davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
REPORTS SEVENTEEN MISSING
 SINCE NOVEMBER 30
lRepublican A. p. Leased wirel

WASHINGTON. Dec. 16-Seventeen enlisted meE of the United States ar my engineer corps were reported miss ing in action by General Pershing in a dispatch today to the war department. They were missing on November 30, the day of the German turning move ment at Cambrai, and are believed to have fallen into the hands of the Ger mans while fighting valiantly with the engineer contingent which distinguish ed itself helping the British check the attack.
 The missing men are Sergeant Paul M. Swenson, Corporal Frank Upton, Privates Solomon Goldwetter, George H. J. Seaman, Dalton Ranlet, Charles A. Geoghegan, Frank Books, Ulrich N. Nancy, Michael Dina, Peter J. Tingo New York City; Harold T. Andrews, Portland, Me; Alphonse J. McGrath Chestnut Hill, Mass; Myron Van de Mark, New Platz, N. T.; John LaIty Golden Bridge, N. Y.; Luke A. Lovely South Amboy, N. J.; Harry J. Mason Jersey City, N. J., and Herbert F' Ueltz, Newark, N. J.
 General Pershing advised the wal department today that First Lieuten- ant H. c. Boyle, medical officer reserve corps, attached to the British forces was severely wounded in action De. cember z. Boyle's next of kin, Mrs Margaret Boyle, lives at Luzerne, Pa.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Hundreds Of Tons Of Hay Are Destroyed
 In InCendiary Fire

house had stood. The markings of the tires. it is said were remarkably like those of machine supposed to have been used by the parties who recently set fire to stacks of unthreshed beans in the Glendale district.
 With this much revealed the Sheriffs office has undertaken an energetic and systematic search for the perpetrators of this latest act of incendiarism. More and more the conviction is growing in the minds of the officers and the pub lie generally that there is an organized conspiracy to burn fOodstuffs and such other supplies as may ultimately be utilized by the government. The great number of unexplained fires through out Arizona within the past few weeks gives color to this belief
 The suggestion was made last even ing by MT. Young that as it appears there is conspiracy to burn foodstuff and other supplies. every owner of large quantities of hay, cotton or other material which might become food for the incendiary's torch should place armed guards about their property. He was of the opinion that these guards would know what to do if the occasion tive means of reducing not only the losses but the undesira ble element as well. He said that other warehouses in which are stored large quantities of alfalfa belonging to the Hoosier Land and Stock Company would hereafter be adequately protected
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
SHIPS BAND PLAYS
 WHILE WIRELESS
 SENDSPLOT NOTES
[Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

HONOLULU, Dec. 16.-While the ships band was playing lively tunes to drown out all telltale sounds, the wire less apparatus of the German cruiser Geier, at the time she was interned in this harbor, relayed messages between German agents in the United States and Japan in furtherance of a plot to embroil the two cour-ries in war, &C., cording to an article printed in the Star Bulletin here.
 The article, which is published with the authority of the United States naval intelligence bureau, declares that the seal placed on the Geier's wire less by the American government was broken by the Germans in order that the messages might be transmitted. This information was obtained from the diary of Captain Grasshof of that vessel, the article states.
 Grasshofs diary says, according to the article, that in November 1914, and February, 1917, messages ordering the widespread promulgat:on of reports that Japanese forces were to land in Mexico and German forces in Canada were handled by the Geiers wirelss, the operators working night and day in order that there would be no delay in the transmission of these radio grams.
 According to the diary, Count won Bernstorff, former German ambassador to the United States and Captains Boy Ed and von Papen, his principal aides figured prominently in the plot. George Roedill and H. A. Schroeder, former (Continued on Page TWo)
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17

