davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
EXCELLENT WEATHER FOR
 CROPS IN THE WEST. Extreme Cold in the East Has Been Decidedly UnfavorahIe.

Washington, May 1S.-More season. able weather conditions during the week just ended caused crops to make excellent progress in the western half of the country, but in eastern districts extreme cold was decidedly unfavor- able.
 The national weather and crop bull letin today said cotton and corn and some garden truck were not only re- tarded but considerably damaged by the continued cold weather. The week was more favorable for warm work, however, and good progress was made in all sections There are many re- ports of increased acreage of food crops, although the necessity of plant ing and the lack of labor will reduce the intended increase somewhat.
 Winter wheat generally is making good growth except in Oklahoma. Corn is being planted on much of the aban- doned winter wheat acreage in Ne braska. Spring wheat is making ex- cellent growth in the southern and central states of the belt and on the Pacific coast. Cool weather in cen tral and eastern districts was unfavor- able for corn and in places much will need to be replanted.
 There are many reports of increased acreage for potatoes.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
TWO LINEMEN KILLED.
 TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED
By Derailnent of a Flat Car One Mile
 East of Vernon, Conn.-lnjured Men
 in St. Joseph's Hospital, WiIIirna ntic.

Vernon, Conn, May 16.-The derafl- ment of a gas driven fiat car used by telegraph construction workers. about a mile east of the station this after noon, caused the death of two line- men and seriously injury to two oth- CTS. The dead:
 Thomas Duffy of Hancock N Y He leaves a widow and three children.
 w. R. Thomas, 20 years old. of An ticoth, Va.
 The seriously injured who weer talk en to a Willimantic hospital are Laurence Ricad of Wil1imantic other 1inemen were working near making repairs to telegraph lines Work was suspended at 5 o'clock and the entire force boarded the fiat car which proceeded towards Vernon at a speed of about six miles an hour They were standing on the front of the car when a portion of the under structure gave way. derailing 1t Duf- fly aid Thomas were thrown directly in front of the wheels and were fatal ly crushed. Manager and Ricard were thrown to the side just far enough to escape being run over.
 The foreman in charge of the work men would make no statement other than that he was completely at Q loss to understand what caused the derail- ment
 At St. Joseph's hospital in wiIliman- tic it was said that Manager and Ri- card would recover.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
COL. ROOSEVELT TO HAVE
 COMMISSION IN ANY EVENT With New York State Troops if Not
 With the Federal Arnnv

Albany, N. r, May 16.-At the con clusion of 3 two hours conference to- day with Gov. Whitman, Col Theo- dore Roosevelt announced that he would accept the governors offer of a major generals commission in the state service if the federal army bill were passed without the provision to permit him to go to Europe with an expedftionary force.
 Colonel Roosevelt said: Governor Whitman has, as you know, offered me the commission of major general if the volunteer plan for sending troops abroad is not accepted in Washington. The commission would authorize me to raise one or more di- visions in New York state, but the members would not necessarily come from this state.''
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
NO FURTHER EFFORT FOR
 PRESS CENSORSHIP LAW.
Administration Content to Permit
 Newspapers to Continue as at Present.

Washington. May 1e.-The admins tration probably will make no further efforts at present to have congress enact a press censorship law, nor is it expected to insist that senate and house conferees on the espionage bill be urged to retain the censorship pro- vision written into tho measure by the house.
 For the present the executive branch of the government, it was said to- night, Is content to permit the news papers to continue as under the regu- la<dons voluntarily accepted by them formation. If there are developments in the next few months that indicate that self imposed restrictions are not effective and that information of value to the enemy is being published, the fight for censorship law will be- re- newed.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
REDRAFTING OF FOOD
 LEGISLATION IS FORECAST Members of hte Committees of Both , Houses at White House Conference.

