davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
NO STEPS TAKEN FOR
 ACTUAL WARFARE BY THE OVERNMENT
Reports That Destroyer Ja- cob Jones Was Scuttled Is UnfOunded-Precau-
 tiOns Taken
GOVERNMENT SAYS
 NO SEIZURE PLANNED

Washington, February 4.-with every precautionary measure now thought ad- visable already taken, the war and navy departments awaited tonight further de- velopments that may call for measures to protect American rights at sea by force
 So far no steps of actual warfare prep arations have been taken. Speaking to 8 who passed through the city today and called at the war department, Secretary Baker said:
 We are all between two breaths here. We have taken one breath and are won dering whether we will have to draw the other. We are hoping for the best"
 Secretary Baker and Secretary Daniels The latter conferred with Admiral Ben- son, chief of operations. Later it was learned that several of the many ru- mors afloat yesterday and today hace been investigated and found unfounded.
 REPORTS ARE UNFOUNDED
 One of these was the report that the destroyer Jacob Jones at the Philadel- phia navy yard had come to her dock in sinking condition and that a member of her crew had been put in irons for having opened her sea valves in an at tempt to sink her. Admiral Benson ex- plained that the bilge pumps of the ves- sel had failed to work properly, and that the discharge valves Ghad acted as syphons. a common occurrence. sucking some water into the ship before it was noticed.
 Another official report said that the crews of the interned German raiders Kronprinz Wilhelm and Prinz Eitel Friedrich. at the Philadelphia yard, were still aboard their ships. Captain Russell. commandant at the yard, re- ported that he had taken adequate pre- cautions to protect the ships, but had not found it necessary to remove the crews.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
PLANS INCOMPLETE
 FOR DEPARTURE OF
 COUNT BERNSTORFF
scont,nued from Page un~,

sContinued from Page ure,
 were handed to Count Won Bernstorff yesterday. They were not accompa- nied with guarantee of safe conduct through the allied blockade, but the state department is preparing to se- cure one. The request probably will be made within day or two through the British embassy here and officials do not doubt that it will be granted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
GERMAN GUNBOAT CHEER
 SET AFIRE AT HONOLULU

Honolulu, February 1.-The crew of the interned German gunboat Geier today set the vessel afire, according to the authorities here. The gunboat was of 1894 tons. and was informed shortly after the war began. She was built at Wilhelmshaven in 1899.
 Customs officers have completed their examination of interned German boats. Nine of them had their engine rooms wrecked and several had fires burning under empty boilers. It is feared that some of the German boats had explosives on board and that they may be used in case they are seized.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
KRON PRINZESSIN CECELIE'S
 MACHINERY TEMPERED WITH

Boston, February 4.-Federal tnspec- tors at work in the engine room of the North German Lloyd liner Kron Prin- zessin Cecelie, which was taken possess sion of in civil proceedings by united ported today that the ships machinery had been tempered with since 1t had been formally inspected last Friday. Nine valves and all the brass plates on the manifold box indicating the character and polition of steam and water pipes had been removed
 The Cecelies officers and crew were removed yesterday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
INTERNATIONAL LAW NOT VIOLATED WHEN
 GERMANS SANK SHIP
Continued from Page one)

