davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
lIIiIIIIIiiIlllIlllllII.
cOMMONER VISITS PRESIDENT TO
RENEW HIS OFFER OF
ARMY SERVICE.

Washington, D. c., April 16. --Presi-
dent Wilson received William Jennings
Bryan at the white house this morning.
They conferred in the presidents
rooms before he went to his offices.
Mr.. Bryan reiterated to the president
his offer recently made by telegraph to
be Of any service he could to the gov
ernment during the war.
After leaving the president Mr.. Bry-
an dictated a statement declaring his
intention to support the government IN
any war plans on which it may decide.
He declined. however to discuss con-
scription specifically.
Urges Food Conservation.
In his future speeches, pending a
call from the government for his ser.
vices, Mr.. Bryan said he will lay
special stress on the food situation. He
is gathering data along that line for
use In his addresses.
II do not care to discuss any quesr
ton before congress- Mr.. Bryan said
Whatever the government does is
right and shall support it to the ut
termost / take it for granted that the
people will unitedly support any action
by the government. In war time the
president speaks for the whole country
and there should be no division or dis
sension."
Mr.. Bryan endorsed the plan to pro-
hibit the use of grain for making
liquor during the war.
"Not Wise To Starve."
81 am in hearty sympathy" he said.
with the effort to conserve the food
supply by not allowing the bread to be
shortened in supply in order to length
en- the supply of alcohol. It is not
wise to starve the people in order to
make them drunk"
Before calling on the president Mr..
Bryan conferred with Secretaries Bak-
er and Houston. Mr.. Bryan departed
for Leighton. Pa, where he speaks to.
night He plans to go west by way OF
Lincoln soon and arrive in southern
California early in May.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
Hand to Hand Flight.
BELGIANS MAKE GAINS.

What may be indicative Of the inten.
ton on the part Of the Germans to fall
back on the northern front in Belgium
is the fact that the Belgian troops have
penetrated into the town OF Dixmude
as far as the German second line
trenches and found them unoccupied
Over the entire Belgian front for days
there has been heavy bombardment
OF the German positions as a prepara-
ton for the Belgian maneuver.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
iowa Railway Shop Burns;
q. S. Agents Suspect Plot

Des Moines, April 1s-United States
secret seryice operatives have been
despatched to Clarion to investigate a
FIRE which yesterday destroyed the
Chicago Great Western round house
there
Officials here said evidence had been
obtained which pointed to existence or
a plot to destroy railroad buildings and
equipment throughout the state in an
effort to impede increased transcon-
tinental transportation resulting from
the declaration Of war on Germany by
the United States.
Word received today from the sher-
iff at Clarion was to the effect that evil
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17

eral reserve system and in trust COM
panies. A third is more clearly to ex-
empt certificates OF indebtedness from
taxation.
House Votes Unanimously.
The house Of representatives ap-
proved the measure without dissent
ing vote. Representative London OF
New York, the lone socialist member.
declined to vote for 1t and recorded
himself as present.
Minority Leader Mann demanded a
yea and nay vote. He did so for tho
purpose OF giving those members who
voted against war a chance to record
themselves now, now that war has
been declared, in favor of prosecuting
It vigorously
There were 800 members present.
Majority Leader Kitchin and Minority
Leader Mann, speaking for those who
were absent, said all were in favor OF
the bill.
May Loan $4,000, ,ooo, 900.
Under the terms of the bill bonds in
the sum OF $4,000. .000. 900 will be issued
BY the government and II necessary
certificates Of indebtedness for an ad.
OltlOudi $I,OVV,VVV,VOV. IHS SONcih-
ment is authorized to loan $4,000, ,000,-
900 Of the bonds to foreign govern
ments."
Both bonds and certificates are to
draw 31k per cent interest and will ma
ture as determined by Secretary Nc.
Adoo and the president.
An amendment by Representative
Fitzgerald of Brooklyn to reduce from
one.ffth Of per cent to one-tenth Of
per cent the proportion Of the bonds
that may be used for floating expenses
was adopted
To Aid Allies.
The names Of the government to
which the loans shall be made are not
specified, but an amendment insisted
upon by Mr.. Lenroot Of Wisconsin
provides that they shall be allies Of the
United States in the war against Ger.
many and that the authority to loan
the money shall cease with the close
OF the war was written into the bill by
the administration forces.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
JAPS WOULD JOIN
AMERICAN ARMIES

