davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

the British troops against the Turks in Mesopotamia, the Ottoman forces having been driven from the west bank of the Shatt- El-Adhem to within short dis tance from the junction of this river with the Tirgris. The Turkish war office ad- mits the retirement of the Turks to the north of Samara, saying the movem enu was carried out after they had inilict ed heavy casualties the British. Large captures of men. guns. rifles, ammuni- ton and other war stores have been made by General Maude's men in the drive against the Turks.
 After several days of violent artillery preparation the British troops in the Doi- ran lake sector of Macedonia have del.v- cred an attack against the Bulgarians on two and half mile front and. according to London, advanced their line about 800 yards over front of one mile and put down counter attacks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
JOFFRE CENTER OF ATTRACT|0NAT THE
 NATIONAL CAPITAL
Housing Cheers Greet the French Commission on Ar rival-Visitors Highly
 Honored by Officials

Washington, April 9. .-The French war mission to the United States, headed by Rene Viviani, minister of justice and ivice premier, and Marshal Joseph Joffre, hero of the Marne and popular idol of the people of France, was wei comed to Washington today with heartfelt enthusiasm. Tonight, after being warmly greeted by American officials and hailed as
 illustrious friends by thousands of
 people who lined the streets while
 they crossed the city, the commission
 CTS are at the home of Henry White, former ambassador to France, as the guests of the United States govern ment.
 Tomorrow the leading members, M. viviani. Marshal Joffre and Admiral | dent Wilson, and later there will be
 preliminary conferences between the representatives of the French anG American military and naval chiefs. Before night the administration will
 have in it's possession at least broad outline of Frances view of American participation in the war
 The leading members of the mission. coming up from Hampton Roads aboard the presidential yacht May flower had their first view of the na- tional capital from point on the Po~
 tornac river below Alexandria, soon after Mount Vernon was passed.
 HUNDREDS LINE RIVER At the Mayflower came abreast of the home of the first President the marine band played teh "Star-Spangled
 Banner" and the Frenchman lined the
 tContinued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
Is Bombarded By German Destroyers; British Make More Gain

New York April 25.-The Associated Press up the news from all battle fronts as follows:
 Many thousands of German dead strew the bateeds which the British and Germans have been engaged for the past three days in titanic struggles
 The British have made further gains south of the Scarpe river toward Cambra and also have captured the hamlet Bzem east of the Svrncot wood midway between Arras land St. Quentin
 Violent fighting continues around Monchy where the British attacked three times but repulsed with heavy losses Berlin SaVs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
DeKalb Is Second County
 to Defeat School Tax

Montgomery. April 25.-(Special) DeKalb county is the second in the state to defeat the three-mill special tax for public school purposes author ized by the November election. Infor- nation received by the educational de- partment today showed that the tax was defeated by good majority. De- Kalb adioins Marshall which defeated the tax several weeks ago. Local influences operated against the success of the proposal Madison adopted the tax while DeKalb was voting against it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

The naval gunners on board made a clear hit at 1000 yards. The periscope was seen to be shattered.
 Even more pertinent fact as re- gards the ultimate fate of the sub marine was that the shell disappeared immediately after the hit was made. The captain stated that shell always ricochets in the water and can be seen again unless it finds the mark Oil also was seen on the water after the submarine disappeared.
 GOING FULL SPEED
 The Mongolia was going at full speed and was long distance away when the spray and foam subsided, but from the bridge the officers observed the spot through their glasses and they are con fdent the submarine was sunk.
 The periscope was sighted dead ahead on the last afternoon of the voyage. The captain, who gave the order for full speed ahead, said it was with the inten- ton of ramming the submarine.
 The periscope disappeared and few minutes later reappeared on the ships broadside. The gunners fired, hitting the periscope squarely and throwing up a mountain of water.
 CAPTAIN WAS MODEST
 Captain Rice outlined the incident with modesty, but could not quite conceal the pride he felt in the achievement of his ship He paid high tribute to the gun ners and especially to the manner in which they were handled by the officer who directed the firing of the telling shot. For five days and nights said Cap tain Rice, 'I hadn't my clothes off, and we kept a big force of lookouts on duty all the time. It was 5:20 o'clock in the afternoon of the 18th that we sighted the submarine. The officer commanding the gunners was with me on the bridge where, in fact. we had been the most of the time throughout the voyage. There was a haze over the sea at the time. We had just taken sounding for we were getting near shallow water and we were looking at the lead when the first mate cried: There's a submarine off the port bow
 ..The submarine was close to us, too close in fact, for her purpose, and she was submerging again in order to maneu- yer in better position for torpedoing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

