davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
sUMTER 81 al sATnPnAV ocTopTp oo 7o77
SITE For INTIMATE PLANT.
WILL MANUFACTURE AMMONIA
AND NITRIC ACID ON TEN.
NESSEE RIVER.
After War Excess Prodtscts Over
Munitions Requirements will Be
Sold to Make Fertilize1.

Washington, Oct. 16.--Sheffield.
Ala, as a site for one of the nitrate
plants for whtSh rsngress appropriat-
ed s2o,ooo,oOo, was announced today
by the war department
The site is on the Tennessee River,
near Muscle Shoals. The plant is to
manufacture ammonia and nitric acid.
Agreement has been reached be-
tween the government and owners of
the land as t>fhe price to be paid for
the site.
The secretary Of war authorized the
following announcement regarding the
location of the government nitrate
plant:
1.-The secretary Of war announces
that the president has approved the
location at Sheffield, Ala, of the ini-
tial ammonia and nitric acid plants
to be constructed with a portion OF
the $20,000,000 appropriated for nj
trate supply by the national defense
act. providing a suitable site be there
obtained at reasonable price. AS
satisfactory prices have now been
agreed upon for the transfer Of the
several parcels of lands involved, the
location Of these initial plants at Shelf
field may now be regarded as assured
sheffield, Ala, is located on the
Tennessee River just below Muscle
Shoals and is near to the phosphate
beds Of Central Tennessee. On the
site selected there are several sub
stantial steel buildings which can be
utilized with a saving of expense and
Of time.
These initial plants were planned
with a view to determining the bes,
and most economical process OF
nitrogen fixation. Enough land is be-
ing acquired to permit of large ex-
pansion-by the same or by other
processes-in case such expansion al
! the same place shall be decided upon
These plants will produce material OF
munitions for the war. After the war
any excess of their products over the
munitions requirements may be sold
for use in fertilizer"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
NOT ENOUGH GRAIN.
No Time for BOasting ON Crops, for
the Gain I'm Grain Yields Still
Leaves Our Production Far Below
1915.

Despite the optimistic reports as to
the great increase in grain crops, ex-
cepting wheat. this year over last
year, the total production Of wheat
and corn for 1916 and 1917 Is 490.-
100000 bushels short Of the total pro-
duction Of the two preceding years of
1914 and 1915. and this, too, not
wlthstanding a gain in population Of
about 100000 people n year and the
great increase in demand by reason
OF the European war.
The total production of wheat and
corn in 1914 and 1915 was 1884
100000 bushels. as compared with
the total for 1916 and 1917 of 7,O93,-
100000 bushels. Here is a vacuum
Of nearly 5Oo.ooO.oOO bushels created
In the last two years as compared
with the two preceding years. which
of necessity spells shortage in food
and feed, which can only be made up
in part by the increase in oats and
potatoes.
The estimated quantity of the prin-
cipa1 grains-wheat, corn, oats, rye
buckwheat, rice, etc.-produced in
1917 amounts to 5,S5S,4O0.OOO BUSH
els. which is 1862. 900 bushel.
more than was raised last year; bu.
as there was a decrease of 1904, ,70O.-
600 bushels in 1916 from 1915, we are
still 152.200,OO0 bushels short o.
making up last years grain shortage
The total estimated production o.
grain and principal foodstuffs thi;
year will reach over 6,633,OOO, ,OOG
bushels, but this is less by 116, 700, OOC
bushels than the production of 1915.
We have raised a large food crop this
year. but in proportion to the worlds
demand it will barely tide us over
until the next harvest, when we will
be compelled, as far as is given to
the power of man. to make q great
increase over our present production
Thus while boasting about the in
crease over 1916. let US not FORGE
that. despite the urgent call upon tn
farmers Of the nation to do their ut
most, our production of these grain
and other fOodstuffs is actually 11G,-
100000 bushels short of the yield O:
1915, while population has increased
by about 100000 and Europe's de-
mands have enormously increased
From Manufacturers Record, Oct
IL.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
WANTS KAIsER's TERMS.
Czernin Calls on Michaelis to Make
Statement but Is Given Vague An.
swcr.