(Continued from Page One) rious an issue than claim for monetary damages If the consul's report is cor rect. the case apparently falls into the same category as that of the American ship William P. Frye, destroyed early in the war by raider after her crew had been taken off.
 Consul Stephens dispatch said
 American steamer Housatonic, loaded with a cargo of wheat for the British government, torpedoed by German subma- rne 12:3o February g. Vessel warned and total crew of S7 rescued by submarine and lowed for 90 minutes toward land. Submarine fired signal to British patrol boat, which subsequently, landed crew at Penzance"
 The unusual precautions taken to in sure a safe landing for the crew was ktaken in some quarters to mean that in- l ternational law and Germany's submarine ! pledge would be observed more scrupu- | lously than ever Tn sthe case of many ves- | time the new campaign of unrestricted warfare became effective February 1.
 There also was suggestion that this
 regard for the vessels already on the way
 to the war zone might preclude the pos
 sibility of any serious development af- fecting American interests for a period two weeks or more, and might make it impossible to determine for that period fjust how effective the German blockade
 campaign would be.
 1 News that a warning had been given
 and that the crew. which included sev-
 eral Americans. had been saved. caused
 distinct relief here. First fragmentary re- l ports of the attack had a sensational ef- l feet in some quarters, and led to fears
 that the overt act which might mean l hostilities had actually been committe. l The White House and state department. l however. have declined to form an opin- ion on incomplete evidence. and Consul
 Stephens dispatch was made public today
 without comment.
 London, February 4.--When hailed by l the submarine the Housatonic was fly ing the American flag, and had the Amer. ican colors painted on her side. says. g
 dispatch to the central news. The crew was given an hour in which to leave the ship. the submarine commander say ing: T have orders to sink every vesse coming to England
 The Germans searched the Housatonic
 and took quantity of soap. which they said was difficult to obtain. The sec ond mate of the Housatonic was second mate of the American steamer Gulf1igh,
 when that vessel was sunk cy a German submarine off the Scilly Islands early ir
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
GERMANY'FE THAT PRESIDENT
 WILSON PLACED AN INTERPRETATION
 ONNOTE THAT WAS NOT INTENDED
Overseas News Agency Says German Measure Was Not In tended to Damage Neutrals -Germanys Enemies Are Charged With Whole Responsibility for Break
 by the United States

Berlin. February 4-(Vie Wireless.) Press dispatches have reached Berlin, according to which diplomatic rela- tons between Germany and the United States have been broken off, says the Overseas News agency. No official confirmation has been received.
 'In case the news is correct" adds the agency, "the general feeling in Germany is regretted that the Ameri-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
GERMAN SUBMARINES SSELL.,INGLY START RUTHLESS WARFARE AGAINST THE SHIPS OF ALI NATIONS, SINKING TWO NEUTRALS
Spanish Steamer Sunk With Loss of Life by German Sub marine, While Norwegian Steamer Shares Similar Fate
 No Ships of Belligerents Reported Sunk

The ruthless warfare" of the Ger man submarines against the ships of all nations seems to be going into effect. Two neutral ships were re- ported sunk yesterday by the Asso ciated Press. The Norwegian steamer Ymer was torpedoed by German sub- sea boat, while the Spanish steamer Dos De Noviembre was sunk by one of the Kaiser's submarines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
FRANCE AND ENGLAND ARE
 CHEERED BY WILSON'S ACT
Presidents Picture Flashed on Screen In Paris and Cheered to EchO-Wel-
 come the Break
LONDON BELIEVES
 ACTION MEANS WAR

Paris, February 4.--Word began
 to go about Paris fin the early fore
 noon that the United States had
 broken with Germany. Bulletins
 marked sWashingtcn official"
 were posted at the newspaper off,
 ces announcing that the German
 ambassador. Count von Bernstorff,
 had been handed his passports and
 that Ambassador Gerard had been
 recalled from Berlin.
 It was the coldest day in many win ters, yet crowds stood around the bull letin boards. with the thermometer registering five degrees above zero, eagerly reading the scraps of news as they filtered through.
 The people stamping their feet in the cold, talked of the war being shortened by many months. of the pos sibility that midsummer might see it over, of absolute and quick victory. President Wilson's portrait and the Stars and Stripes were flashed on many screens and Sunday afternoon assemblies in the moving picture houses all over Paris cheered.
 Soldiers at railway stations, return- ing from leave, were the most earnest readers of the afternoon papers. Great at the action of the Uni- ted States Is felt among leading but there is nosdisposition to comment formally on events.
 The American embassy ceased to look after German interests yester- day afternoon under instructions from w ashington.
 Ambassador Sharp has telegraphed to the consul at Bordeaux to advise on the point of departure to defer their sailing.
 The news was received joyfully by the Americans at the headquarters of the field ambulance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
Officers Reelected

Washington. February 4:--zRe- -elec- ton of executtvs Officers, including It. Goodwyn Rb6tt of Charleston, s. C., presidcnt, v4s announced today by the directors o4 the Chamber of Commerce annual rnEetine here last week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
Spain to Protest

Madrid, February 4.-(Via Londonl The Imparcial says it understands that a reply by the Spanish government to the German note regarding unre- stricted submarine warfare will be made public tomorrow and that 1t will be in the form of a strong protest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05

can President gave to the German note an interpretation which was not intended by Germany. The German measures are not intended to damage neutrals, but were caused by the ne- cessity of defending Germany against hostile measures which are contrary to International law, Cermany's enc mics. therefore, being charged with the whole responsibility"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
Protect Consulates

