davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
WAR SUM MARY.

Desperate resistance Is being made
by the Germans to the slashing attack
of the French upon the defenses of st.
Juentin. Heavy counter attacks are re-
ported, but Paris declares that General
Nivelle's troops have held all the
ground won.
Apparently this means that the Ger
mans lost the strong key position at
Essigny, four and one-half miles south
west of ST. Quentin, which Is essential
to the protection Of St Quentin on the
south. Military critics have pointed to
the probability Of the German wing in
this sector being forced back to the
Disc if this position, which the French
captured yesterday, was not regained
by the Germans.
In view Of the verified reports from
Petrograd that the Germans have been
concentrating heavily for drive to-
wards Petrograd. interest attaches to
the announcement by the Russian war
office today of German attack on the
Russian line below Dvinsk
The Russians are continuing their
successes against the Turks in the
campaign waged Jointly by Russian
and British forces to the north and
northeast of Bagdad. Apparently the
intention is to drive in behind the
Turks as they retreat before the Brit
ish up the Tigris in the direction OF
Mosul. The Russians. advancing west
ward from Persia. are already in the
Villayet of Mosul, Petrograd states.
Sinking of eighty thousand tons of
additional shipping during the last few
days by submarines is announced by
the German admiralty. The list of YES
sells sent to the bottom includes TWEEN
ty-five steamers, fourteen sailing ves-
sells and thirty-seven trawlers.
Among the steamers listed as des.
troyed is the British hospital ship AS
turias of $4,000 tons and two American
steamers, the Illinois and City of Mem.
phis. previously announced as sunk.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
STUDENTS TO URGE
DISPLAY OF FLAGS

Rock Island. H.. March 26. Next
Wednesday eight hundred students of
the Rock Island high school and Aug
ustana college will unite for parade
through the streets OF the city, at the
termination of which the marchers will
divide into squads for house to house
canvass Of the city to ask every house
holder to display an American flag AZ
his home and to keep the colors un-
furled constantly during the interna.
tional crisis. 1t is said that it will be
the first demonstration of its kind in
the United States.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
LIBERATED FRENCH
PATHETIC FIGURES
PEOPLE IN REcAPTUREp ZONES,
SET UP HOUSEKEEPING AT
RUINED HOMES.
From a staff correspondent of Thu
Associated Press.

From staff correspondent Of The
Associated Press.
British Headquarters in France
| March 25, via London, March 90
| The shattered French towns evacuat
| ed by the Germans celebrated today
their first Sunday or liberty in two
and half years. It was brave show
ing they made. French flags 'futtered
in the sunshine from both ruined and
half ruined homes. Women, old men
and children strolled through the up
town streets dressed in the best
clothes they could muster. The un-
conquerable French genius for dress
revealed itself even in such pathetic
bits of finery as the women could find.
Here and there groups Of the
"poilus" gathered to listen to the
graphic stories of the natives con-
corning their experiences under Ger
man rule. The villagers dwelt par
ticularly on the time Of terror and de-
struction which Immediately preceded
the departure of their enemies.
BY herding the inhabitants Of the
region in certain towns, about half Of
a town was spared to about ten
villages completely destroyed.
Despite the devastation many
Franch peasants returned today to
the sites of their former homes, seek
ing temporary shelters and bringing
bits of furniture with which to begin
life anew. In the distance could be
heard the big guns, but the ceaseless
booming was ignored by the people in
the liberated zone, who seemed to
think that the war must be over.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
STILL HAVE HOPES.
Especial Correspondence.1