London. Oct. 15.-The Deutchc
Tages Zentung of Berlin. as quoted in,
an Exchange Telegraph dispatch from
Amsterdam. says that Count Czernin
Austro-Hungarian foreign minister
recently requested the German chan
cellor. DR.. Michaelis, to state Ger
many's peace terms. urging that Ger
many make concessions in the west
Count Czernin received a vague re-
ply. whereupon he stated that he
could no longer negotiate with DR..
Michaelis ,inasmuch as the chancello,
made vague statements when clear
ness and franknes were imperativeIy
necessary.
These statements Of The Tayes zci.
tung are not denied. the dispatch
adds, and have caused a great sensa-
uon' being particularly Illustrative O:
the fervent desire for peace on the
part Of Austria.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
ON BOARD OF CENSORSHIP
war and Navy Department Rcprcscn-
tatives Named.

Washington. Oct. 15-War and
navy department representatives IN
the board of five authorized by the
president to censor outgoing mail
cable. radio and telegraphic commu-
hication' were appointed today. They
are Major Gen. Frank McIntyre
chief or the lnsular Affairs Bureau.
and Lieut.. Commander Chas. Belknap
who have been acting censors for
'heir respective departments for some
time. Other members of the hoard
are to be named by the postofice, war
department and George Creel chair
man on public information
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
IMPROVED LIFE BOATS.
Norway EnfOrccs Stringent Rules ON
Ships I'm War Zone.

Christiania, Oct. 17.-New and
stringent regulations come into force
shortly in regard to live-saving APP
pliances to be used on Norwegian
ships traversing the war zones
Each lifeboat must he half cover
ed with waterproof cloth as shelter,
and must be provided with oil-skins
for the crew, with signal lights. IL
hand pump, and ample supplies OF
bread, meat and water.
Each ship must carry an extra boa,
Of at least 105 cubic feet, and large
enough to take the whole crew. This
boat must contain air chambers and
have cork belt around it. Either
this boat or one of the regular life
boats must be supplied with a motor
together with fuel for two days and =.
tow rope.
Passenger boats must have ten GU
bic feet of lifeboat room for each per
son on board.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
GERMANY'S CROPS SHORT.
Situation I'm Austria Even Worse Than
I'm Germany.

London, Oct. 1.-THE Press Asso-
citation from a reliable source, pub
fishes an economic review of the con-
ditions Of the Central Powers, in the
course OF which it says that as a re-
suit of special Investigation or
dered by the German chancellor OF
the 1917 harvest, it is estimated that
the yield will he 40 per cent lower
than in normal years for wheat, and
As per cent. lower for rye, oats, and
barley. The total harvest Of wheat
and rye amounts of 100000 tons,
compared to 1900, 900 tons in 1918.
The shortage will be party compen-
stated from the Rumanian graneries.
The reviewer considers that the
food situation in Germany during the
coming winter will depend mainly on
the results of the potato harvest.
The situation in Austria Hungary.
it is declared, is worse than i'm Ger
many
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
NEW JAPANESE WARSHIPS.
An Ambitious Program to Strength
en- Navy Under Way.

Toxic. Sept. 90 Correspondence of
The Associated Press)-The construc-
ton Of six new destroyers for the pur-
pose Of naval repletion at a cost of
$6,OOO,OOO is to be started shortly and
the work will be expedited to COM
plete them within the present fisca
year ending April next. The destroy
ers will all be of middle size and be
named the Nara. Kuwa, Tsubaki,
MAXI, Keyaki and Eno,Ii respectively.
The building of the following bat
tleships. cruisers and destroyers is to
begin soon at the navy dockyards
and at shipbuilding yards at Maya
saki
Battleship Mutsu, (Nagate type)
with displacement Of $4,000 tons;
Cruiser Tama. with a displacement of
$500 tons; Cruiser Kuma, with a dis
placement of $500 tons, and first
class destroyers Kawakaze, Minekaze
and Sawakaze. each of about 1900
tons.
The battleship Mutsu will carry
the largest and most powerful main
gun ever mounted on any battleship
of the japanese navy. and the cruiser
Tama will be the largest warship of
the kind in the Japanese navy. The
first class destroyer Kawakaze. which
will be one Of the largest destroyers
in the Japanese navy. is the substitu-
tute for the destroyer of the same
name which was built in France after
the outbreak of the European war
and was sold later to an entente DOW
er
Besides these warships big speca'
service ship with displacement of
10000 tons and five submarines. each
displacing 700 tons. will be built NJ
the Kure navy dockyard.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
FRENCH ACHIEVE SUCCESS.
OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS OUT
STANDING FEATURE OF WEEK.
BY Broadening the Yprcs Front They
Open the Way for Operations Of
! Larger Bodies OF Troops-Typhoon
Fire Worries Germans.

