davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
Congress Ready to Speed Bills
Giving Reins to Wilson.
II INTERNED SHIPS REPAIRED
Alarming Statements by Cabi-
net Has Stirred the World.
q. s. Now Face to Face With
Grim U.BOat Menace.
BY CARL d. GROAT.

Washington, May 3.-Means of get
! ting vast numbers of ships swept aside
practically all other governmental
war topics today.
Face to face with the, grim realiza-
ton that German submarines are eat
ing into the worlds tonnage alarm
| lngly fast. the government prepared
to push thru congress at once its bill
giving President Wilson a dictatorial
power over ships and ship yards.
Food questions, serious as they still
are; discussion of dispatch of troops
| to France-al1 these matters went by
| lem of more shipping in order that
Germany may not triumph in her plan
to bring the world to its knees.
Commander Ship Yards.
| The government bill, practically
ready for definite action, proposes that
the president, if necessary. can COM
mandeer all ship yards, all ships and
control the use of steel mills
Government statistics showed that
even its present program of turning
month is inadequate to keep pace
| with Germany'S now admittedly de-
vastating U-boat toll
| Seventy-one German and Austrian
ships-of 1000 tons-now interned
will be ready to augment the Ameri-
can merchant fleet within five months,
it was officially announced today and
it is assumed these will be put into
| service at once. Repairs are going
forward rapidly on all vessels dam
aged by the Teutons before seizure.
AS the government plan now stands,
ship yards will be forced to grind out
small wooden and steel vessels on a
standardized plan at a rate far greater
| than ever before estimated.
Accepting Foreign Contracts.
The government has learned with a
shock that many yards are accepting
slow time contracts for vessels of alien
ownership, sweeping aside patriotic
requests for, perhaps, far more lucra-
tive business.
| Aside from official warnings of the
seriousness of the submarine situation,
voiced by cabinet men for the first
time yesterday, the shipping board
discloses that the whole worlds ship
| output the next four months cannot
exceed one-fifth of the monthly losses
by torpedoing-if the present average
| of Prussian destruction continues.
The concern evidenced by authori-
ties followed conferences with allied
commissioners and receipt of figures
showing that Germany's U-boat har-
vest is reaching Ear greater tolls than
perhaps even the Teutons themselves
had anticipated.
Warns of War on This Side.
The practical upshot of the official
warnings, it is thought by many, will
be to shunt aside the clamor for send
ing troops to France Immediately. and
to force upon the nation the realization
that as Secretary Lane said, the war
lantic if we do not beat the Germans
TO
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
BELCIANS STARvE
Hoover Says Adult Mortality
Increased Three Fold.
Declares U-BOat Menace Stead.
lily Increasing for s Weeks.

New York, May 3.-The German u
boat menace has made the food situa-
ton in Belgium and northern France
one of extreme gravity, the mortality
among adults in the industrial districts
having multiplied by three during
March and April, according to Herbert
Mr.. Hoover said he would go imme-
from Europe on an American ship
Mr.. Hoover said he would go immed-
dlately to Washington to take charge
OF the governments food control pro-
gram.
Like every good American, 1 have
come over to do my share" Hoover
said.
Ny new duty is too big a PROPOSE
ton to discuss a t this time"
Met by Belgian Minister.
Al the dock Mr.. Hoover was met by
Baron Cartier, Belgian minister to the
United states who said he came from
washington to express his thanks and
reverence for the Belgian Relief COM
mission accomplishments in his coun-
try.
me food situation in Belgium and
northern France requires every effort
we can make" said Mr.. Hoover, who
Goes not intend TO relinquish his posi-
sion.
AT present it is one of extreme
gravity on account of the U-boat mem
ace, which has increased aIarmingly
during the past eight weeks. Wheat
ana corn are needed badly and also
pork and beef
The commission by March 1 had
struggled to its feet again after re-
ceiving the knockout blow of the sub
marine decree of February 1 Since
March we have lost five loaded boats,
but in March and April 200 tons of
war, being enthusiastically ignorant
foodstuffs were landed But this
$4,000 was 100000 tons less than we
actually required. Because of the
shortage, the mortality in industrial
districts multiplied by three. The Ill
dren did not suffer. They are ALWAYS
looked after first
AT this time We have only thirty
boats. We need seventy"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03