Fire of undoubted incendiary origin early yesterday morning destroyed $40 tons of baled alfalfa together with the warehouse in which it was stored on the Judge Wells ranch. nine miles southwest of this city and two miles east of Laveen. The alfalfa, owned by the Hoosier Land and Stock Co. had been contracted for by the government and delivery was to have begun with in few days. The loss, including that of the destroyed warehouse, will az gregate $20,000. Only a small amount of insurance was carried.
 It was about one o'clock yesterday to be afire. The fire had gained such headway there was no possibility of saving any portion of the hay or the building. The big structure. 160 feet by A feet, constructed of wood and corrugated iron soon crumbled under the intense heat of the burning bales, leaving nothing but mass of twisted scrap iron.
 While the fire was in progress, il- luminating the country for miles around, an investigation was begun by Levi Young of the Hoosier Land and Stock Company. He called upon Sher- if Wilky for assistance, who went to the scene and discovered evidence leading him to believe that three men were implicated in the affair. The tracks of an automobile were found leading into the field where the ware
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
IRepublican A. p. Leased Wirel

CONCORD, N. H., Dec. 16.-Gaston E. Means was acquitted here tooay ol a charge of staying Mrs. Mauoe A. King, the wealthy New York and Chi cago widow. The jury received tne case last night, but after two hours deliberation announced veruicI "ouiu not be returned until today
 Mrs. King was killed at Blackwelder Spring, a lonely spot in the country near here. August 29 last, when WilI Means and a party of friends sne hau stoDped on an automobile drive to nractice shooting. Means and the wonnan were alone at the time, capt w. $. Bingham and Alton Means. a brother of Gaston Means, having walked down the road to shoot at rap bits.
 A coroners inquest accepted the statement of Gaston Means that she shot herself accidentally. It was not until the womans body was taken 10 Chicago for burial that charges or ioui pIay were made There the coroner S physician declared that the wound ID the back of the woman's head could not have been self-inflicted.
 The investigation shifted to New York, where Mrs. King had re- sided for several years, ana where Means had handled her business at- fairs and a search of the apartments there of Mrs. King and her sister, anC MT. and Mrs. Gaston Means disclosed according to New York officials, thai Means had misappropriated the wom- ans money, and also that he was con nected with German agents.
 Mrs. King had inherited approxl' aon nAn frn,,, Hor second huS- band. the late James c. King Of Chi cago. It also was asserted Means wa! preparing to offer for probate an al legged second will of James c. King which would give an additional S2,00O, 900 to Mrs. King.
 At his trial the state contended tha
 Means had footed the woman's fortun and killed her to escape an accounting Means said on the stand also that h. had investigated alleged neutralit, violations for German interests befor
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Statement From Petroqrad

PETROGRAD, Dec. 16.-Announce- ment was made today by the Bolshe- wiki official news agency that Russia and Germany had agreed upon the terms of an armistice.
 Leon TrotZky, the Bolsheviki foreign minister, declared at meeting of the Petrograd council of soldiers and workmen's delegates tonight that for a time break in the armistice negotia- tions seemed imminent because Gen eral Hoffman. the German negotiator. insisted on the right to transfer troops in small units. The German com mander finally accepted the Russian formula.
 "We can't and won't aid militarism in any way NJ. Trotzky said 4This question of transferring troops was most fundamental. I think our for mula is considered by our allies to be satisfactory"
 The Russian delegates constituting the armistice committee at Brest Lit ovsk have advised the Bolsheviki au- thorities at the Smolny Institute that Germans on Friday concerning the transfer of troops. It was to this eff feet:
 Both sides signing this agreement bind themselves until December 30, | 1917 (January F, 1918 new style), not l to carry on operative military trans l fers on the front from the Baltic to the 1 Black sea, except such transfers as were already begun up to the moment 1 of signing this agreement
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Will Cease Operations