The statement reads: Weekly shipping returns; Arrivals, 25S6 sailings, 262l.
 "Sinkings by mine or submarine over 1900 tons, 40 including two sunk in the week ending April l5; under 160o tons, 1o; including one sunk in the week ending April 1.
 vessels unsuccessfully attacked, 27, in- cluding one attacked the week ending April 8.
 Fishing vessels sung. 9, including one sunk the week ending April 15."
 The above report shows the greatest number of merchant vessels reported sunk by submarine in both categories- 16o0 tons and over. and under 1900 tons
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
AMERICA WILL NOT BE ASKED ID SIGN
 ANY WRITTEN PAPER
BalfOur Says Allies Under stand Attitude of U. $. in War Too We'll to Make
 Demands

Washington, April 25. Complete understanding of Americas attitude in the war-unreserved co-opera- tion in the fight of democ- racy against the German military menace without en- tangling political alliances was expressed by Foreign Minister Balfour, head of the British war commission, in a statement today to newspaper correspondents.
 "I am told" said MT. Balfour, "that there are some doubting critics who seem to think that the object of the missions of Great Britain and France is to inveigle the United States out of it's traditional policy and to en- tangle it in formal alliance, secret or public, with European countries. foundation. nor can I imagine any policy SO utterly unnecessary. Our confidence in the assistance which we are going to get from this community is not based upon such considerations as those which rise out of formal treaties"
 The foreign minister's statement was officially stated to have been made as a result of his conferences during the past few days with President Wilson and Sec retary Lansing. 1t was generally regard ed as disposing finally of suggestions from some quarters that the United States might be asked to sign a treaty not to make a separate peace.
 This was an eventful day for the Brit ish commissioners, marked by hearty welcome to Frances illustrious war com mission and the delivery to Amb assaGol' Spring Rice of Americas first loan to the allies, s200. .0o00o0.
 COMPLETING ORGANIZATION
 While the British visitors devoted most of the day to honorng the French mis- sion, they found time to complete de- tails of organization in preparation Tor the joint conferences soon to begin now that the representatives of France have joined MT. Balfour and the military. na- val, financial and trade experts here with him.
 MT. Balfour lunched today with the Italian ambassador. spent part of the aft ernoon at the treasury department with Secretary McAdoo and was entertained at dinner at the British embassy, where a reception attended by the diplomatic corps and by American officials fol- lowed
 The foreign minister received the news paper men during the day at ths resi-
 (CoAtinued on Page Two]
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
By HUGH N. ROBERTS

Washington, April 25(Specal Representative Dent of Alabama chairman of the House committee military affairs confded tonight the correspondent of The Herald his conviction a President Wilson's conscrpon scheme would be enacted into law.
 The contingent which represented by Mir Dent has been earnestly mbued with the idea that conscpton should be resorted until after the cvarous had been given op porunity volunteer that purpose shut it's for days the onrushng defeat Tonight however, the victory of the conscriponss obvious that to his confidential friends admitted the truth the handwriting the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

Washington April 25The policy of the government is to make upon the destruction of German submarine by the Mongolia at this time
 London April 2-Captain Rice of the American steamship Mongolia which has arrived at British port told the Assocat ed today that the Mongolia had fired the first of the for the United States and sunk German submarine
 The submarine Captain Rice aid about to attack the great liner British April 9 He declared there absolutely doubt that the Uboat hit and that there every reason to believe it destroyed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

were successful in evading attack. the figures being T. as against 19, the pre- vious high figure, during any week. The arrivals and departures of steamers from British ports average fairly well with those of the preceding weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
CHAIRMAN DENT ADMITS DRAFT
 BILL WILL PASS

