davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
CLOSING IN ON RUSSIA.
GERMAN FLEET MAY USE RIGA aS
BASE OF OPERATION.
Late reports DO Not Make Clear tho
situation-Gcrmans Advancing on
Forty Mile Front but Some Rms.
slams Still Resist.

With the appearance of tho Gov
man fleet in the Gulf of Riga, the
Russian difficulties in northern mill
tary operations are nccentuated Not
only the safety Of the armies is con-
cerned, but apprehensions are excit.
ed as to what will happen to the Rus.
sia1 fleet II the Germans are given full
swing in the Baltic. Only submarines
SO far are operating against the Rus
sian right flank as it fell back ALONG
the Gulf OF Riga coast. 1t is not ex-
pected that actual operations against
the Russian fleet would begin until
the land operations have been push
ed further and it is seen what SUCCESS
the Russians have in their efforts to
make a stand. The Gulf of Riga would
offer favorable base for naval oper-
ations against Reveal, where the Rus
sian fleet is stationed. While the Ger
mans are pushing forward on a forty
mile front the Russian retreat is de.
clared to be by no means a rout
The Italian campaign continues to
make progress, Gen. Cadorna re.
ports. 1t seems that unofficial re.
ports of the capture Of Monte Sar
Gabriel were premature, but it's fal
is considered certain.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
RUSSIAN RETREAT COM rINUEs

Germans Smelling Rear Guard and
Trying to Cut or Retreat.
Petrograd, Sept. 6.-The Russian
retreat from Riga over neck of
land mile and a-half wide is being
accomplished with the greatest diff
Guilty. The enemy is Smelling the rear
guard. The Germans are moving up
from the Uxkun region to cut off their
retreat from the southeast Despite
the disgraceful flights of some Rus
sian elements the others fought brave
ly. The approach of the rainy season
Is expected to prevent the Teutons
from advancing far toward the cap
ital.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08

Los Angeles. Sept. 6.-Two hundred
Mexican soldiers were drowned when
the government barge capsized in the
Gulf OF California last night. accord
Ing to message to the Dispatch here.
The barge was being tOwcd by gov
ernment tugs and was suddenly
struck by squall. Carranza officers
on the border disclaim definite knowr-
edge OF the accident. but said tho rc-
port Is probably correct.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08

washington. Sept. 6.-Several let
ters written by President Wilson re.
Gently to congressman endorsing the
view that 1t would be fine thing If
congress would adjourn and members
go home to their districts to shed
full light" on the war and it's object.
Administration leaders hope for ad-
)ournment by october 1st. The pres
ident Is not expected to exert pressure
for an early adjournment.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
Marriage Announcement.

Mr.. and Mrs. j. b. Williams have
the approaching marriap.
If their daughter, Frances Louise to
Mr. W. Allison Scaffe, Jr.. OF Char
lesion. :. c. Marriage to be solemn
lied at the home Of Mrs r. T.. scaffe
on September 18th, 1917. No cards
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08

American Training Camp, France,
sept. At is announced that British
officers will soon be attached to the
American camps for training, thus Civ.
ing the Americans the benefit of both
French and British tactics.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
ENDORSES POPE'S PLAN.
BARON COCHIN TAKES ISSUE
WITH WILSON'S NOTE.
Leader of French Catholic Party Does
Not See Why Kaiser Must be Shorn
Of His Power.

