davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
DYING FOR ONES COUNTRY
"Death Never Comes Too Soon, If
Necessary in Defense of Our
Country."-Story.

It was Nathan Hale who said, II
regret that l have but one life to lose
for my country" And it is Horace
that makes one Of his heroes say: ct
is sweet and glorious to die for ones
country" There have been many and
striking illustrations of this in our
country's history. It is said that the
untimely fate of Col. Owen Roberts,
who fell at Stone, was cause Of uni
VerSa1 regret. He was an inf1exible
patriot, an excellent disciplinarian,
and enthusiast in pursuit of military
fame. His son, who was in the ac-
ton, hearing of his misfortune,
hastened to him. The expiring vet
eran perceiving in his countenance the
hveliest sorrow, addressed him with
great compOsure: 81 rejoice, my boy,
once again to see and to embrace you.
Receive this sword, which has never
been furnished by dishonor, and let it
not be inactive while the liberty of
our country is endangered Take my
last adieu, accept my blessings, and re-
turn to your duty"
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

Washington, April 2o.-Anerica will
be represented almost Immediately in
the field against Germany by colored
regiment, or at least, by company,
if George Washington, negro doo@keep-
er at the gates Of the U. S. consulate
has his way. Washington asked Con
sui General Skinner for permission to
start recruiting body Of American
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

TO De SnOL Tor
sleeping at his
post of duty. In
some way word of
t b e approaching
execution came to
the attention of
President Lincoln,
and after writing
out a reprieve he
called his car
riage and started
out to see that
the reprieve did
not fail to reach
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
The SWORD OF WASHINGTON

The sword Of Washington The
star q Franklin. Oh, sir, what ;isso-
cations are linked with these names
Observation-Disclosures sword. as nv
friend has said, was never drawn but
IN the cause Of his country. and never
sheathed when welded in his coun-
fry's cause. Franklin-the philoso~
Dher Of the thunderbolt, the printing
press, and the pillow share.-John
Quincy Adams
< <
TO be prepared for war is one of
the most efectual means of preserv-
ing Washington.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
< < <
A WORTHY CITIZENSHIP

It Is the Hope of the Matchmaker
Welfare Is Our First Concern.
r. A great nation is made only by
w. worthy citizens-C. D. Warner.
Z K <
National enthusiasm is the great
nursery of genius.-Tuckerman.
< Z Z
Our country's welfare is our first
concern, and who promotes that best,
best proves his duty.-Harvard.
* < *
Wiener our country calls, friends,
sons and sires should yield their treas
ures up, nor own a sense beyond the
public safety.-Brooks.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

negro fighters today. sk;or
clined to favor the plan Is in
Washington was member o.
ment during the Spanish Any, '. req
and says he can recrn;4 !, III Var
pany OF colored warriors here. 90 CON,
Break your cold or I-aGrIpo1~ -
a few doses of 666. rye WITH
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
Not
Afraid toDie
1t is sweet and glorious to die
for ones Horace.

It is related that private in the
army Of the Potomac was sentenced
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
The bloody encounter at Lexington
in 1775 fired the blood of the patriots

and hIIed them
with burning de
sire to do some
heroic deed in de
tense of the col
ME S. W ORC
re &C h e d Col
Ethan Allen to
raise the Green
M o u n t a i n
boys and if posi-
BILE surprise and
take the fortress
Of Ticonderoga
Eager for such
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

Sail on, o ship of state;
Sail on, o Union, strong and great.
Humanity, with all its fears,
With all it's hopes of future years.
Is hanging GREATNESS on thy fate.
Sail on, nor far to breast the sea.
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee
Our hearts, our hopes. our prayers, ou1
tears,
Our faith triumphant Ger our fears,
Are all with thee, are all with thee.
IT fo11
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
Get FIRM FOOTING
Extremists Fail to SWerye New
Russian Govt.
Stand Pat Against Patched Up
Peace Treaty.

