davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
LONDON GETS PLOT NEWS.

London. March 3. Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmermann's instructions to the
German minister to Mexico, as publish
ed in the United States, are admitted
in Berlin to have been correctly quot.
ed, according to dispatch to Reuters
from the German capital by way Of
Amsterdam.
The dispatch quotes the following
telegram received in Amsterdam from
Berlin on Friday and which was ap-
parently sent by the Wolf bureau, the
semi-of1icial German news agency.
The American press contains reports
about instructions from the ministry
of foreisn affairs to the German minis
ter in Mexico City. in the event that
Germany, after the proclamation of I'M
restricted submarine warfare failed to
keep the United States neutral These
reports are based on the following
facts:
After the decision had been taken
to begin unrestricted submarine war
fare on February We had to reckon.
in view of the previous attitude of the
American government, with the pos
sibility of conflict with the United
States. Thta this calculation was right
is proved by the fact that the American
government severed diplomatic re-
lations with Germany soon after the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
MASON CITY MEAT
PACKERS STRIKE

Mason City, March 3-One hundred
and fifty employees at the packing plant
of j. E. Decker & Sons went on strike
today when the management refused
to meet a committee of the union next
Monday for discussion of wages. It
was said by union leaders that half the
men employed in the killing and cut
ting departments had walked out and
that more were expected to follow
Monday when, it also was declared, the
strike would spread to other depart
ments. Operations at the plant wers
suspended today.
Officials of the packing company
told the union committee that the open
shop principle would not be abandoned
and that the company would refuse to
recognize the union.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
FRENCH STEAMER
REACHES SAFETY

New York. March 3.-Few of the
passengers on the French liner Tour
aine. which arrived last night from
Bordeaux went to bed during passage
through the submarine zone and none
Of them undressed. When the Tour.
aine left the mouth of the Gironde on
February 20, the passengers and crew
were put through life boat drill and
the passengers were requested to wear
their life belts all night. Dinner was
ended by $50 o'clock So that the
lights could be extinguished all over
the ship.
The Touraine was delayed nearly
two days in sailing. Passengers said
that this was because a German sub
marine was reported to be outside the
Gironde sowing mines. Added to this
delay the zig-zig course taken by liner
through the danger zone brought her
into port here two days later than
usual
The Touraine brought about 1000
model gowns from Paris and number
of American buyers. Many of the buy.
ers however. did not travel with their
costumes but went through Spain to
return with Ambassador Gerard on the
Infanta Isabel.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
CIVILIZATIONS DUTY.

The Cuban government Is asking
the rebels to let the people harvest the
sugar crop. At this time. when a
shortage Of food is causing world wide
distress. the loss of Cuba's sugar crop
will be an enormous calamity. There
is too much Of the worlds surface
now being devastated by war.
One reason for the high price Of
meat in this country is due to the fact
that no cattle are now being raised in
northern Mexico For many years
previous to the recent anarchy in Mex
leo thousands Of cattle were raised
and grazec in northern Mexico and
then sold into the states to be fatten.
ed for market. Since that country has
been overrun with Villa and his delud-
ed followers. that source of supply has
been shut off.
If the United States won't do any.
thing to help solve the Mexican stu
alton it can at least preserve order In
Cuba. That Is, this government can
at least go in and take charge as
should be done.
If every murderer and horse thief
who gets gun and few shells is al
lowed to start revolution in the Lat.
in.American governments and make
decent. law abiding citizens cater and
cringe, then civilization is fast becom-
ing failure.
1t is time decisive action should be
taken in Cuba.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
LITTLE BENNY's
NOT BOOK
BY LEE PAPE

Yestidday AFTERNOON I was in the set.
ting room reeding Dick Drednawt I'm
dir the Sea, and my sister Gladdis look
ed in, saying. Benny. Me going rite
on reeding on account of being pritty
neer to the end of the book ware Dick
Drednawt climes out the submereen
window to fife with the sharks. and
Gladdis sed, Benny, are you def?
Wat? l sed.
hafr to go out before suppir and
wunt to take a nap ferst. it's now 4
O'Clock. can trust you to wake me
up at half past 5? sed Gladdis.
Sure, sed. And Gladdis went in
her room and 1 kepp on reeding, and
pritty soon I finished the book, being
a pritty ixcitable finish, and looked
at the clock and it was han past 4,
and thawt, G, wat time did she tell
me to wake her up?
And went in her room and she was
asleep, and tickled her on the end
Of the nose with my little finger till
she weak up. and I sed, Wat time did
you say to call you. Gladdis?
Half past 5. sed Gladdis.
Well its ony han past now, / sed,
and Gladds sed, o, for mersey sakes,
we'll don't let me sleep longer than haff
past s. and the next time you call me
don't tickle me.
And she went to sleep agen, and L
went back in the setting room and
practiced standing on my hands till 5
o'clock and then I stuck my head in
Gladdises room saying, Gladdis, Glad.
dis.
Wat? sed Gladdis waking up.
You ony got haff hour more to
sleep, l sed.
Are you abserlootly krazy? sed Glad
dis. And she went to sleep agen, and
looked at a old joak paper till quar-.
tir aftir on account of not having eny.
thing elts to look at. and then stuck
my he'd in Gladdises room agen, say.
ing. Gladdis.
Is it half past 5? sed Gladdis.
No. l wuntid to tell you you got Is
minits to sleep yet, sed.
III tell you sumthing If get hold OF
you. sed Gladdis. And she jumped up
and chased me all the way down stairs
and out the frunt door, me not caring
mulch on account of wunting to go out
enyway
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
GOODS OBJECT TO
WEARING SLEEVES