given the campaign in America were
the Irish question settled. There is,
however, no difficulty between Eng
land and Ireland 1t should be re-
membered that the difficulty is be-
tween the Ulster Protestants and the
south and southwest Catholics. Mr..
Lloyd George is devoting a great
amount of time in an effort to bring
about union among the Irish people
themselves. We hope no less than
you for an early and satisfactory set
Element.
''Thruout the British dominions and
in France and Italy there is COM
plete understanding of the fact that
the entry of the United States is the
most important event in the war since
the days of August, 1914 1 am sure
that our government quite under
stands that lack of frankness between
the allies would be disastrous. They
know, too, that in any case truth and
the news can only be held up for a
week or two, and that truth suppress
ed would eventually leak out and SOW
suspicion turnout the United States
Few War Inventions Secret.
figures which 1 believe will very
shortly be made public, I know of
nothing in the way of news of i'm
portance. either on land or sea that
has been withheld By the British
censorship during many months, ex-
cept the details of one or two sigma.
successes with certain new war i'm
plements the nature of which the gov
eminent is wisely hiding from the
enemy in the same way that it kept
the great secret of the tanks"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
so MILLION A DAY
That's What War Now Is Cost
ing Great Britain.
Thus Far England's Total War
Expense Is 2O1a Billion.

London, May 3.-Next year Eng
land plans to spend $40, 513, $685. 500 in
prosecuting the war. She is now
spending at the rate of S30,120, 900
each day.
These figures came to light today
when Chancellor of the Exchequer
Andrew Bonar Law introduced the
most staggering of all of England's
budgets-showing the tremendous to-
tai of s1S.499, 100000 as England's
present national debt.
To provide money to meet this vast
financial drain no new forms of taxa
ton were suggested. but there are a
number of increases in the present
plans. A 90 per cent increase in ex-
cess profits taxes was estimated by
the chancellor as likely to yield $685.
100000 An increased assessment on
tickets to theaters and movie plays
was estimated to bring out $1,000. 900.
Tobacco taxes were largely increased.
Chancellor Bonar Law said the en-
try of the United States into the war
had admittedly altered the financial
situation"
During the war. he said. England
had expended 4.31S,0 100000 pounds
($20, 1926, 400, 000).
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
Government Orders German
Minister Held at Rio JaneirO.
BRAZIL CONGRESS- ACTS TODAY
Threatens to Declare War;
NOrway's Patience at End.
Nation Suffers Worse Than If 1t
Were in Conquest.
By the Associated Press.)

Brazil has drawn one step nearer to
war with Germany and today is one
of the three countries who are hover
ing on the brink of the maelstrom
which has convulsed two-thirds of the
world. Norway and China are the
two countries which shortly may be
added to the ever lengthening list of
Germany's foes.
Two events have occurred in Brazil
which easily may form the impetus
for the last remaining step to war. DR..
Lauro Muller, Brazilian foreign min
lister has rendered his resignation on
the eve of the day set for the Brazilian
congress to decide whether the re-
public shall draw its sword. Dr. Null
Ter has been persistently if not actually
prO-German and at least, a firm oppo-
nent to hostilities between Brazil and
the Teutonic empire. His resignation
comedies with an order by President
Braz, OBTAINING the dismissed German
minister. The order was issued on re-
ceipt of news from Berlin that the
Brazilian minister in Germany had
country.
Havoc to Norway's Marine.
The possibility of Norway's entrance
into the ranks of the allies is based
, on the havoc wrought among the
Norwegian mercantile marine by Ger
man submarines. Norway, prior to
the war fourth among the worlds sea-
faring nations, has suffered so heav-
lily from the ravages of the U-boat
that her shipping is actually threat
ened with extinction. The bitterness
among the Norwegians over German
war methods is growing rapidly and
many are urging that she could not
be worse off as belligerent and
might find compensation if peace
found her in the lists with the en-
tente
All reports from China agree that
the advocates of war are in major
ity at PekIn but apparently, the pres
ident still is reluctant to take the fate
full step. 1t has been reported that
Japan was unwilling that China
should enter the struggle but the Jap
anese foreign office has officially
denied this.
Strife Blazes Up in Germany.
The entire situation in Europe re-
mains obscure thru conflicting re-
ports and the extraordinary efforts of
the censors, especially in the realms
of the central powers. The only def
mite fact in regard to conditions in
| Germany is that a political crisis eX-
lists and that the antagonism between
the parties has blazed out with a Vio-
lence unknown since the beginning of
the war. Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg is the target for all shafts
lukewarm support from the moderate
Socialists. There is no light what
ever on the strike situation and no
reliable news of any kind from Aus
tria.
The deadlock on the western front
continues and the whole military sit
uation is yelled in uncertainty. The
British continue to make Roadway in
Mesopotamia, but this is offset by I'M
explained reports of a Russian re-
treat in the Caucasus. If the reports
are true the Russians are withdrawing
with no serious fighting and in the
face of the most successful campaign
yet undertaken against Turkey
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
279 Men Drowned When Trans
port Is Sent Down.
Report Briefly "Sunk in Medi-
terranean on April 15."
DESTROY $500 TON TANKER
Formerly U. $. Vessel "Sun,
Valued at $2,5OO,O0O.
Two Small American Ships
Sent Down OFF Irish Coast.