Washington. Oct. 17.--The French
successes In Flanders broadening
the great wedge the allies are drivins <
into the German lines. is described
as the outstanding feature OF the
week ending October 18th In the re-
view issued by the war department.
Ths Ypres front was previously too
narrow to permit of the proper move .
ment Of large bodies of troops. but
this trouble has been eliminated by
the French advance.
Reports show great concern OF the
German high command over the new
'typhoon" fre rsich is compelling
the Germans to change their tactical
positions to escape the rain OF shells.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
HAIG MAKING READY.
BRITISH COMMANDER SAYS
THERE is NOTHING SPECIAL
TO REPORT.
But Weather Conditions Have ImprOv.
ell In Flanders and Time is Ripe for
Another Big Drivc-Gcrman At
tacks Rcpulsed by French.

All important infantry fighting In
the West is confined to German at
tacks on the Aisne. in the Champagne
and In the Verdun regions, all of
which were repulsed by the French.
There is promise of a speedy re-
newal OF the Flanders attack, how
ever. Gen. Haig's message today
said: Nothing Of special interest to
report" which is practically the same
statement sent heretofore when the
British opened a heavy bimbardment
preparatory to a new drive. The
weather Is better in Flanders and
undoubtedly the British aviators have
an opportunity to get the ranges. The
mud is also drying.
Germany's admissions that several
Macedonian villages have been "ced-
cd" to the allies may mean that the
large allied armies in that section
are finally taking the aggressive. This
may be to forestall Bulgarian at
tack In connection with which some
believe Emperor William went to the
Balkans.
Petrograd reports no communica-
tions with Russian forces on Oezel
Island.
The rapidly working German ma
val and military machine has succeed
ell I'm taking all of Oesel Islands, Ber.
lin reports. A German dreadnaught
struck q mine and made for the coast
after an explosion. Its fate is un.
known.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
SWEDISH MAIL SEIZED.
British Embassy Holding Diplomatic
Mail Pouches.

washington, Oct. 16.-The Swedish
minister conferred with Secretary
Lansing today regarding Swedish din
'omatic mail pouches being removed
from steamer by British and held at
the british embassy here. The United
"'''es knows nothing officially of il.
The British offered to release the
pouches If Sweden would consent TO
"'S''oSe 'h"ir contents. The pouches
were seized after the Argentina and
MeNlco disclosure of Swedish com
plcity in German intrigucs.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
U-BOAT WARFARE FAILS.
Norwegian Shipping Authority AS
serts That Allies Have Made Good
Defense.

Chistiana, Oct. 16.-The German
plans for destroying the worlds COM
merce have failed. says the Nor
wegian Shipping Magazine. which
adds that ''there is no great danger
OF the disappearance of merchant
ships from the seas by reason of tor
pedoing for at least ten years."
The article Is accompanied by
chart showing the curve of English
and French losses for four months
March to June. THE allies have ev-
fry reason to be of good courage
when they look back on these re-
suits. says the writer. land they may
await the future u-boat war with con-
idence. The chart curves show ia
vorable results for England, and this
may be ascribed partly to the arm
ing Of merchant ships" He believes
that the story of 1915-16 will be re-
peated. that the u-boats will be Grip
pied unless or until the Central Pow
ers can find new inventions which will
make them powerful enough to gain
the upper hand again."
Another reason for this favora bic
result. says the writer. Is the fact
that when the u-boat war started in
March. Germany sent out every u
boat she could muster. good. bad
and indifferent, and the English de-
Tense. which was ready. "reaped a
rich harvest and crippled the dan
gerous enemy for the ensuing
months" Failure Of the submarine
war also is attributed in part to faul-
~ construction of the latest German
u-boat.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

Good Crops This Year and Good
Season for Harvesting.

