davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1917-02-16
CONFIRMS BATTLE
WITH SEA RAIDER
Brazilian Newspaper Says
British Cruiser Amethyst
Damaged Three Ships.

RIO JANEIRo. Feb. 1j.-An officer of
the British cruiser Glasgow has con-
hrmed reports Of a recent naval battle
off Fernando de Noronha, 1875 miles
off the east extremity OF Brazil, accord
ing to the newspaper RHd. The Glas-
gov received Il report of the fighting
through wireless message from the
British cruiser Amethyst, which alone
gave battle to the German raiders.
Before g o'clock in the evening the
Amethyst sighted some steamers. which
she signalled TO come nearer. They
did so. Then it was seen that these
vessels, not two. as at first supposed,
but three large steamers. were ma
neuvring and clearing for action. AL
most Immediately they opened fire.
Night was falling. The Amethyst re-
turned the fire and steamed toward
the enemy, whereupon the German raid
ers took to flight in the direction OF
Fernando de Noronha. but continued
firing, with the Amethyst in pursuit.
The real fight occurred near Fernando
de Noronha. One of the raiders. serious
ly hit. was observed to be sinking. The
others succeeded in making their es-
cape. Night prevented the Amethyst
from ascertaining to what extent they
had been damaged. That they had been
damaged, however. is considered proba-
BILE. One raider is believed to have been
beached in a battered condition.
The sun., 1917-02-16
GERMAN CHILDREN
DYING OF HUNGER
Travellers Reaching Berne
Bring Reports of Shock
ing Conditions.

Special Cdtie Despatch TO The Sun.
LONDON. Feb. l5.-Despatches from
Switzerland report a frightful situation
in Germany because OF lack of food
Several persons die every day of hunger
in Hamburg. Only the wealthy get
enough food Chickens sell for $40.
A letter from Cologne says: I'VE lack
everything. When a week passes with
out seeing a friend We do not recoe nize
him. so thin has he become traveller
from Germany says that many children
from to I years old are dying for lack
of proper food,
Here in London the food controllers
secretary in a speech has urged the peo-
pie within the next fortnight to institute
a meatless and potatoless day week.
saving that the worlds potato supply Is
so short that otherwise there will be no
potatoes soon
Premier Lloy d George will make on
Monday an important statement with
reference to the further restriction NJ
imports and the encouragement of agri-
culture in view of the submarine menace.
II is understood that the list OF prohibited
imports will be extensive and cover many
trades. but there will be no sudden re-
duction of the bare necessaries of life.
The prohibitions are intended to provide
a margin of safety for "A varied and
ample food supply.
A question will be asked in the House
of Commons whether 1t is true that the
big firm of Carley & Tonge allows its
EMPLOYEES excessive amounts of sugar.
thus violating the restrictions. Lord
Devonport the Food Controller, is head
of the concern.
The sun., 1917-02-16
GERMANS RELEASE YARROWDALE SAILORS;
KAISER ORDERS NAVY TO STARVE ENGLAND; .
SIX SHIPS, BRITISH DAYS TOLL OF U-BOATS
GERMANS REVIVE BUGABOO
OF YELLOW PERIL FOR u. S.
Newspapers Comfort Readers With Theories and
Assurances That Relations of Japan and America
Must Paralyze Military Activity Here

has not so much importance, as it is
only half directed against us. There is
another who must be expected to watch
attentively the seizure by America of
this favorable opportunity to put off her
military weakness without seeming
guilty of mlitarism. This other is
Japan.
Nobody can doubt that reckoning
between America and Japan lies in the
womb of time and must infallibly be
born one day. What n splendid oppor-
tunity for America now to catch up with
Japan's military advantage! Under the
temporary pretence Of hostility to Ger
many work the permanent motives of
hostility toward Japan.
THE moment could not possibly have
been chosen more skilfuly. for Japan
can only be annoyed and cannot protest
Outwardly Japan must clasp her new
friend to her heart
What Americans can do against us
in the event of war remains to be tested
The transport of any considerable num-
ber Of American troops to Europe or
anywhere this year is out of the ques-
ton, because the Americans will need
their feeble peace army as the frame
work for their new formations"
1t will be remembered that the Ger
mar press in 1914 proved in exactly the
same way that 1t would be impossible to
send British troops to France.
The sun., 1917-02-16