The Hague, April international
Socialist circles are gratified at the
latest news from Russia, according to
which the new regime is becoming
firmly established, with the power of
the Socialist extremists very small
compared to that of those who favor
a lasting rather than a patched up
peace. A reserved attitude is adopted
in regard to the expected fruits of the
conference which it was decided to
call at Stockholm but the interna-
tional Socialists are keenly anxious to
miss no chance to make their influ-
ence felt in the eventual reorganiza-
ton of Europe.
No program has been drawn up for
the conference but sharp conflict of
opinion is likely to develop. The
Dutch delegates themselves are divide
ed between the standpoint of the Rus
sian Minister of Justice NJ. Kerensky,
and President Wilson's peace program.
In the meanwhile, pacifist circles at
The Hague are active and a>meeting
of the big anti-war council has been
called for tomorrow to consider among
other things the possible dispatch of
Populations to the capitals of the CEN
trail powers. The Dutch pacifists are
apparently inclined to urge that the
central powers make clear that they
are aiming at peace with the entire
entente, rather than a separate peace
with Russia. They are also agreed
that the central powers should publish
their terms
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
First Day Carries French Thru
Lines Two Miles.
Infantry Charge Follows Dew
astating Artillery Fire.
10000 PRISONERS IN A DAY
Germans Throw go Divisions
Into HOmeric Combat.
French Seize StrOnghOlds Held
Since Marine by Invaders.

Paris, April 1.-THE great offensive
opened by the French along a 25-mlIe
front from Scissors to Rheims is hhe-
" to extend still further tomorrow or
the day after. The tremendous as
sault on the German line long had
been carefully planned and for a
month past, French artillery had peeh
pounding the enemy's position.
The Germans are well aware OF What
is coming as they showed by num-
Der of furious attacks, made notably
at Sapigeul and Godat farm and made
with the object of finding out some
thing definite in regard to the EnSlsh
prepa ration. The invaders had mann
ed naturally formidable position with
electives amounting to at least 20 dl-
visions and an enormous NUMBER OF
guns, we'll supplied with munitions.
The battle opened on the left OF the
line where, shortly after s o'clock in
the morning, the French swept for
ward in an irresistible wave. In spite
of a stiff resistance, the Germans were
driven back and inside of half an hour
hundreds Of prisoners began stream
ing toward the French rear The
struggle was hottest east of Loivre, as
we'll as in the whole sector of Berry
Au-Bac and to the east of Craonnelle-
But the French heavy shells were too
much for the Germans, and, before
noon, the whole first line was won.
Fighting Was Terrible.
On the right, the ACTION began a
little later in the morning. The
French met with a very determined
resistance and the fighting was ter
rible. After several hours of HOmeric
struggle, the French infantry, thanks
to the support % several hundred
heavy quick firing guns, forced their
way into the enemy's first line. 1t
was . fine success, as the terrain was
most difficult and the positions for
midable.
The Germans counter attacked in
the afternoon with extreme violence
almost everywhere along the front
The majority of their reserves were
engaged south and east of the Bri-
mont ridge. IT is from the Brimont
fort built on a crest which dominates
Ill the plain around, that the Ger
mans have bombarded the city OF
Rheims. The French troops are now
very close to this ridge which is likely
to play a prominent part in the com
ing fighting.
In capturing Louvre, they have
drawn nearer to Bremericourt and
have gone Tar beyond the famous posi-
ton which they lost in the first weeks
OF the war and failed to win back al
the battle of the Marine.
and Trenches in Single Battle Line
The Gel mans, according to the lat
est news reaching Paris, are bonn
harding the trenches furiously, coun-
ter attack after counter attack having
been delivered far into the night
The struggle is particularly furious
near Craonnelle but the French sc
far have held their gains.
The French advance averages il
depth from two to two and a hall
miles beyond the German first posi-.
ton which is composed of lines OF
five and six trenches. one behind an.
other. The first day of the new of
2ensive netted the French 10000
prisoners.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
FEAR REVOLT TI0N
General Strike in Berlin Due to
Scarcity of Bread.
Caution Socialists Against Vain
Hope to Emulate Russia.

