davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Armies in Great
Battle

The British and French troops have
made additional important gains
against the Germans on the line run
ming from Aras to scissors.
On the British center at several
points Field Marshal Sir Douglas
Haig's men have pushed forward ap-
preciably nearer the ST. Quentin
Cambria road, occupying the villages
of Longavesnes, Lieramont and
EQuancourt, and in addition have re-
captured from the Germans position
north of Cambria, which
the Germans took from them in an at
tack Monday night.
The gains Of the French were made
in the region to the south of La Fere,
where they drove the Germans COM
pletely out of the lower forest of
Coucy and also captured the villages
of Petit Barisis, Verueuil and Coucy.
La-Ville, bringing the French line in
this region to the western outskirts
of the forest of st. Gobain and the
upper forest of Coucy.
In the scissors sector further prog
ress was made north of Neuville-Sur-
Margival and northeast of Leuilly.
The German War Office admits the
capture by the British of the town of
Roisel, about II miles northwest of
ST. Quentin, and the falling back OF
the German forces before the French
at several points in the forest region
south of La Fere, in order to avoid be-
ing outflanked.
Violent artillery fighting in the
region of Verdun and at various points
in Belgium, notably near Dixmude,
Steenstraete and Het Sas, has been in
progress.
On the Russian front the Russians
have been forced to fall back before
the Germans south of Baronovichi, &C
cording to a statement of the Petro-
grad War Office.
In this fighting Berlin claims that
more than 300 Russians were made
prisoners and four machine guns and
seven mine throwers were captured
huSSldu dlIdCho uCdl ILotoh, III VI
hynia, and in Galicia, were repulsed
by the Teutonic Allies, says Berlin.
Apparently a renewal of fighting IN
Roumania is indicated by the German
official communication, which says the
Russians have been prevented from
carrying out an attack south of the
Trotus Valley.
In the Austro-Italian theatre, along
the Julian front, the Austrians made
an attack in force between Dosso Faitl
and Frigido and captured section OF
Italian trenches on Hill 126. At all
other places, however, the attack met
with repulse, according to Rome.
About 400 yards of Teutonic Allied
trenches have been captured by the
French, near the Cervarigna Crest, in
Serbian Macedonia, together with
some 100 prisoners. A Bulgarian at
tack in the Cerna River bend, in this
region, was repulsed.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
BUILDING UP BIG
ARMY AND NAVY
Preliminary Steps to the Mobiliz'
ing of Millions.
ARMY SYSTEM REORGANIZED
Two New Departments Created In At
Iantic Coast Region-Nationai
Guardsmen To Police
Coast Points.

Washington. - President wilson
took steps Sunday to place the nation
on war footing.
BY executive order he directed that
the navy be recruited without delay
to it's full authorized war strength OF
$1,000 enlisted men. Taken in con-
nection with emergency naval con-
struction already ordered, this means
that the President has exercised the
full limit of his legal powers as Com
mander-in-Chief to prepare the navy
for war.
For the army, the President directed
that two new military departments be
created in the Atlantic Coast region.
The order means that the task of or
ganizing whatever army Congress
may authorize will be divided among
six departmental commanders, instead
of four, in the interests of speed and
efficiency in mobilization.
State Troops Called Back.
The third step was to assume as
national duty the task of protecting
American industries from domestic
disorders in the event of hostilities.
For this purpose II full infantry regi-
ments, two separate battalions and
one separate company of National
Guard were called back into the Fed
eral service to act as national police
in important districts. Supplement
ing these troops, regiment of Penn
sylvania guards and two companies of
Georgia Infantry, en- route home from
the border for muster out, were Or
dered retained in the Federal service.
The Presidents orders were made
known in terse official statements
issued by both departments. No ex-
planation accompanied them except
the statement that reorganization of
the military departments, effective
May 1, was designed to facilitate de-
centralization of command.
Official Statements Issued.
Following is the executive order
bringing the navy up to war strength:
"By virtue of the authority vested
in the President by the act of Con-
gress approved August 29, 1916, en-
titled AN Act making Appropriations
for the naval services for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1917, and for
other purposes it is hereby directed
that the authorized enlisted strength
of the navy be increased to $1,000
men.
WOODROW WILSON,"
The navy must enroll Immediately
approximately $4,000 men to reach
the required strength. Secretary Dan
iels supplemented it tonight with per-
sonal kilograms to newspaper editors
all over the country urging them to
aid the department in every way in
their power to obtain the men.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
U. S. MEN OUT OF SANTIAGO.
cubans Give Assurances Of Ability To
Keep Order.