Dashington, May 16.-Re- drafting of food Legislation pending in congress to meet the views of the adninistra.- tion was forecast today in the request of the senate agriculture committee that the house committee name a sub committee to assist it in drawing g new bills.
 Members of the committees in both houses received a clear idea at a White House conference last night of what the administration wants enact ed into law.
 The administration program calls for three measures, one to promote food production, another providing regulatory measures, and the third giving authority to insure preferen- tial shipments to food supplies. The first two bills are pending In the house and the third was introduced today in both houses.
 The first house bill probably will be allowed to stand as it is but the second will be changed to give to the president regulatory powers vested in the bill in the agriculture depart ment. The second bill also will au thorize creation of an emergency food agency to operate under direc- ton of the president.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
eUATEMALA's ResoURcEa
What It Can Do as an Ally Of This
 Country Against Germany.
Cspecia1 10 Thr 1uIeflnI


 Washington. D. e.. May 1f-Guafr- mala's decision to follow the example of the United States in breaking 1F diplomatic relations with Germany adds to the world alliance arairrt Teutonic imperialism the most iT0rf- ant of Central American republics. The National Geographic s0~Iefv. fn war geography bulletin ieaued from ifa Washington headGuarter7 today. gives the following data about thls now tentative ally:
 With m army which fn peace Hines numbers 1000 men and w'tH re=rrre force estimated at from 7o 111 to 9r- 900. Guater7aia iF br far fhr r1uef lrn- portant military force fn rar+rrf America Tn area ff i4 va~o~ai fr1ur- and square miles far~er than Inc ia- land of Cuba and approximate fhn size of Louisiana with a u1uuiTtflH depublic. Nicaragua embraces FIight- ly more territory but has ieHn thau onethird the population
 The total available uuorra rized rn-l- itary strength of Guatemala ia 117 coo men, which is three-fourfhs aE large as all the rest of Central America combined.
 "Guatemala has 70 miles Of coart- line on the Atlantic seaboard and goo miles on the Pacific. the he7t harh1r. Puerto Barrios. being on the Atlautic. with regular stea mEhip service to New York and Ned Orleans
 "Ine Tact that tFGafemNla Wan ENe first of the Central American rerrlh- lies to align itself with the Uritef States came as snn1ethinR 0f a rIr- prise in view of the fact that fhe coun- try's industrial and commercial ffo has been nerrneatod h~ German fr- huence before the f7r r+ war Cor man capital which hal triff much rr the 5o2 miles of railway ir tho -r- public. and ft wac eeruarr which used Co bur large percentage rf -Er coffee produced on tfo Gsafarrr.n m8u- 0f which were eltr CT owned or managed br Germans cl- of the leading educational fHsfltuff farH of the country le H German arnarf r.. dowed by tEe German -1rrrnmerf German cotton Eoods occupied ar fn. portant place tr tho corn-rra 'ruarfa before the world-w1r restricted -r7r- ping
 ''Fatrada Cabrera president rf Guatemala, has been thc chief eve~n- tive of the country for nineteen ~rrrr and only a few weeks ago began an- ther term of six years"
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Queenstown, May Is. 9.11 ?. m.-A squadron of American torpedo boat destroyers has safely crossed the At lantic and is patrolling the seas on war service. The American navy's actual entry into the war zone has already been productive of a brush between a destroyer and a German underwa ter boat according to an announcement by the British admiralty, but the result Of 1t has not been made public.
 The destroyer squadron arrived in Queenstown after an uneventful voy- age across the Atlantic, but almost i'm rnediately after a formal exchange of greetings with the British na6al off1- cials. put to sea again for the hard work that Is before it.
 Cheered by Crowds.
 4 crowd of several hundred per sons. some of them carrying tiny American flags, lined the waterfront and cheered the destroyers from the moment they first sighted the fiotilla until it reached the dock The crowd cheered again when a few moments came ashore to greet the British sen for officer and Wesley Frost, the American consul, who had come down to the dock to welcome the fotilla.
 The commander of the British fo- tfl1a was waiting on board his ship and sent wireless greetings to the American units as they hove in sight
 After the exchange of shore greet
  congratulated the American officers on their safe voyage. he asked:
 When will you be ready for busi neS?
 Ready tc Start at Once.
 fsYs can start at once" the Ameri- can commander replied promptly. This response, so characteristically American, surprised the British com nander, who said he had not expected Inc Americans would be ready to be- r-4-r --r~lr Tf-Fz zfd ffnT- their long voyage. When he had re- covered from surprise, however, he made a short tour of the destroyers and admitted that the American tars looked prepared The equipment on board the destroy CTS was found to be in excellent con diti0n and remarkably well suited to the requirements on this side of the ocean In fact. the British officer said that the only thing lacking in the equipment Of the American sailors was heavier clothing. This lack, how ever, was quickly provided for. After the fOrmalities had ended and 1 the needs of the men were attended to 1 the American ships at once put out to l sea the men, from captains to ordi- | nary seamen. looking in the pink of | condition and apparently enthusiastic | for their task One Escorted Passenger Steamer One of the American destroyers be- gan war duty even before reaching | this side of the Atlantic. This was i when 1t picked up and escorted l through the danger zone one of the i largest of the Atlantic liners. This action so pleased the passengers on | board that they sent a message of | greeting and appreciation to the com | mander of the destroyer. The message read- British passengers on board a i steamer bound for a British port un- | der the protection of an American tor | pero destroyer send their hearty | greetings to her commander and her officers and crew and desire to express 1 their keen appreciation of this practi- cal cooperation between the govern ment and people of the United States | and the British empire, who are now fighting together for the freedom of l the seas"
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
CONCESSIONS MADE TO NEW
 HAVEN ROAD FREIGHT CLERKS.
Two Saturday Half Holidays Each
 Month and Per Cent. Wage Increase.

