The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-03-22
BIG NEWS FEATURES.

BIG NEWS FEATURES.
Since this time last week many
news items of international import
arce have been featured by the daily
newspapers of the country.
The big railroad strike, scheduled
to become effective last Saturday,
has been averted. The railroads have
acauiesced to the demands of their
employees, thus making effective the
eight-hour day, and, in addition to
this, the Supreme Court of the
United States has declared the Adam
son Act constitutional. 1t may be
said to the credit of the employers
that their action was in advance of
the findings Of the court. This pat
ri7tic act on the part of the railroad
officials will not be soon forgotten
by the American people. To have
had all means of transcontinental
transportation tied up at this time
would indeed have been national
calamity.
Three vessels of American registry
were sunk off the coast of the Brit
ISL Isles Sunday by German subma-
rines. They were the steamships
City of Memphis, the Vigilancia and
Illinois. The Vigilancia was tor
pedoed without warning. Several
Americans were on board these
steamers and it is said the lives lost
will run the total of those due to
German submarine activities up to
fully 200.
The sinking Of the three vessels
above reported has prompted Pres
ident Wilson to call Congress to con-
vene in extra session at noon Monday,
April I'd. 1t is thought Congress will
at once officially announce that a
state of war exists between the
United States and Germany.
The preparations for arming
American merchant vessels, the con-
atruction of more submarines, the
building of large standardized
fleet of small wooden cargo steamers
to carry supplies through the sub
marine zone, the mobilization of the
Army and the recruiting Of the Navy
nre measures that are being fastened.
Leaders in the Senate hold the view
that not less than $50O,000,00o
should be granted at once in case war
is declared, and a dispatch Of yester-
day to the press, emanating from
Washington. asvs: "Henry Ford has
offered, and the Government has ac-
copied, his automobile plant to be
operated without profit in the event
of war. Charles N. Schwab has an
nounced that his Bethlehem plant,
now greater than Krupp's, will be
used entirely for the Government.
The U. S. Steel Corporation and a
hundred other great organizations
have been making plans for their par
ticipation. Yesterday the great cop
per interests notified the Government
that they would supply the Army and
Navy with their vital supplies of cop
per at about half the market price,
Russia has experienced three-day
revolution aud Emperor Nicholas has
abdicated. Grand Duke Michae'
Alcxandrovitch, the Cars youngest
brother, who was named as regent
has also since abdicated. The GA,
and the Empress, who is sister Of
the German Kaiser. are now said t.
be in prison. Thus has the Romanoft
dynasty been brought to an end
The government. pending a meeting
of the constitutional assembly, i.
the Duma, and the newly chosen
council of ministers.
The Central Powers are just nov
suffering reneated defeats and ar,
in hasty and disordered retreat on tn
western front and the Turks are be
ing routed by the Russians, who yes
terday penetrated the Ottoman EN-
p;re. The French have recovered 10'
villages and have reclaimed two pro
vinces which were dominated by tn
Germans. The English are said t,
be sweeping everything before them
and for the first time since the be
rinnin- of the war are bringing int
play their cavalry forces in their rur
suit Of the Germans. It is describe
that the retreatinr troops wer
sabered ard lanced and trample
under the boots Of the horses. ],
this drive by the English thousand
Of the Germans have becn takel
prisoners and their artillery an
nu- itions captured.
Also. it has been pointed out tina
the submarine warfare of the Ger
mans, in which they continue
place great store, is not proving S
effective. While it is still bein'
waged. it is now of more frequen
occurrence for vessels to he unsuc
cessfullv attacked From Februar
LIST to March 14th the losses of Brit
ish shins were approximately seventy
eight. which leaves the British mer
camille marine with 1853 ships 0
1900 tons and overland this afte
six weeks of German submarine war
fare
Slowly but surely the tide ha
turned. Germany, cut off from out
sido communication, is not only SUI
fcring from lack of food. but is i
reed of munitions Of war. clothing
and fuel. The strain tightens, an
the events Of the day would seer
to irdicate her inrlnrinus defeat