Special Correspondence.
Washington, D. c., March 26-Con
gressmen Ramseyer and Hull are
watching the European developments
with some hope that the United States
may yet be saved from entering into
the war They believe that Germany
Is about to see one OF two things-a
very drastic change in her political
structure and international policy
through an orderly change Of minis
try. or still greater change through
revolution. The socialist demonstra-
tions in the reichstas on Saturday
seemed to bear out the opinion that
pressure for reform in Germany, aided
by the hunger OF the people, is becom-
ing too strong to be resisted by the
government.
If Germany should. before congress
gets around to consider a declaration
of war. decide to fire" her kaiser and
to withdraw her submarines and ask
for peace, the Iowa congressman
would be among the first to favor a
delay Of action ar the part of ssi,e Unst:
ed States. #
They are convinced, on the other
hand, that unless the submarine war
fare is called off within the present
week, or unless revolution Is well start
ed in Germany, declaration Of war is
inevitable.
sldetraek Suffrage.
Woman suffrage is to be the basis
for the first election in Russia under
the new regime. the election Of che
members of the constitutional conven-
ton.
In view OF this news from Petro-
grad confirmed by political exiles
here, it is interesting to observe that
the democratic caucus in the senate
has given the Craftsmanship of the
committee on woman suffrage to SEN
ator A. A. Jones Of New Mexico. Sena-
tor Thomas Of Colorado has been chair
man of this committee since it was es-
tabllshed four years ago. Colorado is
a suffrage state. Thomas had ma
tional reputation in democratic poll
tics when Bryan was boy orator In
congress. This committee had pres
tige and it had the vote Of suffrage
state hanging over its chairman's
head
Now the democrats have spent four
anxious years in dodeing q vote on ma
ton wide suffrage. Thomas has grown
gray-or would If he were not bald
in his troubles with. the suffrage dele
cations in the capitol and the suffrage
democrats at home. At last the time
has come to talk Of other things, such
as war. The democrats feel safe in
shelving the suffrage question. So
thew give Thomas a promotion and
they toss the woman suffrage commit
tee over to new and unknown man
from A non-suffrage state, who may do
what be pleases with it. II is under
stood that Jones of New Mexico has
never favored nation wide suffrage and
will conduct his committee according.
ly. Democrats from suffrage states
will be free to speak loudly for the
cause" knowing that Jones sits on
the lid.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
FIRST IOWA CALLED.

| Des Moines, March 26. Every com
pany of the First infantry, Iowa ma
tional guard, today was ordered tc
mobilize at its home station by Guy E
Logan, adjutant general, following the
receipt of word from the war depart
ment to the effect that the guard might
be needed to quell internal disorders in
case of war, and to guard munitions
plants.
In statement made public today
General Logan said, the companies
would be held at their home armories
pending receipt of further orders from
the war department. He said the troops
would not be brought to Des Moines
at once. and added that he believed
there was a possibility that should the
guard be called on for active service,
they might be distributed by compan-
les. 1t was considered unlikely that
the entire first regiment would be sent
to any single point.
The first Iowa infantry comprises
twelve companies of foot soldiers, one
machine gun company, hospital corps
and a band. Following is a list Of the
companies together with the towns
AAohd "hiSu thS1 WciC icSI oitCu.
Company A, Dubuque: B, Waterloo;
C. and D, Cedar Rapids; E. Charles
City; F. Cedar Falls; G. Waterloo; H,
Manchester; I, Burlington; X, Wash.
ington l., Keokuk and NJ. Fairfield
The machine gun company was recruit.
ed at Tipton and the band is from Ced-
ar Rapids. Col John e. BARLEY of Tip
ton is commander of the regiment.
To Hold Men Ready.
At noon Adjutant General Logan is
sued statement which said word had
been received at the state house from
every company commander in the First
regiment that their companies had as
sembled at the home armories and
were ready for orders. The captains
were ordered to hold their men under
arms ready for duty at any time pend.
ing the receipt Of further instructions
from the war department STAFF of.
ficers reported by telegraph to the ad.
jutant general and were ordered to go
to the nearest armory and await in.
structions there. Colonel Barley, com.
mander of the First was expected to
come to Des Moines tonight from his
home at Upton to confer with the ad.
jutant general.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
wEsTERNERs ASSEMBLING.