Santiago De Cuba.-Relying on as
surances of the ability of the Cubans
to maintain order, the American COM
mander withdrew Sunday the last
men of the force landed two weeks
ago. The city is quiet, although
skirmishes in the outskirts are not
infrequent.
Col. Aurelio Havia, the Minister of
the Interior, now is here supervising
the situation. The number of Cuban
troops has been largely increased and
it is announced that vigorous cam
paign against the rebels will be inau-
gurated Immediately. The rebels are
continuing their campaign of destruc-
ton, but there are no indications that
they are in position to make
formidable resistance.
The new Government in the city has
made many arrests of persons con-
nected with the former regime.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
NO ATTEMPT TO DESTROY SHIP
American Liner Did Not Sight Any
Submarine.

London delayed by censor). 1.-THE
st. Louis, the first passenger vessel
carrying the American flag to cross
the Atlantic since Germany's declara-
ton of unrestricted submarine de-
struction, and the first armed Ameri-
can liner to enter an European port
since the war began, arrived Monday
morning. She carried a meager num-
ber of passengers all told-but
her holds were filled to capacity with
non-contraband freight.
The st. Louis came through with
out interruption. No submarines were
sighted, nor were there at any time
any indications that German under
sea boats were after the big liner. II
any of them saw the St. Louis they
made no attempt to destroy her, but
kept carefully away from the guns Of
the American ship.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
TRAIL OF DEAD BEHIND STORM
Twenty-Five To Fifty People Killed
Over 100 Hurt.

New Albany, Ind.-Between rs and
so persons were killed and probably
100 or more injured by storm which
swept over New Albany, demolishing
scores of residences and several in
dustrial plants.
Twenty-Five bodies are known to
have been recovered, and it is expect
ed this number will be materially in
creased when all the debris of wreck
ed buildings has been cleared away.
The lighting system for the resi-
dence section of the city was put out
of commission by the storm, and the
work of rescue is proceeding slowly
and with difficulty.
In addition to the bodies taken to
undertaking establishments there
were reports of others that were
taken to private homes.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
cuARp SENT TO NIAGARA FALLS.
New York Troops Will Protect But.
faIo's Power Plants.

Albany, N. Y.-The request OF the
Buffalo Chamber of Commerce that
the power plants at Niagara Falls be
guarded by National Guardsmen was
granted by Governor Whitman. The
reouest was made yesterday by dele
cation from the Buffalo Chamber OF
Commerce, which came here after
rumors of plots against industrial
plants were circulated.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Preliminary figures from the United
States Bureau of the Census give the
quantity of cotton consumed in the
country during February, 1917, count
ing round as half bales, as 547,2O3
bales, compared with 54O,733 bales in
the corresponding month of 1916, and
the quantity for the seven months
ended February 2S, 1917, as 3,914,S66
bales, compared with 3,616,454 bales in
he corresponding period of 1916.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Would Build Chaser.

Sacramento, Cal.-A movement was
initiated at banquet here to Con-
gressman Chas. F. Curry to collect a
fund Of S250,000 for the building of a
submarine chaser for the United
States.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Only Waited II Years.

Pittsburgh. nm After waiting for
more than IL years for her fiance to
marry her, Edith Loretto Osborn filed
suit in the Common Pleas Court for
$50,000 heart balm from Harry Fritz
Randolph.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
LATEST PEACE RUMOR.
A Bourse Report That Germany Has
Offered Terms To Russia.

London.-A dispatch to the Ex-
change Telegraph from Amsterdam
says:
According to Berlin telegram re-
ceived by the Amsterdam Bourse, Ber-
lin is filled with rumors that Germany
has offered separate peace to Rus
sia. The terms offered are said to be
complete autonomy to Poland, the in
standardization of Constantinople,
the evacuation by Russia of Austrian
territory and Russian protectorate
over Armenia"
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
STATES ANNIVERSARY.
Maryland Was 28s Years Old Sunday,
March 25.

