davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28

The American cavalrymen killed lo members of the bandits, wounded ~ and scattered the remainder in the mountains south of the line. They brought back 25 horses which had been so hard ridden that they had to pc abandoned.
 Tn addition to the 10 bandits known to have been killed it is believed that as many more were killed in the pur- suit and their bodies buried by their companions.
 Three civilians were killed in the raid, one soldier and one civilian wounded The civilian wounded was F. T. Neil, who was shot while defend- ing his family. The soldier was Private John Kelly, who was shot during the running fight in Mexico between the cavalry and bandits.
 Captain Eiske. commanding the troops which pursued the outlaws into Mexico. made the following report to Colonel Langhorne, commanding off cer here, who directed the pursuit un- til the troops got beyond communi- cation.
 We picked up a hot trail made by the Brites ranch raiders several miles from Fl Conodor at il a. m, N ~onesday. This trail led across the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Big Battle in Air

Italian Army Headquarters in Northern Italy, December T.-(By the Associated Press.)-One of the greatest air raids the enemy has att tempted on this front came to grief yesterday when nearly half of a fleet of 25 airplanes was destroyed, with an extensive list of killed or wounded.
 The big fleet swept over the camp west of Treviso at s o'clock yester- day morning, flying low and firing machine guns. Considerable damage was done Notwithstanding the sur prise, the Italian and British ma chimes soon engaged the enemy at close quarters. The fighting was; most spectacular, eight of the enemy cars being brought down, six falling within the Italian lines. The other machines beat a hasty retreat
 The raiders, however. returned at i o'clock and several more wtre dis posed of, two falling in this attack inside the Italian lines. An observer says the scene of the conflict is GOV cred with wreckage of the enemy air craft,
 One of the machines brought down was dreadneught, carrying three persons; the others carried two. All or these men zero Filled, wounded or ze4ptul ed. <S
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
NO DLSR UPTON OF RAILROAD ORGANLZA 77ONS CONTEANPLA TED
 UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL
Summary Of Outl =4rding DeueLopment@m NetOs
 From Various War Fronts

Bolshevik troops at Harbin, Manchu- ria, have been defeated in battle by the Chinese, who captured the gar rison. Apparently distrustful of the Rumanians, Ukuranian forces, who are opposed to the Bolshevik, have occupied several Rumanian divisional headquarters on the battle front, dis arming those of the Rumanians who offered resistance
 An indication that things i'll Ger with the German governments de- sires is the report that more than 300 members of the German minority so- cialist party were arrested in numer- ous cities Christmas eve. This branch of the socialists long has de- ii the governments war programme.
 Once again the Germans have en- deavored to break the French front on the Nerdun sector, but again have failed. Two assaults delivered north of the Caurieres wood resulted in the defeat of the enemy and the infliction of heavy casualties. The Germans at one point succeeded in penetrating French front line trench but were immediately ejected.
 On the northern Italian front there has been an abatement in the artil- lery activity between the Asiago plateau and the Brenta river, but the intensive duels between the Brenta and Piave continue The in- fantry forces of the bellgerents are virtually inactive.
 Austro-G German air squadrons at tempting to bomb the Venetian plain towns of Treviso and Monte Belluno suffered the loss Of Il planes in spec tacular aerial battles with British and Italian aviators over Treviso 9 en- emy machines were attacked and forced to flee With a loss of eight planes, while later squadron of eight Austro-German in a fight over Monte Beiluno lost three machines. All tie British and Italian aircraft re- turned safely to their bases Little damage was done by the bombs drop ped by the incvaders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Summary of the News
cENERAL NEWS