San Francisco. Cal. March &c. The
national guard in California. Oregon,
Washington. Montana, and Idaho were
being rapidly assembled today in re-
sponse to orders last night from the
war department
Three regiments in California and
one each in the four other states were
embraced in the orders All were be-
ing assembled al their various ar
mories today to await formal mohili.
zation order from Major General ]. f.
Franklin Bell. commanding the ives.
tern department of the army. Only In
fantry organizations are affected.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
NO FEAR oE U. S. A,

London, March 26-The possibility
Of American participation In the war
on the side of the allies was dismissed
as minor matter by General Won
Stein, Prussian minister Of war, in an
1nterview with the Berlin correspond
ent of the Budapest newspaper A Zest
according to Berlin dispatch to Reut.
fer's by way of Amsterdam. General
NON Stein said there could be no ques.
taon OF an American continental army
irt the near future: He added:
"Our military situation on all fronts
isS good and justifies our best hopes.
ut appears that the enemy is prepar-
t1ng an offensive. but we shall resist
e$ven a stronger attack. not only at the
f4ront, but also at home. What may
Happen then we do not know. but come
i)what may we shall confront everything
Our sufferings are
great and our sacrifices gigantic, but it
Is in these things that the greatness
Of nation finds it's expression
In discussing the battle of the
eomme the minister said that the Ger.
mans had no lack Of supplies, but that
ftheir guns, as compared with those OF
the enemy, were insufficient.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
RECRUITING FLoTILLA.

Lake Bluff. Ill, March 26. In addi
tion to the navy's automobile recruit
ing service, motor boat recruiting flo
tilla is being organized by Capt. w. A.
Moffett. commanGant at the Great
Lakes naval training station. TO visit
every port on the great lakes.
The fotilla is to be composed oil
boats owned by volunteers who have
offered their craft to the government
Seven hundred have been offered and
fully four hundred are large enough for
recruiting purposes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
MUST
DISPOSE OF SHIPS

Washington, d. c.. March 26. In
the first case brought under the Pan
anna canal act. requiring railroads to
dispose Of their steamship interests.
the supreme court today decided that
the Lehigh valley railroad must relin.
quish its Great Lakes steamship trans
portation line operating vessels be-
tween Buffalo and Chicago and Mil.
waukee.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
EAsTERNERs MOBILIZE.

New York, March 26 The first and
fifth New Jersey infantry regiments
mobilized today in Newark and Patter.
son respectively. Each is recruited al.
most to full strength.
The seventy-first New York regiment
fell in at its armory today and muster.
ing into the federal service was con.
Quoted by government officer. II viii!
be ready tomorrow to move upon re.
ceipt of orders from Washington.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
TREATIES With
GERMANY MAY
Be ADVOCATED
VIOLATIONS
United States Is Seriously
Considering Status of
Old Agreements
GERMANS SCOFF
AT u. S. TROUBLE

Washington. D. c., March 26.-Ger
] nany's "clear violations" of the
treaties of 1899 and 1928 and her dis
regard Of the canons Of internationa
courtesy" were assigned by the U. 9
as reasons for refusal to reaffirm OF
extend these agreements. The note oi
refusal to Germany was made public
today by the state department and
discloses that this government us
seriously considering whether Ger
many's conduct has not in effect abro
gated these treaties.
This government is seriously con
sidering says the note. whether OF
not the treaty of 1928 and the revised
articles of the treaties of 1875 and
1899 have not been in effect abrogated
by the german governments fragrant
violations of their provisions for II
would be manifestly unjust and in
equitable to require one party to an
agreement to observe it's stipulations
and to permit the other party to dis.
regard them
The note signed by Secretary Ian
sing, after stating the reasons for the
American refusal to accede to Ger
many's request, recalls the sinking OF
the William P. Frye, the sinking with.
out warning of foreign ships carrying
Americans and the declaration of bar.
red zones in support of the govern.
ment's action.
Moreover" it continues, "since the
Eeyerance Of relations between the Unit
ed States and Germany certain Ameri-
can citizens in Germany have been
prevented from removing from the
country. This cannot be taken other
wise than as an indication OF the pur.
\ rose 3 atsI ss,-ls2 government to dis
regard In the event OF war the similar
liberty of action provided for In article
twenty-three of the treaty Of 1899 the
very article which it is now proposed
to interpret and supplement almost
wholly in the interests Of the large
number Of German subjects residing
In the United States.
1t is now proposed by
the German governmentto enlarge the
scope of this article so as to grant the
German subjects and German property
remaining in the United States in time
OF war the same treatment in many
respects as that enjoyed by neutral
subtects and neutral property in the
! United States.'
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
GUARDS WATCH FLOOD,

Des Moines. March 26 Industrial
concerns with plants along the Des
Moines river here, today posted guards
who will be on duty day and night un-
til the river falls to its normal level.
Both the Des Moines and Raccoon riv-
ers were at flood stage today and still
rising. Reports OF minor damage were
received from up river points today.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
MORSE SHIP WARNED.