Chicago, April 16.-Yasuo Fuwa
representative Of the Daily Nippu Jill,
japanese newspaper published at Hon
olulu. is on the way to Washington
to seek ruling from the war depart
ment on the military status OF $4,000
Japanese in The islands who wish to
enlist The law does not permit natur-
aiiEation Of Japanese. Yasuo Fuwa
said the Japanese citizens OF the
Islands were willing TO enlist force Of
up to $4,000 il the United States will
accept it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
WHAT SEVEN BILLIONS MEANS

II the monetary value OF the ST.
100000, 900 war loan. now in the
hands of congress, was represented
in silver dollars placed side by
side, the string Of money would
reach around the world six times
and enough would be left to buy
$3,00U home, a small car and pro-
vide a $3.50 bank account for every
ztsAas ext child in Ottuinya-
This il the computation made to-
day by J. F.. Scase. He continued
his additions and multiplications
and found that II the dollars were
stacked, on top Of each other, they
would make pile ten miles in the
air. II loaded on freight cars,
1883 Of them would be needed to
carry the coin. This is equivalent
to 1852 train loads eacn carrying
forty 10000 pound cars.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
RUSSIANS REPULsE ATTACK.

Petrograd, April 16, via London
British admiralty per Wireless Press
-Today's official statement reads:
'.On the western front, our scouts
have blown up bridge over the River
Styr near the village Of Liasow, thir-
teen miles northwest of Brody.
''On the Rumanian front. after artil.
lery preparation. the Germans at
tackled our position in the region OF
the town of Botoshu. He was beaten
back by our rifle and artillery fire.
"One of our submarines, near the
Bosphorus, destroyed Turkish motor
boat and two laden schoonerS."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
WAR ENDS SERVICE
War Department Orders Would Dis
charge Enlisted Men at the Close
Of Present Trouble.
House Votes Unanimously.

A wire received today from Adjutant
General Logan at Des Moines officially
authorizes the statement that men en-.
listing for service in the guard will be
discharged as soon as the war is over.
II is expected that this win speed up
recruiting considerably where the
units are not now up to full strength.
The telegram is based on orders from
the war department received by Gen.
eral Logan from the chief Of the mill
tary bureau at Warrington and applies
IN both guard and regular army.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
FLAG WILL FLOAT
OVER BUNKER HILL

Boston. Mass, April 16. Miss Col
die Sharak. who lives on the slopes Of
historic Bunker Hill, did not like to
see the famous monument without q
flag in wartime. When officials Of the
association which cares for the granite
shaft informed her they were without
money for the purchase Of flag and
pole. she volunteered to raise the
necessary money. Her offer was ac-
cepted and the flag will soon be float
Ing over the heights OF Charlestown.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
GERMANS LOSE HEAVILY.