Maryland was 2S3 years old Sun.
day. Monday the anniversary was
fittingly celebrated. The anniversary
OF the landing of the colonists at a
point in st. Mary's county was fitting.
ly observed especially in the public
and parochial schools.
The financial institutions of the city
were closed, but business houses re-
mained open.
There were special services at one
o'clock Monday afternoon in the as.
sembly hall Of Polytechnic Institute.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Mexican General CAUGHT.

Ell Paso, Texas.-Manuel Chao, a
former Villa general, was taken into
custody here by the police and held
for investigation in Connection with re-
ports that recruiting for Villa had
been carried on here
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
BIDS ADIEU TO WEST INDIES.
Danish King Thanks Islanders For
Their Loyalty.

London-A Copenhagen dispatch to
the Exchange Telegraph Company
says that the King of Denmark has
issued a proclamation of farewell to
the people of the Danish West Indies.
The King thanks the people for their
loyalty in the past.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
PRISON FOR GERMAN PLOT.

Sander and. Wunnenberg Get Two
Years and Are Fined $2,5o0.
New York.-Albert o. Sander and
Charles N. Wunnenberg, who pleaded
guilty to a charge of having sent
spies to England from this country tc
gather information for the German
military authorities, were sentenced
to serve two years in the Fedora
prison at Atlanta and to pay a fine OF
$2,50O each.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

James Hamilton, farmer near
Shucks Corner, four miles from Belalr,
committed suicide by hanging himself
from an apple tree. He was found by
his wife when she returned from
church. No cause is given for his act
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Guatemala Protests.

Guatemala City.-The Guatemalan
Government has handed to the Ger
man Minister protest against the
recent German note on submarine
warfare.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Mexican Minister Resiuns,

Mexico City.-The resignation of
Candido Aguilar as Foreign Minister
was accepted by President Carranza.
Senor Aguilar will run for Governor
of Vera Cruz.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

William R. Hopcraft, % years old,
son of John Hopcraft, Cumberland,
was drowned in Evitts creek, about
three miles east of Cumberland while
with a hiking party after watercress.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Lord Curzon, in a speech at Chel.
sea, said England had produced some
1000 or 5000 books dealing with the
war alone, and the productivity of
France was almost as great.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
BILLY SUNDAY WILL AID.

To Turn Tabernacle Into Recruiting
Station In Event OF War.
Buffalo, N Y.-If there's war, Billy
Sunday will turn his New York City
tabernacle into a recruiting station.
"I'd be a poor mutt of a pacifist if J
didn't" he said.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
For Bio Mineral Survey.

Washington. "A survey of the
mineral resources of the Far East, in
cluding China and Siberia, will be un-
dertaken Immediately by the Bureau
IF Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Pittsburgh College To Aid.

Pittsburgh.-All available resources
of the University of Pittsburgh that
may be needed have been placed at
the disposal of the United States
Government.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
MORE CHASER BIDS.

Navy Department Plans To Open
Offers On Wednesday.
Washington. - Cutting down delay
by days and hours, the Navy Depart
ment announced it would endeavor to
open bids for a number of new sub
marine chasers on Wednesday instead
of next Saturday.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Sounds travel through dry air at the
rate of so feet second; through
water at 240 feet a second, and in steel
wire at 17.130 feet a second.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
one Nav To Make $50.

TJniontown, Pa.-At least half a
dozen merchants have accepted $40
bills raised to $40 by pasting OF the
0eure "2" over the 81" in 10.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
BRITISH WILL GET APPAM.

Supreme Court Orders German Prize
Returned To Former Owners.
Washington.-The Supreme Court
Monday ordered a mandate issued i'm
mediately turning over the German
prize steamer Appam, interned at Nor
folk, and her cargo to British owners.
The mandate was asked for by the
owners. Several weeks ago the Court
said Germany could not retain the
steamer.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

A hungry wolf attacked AL Blood,
sturdy farmer of Northlands. MINI.
AL squared off, drew his jackknife and
soon the wolf hungered no more.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Company H, First Maryland 1nfan-
try, of Westminster, has been ordered
on bridge guard duty at Havre de
Grace.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
CALLS HALT ON
GENERALIZATION
War Department Suspends
Muster-out Order.
ADDS $1,000 TO U. S. ARMY
President Shaping Vigorous Policy.
Legislation For War Purposes
Considered AT Cabinet
Meeting.