 GENERAL NEWS 1-Government control of railroads does not contemplate disruption of present organization. Central powers accept Russian terms for peace with prOviso. Germans make attempt to break through French line at verdun. Government plan of handling all freights outlined.
 President's action in taking over railroads highly praised. Mexican bandits pursued and scat tered by United states Troops. 2--Programme for building wooden ships proves failure, says Bovvles 3-senate committee's coal inquiry will he narrowed now. system of clothing army continues subject of criticism.
 LOCAL NEWS 5--Enstern section or city suffers most from coal shortagc, inves- tigation shows.
 Sale of war savings certificates to be rushed by four-minute men Civic association invited to sing. Alex N. Taylor to address Realtors
 FEATuRES 4-Edltorial com lnent. G--soclety and Dolly Herym3le. ---synrlSet-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Gerr71ar1s Attempt 70 Break Through
 Line Al Verdun
French Forces Hold Ground In Spite of Violent Assaults and Enemy Leave Many Dead on Field-Eleven AustrO- German Aero
 planes Brought Down In Italy

Paris, December 27-Artillery fighting continues on the Verun front where the French yesterday broke up two German attacks the office announces Follow ing is the statement:
 "On the right bank of the Mouse (Verdun front he ar
 ey battle continues on the front north of Caureres wood
 nformation now at hand shows that the attack carried out yesterday by the Germans in this region was very vo lent After strong artillery preparation the enemy sent forward two shock battaons. They were dispersed py he French fire In the second attempt parts of the enemy troops succeeded in approaching our positions but were immediately elected in spirited engagement.
 The enemy between the lines and m the
 suffered Dy cou oleftu n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Complete Pooling of TrqtJGc and Equipment and Elin1l- nation ot Con1petHionWl
 Be First Thing Done
FREIGHT WILL BE SENT
 OVER SHORTEST ROUTE
McAdoo Has Not Announced His Staff-Judge Lovett May Be Retained as Director of Priori- ty Shipments Republicans Already Be-
 gin to Criticise Presidents Action

Washington December 27.-Soon after American rail- roads go under government operation at tomorrow Director General McAdoo will issue his first official order wpng out competitive conditions and providing for com pete pooling of traffic. equipment, terminals and track age facilities and for the retention of present officers and employees
 The immediate result will be reroutng of traffic over shortest ne regardless of the company with which ship ments originate and the of terminals to effect maximum efficiency. Without anticipating wonders under the new plan officials look forward to material i'm provenent in the present traffic congestion within few weeks.
 Speedy the director general actual questions equitable of roads for the property for rail- building of additional situation Before most of these legislation will be to be delivered to Congress holiday Thursday Legislation a1xaacuh drnfod
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28

river at Los FreSnoS ford. Four horses were found abandoned on the trafl before we crossed. We followed the raiders around point of the Sierra De Las Ventanas mountain range and toward the Sierra De La Hilares. At l o'clock Wednesday afternoon w en- saged about 15 of the bandits at a point four miles south of the Rio Grande. We kept up running fight for 10 miles. killing 10 of the ban dits. The remaining five escaped into a canyon of the Sierra De Las Hi lares.
 T ordered 10 of my men to strip to their saddles and sent them in pur- suit through the Box canyon. But our horses were so exhausted that the men were unable to overtake the bandits. who scattered into the mountains. The detachment returned after dark last night and we then doubled back to the river.
 We brought considerable property that had been stolen from the Brite store, consisting of food. clothing and ammunition One horse bearing tho Brite brand was found shot and an, other had been abandoned. We had one man wounded, Private John Kel. ly. and two pack mules killed.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
McAdoo Considered Right Man to Carry Out I'm
 portant Work
Wv. P. G. HARDING WILL
 BE A CLOSE ADVISER
It Is Known That Secretary Depends Much on the Judgment of Bir-
 mingham Man
Hx HUGH ". ROBERTS

