davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
ANOTHER DRIVE EXPECTED.
BRITISH REPORT HEAVY AR
TILLERY FIRE ON FLANDERS
FRONT.
Believed That british arc Making
Ready for Another Rush ON Ger
man Positions--lsussians I'm Critical
situation.

Heavy artillery hghting is reported
to be I'm progress In Flanders. Lon
don kilograms officially report
Cd this morning strong German
bombardment OF the New British po-
sitions. In the light of previous ex-
perience this may mean an answer to
intensive British fire preparatory to
another push. The British surely have
better gun positions as they had ample
time TO bring up their big pieces since
the last advance. 1t seems proba BILE
that Gen. Haig will not delay another
attack longer than II takes the Brit
ish artillery to reduce some of Ger
man concrete projections. Continued
rains however. make coordinate in
fantry work nearly impossible and
hinderw observation.
The Germans are still over-running
the Island OF Oesl and are making the
Russian situation critical The Rus
sian Feet has been urged to make the
utmost effort to stop the Germans.
Petrograd Is not In danger. but Rus
sians bsliefe the Germans will extend
their operations to the mainland.
There is no infantry activity on the
verdun front.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
HOMICIDE IN RICHLANp.
Rural Policeman Helms Kills Coron-
or j. A. ScOtr.

Columbia. Oct. 15.-Jack A. Scott.
coroner of Richland County. was shot
and killed last night by Jesse w.
Helms. n rural policeman. The shoot
Ing occurred about midnight at Arthu.
Town. n negro settlement about four
miles below the city. The two men
were friends and left the city Sunday
Nfternoon for a trip down the country.
They were returning to the city and
became involved In difficulty. which
resulted In the shooting. The body
Of the dead man made a gruesome
sight. IL lay In the roadway on its
back. and the front Of the shirt was
red with blood. The lower limbs
were crossed. one foot resting over the
ether. By the side OF the dead man
lay n % calibre Smith a. Wesson re-
voiver. One chamber had no car
fridge In II. and the others had not
been fred. Helms used a 3s calibrc
military and police revolver, and the
ak cartridges had been discharged
Helms notified Sheriff ,dcCain imme-
diately and the officer accompanied by
the deputy sheriff. Alex Heise, hurried
to the scene OF the killing. Magis-
trate Griffith made a quick response
TO n summons. and ne took charge OF
the body. Details concerning the
shooting were meagre at an early hour
this morning. a number OF negroes
had gathered around the scene but
none seemed inclined to talk or give
any version OF the difficulty. Helms
said he would make a statement later
Jesse w. Helms has been rura
policeman for several years and 4.
well known. He has a good record a.
an ofricer OF Richiand county.
Jack A. Scott has been coroner 70,
two terms. and has "a large circle oi
friends. He Is a member OF severa
fraternal orders. He leaves widow
and Ave children.
Magistrate Griffith will hold an In.
quest today.
Rural Policeman Helms was LODGED
in Jail at an early hour this morning
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
GERMANY NEARLY STARVED.
MINISTER STOVALL SAYS BACK.
BONE OF TEUTON RESIT-
ANCE HAS BEEN BROKEN.
People Ready for Bcacc-Prcsident's
Words Have Had Effect and Ger
man Revolt Is Certain.

An Atlantic Port, Oct. 12.-After
four years spent in the center of Eu-
ropes colossal struggle. Pleasant A.
Stovall, United States minister to
Switzerland, declared on his arrival
here today that the economic situation
In Germany Is acute, and that he be.
lieved the backbone of German re-
sistance has been broken. Since the
publication Of President Wilson's re-
ply to Pope Benedict's peace pro.
posals. in which the president stated
that the United States is warning
upon the German government, and
not upon the German people, the
revuision against the war, Mr.. Stovall
said. has been spreading rapidly
through Germany.
The effect of this statement was
for long time not noticeable" he
asserted, "but slowly and surely it is
sinking deeper and deeper into Ger
man hearts. II left to themselves the
German people would make peace to-
morrow. AS it Is, forces are at work
in Germany which will eventually
no man can safely predict how soon
compel the German government to
make peace with the world.
There is no doubt about the eco
nomic strait in which Germany now
finds herself. The situation Is
acute"
In spite Of German. French anG
Italian influences, Minister Stovall
said, Swiss neutrality has been pre-
served. and force Of 25O,00O men
watches the borders constantly to
prevent the passage of contraband
He added that Switzerland's exercise
OF broad sympathy for the wounded
brought In from three fronts was a
notable chapter Of history. In Swiss
hospitals there are. he said. about 25,
600 prisoners. mostly French, but
English and Germans also. The Swis.
people give entertainments constant
lily for them and extend aid wherever
1t Is needed.
Ma Stovall will go to Washington
to consult with government officials
and later to his home in Savannah.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
COALITION CABINET IN CANADA.
Completes Rupture Between Liberals
and Lapricr.