Paris, Sept 3.-"You ask for my
opinion concerning the utterances Of
Pope Benedict and President Wilson ?"
said Baron Densy Cochin, one of the
leaders of the Catholic party OF
France in parliament. to the Associat-
ed Press today. 1T is certain that
those of the pope" he continued,
have rather the character of a proto-
| col, while those of the president are
encyclical, but I do not see why we
should oppose them to each other.
Did the pope speak in vain? No,
because his voice has been listened to.
Did he speak inopportunely? No, the
highest moral authority in the world
was obliged to speak. Did he speak
with partially? No one has been able
to pretend SO. He desires, first of all,
to put things back where they were
before 1914 and regulate afterwards
the questions raised in the Orient and
in Western Europe in conformity with
the wishes of the people and in such
manner as not to provoke new wars.
He does not forget the horrors COM
mitted, the inoffensive populations
carried off into slavery, the open
towns burned. He condemns these
crimes.
who then committed them? He
renders us full justice as to the honor
of our armies. For the future he
recommends to all, those who attack
us as we'll as tc ourselves. that thew
disarm and we shall soon see the Ger
mans obliged to resign themselves to
that
1.-The president desires to end mill
tarism. So does the pope. But in ad-
dition Mr.. Wilson desires the end of
the Hohenzollern dynasty, which in
stisuted this regime. He uses about
the same language as that used by
the allies against Napoleon in 1915 af-
ter the return from Elba.
MY notion is quite different.
There was only Napoleon, while there
are among the Teutons Of the North
millions of Hohenzollerns among the
bankers and manufacturers of Prus-
sian cities. among the legions Of
who as the advance guard
Of their armies, fell upon our coun.
tries. SO
LAS for me. it goes without saying
that I shall be delighted with all
the veXations that come to Emperor
William. But 1 confess that I do not
see in the fall of this traditional auto
crat and in his being replaced by some
other elected autocrat a solution of
the European catastrophe. For us
that would not be worth another week
Of the war.
1.-THE president is more happy when
he declares the present Germany to be
he enemy of four -fifths of the human
ace. Let that people, says the presi-
lent in high and generous sentiment.
'csign itself to the acceptation of a
'egime of equality and no longer seek
o dominate all other nations as il js
rying to do today-such is the pri-
nordial basis of every peace project.
There is none other than that and the
iesires of the pope are the same as
hose of the president.
Such is the peace we shall bayo
he peace we owe to the heroes we
MOURN. the peace of which the liberia
ion OF the French provinces of Lor-
alne and Alsace will be the only ac-
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
GERMAN FLEET APPEARS.

PetrOgrad Reports That Fleet is i'm
Gulf of Riga.
Petrograd, Sept. 6.-It was semi
officially announced this morning that
the German fleet is in Riga Gulf.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08

T.. w. Gaillard was elected mavor
OF Kingstree Tuesday.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-08
RADICALS CONTROL RUSSIA.

OF Social RevOlutiOnists.
Petrosrad, Sept. 6.-The municipal
eiectlons resulted in a victory for the
radicals. The Social revolutionaries
and Bolsheviki inflicted heavy defeat
on the moderate Socialists and Con.
stitutional Democrats.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
VALUE or ARTILLERY SEEN
UPON ALL FIGHTING FRONTS

each battery was armed with four
guns, thus totaling 76S heavy guns
As soon as the army had been
modified in 1914, the German mill
tary authorities established new heavy
artillery formations. Soon each artil-
lery regiment of the regular army had
attached to ii a reserve regiment con-
sisting of four batteries of skilled
gunners, also a battalion OF four bat
teries of landwehr, or second reserv-
lists, and, finally, a battalion of four
batteries formed from among the
third reservists or Iandsturm. When
the arsenals and shell factories later
had received a higher level of produc-
ton of guns and ammunition further
batteries were formed from among the
men of the Erstaz reserve. Since the
first year of the war large numbers of
the recruits of the younger classes
which have been called out for SER
vice have been sent to the artillery
branch. BY the end Of 1916 the num-
Der Of heavy batteries had been multi
! piled more than five times and in the
course of 1917 further additions have
! been made TO the total.
/ Of the German big guns. Is per
cent are long-range cannon and the
remaining IS per cent howitzers The
most numerous of their long-range
guns are 4-inch. 4 l1A-inch, 5-inch and
I 6-inch. but they possess also batteries
lof S7-inch, 9.7-inch. 1l-inch and 15-
/ inch long-range guns, although these
are very few in number. Their how
| tiers are for the most part of 6-inch
calibre; but besides these they have
in line batteries of 1l-inch, Pinch
and 17-inch howitzers.
! Trench artillery as well has been
development of this war, and the
German army is now we'll provided
with weapons Of various kinds for use
/ in the advanced lines. Its trench NOR
iars range in calibre from 3-inehes to
10 inches. Finally, the small trench
cannon of il2-ineh. 2-inch and 21s
inch calibre have become very mum
erous in all sectors of the line The
personnel Of the gnnnery branch OF
the German army has become nearly
as great In numbers as that Of the in
fantry.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
CHICAGO BLAZE MAY
BE ACT OF ENEMIES

Chicago. Dec. S.--A warehouse re-
Gently leased by the government for
the medical division OF the army was
DESTROYED by fire Of mysterious origin
today.
Chemicals among the stores caused
a number OF small explosions. The
flames burned so fiercely that only the
lettering walls of the five story struc-
ture were standing when firemen ar
rived
The building stood at South Dear
born street and West Fortieth street.
Major W. S Shields and 80 employees
fed from the flames.
Major Shields said he had no COM
ment to make on suspicious Of fire
men that incendiaries started the fire.
Two men, acting suspiciously, near
the ruins were arrested by federal
operatives. The fire loss was esti-
mated at 100000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
COLD WAVE GOES
TO MIDDLE WEST
Snow Storms in the North and Thun.
der Storms in the South
Give Variety.