London, April 16--In q desperate
battle at the village of Lagnicourt,
France, the Germans gained a foot.
hold temporarily, but were driven out
by the British with heavy losses. Acs
cording to General Haigs report, the
Germans left 1900 dead on the field.
To Squeeze Teutons Out.
Desperate German resistance AMI
probable desire by the British to
squeeze the Gemans out OF Lens rather
than drive them from this coal mine
and factory town by a direct bonn.
bardment and frontal attack have de.
layed the fall OF the city.
Despite the fact that all along the
line between Lens and st. Quentin the
German resistance has stiffened. Gem
eral Haig's capture Of villeret straight
ems his line northwest OF ST. Quentin.
He also announces further progress
to the nothwest Of Lens.
New German Line Periled.
Counter attacks which the Germans
have started at Monchy and LAgni.
court suggest that the British are ap
preaching dangerously near the new
German line which. according to un.
official accounts, the Germans had no
time to complete before the British OF.
fensive was started.
Large captures of guns and war ma
terial were made by the British at
LEVIN and on the SoucheE river in the
Lens region. The cannon taken in
clude six inch naval gun Of long
range Truck loads of new tools, many
thousand rounds of amntlnition and
quantities Of bombs, grenades and engl-
neering equipment also We're cap.
tured.
Battle Line 10 Extended.
Fighting on the western front has
become almost general engagement
along the whole line, from the north
sea to the Swiss border.
AS vet, the infantry has not been
heavily engaged much to the north OF
Loos, in the Lens region or east Of the
scissors region, within which con.
fines the battle OF Arras and the strug.
gle for st. Quentin are being waged.
The artillery duel, however, is grow
ing in the region of Rheims, in the
Champagne and down the line to LOT
raine and Alsace.
Artillery Duel Important
Were attention not centered on the
dramatic situations about Lens and st.
Quentin. the fall of both being regard
ed as imminent, the great artillery bat
tie between Scissors end Rheims
doubtless would have attracted more
notice. AS it is the potential import
ance of this duel of the big guns can
not be minimized. presaging as 1t may.
ofNen/ive movements of the infantry on
a large scale.
In this connection, the probability Of
a northward push by the French from
the Rheims region to turn the left
flank of the Hindenburg line, as the
British have turned the right at Virny.
has come to the front.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
MINERS WAGE DEAL
SUFFERS BACKSET

an early agreement for increased
ws ges between hitufainous coal miners
and the operators of the central com
petitive field, joint subcommittee OF
whose representatives are in session
here, were upset today by the refusal
of the Illinois operators representa-
tives TO accept the plan Of settlement.
Adjournment was taken until latersto.
day
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
GERMANS CLAIM ADVANTAGE.

Berlin, April Is tVia London) -"On
the northern bank OF River Scarpe.
says the German statement, "our
destructive fire kept down the British
attacking waves and stor1ning at
tack could not be carried out.
Northeast Of Croisilles our fire rem
dered abortive strong British attack,
the enemy suffering severe losses.
North OF the Arras-Cambrai road,
our thrusts drove the enemy back on
L.asnicourt and Boursies."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
GUNBOAT
INTERNED BY TURKS

Washington. d. c., April 16. An OF.
fetal statement issued by the Turkish
war office today says that the American
gunooat Scorpion has been interned.
The action has been expected here
for some time and is perfectly in ac'
cord with the rule necessitating such
action for belligerent war vessel not
leaving port within prescribed time.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
BILL TO PUT BAN
ON EXPLORATIONS

Washington. d. c.. April 16. With
the approval of the administration
Chairman Adamson Of the house com.
merce committee today introduced a
war embargo bill to empower the presi-
dent to forbid export of any sort when
he deems it in the public interest to do
90.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
''HELP UNCLE SAM" "
HOLDEN TELLS MEN

Chicago, April f6--iiaie Holden,
president Of the Chicago, SurlIra.
ton & Quincy railroad, has written
a letter to each Of the $1,000 en-
ployes Of the system, asking them
to give their whole attention to
supporting the government
through their present labors and
by such Individual efforts as they
may deem necessary outside their
work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
RAGTIME BAND LURES
RECRUITS TO COLORS

Chicago, April 16-Rag-time lured
fifty recruits into tho eighth Illinois in
fantry. negro regiment, according to
tabulation made today. The enlist
ments followed a ragtime concert yes
terday by the regimental band in the
negro section. Officers asserted some
of the men still were swaying in
rhythm with the music when they ap-
piled at the recruiting station nearby.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
anniversary
Of LEX|NGT ON
T0BE OBSERVED
Ottumwa to Participate in
Nation Wide Movement
to Aid Recruiting
BIG PARADE AND
PROGRAM THURSDAY