Ottawa, Ont, Oct. 1z.-With the
swearing in of nine new cabinet min
listers early today the members OF the
Liberal party, who see In compulsory
military srvice the only solution for
bringing forth thu full strength OF
the Dominion in the prosecution Of
the war, have Joined hands with Sir
Robert Borden and completed the rup.
ture between themselves and Sir Will
fred Laurier, which started with the
introduction of the compulsory mill
tary service bill in the house Of COM
mons.
The new coalition cabinet win have
equal representation of conscription
Liberals and Conservatives and while
two of the Liberals elections, F. B.
Carvell, New Brunswick, slated for
minister OF marine and fisheries, and
George Murray. premier of Nova
Scotia, who is intended for the labor
portfolio, have not yet consented to
join the government it is expected to
be only a question of hours before
they do so.
This lines up the leaders of the
two parties for the coming election
as straight supporters of compulsory
military service or straight opponents
OF this method of reinforcing Cana
da's fighting forces overseas with Sir
Wilfred Laurier. chief of the latter
and having as his lieutenants Frank
Oliver and William Pughley, who were
members Of his last cabinet.
There is some doubt as to where the
new arrangements leave George H.
Graham. minister OF railways under
the Laurier administration, and F. F.
Pardee. chief Liberal whip. both of
whom voted for the military service
bill at its third reading, although de-
claring themselves in favor of con-
scription Of wealth as we'll. AS mat
ters stand at present it is little
difficult to predict who will be found
in opposition to the government and
who will be supporting it when it goes
to The country in the election but
1t is believed that sentiment will be
found lined up soiidly behind it
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
POWDER MILL EXPLODES.
Fatal Accidnt at One of the DUPONT
Powder Works.

Philadelphia. oct. i6.-An explo-
sion OF n nitro-starch dry house at the
DUPONT Power Works. Gibbstown.
New Jersey. resulted In the death OF
Two. and another Is missing and be
lcved To be dead. Another was Sc
riOusly hurt. The explosion destroyed
the small building which was isolated
from others II shook buildings here
twenty miles away \ company official
says there was nothing suspicious
about the explosion.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
CENSORSHIP TO BE RIGID.
Publication OF Private Messages from
France Arouse War Department.

Washington. oct. 1S.7-Aroused by
the publication OF private messages
announcing the arrival i'm France OF
American units the war and navy de-
partments will take steps to prevent
repetition OF the incident which
may result In the cour,martial of the
officers sending the messages. Papers
that published the messages did 40 In
violation OF the voluntary censorship.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
CREW LEAVES SHIP.
NAVAL GUNNERS ABOARD BURN.
ING BRITISH STEAMER Or
DER MEN BACK TO
POSTS.
Ship With Oil and Munitions In Cargo
AfiIe at Sea-Vessel is Towed Back
to Port-Origin Of Fire Being In
veSGigated.

An Atlantic Port, Oct. IA large
British steamer. loaded with $1,000
600 worth Of admiralty stores. princi-
pally munitions and 5000 barrels Of
oil in bulk, was towed back into port
tonight with fire in her engine room
compartments under control after a
twenty-four hour battle to keep the
ship from exploding.
The fire broke out last night when
the ship was thirty miles out of this
port. Blue flames were seen coming
from the engine room compartments,
where oil was stored in every avail
able reserve water tank.
The life boats were swung out and
wireless calls for help brought several
government responses and two tugs.
The crew in temporary panic rushed
into the boats but were ordered back
, by the naval gunners, who were called
into service.
The captain called upon the crew to
be real Britons and ordered his fire.
men to go below and draw the fires.
The latter made their way through
gases from the burning oil and with
the aid Of the ships pumps flooded
engine room. Meantime the pilot had
put the ship into a creek where there
was less wind.
Fire was still burning in several of
the tanks tonight, but it was said to
be well under control. An investiga-
tion has been started by admiralty
and United States officials.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES.
Berlin Paper Admits That Casualties
Are Great.