Washington d. c., March &c. Tor
pedoing of the Norwegian steamer Will
fred, with two Americans aboard, and
the British steamer Charley. with
three Americans, was reported today
to the state department. The Wflfred
was warned. but carried no contraband
or armament
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
MAY SEND MEN TO FRANCE.

4 Washington, D. c., March 26.-Send.
ling of troops to the French front and
aid to France in financing the war are
plans under consideration, It was indi.
Gated today by Secretary Lansing at
conference with members OF the
house foreign relations committee
He made it clear that the plan which
probably will be urged most will be
authorization by congress of a large
bond issue, the proceeds of which
would be devoted to purchase Of
French bonds.
The presidents conclusions were not
made known and 1t was said he had
not determined what to recommend in
his message to congress.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
pEsPoNDENT; KILLS SELF.

Des Moines. March 26. -Despond.
ency on account of Ill health which pre-
vented him from getting work today
caused r. J. Meyers, fortv-five. a coal
miner. TO shoot himself. His wife and
four children witnessed the act. Mey-
ers died instantly.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
WIPES OUT OWN FAMILY.

Redwood Falls. Mimi. March 20
William Kleeman, a young farmer liv-
ing near Clement. killed his wife and
four children with an axe and then
hanged himself The six bodies were
found today.
Kleeman is believed to have brooded
over heavy debts.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
[NTERNED CREWS
ARE SENT INLAND

Philadelphia, Pa. March 26-The
700 members of the crews of the Ger
man auxiliary cruisers Kron Prinz
Wilhelm and Prinz Eitel Friedrich. in
termed at the Philadelphia navy yard
since last October. started today under
a heavy guard of marines for Ft. Ogle-
thorpe and Ft. Mcpherson, Ga, where
they will be kept until further orders
from Washington.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
RIIMoR is sIlIIEp.

London. March 26. --Rumors of the
landing Of Germans in Scotland receiv-
ed their quietus in the house OF COM
mons today when Chancellor Bonar
Law said they probably were due to
the fact that the home defense troops
had been told to be ready for an
emergency.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
H.p. SIMPSON HoNoREp.

Chicago, March rs. H. p. Simpson.
postmaster at Rock Island was chosen
president of the Illinois Postmasters'
association to fill the unexpired term
of the late l.. r. Meek Of Peoria at a
meeting here today of the executive
committee OF the association.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
CHICAGO SEEKS
TO BAR KISSING

Chicago. March 26-"lf kiss is
necessary. kiss through sterilized
gauze," DR.. w o. Nance, chairman OF
the city council committee on health,
advised Chicagoans today. Or. Nance
suggested that Chicago stop its kiss
ing altogether for time as pre-
ventive against streptococcio sore
throat, a few cases of which recently
made appearance here
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
VETERAN MERCHANT DIES.

Dubuque. March 26-Moses Lipp-
man. so, retired merchant. died early
this morning. He was prominent In
Masonic circles. recently celebrating
the fiftieth anniversary of his member
ship in the order.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
GETTING ON war FOOTING.

Washington, d. c., March 26-Re
cruiting officers throughout the coun.
try, under orders from President VII.
son. redoubled today their efforts to
bring the navy up to its full author.
ized strength Of $1,000 enlisted men.
Meantime about twelve regiments of
national guard troops in various states
were reassembling to guard industrial
plants and public property in import
ant districts.
Arrangements also were being made
to create on May two new military
departments on the Atlantic coast.
All three steps were in accordance
with orders issued yesterday by the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27