 LONDON, Dec. 16.-A Russian gov ernment wireless message received here today says:
 Ensign Krylenko (commander-in- chief of the army, in a proclamation addressed to all the army commands on all the fronts and the military re- volutionary committees, announces that in consequence of the signing of the armistice, which begins December 17. I propose, until receiving the full text of the treaty, to cease all mili- tary operations
 An official Russian statement re- ceived here by wireless from Petro- grad says the following proclamation signed by the commissioners of agri- culture and war and the Bolsheviki premier Lenine, has been addressed to the executive committees of the peas ants deputies and the military coun- cil at the front:
 For the sake of closer unification of all the revolutionary forces of the laboring people. which forces are guarantee for the victorious conclu- sion of the revolution, we propose to all peasant organizations and sections ad to the workmen and soldiers de- puties that they shall interpose no ob- stacles, but shall render every possi- ble aid to the work of developing and strengthening the peasant organiza- tions at the front
 While the Russians were continuing to make progress in the ratification of an armistice arrangement with the Germans, the entente governments ap- parently were approaching an agree | ment for more sympathetic dealings with the Bolshevili government. The | adoption of more tolerant attitude is said to have been urged by the Amer l ican delegates to the recent Paris con- ference, and this viewpoint now appar- ently has been adopted by all. Lord l Northcliffe's weekly dispatch says to- | day:
 The belief here is that the Bolshe- wiki government is likely to remain in power for a long time. The princi- pal aim of the entente henceforth will be to try to assist in every effort to bring Russia relief from an economic 1 collapse"
 Dispatches during the last A hours from Petrograd tell of further efforts by the Bolsheviki to consolidate their government in civil life and with the army, church and the courts and with regard to every communication. The railwaymen's union for the district around Petrograd has voted to recog J nize the authority of the Bolsheviki !, and consented to transport Bolsheviki
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Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
NATURE ASSISTS
 MAN IN DEFENSE
 OF ANCIENT VENICE
Republican A. P. Leased Wirel

ON THE LOWER PIAVE RIVER, NORTHERN ITALY, Saturday, De- cember 15-(By the Associated Press) Countless square miles of desolate marsh land, interspersed by sluggish lagoOns, line after line of stationary batteries of guns of from three to fif- teen inches in calibre and deep muddy trenches filled with men determined that the enemy shall not advance any further-such are the impressive and apparently wei nigh unassailable de- lenses of Venice. Nature has placed a barrier in the path of the invader ap parently more insurmountable even than the mountains across which the enemy has fought his way, and these natural obstacles have been fortified as has no other place in Europe.
 Human ingenuity has outdone itself to provide floating fortresses armed with huge guns which, camouflaged and concealed from spying airplanes, can slip from point to point, never of fering a mark and yet always able to Lombard the enemy as he attempts nightly to build pontOon bridges across the river Piave.
 Skilled engineers have ferreted out every bit of solid mainland in the vast swampy area. north of Venice where batteries have been established. The same engineers have cut away | the dikes that formerly controlled the water to irrigate the fertile Italian plains, creating a vast lake l The inundation has made a thousand peasants homeless, but the lake pre- | sents an almost insurmountable bar J (Continued on Page Two)
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
tRepubIlcan A. p. Leased wIre1

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1s.-Congress turns tomorrow to a cleanup of do- mestic legislation before the Christmas holidays. after which it proposes to devote itself exclusively to war prob lems
 Chief in interest now is the prohi- bition question to be voted on by the house at 5 p. m. tomorrow. Prohibi- ton advocates are confident of ap- proval by the necessary two thirds majority. The resolution was adopted August 1 last by the senate. Action by the states, three-fourths of which must approve before the amendment becomes effective, is required in sever years by the house resolution. and six years under the senate resolution.
 Disposal before the recess of the pro- posed woman suffrage amendment tc the constitution is regarded now a! impossible.
 The senate tomorrow will resums
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
RUSSIA AND TEUT0NS SIGN 'ARMISTlCE EFFECTIVE TODAY AND WILL DISCUSS PEACE
Republican A. p. Leased Wlrel

Republican 4. p. Leased Wlrel
 BERLIN, Dec. 16-Via London An armistice agreement between the Bolsheviki government in Rus sia and the Teutonic allies was signed at Brest Litovsk Saturday, according to an official communi- cation issued today. The armistice becomes effective at noon Monday and is to remain in force until Jan uary IA.
 A provision in the armistice agreement is that peace negotia tions are to begin immediately af- ter the signing of the armistice.
 The text of the communication follows:
 "An armistce agreement was signed at Brest LitoVsk yesterday by pIenipotentiary representatives of the Russian upper army admin istration on the one hand and those of the upper army administration of Germany. Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey on the other.
 Tine armistioe begins at noon December 17 and remains in force until January IA. 1918. Unless seven days notice is given it con tinues in force automatically. 1t extends to all the land, air and naval forces of the common fronts.
 According to clause nine of the treaty, peace negotiations arc to begin immediately after the sign ing of an armistice."
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1e.-lmmedi- ate legislation to bring the crews oi transports, mine layers and other army vessels into the military service, is urgently recommended by Quarter master General Sharpe in his annual report, made public tonight
 The report says the chief difficulty encountered for several years was with the constant changing of crews, as men were drawn away by offers of higher pay in the merchant service, interfer- ing with the speed and precision Of such important duties as harbor min ing and troop movements.
 The generals recommendations fol- low:
 Ut seems absolutely essential:
 "tirst-That the crews shall be or the best type of American citizens
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Congress Turning To
 Domestic Legi SldtiOn