Washington. Dec, Snow through
out the entire eastern section of the
country, accompanied by a cold wave
through the middle west and extend
ing southwark to the Gulf of Mexico,
was causing some discomfort today
and generally delayed movement of
traffic, already badly congested by
heavy shipments.
Continuation Of the snow was pre-
dicted for tonight and tomorrow by
the weather bureau for a greater part
Of that section Cold wave warnings
were issued for the lake region, the
Ohio valley, Tennessee and the east
gulf and south Atlantic states.
The center of the storm was over
eastern Kentucky this morning, hav-
ing developed greatly in the last Z
/ hours. Widespread snow in the north
and thunder storms in the south ac-
company the disturbance. About if
teen inches Of snow fell in the Ohio
valley.
The cold wave which has been adj
Yancing from the west has overspread
/ the south, reaching the gulf coast with
/ freezing temperatures.
/ Des Moines, Ia, Dec. 8.-Des
/ Moines and greater part Of Iowa to-
+ day experienced the most intense
early December" cold wave in 80
! years.
/ Fourteen degrees below zero was
/ the point reached here at a. M, d
drop Of 81 degrees in less than Is
hours. The minimum temperature for
4 early December that stands as a rec
ord was II below of Dec. Z, 1886.
The highest temperatures in Iowa
today were reported at Davenport and
( Keokuk, where the official temperature
was eight below. Charles City was
the coolest Iowa city, the mercury
dropping to Is below there.
Some relief for tonight and Sunday
was promised by the federal weather
bureau here, but it was expected the
mercury would not ascend beyond fve
/ or six. below. -..-s
/ Chicago, Dec. S-A Temperature o
six degrees above zero was recorded
here today and a further drop to-
below was predicted for tonight. Th'
cold wave was general over the mid
die west. the following below zert
temperatures being reported by tbs
weather bureau: Bismarck. n D.. .
I Charles City, Iowa, Is; Des Moines
Iowa, IA Duluth, Mimi, 20; Greer
/ Bay. Wis, 6, Hayre, Mont, 16; Ii
+! Crosse, Wis, "A; Omaha. IA; Pueblo
| .; St Paul. IS; Valentine, Neb., p
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
German Army Heads are
Made to Realize Use
Of Gunfire.

French Front Correspondence Of
the Associated Press.) THE entente
armies have not been alone in rec
ognizing the greater value of artillery
as compared with infantry in the
methods Of warfare in operation on all
the European fronts since the cessa-
ton of the war movement at the end
of 1914
/ A glance at the strength Of the Ger
man field artillery branch at the open
/ ing of hostilities shows that 1t then
con insisted of 642 batteries. AT present
| il is composed Of 1000 batteries at
/ least AS the batteries now contain
onIv four pieces instead Of six as at
4 fhe beginning of the war, the caleu-
iation of the power of the artillery in
/ ,ha field must be based on the num-
har of guns rather than that OF bat
teries. Whereas IN 1919 the oeriliail
army possessed only S.s52 held guns
# now disposes of 5000, If the mini
num figure of 1000 batteries Win
which If was furnished at the end OF
! 1ot6 is taken as the basis OF calcu-
These field artillery batteries are
diyided into two kinds-those armed
/ with the 7-centimetre cannon 1.-THE .
jnch) and those armed with light A.
irch field howitzers. The German
g-jnch cannon has been much i'm.
proved and its range greatly increased
since 1914
| AS TO the German heavy artillery
,he increase in the number OF pieces
nos heen even greater in proportion
Ia, mat of the field artillery. II
raaca time the German empire hae
organized "A regiments OF heavy artli
lery. Each regiment was composed Q
two battalions OF four batteries, ant
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
AljSTRO-HUNSARE
FORCED TO LEAVE
Declaration of War Gives New Aspect
To Alien Enemy Question Many
Due for Internment Camps.

