davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
BODY HAS
HEARING ON AGAIN
Confidential Nature of Testimony To-
day Led To An Executive Session
-Crozier Gives Testimony.

Washington, Dec. IA. Statements
regarding the prospective delivery Of
rifles, considered confidential by the
war department, and other matters
the witness declined to discuss pub
licly, were given today by Major Gem
eral Crozier, chief of ordnance, at an
executive session of the senate mill
tary committees inquiry into alleged
delays in supplying the war army.
The committees investigation,
which leaders say is the beginning of
q general inquiry into the executive
conduct of the war. has been under
way since Wednesday, with the testi-
mony thus far confined to General
Crozier's testimony regarding guns
and ammunition
General CTozier's examination today
went further intos details OF the rife
and machine gun situation Several
senators sharply questioned him in
what were described as somewhat
heated" exchanges. Some OF the mem
hers were said to be inclined to attrib-
ute to General Crozier himself re-
sponsibility for the reduction of SO
per cent In rifle production at private
plants due to the change in type.
Failue to use appropriations for the
purpose intended was developed from
General Crozier. In particular, an APP
preparation OF $5,000.000 made in
August. 1916, for small arms and in
tended by congress for rifles. Genera,
Crozier said was used fer pistols
some at high royalties from private
contractors.
General Crozier reiterated that rife
/ production will increase, SO that M
American troops sent abroad viii b.
without surplus arms, and that sooT
there will be ample for training pur.
poses.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
EXCHANGE SPEAKERS
AT 'HUTS' ON FRONT

With the American Army in France.
Thursday, Dec. 10, by the Associated
Press).-To strengthen mutual sym
pathies, arrangements have been per-
fected by which the British Y NJ
C. A. in France is 10 send influential
and well known British public men
such as Viscount Bryce TO speak IN
the American Y NJ. c. A. huts- The
American Y. NJ c. A. in turn. will
provide well known American lectur-
ers 10 speak in the British huts. The
interchange Of speakers will begin
probably about the first of the year.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
STEAMER WAS SUNK
DURING A COLLISION

London. Dec. 1.-THE steamer Kur-
land has been sunk in a collision, ac-
cording to announcement made by
Lloyds.
According to available shipping rec
ords there are three steamers named
Kurland, one Belgian and two Rus
sian.
The Belgian steamer Kurland OF
1864 tons. arrived in an American
port on Nov. 10. The Russian steam
ers named KurIand are of 886 and 512
tons respectively.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
Peace Feeler Is
Subject of w ord
From Germany

Berlin, Dec. IA, {via London.1-The
German government received from a
neutral government last September an
inquiry in regard to its war aims I'M
der such circumstances as to indi-
cate that the inquiry was made with
the sanction of the British govern
ment, says an official announcement
issued here today.
The announcement was in reply to
the statement OF the British foreign
secretary A. J. Balfour in the house OF
commons on Tuesday that Great
Britain in September had received
through a neutral diplomatic channel
a communication to the effect that
Germany would be glad to get into
touch with Great Britain in regard e.
peace.
The statement says 'the eircum-
stances under which the inquiry was
made allowed the conclusion to be
drawn with the greatest probability
that the British cabinet had been in
formed of this step and that 1t had
been sanctioned by at least the most
important Of its allies. The German
government was ready in principle to
answer the inquiry and TO do this two
courses were open, an indirect OF
direct reply"
Regarding the utterance Of Great
Britain mentioned by Foreign SeoTe-
tary Balfour about its readiness tc
receive any communication from the
German government, the first news
Of this reached the German govern
ment only in Mr.. Balfour's statement
TO the house of commons. A further
step in this affair was not made Oh
the German side
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
NailAnotherLie
of Huns; Denial
for Spy Story

Washington. Dec. ID. Persistent
repetition of story that a woman spy
had been executed IN the United
States has caused the state department
to send an official denial to American
consuls and legations in the European
neutral countries.
The story originated In Germany
and its widespread use is regarded as
another case of propaganda The name
of the woman was given as Anna Hui
TENS.
Ordinarily no attention would have
been paid TO a story so palpably false,
but in this case credence appeared to
have been given to it in neutral coun-
tries
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
RECRUITING RUSH
BREAKS RECORDS
Chance for Draft Men to Enlist win
Expire Tomorr0w-Je
Barracks Busy With Work.