Washington, February 1.-The state department has telegraphed the gov ernors of the states asking them to protect the consulates of the central powers in their states.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
Henderson Acts

Montgomery, February 4.-Gov. Charles Henderson this afternoon upon receipt of instructions from Wash ington. notified the authorities at Mo- bile to protect the consulates of the central powers in that city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05

There was loss of life caused by the sinking of the Spanish steamer.
 London, February 4.-Idoyds reports the sinking of the Norwegian steamer Ymer, 123 tons gross, by submarine Part of the crew were landed.
 London, February 1.-The sinking ot the Spanish steamer Dos De Noviem. bre is reported in a Reuter- dispatch from Madrid. One man was drowned
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
Pershing to Cross Line Today

Fl Paso. February Alt was learned from military sources today that Gen- eral Pershing will cross the internation- |al boundary tomorrow noon below Co., lumbus N. M., and will 90 to Fl Paso Tuesday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05
German Censors Rusx

London, February 4.-Reuter's Am- sterdam correspondent telegraphs that the censor has prevented the send ing of Gefman newspapers to Holland
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-05

repair. No confirmation could be- ob- tained.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Power Rests With Congress.

There are frequently expressed mis-
sivings that the Congress elected in
November. and which becomes invested
with federal Legislative powers on
March 1 next succeeding. should not
convene in regular session until the
first Monday in December of the year
following the election. 1t seems. how
ever, to have been forgotten that Con-
gress has the power. under the Con-
stitution. TO appoint different day for
its regular annual sessions, and there
is reason why Congress may not
meet annually in April as well a. in
December. If it be considered more in
the public interest that it do So
1T would be well for Congress 10 fix
the day for its annual session upon the
Monday following the day for the in
auguration of the President, so that
time accommodated to the investment
of executive powers in the new gov
ernmeut.
"It has long been recognized that a
date in April would be more auspicious
for the inauguration of the new PreSi-
dent. Ii would not be 'amiss for Con-
gress to fix April 6 or another day In
April for the Inauguration of the Pres
dent. and the Monday following for
the regular convention of Congress,
Congress could authorize the old gov
ernment to hold over from March un-
| til April 8, which would then become
| the day for the quadrennial succession
I in the executive and legislative depart
mentS- In any event, the Intervening
month would soon pass and the govern
ment in the interim would be the de
/ facto government, the legality of the
/ acts of which would, of course be
recognized by the judicial and other de-
| partments of the government
Evening star., 1917-04-08
STAFF MEMBERS NAMED
TO REPRESENT SOUTH
Head of Sons of Confederate Veter-
ans Makes Selections for
Service at Reunion.

ROANOKE. Va. April Ernest G
Baldwin commander-in-c chief of the
Sons of Confederate Veterans. an
nounced today the following to serve
on his official staff and to represent
the south at the reunion in Washing
ton, June to inclusive:
Sponsor chief. Miss Cordelia Tay
lor. Hollins College. Hollins, Va.
Maids of honor-in-chief, Miss Halle
Call Everett. Huntington. w. Va; Miss
Mabel Simpson, Wichita Falls. Kan,
and Miss Marie Frances Saunders.
Washington, d. c.
Matron of honor-in-chief, Mrs. r.
Kent Spiller. Roanoke, Va.
Chaperon -in-chief, Mrs. Thomas J.
Latham. Memphis, Tenn.
Resident chaperon- in chief. Mrs. Claude
A. Swanson.
The matron of honor-in-c chief. Mrs.
Spiller. is the wife of Capt. r. Spiller.
former captain in the United States Army
and now an attorney of this city and
d member of the staff of Gov. Stuart.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
COL UMBIA HOSPITAL TAGS
EXPECTED TO NET 200
Mrs. Frank Pleadwell, Chairman Of
Finance Committee, Praises
Collectors.