Efforts of Volunteer Advocates in Congress Will Be Unavailing in Attempt to Change Plan of Raising Army -Huddleston Speaks Against COnscription and Bankhead for System
 Speaker Clark Makes Earnest Appeal
 for the Old Time Method for the Army
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
GARDNER POLLS HOUSE

Washington, April 26.-The House remained in session until ocock tonight Representative Gardner announced before adjournment that he and number of others had boiled the House and had found 23 members in favor of the draft la opposed and 80 noncommital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

us when we sighted her We saw the periscope go down and the swirl of the water. I quickly ordered a man at the wheel to put it to starboard, and we swung the nose of the ship. toward the spot where the submarine had been seen.
 We were going at full speed ahead and two minutes after we first sighted the U-boat it emerged again about 1000 yards off. Its intention probably had been to catch us broadside-on, but when it ap- peared we had the stern gun trained full on it.
 COMMAND TO FIRE
 "rhe lieutenant gave the command and the big guns boomed We saw the perl scope shattered and the shell and the submarine disappeared.
 q can't speak too highly of the cool manner in which the lieutenant handled his crew of gunners. It was a fine ex- hbition of the efficiency of American na- val men. The lieutenant knew before the shell struck the submarine that it's aim was accurate. There Is no guesswork about it, but case of pure mathematics. Taking the speed at which the Mongolia was travelling at the time, and the speed which the submarine undoubtedly would make, and computing these figures with the distances we were from the subma- rine when it was first sighted, and when it appeared the second time, it can be shown that the lieutenant had his gun sighted to the inch. And 1t must be re- membered that the whole affair took only two minutes.
 DID NOT STOP
 .sT assure you we did notsstop to 4eeon- noitre after the incident but steamed away at full speed, for 1t was not improbable that there was another submarine about. The one I got undoub tedly had been iy- ing on the bottom at this spot waiting for the ship, and came up when it heard our propellers. I immediately sent wireless message stating that subma- rine had been seen.
 That's about all the story, excepting this: The gunners had named the guns on board the Mongolia and the one which got the submarine was called Theodore Roosevelt; so Teddy fired the first gun of the war after all'
 Captain Rice recalled that he came from Allston, Mass, and that the encounter with the submarine occurred on the date when the Bay State was celebrating the anniversary of the battle of l. sxington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
AMERICAN STEAMER FIRES FIRST GUN OF
 THE WAR AND GERMAN SUBMARINE LS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SENT TO BOTTOM

Tells of Having Been Attacked by UBoat, Which Is Thought to Have Been Struck by Shell From Merchant Vessel Government
 to Make No Announcement at This Time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

In the fighting 15 German air planes have been forced down by British airmen, says London, and six British machines are missing as a result of fights in the air.
 On the French front the artillery &C., tivity continues violent. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the Germans in an effort to wrest the Hurtebise farm from Gen eral Nivelle's forces.
 In Belgium artillery dues continue.
 DUNKIRK FORWARDED Wednesday morning shelled Dunkirk and sank French torpedo boat. which en- gagged them.
 On the Carso plateau of the Austro- Italian theatre the Austrians. south of Gorizia, delivered an attack against Ital- ians positions and recaptured a vantage point that had been previously taken by the Italians.
 The concentration of troops in the Tren- tino region by the Austrians continues.
 RUSSIANS ARE ACTIVE
 There has been considerable activity by the Russian artillery in northwest Rus sia, especially at Jacobstatlt and near Postav, which lies northeast of Wilma, and also along the Zlochoff- -Tarnopol in Galicia9
 Further progress has been made hy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26
Sixty-Four Ships Of All Sizes Were Sunk During Past Week, Is Report