Copenhagen, Oct. 13.-An unmis-
taxable intimatiOn of the great losses
OF Germans in the Flanders fighting
is contained in the last comment Of
the military critic Of the Berlin
Tagesblatt. 1t refers to losses of five
sixth Of the officers and one-third of
the men in certain battles Of the war
Of 1870. and adds that the losses In
this conflict often exceed those OF
1870.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
WHEAT ELEVATOR BURNED.
Fire in New LOrk Believed to Have
Been Started by Bomb.

New York, Oct. 13.-Fire in a
wheat elevator, which the elevator
superintendent believes was caused by
a bomb, destroyed thousands of bush
els of grain at an estimated loss of
million, two hundred thousand dol
lars early this morning. The fire is
not yet under control.
The fire was confined to one eleva
tor. The total loss is stimated at half
a million dollars.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
SECOND DRAFT soon.
WAR DEPARTMENT LIKELY TO
HAVE THEM REPORT DUR.
ING EARLY WINTER.
Two National Army Divisions in South
Have Been Absorbed SO That Guard
Ranks Might be Filled to War
Strength and Shortage Of Men Must
BE Rcmedied Soon.

washington, Oct. 12.-DfScuSsfon or
the advisability of expediting the call
for the second increment of the draft
army now is in progress at the war
department and it appears likely that
the date may be fixed for some time
in December or January. MObiliZa-
ton of the first of $4,000 is now far
enough advanced to show clearly that
there will be big deficiency for the
Seventeenth National Army Division.
More than 250,00O of the first incre-
ment are still to be assembled, but it
already is evident that there will be
available at the 16 cantonments quar-.
ters for an additional regiment at each
post and at some for a full bridage Of
two regiments.
The strength of the new re gimental
organization is $500 men. With a reg
iment lacking at each cantonment,
this alone would mean a shortage Of
nearly $4,000 men. In addition there
has been authorized q separate divis-
ion Of negro troops, which means
nearly 10000 withdrawn from the
original number assignd to the 16
cantonments.
The shortage is due partially TO the
necessity Of taking out Of the National
Army men to fill up National Guard
divisions.
Two special National Army divis-
ions of Southern troops have been
absorbed in this way. The remnants
Of three other Southern National
Army divisions will be consolidated to
form a single division and the sur
plus men from other camps will be
sent South to make up the missing
divisions.
Drafts on the National Army forces
also must be made to fill up the en-
listed personnel Of the aviation SER
vice. the medical corps and the several
battalions needed behind the fighting
lines abroad. Eventually there will
be 250. 900 men in the last mentioned
service alone and the aviation and
medical services will take nearly as
many more though not all Of them will
be taken from the National Army.
Operating to delay the calling ou,
of the second increment to make good
these shortages are several factors
Clothing and equipment are coming
forward only at a rate that can meet
the demands of the forces already
called and the railways of the country
have been overburdened with the job
OF moving the army without hinder
ing freight shipments vital to the al
lies.
Fixing the date of the call for the
second increment probably hinges also
upon the careful study being made by
Provost Marshal General Crowder and
his associates of the plan followed in
assembling the men called first.
Many questions have arisen which it
may be desired to avoid hereafter, and
substitute regulations TO guide both
local and district boards may be is
sued to govern the second call
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
STOvALL COMES HOME.
Minister to Switzerland I'm America
for Conference.