Germany has released the YarrowdaIe
prisoners only after repeated demands
by the United States Government. 1t
was announced on February that they
had been released, but the order was
rescinded.
The men released were seyenty-two
Americans, members of the crew OF
three British steamships captured by
the German raider in the South Allan
Tic and sent to Germany in the captured
British steamship Yarrowdale with a
German prize crew. The ships from
which the Americans were taken were
the George. Mount Temple and Voltaire
The German Government maintained
that though the Americans were on mer-
chant ships they were prisoners of
war, as they were members of the paid
crews OF armed merchantmen. They
We're put In a prison camp in Westfalen.
One Of the last diplomatic acts OF this
Government fore the break was to
demand their release.
Foreign Secretary Zimmcrmann was
quoted yesterday IN a Berlin despatch
as saying the American sailors would be
released as soon as Germany had pos
tive assurance that no German sailor,
We're held under arrest III the United
states. II is known that Washington,
notified Berlin that no German sailors
were under arrest.
The sun., 1917-02-16
SpeciaI cable Despatch to Tar srS from TIE
London Times.

Speciai cable Despatch TO Tar SrS from the
London Times.
LONDON. Feb. 15.--The German press
is now reviving its favorite theories con-
cerning the relations of the United States
and Japan, and comforting its readers
with assurances that the japanese
pcrir' must paralyze American military
activity.
An inspired telegram from Berlin to
the FrdnEJurter Zeitung SAYS: Japan
cannot look on with indifference If
mighty and rich America militarizes
herself in support OF the Allies against
Germany. Japan has good hopes of de-
feating an unmilitary America in the
event OF conflict, but If America puts
her finance. her man power and her in
tustry into war service, Japan will lose
the prospect of ever being able to assert
rerself victoriously against America
I'VE refer to these facts without de-
string to arouse excessive hopes" the
despatch continues. Japan Is hound
by alliance to England and will not
break that alliance unless she is COM
PEELED to do So
This clumsy campaign has been car
ried further. The military correspondent
Of the Zcitung says: "One must admit
that all Americans would be wise to
arm now. For us Germans this wisdom
The sun., 1917-02-16
u. S. SAILOR TEUTON
ESPIONAGE VICTIM
Warrant Officer Hardy of the
Scorpion Reaches Copen-
hagen After PriUations.

CorENHAGES. Feb. l5.-Warrant Of'l-
Ger Hardy of the United States steam
ship Scorpion, station ship at Constanti-
nople. arrived here last night from Con-
stantinople after an experience Of ar
rests, dctcntious and trials covering the
period since the announcement OF un-
restricted warfare. Hardy left con-
stantinople January 3 and. as he was
wearing "A uniform. was the object of
suspicion.
lie was taken from the train at Sofia,
Budapest and Vienna. when he reached
Dresden, however. he was detained in a
military prison for three days. Thence
he was forwarded to secret service
headquarters at Berlin. He was per-
mitted to proceed to Warnemundc,
where he was again detained before be-
ing put on board the ferry for Dem
mark,
The Germans apparently feared he
might be carrying information. for hc
was subjected to the fun course OF acid
washings and other scientific methods
OF detecting communications written in
sympathetic ink. His uniforf and ef.
fects were searched thoroughly.
The sun., 1917-02-16
BIGGEST SHIP TO USE CANAL.
10000 Ton FreiRhter Carries Light
Cargo to Get Through.

SAN Francisco. Feb. 15.-The 10000
ton American freighter Minnesota, which
was recently purchased from the Great
Northern Steamship Company by the
International Mercantile Marine Cor
poration sailed from San Francisco for
New York and London to-day. The
steamer. which has been laid up here
since November. 1915. carried large
cargo, including many thousand casks
of wine.
The Minnesota. it is said. will he the
largest vessel thus far to pass through
the Panama Canal. In order to be able
to get through the canal the big
freishter is drawing only about thirty
feet of water. If loaded to capacity
she would draw more than forty feet.
The sun., 1917-02-16
BRITISH IN GRIP
OF LOAN FEVER
All. Rich and Poor Alike.
Contribute to the New
War Fund.
>pec,m CaJie Despatch 10 TIE sr>.