Night Police Captain Jack Smith was
perhaps fatally injured early this morn
ing, shortly after midnight, when he is
believed to have fallen from the run
| ming board of an automobile, which ha
was using to chase two young men in
stolen car.
Captain Smith received fractured
skull at the base Of the brain behind
the right ear, and lies still unconscious
and in very serious condition, at the
Ottumwa hospital, where he was taken
by Oren Wilson. who was driving the
taxi. One of the men, Dick Walker,
1870 Hayne street, was arrested and
taken to Jail by Mr.. Wilson, and the
other. John Jordan. All South Iowa
avenue, escaped, but was later appre-
hended
Mr.. Wilson's version of the story is
as follows: "E. E. Harkless, driver
for the Benner Tea Co, reported that
his car had been stolen Captain Smith
at once got into communication with
number of surrounding towns, and then
came and got the taxi to search for the
men who had taken the auto Think
ing that East Main street would be
good place to look for the men, we
drove down past Franklin park. While
we were stopped there, we saw another
car coming and when we stopped It,
We found that it contained Mr.. Hark-
less and some other men.
Refuses To Stop Car.
t'Pretlss sos.ff lher auto, going 1T
a pretty stiff gait. came down the
street, and Captain Smith got into the
middle Of the street and flashing his
searchlfght upon the driver. ordered
him to stop, but the man paid no at.
tention and kept on going west. Mr..
Harkless, when he could see the car
plainly enough, said There goes my
car We Immediately gave chase and
at Ash street came up even with them
The man driving the stolen car. sud.
denly stopped, and Captain Smith STEP
ped out on the running board of the
car, and ! also tried to stop. but as 1
was not expecting this sudden move, I
ran little distance beyond the other
car. When l stopped, ] saw that Can
tain Smith was not on the running
board. but I supposed that he had
merely stepped off to go to the other
car. l ran back towards the other
auto. but did not see Mr.. Smith. so
went after Walker stepped UP onto
the running board of the stolen car and
Walker tried to put on the power anl
get away, but pointed gun at him
and he stopped. Mr.. HAIRLESS then
came up in the other car and found
Mr.. Smith lying unconscious in tn.
street. The other occupant of tho
stolen car, escaped.
II Of course had my back to Mr..
Smith. as I was driving and did. not
see him fall off. How it happened
could not say Mr.. Wilson stated.
though. that in his opinion Captain
Smith might have been thrown of by
the sudden stopping of the machine.
THE men in the car with Mr.. Hark-
less picked up Mr.. Smith and / took
Mr. Smith was Immediately
taken to the Ottumwa hospital and l
brought Walker to the Jail"
Walker and Jordan pleaded not
guilty this morning in police court.
Walkers mother gave bonds of $3Oa
for his appearance and the trial was
set for o'clock Tuesday morning.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-27
FRENCH PUSH AHEAD.


Paris, March 26-The battle Of ST
Quentin continues to rage with un
abated fury. The honors of the last
twenty-four hours fighting have been
with the French, who are pushing for
ward in the face of desperate resist
ance by the Germans. The advance is
slow, owing to the character of the
ground.
ST Quentin is protected on the
northwest by the Omignon river which,
although only brook like most of the
Somme tributaries, runs through a
broad valley full of swamps and
clumps of trees which greatly in
creases its defensive value. To the
west the approaches to the city are
over a bare fat plain devoid of any
natural obstacle and with few villages.
Here the French advance is most rap
i'd, but the plain narrows and ends in
a sharp point at ST. Quentin. AT Savy,
the most favorable point, the Germans
have built their main defensive line.
The German right runs from the
Omignon river at Vermand to the Hol-
non wood. The center Is at Savy.
Against these two sections the French
have so far made little headway, but
on the, German left they have carried
the strong key position on the plateau
of Essigny and Benay. This section.
extending from the Somme north Of
Serancourt to the Disc at Vandeuil
runs through gently undulating coun-
try which offers admirable fields Of
fire to the defender.
"The center region is wide hillock
$50 feet high, on which stands the vii
lage of Essigny. 1t is flanked on the
southeast by a similar eminence near
Renay The loss of this strong posi-.
tion. French military critics claim,
would force the whole German wing
back on the Disc, expose ST. Quentin
to the south and imperil the rest of
the line as far as the Omignon. 1t is
considered certain, therefore, that the
Germans will make determined efforts
to retr!eie theic fai.are here.
The French also made an impression
Sunday ion the bulge in their line form.
ed by the lower Coucy forest. Troops
which crossed the Aillette and attack.
ed the salient at its apex established
a footing on the Soissons-St. Quentin
high road at Folembray and Coucy
Lechateau.