davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
ONE MAN IS KILLED IN EXPLOSION IN
 BETHLEHEM PLANT
Superintendent Gives Out Statement That He Does Not Think Origin of
 Fire Accidental

Wilmington, Del, December 12. Officials. of the projectiIe loading plant of the Bethlehem Steel company near Newcastle. where 4ooO tbree-inch shrapneI shells exploded during fire today, killing one man, are not con- yineed that the origin of the blaze was an accident. A statement given out to- night by F. G. Paris, superintendent of the plant, said:
 Although I have not yet completed my investigation as to the origin of the fire, I do not see how it could have been accidental. Four or five men who happened to be in the neigh borhood of the plant at the time the fire started were detained by the guards of the company until I could examine them. They were not held as suspects but only so they could aid our investigation as to the cause of the fire. Later all were allowed to return to their homes.
 About 4000 shells all loaded with 1T. N. IT. but not as yet filled with shrapnel, were exploded" SuperIn- tendent Paris said he did not believe the damage will exceed $50,O00.
 The man killed was Theodore Jacob son, chief of the company's guards.
 The shells continued to explode for more than an hour and the noise waS heard for miles, causing the belief here and elsewhere that the forts of the artillery district of the Delaware were firing upon hostile craft.
 Some of the shells fell in the out skirts of Newcastle, mile north of the plant Bremen were unable to go near the burning building until the shells ceased exploding.
 The three-inch loading house, where the fire started, was destroyed. to- gether with the storehouse under the same roof. It was a wood and tile building with a steel frame about 20G feet square. It will be rebuilt at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13

ana the other works came either from Great Britain or the United States.
 All the time this conquest of the desert has been going on the official communi- : cations have been able to say only .noth- ing to report, and the public thought we were idle. The fall of Jerusalem was made possible by industry, organization and help of material from the United States
 CAMBRIA SITUATION
 Summing up the Cambrai situation in his weekly talk with the Associated Press, General Maurice said:
 "The final results in the sector showed that the British were considerable gain CTS in the amount of territory wrested from the enemy. The British and Ger mans are about even in the number of guns captured with the total slightly in favor of the British in heavy guns. The British also are slightly ahead of the Germans in the number of prisoners.
 "The effect of the German attack on the British has been an enormous dis
 (Continued on Page Nine)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
Jerusalem Defended
 By Desert Sinai and
 Not Ottoman Forces
British Army Was Compelled to Overcome Natu- ral Obstacle Before They Were Able to Occu-
 py City Which Has Been Goal of Many ] Armies in Past Maurice Tells of Task

London December 12.-Maj. Gen. F. B. Maurice, chief director of military opera tions at the British war office, today in talk with the Associated Press out lined the campaign that resulted in the fall of Jerusalem to General Allenby's forces.
 General Allenby entered Jerusalem yesterday.' said General Maurice. The campaign which led to this has been carried out mainly by British territorial troops, supported by small bodies of Australian and New Zealand mounted men and British yeomanry
 "In the campaign as a whole the greater accomplishment has been not the defeat of the Turks, but the con- quest of the Sinai desert. The troops who fought at Gaza drank water from Egypt pumped through an American pipe line and were supplied over a broad gauge railroad laid clear across the l5O miles of Sinai desert which has defeated almost everybody that tried to conquest Egypt for centuries. Every ounce of material for the pipe line. the railroad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
AMERICAN OFFICER WOUNDED IN ACTION
 PERSH|NG REPORTS

Washington, December 12.-General Fershing today reported that First Lieut.. Edgar w, Young, medical of ficers reserve coirs, attached to Brit ish forces, has been severely wounded in action. His wife lives at Mckinney, Va.
 Corporal Richard c, Evans Jr., whose father, Richard c. Evans. lives at Palmyra, Tenn, died in France on December g from "a possibly acci- dental gunshot wound"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
Nine Out of p Ice Plants
 in New Orleans Shut Down
 in Order to Save Coal