Boston, May 16-Freight clerks of the New York, New Haven and Hart ford railroad win receive an per cent. increase in wages dating from May 4 under the agreement reached today. according to a statement by union leaders tonight. They will be given two Saturday half holidays each month with pay, and vacations will be granted on the following basis
 Clerks with the company one year. one week; with the company two years. ten days; with the company five years and more, two weeks.
 It was also announced by union lead CTS that the agreement would include all freight clerks employed on the terminal piers of the company at New York.
 R. F. McWade and J. s. Myers of the federal department of labor who have been here to adjust the differ ences, left here tonight after the an- nouncement of the settlement. The agreement will be formally signed at New Haven tomorrow, it is stated.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
GOVERNM ENTAIL DEPARTMENTS
 OF MEXICO TO BE REORGANizED
Position as Efficiency Expert Offered to
 Robert Bruere of New York.

New York, May -Reorganfzation by an American of the governmental departments of Mexico is to be under taken at the invitation of President CarranZa of that country, it was learned here today.
 Robert Bruere, a New Yorker form erly city chamberlain, is on his way to Mexico City after having received from Carranza the proffer of a nosi- tion which will be virtually that of ef ficiency expert. It is understood that he will put into effect many of the plans which he introduced into the municipal government here
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Between GavreI1e and the Scarpe River in France the German forces have again made extraordinarily heavy counter attacks against posi- tions taken from them recently by Field Marshal Haig's men, but again the British inflicted exceptionally their ground At one point by nu- merically superior forces the Germans forced the British to fall back, but, returning to ths fray, the British i'm mediately repulsed the Germans and recaptured their lost terrain.
 Likewise on the Afsne sector held by the French the Germans threw in larg effectives in an endeavor to push back the line. At several places the French line bent under the impetus of
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
PICKED CREWS HAVE CARRIED
 FLAG INTO THE WAR ZONES
Operating With Allied Naval Forces In European Waters Since May 4th.

Washington, May 16.-FormaI an uouncemsnt that American destroy CTS manned by picked crews have carried the flag into the war zones of Eu- rope and are operating against Ger man submarines with British and French war vessels was made to- night by Secretary Daniels after the news had come from London. The number and names of the vessels were not disclosed. It was made clear however that the fighting power of the nation was to be exerted to It's utmost to stamp out the U-boat menace.
 Secretary Daniels Statement.
 The secretary's statement follows: United States naval forces have been operating with the allied naval forces in European waters since May 4th. A number of destroyers sailed from American ports in the latter part of April and all arrived at their destina- ton without accident or delay of any kind They were ready for operations when they arrived and went into ser vice Immediately.
 Undnr Command of Rear Admiral
 Sims.
 The United States vessels are un- nsr command of Rear Admiral Sims who went to England and France sew Rrsl weeks Ego to arrange for active
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
DAMAGE FROM FOREST FIRES
 IN HADDAM AND DURHAM
Between 4,oo0 and 5000 Acres of Woodland Burned Over-Loss Esti- mated at $25,ooO.

