davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
AMERICAN KILLED
Others Probably Perished When
Ships Are Sunk.
Total known Dead s, u. S. Con-
sui in England Reports.

Washington, March 31.-One Amer
ican is known to have been killed, and
others probably persisted. when the
British steamer Crispin was torpedoed
without warning, according to a sec
ond cablegram from Consul Frost at
Queenstown today.
The message read:
"Crispin for Monmouth One
American negro probably named Hol-
iier, was killed by explosion. Total
killed and missing now eight, of whom
some besides Hollier were Americans
Some survivors landed as follows:
Nineteen at Queenstown: seventy at
Authoritarian; two at Dunmore Island
and thirteen are on board an admiral
ty vessel to land at Queenstown to-
morrow evening. 1t now transpires
the ships wireless did nget off signals
using reserve batteries
Explosion Killed Five.
Washington, March 31.-Two Brit
ish steamers, the Snowden Range and
the Booth liner Cryspin both with
Americans aboard of whom a num-
Der are unaccounted for. were report
ed to the state department TODAY as
sunk without warning by a submarine
On the Cryspin the torpedo which
struck the engine room killed five
men, two of whom are believed to
have been Americans.
Consul Frost at Queenstown report
ing the loss of the freight liner Crys-
pin. says:
"Cryspin. 2.4s3 tons. Newport News
TO Liverpool. SIS horses, torpedoed
without warning fourteen miles off
Hook Head, 7:15 p. m, 18th.
''Sixty-eight out of ships compile
meat of 112 were Americans Two
boats missing, not improbable lost.
Ship Armed With Cannon.
Torpedo struck engine room star
board side, explosion killing five men.
of whom two believed Americans
Submarine not seen. but wake of tor
pedo seen by Americans. Vessel car
ried gun and wireless Latter was
wrecked by explosion. Weather mod
crate, wind, overcast sky. very heavy
swells. Vessel sank slowly.
zone boat with nineteen survivors
landed at Queenstown, including cap
tain, chief steward, veterinarian. r.
Continued on Page Two)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
LEST WE FORGET"

The present city commission Investigated of the
$4,000 Yesterday March 80 the city into contract with
the Edison by which the latter this
ens drawing cent interest mo other commission
the ad e Or @ o a
six years., says Mayor House
honestly d t every square sao of of wn d was
Suspicion attached the expenditure single cent
this tremendous
No other administration has equaed the purely
constructive work to the citizens of Topeka
The has secured for the city interest
the cs daily balances against cent paid in former
This made difference of 1910 last monhthe
The administration through Commissioner
made saving to the city OF $4,000 by selling Topeka bonds
as advertised by the man running against Mr. WATSON
Commissioner Neand has secured reduction in water
many mai water supply for
the the white been extended
ability Commissioner parks and public buildings
Of Parks has our for
improvements at nominal have been made by Commits
practically hospital built of
than $4,000 to the taxpayers and converted it into M
being given chance to their health and their
happiness Month in and month out Topeka takes of more
than nall as many tuberculosis paents as the state sanatofu
milk and food for the people of
Topeka than any three previous history
the city,
By appropratng $4,000 of city the commission
the $4,000 will be spent this in providing the
of the East Side with the finest pleasure and recreation
ground in the central West
history Topeka has alime health
time its history it has vel
workers who devote their entire time to the relief of the
the unprotected girls and boys of
the town.
present city proprated $4,000 for public
The station will be built this
present city recovered $4,000 in back tax
of which had
twenty other commission thought of
asking penalties Nine thousand
dollars Of already been paid into the
ury The entire sum be paid within two years.
five blocks without
the city.
take and rebuild the rotten
Sixth street vaduct agree maintain it forever.
brdgesbridges that will
has three
tract or planned for this year.
built the East Side thus
the Side
of dollars.
It isn't what is promised, but what is done.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
KEY men TO QUIT?
Santa Fe Operators Said To Be
Planning WalkOut.
Change in Shifts Not Satisfac-
tory to Photographers.