Washington. Nearly $4,000 men
were added Tuesday to the National
Guard force available for Federal po-
lice duty by War Department order
suspending the muster-out of all
guard organizations still in the Fed
eral service. With the men called
out during the last few days this gives
the Government upward of $4,000
guardsmen for employment in their
home States to protect industries and
other property.
Men Now In Camps.
Most of the men affected by the
latest order are at their home mobll1-
zation camps preparing to return to
civilian life after long stays on the
Mexican border. They now will be
held at their camps or armories for
assignment as conditions require
In all about $4,000 men are retained
by the order, but several of the units
already had been designated for Fed
eral service.
With army, navy and industrial pre-
paredness measures to meet German
aggression going forward as rapidly
as possible, President Wilson and his
Cabinet took up consideration of fur
ther steps to follow the convening of
Congress in extra session next Mon
day.
The President has not yet written
the message he will deliver Tuesday
or Wednesday, and is said to have
reached no final conclusion as to just
what recommendations to make. Be-
cause of possible changes in the situa-
ton, he is not expected to put the ad-
dress in final shape until the last
moment.
For Vigorous Policy.
There is no doubt in the minds OF
Administration officials that whatever
may be it's details, the policy laid be-
fore Congress will be both vigorous
and comprehensive. The general
opinion after the Cabinet meeting ap-
parently was that the program most
likely to be followed by Congress
would include a declaration that a
state of war exists between the United
States and Germany an authorization
for the President to use the armed
forces of the nation to protect It's
rights, the granting of large credit
to the Government to carry out its
policy, passage of censorship and
espionage bills, and provision for the
employment of additional Secret Serv.
ice agents.
No final decision has been reached
as to whether financial assistance
should be given the Entente Allies
though a strong sentiment for such a
step exists among Government Off
cials. If this is done the Government
probably will deal directly with the
other Governments concerned and not
through agents.
CONGRESS To Limit Work.
Measures growing out of the inter
national situation and left over ap.
preparation bills, will comprise almost
the whole legislative program of the
approaching extra session of Con.
gress.
While leaders will not attempt to
frame a definite program until after
President Wilson's opening address
Senate Democratic leaders today ex
pressed belief that the work of the
extraordinary session would be con
aood 70 1ooic1otiOn which iS oaSonfi a /
ly extraordinary"
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
MARINE INSURANCE DOWN..

Rates Drop As U. S. Prepares Plans
To Protect Ships.
New YOrk.-Marine insurance rates
on transatlantic vessels have de-
clined 1 or points here since the
Government announced it's stand for
the protection of American shipping.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
CHAMPIONS LITTLE NATIONS.
Illinois House Wants War Declared
On This Ground.

Springfield, Ill.-The Illinois House
of Representative adopted a join
States enter the European war, il
enter in the cause of smaller nations
and liberty. The resolution will go tc
the Senate for concurrence. 1t en-
dorses the plea in behalf of smaller
nations made by President Wilson in
his address to the Senate January q
last
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
u. S. CANNOT TREAT
WITH GERMANY
Lansing Rejects Proposal to
Extend Agreements.
A SCATHING ARRAIGNMENT
Germany Again Arraigned BY the
United States For Its Flaqrant
Violation OF Treaty
Obligations.