Iowa City. March 3--Co-eds at the
University of Iowa were said today to
have agreed to oppose the ruling late
yesterday of Miss Klingenhegen, dean
of women. prohibiting the young wom-
en- from attending the annual junior
prem unless their party dresses are
fully equipped with sleeves. "No
sleeves. no party was the summary
of the deans edict.
Leaders of the anti-sleve movement
declared that sleeveless 1917 model
party dresses had been ordered by
majority of the girls and that unless
they were allowed to wear the dresses
many could not attend.
The prom committee of the junior
class. all men, today issued neutral
ity declaration.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
AUTHORITY BILL UP.

Washington. D. c., March 3.-Con'
gress expected today to take final steps
toward giving President Wilson au-
thority to arm American merchant
ships for defense against submarines
and the navy department was ready
with guns and gunners to carry out
the presidents orders.
The bill conveying the authority was
before the senate when 1t convened
this morning after session which
continued long past midnight. occu'
pied by eight hours of debate on in
ternational relations.
Senator Sherman of Illinois present
ed today's news dispatches from Ber-
lin bringing foreign Minister thinner
manns admission of the attempted in.
trigue with Japan and Mexico.
Senators manifested such keen In
terest in the dispatches that they were
read twice. Senators who had been in
clined to denounce the celebrated
Zimmerman instructions as a forgery
or a British plot showed particular in
terest.
Japan has denied receipt OF over
tures,' Senator Chamberlain. repub
lican of Utah interiected. Il ask IL
there is any significance to the fact
that our great and good friend Gen.
eral Carranza in our neighborine
friendly republic, has not made any
denial"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
POTATO BOYCOTT
WITHOUT EFFECT

Des Moines, March 3. Dealers re-
ported today that no decrease in the
price Of potatoes had been noted as the
result of the municipal boycott, which
went into effect at midnight last night.
1t was said, however, that the demand
for potatoes at the city market was
practically nil and that greatly de-
creased consumption was reported by
all downtown restaurants and cafes.
In his proclamation declaring tho
boycott, Mayor John MacVicar assert.
ed he had information to the effect
that enormous quantities Of potatoes
were being held in local warehouses
until the spectators could obtain i've
dollars bushel for their supply"
Civic and social organizations and
the state food and dairy department.
are cooperating with the mayor in an
effort to reduce prices
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
A Distorted View

Washington, D. c., March 3-Refer.
ence by German Foreign Minister Zim-
mermann to the existence of Pan
American plot is regarded in oflcial
circles here as nothing more than a
distorted and erroneous understanding
either on the part of the Argentine
newspaper or the German foreign Of
; fee of some quiet opinion and proper
efforts made soon after the outbreak
of the war, and during Secretary Bry-
ans incumbency to protect rights of
neutral commerce in the western hem.
isphere.
Soon after the sinking OF the Ameri.
can sailing ship Frye and when Ger
man raiders and German war feet
were particularly active on both sides
OF South America, resulting In the ut
ter decentralization Of commerce In that
part OF the world. some of the dipIo-
matte representatives in Washington
of the Latin-American countries con.
ceived the idea of joint action to pre-
vent the theater of war from extending
into American waters.
The members of the Pan-American
council which meets in WASHINGTON
quarterly, appointed committee to
consider propositions advanced BY
ministers to protect the commerce OF
the Americas, the essential feature be.
ing the declaration of zone about 200
miles wide along the American coast
from Cape Horn to Canada within
which no belligerent warships or sub.
marines should be permitted to inter.
fere with merchant ships.
This subject was discussed for manv
months at occasional meetings ~ fho
council, but no substantial encourage
ment was received from the state de.
partment here.
Later, 1t is recalled here. Ambassa.
dor Naon Of Argentina had proposed
joint action by at least some Of the
American nations to prevent war be-
tween the United States and Ger.
many.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
------ss-- -
THE GUIDE LINE.