Amsterdam, April 17.-Berlin's gen.
eral strike is Gripping the output of
metal and tying up transport facili-
ties, according to dispatches received
here. Details are meager.. there was
no confirmation of one report of dis
orders in the German capital. The
general strike had long been expect
ed, the radical Socialists having an
nounced it as a protest against the IS
per cent cut in the bread ration put
into effect Sunday.
Semi-official dispatches, however,
insisted that the strike had affected
very few industries and that it was
without general public support. In
Socialist organ Vorwaerts, received to-
day, contained this editorial:
internal disturbances in Germany
at this moment would be calculated
deeply to disturb Socialistic peace
work. The vain hope that Germany
in few months might see occur,
rences similar to those in Russia,
might again postpone the end of the
war. which now seems so near and
again cost hundreds OF thousands of
lives on the battle field.
Whoever has reason or conscience,
therefore, will especially ask what will
be the effect of what he does or fails
to do today"
Weather Prevented Paraces.
Berlin, April IA day of appre-
without alarming events. The threat
ened strike, because of a reduction in
the weekly bread ration, materialized
in only part of the larger factories
and did not affect transportation OF
public utilities. The strike leaders
had planned an elaborate system Of
street demonstrations which were to
unite in an outdoor assemblage, but
Indictment weather kept down en-
thusiasm.
Some of the factories affected an
nounced last night that the men
would resume work today. Meet
ings will be held to consider the strik-
ers' future course.
The streets were quiet last night
but the police were still on guard. The
government authorities declared they
would make no effort to interfere with
the strikers, because they were only
registering disapproval of the new
| food regulations and were expected i
resume work everywhere before the
end of the week.
Christian Unions" Didn't Strike.
The strikes were limited to factories
manned by unions belonging to the
| Standardization branch of tn;
Social democracy. The ScheidemanT
group was not striking The Vor-
waerts, the organ of the Scheidmanr
| Socialists, printed warning agains
striking for fear that the latter would
] interfere with eIIorIS 10 OBTAIN [
separate, peace with Russia. Their.
were no strikes in factories employ
ing the so-called Christian unions
The workers appeared in all the
factories as usual this morning, bu
an hour later those who had agreed il
strike walked out Apparently ther'
was an agreement to march thru tht
! Inter den/ Linden to Charlottenburg
The police, however, prevented tn,
paraders from entering Inter don Lin
den and most of the Friedrichstrasst
and stopped the different parade
from uniting. Police Officials said las
night the trouble was over
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
WARS FIRST SHOT


Continued from Page One)
ity that German U-boats may have
bases on this side of the Atlantic is
again revived. The raid of the U-53
and the two trips of the Deutschland
demonstrated that it was possible for
the German submarines to escape
the British cordons in the North sea
and make their way to America.
Whether a submersible could make
such trip and return without hav
ing a supply base somewhere on this
side of the Atlantic is gravely doubt
ed. Many officials here always have
believed that the U-53 had a mother
ship somewhere down on the hori-
son. The possibility that merchant
submarines of the Deutschland type
now converted to carriers of fuel oil
and supplies, might accompany flo
tillas of the war boats on their trans
Atlantic raids is recognized as being
ever present. The possibility of bases
having been planted by the German
raiders recently at large in the South
Atlantic is one of the foremost prob
lens. 1t even has been suspected that
parts of submarines had been shipped
to Mexico and assembled there, but
| by. many well informed officials that
| is doubted. The possibility of a Ger
man submarine base in the Gulf of
| Mexico, however has long been recog-
niZed and many officials have been
! convinced that when the raiding be-
| gan-aS they were sure it would soon
after the declaration of war-the raid
ers would come from that quarter.
U-Boats 5000 Miles From Home.
There also have been many reports
! of secret German bases established on
the rocky and inaccessible coasts of
Maine and northern Canada from
which German U7boats could be sup
piled to raid the train of troops and
supplies going from Canada to the
continent. In2smuch as there has
been no evidence of the use of such
bases in more than two years of war,
it is considered unlikely that even if
they exist they can now be brought
! into use in Germany's warfare against
the United States.
The navy has taken all the measures
it'.now has at hand against the sub
marinc menace and is taking more as
! they become available. Navy Off
GERS recognize the danger of subma%
rine operations off American coasts
but are confident of the navy's abil-
ity to deal with them so far as is pos
sible at this time. Expert opinion is
that some shipping is bound to be lost
if the raiding is extensive, but that
submarines operating 5000 miles
away from home have most of the
disadvantages to contend with.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