The Indications are that about $1,000
will be received as result of the tag
day campaign conducted for the bene-
fit of the Columbia Hospital for Wom-
en- yesterday.
Mrs. Frank Pleadwell, chairman OF
the finance committee of the board of
woman managers of the hospital. stat
ed last night returns of about $1,000
had been made to her.
Mrs. Pleadwell said the result of the
sale of the tags was most gratifying
to the board members. She said the
generosity of the public was most sur
prtsing at this time, coming one day
after the declaration of war.
other ladies who assisted in the sale
of tags were Mrs. JoSephuS Daniels
Mrs. Henry Fairbanks. Mrs. John J.
Rogers, Mrs. John Newbold, Mrs. Walter
TuCkerman. Mrs. Nathan Wyeth. Mrs
]. l.. Rust Mrs. Ralph Gallagher and
Mrs. Junius MacMurray.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
TO FRAME SUNDRY CIVIL BILL.
Senate Subcommittee in Charge Will
Meet Today.

The Senate subcommittee handling
the sundry civil appropriation bill will
meet at . O'Clock today to frame the
measure. Hearings on it were COM
pleted yesterday afternoon.
The bill as passed by the House car
ries s13S. 100000, a considerable part of
which is for the military establishment
particularly for Improvements and en-
lareements of arsenaIs and for Panama
canal defenses Officials of the War De-
partment were among those heard yes
terday. and they requested still fur
ther appropriations for arsenals and
the Panama canal.
Every effort is being made by the
committee TO hurry the bill along.
Evening star., 1917-04-08

their special fitness for defense service.
Members are wanted who have had spe-
cial training as physicians. surgeons.
hospital attendants. nurses, first aid to
the injured. commissary work, tent
erecter, various trades, stenography,
telephone switchmen chauffeurs
draughtsmen. cooks, pilots, engineers
and surveyors.
1t is intended that members shall
give reasonable amount of time each
week to fit them for defense work and
to famlliarize themselves with locali-
ties. The District viii be divided into
eleven subdiStricts. their boundaries to
conform to those of the police precincts.
and the police stations Will be used as
district headquarters.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Did Not Assemble Until April.

Although the day set for the inauGu-
new Constitution was the first Wednes-
day in March, 1889, the new Congress
did not assemble until April 6, on which
day the Senate organized by choosing
John Langdon as its president, and
summoned the House of Representa-
tives into joint session to canvass the
vote cf the electors for President CT
the United States. The votes were
opened and counted by Langdon in the
presence of both houses. Every one
states. had voted for George Washing
ton for President. Washington took
the oath as President on the balcony
of Federal Hall, New York. on April
so, 1889.
AS q matter of fact, the Inaugural
tion OF the government under the Con-
stitution did not take place on March
/, but on April 6, as to the legisla-
tive department, and on April 80. as
to the executive department. Wash
ington in no event could have quail
fled prior to April 9. the day upon
which the fact of his election to the
presidency was found and declared by
Congress. And so. if Washington had
occupied the Presidents office for the
actual tenure of four years as pre-
scribed in the Constitution, the day
for succeeding presidential inaugura-
tions would have been April 6, and
not March 4. which, in any view of the
matter, was not the date upon which
the new government was inaugurated
upon which its de jure or de facto
existence was initiated or from which
the quadrennial succession in the presi-
dency and Congress should have been
reckoned.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
WEATHER..

District of Columbia. partly overcast
and cool. followed by rain today. To-
morrow rain and cooler; fresh and
strong northeast and east winds.
Virginia, increasing c!oudiness. prob
ably followed by rain today. Tomor-
row, rain and cooler; fresh and strong
easterly winds.
Maryland. partly overcast and cool
today. probably followed by rain this
afternoon or tonigt. Tomorrow rain,
strong north to east winds
West Virginia. rain today. Tomor-
row clearing and colder
Evening star., 1917-04-08
WAR SCARE AT GREAT FALLS.
Several Men Taking Pictures of the
River Shore Arouse Apprehensions.

Rev, A II. Zimmerman, a resident of
Fairfax county, Va. last night telephoned
the police thattwo or three unidentified
men were at Great Falls yesterday after
noon taking photographs of the river, and
suggested an investigation.
Names of other persons who saw the
men We're furnished the police and the
minister suggested that it would be we'll
for the federal government to keep watch
Evening star., 1917-04-08

men on duty on the Virginia side of the
river at the falls, where the government
owns several acres of land.
The police say that pictures Of Great
Falls have been taken by hundreds OF
residents of this city and tourists during
recent Years some of them il is stated.
have been on sale and others have been
used in advertising the falls. They say
they are at a loss to understand what
is expected to he accomplished with pho
tographs of the river AT that point.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
VOLUNTEER FORCE
FOR HOME DEFENSE
Details of Projected 0rganiza-
ton Discussed at Meeting of
Executive Committee.
AUXILIARY TO POLICE FORCE