>pec'W cable Despatch 10 The SrN.
LONDON, Feb. 15.--With a great popu-
lar demonstration in Trafalgar Square.
LonGoners are prepared to make the
new war loans success doubly assured
Though the authorities have made 1t a
point not to mention what the total sub
scriptions amount to or what the Gov
ernment hopes for when the loan closes
tomorrow il is believed that it has
brought in already more money than
any similar campaign In any country
during the war.
The newspapers have maintained
veritable publicity bombardment for the
past month. while national advertising
on II gigantic scale has made England
look ike America during Presidential
election. The London streets have fairly
blazed with big posters urging the
people to give the Government every
available shilling.
Working people without sufficient
ready cash have opportunity to borrow
on their earning ability through their
employers Insurance companies and
banks have become loan offices through
which the poorer classes have been en-
abled to take up small war loan hold
/ ingS,
| Each day has witnessed new frenzy
/ on the part of the advertisers. Every
bus. tramcar and taXicah has been COM
/ mandeered by the bill posters. Every
where the eye turned giant letters in
sisted upon the necessity Of investing
every penny and then borrowing as
much as possible.
( Thousands of men who thought they
! had taken all that they could handle
raised cash on personal property jewels.
/ valuable paintings. &c. The banks re-
port an unprecedented influx of gold.
/ Many who were boarding gold. fearing n
I food shortage, have converted their
: hoardngs into loan certificates. Tro-
mcndOus subscriptions by every com
. mercial firm have had n great influence
/ upon small investors. who were willing
to follow where the old business heads
of the nation were leading, The bust =
, ness acumen of the nation never has
been vindicated more fully
Some OF the London newspapers cabled
! 20 Charlie Chaplin, whose flm antics
have been as popular here as in the
! United States. asking IL he had sub
scribcd to the new British war loan
which closes tomorrow. Chaplin replied
from Los Angeles that he had invested
in the loan to the extent Of sl5o,0oo.
Among the subscribers to the loan to-
day were w. NJ. G. Siugci. 100000
Stratton's Independence Mine Of Colo
RADIO, s33C.oOo, and j, OGDEN Armour
$500 600.
The sun., 1917-02-16
THAW EXTRADITION DELAYED.
Ills Condition NOt Such That lie
Could Face Trial Here.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb, l5,-Reports that
efforts to have Harry X. Thaw extra
dited to New York may be deferred in
definitely because Of his condition were
not denied to-day by legal and medical
representatives of the Thaw family.
DR.. Elwood II. Kirby said Thaw In
progressing very slowly and his mental
condition is hazy. Thaw is in a hos
pital recovering from razor wounds self
inflicted January II while the police
were searching for him, He Is charged
with beating "A Kansas City boy in New
York last December.
1t was announced at the Office of Gov.
Brumbaugh at Harrisburg that no ac-
tion regarding Thaw's extradltion would
be taken until he II In condition to con-
suit with counsel when = hearing will
he held. rs
The sun., 1917-02-16
FOUR SHIPS BRAVE U.BOATS.
Two British, spanish and NOrwe-
riau Leave philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb 15,--Four steam
ers, all OF foreign registry. sailed to-
day for points in or near the war zone.
Masters of several other ships obtained
clearance papers and announced they
would leave tomorrow.
Those sailing were the British steam
ship Strathdon. bound for Gibraltar.
with general merchandise; the Chey-
cnne. British, for Barrow. with 2,40O, 900
gallons of benzine; the Joaquin Num-
bru. Spanish, for Barcelona via New
York. with lumber, and the Drammen-
for Gibraltar. Their net tonnage. ag-
gregates 10,2i1.
The sun., 1917-02-16
U.BOATS HAVE BANDS
IN "RUTHLESS" WAR
"Cray Sea Devils" Put to Sea
Bedecked With EVergreens
and Christmas Trees.


Special cable Despatch to TIE srN from the
London Times
L.oNpoN. Feb. I5,-The Frdnktrter
Zeitung publishes a letter from Kiel de-
scrlblng the departure Of the German
submarines from the harbor the day
after the German proclamation of ruth
less warfare came IN force.
II appears that the entrance to the
submarine harbor of kiel was decked
with cycrgrcens The submarines were
adorned with Christmas trees and bands
on them played The writer observes
that 1t has been long the fashion to
decorate these gray sea devils when
they put forth on great undertakings"
bu, band aboard II submarine Is some
thing new.
February I was one Of the most mem
cradle days in the history OF the great
war" he continues "A number OF new
submarines were In the SQUADRON
There we're nine submarines in this pro-
cession. There were few spectators to
see a spectacle never seen yet OF such
proportions. to watch the submarines
going to meet battle. death or victory"
The sun., 1917-02-16
LAKE HAS NEW INVENTION.
Gives Submarine Power to Fire
TOrpedOes When Submerged.