Middletown. Conn.,. May 16.-Forest fires in Haddam and Durham during the past several days have done an estimated damage of s25.0O0, burning over between 4,000 and 5000 acres of woodland. In the Tylerville district 2,0O0 cords of wood, ready for trans portation, were completely destroyed
 Several factories today released many of their employees so that a concerted effort to check the frefi could be made. It is thought tonight that the efforts of the men, combined with the favorable rains of the after noon, have checked the fires effect ually.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

the forceful offensive but. like fhr British, the Frenchmen launched brilliant counter-attaczs. which er abled them to re-taks their Ia-e ground and inflct heavy losae1 8a the Germans.
 The Italians are keeping up their strong offensive against the Aaugrf- ans along the Isonzo front and nrer succeeded in capturing several van tage points. including the vIIlanaa Of Zagora and Zagomfla and rarrrlr- with great dash two mountain craatn
 Both in Mesopotamia and fn Mac donia successes for the entente aTi=r are recorded. In the latter theatre EHr British in the Lake Dolrau region have captured 5000 yards Of enemy trench es to a depth of 500 yards and f1 th1 Struma River sector.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
A Squadron Had Safe Passage Across the Atlantic
 and is Now PatroIIng the Seas on War Service
ONE SHIP DID CONVOY DUTY ON THE WAY OVER

Covvd of Several Hundred Persons the Water Queenstown Greeted the Flotia With Cheers-In An sver British Commanders Query: 'When Will You be Ready to Start?" the American Commander Re piled Promptly: "We Can Start at Once'-British Ad- rniraty Has Announced That Brush Has Occurred Between American Destroyer and a German U-Boat Have Been Cooperating With Allied Navy Since May 4th
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
GERMAN EDUCATIONAL BOOKS
 RELEASED BY GREAT BRITAIN
Some $500 Packages Are Now on
 Their Way to merica.

London, May 16. 705 D. m.-Some $500 packages of books consigned from Germany to educational insti- tut1ons in the United States have been released by the British prize court and are now on their way to America The books are many thousand in mum Der and of scientific and educational nature.
 son why they should not be delivered to the purchasers.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
BRITISH WEEKLY STATEMENT
 OF LOSSES OF VEssELs Eighteen Were Sunk Lest Wssc- Forty Were Sunk Week Endlr1 ApriI 26.


 London. May 16. 6.30 D. m--Eig-t- than 1900 tons were sunk during fno past week, says the official summary of shipping losses issued today. Five merchant vessels of 1ess than r rErl tons were sunk. together with Ehrea fishing vessels. The summary
 All nationalities - Arrivals G51g sailings. 2.552.
 British vessels, mined. Bubnarirsf and sunk, over 1900 tous. including one previously. IS; under 1.s10 fola. five.
 British merchantmen unmeosarfarr attacked, including five previ9uae
 British fishing vessels sunk. thrse
 The foregoing statement shows one losses for the week cut consIdera bzT more than half as regards tha runn- Der of vessels sank, last weeEr re- port showing @ vessels as compared with 26, the current statement
 In large vessels. the decreara wac from 24 to IS. The most marked dr1r. however, was in the number CT malI- CT vessels destroyed. Last FEoarar- day 22 merchant vessels Of faar rhan ] 800 tons were reported sunk Ir cong trast with the five in this weafa ~e- port, while the number Of frhfrra craft dropped from IS fo only threa
 The high water mark in the fe- struction Of large vessels wae rrHrl- ed in the report Of April %. Urer forty such vessels were announced as destroyed
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
NO CAVALRY REGIMENTS
 IN NEW NATIONAL ARMY Attention of Governors of States Has
 Been Called to the Fact

San Antonio, Texas. May 16.-There will be TO cavalry regiments in the new national aEmy to be raised under the selective draft bill, according to a memorandum received at the office of Colonel Arnar Bundy. southern de- partment adjutant today. At the same time it is brought to the atten- tion of governors of states that in call ing out the national guard troops pre- paratory to any possible operations abroad. cavalry organizations will not be included.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
ENLISTED sTRENGTH OF
 NAVY NOW 100000. First Time in Its History That 1t Has Reached That Mark.

Washington, May 16.-When Rich ard Farris Cannon enlisted in the navy today at Jackson, Miss. the enlisted strength of the navy touched the 10O,- 900 mark for the first time.
 The existing authorized strength of the navy was 106.6 including all auxiliary forces, but the bill just pass ed by both house and senate puts it up to 150,0oo.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
INCREASE IN BONUS FOR
 HOLYOKE PAPERMAkERs
Effective June IS They Get 20 Per
 Cent. Until Further Notice.