New Orleans. December 12.-Nine cut of 22 ice manufacturing plants in New Orleans have been closed and sew eral others will close down later, in accordance with a plan for conserv- ing fuel during the war. the state fuel administrator announced today. The owners of the closed plants, it was stated. are continuing their business without hindrance, the plants remain ing in operation manufacturing ice for them.
 Similar centralization of other pro here to save coal will be put into of : feet later. according to the fuel ad- ministrator.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
FRENCH REPORT

Paris, December 12.-The war office announcement on the campaign to- night says
 here was pronounced activity on the part, of both artilleries in the sec- tors of Chavingnon and Courtecon, ir Champagne in the region of the Monts and on the right bank of the Mouse. An enemy surprise attack near Cour- cy was without result.
 Eastern theatre, December II: There was increasing enemy artillery activity between Lake Doiran and the Vardar. On the right bank of the river, two Bulgarian attacks were repulsed with serious losses"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
bOL LSHEV|K| HAVE
 D|SPERSEDCOURTS ]. IN CAPITAL CITY
News of Battles With Gen. Korniloff's Troops Come From Southern Part
 of Country

Petrograd, Monday, December 1o.-The Bolsheviki have dispersed the Senate, the highest Russian court, and all the other courts of Petrograd, in keeping with recent decree of the peoples com missaries, substantiating new revolution ary tribunals.
 Petrograd, Monday. December 1o. Small attachments of Bolshevki and Korniloff troops had battle yesterday 20 versts from Bielgorod, near Kharkov, south of Moscow. The Bolsheviki au- thorities report that the Korniloff force was defeated and that two Bolsheviki soldiers were killed. and three wounded.
 London, December 12.-Reports of a fight at Mohilev, Russian general head quarters, between troops newly arrived there and the Bolsheviki garrison, were received in Petrograd Monday, accord ing to the correspondent of the Times in Russia's capital. It Is also reported that Russian shock thrusts and Cossacks ad- vancing on Mohilev clashed with the Rolsheviki, who were defeated
 Petrograd. Monday, December O.-The central executive committee of the work mems and soldiers council of Petrograd tonight adopted resolution appealing to belligerent countries to take part in the armistice conference at Brest-Lit- oysk. It approved the action of the Rus sian delegation at the first conference ana empowered it to continue further negotiations with view to concluding "an honorable and democratic peace in accordance with the decision of the sec ond congress of worlxmens and soldiers delegates"
 Petrograd, Monday, December 10. Colonel Schneyr, a member of the Rus sian armistice delegation it has been discovered by the Bolsheviki govern ment, was former member of the former Emperor's secret police. He has been arrested and confined in St. Peter and St. Paul fortress.
 London, December 12.-The fighting at Tamanovka. according to Reuter- dispatch from Petrograd. appears to have been between attachments of anti Bolsheviki shock battalions and local troops assisted by sailors, red guards infantry and armored cars sent from Petrograd, and troops from Kharkov The Russko Slovo of Petrograd says the fighting lasted all day and all night. It adds that 1t was very se- were and that there were a great mum. Der of casualties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
Government Asks for
 Report From Camp Mills

Washington, December 12.-Criticism by the governor of Oregon of the treatment of Oregon national guardsmen at Camp Mills caused the war department today to ask the commanding officer of the camp for report. Department officials said the report was requested as mat ter of routine in such cases, and that no special instructions had been given.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
IA BRITISH SHIPS 0F OVER 16OO TONS
 SUNK PAST WEEK

London, December 12.-A slight in- crease in the losses of British mcr- chantmen by mine or submarine in the past week is noted in the admiralty statement tonight. Fourteen vessels of more than 1900 tons were sunk, we'll as seven under that tonnage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
ENEMY BEING REINFORCED

Washington, December 12.-Rein- forcements from the Russian front for the German invaders of Italy are still arriving, an official dispatch from Rome today announced. The Ger man plan of action, however, has suf- fered much delay in it's development. information from Austrian sources re- vealing that it had been planned to reach Bassano II days ago. Four Aus tro-German divisions were put out of action in recent operations between the Brenta and Piave rivers.
 Italian aviators reportA the Austro- Germans massing large forces near Foza and the enemy feverishly con- structing defensive works before Monte Grappa.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
CUBAN LOWER HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION DECLARING WAR