pedo firing device for submarines which
is said to give the underwater craft the
ability to fire at their mark without
ever showing their periscopes has been
invented and patented by Simon Lake.
The new invention Is in the form OF a
superstructure swivelled to turn at a
range of nearly 45 degrees. The tor
pedoes are loaded in tubes in the body Of
the submarine AMI then raised into the
superstructure to fire.
The new method Is designed also to
eliminate the necessity of man9uvrinG to
take aim. as submarines with built in
tubes are compelled to do.
The sun., 1917-02-16
ASK ALL TO HELP BUILD ARMY.
War Department Urges Patriots TO
Aid In EnIIsting Recruits.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 15.-The War De-
partment called to-day upon individual
citizens. patriotic societies and organiza-
tions, many of which have offered their
services since the break Of relations with
Germany, to help get recruits for the
army 1t is the first step of the kind
ever taken by the Government In time of
peace. army officers say, and it is re-
garded as a forcible illustration Of the
need the army feels for more men.
The sun., 1917-02-16

LONDON, Feb. l5.-The crew OF the
American four masted schooner Lyman
NJ. Law. which was sunk off Sardinia.
scarcely gave them time to save them
selves before the schooner was set on
fire. according to a despatch from Gag
lari.
These afiidavits are in possession of
the British Consul at Cagliari. where the
crew landed. 1t is said that Capt. Nc
Donough signed an affidavit to the same
effect. Capt. McDonough, however. left
CaGliari to-day for Rome to testify be-
fore the American consular authorities
regarding the circumstances OF the sink
ing. Consul Tredwell at Rome summoned
the American sea captain yesterday.
All the Rome newspapers ask If the
sinking OF the LymanfM. Law cons,i-
tutes the covert act' Which President
Wilson told the Senate would cause him
TO ask authority to protect American in
terests against submarines.
British Vessel Is sunk.
The fact that German submarine
was $50 miles off Cape Clear. on the
south coast of Ireland. on February is
disclosed by the news OF the sinking Of
the British sailing vessel Ainsdale. An
American in the crew suffered great
hardship. The crew of twenty-five were
ordered into the boats by the submarine
commander and were not rescued until
they had been exposed to winter weather
in the boats for ten hours.
Six more ships. all British. have gone
/ TO the bottom as result Of the German
submarine campaign. according to to-
days reports and dispatches The known
tonnage lost is only $3.50. hut the ton
mage OF one ship and two trawlers lost is
, unknown Probably II was not great
The total tonnage OF vessels known to
have been sunk by submarines is 206,6s3
on the fifteenth day OF unrestricted war
fare.
Capt. Lacey and eleven men of the
! British steamship Azul. already reported
sunk have been landed. but fifteen OF
/ the crew are reported still missing. When
/ the Azul was sunk the British sailing
vessel Eudora picked UP all hands The
Eudora was sunk subsequently and one
| of her crew was drowned.
! Berlin Denies Report.
| A Berlin despatch denies a report that
| n German submarine shelled lifeboats OF
the trawler Reapwell, which was sunk
, According TO tne uespilcn IL brltlsn pa
troll steamship approached the suhma
rine firing shells, which fell near the
lifeboats. The British Foreign Office an
nouucement OF the loss OF the Reapwe,
was made January II.
Another Berlin despatch says that o
seven steamships and three sailing yes
sells of tonnage agsregating $4,000 re
ported on February IL as having beer
sunk five of 1900 tons carried grain
two of LOO tons had pyrites, one o
1900 tons had props on board and tw,
OF $500 tons were laden with coal Be
sides these a 5000 ton steamship carry
ing 1000 tons Of coal for Italy was sunk
The vessels announced to have beer
sunk to-day are:
British steamship Cllicia, $3.50 tons
Crew landed.
British sailing vessel Ainsdale, LIE
tons. Crew landed.
! British steamship Ferga, tonnage un
known, new vessel. Crew landed.
British steamship Marsarita, 375 tons
Two British trawlers.
The sun., 1917-02-16
INCOME TAX DAYS OF GRACE.
tension From March I to May I
for Filing Returns.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 15.-Because OF
disturbed conditions interfering with the
usual channels OF communication. the
Treasury Department to-day granted an
extension from March 1 to May l next
for fling income tax returns for 1916
by non-residents and Americans travel
ling abroad.
The sun., 1917-02-16
American in Crew of Aims
dale. Destroyed Off the
Irish Coast.
SAILORS HAD LITTLE
TIME FOR ESCAPE
Men OF Lyman NJ. Law Make
Affidavits Telling of Sub
marine Attack.
Losses of Shipping
Since February /

Losses of shipping of the A.
lies and of neutrals since Feb
ruary I. when the German unre-
stricted submarine warfare COM
nenced, have been as follows:
Ships reported sunk yes
terday 6
Total tonnage reported
sunk yesterday. ..... 7,o42
Total known tonnage
previously sunk. k.....1ee,64I
Total known tonnage
sunk since Feb. /. -. 2o6,683
Ships sunk since February I:
American ............... 2
Other neutrals s.............3 "a
British So
Other belligerents.. ....... 2
Total ships sunk. ...... .1o4
The sun., 1917-02-16
Biz Nun Duel at Nerdun.