London, May 3.-The British trans
port Arcadian was sunk by subma :
rine April Is in the Mediterranean.
It is believed 279 men were drowned.
The Arcadian, 1899 tons gross, was
owned by the Royal Nail Steam Pack
ct company of Liverpool. She was
500 feet long and was built at Barrow
in 1899. She was Withdrawn from the
passenger service early in the war and
taken over by the British admiralty
Tanker Worth 2,5OO,OOO Sunk.
Philadelphia, May 3.-The British
tank steamship British Sun, $500 tons,
owned by the Sun Oil company of
this city, and leased to Great Britain
has been summarized and sunk, prob
ably in the Mediterranean, according
to a cablegram received here today.
The crew was saved. The British
Sun is said to have been one of the
finest of her class and was valued at
$2,500,0G0.
Report American Losses.
Washington, May 3.-The torpedo
ing of the American sailing vessel Will
lard Abrah hams. off the Irish coast, and
rescue Of her crew of six was officially
reported to the state department today.
Other state department messages
said the American sailing ship Mar
garet had been set on fire by sub
marine April u, but made no men
ton of lives lost, while a third cable
gram reported the landing of thirty
three survivors of the torpedoed Amer
lcan ship Rockingham, formerly the
Nebraskan.
In Open Boats 30 Hours.
The American consul at Liverpool
named the following members of the
American gun crew on the torpedoed
Vacuum as lost or missing: Lieut.. c.
q Thomas Donald r I Fisher G
f. Lickan, f. II. LCree (died May p.
The saved of the gun crew were:
John Nichola, T. Wilson, F. Lasher, ].
l.. williams, J. Williams. c.. w. Park
err. q. II. Luce, L. r. Musshorn.
Survivors of the unwarned attack
upon the Vacuum were in boats TWEEN
ty-nine hours and suffered from wet
and cold.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
FIGHT ON PRESS GAG
Demand Entire Censorship Clause of
Espionage Bill Be Stricken Out.

Washington, May 3.-The finish
fight the most drastic free speech
and press restriction in the nations
history-the censorship clause in the
general spy bill-was in its last
stages in congress today.
Revealed by its opponents as being
even more rigid and granting more
autocratic power to this nations gov
eminent heads even than that which
England first enforced and later was
compelled to soften, there was evil
dence today that the measure would
finally be beaten
This belief. however, did not turn
opponents of the measure from their
plans to carry out completely their
program of attack.
These men said they will not be sat
isfied with ''softening'' of the censor
ship clause. They will insist that 1t
be totally stricken out and an entire
ly different one substituted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
State and National Institutions
Hold $3.50, 4O2,OO5.1S.
All Deposit Records Broken in
the March Report.
ZIG THREE-MONTH INCREASE
IL Million Gain From Decem-
Der IL to March 10.
Oyerdraft Shortage Has Been
Reduced to a Minimum.