Holyoke, Mass, May 16-In a meet ing of paper manufacturers here this cost of living to increase to 20 per cent, effective June 15 and until furth- CT notice, the 10 per cent. emergency bonus now in effect in paper mills in this city and Mittineague. Nine con- panies here and three in Mittineague join in the advance.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
BRITISH TENACIOUSLY
 HOLD THEIR GROUND
Against Heavy Counter Attacks by German Forces
 Between GarveIIe and the SCarpe River
GERMANS UNABLE TO REGAIN POSITIONS LOST

0 the Aisnc Sector the French Line Was Beaten Back b Germans, But the Ground Was Later Relalzen by the French in Strong Counter-Attacs- Are Keep ing Up Their Strong Offensive Against the Austrians Along the Isonzo Front-In Mesopotama and in Mace donia Successes for the Entente Allies Are Recorded
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
The Bulletins Circulation in Norwich Double That of Any Ott
FLEET OF U. S. DESTROYERS
 OPERATING IN THE WAR ZONE
Cabled Paragraphs

Cambridge University Honors Page.
 London, May 16, 5.05 p. m.-Cam- bridge university today conferred honorary degrees on Walter H. Page, the American ambassador, and Gen. Jan Christian Shuts, the South Afri- can commander. Laudatory addresses in Latin were made in conferring the degrees and the recipients, who were cheered loudly, broke precedent by making speeches of acknowledgment.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Police Chief Hanse, of F'reeport, L. I. saw a theatrical poster of a girl in diaphanous costume. He got some green paint and gave her a coat.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Owing to a general strike of their workers all American packing in terests in Uruguay have closed their plants. Five thousand zen are out.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
DISTINGUISHED MEN TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF JOSEPH H. cHOATE.
Representatives of Foreign Govern
 ments as We'll as of This Country.

New York, May 16.-Distinguished representatives of foreign govern ments, a swell as many of the most prominent men of this country, are expected to attend the funeral here tomorrow of Joseph H. Choate, former ambassador to Great Britain and dean of the American bar. The Right Rev. c. H. Brent, Protestant Episcopal bishop of the Philippines, will off, ciate.
 Messages of coincidence from all parts of the world continued to ar rive at the Choate home today Be- sides those from President Wilson, King George of England and other notables, there was one from the Duke of Connaught, long a personal friend Of Mr. Choate, in which the duke ex- pressed the deepest sympathy of him self and daughter for the bereaved family
 From the Harvard club of Boston came a telegram saying the univer- sity mourns the loss of one of her beSt beloved sons and the country of one of it's most honored citizens
 The New England society, of which MT Choate was elected president 50 years ago. passed resolutions express ing sympathy for the family and characterizing MT. Choate's long life as one which gave us an example of the best type of American"
 Coincidence from President Wilson.
 Washington, May 16 President Wilson today sent the following letter to Mrs. Choate:
 ''My Dear Mrs. Choate: May I not join in expressing what I believe to be the grief of the whole nation at the death of your honored and distin- guished husband. The news of it came as great shock to me, and I wish to convey to you my most heart felt sympathy
 (Signed)
 Cordially and sincerely yours,
 WOODROW WILSON,
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

A contract was awarded to a New York company for the construction of cantonment of ITS buildings in Chickamauga Park by June 15.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Basdad is open to international correspondence. Cablegrams may now be accepted. The rate is the same as other offices in Mesopotamia.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

PoHtken reports that tho small quantity of coal conceded 10 Dennarrr by England has been destroyed hg Germany
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

The British War Office of Works, in outlining work to be done after the war hazards the guess that peace will be declared in the summer Next year.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

The allied bazaar committee SC aside s62,000 for the relief suffering in the nations of the Allied Entente.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

A large aeropIane factory near Kop. chick in the outskirts of Berlin, wa. destroyed by fire.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

S o. S. calls and open boats loaded with men are being used by German submarines to decoy Allied ships to their destruction.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
Condensed Telegrams

John D. Rockefeller subscribed S5 00O,000 to the Liberty Loan."
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Frost during Tuesday night was re- ported yesterday in the upland sec tions of Wallingford, so severe in some places as to damage garden truck
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17

Roland s. Morris of PhiIadeIphi: was virtually decided upon by Presi dent Wilson for ambassadorto Japan