Washington, April 17.-America's
part in the big push" which is hurl-
ing German troops back from their
long established lines in France, keep
ing Teutonic commerce off the seas
and arraying the republics of the
world against the kaiser, will be UNI
der discussion here within the next
twenty-four hours.
Food and fighting forces are yet
really to be modified. but all efforts
are being directed toward a single
goal.
Chicago packers have offered to turn
their vast meat industry over to the
government and permit the fixing OF
prices.
]. ogden Armour today suggested
one meatless day a week as a means
of conserving Americas food supply
Commission to Arrive.
The arrival of the British and
French waf commissions here is anti
cipated today or tomorrow. Meantime
the senate is expected to pass the wal
bond bill. making available a gigan-
tic loan to the allies, as well as pro-
viding for Americas financing the
war against Germany.
The high commissions of both Eng
land and France will be housed in two
mansions in the most select part OF
Washington. Special care has been
taken to guard the commissioners. IT
some quarters it was suggested tina:
placing them in private houses was
due to a desire to shield them both
from the curious and from possible
cranks. Special police will be assigned
to see that they are not molested.
Can Overcome Opposition?
In congress sentiment on test votes
in the house military committee shows
a majority favoring a stronger provi-
sion for volunteering than the admin
istration army dill already provides
Opposition to the universal service
idea, however, will be overcome, &C
cording to confident predictions Of
close congress observers.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
RAINS IN KANSAS


considerable consequence at Marion.
Four feet OF water stood in that roads
depot there. Rock Island train No
"a, due here at 4:05 o'clock this
morning, was annulled. No. 80, due
here at $50 o'clock, did not reach
Topeka until nearly noon. The Rock
Island reported soaking rains from
Kansas City to Caldwell, Belleville
and Herington. Territory covered by
the st. Joseph line was also soaked
heavily
The Santa Fe reported trouble in
the form of a washout at Neva on the
Strong City line. A bridge over Dia-
mond creek went out, disarranging
schedules considerably.
Brakeman Washed Away
o. o. Lundy, a brakeman on train
No. 80, was known to have been on
the structure at the time it went out
and after the bridge left its abutments
he could not be found. Employees of
the road supposed he had been drown
ed and spent all night looking for his
body. Shortly after sunrise this morn
ing he was found at a farmhouse
four miles down the stream, none the
worse for wear with the exception of
having experienced a plunge into the
cold torrent. Lundy was walking
track when the accident occurred.
The Union Pacific today reported
heavy rains between Kansas City and
Salina. West of Salina, officials of
the road said. the precipitation was
scattered or light.
Considerable trouble due to high
water was being experienced today by
the Santa Fe between Neva and Bur
dick. More tracks than was thought
at first were washed out and inter-
rupted telegraph service added COM
pications.
Train schedules other than those
of the Rock Island trains mentioned
NWrra Il HI
small washouts and soft track, rail-
road officials said.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
SMASH AT FIVE KEY-POINTS.
Success of AngIo-French Drive Ex-
coed EOndeSt Hope.

coed EOndeSt Hope.
London, April 17.-F'ive key-points
to the much-vaunted Hindenburg line
were struck at so savagely by the
great Franco British drive today that
their continuation in the enemy's
hands much longer seems impossible.
OF the five, Lens, La Fere and st.
Quentin may fall to the allied on
slaught at almost any hour. Cambria
and Loan are less closely enveloped,
but the menace of the drive was none
the less potent.
General Haig's report today told of
another successful thrust to the south
of Cambria, around Epehy aimed at
LIE Catelet eleven miles south of Cam
brai.
Paris official statement more than
confirmed the most sanguine hopes of
success in the joint offensive enter
tanned here.
General Nive1le reported a desperate
German attempt at Allies to stem the
French forward rush at Laon. Allies
lies just seven miles to the south of
Laon. The counter attack swas re-
pulsed by the French.
Again, General Nivelle's forces
withstood another powerful German
counter attack at Courcy. four miles
north of Rheims. 1t is in these two
sections. apparently, that the French
wedge has been thrust farthest for
ward against the German lines.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
AUSTRIA WANTS
Continued from Page one.)


