi-
sions have been the object of bitter
attack for nearly 10 days reached a
point today, where leaders We're hope
iul a vote can be taken upon passage
before tomorrow nights adjournment.
Many speeches are yet to be made on
the censorship section. but the senate
bound itself today to limit dcbat" so
that no filibuster. or dilatory tactics
can delay thc final roll call.
Just before adjournment tonight
Senators Cummins and Thomas sug
gcstcd an amendment to the censor
ship section greatly modifying the
original language and it was accepted
by Senator ovcrman, III charge of the
bill, who said it would 20 into the
measure tomorrow. It's adoption may
end the fight over this provision, al
though efforts may he made to elm
mate any sort of censorship from the
measure.
The amendment provides that in
time of war. the president may pre-
scribe and promulgate rules and reg
ulations for the purpose of prevent
ing the disclosure to the public and
thereby to the enemy of information
with respect to the movement, num-
bers, description and disposition of any
| of the armed forces of the United
States In naval or military operations
or with respect to any works intended
| for the fortiiication and defense of any
| place. Wilful violation of the rules
would be punished with "A NNe-ycai
| prison term or $1,000 fine. A provisC
removes members of congress from
! operation of the rules.
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
FAIR TREATMENT
WILL BE ASKED
BY NEWSPAPERS
Publishers Association tO
Protest Against Increase
in Postal Rates.

Chicago. May lo.-Muny newspaper
publishers are now on the way to
Washington to attempt to procure fair
treatment for their business under the
proposed war ,aN 1t was announced
tonight by Hopcwcll l.. Rogers, presi~
dent of the Newspaper Publishers as
sociation Mr.. Rogers said the pub
fishers would cooperate with T.. II.
Baker. chairman OF the legislation
committee Of the association, In con-
nectlon with the proposed incrcas" in
postage, President Rogers made the
following statement:
'It is difficult to understand the
policy Of the government not only in
the unfair If not illegal practice of dat =
ing taxes back. but also In putting 80
great a tax on business in any form !.
| and particularly in placing SO heavy IA
tax on the newspaper business, which
has probably been more severely ui-
| fected in the last year through in
| creased prices than any other Industry
| In tim" Of war they suffer particularly
owing to the enormously increased on
! pcnses due to the gathering of wal
news and the increased circulation
| for increased circulation means in
| creased expenses.
| In the last year most Of the news
papers in the country have been com
| priC" Of their papers as well as thctI
advertising rates in an attempt to OBJ
tain earnings sufficient to carry or
! their business. Newspapers in norma
| times seldom increase their advertiser
rates fast enough to keep up With th,
| increased cost of circulation and the
| last year has seen most papers facing
! n sever" financial crisis. In spite o
| these facts the new rcvrnu" hll pro.
| poses an inrrcas" in postal rIt"s, Whici
arc particularly unfair to the frs
| honc. II tax of 10 per cent on prin
paper imported and | understand. :
tax on advertising rcccipts-any one 0
| Which would alone wipe out all tn,
profits of most newspapers even it
| normal times and at such times a.
these viii tend to cause the diScon
tinuancc of publication of many news
papers and fore" out of employment
! many men specially trained Tor thi
work and whose Nalur in other lines i
comparatively small.
THE newspapers fully realize tn
seriousness of the present situation
and appreciate that they must bca
their share of the burden, but the pro
visions of this proposed bill seem NOR
severe on newspapers than on an
other lin" of business and are to thi
extent unjust and indefensible."
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
GENERAL PLANS
ARE DISCUSSED

London, May lO.-The official report
of the secret sessions Of the house of
commons issued tonight says that
Winston Spencer Churchill opened the
discussion and dealt with the general
military situation with special refer
cncc to the position in Russia, the
struggle on the western front, the
strength of the United States and the
question arising out of the submarine
attacks.
The losses Of personnel and mate
RIAL the statement continues, was
commented on and the general situa-
tion in the Balkan discussed. Arrange
mcnts were made for meeting the sub
marine danger and here information
was asked concerning marine losses
and food SUPPLIES
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
LUSK APPOINTED
ON COMMITTEE

Helena, May 10.-Montana is expect
cd to subscribe to $7,520,O0O worth OF
the Liberty war bonds and to organize
the state campaign that will insure
subscriptions in this amount. The fed
eral reserve bank of the ninth district
as the fiscal agent for the government
has appointed an executive committee
for Montana that will meet here Sat
urday afternoon.
The members of this committee are:
n. Il. Hotter, Helena; c. J. Kelly
Butte; George Cox, BoZeman; II. j.
Covert. Billings; Sam Stephenson
Great Falls; +. S. Lusk, Missoula; r
A. NARROW. Helena; w. j. Johnson
LeWistown, and c. w. Butler, Miles
City.
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
STEPS TO AVERT STRIKE.

Johnstown. Pa, May 10.-The
United States government through
Secretary of Labor Wilson late today
took steps to avert n strike of nearly
$4,000 bituminous coal miners in the
central Pennsylvania coal field. a
telegram was received by both the
miners and the operators asking that
they send committees to Washington
to confer with department of labor
mediators in an attempt to COM
promise their differences. Committees
were named tonight and left immedi-
ately.
The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-11
Clean Up
Mayor Sets Aside Next
Week for City's
Frightening.

Confident that siIIng has really ar
rived, Mayor II. Il. Wilkinson ycstcr-
day issued proclamation setting next
week aside for civic houscclcaning
The proclamation is no empty. formal
affair. 1t has teeth, Thomas f. Kemp.
commissioner of public safety, is joint
signer of the proclamation, and that
means that police power will be ap-
piled where pride does not induce
cleaning.
We have postponed the clean up
until now because of the latcnoss of
spring" said the mayor yesterday. 1T
would have been useless for us to or
der the city cleaned up while all but
the surface was stll frozen"
The proclamation:
"The week Of May IA to 1e, in
elusive, is hereby designated and
proclaimed as Cleanup Week for
the city of Missoula.
"All owners, agents, tenants and
occupants Of premises, lots, and
real property within the limits of
the said city Of Missoula are here
by required to clean up SAID
premises and alleys and to re-
move therefrom all refuse, gar
bage, ashes, rubbish, tin cans and
other unsiehtly and insanitary ac-
cumuIations and have same hauled
| to the city dump, where it will be
| properly taken care OF.
| "AIl good citizens will obey this
order eheerfuIy and without fur
ther notice and will aid and assist
in every way to promote the gen.
erai cleanliness Of the city and to
safeguard and protect the health
of the citizens. ,
n. T. WILKINSON,
Mayor.
THOS. e. KEMP,
Supt. Public Safety and Health.