oTiSAO'cV 0encTdl n. -. AueV
Of Cedar Rapids, commanding off,
Ger over all the Iowa national
guard, will be in Ottumwa Thurs
day evening and will be one Of the
chief speakers at the Lexington
day observance to be held here
then.
He is expected to arrive Thurs
day morning and will spend the
day with the local officers. Efforts
are being made this afternoon to
close date with former Congress
man N. e. Kendall Of Abba for
talk on the same program.
Plans for the big demonstration to
be made here Thursday night in OBJ.
servance Of the anniversary Of Paul
Revere's ride and the battle of Lexing-
ton are being formulated to make the
occasion big war rally to aid recruit
ing for the army and navy.
The committee that met last week at
the Commercial club, held another
meeting this afternoon at which details
of the program and parade were to be
discussed.
viii Set Record.
The plans underway contemplate the
biggest demonstration of patriotism
that has been attempted here for years
and Is expected to eclipse that of April
when rousing meeting was held fol-
lowing q parade through the business
section.
Every concern employing men as
we'll as the various civic organizations
and citizens are being asked by the
committee to lend their aid In making
the meeting the biggest ever held here
and to show the spirit Of patriotism OF
Ottumwa With the view 10 aiding enlist
ments. A large number of recruits Is
still needed to bring Company g to the
desired strength and the navy Is to
have a recruiting officer here to get
men for that branch Of the service next
week.
Patriotic Orders To March.
The various patriotic orders that par.
ticipated in the former parade as we'll
as all others in the city are expected
by the committee to take part Thurs
day night. The observance OF the Lex
ington anniversary Is to be made gen.
eral throughout the country and OF
tumwa will do It's share in showing its
patriotism.
The officers Of the day were named
at the meeting held last week and
every organization or firm that is to
participate in the parade will be as
signed their places In the fine Of march
and report to the marshal at place to
be designated later. Those who have
not been approached by the committee
and wish to take part, are also asked
to get in touch with the marshal. Jas.
King, his aids, F. B. Younkin and Tom
Tate or Secretary Toulme of the Com.
M rcial c1y,h
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
RUSSIAN REFORMS
REACH INTO ASIA

Tashkent. Asiatic Russia. April 10
General Aleyi, Kuropatkin, governor
general of Turkistan. his assistant,
General Yereofein, and General Sivers,
chief of staff, have been arrested by
the council OF soldiers delegates.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
HA|G CAPTURES
V|LLERET ET;LENS
DISTRICT SEES.
SHARPF|GHT|NG.
Plan to Squeeze the Teutona
Out of Mining Town and
Prevent Destruction
FRENCH MAKE GAINS
IN NEW OFFENSIVE
RIoTlne REPORTED At BERLIN

RIoTIhe REPoRTEDAT BERLIN
London, April 1e.-Travelers ar
rlvine in Holland from Germany,
according to a dispatch from
Amsterdam to the Central News
agency, say general strike was
commenced this morning In eer-
lin and that riots have taken place
In the German capital.
London, April 16-The British cap
tured the village of Villeret, south of
Hargicourt last night according to an.
official statement issued by the war
office. They also made progress north.
west OF Lens.
Germans Fight Desperately.
Although British patriots have been
in the streets of Lens and General
Haig's men are In the outskirts Of st.
Quentin. the fall OF neither Of these
towns has as yet been officially an
nounoed.
The Germans, It In apparent, have
sent in their reserves and are making
q desperate defense to enable their
engineers to complete the destruction
OF the mines and factories OF Lens.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17

Enquiries at the local railroad Offices
regarding plans 10 safeguard round
houses and other buildings from incen-
diary fires or explosions fail to show
that any special precautions are being
taken here. The main line bridges are
guarded by detachments from Co. M.
Railroad employees have been instruct
ed to use extraordinary care to pre-
vent fires in shops and yards.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
BRITISH TANK SHIP
TORPEDOED AND SUNK

New York, April 16.-The British
tank steamship Narragansett, 9,1ss
tons and one Of the largest carriers of
bulk oil ever built, was torpedoed and
sunk off the Irish coast, according to
word brought here today by officers on
British ship.
The Narraganset was owned by the
AngloAmerican Oil company. Its
capacity was 1000 tons of oil
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
WIRELESS STATIONS CLOSED.