st. Louis. Dec. 1.-THE rush of
men of draft age to enlist before the
time limit expires tomorrow has brok-
en- all recruiting records in St. Louis.
both for the army and the navy.
Since Dec. l. a daily average OF 100
men taken into the army has been
maintained and during the same pc
Rod 15012 men have enlisted in the
navy.
AT Jefferson barracks the inflow OF
recruits and applicants has been I'M
precedented and the post is taxed TO
its limits in feeding and lodging men
Since Dec. l, 10000 men have been
received there and approximately six
thousand more are yet to be ex-
amined,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
PUNISH F0OD PfRATES.

New York, Dec. 1.-THE first cases
here in which the federal food ad-
ministration authorities have with
drawn the license to dealers were
made effective today when two whole
sale grocery firms, Herman Dworkis
and Goldberg and Cohen. who admit
ted oVercharging for sugar, were
obliged to close their stores. Their
licenses have been revoked temporar-
lily and they have been ordered to re-
fund to customers the excess profits
gained on sugar since Oct 8.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
THE WEATHER

forecast Till Z p NJ. Tomorrow, for
Rock Island. Davenport, Moline
ant Vicinity.
Generally fair tonight with the low
ssl temperature slightly below zero.
saturday unsettled and not quite SO
cold
-. temperature at 7 a. m, l above,
highest yesterday. G. Lowest last
asht. ! above zero. At p. m. today, !
above zero.
Velocity OF wind at a. ~, 6 miles
Der hour.
Precipitation. .0S inch.
Relative humidity at p. M, 81 al
a m, 70; at D. n. today, 49,
stage OF water. is. fall OF i In
last "a hours.
J. u. SHERIER, Meteorologist.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
MEANS JURY HEARS
DEATH STORY AGAIN

Concord, ". c., Dec l4.-John T.
Dooling, assistant district attorney of
New York, took the jury liz the trial
OF CASTOR B. Means. along the pathway
of the defendants career as business
manager for Mrs. Maude 4. King.
with whose murder he is charged, and
pointed out and explained link by
link the chain of evidence which the
state contends establishes the motive
for the alleged crime.
Mr.. Doeiing was the second speaker
of the day and the last but one for the
state.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
ASKS POLICE PROTECTION.

Springfield. III, Dec. 10. F. Da-
Wis, filed today with the state public
utilities commission petition for po-
lice protection to safeguard passen-
gers on the cars of the East st. Louis
and Suburban Railway company.
Davis. who alleges that he was as
sanlted while on one Of the railway
company's cars. declares 1t is unsafe
TO ride because of unsettled condi-
lions due to a strike at the plant of
the St. Louis Smelling and Refining
company at Collinsyille.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
NAVAL INQUIRY NEXT.

Washington, Dec. IA house sub
committee to thoroughly investigate
the conduct of the war by the navy
was created by the naval committee
today in executive session. Hearings
will be arranged soon. Secretary
Daniels, bureau chiefs and officers
who have been on duty abroad viii
be called.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14

IF our government had taken over
control of railroads in 1916, guaran-
teeing returns to stockholders on d
basis Of their 1918 earnings, which
was a peak year for railroads" said
he. I'VE would now have had sur
plus of over $20O.O0O,000 for the fis-
cal year in the United States treas
ury."
Public-0wned Pay Better.
Statistics were, presented to show
that public owner railways and street
railways not only furnish service at
less cost. but also pay higher wages
than those privately owned.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
PORTUGAL CHEERS UP
FOEMEN OF GERMANY

Lisbon. Thursday. Dec 13-The
government established in conse-
auence OF the recent revolution has
telegraphed greetings and messages
of encouragement to the Portuguese
troops which are fighting the Germans
in France and Africa. The Portu-
guese legations have been informed
of the establishment Of the reyolu-
tiouary government.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
FOR SUFFRAGE VOTE.

Washington, Dec. 14-Majority
Leader Kitchin sought unanimous
consent of the house today to vote
Jan. on the constitutional suffrage
amendment, but Representative Walsh
Of Massachusetts objected. and that
ended it for the time being.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
BLAZE AT CTRA. ILL.