Washington, December 27. Special. From no source has adverse criticism followed the action of the President in preparing to institute on his sixty-first birt h day govern mental control of railroads.
 The railroad war board headed by Fairfax Harrison frankly admitted surprise but withheld comment.
 Republican leaders in Congress approved the departure, but pointed ly expressed doubt as to the possi- bility of turning the railroads back to their owners following the con clusion of hostilities. Governmenta ownership advocates are openly jub- liant and declare it would be trav- esty were the President to rebuild railroads at the expense of the peo- pie and give them back again prac- tically new enterprises to private owners.
 Senator Underwood. who returned tonight from Alabama, said;
 q have not analysed the statement of the President and cannot attempt an intelligent criticism.
 However, it is apparent that under conditions as they presently exist uni fication of railroad system is essential. unification could possibly have been achieved in no other manner than that employed by the President. "The eventual restoration of railroad properties depends on a great many developments, chief among which will be the length of the war. NO prediction in that regard would be worth while"
 The President has been widely con graduated as result of his appoint ment of w. G. McAdoo as director gen eral of the railrcatls. MT. McAdoo on the insistence of the President. agreed 1 to serve after long refusal in the very 1 last minute when he could so agree. There IS general interest in his plan of proSsaure the idea apparently pre-
 'rsxsl.a.s ;. Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28

Terms under which the Teutonic allies would be willing to make "an immediate and general peace" have been made known to the Russian del egates engaged in the peace pourpar- lers at Brest-Litovsk. The terms have been set forth in an address by Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungarian foreign minister.
 As in previous Teutonic allied in- timations of what will be required from the Germanic viewpoint to bring about 8 cessation of hostilities and eventual peace, the latest terms are hedged about by conditions which seemingly are insuperable from the standpoint of the United States and the entente allies
 The basic principles of the peace terms of the Russian revolutionary masses, no annexations and no indem- mites. Count Czernin said he believed it could be made the basis of a gem eral peace, but that the Teutonic al- lies could not bind themselves to these conditions unless guarantee were given that Russia allies would recognize and fulfill them.
 Notable omissions in the statement of Count .Czernin connected with the concrete demands of the United States Great Britain and France, as already made known, are the ques- tions particularly of the rebuilding of Belgium and Servia, the return of Alsace and Lorraine to France and the overthrow of the militarist gov ernment in Germany and the forna- tion in it's place of government that can be believed, the latter demand as set forth by President Wilson in his address to Congress calling for war with Austria Hungary.
 Pending the placing of Count Czer- nin's proposals before Russia's all lies, the Russian delegates to the peace conference have asked for a 10 days recess in the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk.
 Within the Russian empire fighting between the revolutionary elements continues at several points, while the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28


 Petrograd, December 27. The central powers, Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungar- ian former minister told the peace conference at Brest- Litovsk yesterday, solemnly declare their resolve to imme- diately sign terms which will terminate the war. on condi- tions equally just to all bel ligerents.
 The central powers also favor a general peace without forcible an- nexations and indemnities. They could not bind themselves to such terms without a guarantee that Rus sia's allies would recognize them and carry them out honestly toward the central powers.
 Count Czernin declared that the cen tral powers helieveasstha the basic prins ciples nttenad by the Russian delegates could be the basis of such peace. He said they shared Russian condemnation | of continuation of the war for the ! sake of conquest.
 l It is necessary to indicate most clear l ly, however, the count added, that the Russian proposals could be realized only in the event that all beligerents obli- gated themselves to adhere to the terms of such a peace
 RIGHT OF MINORITIES 1 The Austro- Hungarian foreign min I ister declared the central powers did moi I Intend to forcibly annex territories seized during the war, nor to deprive nations of political independence lost 1T 1 the war.
 The question of the subjugaton of na- l tionalities who have no political signifi canoe or independence to another coun try, cannot be solved internationally and must be met by each government I and it's people in the manner established I The protection of the right of minori ties is an essential part of the right O peoples to self-deinition.
 | CREATE SPECIAL FUND In the event of mutual refusal t, meet war expenditures and pay dam ages caused by the war. Count Czernil continued. each belligerent shall bear onl, the expense of its subjects made pris loner and damages caused to property o } civilian subjects by deliberate violation of international law on the part of tn adversary The creation of specia fund for this purpose, as suggested b Russia, could be discussed only on tn l event that either belligerent join in tn peace negotiations within a certain time
 The chairman of the Russian dele gation expressed qualification at Ger man willingness to make peace withou annexations, and indemnities and wit the self-deinition of independent peo ples. He demurred at the statement O ,self definition as being incomplete. H said the war could not end withou
 (Continued on Page Seven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
PLAN OF HANDLING ALL
 FREIGHT OUTLINED
Shippers Will No Longer Have Right to Route Ship ments Over Any Par
 ticular Line