consideration of the Walsh Pittman coal and oil land leasing bill which probably will pass Tuesday
 Investigation by the senate military affairs committee into the war depart ment's operations will be resumed to- morrow, with Major General Crozier, chief of ordnance, again under exam ination.
 Plans to begin inquiry into the navy's war activities will be made tomorrow by the house naval sub committee.
 Investigation of the sugar and fuel shortages will be resumed tomorrow by the senate manufactures sub-commit- tee with Claus Spreckels, of the Federal Sugar Refining company, returning to the stand.
 Further progress in the La Toilette 1 investigation will be. discussed at 8 meeting of the senate privileges and elections committee Thursday. | The Newlands joint congressional committee will resume it's general rail road inquiry tomorrow.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
CrewS Of All Army Graft
 Soon In Military Service

available, who are experienced in the work
 "Second-That the services of such employees cannot be terminated at the will of the employees.
 "Third-That all members of the crew shall be subject to military disci- pline.
 No plan other than an enlisted serv- ice can possibly be suggested under which crews of vessels of the army transport service, the mine planters and the harbor boats can be con trolIed, with fixed rates of pay in diff ferent grades, and it is urgently rccom- mended that in view of the unusual conditions now existing that a law be enacted along the lines heretofore pro posed for the commissioning, warrant ing and enlisting of the crews of the cntier service
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
British Statement

LONDON, Dec. 16.-Reporting oper- ations on the British front in France, the official statement issued today by the British war office says:
 We captured a few prisoners and a machine gun during the night in patrol encounters south of Cambrai. There was nothing further of special interest to report"
 The rerort from Fl~;d Marshal Haig' headquarters tonight says:
 During the night a hostile party at- tackled one of our posts west of Villers Guislain. but was driven off by our forces. Today an enemy bombing at tack northwest of La Vacquerie was repulsed after sharp fighting.
 We improved our vos:tion slightly last night east Of Ovion. An enemy attempt at a raid early this morning south of Amentieres was successful, repulsed.
 The artillery was active on botf sides today on the Scarpe There wal increased hostile activity north O. Langemarclt."
 An official statement bearing on tn, campaign in Palestine says:
 General Allenby reports that or December l5 his left center northeas of Ludd, advanced on mile iron 10 a maximum depth of about one an( One-half miles without meeting mucl opposition. Kibbiah, Khibanne, Khel Bornat and the ridge overlooking E Tireh were occupied.
 our airplanes dropped 56 bombs ol motor boats and sheds and on troop. at the mouth of the Jordan with goot effect, obtaining 24 hits.".
 French Statement
 PARIS, Dec. 1G.-German force last night attacked the French posi- tions north of the Chemin des Danes
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Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
BOAT CAUGHT
 IN SUBMARINE NET
 AND GOES DOWN
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1 ANrIN nnn-

tRepubliean A. p. Leased Wire1
 AN ATLANTIC PORT, Dec. 16. The Maryland pilot boat Pilot, while caught in submarine net off this port, was rammed and sunk by the steamer Berkshire of the Merchants and Miners line. No lives were lost. The Berkshire was only slightly damaged.
 The Pilot was bound to the city early today for coal and supplies and became entanaIed in the sub. marine net in trying to enter the inner hsrbor. The Berkshire, in- bound from sea, in mist, rammed tho Pilot nearly amidships and sent her 10 the bottom in about 60 feet of water. 4 customs launch took off the Pilots crew.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
GudrdHOuseB Burns
 And Three Aero N en Are Crem0ted
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