| 1-a,,s.s state and national banks are
ready to meet war time einersencie N
/ Renorts issued today by w W.
| Eovvman. secretary. of the Kansas
o. D. ii,' association, and Senator
walter r, Wilson, state bank commls-
sioner. show deposits in 1,OOO state
land 223 national banks, aggregatlhs
S355 4O2.OO5.1S. The state pank re-
port is for March D ana the hdtioIih I
hank reDort for March D. Combined
e+atenents from state and nauonal
hanks show increases in deposits OF
!16 million dollars since november ana
30 million dollars since september IL
/ is an increase of more than twenty
per cent in six months anu surpaS9e9
all former records
Demands for money have not kept
abreast with the tremendous growth
of deposits. The March reports now
ever show that the banks or the state
have loans and discounts aggregat-
ing S244399,6 O9.57, an increase OF SIX
teen million over the December state
ment and an increase of thirty mil
lion since the issuance of September
reports.
Resources of Kansas banks are
nearing the half billion mark, the
combined report shows. The state
ment made public today shows aggre-
gate banking resources of $425, 521,119
as against $201, S97,2S6,7 in Decem-
Der and 1850, 375, 30o-1l IN september.
These totals represent an increase in
six months of more than 65 million
dollars.
From December IL to March IS,
state banks increased their deposits
seventeen million dollars, their latest
report showing deposits of 5000, S5S,-
OO5.1S The state bank growth from
September IL to December IL, was a
gain of eight million dollars. March
reports also showed state banks gained
nine millions in loans and discounts
over the December report A gain OF
seven millions from September to De-
cember gave a net increase for state
banks of sixteen million for six
months.
National Bank Figures.
National banks give lump sum fig
ures only in reports from the comp
troller of currency. His report to Sec
rotary Bowman shows an increase of
nine million in deposits and six million
| in loans and discounts from December
to March. From September to De-
cember national banks gained 81 mil
lions in deposits and eight millions in
! loans and discounts. The record is
! a net gain for six months of thirty
millions in deposits and fourteen mil
lions in loans.
! OF the tremendous showing in de-
posts. the 1928 state and national
in overdrafts. Practically every bank
in the state has joined in the anti
overdraft crusade and the total short
age of funds to meet checks in March
reports was $S1 3,089.57, as against ST.
! 05S, 497.31 in December and $915,-
/ 977.54 in September.
! CONTINUED on Page FiveJ
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
SHELLFIRE KILLS 2
Captain of TOrpedOed Rocking
ham Wires Report Home.
This i'm Addition to Is Missing
in Lost LifebOat.

New York, May 3.-Two men are
known to have been killed when a
submarine torpedoed and shelled the
American steamship Rockingham, ac-
cording to a cable received here today
by the Garland Steamship corporation
from Captain Edwards, commanding
the vessel.
His cable read:
buckingham Jorpedoed; two men
killed: one boat missing with thirteen
men not yet landed"
Further details have been cabled
for.
The two men probably were killed
by shell-fire, as fable dispatches to the
United Press yesterday stated the ship
was sheIled before she went to the
bottom
Terrible Struggle for Life.
London, May 3.-Captain s. S. Har-
ris and eight other survivors of the
American tank steamship Vacuum,
sunk by a German submarine, arrived
TODAY at suffering Sc
vereiy from exhaustion and exposure.
Lieutenant Thomas, L. S. N, who was
in command OF the gun crew on the
Vacuum, died of exposure, Sunday
morning in the captains boat His
body was buried at sea.
The captains boat was overturned
three tines and the men had a terri
BILE battle for life The survivors will
be unable to travel before Saturday.
Says 3 Were Drowned.
London, May 3.-Three men were
drowned by the sinking of the Amer
| lean steamer Rockingham by a Ger
| man submarine, survivors who reach
/. ed land today, report No word has
| been received of the boat containing
the thirteen missing men. There were
| 2 naval gunners on board.
Wires Wife "AH WeII.v
/ Baltimore. May 3.-Chief Mate Car
| yer of the American steamship Rock
| ingham, reported yesterday as having
been sunk by a German submarine
was saved His wife today received
| the following cablegram from Carver
| dated Londonderry. May 2:
Ship sunk, all we'll
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
BRITISH SECRETE
REAL FACTS ON
U-B0AT LOSSES
NOrthcIiffe Admits 1t and
Shakes Up Navy.
Strongest Card Germany Yet
Has Played, He Says.
But "SUBS" CAN'T win WAR
Says Germany Concealing Gil
gantic Losses Suffered.
Religious Factions Stumbling
Block in Freeing Ireland.
BUT "SUBS" CAN'T WIN WAR
Says Germany Concealing Gil
gantic Losses Suffered.

BY ED l.. KEEN.
right, 1917, by United Press.)