Atlantic Port, Oct. 12.--The vessel
bringing Pleasant Stovall. minister to
Switzerland. home for a conference
with Washington officials was more
effcctivly camoufaged than any pre-
vious ship seen here. The hull, decks,
CABINS and masts were painted pink,
pale green. and horizon gray. Mr..
Stovall said the Swiss play the neu-
trality part we'll.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
MIOHAELIS MUST RESIGN.


copenhagen, Oct 13.-The Ger
man reichstag has adjourned. leaving
a latent crisis. which observers be-
heVe VIII sooner or later lead to the
retirement of Chancellor Michaelis
Recent arrivals from berlin say Mi
chaelis cannot last another month
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
RUSSIANS RESIST GERMANS.
Landing on Island Was Not an Easy
job

Petrograd, oct. 13.-The garrison
AZ Oesel Island is fighting the German
fOrcs which landed. il is officially
announced. The landing was made
difficult by moles constructed by the
Russians and bad visibility.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
Statcburg School Honor Roll.

First Grade-Frances Richardson.
Second Grade--Gillespie Boyd, JUL,
II. Simons.
Third Grade-Fraser Neyle, Eliza
beth Sinl<ler Richardson.
Fifth Grade-Charles BOYD.
Seventh CHARACTERIZATION Boyd.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
FLOODS IN CHINA.
Hoang-Ho River Spreading Over
Greater Territory.

Pekin. Thursday, Oct. 1.-THE
great floods along the Hoang-Ho
SHOW no signs of abating. The area
under water in Chill province is in
creasing. Floods on q smaller scale
reported from six other provinces.
The thousands OF people forced from
their homes are suffering great pri-
vationS
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
GERMANS OCCUPY ISLANDS.
TrOps Land on Two Islands I'm Gulf OF
Riga

London, Oct. 13.-The Germans
have landd troops on Islands Oesel
and Dago In the Gulf of Riga ac-
cording To Petrograd dispatch to
Reuters Telegraph Co. These islands
are at the entrance to the Gulf and
provides easy access to the mainland
by intrmediate islands.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17

Count Won Luxburg after having
been handed his passports, disappear
ed from Buenos Aires. but was found
early In the week in the southern part
OF the province of Buenos Aires and
arrested.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
MUTINY PREVENTED ATTACK
German Fleet Lost Opportunity to At.
tack Russians

London, Oct 12.-The inactivity of
the German fleet i'm the Baltic recent
ly when there were obvious oppor
tunities for attacking Russia was due
to the mutinious outbreaks i'm the
German navy, according to an Am
sterdam dispatch to the Chronicle
The outbreak affected at least six
large units of the fleet.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
GREAT NAVAL CONFERENCE.
Admiral Mayo Returns from Meeting
I'm England.

Washington. Oct. 12.-Admiral
Mayo. commander-in-c chief of the At
lantic fleet. and staff have returned
from England where they participat.
ed in a naval conference with the AL
lies No details OF the conference or
the nature Of Admiral MayO's instruc-
tions were made public
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
COUNT Won LUxBURG HELD.
Former German Minister In Argen.
tine Detention Camp.

Buenos Aires. oct. 12.-Count Karl
Won Luxburg. the former German min
lister to Argentine. arrived today at
the detention camp on the Island
Martin Garcia.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
WOMAN SPY SHOT.

French Execute IA Dutch Adyen-
turcSS.
Paris, Oct 16.-Mata Hari, a Dutch
dancer and aventuress, who was
found guilty OF espionage was shot at
dawn
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-19
BEGIN MURDER TRIAL
FOR CHILEAN MOTHER

A1ineola. N. Y, Nov. 19.-selection
Of jury to try Mrs. Blanca De Saul
les, Chilean heiress, for the murder of
her divorced husband, John Longer
De saulles, politician and former Yale
athlete, was expected to go forward
rapidly today after the opening Of the
trial here today before Justice David
F. Manning in the supreme court. A
special panel of $50 talesmen had
been called and it was expected that
the jury box would be filled before
evening,
AS Mrs. De saulles' counsel had ad-
mitted that there is no dispute re
garding the fact that she shot her for
mer husband, there is much specula-
ton as to her defense. While no an
nouncements have been made, it has
been intimated that responsibility
growing out of mother love for her
young son Jack, who by court order
after the divorce trial was placed in
the custody of the father for five
months each year, may be the main
plea
Indications that the defense would
be insanity were apparent as soon as
/ Thomas J. Smith Mrs De Saulies'
counsel. began examining talesmen,
asking them whether they would &C
cept insanity and mental incompetency
as a valid defense.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-19
RAILS STAGE
FINAL BOUTS
RATES FIGHT
Roads Contend Increase is
Vital Matter for
Defense.