Washington, December 27.--Under out by Secretary McAdoo as director general of railroads. freight will move over the shortest and most convenient route regardless of the individual costs of the roads. Since earnings as we'll as facilities will be pooled, this system can be pursued to an extreme limit, officials pointed out today, without endangering the revenues of any line. Earnings will be pooled and paid out on the basis of pre-war returns re- gardIess of how much freight rail- road actually moves.
 Railroad experts admit that there is a great loss of efficiency in competition
 Freight often is billed over q particular line when It might be handled much
 more expeditiously over another. A
 shipper has had a right to ship his freight as he pleases. but under govern
 ment operation and traffic pooling it matters not which road gets his freight,
 it will move over the line or lines best
 able to handle it. Two railroads run
 ming between New York and Chicago,
 lCt tiiS SAAhS ihli6 IL VI osS dt SOlilG pOlnt
 in between. Under the ordinary system
 freight given to one road in New York
 would proceed all the way over that
 line Under the new plan 1t might be
 diverted to- the other road at the cross ing point if the other road from she crossing into Chicago offered at the time better facilities for moving.
 While admitting that competition slows up traffic in a situation sush as exists at present, railroad men point to the fact that competition has brought all the improvements in railroad facilities such as the air brake and other devices. Hut during the war, even they admit that the invention of new appliances is far less important than the moving ot freight.
 Under the government pooling plan a railroad with it's lines congested will not be given more freight to handle if it ap- pears it may add to the congestion. !, Interstate commerce commission off cials will work close with Secretary Me 1 Adoo on, comprehensive operating plan l They believe a system will not be hare ] to devise and that with skeleton plar 1 outlined railroad officials themselves car I carry out the details without grea I deal of trouble.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
BERLIN REPORT

Berlin, December 2I-tVia London.) The Italians attacked yesterday at Monte Tomba. on the northern noun tain front, and were repulsed, the war office announces. The statement fol- lows:
 "The activity of the artillery abated yesterday between the Asiago and Brenta rivers. A spirited and harassins fire continued throughout the day on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Pershing Reports Deaths

Washington, December 27.-General Pershng today reported five deaths from natural causes among the American ex- peditionary forces. They included:
 Private Archie DeShields, stevedore regiment December 22. pneumonia; fath- CT, sam DeShields. Woodruff s. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
ITALIAN REPORT

pome December 2T.--Eleven Austro- German airplanes have been brought down hv the British and Italian forces in a. big aerial battle which deveiopea when the Teutons made an unsuccess- ful attempt to bomb Trevizo, lo mics north of Venice. Announcement to +bis effect was made officially today bv the Italian war office.
 "Along the whole fyont there were only artillery actions, which were more intense on the Asiago plateau where our batteries made effective concentra- lions of fire and kept under their par raee several sections of the enemy Hines.
 "A big aerial battle, in which British and Italian chasing squadrons ana antiaircraft artillery participated, was Afopsslas vest eyday oyer .srfsyis1. n he morning 25 enemy uaach5s ss, nnder cover of the haze arrived over our aviation camp, to the west of the city' and began to lombard it. The hostne aircraft were received with violent antiaircraft fire and attacked impet- uously by airplanes, which ascenoea from the camp and were forced to re- tire before carrying out the opera tion. Eight of the enemy machines were brought down.
 Later another hostile squadron or eight machines made an attempt again but were faced over Monte Belluno and forced to retire, losing three ma chimes.
 Of the II enemy airplanes brought down eight fell inside our lines and three within the enemy lines. All our machines returned to their base. The damage caused by the bombardmnt was insignificant"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
POWERS ACCEPT RUSSIAN TERMS OF PEACE
 WITH A PROVSO Count Czernin Says All Allies Must Recognize
 Guarantees WILLING TO END THE WAR ON CONDITIONS OF EQUALITY TO ALL Will Not Demand Forcible Annexation or Indemni-
 ties-The Plan Is
 Outlined
Would Hold All