Washington, D. c., April It, All
wireless stations not operated by the
were ordered dismantled
during the war today by direction of
the secretary of the navy Failure to
comply with this order will result in
Of equipment.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
FRENCH OFFENSIVE WINS.

Paris, April 16-The French pene.
trated the German second line last
night at several points in Alsace. The
war Office reports that great numbers
of German dead were found In this
trenches which had been tasnss.S -. ~.
TIE French she'll fire - = So r
Prisoners and booty were taken back
by the French. Further gains were
made by French troops south of the
Disc.
There was heavy artillery fighting
during the night In Alsace-Lorraine
the Champagne. in the region OF Sois.
sons and Rheims, and south of the
Disc. Between Scissors and Rheims
the shell fire was particularly severe.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
BRlTONS WIDEN GAP
Hindenburg's Line Is Pierced North Of
Burning St. Quentin - Hand
to Hand Fighting.
From a Staff Correspondent Of
the Associated Press.

British Headquarters in France.
April Is, via London.-The British
continued today gradually to widen
the second gap in the Hindenburg line
north of st. Quentin. having captured
the position known as the Three
Savages, east of Gricourt. st. Quentin
continues to burn. Away to the north.
Lens still holds out. The Germans
still hold several strong positions
about the city.
Hand to Hand Flight.
Further details Of the fighting yes
terday show the desperate character
of several German attacks on the new
British positions. The attack from both
sides of Queant which temporarily
pierced the British line at Lagnicourt
was exceptionally bitter. 1t began at
4:30 o'clock Sunday morning and con.
tinued three hours. British advanced
posts were driven in but the support
units joined the issue with the Ger.
mans Many hand to hand encounters
followed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
JULY WHEAT HITS
81; MAY AT $2.371,

Chicago. April 16--Iuly wheat sold
at 81 just before the close of the mar
ket today, an advance from Saturday
Of size. May jumped l2sic to s237&
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
eERMANs ENDORSE WILSON.

Calumet, Mich, April 16-At a meet
ing of German-Americans here yester-
day it was voted to support President
Wilson
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17

dence had been found there indicating
that the Are was OF incendiary origin
and that infiammable material had
been distributed In such manner as
to aid the spread Of the flames.
The loss is estimated at $4,000.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17

Washington, d. c., April 16.-The
1000, 100000 war revenue bill which
passed the house late Saturday was
approved today by the senate finance
committee and will be taken up In the
senate tomorrow for passage.
The committee vote was unanimous
and the leaders expect to make an ef-
fort to put the bill through in one ses-
sion.
Three minor changes were made in
the bill as 1t came from the house. Ono
in the title is to make more apparent
its purpose Of assisting in the prosecu-
tion of the war: another suggested by
Secretary McAdoo is to rrrmit funds
raised under the measure . be depos-
tied in banks not member. Of the fed
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
Wife of the Vice President Urges
Women TO Practice EcOn0nn
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
M RS. Thomas R
AVA Marshall, wife of

M RS. Thomas R
IVA Marshall. wife of
the vice president Of
the United Staes, has
Joined with women of
the cabinet in an in
formal appeal to
American women to
live in a less expensive
manner while the ma
ton is at war. 1t is ex-
pected as the result Of
her effort that Wash
ington official society
will make radical econ
omies in its household
management.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-17
SENATE TO ACT
ON WAR CHEST
BILL TOMORROW
Revenue Measure, Passed By
/ the House Unanimously,
/ Approved BY Committee
FORMER OPPONENTS
OF WAR FAVOR LOAN
DEFICIENCY BILL ADOPTED.

Washington, D. c., April 16-The
house today adopted without
change the conference report on
the general deficiency appropria-
tIon bill which includes 100000
900 for war use as the president
sees fit. The bill now goes to the
president for his signature.
The house adjourned until Wed
nesday.