New York, Dec. additional depu-
ties and clerks were engaged today
by Thomas D. Mccarthy, United States
marshal, and other federal officers in
the New York district announced
plans to increase their forces due to
the declaration of war against Austria
Hungary.
While it is not believed that there
viii be general roundup of Austrians
and Hungarians, yet it is stated au-
thoritatiyely that many Austrians
who have been openly hostile to this
country will be interned for the dur
alton of the war. Among this nums
Der, it is said, are men prominent in
financial and business affairs.
Hundreds of Austrians in the finan-
cial district and several thousand Aus
trians employed along the water front
will be dismissed Immediately, as they
are now barred from the districts
where they have been employed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
SUMMARIZED VIEWS
OF WAR SITUATIONS
ON VARIOUS FRONTS
(By the Associated Press

Americas declaration o. war on
Austria Hungary, comes at a moment
when the Italian northern front be-
tween Asiago and the Brenta is being
hard pressed by an Austro-German
army under Field Marshal Conrad Won
Hoetzendorf and probably will be a
great moral help to the people of Italy.
In four days the invading Austro-
Germans have forced the Italians back
on an average oil three miles on a 10
mile front. But the advance was
gained at a great cost in casualties,
as the Italians fought desperately
every foot of the way. and at some
points preferred to die rather than sur
render or retire. In addition to losing
-Ionte Sisemol. three miles east OF
Asiago. the Italians. according to Ber-
lin, have given up 1000 additional pris-
oners.
The operation has Strengthened out
the Italian line which now runs from
Monte Caberlaba. just south Of Asiago
across the Ronchi and Frenzelia val
leys to Foza and east TO the Brenta
The italians are holding the invaders
near the Brenta and the latest AustFo-
German gains have been made only
around Asiago
There is a luu in the fighting around
Cambria and the Germans have MADE
no attacks in forces against the new
British positions. North Of La Vac
querie British troops captured Ger
man trenches, improving the line in
this neighhorhood. Berlin reports sue
/ cessfuI fighting around Graincourt II
is estimated from British headquarters
in France that at least 250, 900 German
troops took part in the last operations
in the Cambria sector.
Hebron, southwest Of Jerusalem
has been captured by British forces
and il is reported that all American
citizens in Jerusalem, probably al
Jews, have been removed from the city
| 1t is not indicated whether the Turks
are evacuating all the civilian popu
lation or only part OF it.
Guns are silent and soldiers are idle
along the entire length of the eastern
front from the Baltic to the Black sea
the Rumanians. under the force o.
circumstances, having joined the Rus
SLAMS in their armistice negotiations
have been halted for seven days Il
give the allied countries opportunit!
to express their attitude toward tn,
negotiations.
I Meanwhile it is reported that 1,50t
Bolsheviki troops have arrived a
Vladiyostok. Vladivostok holds muci
war material and other supple
| shipped from the United States an,
Japan and other allied countries. TIL,
temporary independent government il
Siberia has chosen former Premie
/ kerensky as minister of justice. Gen
| eral korniloff is reported to have Join
ed General Kaiedines, the Cossacl
leader, around whom most of tn
leaders of the old provisional govern
ment have gathered.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
TELLS ABOUT
7RUCE;;PLANS
EvAOE: DEBTS
Trotzky Sends Message
Asking Peace Intents
Of Nations.

petr0grad, Thursday, Dec. s.
The terms OF the temporary ARM
istice agreed upon between the
Germans and Russians as reeeiY-
ed here by telegraph from II. Ia
rakhan. a member 0f. the Russian
delegation who remains in Besrt-
Litosk. agree generally with pre-
Yi0us official statements.
The telegram adds, however,
that the Germans viii make only
such transfer OF troops as were or
dered for Dee. j. The suggestion
Of the Russian delegation that the
next conference meet at PskOff
was rejected by the Germans.
London, Dec S.-The Bolsheviki
government. according to a Reuter-
dispatch from Petrograd is preparing
a decree regulating all Russian for
eign loans and loans concluded by
land banks and railways on govern
ment guarantees. Shares Of internal
loans held abroad also will be repudi-
ated.
Reai KuSSIa sui lives
In reiterating his former statement
that regeneratiye processes are going
on in Russia, the PetrogTad cores
pendent OF the Morning Post says;
The real Russia is silently anC
steadily working for reconstruction
and the inevitable return TO common
sense which We may hope is near a
hand"
He adds that the Bolshevid now
are being challenged by an organiza
ton calling itseI- the Union of An
archist Syndicalists.
Trotzky Note to Powers.
A Russian government dispatch
dated Thursday and received here b,
wireless. announces that Leon Trot
zky, the Bolsheviki foreign minister
has sent TO all the allied embassie,
and legations in Petrograd a note in
timating that the armistice negotia
/ tons with the central powers haV'
/ been suspended for a week at the mi
/ tiatiye of the Russian delegation fo
the purpose of providing opportunit,
of informing the peoples and the gov
ernments of the allied countries Of tn
[ existence of such negotiations an,
( their tendency.
1.-THE period of delay thus given !
amply sufficient to afford the allie
/ governments opportunity to defn
their attitude toward the peace nego
tiations; that is, their willingness 0
refusal to participate in negotiate TO
an armistice and peace says the note
In case Of refusal they may de
clare clearly and definitely the aim
Continued on Page Fifteen.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
u. S. SHIP OF
WAR ISSUNk
BY HUNS SUB
Large Part of Grew Lost
When Destroyer Jones
Was Hit.