Washington, Nov, f9.-Final
stage In the common fight of the
eastern railroads for u per cent
advance in freight rates involving
5s.000,O00 of proposed increased
railway revenue annually, was
reached here today when the ill.,
ferstate commerce commission
heard closing arguments OF eoun-
sci.
The commission allowed each
side two and "a quarter hours to
present arguments
InadeQuacy Of wartime revenues of
the nations railroads is no longer d
purely economic problem, but vital
question Of national defense, George
Stuart Patterson, counsel for the east
ern roads, today told the interstate
commission, in his closing
argument for the carriers in the Is
per cent rate advance case.
He asked for a sweeping read1ust-
ment Of prevailing rates TO allow the
roads to meet soaring operating costs
anu serve IlUEE CIutituLly ttiC Il ans
portation needs of the nation in the
present emergency
An increase Of $97 100000 produced
by rate increases granted by the com
mission earlier in the year, taken in
conjunction with lac supplemental
advance now asked, Mr. Patterson
said, is sI55,000 900. or a little more
than half the advance Of $278,000,00O
in operating expenses.
AS a hearing must be had for fur
Their increases, he gave notice that APP
plication viii be made by eastern car
riers for permission to file tariffs max
ing such additional increases.
Dominant difficulties of the carriers
outlined by Mr. Patterson, werei
Continuous decline in net opera
ting income, accompanied by stead
lily mounting operating costs;
marked shortage in the labor supply
available for railroad work; exist
ence Of deferred maintenance wher
heavy wartime traffic requires tbs
highest rtandard possible and inabili
ty to raise new capital by issuance o.
stock with a resultant impairment o.
the carriers credit.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-19
ROADS WILL Give
over IN CONTROL
In the Event of Strike Crisis They
win Place Interests in the
Presidents Hands.

Washington, Nov - Formal an
nouncement was made today that the
railroads of the United States had de-
cided that If any crisis should arise to
place their interests in the hands OF
President Wilson for protection and
such disposition as he may deem nee
essary to prevent interruption of
transportation during the war
The four railroad brotherhoods.
who have made demands for immed-
late increase in wages have agreed to
mediation Of the dispute. but have re-
fused an unconditional submission of
the questions to board of arbitra-
ton
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-19
HUNT FOR MAN WHO
MAY HAVE HID BOMB

Chicago, Nov. 19.-The federal au-
thorities were still looking today for
the man who occupied the seat adjoin-
ing the one under which a bomb like
device was found and which almost
created a panic in the Auditorium the
atre during a performance of the
opera "Dinorah" last Friday night.
The government agents have estab-
hshed she fact that the occupant of
the seat was man who wore evening
clothes, and that shortly before the
bomb was discovered he left the the
atre, putting on a derby hat as he en-
tered the exit into the lobby. Further
than that, it is said. no clew has been
obtained as to his identity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-19
rebel. PEACE
is NOT WHAT
KAISERLIKES
Soldiers Proffer Receives
Rebuff From Berlin
is Rumor.

Ppirc-rad. Sunday. NOV. IS
Germany has refused 10 treat for
peace with the new soldiers and
uorkmpu's government in re-
spouse tu recent proposal, ne
rordiug iu the newspapers here
which publish this news as cont
ing from Well authenticated
source.
u IS stated that Emperor VIII
liam announced in his reply that
no would treat only with the legal
successor 10 the imperial govern
ment or with the constituent as
sembly,
In rH.s connection. the Viola Norda
says 81 has information that the SOL
ders and worlmen's government, in
be event of It's failure TO receive re-
plies from the helligerents by Nov.
g. reserve the right TO make peace on
its own account, after which, If the
war continues, Russia will occupy a
neutral position.
Americans Safe in Moscow.
London, Nov. 19.-Robert j. Skin
ner the American consul general, has
received a telegram dated Saturday
from Che American consul az Moscow
saying that he and other Americans in
Moscow are all safe The city was
quiet al the time but there had been
uuch lighting. the message said.