Note: Sensing a nationwide doubt as
to whether Britain has been telling the
full truth regarding the German sub
marine successes and the campaign on
the west front, the United Press today
put the question squarely up to the best
man in the British empire, Lord North
cliffe and inquired whether America is
getting all the facts.
In addition, the difficulty of Amerl-
cans accepting unreservedly Britain's
claims of great interest in small nations
and democracies, while the Irish ques-
ton is unsettled, was pointed out and
a request made for an authoritative
statement of Englands attitude.
AS an indication of the importance
attached to the inquiries by the British
foreign office, the resulting interview
was cabIed to the United Press today
over the British government
own line, evidently at the suggestion
of the foreign office.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
TO HEAD MUNITIONS
President May Appoint Cabinet Mem.
Der to Complete Control Output.

Washington. May 3.-Intimation
that President Wilson may appoint a
ministry of munitions" or at least
one in embryo, was made today be-
fore the defense conference of COVER
nors here by Walter s. Clifford, direc-
tor of the Council of National De-
Tense.
Speaking of the present munitions
board of the council, and detailing the
vast work ahead i'll co-ordinating the
munitions export, Clifford said:
You can see that this means min
istry of munitions least one in
embryo"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
RED CROSS DRIVE NETS
20,119 RECRUITS IN CHI.

Chicago, May 3.-Chicago today
bears the distinction of being the
premier Red Cross station in the
land. The station was attained
after an intensive drive which yes
terday netted 20,199 new members
for the organizatioR-more than
the chapters entire previous MEM
bership, with 5000 thrown in for
good measure
Additional pledges aggregating
10000. or 41.0OO more than New
York's membership, were also Sc
cured in the drive which is contin-
uing TODAY.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
SEALED In CAR 7 DAYS
Ohio Lad Nearly Dead When Found !;
Taken to Hospital.

Chicago, May 3.-After being taken
from a sealed freight car on the verge
of starvation, John Grina, of Youngs-
town, Ohio, is in a serious condition
at a local hospital today. He told the
police that the car was sealed after
he had entered it at Youngstown a
week ago. For seven days he had
had nothing to drink or eat.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
Telegram Sent to President
Urging Its Prohibition.
Use Money Spent on Weed to
Buy Food for the Poor.
OFFICERS ELECTED TODAY
III. w. BOmgardner of Topeka
Is Named President.
Delegates Urge Closing Brew
cries and DiStilIerieS.

Money spent on tobacco is wasted
and such waste should not be per-
mitted in the present nationwide
economy move, according to resolu-
lions adopted this morning at the
closing business session of the Kansas
Sunday school association. A reso-
luton to that effect was telegraphed
to the president this morning. Fol-
lowing is the telegram:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03

The total precipitation in Topeka for
the last "a hours measured .O3 of an
inch. The temperature for the day
averaged IA degrees below normal and
the wind was blowing 4 miles an hour
from the northeast.
Another general rain, extending
clear to the northwest section of the
state, struck Kansas Wednesday night
The crops in the west have not yet
had enough moisture for the spring
season. in spite of the water soaked
ground in this section. Wichita
recorded 10 of an inch this morning
Dodge City .O2 and Concordia o.
And more was expected today.
In Topeka the rain measured only
.03 of an inch for the last IL hours
Continued on Page TwoI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-03
Do You Live in a Paper Bag?

The lives of almost all the people
in American cities are wrapped up
in the paper bag that comes to
them daily from the retail store.
THIS PAPER BAG IS INFLAT-
ED in price. For almost all of the
food that goes into it has to be
produced outside the cities and
shipped long distances at all times
of the year.
AND THE BAG MAY POP at
any minute and spill your dinner.
For the lines of transportation that
keep it filled are menaced by war
and industrial disturbances.
YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE
PAPER BAG by learning to pro-
duce foods and economic foods.
The first step is to raise your own
vegetables in your backyard or on
city lot. However little you may
be able to do, it is a contribution to
the economic preparedness of your
country.
This Garden Book Is Free.
You can get free an official So
page booklet issued by the United
States government, that tells you in
complete detail how to lay out and
plant and take care of your home
garden. 1t contains special direc-
tions for raising over fifty kinds of
vegetables. 1t has diagrams,
planting table. description of tools,
and thirty-four illustrations. You
need this book to do your bit in the
food reserve. Sent free on receipt
of a two-cent stamp for return pos
tage. Address The Topeka State
Journal Information bureau. Wash
ington, ID. c.