Havana, December 12.-The House Of Representatives tonight passed a reso- lution declaring a state Of war to ex- ist between Austria Hungary and the republic of Cuba.
 The action was taken following th4 reading of message from President Menocal recommending such a declara. tion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
SNOW IN ITALY

With the French Army in Italy, Tuesday, December 11.-Snow, which has been eagerly awaited and long de- layed, began to fall this morning in the mountain district where the Aus tro-German armies are striving to break through.
 The beginning of the snowfall adds to the optimism of those who have been confident that the drive would De checked within it's present limits
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
GERMANS LOSE HEA VIL Y M ATTEMPT TO BREAK DOWN LINE AT CAMBRIA
General Haig's Forces Are Holding Positions in Spite of Great Masses of the Enemy Being Thrown Against Them in Desperate Ef- fort to Win Back All Ground Recent Iy Lost-Only Small Gains Are
 Accomplished.

London December 12The German attack this morning east of Buecout repulsed by the British except at one according to Field Marshal Haigs report tonight der suffered heavy oss many dead being left their retirement.
 London, December 12.-A fierce a' a made by the today against the elbow the nd of the British Buecourt and Queant about 10 miles west of Cambra says the Reuter- correspondent at British headquar ters France Their intention overwhen their ets sheer weight numbers Owing to the aunchness of the British opposition the attack only enabled the Germans to get footing about 500 yards of the British front line when the attack arrested.
 Thus limits small local at details that suggested British counter attack
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
BHRLIN's ITALIAN REPORT

Berlin, December 12.-(va London.) Local engagements have occurred on the mountain front in northern Italy, between the Brenta and the Pave. army headquarters announced today. Prison CTS were taken by the Austro- German forces in this fighting. The statement reads:
 Italian front In isolated sectors be- tween the Brenta and the Piave, local brushes have occurred. We took prison ers.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13

In his description or the patlle the cof- respondent says:
 What apparently was intended de- termined German attack upon the sec tor of our line east of Bullecourt was delivered shortly after dawn, and, ow- ing to the stanchness of our troops was reduced to the limits of very small local success at the most. The spot the enemy chose was the elbow in the bend of our line between Bulle- court and Queant.
 "The Germans opened an intense bombardment as the first streaks of frosty dawn were pallng the eastern sky. Our artillery promptly replied with barrage, put down between the opposing trenches in order to catch any infantry advance.
 .'Assaulting waves of Bavarian troops the manifest intention to throw great pressure upon the front of the attack and overpower the defenders if possi- ble, by sheer weight of numbers.
 ..Fierce fighting ensued, but it is zoo early ta get details since %commu- : nicatfons are always difficult during engagements. So far as I can gather, the Germans managed to get some sort of a footing in about 500 yards of our front line trenches before their at tack was arrested.
 "The artillery duel continued until about 80 o'clock. when it died down. but the constant rattle of machine guns suggested that some fighting was still in progress and it is quite possible that we were counter attacking.
 This is really all there is to tell It seems reasonable to believe that the Germans failed in their project what ever it was since the extent of their gain was so small and so indefinite in point of tactical achievement that it is difficult to regard it as representing any complete scheme of operations
 The weather remains fine and dry so that open warfare is still possible at time of the year when normally both sides would be settled into winter quarters"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
ROME STATEMENT

Rome. December 12.-The enemy has resumed the attack. Todays official statement says that the Italians resisted stubbornly yesterday throughout the day, and that few positions which were abandoned in the beginnin of the fight Ing were reoccupied in nearly all cases. in the evening the enemy effort was reduced to the normal artillery fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
WILL INVESTIGATE DEFEAT

London, December 12.-There will be thorough investigation of the recent operation on the Cambrai front in which the Germans broke through iii the southern sector, Maj Gen. r. B. Maurice. chief director of military operations at the war office, said to- day The truth regarding the inci- dent will be told in due course he promised.
 London. December 12.-.he Times this morning prints conspicuously an editorial demanding a prompt and searching inquiry into the battle on the southern end of the Cambrai sal ient on November 30. and on the fol- lowing day, owing, it says, to dis
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13

Quieting Hrst-hand ampIlflcatloHs or censored accounts. These are said to
 include charges of blundering and as-
 sertions that the British were caught unready.
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26
Denies Any Friction.