of
  by or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

When Speaker Clark concluded his notable address this afternoon it was apparent that all hope for the volun- teer system had gone. The House gave the speaker remarkable recep- tion.
 DEMONSTRATIONS FOR CLARK
 It was significant solely. however, it is now indicated, of the affection which the House feels for the speaker. The mem bers were convulsed by his humor, moved by his patriotism, driven to applause by his recital of the heroic achievements of the fathers of the country, and almost, but not quite, convinced that in his con- tentions there was logic absolute. But immediately afterward the conscription- sts displayed their strength when they rallied around Representative Sherley of Kentucky and gave him practically as fine reception as the entire membership had given the speaker.
 HIGHLY DRAMATIC MT. Clark has seldom been more of the orator than this afternoon. He was highly dramatic. His eloquence was of the variety which causes the heart of man to stand still. His humor was quaint and penetrating and denuded en- tirely of the gross.
 He alternated strong and tender, inn petuous and passive, brutal in driving home a significant idea, and persuasive in pleading losing cause. At the con- clusion of his remarks, he referred feel ngly to the intention of his only son to enlist for European service. When he dwelt on the possibility that that son might be killed, the rugged exterior of the man yielded to the sentiment of his big heart, and he broke down. When he retired, the membership stood applauding and wipng its eyes.
 MT. Huddleston of the Birmingham dis trict opened the debate in the morning for those advocating the voluntary idea. MT Bankhead opened for the conscriptionists
 LEADERS ARE CONFIDENT
 Washington, April 25.-Although Speaker Clark took the floor in the House today and aroused great enthusiasm among op- ponents of the administration army bill by his vigorous denunciation of the se- lective draft and defense of the volunteer system, champions of the measure still were confident tonight that it would pass not later than Saturday virtually as ap- proved by the President.
 It was announced during the day that a poll of the House made by supporters of the bill disclosed a favorable major ity of between 50 and 70. Its passage in the Senate is considered assured and unanimous consent to vote on it there by Saturday will be sought tomorrow. Minor changes made In one House or the other probably will necessitate conference so that the bill is not likely to become law for a week or more.
 Speaker Clark spoke for more than an hour. Most of the House membership and many senators heard him plead in characteristic fashion that the volunteer system be tried again and declare that in the minds of the people of his state that the word 'conscription" is classed with convict" applause frequentely in terrupted him.
 In concluding Speaker Clark announced that his son, Bennett Clark, the House parliamentarian, was going into the army ''in any capacity in which he can be help full either as an officer or a private. v
 T hope and pray" said he that he may go into battle not by the side of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-26

made public by the British government since it has issued its weekly statement Of shipping losses
 The previous report was as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28

ern had recently bought two coal mines, was negotiations for a third and probably would lease others in own coal The Southern railway, MT Harrison announced, was preparing to mine it's own coal
 On behalf of the western lines Mr. Holden sought to ascertain if the con- mission would entertain petition for a horizontal increase in rates. The commission did not indicate it's ata:- tude on this point. The western lines, MT Holden said, would promptly file 2 formal petition similar to that now before the commission in the case of the eastern roads requesting a sus- pension of the rules to permit a gen. eral advance.
 Commissioner Clements inquired if authority should be sought of Con- gresS rather than the commission to increase the rates inasmuch as Con- gres had enacted the Adamson law increasing the labor cost to the roads and had appointed commission to oo- serve it's effects on the roads
 ''I recall" replied MT. Johnson. "that the President of the United States .n addressing the joint session of Con- gress before the Adamson law was en- acted last summer said he would with draw his request that Congress should enact a law authorizing the commis- sion to increase rates. saying as he withdrew it that this commission ai- ready had that power"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
1T HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A BLESSING ID ME" " SAYS MRS. FOX
East Thomas Woman Gains 21 Pounds on Tanlac After
 Suffering Five Years