Reports, circulated on the street to-
day. of a walkout tomorrow by fifteen
or more operators in the Santa F'e
general office telegraph department
because of a local change in shifts
were fatty denied today by officials
of the road, including A w. Sine, as
sistant superintendent of telegraph,
and the manager of telegraph.
Reports were to the effect that
fifteen one-hour split shifts, wherein
operators worked four hours,
took one hour for lunch and
hours, had been changed to four
hour split shifts whereby the men
would work four hours, take four
hours for lunch and then work four
hours. The latter method was used
several years ago. 1t is said the oper-
that two or three have already quit
Sine Denies Rumor.
A W. Sine TO-DAY promptly denied
that any operators have quit He said
he possessed no knowledge of any
others being dissatisfied or quitting,
and assured a reporter that he would
know of it # the report were true.
In the telegraph department it was
found that six LEGAL changes. not so
pronounced as those reported have
been made. Due to increased bust
ness, it was said, three or four one
hour split shifts have, in the last day
or two, been changed to one and a half
hour split shifts and two or three
changed to two and a half hour split
shifts. Officials stoutly contended
their rights to do this and said it prob
ably acted as a base for the reports
in circulation. Fred c. Fox, general
manager, was not in town today and
E. A. Goeldner, his assistant, said he
had no knowledge of changes or un-
rest in the telegraph department.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
MEXICO IS SILENT
Certain CarranZa Intends to Aid
Germany in War.
Silence to Washington Inquiry
Emphasizes Belief.

Washington, March 31.-As the
hour of the apparently inevitable APP
proach of Americas entrance into the
world war draws near. Mexico, even
more than Germany is engaging war
department attention.
Carranza has never disclaimed in
terest in Germany's contemplated al
lance with Mexico. The state de-
partment's specific request for an eX-
preston of MeXico's official attitude
towards Zimmermann's proposal has
been ignored - almost insolently
ignored.
It is accepted as a certainty that
in event of war Germany will renew
her attempts to ally Mexico against
the United States. In the light of this
certainty, the very uncertainty Great
ed by Carranza' s silence is in conse-
quence to be construed as menacing-
No Passive War Spirit.
There is no feeling on the part of
the government that American par
ticipation will be or can be of passive
sort. There is no expectation that
Germany will content herself with
defensive attitude toward the United
States. In consequence, it is assumed
that if hostilities begin it will be inn
possible for this country to maintain
friendly relations with Germany's al
lies, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Officials point out the impossibility
of allowing representatives of Ger
many's allies to remain in Washing
ton with an unhampered view of the
working of this governments ma
chinery.
1t is apparent today that the great
restraining influence which has been
the most important factor in keeping
this country out of the war SO far
the hope that America might be jus
titled in ignoring her personal wrongs
in of oil
to war-stricken Europe-has COM
pletely vanished
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
FIRES AT HOISINGTON
Uptown Property and Yards viadnct
Burn at Same Time.

Hoisington, Kan. March al
Sparks from a Missouri Pacific yard
engine at Hoisington, the main line d.
vision terminal, burned the bridges
carrying the yard tracks over Dry run
at midnight. The yards were put out
Of commission but the main line track
remained clear. In addition five cars
of freight We're burned.
Another fire up town at the same
hour burned two residences and liv-
cry barn, fifteen horses and two cows
stabbed in the latter being burned
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
BIG AUTO PLANT BURNS
Chalmers Motor Company Factory on
Canadian side, Destroyed.

Detroit Mich. March 31.-Ths
Chalmers Motor company's factory in
Ford City. on the Canadian side of the
river, was in ruins today as the result
of a fire starting in the finishing room
last night About forty completed
limousines, in addition to other ma
chimes, were destroyed. The loss 10
estimated at s25o.000.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31

Washington. March 31.-The ex-
port embargo recently placed upon
wheat flour by the Argentine govern
ment was said in dispatches received
here today to have been made neces-
sary by poor crops and the destruc-
ton of grain by locusts. 1t was added
that there was less wheat in Argentina
now than at any time within the past
ten years
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31

TIC Wind uIfnlnlSneu SOmeWhat TINS
morning and was only blowing II
miles an hour at o'clock The tenn
perature averaged Z degrees above
normal.
Showers are at last in sight for this
part of the country. according to the
forecast made this morning by Mr.
Flora. local meteorological The
barometer records a low pressure
which is usually a sure sign of rain
and then, a heavy rain is headed this
Continued on Page Two3
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
TO GET RAIN SUNDAY
MeteoroIogist Flora Says Moisture Is
Headed This Way at Last.