Germany of regarding treaties as
scraps of paper, the United States
Governments note regarding recon
struction of the 1899 treaty informed
Germany that further engagement"
would be useless.
The note. made public in full Mon
day, added that the Government is
seriously considering whether or not
Germany's "fagrant violations" had
not abrogated the 17S5, 1899 and 1928
treaties.
Secretary Lansing pointed out that
what steps shall be taken should it be
determined that Germany, by her
actions, has nullified the treaties, was
something for the Senate to decide
when it meets. The question of
whether Germans in the United
States shall be interned in the event
of war and of whether German prop
erty shall be taken over by this Gov
ernment are among the real problems
which Congress must pass upon.
Germany Bitterly Arraigned.
Germany again is bitterly arraigned
for it's fragrant violation of treaty obli-
cations. Secretary Lansing, in per-
mitting publication of the correspond
ence in which the State Department
rejected the German protocol designed
to give Germans the immunity con-
ferred in the Prussian treaties of
17S5, 1899 and 1928, threw the search
light of publicity on German efforts
to hold the United States to a one
sided agreement.
Violated All Agreements.
The Secretary in this correspond
ence sent to the Swiss Minister, who
| represents German interests in the
United States, declares fatty that
| Germany has consistently violated all
of the provisions of this treaty, com
mencing with the sinking Of the
American schooner William P. Frye.
Secretary Lansing makes it plain
that in his opinion the actual treaties
themselves have been made in
| operative by the German actions, al
though the correspondence itself
simply rejects the proposed protocol.
In connection with the treaty pledges,
the Secretary says:
Il feel constrained, in view of the
| circumstances cited, to add that this
Government is seriously considering
whether or not the treaty of 1928 and
the revived articles of the treaties OF
1855 and 1899 have not been, in effect,
abrogated by the German Govern
ment's fragrant violation of these pro-
visions, for it would be manifestly un-
just and inequitable to require one
party to an agreement to observe its
stipulations and permit the other to
disregard them.
1T appears that the mutually OF
understanding has been destroyed by
the conduct of the German author
ities."
Teuton Methods Played.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

The Cumberland Chamber of Com
merce announced that the Baltimore
Bargain House will shortly erect
branch factory in Cumberland, to en-
ploy 900 operatives, and to be used
for the manufacture of mems and
women's wearing apparel.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
WAR MAY CLOSE HARVARD.
University Would Likely Be Made
Training Camp.

Cambridge, Mass. A semi-oficial
announcement was made that in the
event of war the college year at Har-
ward University probably would be
terminated within a short time and
the University plant turned into
military camp. The announcement
was in the form of an editorial in the
Harvard Crimson.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
READY TO AID RUSSIA.

American Committee Sends Massage
To Premier MiIukoff.
New York.-The American Commit.
tee for Russian Relief sent cable mes.
sage to Foreign Minister Milukoff, OF
Russia, announcing that it was anxi.
Gus to give any assistance required
for the relief of distress in Russia and
asking for instructions by cable.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Chaplain Evans preached the bac-
calaureate sermon to the 1873 members
of the 1917 class of midshipmen.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

1t was announced by President Pat
terson, Of the Maryland State College,
that Farmers Day this year would be
held May 80 Decoration Day.. That
date has proved so popular with the
farmers of the State in the last three
years that it was decided to make it
permanent OF particular interest to
farmers will be the announcement by
President Patterson of special rates OBJ
tanned by him with the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad for those who visit the
college that day.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
VASSAR GIRLS READY.
1920 Students At College Sign Up
For War Service.

Poughkeepsie, N. Announce
ment was made that Vassar College is
in a state of practical mobilization,
with nearly all Of it's 1,120 girl stu
dents signed up for war service in the
National League for Women's Service
as Nurses, Wireless Operators and
Clerks. Hospital classes of the Ameri-
can Red Cross are ready to be gradu-
ated at once. Sewing and knitting
classes have been at work for months.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
TO HAVE 500 CARS AT FRONT.
Americans Will Aid Four Sections TX
Field Ambulance.

Paris.-Four more sections of the
American field ambulance will be Of
fered to the French Army in April
Thus the organization will have more
Than ZOO cars at the front.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31
Teuton Methods FIayed.

Throughout the entire communica-
ton Secretary Lansing aays German
methods. Referring to the fact that
since diplomatic relations were
severed American citizens have been
prevented from removing freely from
Germany, the Secretary declares that
this indicates that Germany proposes
not to be bound by it's obligation to
grant that right.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Congressman-elect Frederick N.
Zihlman has been notified by Governor
Harrington that his resignation as
State Senator for Allegany county had
been accepted. The Governor in his
letter wished Mr.. Zihlman success dur
ing his tenure in the lower house of
Congress.
Middletown transcript., 1917-03-31

Miss Jenna May McCauley, youngest
daughter of former Postmaster Daniel
H. McCauley, Of 'Childs, died at the
home of her brother, DR.. Daniel Nc
Cauley, at Laurel, Mont, from injuries
sustained by falling down stairs. Miss
McCauley went West about nine
months ago, shortly after the death OF
her mother.