Resides raids the official statements
10 day mention the usual artillery and
air lighting and patrol activity. The
hombardment at Nerdun has been es-
pecially heavy. The German statement
SAYS Lieut., Won Richthofen shot dowT
two allied .airplanes yesterday. making
his total twenty-onc. The official state
ments follow:
RritisA-The enemy blew nine
this morning south OF BouchavesneS.
No damage was done to our position,
We carried out a successful raid last
night OF the Somme front northeast OF
Gueudecourt and brought back several
prisoners.
During the course OF the night hos
tile raiding parties north OF Loos ana
west of Messines were caught by our
artillery and machine gun fire In No
Mans Land and dispersed A third
party succeeded in reaching one OF our
posts northeast of Ypres but was
driven off with losses,
Considerable artillery activity has
continued during the past twenty-four
hours at number of points along our
front. particularly north of the Somme
and on the Ypres sector. whore we
caused another explosion in the enc
my's lines
Tuesday and Wednesday nights
bombs were dropped on number Of
places of military Importance behind
the enemy's lines One German ma
chine was destroyed in air lighting
and two were driven down. dana ged
one of ours also was brought down
and two are missing.
The sun., 1917-02-16
Repeated Demands by L. s.
Result i'm Freeing of
y Seamcn.
CAUGHT BY RAIDER
IN THE ATLANTIC
Held as Hostages for Ger
mans Here After Or
der of Release.
BUSY WITH PLANS
FOR PREPAREDNESS
Lack of 6 Inch Guns to Arm
American Liners Adds
to Troubles.

BERLIN. Feb. Is via London, Feb. 10
'fridaO.-The American seamen who
were brought prisoners to Germany ON
board the British steamer YnrrowdaIe.
have been liberated.
The sun., 1917-02-16
Expect President In Congress.

Many responsible officials OF the Ad-
miuistratlon have come to the conclusion
that unless there is a prompt and de-
cided change in the general attitude Of
Germany toward the interests OF the
United states the appearance Of Presi-
dent Wilson before Congress to ask au-
thority to afford protection to American
lives and property Is only matter OF
days.
Any doubt as TO the ruthless character
Of the new submarine campaign and it's
violation OF neutral rights long since has
disappeared, and the situation is made
more and more grave daily by aggravat-
ing incidents.
President Wilson AGAIN spent the day
supervising the country's preparedness
plans After conference with Secre-
tary Lansing at the White House he
walked through the snowstorm to the
state. War and Nary Building witt,
Mr., Lansing. and conferred with the
Secretary of the Navy and Secretary
of War.
"I am Just keeping track OF things.
That's all-nothing new" the President
remarked to the newspaper correspond
ents as he left Secretary Bakers office.
lie was closeted with the Secretary
for about half an hour. Prior to the
Presidents visit Mr.. Baker had been
in conference with the General Staff
and officers OF the War College The
particular matter discussed was the
present plan to get an army OF 10000
men in the field for the defence OF the
nation.
Secretary Baker declined to discuss
his conference with the President He
said the War Departments plan for
, raising an army was being discussed by
the Department and the War College,
: hut he added that matters were not In
shape for public announcement
The sun., 1917-02-16

when ono comes some tired there is moth =
Ing 80 refreshing ~ DR., Brushs Kumyss.-
Advertisement.
The sun., 1917-02-16
Arming : fps Discussed.

Secretary Daniels did not deny that ha
and the President had further discussed
the physical means for providing arma-
nent and gun pointers fOr merchant
ships which will carry the American
flag through the war zone.
For diplomatic reasons the Presidents
decision on this pressing question Is
being withheld. Nevertheless, IT can b0
definitely stated that the President has
made up his mind that the ships shall
be armed.
1t Is understood that the work looking
to providing this defence AGAINST lawless
attacks is going on rapidly, What IL
hothering the Government II said to he
the lack OF six inch guns with which to
arm these vessels. Tho officials OF the
American Line are insisting upon guns
Of this size A supply Of three inch guns
Is understood to he available, hut they
are not deemed large enough. There are
scarcely any six inch guns. thS all big
gun ship Of recent years havin9 largely