Hourly temperature readings for the
day, reported by the local office of
the United States weather bureau:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31

THIS probably is the last Saturday
you may enjoy in peaceful coun-
try for months to come.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31

WEATHER FORECAST for Kansas:
Unsettled today and Sunday.
Showers and colder Sunday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31

The wind diminished somewhat thi
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
Spain and its Revolution

There is nothing impossible in the
story that King Alphonso XIII looks
tavorably upon the establishment Of a
republic in Spain and that he hopes TO
be elected president. He has been
popular and his views have been liberal
Tor a Burbon. With democracy satur
ating the thought Of the world it is not
incredible that the Spanish king should
be affected by it 1t might not be such
an imprudent course, either. Better
be an active president than deposed
mouarch. There is not even anything
exclusive in being an ex sovereign
any more.
Spain seems 10 be an anachronism
in our century, It's name suggests
medieval conceptions Of government;
and the rights Of conscience. There
have been revolts but the pendulum
has swung 10 extremes. When the un
speakable Green Isabella was expell'
ed in 1868 conditions seemed ripe
for a real republic But Spain had an
archy instead. There have been oscil
lations a plenty since the restoration oI
the Bu,bon dynasty The greatest
hsndicap CT liberalism has been the
excesses Of its visionary leaders. Ye,
Spain, or al least CASTLE, boasted q
democratic government centuries be-
fore the people asserted their rights
elsewhere in Europe. Prescott in hi
Ferdinand and Isabella" showed tina
there was poplar representation il
CASTLE as ea,ly as 1859, nearly cent
Try before the Leicester parliament
There were inequalities in represln
laiion, each city having enc vote re
/ pardlcss Of the number Of its repTescu
; ta,ives bu, the "comm,ns" really con
q iTollcd. The noblss ard clergy sa
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28

to continue their relations at present
existing and which leave them open
10 the suspicion Of aiding and adetting
the German cause in indirect ways.
Evidently a number Of the most saga
ciOus leaders in Mexico have conclud'
ed that it would be better to abandon
neutrality than to try 10 occupy the
false position in which the German in
trigues have placed their country to-
ward the allies.
The present demand, as it is being
voiced and as it was reported in the
Globe Damocrat news Of Wednesday,
looks to a strong formal and official
declaration Of attitude, which would be
in effect, an end OF Mexican neutrality
and declaration Of sympathy with
the entente and the United States.
1t is possible that Mexicans, in addi,
ton 10 their desire 10 escape from the
present predicament, have also desire
to make their country a part OF the
movement among the Latin American
republics in opposition to the antocacy
for which Germany now stands, ant
which, could it succeed, would threat
en- the territorial integrity and perhaps
the independence Of some OF the ma
tions 10 the south. An intention to
identity Mexico with the Pan-Ameri
can movement may be as much tht
the impelling motive Of the new move
ment in Mexico as any wish to escape
attempted German domination OF Mex
can finances and possible German ag
gression in Mexican waters for the pu
pose OF establishing submarine or supp!
bases.
Mexico would be a valuable ally Il
the United States should it abandon
neutrality. It's soil could be used II
contribute enormously 10 the loot
supplies constituting a continuing ueeC
Of the allies in Europe and it is rich 10
resources Of many kinds 10 be useC
to advantage in the prosecution Of tn,
war. Globe Democrat.
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
Control Of Exports.