Cuba, H., Dec. 14-Fire early this
morning damaged the Farmers State
bank and number Of buildings near
by The loss is estimated at $4,000.
covered by insurance. The origin of
the fire is unknown
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
Notice to Argus Subscribers

On of the greatly increased of everything that
into the making of The Argus has been compelled
the price subscribers from ~ cents
p per week. Is weeks The III
will go into effect Monday, December IL.
Newspapers all country months raised their sub
scrption but The Argus held off long possible maintain
the established 2 years ago. despite the fact that the cost OF
and other materials for the Is months has practically
doubled and in some cases trebled
The Argus boys will make collections heretofore,
calling every weeks and collecting Is
THE w. POTTER COMPANY.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
WEST FRONT
NEAR TO BIG
WAR EVENTS
Wednesday Was Time of
Bitter Fighting With
Bavarians.

Paris, Dec. 1i.-Heavy artillery
lighting occurred last night in the
Champagne, the war office am
nounces.
London, Dec. 14.-Bitfer fighting
was in progress almost the entire
day Wednesday east of Bulleeeurt,
where the Bayarians attacked Brit
ish positions, according to a Reut-
or dispatch from British head
quarters in France. As a result
oil the attack the enemy remained
in possession OF some ground he
had taken early in the assault.
But to say that he is holding our
trenches" the Reuter correspondent,
adds, lis incorrect, simply because
there are no trenches left where his
new bit Of front now runs.
Vain Hunt for Cover.
He had been digging violently IN.
der a ceaseless harassing fire to try
to convert the shell holes and out
fianked trayerses into some sort Of
cover. but being On level ground. witt
no advantage position of observation
the tritiing readjustment of territory
simply does not matter.
I'VE took only a handful of prison
ers because in the close grip of {
struggle of this character it is usual,
fight to the finish. Talks with pris
oners give the idea that an attack o
considerable magnitude was designed
but the promptness and intensity o
our barrage prevented its develop
ment.h
English Official Statement
London, Dec. 14.-"0ur troops i'm
proved their position slightly east Q
Bullecourt as a result of the bonn
fighting in that locality reported II
last nights communique," says TO
days official statement
"The enemy raided one Of our post
last night south of Bronville A fey
Of our men are missing. On the re
mainder of the front there was moth
ing of special interest during III
night"
German staff Report.
Berlin, Dec. ii, (via London).-
British troops endeayoring to recap
ture the trenches they had lost t
the east of Bullecourt on the Cam
i brai battle front were beaten bac
| yesterday, the German general sta
announces.
On the front Of Duke Albrecht, i
eastern France. the French artiller
! fire increased.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
IOWA MAN IN
PLEA; WANTS
ROADSTAKEN
Control BY U. S. Officials
Urged BY Member of
Commission.

Washington, Dee. 14.-Nai0r
Br0okhart of the Iowa state rail-
way commission urged govern
ment ownership Of railroad today
before the Joint congressional
railroad commission.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
pave FLOOD
IS AID; ITALY
men HOLDING
Austrians Recite Capture
of Many Prisoners in
Fighting.

Italian headquarters northern
Italy. Thursday, Dec. I3-(By the
Associated Press.)-The latest
Austrian attacks around Co!ber-
eta were made in force, the en-
envy infantry advancing repeat
eddy. Tie Italians temporarily
were drawn back slightly at one
point, but quickly regained most
of their positions. The battle for
control of the strategic points on
Col Beretta is persistent and des-
perate. The losses on both sides
are heavy.
Italian Headquarters in North.
ern Italy, Thursday, Dec. Ia
by the Associated Press. )-After
three days OF fighting on the
mountain trent between the Bren-
Ia and Piave rivers, the enemy is
holding some trenches on Celber-
eta and the summit of Monte
Spinucci8. but all the rest of the
Italian line is in its original po-
sition.
This is the enemy's third sue
cessiye attack with the object of
breaking through TO the plains.
The backward season continues to
be an important factor A downpour
in the last two days has filed the
Piave. which had nearly run dry, and
again made it q fairly deep barrier
and the inundated section is again
effectively flooded
Enemy Enters Lagoon.
Taking advantage of the low water
the Austrians occupied villa near
the lagoon of Venice, in the vicinity OF
Boro Capallino. The Italian destroyer
Sauro managed to work into the la
coon and landed a party of sailors
who destroyed the villa. together with
the telephone and machine guns which
had been Installed
Claim 10000 Captured.
London, Thursday, Dec 13.-An Of
fetal Austrian statement reviewing
the recent attack on the northern Ital
ian front, says that in the four days
of fighting in the Meletta region So!
Italian officers and more than 5000
men were made prisoner. The capture
also is reported Of 1913 guns, 233 ma
chine guns, four quick frers, 81 mine
throwers and quantity of other ma
terials.
| Berlin. Dec. Il. fvia Londonl- A
| isolated points between the Brent,
and Piave rivers in northern Italy tn,
German war office announced today
violent artillery fire supported mino
operations.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14
PEACE PACT
IS AIM; RUSS
HELP OF HUN
Opposing Forces Battle for
Vantage in Feud- Torn
Russia.