In dark, underground passages or
chambers. through which people must
pass, there is generally found a guide
line of some kind. 1t may be just a
rope stretched from point to point
along safe passage. People who use
it are sure to get through. Those who
stray from 1t for moment are all
right if they can grope their way back
to it. Those who disregard it may get
through if they are fortunate but more
likely they will not
The constitution Of the state Is a
guide line. Time has demonstrated
that If we adhere to its precepts and
follow it's directions the government
of the commonwealth will be satisfac-
tory. And even If we stray from it for
a moment, 1t still is there. pointing in
the right direction if we will but re-
turn to It,
But when we quit the guide line for
good: when we cut it or start off in a
different direction. then let us beware.
The welfare of the state will be jeop-
ardiZed.
A battle is on in the state legisla-
ture now to get Iowa back to the guide
line An effort has been made to start
the state in another direction and
few steps away from the line have
been taken. Representative j. w.
Rowley of Keosauqtia is continuing a
fight begun about four years ago
when a legislature disregarded the
provisions of the constitution requiring.
the submission to the people of propo-
sitions calling for appropriations in
excess Of $25O00O Mr. Rowley and
others are uroing the present legis-
lature to stop the capitol extension
program on the ground that the CAPT
tol extension act was unconstitutional.
They want the legislature to repeal the
special tax levy and tn sell back part
of the Ground that has been acquired
under the act.
The friends of capitol extension
seem unwilling to concede that Mr..
Rowley is making a fight on a high
principle of government that he Is
fighting to get the state back to the
guide line. that his whole aim and
purpose Is to force recognition of the
constitution as the authority for legis-
lative acts. instead of letting the wish
OF the legislature, stand supreme as
the will Of the people.
Mr.. Rowley and his co-workers are
not opposed to capitol extension: they
would probably have worked for 1t and
voted for it. had the matter been pre-
scented to the people in the form pre-
scribed by the constitution The main
difficulty they meet with in their fight
is making people understand that they
are not against beautifying the CAPT.
toll grounds.
In truth, they occupy the position
of the law abiding citizens who are
willing that the murderer be punished
but insistent that punishment be met.
ed out in accordance with the law
rather than in accordance with the
will of the mob. They want the means
to justify the end, rather than the
end to justify the means.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
U-BOATS FAILING?

London, March 3. Germany failed
by slightly more than a fifty per cent
margin to make good her threat to sink
100000 tons of merchant shipping
during the first month of unrestricted
submarine warfare. according to fig.
ures in the possession of The Associat-
ed Press. the absolute reliability OF
which is vouched for here. Her sub
marines, the figures show succeeded in
sending to the bottom during the
month of February, in round numbers.
100000 tons.
This figure only exceeds by 100000
tons, it is declared, what British auth
critics expected would be sunk during
that month if ordinary submarine war.
fare had continued. 1t compares with
1866 tons sunk during December
and S22.067 tons during January.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
NO WAR ACTION
IN WILSON PLAN
Congress Advised That the
President Will Summon
Extra Session First

Washington, D. c., March 3-Pres.
ldent Wilson has no intention Of TAX
ing action that would bring; war with
Germany unless congress is summoned
in extra session. This was communi-
Gated to senate leaders today by repre-
sentatives of the president, who takes
the position that if no extraordinary
crisis arises, it will not be necessary
to call an extra session before late in
the spring, and then only to pass any
appropriation bills which may fail at
the present session.
The president today continued ef-
forts to persuade republican senators
to assist in the passage Of needed ap-
preparation bills during the present
session. These senators were told by
representatives Of the president that
their argument that congress should
remain in session, because of the Ger
man situation was not logical because
he naturally would take no action lead
ing to declaration of war without the
cooperation of congress.
The president was represented as
feeling deeply the implication back OF
the effort to force an extra session. he
desires the important appropriation
bills passed at this session so that if
an extra session is forced by the Ger.
man situation congress could begin
work Immediately on emergency meas
ures. 1t became known that the pres
ident will seek an opportunity in the
near future to make his position clear.
For while, it was said, it looked as
though the administrations efforts to
get action on the army appropriation
bill. the military academy bill, and a
few other important measures would
he successful, but finally two or three
of the republican leaders would not
give their consent to such an arrange
mcnt.
The president completed his inaug.
ural address today and it was under
stood that the foreign situation was
the principal subject dealt with.
The president both by telephone and
through representatives was in con.
slant communication with the capitol
today
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
SHIPS AWAIT GUNS.