I've gained all of 21 pounds since I In every way" was the remarkable state- ment made a few days ago by Mrs. Mag gie Fox of East Thomas, when she was in Eugene Jacobs drug store, talking to the Tanlac representative.
 Goodness only knows how I suffered for five long years" continued Mrs. Fox My stomach was in an awful condition and could hardly eat anything without the most terrible agony afterward. I never enjoyed 6 meal during alls that time and I was as nervous as a kitten and couldn't bear any noise or excitement l got so weak I wasn't able to do any thing around the house and fell off in weight until I didn't weigh but 95 pounds. l tried everything l ever heard of and had all sorts of treatment, but nothing did me a bit of good and just kept on getting worse and worse until I began on Tanlac.
 "I was convinced that this medicine would help me after I had read about and known of so many people who had been helped, and it certainly has done ne a world of good. My appette's splendid now and I can eat anything I want with out the least bit of suffering and I'm as strong and healthy as I ever want to be. Why, I do all my own homework now and just feel fine and full of energy all the time. Tanlac has certainly been , blessing to me and I'm glad to recommend it to anybody who is suffering like I was, for I know it will bring them the same relief it did me-"
 Tanlac is sold in Birmingham exclu- sively by Eugene Jacobs drug store and Patton-Pope Drug company; in Ensley by D. w. Morris Drug company: in Bes- semer by Pegram- Patton Drug company: In Pratt City by Gale Drug company, and in North Birmingham by Walker Drug company.-Adv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28

of course I went to see War Brides, Madam Nazimova's first picture.
 Let me say at once. without beating about the bush, that it aroused my ex- treme enthusiasm. It is certainly the very finest movie that I have ever seen, and I make no exceptions. You can have all the big films, and the million dollar productions, and the ter rife things that are announced with the flourish of trumpets, but you can leave me War Brides It is a mag niticent piece of photography, and an alluring story, with star whose work compels admiration. To be sure, Nazi- mova works hard, and cannot conceal that fact, but she does such wonder ful things, and is so tremendously vivid that she puts pictures on new footing, as it were.
 The finale of the picture is so dram atic and so appealing that it is almost epochmaking. Joan meets the king, to tell him that women will refuse to bear children to be killed in war. The stage is crowded with the women who accom- pany her in her mission. She is a sort of inspired Joan of Arc, and after she has delivered her message to the as- tonished monarch, she kills herself. Her dead body is held up above the crowd, stark and stiff, and as the mob serges and the incident materializes, the story ends. It is the most convincing finale I have ever seen, and triumph of management. It caused surprise, pal pitation and engagement and if pie
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
ALL RAILROADS OF
 COUNTRY UNITE IN
 ASKING INCREASE
General Advance in Rates Desired From 15 to 21.4 Per Cent-Statement
 by Southern Head

Washington. March 27-General ad- vances in freight rates will be sought probably within the next 10 days, by railroads in every section of the Uni ted States. Preliminary steps were taken today by virtually all railroads concerned in an informal conference with the interstate commerce commits sion.
 that the advance asked for eastern roads would be Is per cent on all com modities except on bituminous coal and coke. Representatives of western lines indicated that they, too, would ask for Ia per cent, Railroads of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
Federal Reserve Banks
 to Cash Army Vouchers
 to Tide Department Over

Washington, March 2I-Federal reserv, banks have been directed by the federal
 reserve board to cash all United State, army quartermaster vouchers held b, government creditors, pending additional appropriations by Congress. Member banks have been informed that such vouchers will be rediscounted by federal reserve banks at current commercial pa. per rates This action was taken when tt appeared the war department migh, be embarrassed by lack of appropriation, and inability to obtain supplies on credit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
IDLE WIVES"
 AT ALCAZAR

Idle Wives" showing al the Alca- gar all this week. is an unusual pie ture drama, strong in it's theme and convincing in it's portrayal of the frailities of human nature.
 The picture does nor pretend 10 preach, but it does suggest a moral.
 Directed and produced by Weber and Smalley, it is one of the big produc- tions now being presented in the lar ger cities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
Champion Butter Cow
 of the World Is Dead

Appelton, Wis, March 27.-Paulitt Paul Parthenae. known as the worlds champion Holstein COW. owned by R.. J. schaefer of Clayton. Wis, is dead. A post-mortem showed she had swal- lowed a darning needle and that it worked it's way to the heart
 Two years ago the COW produced 22GS pounds of butter in 12 months.