There is ample warrant for the i'm
mediate exercise OF the powers given
the president by the espionage act to
regulate the export Of articles to neut-
raj ports. The measure prevents any
discrimination among American ports
but it permits the exercise OF discrim'
nation both as to articles, quantities
and privileges Of re'export. The de-
lay OF enactment Of measure provid
ing general control Of foodstufs has
given neutr1l buyers an opportunity TO
buy without restraint while our allies
have RETAINED from making extensive
purchases at the request Of the presi
dent. One Of the chief purposes Of
iorbidding exports, except by holders
Of licenses, is to present necessary
supplies from finding their way from
the United States to the central powers
Though neutral ports. This could, Of
course, be prevented By general EN-
barge but that might involve us in
other difficulties. There are certain
hugs We need from neutral countries
and the embargo is two edged sword
The president has siguified that he
will imnedia,ly name an Exports
Council composed Of Mr.. Hoover and
representatives from the departments
/ Of State, War, Navy and commerce.
rh r. are 50 many complexities involv
ID that SONS such arrangement is nee
essary. Hard and fast rules cannot be
followed except as 10 re export. /; is
presumed that Mr. Hoover will be
specially charged with locking alter
dom site needs since the president has
chosen him lor food administrator
But the representative Of the Safe De
partmenl is TO be chairman and hC
must submit; all measures to the secre
ltary Of state for approval or rejection
This is sign fcant Of the importance o
diplomatic considerations in the con
rol oil exports.
The use cf he regular machinery O
the govetnmer', in so far as possible
will leDd TO both economy and ofIicier
cy. There will, from The very na;ur
IT the diGi;nlt problem, be much CON
plant and many eyD'r'ers will suf-
much less. BIZ; con'T1l or exports
necessary to the rs'ltre Of the cour
! try as a Fhole, no matter what inj jir
it may work 10 a few. --GlUbe Demo
5 crst,
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
New Movement in Mexico.

Reports coming out Of Mexico at
The present jlncture, telling oi a united
movement among nearly all OF the leao
ers CT pub ic oplnion and action there,
towIrd an abandonment Of neutrality,
are No, 10 be too easily discredited
Uud r right conditions the obvious
policy would be a continuing neutral
ty. But conditions, manilestly, are
no, right. & rnan agents in thai
country, and m, re pu,icularl7, it woult
appear, the representatives oI the Ger
man financial interests which have Ions
had footing thsre are making i, diff
cult and EMBARRASSING iOr the Mexicsn
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
Lessons Of Valley FOrga.

It is true, as Speaker Clark comment
ed in his speech at the dedication Of
the memorial arch al Valley Forge, that
time has fulfilled Trevelyan's prediction
that the encampment bade fair to be the
most celebrated in the worlds history.
But its immortality rests on the grounds
that stamp with indelble shame the
petty politicians Of the time. Never
was an army worse neglected than the
troops Of Wdshi pgton at Valley Forge.
although the camp was surrounded by
a land flowing with mix and honey.
An Americans face Aushes with indig
nation even yet as he reads Washing
toms pleas to congress in that dread
winter Of l777 Tgj days before
Christmas thlt uulsss lhs com MS ary
we're quickly improved the army must
inevitably "starve, dissolve or djspe,s1"
The soldiers were fed on fir. cakc ,
made Of dirty, soggy dough warm ID
over smoky fires, and washed down
with polluted water" They were in
adequately clothed, b ilg often SEN
mixed. When they " .d:d trough the
snow they left Trail Of blood from
feet. There was veig little car: OF the
sick, excep glr gi syvil y II;
Moravians at Bethlehem, 'co1cientiou.
objectors who set an example Of human
iiy and patriotism which our blatant pa
ciasis might study TO the prof; Of them
selves and their country. On the Is
ol February ouly 50l2 out Of the II
900 were 6t for any kind Of duty ant
4,000 were practically naked.
Yet Congress, with some Of l:,dini
spirits at the beginning Of the Wal, in
cluding Thomas ef.rson, had deserte'
and was doing nothing. 1t was diff
cult to m,intain a qu1rJn The in
famous CONWAY cabal against W ,shing
ton was al It's cr"st and III d fec;jo'
was permeating all ssclijus, lnl renc
ing many Of the l,r;mns' p1li i:al lie I'd
ers.
Nothing but the sup:thInl1
courage, ftnnesS and ability Ol WISH
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
Expert Tells How to Combat Flies.