London, Dec. li.-LeOn TrOtzky,
The BolsheyiEi foreign minister.
according 10 Il Reuter- dispatch
from Petr0grad, announces that II
an armistice for tine eastern front
is signed at Bresi- Lit0ysk, the
Russian delegates are empowered
10 enter into peace negotiations.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14

Bureau of Calculations
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-14

Continues On Page Three)
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-03
WHY Not ?

In recent days two violent tornadoes
have visited the Middle West, and each
left behind a trail of ruthless destruction
and death. There is danger that such
storms may become more frequent and
general before spring is over. No one
NAV predict what disasters await the
country unless all the advocates of calm
weather exert their influence to prevent
these things. Those who love our country
end do not wish to see it plunged into
season of storm and food should organize
at once. All who do not believe in lorna
does must act before it is too late. Even
days delay may be dangerous.
An Emergency Anti-Tornado Society
must be organized. Meetings should be
held. speeches made denouncing storms,
resolutions adopted begging the atmoS-
rhere to Keep Cool. kilograms should be
sent to Congress and to the President
showing that public sentiment does not
approve of tornadoeS, advising the author
tiles that no action be taken at this time.
Let the slogan be, I'VE Want Calm The
dav of cyclones is past; they are relics of
harbarism Down with the Weather Blu
reau and all exctable persons who pre-
diet atmospheric disturbance! Let US have
a referendum on the tornado question.
Above all, there must be no practical
measures of protectiOn-no cyclone Gel
lars, no strengthening of levees, no wind
insurance All such preparedness is only
A compromise with evil. 1t is a conspir-
scy of greedy capitalists who wish to
make money selling tornado insurance.
The experience Of other countries proves
that such preparedness never turned a
single tornado from its path. Appeal
must be made from blind force to ideas.
Oratory alone governs the powers of
nature. What if the sky is darkening-
what if the winds do howl? Liberty-lov-
ing Americans must stand firm. This is
2 test Of our optimism. Americans must
prove to all the world that they do not
believe in tornadoes, and so hasten the
season of eternal sunshine.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-03
Our Way Station

Now that eager travellers between Bos-
ton and Washington can make the trip over
the new connecting railroad and scarcely
hesitate in New York City, ours is the
privilege of experimenting with the sensa-
ton long familiar TO way stations and tank
towns the world over. 1t was in Erie,
PENNSYLVANIA, many years ago, that SINH
lar episode bestirred riot and bloodshed,
we seem to recall. That town had always
possessed railroad of entrance and a rail
road of exit, with separate stations, fur
nishing besides inconvenience TO travellers
much revenue to the citizens Of Erie. So
when Progress in her trumphal march
across the continent started to unite these
two railroads with tracks and ties, that
through trains might pass that way, the
sturdy citizens uprose in their might and
protested. They protested in vain, but the
epic Of the way station was enacted for all
time on the streets of Erie.
The first Federal Express has now trav-
ened over the He'll Gate span and under
Manhattan and no protest has arisen
New Workers evidently purpose to take
their Progress calmly. Undoubtedly, as a
matter of fact, we should be thankful to
escape the transshipment of these trav-
ellers. Being nothing but tank town has
its gloomy side, but being a national ter
minus has its disadvantages too. II ever
a city was overrun by travellers, beyond its
capacity to care for them. that city is New
York. II is delightfully."- emblematic Of
America that her metropolis should be
more Of caravansary than a city, but it
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-03
The laundering Volunteer System
above praise