Wisacky. Oct. 16.--I am glad to
report favorably from this section.
We have had excellent seasons for
gathering our crops. and made good
use of them. Corn and hay are
about all harvested. aud IL tho
weather continues as II now Is the
cotton will soon be gathered. as there
L. very little top crops. Our cotton
crop will be above the average, and
with the present prices OF all the
farm products our farmers will be I'm
excellent condition to begin another
year, I am glad to see the spirit Of
paying up old debts. We are payin;;
60 and some rs cents per hundred for
picking cotton. and the colored folks
are having n good time.
A letter from my boy at Camp
Jackson states tha. tho soldiers are
kindly treated. we'll fed and cloth
cd. and that he likes the soldier life
better and better every day. praises
the people OF Columbia for their at
tentions and kindness when they visit
tire city.
Mr. j. c. Scott. after spending the
SUMMER I'm Henderson. has returned
and will be- at the home of his daugh-
ter. Mrs. w. w. McCutchen for sol,e
time. His health was much improv-
ed from the trip.
The annual conference OF the Meth
odist Church will hold it's sessions i'm
the Bishopvilie Methodist church the
latter part of November. This will be
the first time that our beautiful lit
tie town has attempted to entertain
a body OF this size. Our sister
churches show a very liberal spirit In
helping US entertain the delegates
wnich shows the fraternal feelings
that exist among US.
Rev. Mr.. Benson. pastor OF the Ban
tist church OF Bishopville. has resi-
ed his pastoral relationship with that
church to become pastor OF the Bap-
list church OF Camden. We hate TO
see Mr. Benson leave. as he was very
popular.
Messrs. II. NJ. Cooper. Sr. and Jr..
are having their homes lighted by
electricity. DIR. Afford has been en-
joylng this luxury for sometime.
Mr.. and Mrs Burkett. after a pleas
ant bridal tour. have returned to their
home In 81. Charles. where he Is en-
gagged In business.
Your paper comes very irregularly..
Something ~ wrong somewhere. i
feel disappointed when The Item fails
To reach me at $50 %. m.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
AFFAIRS IN CHINA.
EACH OF TWO FACTIONS CLAIM
TO BE THE LEGAL GOVERN.
MENT.
Rival Governments Keep up a Con.
tinual Wranglc Over Which is The
Legal and Constitutional Authority
I'm the Republic-Feng Kuo Chang
Has the Upper Hand at Pekin. D,

Pekin, Sept. / Correspondence ~
The Associated Press)
ality is the wall behind which Cd =
tending factions In China are taking
refuge. Premier Tuan Chi-jui insists
that the republic which he re-estab-
lished in Peking with Vice President
Feng Kuo-chang at its head, is the
constitutional government Of China.
The so-called parliament at Canton
consisting Of fifty or sixty members
of the dissolved parliament insists
that 1t Is the constitutional govern
ment Of China, and that Ii Yuan
hung still is the president.
The "constitutionalists," now active
in south China under the direction q;
Sun Vat Sen, have contested every i'm
portant change in the central govern
ment during the last few months
and denounced 1t as unconstitution-
al. They say Ii Yuan-hung had no
right to dissolve parliament, and that
there certainly is nothing in the Nan
king provisional constitution which
justified such action.
Consequently, according to their
line Of reasoning. Feng Kuo-chang is
neither the legal president nor the le-
gal acting president of China.
To,
Feng Kuo-chang's own contention is
as to his legal status. While he has
permitted all foreign legations to be
presented to him as president and
signs official documents as president,
he is represented to provincial author
tiles as being only acting president. 1t
is believed that Feng Kuo-chang is un-
doubtedly anxious to be elected pres
ident by parliament legally consti-
tuted, or constituted as legally as It is
possible to do SO under the present ~
settled conditions in China. He. mas
held out against the plan of his cabi-
net to have a national council foSmed
with five members from each provi-
nee to act as a parliament
Feng Kuo-chang heads a de facto
government which actually exists In
Peking. and has the support of nine
teen provinces and the recognition OF
all important foreign powers. There
fore the efforts of the opposition in
the south to oppose the Peking gov
ernment and deny It's legal existence
thus far seem futile.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

Washington, oct. 15.-Secretary
Lansing has authorized Indian Com
missioner Sells to invest $4,000. 900 OF
the funds of the Five Civilized Tribes
In per cent. Liberty bonds. II is
expected that the Oklahoma Indians
outside the five tribes will subscribe
Sl.o00.0OO more.
large part Of their money comes
from oil land royalties. from which
OF S6,Oo0,O 600.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
TAX DODGERS DETECTED.
MUNITION MAKERS DEFRAUD
GOVERNMENT OUT OF S17,-
100000.
Escaped Special Tax by Marking or
Total Cost of Plants as Deprecia.
ton, Claiming They Will be Value
less After the War.

Washington, Oct. 17.-Internal rev.
enue agents fspast that the evasion
,pt the special tax of twelve and one
per cent. on munitions manu-
facturers has SO far totaled seventeen
and a-half million dollars OF which
more than ten million will be recov-
cred. One method used to report
munition taxes was to charge off q
large percentage. sometimes all of the
plant valuation, under the head of
depreciation. Manufacturers maintain
that the plans will be worthless after
the war.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
PL0T1ERS ON TRIAL.
CONSPIRED TO FOMENT REVO-
LUTON IN INDIAN EMPIRE.
Hindu Witness Says German leaders
Directed Plot From Berlin and Was
Paid Well for His Participation.