A meeting of the executive commit
tee of the Home Defense League was
held yesterday afternoon in the office
of Commissioner Brownlow. Ma
Raymond w. Pullman, superintendent
of police. presided. others in attendance
being Woodbury. Blair Odell s. Smith.
Daniel J. Callahan, William p. Emo, A.
LeftWich Sinclair and Charles S.
ShreVe. The committee considered
many of the more important details
of the organization, and made it plain
that the league is not a military body
1t was pointed out that it is pro-
jected as a voluntary force to take the
place of the police force when that
organization has to be modified for an
emergency.
1T is proposed that the lea que shall
have membership in excess of 1900
approximately three times the size of
the police force. The object in making
it so large. it is stated. is because on a
call some Of its members might he alb
sent from the city or engaged i'll other
defense work. The duties Of the
league. 1t was explained at the meet
ing. VIII not conflict with those of any
other duties its members may be called
upon to perform for their country
Evening star., 1917-04-08
NEW ARGUMENT FOR
INAUGURAL CHANGE
Senate Committee Clerk Finds
1t Mistake to Have Terms
Begin March A..
1ST CONGRESS MET APRIL 6

March is not the date upon which
the government Of the United States,
under the Constitution, was inausu-
rated, and, therefore. it is a mistake to
have the terms of the President and
Vice President and of members of Con-
gress date from March 4. in the opinion
of Samuel Russell, clerk of the Senate
committee on expenditures in the Post
Office Department. Mr.. Russell has
made a study of the matter and is
convinced that a constitutional amend
ment is not required to change the
date of inauguration of the President
In a statement regarding the matter
Mr. Russell said:
The designation of March for the
quadrennial Inauguration OF the Presi-
dent was not made by the Constitution.
The date was fixed by the act OF the
Old Congress. under the articles of con
fedora tion. which submitted the new
Constitution to the states for ratitica-
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Relative Humidity.

s am. 81: . pm, .2S: S pm, "a.
Rainfall IS pm. to S p.m), none
Hours OF sunshine, 1.29. Per cent of pos
sible sunshine, Il.
Temperature same date last year
Highest, 81; lowest, 35.
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Tide Tables.

Compiled by United States coast
and geodetic survey
Today-Low tide. As am. and 5 20
pm: high tide. $50 am. and s 80 pm.
Tomorrow-Low tide 3:2l am. and
4UI pm: high tide, S:09 am. and 9:34
Evening star., 1917-04-08
His Only Police Duty.

The only. police duty l ever per-
formed said Woodbury. Blair was
as a member of home defense league
in Boston during the big fire"
Mr.. Blair was attending college at that
time. he explained. and performed duty
fully one month, during which time mem
berS OF the police force We're busy pro-
tecting the property in the burned area
Maj. Pullman said it will be possible to
mobilize the police force at almost a mo-
ment's notice in case of emergency. when
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Student Ordnance Officers.

\ board of officers to consist of Lieut.
Col. Jay Z. Hoffer, ordnance depart
ment: Capt. John z. Rose. ordnance de-
Evening star., 1917-04-08

II matters little what it is that Won
want-whether a situation or servant
"a want ad in The Star Will reach the
person who will fill your need
Evening star., 1917-04-08
Yesterdays Temperature.

Midnight i3; am. 80; am. ~; 6
am. AZ; S am. AZ; 10 am, As; IL noon,
SO: > pm, 54; pm, So; pm, SO;
pm, so; 10 pm, 46. Highest, So; low
as
Evening star., 1917-04-08
The Sun and Moon.

Today-Sun rose, 5;42 am; sun sets,
6:39 pm.
Ton1orrow-Sun rises, $40 am: sun
sets. $40 pm.
Moon rises. S:11 pm. sets 5:iS am.
Automobile lamps to be lighted one
half hour after sunset.
Temperature in Various Cities.
Evening star., 1917-04-08

members of the Home Defense League
will be called out for duty 1t is proposed
to have an automobile unit of between
$50 and 200 members, and while a cap
tain for that unit has not been selected.
Chairman Pullman said it is highly prob
able that Howard Fisk will be asked to
fill the position