New York. March S.-The six pas
sepger ships Of the American line
held in this harbor by the German
blockade are ready to take on guns AS
soon as congress authorizes the gov.
eminent to arm American merchant
vessels. A naval constructor and two
ordnance officers from the navy yard
continued today an inspection of the
American line ships.
These officers spent the greater part
of the day on board the st. Louis,
which it is understood will be the first
of the American fleet to leave if the
ship arming bill becomes law.
Officials of the American line say
there has been no rush to book cabins
on the ST. Louis
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06

The platform on which Mr.. Rowley
and his co-workers stand is just this !:
In appropriating money through the
collection Of an annual tax, for the
extension and improvement Of the cap
itOl grounds, the legislature violated
sections and of article in the con-
stitution of the state; said sections of
said article expressly forbidding the
Legislature to incur debt or Obliga-
ton in excess of $250,000 Except in
certain contingencies not covering the
case in question: without having first
submitted the proposition to the vot-
ers of the state at a general election
in which majority OF those voting
decide in the affirmative.
The trainers Of the constitution real
lied that in great state such as they
hoped Iowa would become-and it has
there would be times when it would
be justifiable to incur large debts. But
to obviate the possibility Of a legisla-
ture levying obligations upon the peo-
pie beyond their ability to pay, pro-
vision was made for debts in excess OF
s250,0OO being submitted to the people.
Under the constitution the state can
incur debts running away up into the
millions-there is no limit to the
anount-but they must first be ap.
proved by the people who have to foot
the bill in the last analysis. To guard
against saddling of debt upon the peo-
pie without their consent. the trainers
of the constitution included in that
document, section 5 of article Z.
Because the capitol extension act
violates this section of the constitution
Of the state the legislature is now ask
ed to repeal the law, thereby paving
the way for submitting such matters
in the future in the manner provided
for in the constitution.
There is nothing wrong In rtghting
wrong. The real harm is not IN
spending a million dollars for capitol
extension, but in mourning the debt
in violation Of the constitution. Unless
we stick to the constitution, unless we
obey its precepts. unless we are zeal
Gus in our efforts to conform to it's re-
uuirements, the constitution will fall
into disrepute and we will soon be
without the greatest bulwark OF re-
publican form of government-a con-
stitution voicing the will and the de-
sires of the whole people, grown from
the sober Judgment of experience.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
MUTUAL DUTY.

Young Mr. Hoy, son and brother of
the American women who lost their
lives in the sinking Of the Laconia.
threatens to avenge their death, even
if he has to fight under some flag 9TH
err than the stars and stripes. OF
course his feeling is only natural. but
it does seem too bad that the deter
mination he now shows in wanting to
avenge the deaths was not first exert
ed in an effort to keep the women out
of the danger zone--a zone not only
full of danger to them but to thaj ma
ton of which they were a part
The flag owes it to its citizens to
protect them, but the citizens owe it
to the flag to keep out of danger.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
BRYAN SEEING LIGHT.

Col. Bryan is reliably reported as
having announced his willingness to
Join the fighting forces of the United
States in case war is forced upon this
country. He overlooks the fact that IT
his preaching can prevent 1t we will
have no fighting forces for him to Join
in case war is forced upon him.
The men that Bryan is lambasting
as militarists are those who are far
sighted enough to realize that war
might be forced on us and that we
must be ready with adequate defense
for such an emergency A bare hand
ed army of volunteer organs would
not be adequate defense.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
RAILROADS RAISE
PAY OF EMPLOYEES

Chicago, March 8. -Towermen and
telegraphers of the Chicago and Alton
railroad have been granted an increase
of 10 per cent in wages. it was announc.
ed at the roads. headquarters here to.
day. The increase was given after a
conference between the roads officials
and the officers of the telegraphers'
union. The action was said to have set.
tied all differences between the en-
ployes and the road About $50 men
will benefit by the adjustment.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-06
AElRE NEXT DOOR.

Mexico, in the state that mas existed
there for several years past. is like
a fire next door. Unless the fire Is ex.
tinguished the blaze is going to spread
in some unguarded moment.
Had the United States, in the inter
est of civilization and it's own safety,
interviewed in Mexico several years
ago when that need first arose, Mexico
would not have been fertile soil on
which foreign nations could SOW seeds
of trouble. such as was reported IN
Yesterdays news dispatches.
"WatchfM waiting" cannot be cred
tied with keeping an army OF Mexi-
cans and Japanese and Germans from
knocking at our border Rather. that
was averted despite our
policy Of "watchful waiting"
Mexico is going to be our fire next
door until a stable government chosen
by an enlightened people rules there.