The fly season is with US once ag
ain. Fly swatting has already begun
in this section OF the country, and
would be more under way except for
the cold and damp spring which pre-
vailed in our state" Dr.. M. P. Raven
el Of the department Of preventative
medicine Of the University Of Missouri
says.
Remember that insects carry dis
eases and that one Of the worst is the
so called house fly, which many peo
Bile think should be renamed the typ
hold fly. The fly ia scavanger. 1t
began its life in filth, and throughout
its existence is constantly feeding on
filth. Unfortunately, it is not selective
and after feeding in a spiltoon or garb'
age barrell will make its nexa meal in
the dining room Or on the baby's bot
tie or lips. It's body is covered with
hairs, its feet end in claws, and if ex'
amined under the magniIying glass it
appears ideally formed for pick up and
carry filth.
The true way Of approaching the
fly ndssnce is to prevent breeding
DR.. RaveneI says. Flies breed BY pref
erence in horse manure. This material
should then be the first object OF our
care. Within few minutes after the
dropping OF the minure flies will de-
posit their eggs in it. II it is dried
rapidly or buried deeply as ferterlizer
the Matching Of the eggs is prevented,
This is often not possible. Various at
tempts have been made 10 discover a
cheap and efficient way OF treating man
ure SO as 10 prevent the Matching Of
eggs. One Of the best methods is set
forth by the u, S. Department Of Agri,
culture which consists in sprinkling the
manure with powdered hellebore.
For household use, the fly poisons
are 10 be recommended. The two
best OF these are tormaldehyde and sal
icylate Of soda, either one Of which car
be used in per cent solution. For
household use the salicylate Of soda
the medicine largely used in rheumatism
can be used by dissolving three tea
spoonluls in pint OF water. This il
speedily fatal to the flies and is not
poisonous to children or animals. Be
sides it is more attractive to flies il I
little sugar is added"
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28

iDgton and the unaccountable lethargy
OF the British who were gormandizing
in Philadelphia, saved the patriotic
cause. A detailed review Of congress
sional neglec; OF the patriot army dur
ing that terrible winter might have a
splendid effect on the presen, Congress
in spuuing it on to preparation for the
future care OF our great army. Globe
Democrat.
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28
The German DfOuth.

Out Of mass Of conflicting reports,
presisting many many months, it can
be gathered that the German crops,
while they may not be total failures,
will fall far short Of the beleagered peo-
pie. The Ribe Stiitstidende, Dutch
newspaper published in Amsterdam,
and which has long peen unusually in
formed as to German affairs and condit
ions, says that an unprecedently long
drouth in Germany is not only con,inu
ing but is growing worse. The drouth
has ruined the grass and greatly reduc'
ed the possible yield Of grains and vege
tables, This would be the case under
normal conditions, but how abnormal
are conditions in German farming at
present the Amsterdam newspaper
makes It very plain.
Practically all the farming being
done in Germany this year is by women
war prisoners and youths below and old
men above military age. Deep plow-
iog cannot be done by such tillers Of
soil, and the shallow blowing which has
has been done would yield but dissap
pointing results even in an average year
with the soil in good condition, To
make matters much worse, it is impos'
sible to get commercial iertilizars owing
partly to the blockade and partly TO
the demands made by the war upon
chemicals entering into Iertllzing com
positions, Natural fertilizers are great
ly reduced in strength, due 10 the fail
ure Of grass, the impovershment Of
cattle and their improper care and iced
ing. The sowing was late and poorly
done, ewing 10 the inexperience oI
those who did it. That farming is S
skilled craft as much as any trade in
which long apprenticeship must be
served never had a clearer illustration
than it has had since the skilled farm
ers OF Germany were baIled from the
! fields OF peace to the fields Of war. No
/ country however efficient it may be n
times OF peace, can remain efficient BY
sending its Efficient men away from the
occupations where their efficiency car
count the most,
With millions OF soldiers 10 feed who
are nonproducers but must be main
tanned in high state Of efficiency ioi
the hard work they are doing, even q
great shortening Of the average crop is
serious matter in Germany. The
German drouth may end the war soon
er than wiseacres anticipate. Globe
Democrat.
The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-28

royal expenses fixed the succession
and had more power than the English
House Of Commons eyuI exercised un-
I'll 4 lev gears ego.
There are many discor1ant clamcn;5
in Spain and il is hard to conceive
how the radicals auf clcricals could
Dwell together in unity. But these