months imprisonment and a fine of
10000 crowns had a salutary effect.
however, and other similar cases are
now pending before the courts. The
fact that large number of the men
accused of being interested in food
speculation are Jews has created a
rather strong sentiment against that
race, which in turn has led the Jews
to assert that the proceedings against
them are fostered by anti-Semitism.
The efforts of the government to
punish those who have driven up food
prices has resulted in a demand for
investigation of the affairs of the aris-
tocracy landed class. which is charged
with having availed itself of oppor-
tunities created by the war to profit
financially. Some of the charges APP
pear to be well founded. Emperor
Charles is said to be taking a personal
interest in this affair The young en-
peror also takes the greatest interest
in agriculture and realized, it is said,
that not the soil or weather condi-
tions are responsible for the short
crops but lack of labor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
KAISER'S TERMS
Germany to Outline Peace Pro-
pOsal to Neutrals.
Won Bernstorff to Pilot Move
in Scandinavia.
nv WILLIAM G. SHEPHERD.


Christiania, April 17.-Germany is
shortly to issue TO neutrals statement
of the terms on which she considers
peace negotiable, accordlns 10 FuHiofs
in diplomatic circles today
The reports came from sources
known to be closely identified with
the German officials plans.
Those closest in touch with the Ger
man movement here had not heard
any details of what Germany proposes
to offer. They did not believe, how
ever that there would be many con-
cessions from the unofficial, but high
Nv inspired, outlines of Germanys de-
rnands given out both at Washington
and in Germany at the time OF Yon
Bethmann- Hollwegs famous peace
tender last December.
Aimed Primarily at Russia.
Scandinavia is the center of Ger
many's peace efforts aimed at Russia.
That the Teutonic officials are bend
ing every effort to realization of their
hope of separate peace with the new
provisional government at Petrograd
is apparent in every quarter here.
American diplomatic officials have
been formally advised that the Ger
man government is behind the pseudo
Socialist movement for peace. 1t was
the German government that aspir-
antly started the Socialist, propaganda
work and it was the German govern
ment that pushed it by active support.
Count Won Bernstorff prime apostle
of peace propaganda work, has been
selected as German ambassador to
Sweden. purely in line with this Rus
sian effort. Meanwhile German prop
agandists of lesser caliber spread re-
ports Germanys desire for peace
carefully avoiding, however, any
statement of terms.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

ried out at less cost than might have
been expected.
The weak point of the~German line
is from Craonne to Rheims, where
the ground is more level Here the
attack made more progress and the
danger of a rupture of the line be-
came so imminent that the Germans
threw in all available reserves. The
reserves were smashed by the French
artillery which kept close behind the
infantry The result of today's opera
tions is that the great western battle
has now joined along a front of nearly
ITO miles, more than one-third of the
line from Switzerland to the sea.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17

Minneapolis wheat stocks have decreased
10000 bushels the past two days.
Worlds shipments of oats last week
were 2,S09, 900 bushels, including 2,424000
bushels from America.
Worlds shipments of corn last week
were 3040.00O bushels, compared with .
BOG. 600 bushels in the previous week and
1,S63. 600 bushels a year ago. America ship
ped $50, coo bushels
Exports from the United States and Can
ada yesterday were $4,000 bushels of
wheat 10000 barrels of flour. 800. 900 bush
els of corn. $4,000 bushels of oats; wheat
and flour combined, 656,0O0 bushels.
The visible supply OF wheat, as reported
by the Chicago Board of Trade, decreased
:. 221 900 bushels last week and now
amounts to 81 253 900 bushels: corn de-
creased 10000 bushels, total 10 $50 0Ot
bushels: oats decreased /, 521. 900 bushels
total 81 lat 600 bushels.
1. Worlds shipments of wheat last week
as reported at Liverpool. were 5.4s1 .00(
bushels, compared with 5.507 600 bushel:
in the previous week and 13.09200 bush
els year ago. Shipments from Americs
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-17
PATRIOT--NOT PAClFIST
Senator Stones His Godfather, but He
Enlists in First Call.

San Diego, Cal, April 17.-John ].
O'Brien, god-son of Senator Stone, OF
Missouri. head of the senate foreign
relations committee and one of the
''willful twelve is not pacifist.
He enlisted in the United States
marine corps here and left today for
the training school at San Francisco
O'Brien, whose home is in st. Louis.
has been stopping at the U. S. Grant
hotel a member of a motoring party.
When the call to the colors came he
failed to emulate the peace tactics OF
his godfather. enlisting instead in
"the first line of defense"