Washington, Dec. s.
Torpedoed in a night at
tack, the American de-
stroyer Jacob Jones, one
of the newest and largest
submarine hunters of her
class, was sunk Thursday
night in the war zone and
two-thirds of her crew
lost.
The disaster brings to
the American people the
first naval loss of great
consequence since the
country entered the war.
Thirty-seven of her off,
GERS and crew were taken
off in life RATS. The re-
mainder are not accounted
for in today's dispatch
from Vice Admiral Sims,
who forwarded the names
of 10 of the survivors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
Air Fight Staged
Ouer SUiss: hen
Flee for Alsace

Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, Dec. Z.
The first aerial battle between al
lied and German airmen over Swiss
territory occurred around Basic to-
day,
II appeared that the Germans, hard
pressed by their opponents, intention
ally entered Switzerland. The fight
took place at a great height and the
number of airplanes is not known.
Seven bombs Were dropped on Swiss
territory, but Only material damage
resulted.
Eventually the airmen sped toward
Alsace, still fighting, while Swiss sol
diers b0mharded both parties with
shells from anti-aircraft guns.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
FAKE PICTURE MEN
ROB SAVINGS BANK

Culver City, Cal. Dec. S.--Two men,
pretending to be making motion pic
ture, held up and robbed the Culver
City Commercial and Savings bank to-
day and escaped with $4,000 Culver
City is near Los Angeles,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
HEAR GEAR HAS ESCAPED.

washington, Dec. 8.-The American
consul at Tifis today reported a
rumor that the former car Of Russia
has escaped. The message contained
no details and made it clear that there
was no confirmation of the rumor. No
other news was received here today
from Russia.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08

It was said that one of the chief
difficulties in the way of choosing gov
eminent operation was that Of finding
a railroad administrator.
One of the principal questions the
president is considering. it was said,
was whether it would be better to
choose a railroad man or some highly
developed administrator from some
other line Of business.
Some senators thought the presi-
dent has power to take over the rail
roads in emergencies and others said
that the president thought the admin
istratiye measure the swiftest and
most effective way.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
PROBLEM or
ROADS IS Up
FOR DECISION
President Wilson Studies
Angles Of Question in
Detail.

Washington. Dee. S.-president
Wilson was deyOting all his atteR-
ton today TO the railroad problem
with the intention OF making Il
quick decision on whether the
government shall operate the
railroads for the war emergency or
whether 1t shall extend al in the
way the railways ash.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
MISERY HELD
SWAY DURING
STORM NIGHT
Halifax Trains of Relief
Kept Back By Binding
Shows.

Halifax, Dec. 8-(From
staff correspondent of the
Associated Press. The
Massachusetts relief train
that left Boston Thursday
night arrived here today.
There is absolutely no way
of estimating with any de-
gree of accuracy the num-
Der of dead as a result of
the explosion on Thurs
day.
Fifteen hundred dead is
the generally accepted
figure by the authorities.
In one morgue there are
800 bodies.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
ECUADOR HAS BREAK
WITH THE GERMANS

Guayaquil Ecuador, Dec S.-Ecua-
dor has severed diplomatic relations
with Germany, according to an Off
cial announcement made by the gov
eminent today.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
SEVEN MEN DROWNED.

Chicago, Dee S.---Seven were drown
ed when the sand-sucking dredge
Desmond with a crew Of Is sank to-
day in Lake Michigan off the mouth OF
the Calumet river. during a storm.