Amsterdam, December 27.-The ideas of King Ferdinand of Bulgaria about annexations are very different from those expounded by Count Czernin, the Austro- Hungarian for eign minister, at Brest-Litovsk. The Neue Freiepresse (Vienna) quotes him as saying that Bulgaria would hold what she had won.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
VIEWS OF REA

Washington. December E.-President Samuel Req of the Pennsylvania Rail- road company tonight authorized a statement on the government control Of railroads in which a broadening of the rate structure is suggested to cover in creased costs and additions and better ments. to road and equipment, and to avoid the necessity of congressional ap- propriations. The statement also said:
 .'The working features of the plan are not yet announced and there are many divergent results in the suggested three year period preceding June 30, 1917. on the roads in different parts of the conn-l try" that therefore he Is not prerared to make any conclusive statement As present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
WALL SIkE:EI::'T r GIVES STRONG APPROVAL ID RAILROAD PLAN As Evidence of This Sweep ing Advances Are Made
 in the Value of
 Securities

New York, December 27. Wall street expressed unqual- flied indorsement of President ment to run the railroads by a sweeping advance today in the Wilson's plan for the govern securities market.
 The .upturn was one of the most sensational in years. The assurances of net earnings and of the smainten- ance of railroad properties were the factors of the government pro gramme which pleased investors and dealers in stocks and bonds.
 The pessimism of the last few months over the railroad outlook gave way to enthusiasm when the rather unexpected news from Washington was read in this mornings papers. Orders
 to buy poured into brokers offices
 from all over the country and the mar
 ket was primed for a big advance long before it opened.
 Railroad shares especially those un-
 der greatest depression in the wide
 spread decline of recent months. re- covered extreme gains of to 10 points
 in the Representative group, 10 to tS
 points in the less active dividend is
 sues and to 13 points in numerous on-dividend stocks including several
 not long out of their reorganization
 stage.
 BONDS KEEP PACE The bond market for rails kept pace with the movement on stocks, various underlying or junior issues advancing 3 to sh points Greatest gains in the bond list were made by the coalers, with substantial improvement in the convertible isues of secondary western and southwestern roads, including grangers and cotton carriers. ndustrials and the many related
 stocks which figure in daily market dealings were ignored in the first up swing of prices. but were taken up vigorously later on the theory that Hated by the upbuilding of the rail- roads.
 Utilities also benefited by the scope of the administrators programme, which removes them from their doubt full status and Canadian securities l gained to 8 points on the increased rates to be granted to railroads oper- ating in the dominion
 BEARS" RUN TO COVER The only element adversely affect- ed by the days impressive advance was the short interest, or bears" as I they are technically designated. There was heavy covering of short sales that have continued. notwithstanding the
 restrictive measures adopted by the
 stock exchange.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28

the Germans, Who IelC pTIsVIIeIS IT oO
 "A German airplane was oroushl down in an aerial engagement on Moh- day. French bombarding aviators thre" down 6o0o Kilograms 11ooo poundsl of projectiles on railway stations ana enemy quarters in the region of Rethei and youzieres."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
BRITISH STATEMENT

London, December 27.-The British official communication issued this eve ning says:
 ..With the exception of artillery ac- tivity north of St. Quentin, in the neighborhood of Arras and Messines and east of Ypres, there is nothing of interest to report"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Bandits From Mexico Pursued and Scattered
 By American Troops

27.After raided Christmas
  the Colonel