RSpuDICdn A. Fs ICdSCu fsHS
 HARRISBURG, Pa, Dec. 16.- E. F. Gallagher, Munhall, Pa.; w. J. Kramer, Detroit, Mich, and w. L. Wiley, Rockford, Ill.,, all members of the 18th aero squadron, U. S. A., were burned to death when the guard house at the government aero Ware houses at MiddIetown, near here, was destroyed by fire early to- day.
 The fire was caused, it is be- Iieved, by gas generated by burn ing tar roofing paper which the men, the only inmates of the structure that served as camp prison, were using to heat the stove in the building.
 The men were confined for minor offenses.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
Makes sliaht Advance

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ITAL- IAN ARMY IN NORTHERN ITALY, Saturday Dec. 15.-(By the Associated Press.) After a heavy sacrifice of men and five days of continuous fight ing, the enemy has succeeded in mak ing another slight advance, bringing his position up to Caprille hill, just east of the Brenta river. This repre- sents an advance of about three-quar- ters of mile, it's chief importance be- ing that Caprille is one of the dominat- ing heights at the head of San Lorenzo valley.
 The struggle yesterday and today took on a double aspect, with the Ital- iars attacking on the right of Mount pertica. occupied by the enemy, while the Austrians concentrated their at tacks on the left, around Mount Beret- ta and is neighborng hill, Caprille. Tho Alplni again distinguished them selves in charges up the slopes of Pert lea in an effort to redeem the hill, but while all reports agree that heaps of enemy dead marked the course of the Alpini assaults, they were unable to maintain their position at the summit, exposed 10 the sweep of enemy bat te-ies.
 Austrian attacks on the left were twice repulsed, but late yesterday, with a large addition of fresh troops, the Austrians reached the summit of Cap rille, while the Italian lines were cor respondingly drawn back. Although Caprille is at the head of San Lorenzo valley the passage along this valley is controlled by the heights on both sides held by the Italians.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
May Be Indicted

May DC iHOtCteu
 NEW YORK Dec. 16.-Gaston E. Means, acquitted of the murder of Mrs. Maude A King. faces indictment in this county for forgery and embezzle- ment, District Attorney SWann an nounced tonight
 There is concrete evidence in our hands tending to show that Means forged many documents, on which he obtained large sums of money from Mrs. Kings estate" said MT. Swann.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
ITALIANS. HIN NDER
 ADVANCE
rn.n,lhllcan A. lea,ed Wlrel


 Notwithstanding the terrible losses thev have sustained, the German and Austro- Hungarian armies in the noun tainous region of northern Italy con- tinue their efforts to break the Italian line and open a passageway to the plains below. In France and Belgium there is little military activity except for small engagements by outposts and raiding contingents and artillery duels. Tue nearest approach to attacks in force were made by the Germans Sat irdav night in the Champagne region of France and to the north of the Chemin deg Danes. In both of these tho Germans were worsted by the French. A small British maneuver south of Cambrai resulted in the cap ture of a few German prisoners and a machine gun.
 Between the Brenta and Piave rivers in tho Italian highlands hard fighting continues without cessation. TEe en- cmv to the east of tte Brenta has been able, by throwing huge numbers of men into the fray and seemingly dis regarding the enormous casualties that ars being inflicted upon him, to ad- vance his line to Caprille hill, dominat- ing point at the head of the San To- rcn2o valley, which leads to the Nene- tian plains. Here however, he has been forced to stop under the terrific de- feusc of the Italians, who evidently have massed their forces in order to bar the way to a further advance. In tho valley itself and OF the slopes on either side of it, well tried Alpini regi- ments are stationed Co exact a heavy toll for every inch of ground that is taken from them.
 Prior to gaining the summit of Cap rille the invaders twice were summarily repulsed. but for their final attack they brought up large numbers of fresh endorsements and the valiant defend CTS were compelled to give ground.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
GAST0N MEANS ACQUITTED
 IF MURDER IF MRS. KING

the United States broke relations with Germany, but always was loyal to his country and turned over to officials information he thought of value to this country.
 After the jury had formally pro- nounced the verdict of not guilty, counsel for Means asked the court if it had any other charges against their client. Judge Cline replied there was none and Means was given his free dom.
Arizona republican., 1917-12-17

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