DENYING, N. M., Aug. 25.-Captain Homer N. Preston tonight denied pub. lished reports that a clash between civilians of Deming and members of the second battalion of the Twenty Fourth Infantry stationed here, had caused the removal.
 No friction exists between the ci,- izens of Deming and the members of the Twenty-Fourth Infantry at the present time nor has there been any trouble in the past" Captain Preston said
 Sheriff Simpson said his department had h ad less trouble with the Twenty Fourth Infantry than with any troops ever stationed here.
 The removal of the battalion, order ed to Columbus, N. M., today, had been expected for a week it was said at military headquarters, where it was stated the transfer probably was due to the fact that large units of the Thirty-Fourth National Guard division for training at Camp Cody are expect ed next week, making the presence of the negro regulars unnecessary.
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26
Italians On lsonzo.

The battle along the lsonZo has de veioped furthere brilliant successes for the Italians, who, it is now plain, are making one of their greatest ef- forts of the war. General Cadorna's men, who at the beginning of the of fensive, effected a new crossing of the river north of GOriZia, at a point where the Austrians believed such feat i'm possible. have won another spectacu- lar victory by scaling Monte Santo, 2,245 feet high and placing their flag there. This mountai ntop, seven miles north of Gorizia, dominates the plain to the east of the city. The Austrian line of defense was broken at several points and the Italians are pursuing the retiring Austrians.
 On The Carso.
 Furthere south, on the Carso. fight ing continues violentl wand inces- sanity. Austrian efforts to win back lost positions were defeated.
 New Gains By French.
 New gains have been made by the French on the yerdun front rounding out the victory in the offensive begun Monday. The French advanced last night north of Hill BOA, Paris an- nounces, and captured three fortified works near Bethintourt The official German statement, however, says French attacks between Malancourt and Bethincourt were repulsed
 British Action Slow.
 On the British front sharp local en- agreements are in progress. The Brit ish captured trench position west of Lens and a post near Lombaertzyde. The official German statement con- cedes small British advance near the Ypres-Menin road. buts says that at other points the British were repulsed with heavy losses. The capture of a British position east of St. Julien is reported.
 Russian Front Quiet.
 The situation on the northern end of the Russian front remains obscure. Official Russian reports earlier in the week made it appear that a German offensive, with the acpture of Riga presumably ats its object. was under way. The German statement of Sat rrday spoke of no further activity in this sector. Neither did the official report from Petrograd mention any military operations on the Riga front. On the central Russian front a Ger man battalion penetrated the Russian lines northwest of Pinsk. but later the Teutpns were ejected. On the Rumanian front the battles which ragged during the week have died down.
 In the Caucasus the Austrians are showing greater activity at several points.
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26
MONTANA FIRES
 THREATEN MANY
 HOMES IN NORTH
Three Hundred Fire Fighters Come Out of Hills Alive Many Villages Threat ened by the Blaze
(By Review Leased Wire)

MISSOULA, Mont, Aug. 25. - Three hundred men isolated in the Bitter Root mountains yesterday when a forest fire cut across their pack trail made their way out of the hills late today and tonight are pre- pairing to renew their attack on the blaze which now threatens Lolo Hot Springs and the valley settlements of Lolo and Woodman. \
 No Lives Lost
 United States District Forester Rutledge said tonight he was sure no lives weer lost in the flight for safety.
 Rain Sorely Needed
 The situation tonigth is serious. Missoula scarcely saw the sun today and the streets tonight were powder. ed with ashes and blackened pine needles. Fierce fires are burning to the south. north and east and through 5000 men are in the field the forest service has but slight hope of check ing them without the aid of rain. Gov ernment timber stands of almots in estimable value have been destroyed and only unusual good fortuen can keep the fires within unsettled areas.
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26
II AL|ANS LIN
 |SONzO WIN. I ERR| I ORY. FROM ENEMY.
General Cadorna's Men Bril- liantly Push Their Way Fur ther Into Austrian Territory Mountain Top Taken
tBy Review Leased wire.)