Chicago, Oct. 16.-Trial of Gustav
H. jacobson. Albert wehde. George
Boehm and Heramba La Gupta.
charged with conspiring to fonent a
revolution in India, was begun today
before Federal Judge Landis. Baron
Curt Won Reiswitz, former German
consul in Chicago, was indicted with
the others but is now in Germany.
jacobson is a wealthy Chicago real
estate dealer.
Assistant United States District At
torney Joseph Fleming in his openings
address said that the government
would show that the alleged plotters
received their instruction from Berlin
by code caolegrams. The entire plot,
he said. was conceived in Berlin when
the India national council was form
ed in the German capital in 1914 to
overthrown British rule in India and
force the allies to- withdraw troops
from the French and Belgium battle
fronts to India.
Attorney Fleming declared that
Baron Won Reischwitz in May. 1915,
paid $4,000 to Albert H. Wehde to
instigate a rebellion in India. The
governments attorney also said that
$4,000 was paid by the German con-
sui in Chicago to another man in
furtherance of the conspiracy. Later
Boehm, according to District Attorn-
ey Fleming, received $1,000 FROM Won
Reiswitz and Immediately left for In
dia.
The detailed story of the activities
Of the alleged conspirators In San
Francisco. Honolulu. Siam and Chi
cago and their subsequent arrest by
the United States government was de-
scribed by Mr. Fleming i'm closing.
John Singh, Hindu, the first wit
ness for the government, said he was
in South America when he first be-
came interested in the alleged plot
He went to Italy and later to Berlin,
where he attended meetings OF the
German leaders directing the Indian
revolution propaganda.
The witness said he was given ST.
600 in Berlin to como to the United
States. In New York he met Wehde
and La Gupta and later came to Chi
cagO where he conferred with Baron
Won Reiswitz, jacobson, Boehm and
others interested in the alleged con-
spiracy. Singh said he went to Slam
with Boehm, Wehde and Won Reiswitz.
AT San Francisco he received $500
from the German consul
He visited Annoy, China, where he
received a package of letters bearing
on the alleged plot from the German
consul there. Later he went to Ma
Mia and finally reached Siam.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

Washington. oct. fT.--It is practi-
cally certain that the United states
VIII be represented at the conference
OF nations at war with Germany
which will probably be held I'm Paris.
Secretary Lansing authorized a state
mene that II had been decided To have
the conference and that the United
States IL considering participation.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
LA TOILETTE PROBE POST.
PONED.

Washington, Oct. 1.-THE La Fol-
lette investigation has been postpon-
ed until November 26th when wit
nesses will be heard. Chairman
Pomercnc denied that the tempor-
airy postponement carried any sgnif-
canoe. 20
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

PetrOgrad, oct. 1.-THE genera Is
for participation i'm the kor-
nilOff affair on their departure from;
I'erditchev were compelled TO walk
three miles TO the railroad station
while they were icered. pelted AMI
threatened 10y mob Of several thou
sand. They barely escaped alive
when the mob fred on the train.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

German Socialists VIII Vote Against
New Loan.

Amsterdam, oct ia German
Socialist newspaper says the Social
lists have decided to vote against the
new war credit OF ten billion marks.
which IL Ia he submitted To the reich
stag i'm December. unless Chanccllo,
Michaclis resigns.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20
NANCY BOMBED by GERMANS
Ten Killed and Forty Wounded I'm
French Town.

Paris. oct. 17.-Ten were killed
and forty wounded by u German raid
ON Nancy last night Twenty-Gye
German airplanes were DESTROYED or
forced to land Monday and TUESDAY.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

Operators Claim They Cannot Grant
Demands.

Springfield. oct. i7.-The latest
estimates are that sixty coal mines In
Illinois will close as result OF the
strike. The operators say they can
not grant the miners demands unless
the fuel administrator allow them to
charge more for the output.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-20

WI" f"f"fy" BH1intrs OF CIty.
Chicago. oct. 17.---Unless the coal
strike is settled within ten days bus
iness In Chicago will be paralyzed
said Fred upham. president OF the
largest coal company In the city. Chi
easo has only ten days supply ahead
and no more coming. h@ said.