The Tribune has repeatedly exposed the
wastefulness and inefficiency of the volun-
teer system of military service 1t is a
system which fails to make an intelligent
and economic use Of the military material
al a country's command. 1t discriminates
in favor of the slackers and the disaffected,
and makes harder the governments task of
keeping order at home and getting the work
out Of the non-fghting population which
that population ought to do.
We are glad to print an apt letter on
this subject, received from the Rev. Will
lam Norman Guthrie. of the Church Of 81.
Mark's-in-the- Bouwerie. Mr.. Guthrie says
There seems TO be much confusion Of
thought in regard to what really is the
democratic plan for national defence. We
are constantly told that the volunteer sys-
TEN" is that plan; n spite Of its disastrous
failure in England, where il resulted in
sending TO the front. massed together. the
most eager. the most enthusiastically pa
triotic men Of the nation. who should have.
Of course. been distributed among the mill
ions who later answered the call of their
.
individual mantainers Of benefcent pa
triotic contagon.
The volunteer system in America would
mean. for instance. at this present moment,
the draining out Of our West from St Louis
to Duluth Of those young men who do not
consider Germany first or Germany at all.
hut only and altogether the defence Of our
ideals and principles as free nation.
Clearly. the well organized German-Ameri j.
can element would remain behind. reputedly
millions strong. in Turnvereins ard Sanger
vereins to vote according 10 their opinions
and control the situation. Would this seem
fair or safe?
Again, only a universal service plan will
reach fairly the whole population IN our
metropolis Why should the great crowd of
foreign born or poorly Americanized be left
without the wholesome experience OF pa
triotic discipline? Why should on the other
hand. magnificent organization like Squad
ron A 20 to the front as unit, when ITS
members could be Of so much greater use
distributed throughout the mass Of young
men who have had less training and are
less likely 20 understand the American way
Of serving their country-ln so many cases
merely the country Of birth, and not Of con
victon and adoption.
Apart, then, rom tne lelaOlNe experience u
England and France, cannot all American
clearly see that universal service offering
equal opportunities and placing equal bur
dens-is the only democratic method; and
that adding the word compulsory only
makes il perfectly clear that democracy
cannot tolerate shirkers? This IS not mill
tarism," but, like universal compulsory edu-
cation. a guarantee of freedom.
To resort to volunteering now would only
mean repeating Britain's recent blunders
and the blunders of all our previous wars.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-03
The Virgin Islands

There has been some disposition to con-
trast the strategic value of the Virgin
Islands until within week the DANISH
West Indies with their commercial worth
leseness. Now that Uncle Sam has paid
his S25 .OOO. 900 and run uD his flag on his
new possessions. one is impressed with the
old American tendency to shake the head
over the business-a necessary purchase.
but poor bargain. with harbors that need
dredging. natives who lack pep" and agrl-
cultural prospects which arc restricted by
the mountainous character Of the terrain.
Aside from the historic fact that Amer
lea has never yet acquired any Of IT'S terri
tory for its commercial importance. this
attitude toward our new possessions Is
silly, unimaginative and lacking in per
spective. OF what value to this country.
already smothcred in riches, would the
commercial Importance Of these islands he.
provided they had any? About the same
as that of an extra $1,000 to John D..
Rockefeller. We should be far more con
cerned to find them picturesque, as they
undoubtedly are; to find their natives lei
surely and graceful and unsophlsticated' as
a foil to our own grotcsque strenuoSlty and
materiaism, and to prove their silkcn air
and perpetual sunshine an antidotc to the
raw winters of our temperate zone.
We can. if we Will. make the Virgin ISL
ands a playground like Bermuda, but I'M
der the Stars and Stripes. BY permitting
the natives a proper share in their develop
ment we might even escape the tragedy of
Palm Beach and establish here in the
blue Caribbean a real haven Of rest and
recreation, worth more to us than the COM
mercial Importance of an India.
incidentally, we have had this same OPP
portunity in Porto Rico for many years
and have neglected it. 1t is only in bust
ress that Americans are pioneers. never in
the search for pleasure and refreshment,
and Porto Rico is out of the beaten path.
So are the Virgin Islands. But possibly
now that we have grouped within fifty
miles radius such considerable colonial
interest as all these islands represent we
NAV be induced to give both Porto Rico and
our newest possessions more of the atten-
ton which, as potentially ideal winter re-
sorts. they deserve.