(By Review Leased Wire.l - ONE, August 25.-(12:36 p. " m.)-The Italian troops on IN the lsonzo front are march,
 ing to complete victory.
 At the Udine, Halvztore Bar ziIai, civil governor of the Austri- an territory, occupied by the Ital- ians army when informed of the complete victory of the Italians, exclaimed:
 At last our soldiers have achieved this magnificent thing; they have freed our soil from the control of the enemy"
 Success Unexpected.
 The final success of the Italians in winning their greatest battle in this WET is thrilling the country as never before. Both the army and the civilians now seek the resuIt of two years sufering and eco homie hardship. The victory came unexpectedly, notwithstanding the encouraging bulletins of the last fortnight. 1t is General Ca dorna's rule never to announce an event until certain that his troops are able to hold new positions.
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26

WASHINGTON, August 25.-A ~ the direct suggestion of Presi " dent Wilson, Provost Marsha
 General Crowder telegraphe( to all governors tonight a supplement al explanation of regulations governing the status of married men under the selective service law. No change in regulations is made; and the purpose | of the new statement is to clear uI , misunderstanding which have arisen in what General Crowder describes as "a few instances"
 Must Have Dependents.
 In letter to Secretary Baker, quot. ed by General Crowder. President Will son states his opinion that the regu, lation directing locals boards to es, tablish the fact of dependents in addi- tion to the fact that married men ought to be abrogated."
 This leaves the regulations as they are and the supplementary statement is designed merely to make the appli- cation of the rules uniform among all boards.
 Mobilization Changed.
 While the statement regarding mar ried men was in preparation, new or ders were issued changing entirely the mobilization arrangements pre- viously announced.
 Following is the text of the mes- sage sent to the governors dealing with the status of married men. pre- pared at a conference late today be- tween Secretary Baker and General Crowder:
 "A feeling has bee nexpressed that. in passing on claims for discharge on the ground of dependents. local boards ought. in no case. to refuse a dis charge to a married man or to the head of a family. The law under which loca lboards act requires that before such a discharge can be grant ed. dependency as well as relationship must be established. The matter hay ing been presented to the president. the following are his orders thereon:
 Wilson Quoted.
 We ought. as far as practicable to raise this new national army without creating the hardships necessarily en. tailed when the head of a family is taken and I hope that for the most part those accepted in the first call would be found to be men who had not yet assumed such relations.
 "'The selective service law makes the fact of dependents. rather than the fact of marriage the basis for ex- emption. and there are undoubtedly
 xn--.t-. n 1x
Bisbee daily review., 1917-08-26
Huge Expense Entailed

MlSSOULA, Mont, Aug. 25.-It is costing the United States government $15.000 daily to fight the forest fires in western Montana. More than 3OO0 men are in the forests fighting fires and additional men are being sent out as fast as they can be employed. In addition to the fires already reported as being serious new fires were re- ported today from the Deer Lodge and Lewis and Clark forests.
 Villages Threatened
 Two villages and the dwellings of many farmers in the lower Bitter Root and Upper Blackfoot valleys are threatened tonight with destruction by fires, famed by high winds. Lolo and Woodman. small towns south of Missoula, are in the path of two rush. ing fires which began on the head waters of Lolo creek in the Bitter Root mountains and are now spread. ing rapidly south and east.
 Homesteaders Menaced
 Homesteaders in the Blackfoot valley are menaced by a blaze which broke over bounds near Seeley lake last night and at last reports was beyond control. Automobiles were dispatched today to bring in 54 Mis- soula Boy Scouts camping beside Seeley lake.
 More Fire Fighters
 Worn out by two weeks of labor, 200 fire fighters were brought in from Idaho, where they had subdued bad fires, to be sent into the western Montana woods.
 Two serious fires on Gold creek. two in the Flathead forest in north western Montana and the Lolo and Blackfood fires were out of control tonight.