davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
MEXICO AND UNITED STATES


The friction between the United
States and Mexico, which had threat
ened for two years or more to result
In open warfare, began to disappear
early in 1917 and when the atten-
ton Of the people Of the United States
was focused upon more important
matters by the entrance Of the
United States into the world war. the
Mexican "crisis" faded from the public
view.
Despite the failure of negotiations
with the Carranza government Presi-
dent Wilson ordered the withdrawal Of
the American troops from Mexico and
on February 8, General Pershing and
his troops marched out Of Mexico af.
ter having been in that country almost
a year.
On March II, General Carranza was
formally elected president Of Mexico.
From this time on conditions in Mexi-
co became more tranquil and there
were evidences that President Carran-
"a was succeeding in restoring order
in the republic. 1t was not until late
In the year that Villa again became ac-
tive. On November Is. troops led by
Villas aids, captured Ojinaga, on the
American border, after a hard fight.
Several hundred Carranza soldiers fed
across the border and were interned
in the United States.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

The Danish West Indies, purchased
from Denmark for So. 1000 900, passed
under the Jurisdiction Of the United
States January ~, and were renamed
the Virgin islands.
Serious race riots in East st. Louis,
Mo-, July 2, resulted in the killing Of
more than 20 negroes and two white
men and heavy property loss by fire.
The riots were followed by prosecu-
tons by state officials and congress
sional investigation.
Soldiers Of the Twenty-fourth U. s.
infantry (colored) started race riot
at Houston, Tex, August %, resulting
in the death Of Is whites and several
negroes.
Interest in the general elections on
November 6 was conferred In New
York and Chicago, where Socialist
tickets were defeated by large majori-
ties. Judge Hylan, Democratic nomi-
nee, was elected mayor Of New York
over fusion, Republican and Socialist
candidates.
In Milwaukee, Wis, November %,
ten policemen and woman were kill
ed by the explosion of bomb found
in a church and taken to police head
quarters.
Thirteen negroes, convicted by court
martial Of participating in the race
riots at Houston, Tex. August %, were
hanged at San Antonio, December IL.
Forty-one others were given life SEN
fences.
The house Of representatives, on De-
cember IL, adopted resolution, al
ready adopted by the senate, submit
ting to the states q constitutional
amendment for national prohibition.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11

February 3, 80 were killed and "a
hurt in ship explosion at Archange%
On the same day an explosion at YoN
Ekohama killed 100. On February q
the British transport Mendi was sunl
in a collision, 625 South African la-|
borers being lost.
On March IL, a tornado in east CEN
trail Indiana killed more than 90 per-
sons and on March %, 38 were killed
and more than 200 injured when tor
nado wrecked part Of the city Of New
Albany, Ind.
| Explosions in Russian ammunition
plant near Chester, Pa, killed 112 per-
sons April 10. An explosion In the
Hastings mine near Ludlow. Colo,
April %, caused a loss Of 119slives.
May %, the city of Gyoenyoes, Hun
gary, was devastated by fire. Thirty
lives were lost and great damage was
done by storm in Kansas May % and
the following day tornadoes in central
Illinois killed $50 persons and destroy
ed property worth millions Of dollars.
May 20, many persons were killed in
| tornadoes in southern Illinois, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkan-
sas.
San Salvador, capital Of Salvador,
and number of surrounding towns
were partially destroyed by volcanic
eruption, earthquake and fire June z.
More than $50 men perished in blaz-
ing mine at Butte, Mont, June 8. Thir-
teen were killed and many injured
when water tank fell on the steamer
Christopher Columbus at Milwaukee,
Wis, June 80.
A Niagara Gorge trolley car plunged
into the rapids, July /, and % were
killed. A mine explosion at New Wa
terford, Cape Breton, killed 81 men
on July rs.
| A mine explosion at Clay, KY,
caused the loss Of 81 lives on August
| 4. Nineteen were lost when the Brit
ish steamer City of Athens. carrying
missionaries to Africa, was sunk by a
floating mine on August 10. Eighteen
were killed in trolley car collision
near North Branford, Conn.,, August
ID. On August Is. disastrous fire
swept Saloniki. Greece, destroying a
large part of the city.
Many, persons were killed in a ty-
phoon and food at Toxic, October 2,
and thousand persons were reported
drowned in great floods in Natal,
South Africa, October %.
About 1900 persons were killed and
millions Of dollars worth Of property
destroyed December by an explosion
and fire which followed collision in
the harbor at Halifax, N. S., between
Mont Blanc, French munition ship,
and the limo, laden with supplies for
the Belgian Relief Commission.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
THE WAR CONGRESS

The first tswar session" Of the Sixty
fifth congress which opened on April
2, was the most momentous session in
the history Of the United States up to
that time.
The first war bill passed by congress
was one authorizing the issuance of
bonds to an amount not exceeding So
100000 and authorizing the secre-
tary Of the treasury to purchase Sc
curities of governments at war with
Germany to the amount Of $780, OO,-
600.
The army CONSUMPTION act was
passed by the house April % by vote
Of 397 to "a and by the senate on May
! by vote Of 81 to s.
The first big war appropriation bill,
carrying appropriations aggregating
Sc, 281, 094, 541.60 for the army and
navy, was passed in the house May 2
with one opposing vote and in the SEN
ate May 10 without roll call.
The measure known as the espion-
age act, intended to prevent disloyal
acts on the part Of residents of the
United States and also containing pro-
visions giving the president power to
place an embargo on exports, was
signed by the president June 10.
A bill appropriating $640, 900 for
the development Of the air service was
passed without a record vote by the
senate on June IS and by the house
on June %.
The food control act, under which
broad powers were given to the presi-
dent for the regulation Of the sale of
food and fuel, was passed in the house
June % by vote Of 1855 to and in
the senate July 81 by vote Of 81 to 6.
The second great bond issue act,
authorizing the issuance of bonds to
the amount Of $7,53S, 945, $40 and war
savings certificates to the amount of
So, 600, 100000, was passed In the house
September 3 and in the senate Septem-
Der Is.
The revenue act, first introduced in
the house May 8, was passed by the
house May %, but was not passed by
the senate until September 10. The
conference report was accepted Octo-
Der 2. The message provides for the
raising of nearly $780, 100000 annu-
ally, largely from income and excess
profits taxes.
The second big war appropriations
act, carrying total Of $3.50, $685.
01Ro3 Including S635 600 600 additional
for the emergency shipping fund, was
approved by the president October 6.
The second session of the war con-
gress opened December 8, and the fol-
lowing day President Wilson delivered
a message declaring that nothing will
turn the United States aside from its
task until the war is won.
During December both houses Of con-
gress opened far-reaching investiga-
lions into the war preparations Of the
war and navy departments.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
DISASTERS ON LAND AND SEA

The year 1917 was marked by many
disasters on land and sea, aside from
those resulting from the land and
naval operations Of the countries at
war. Thousands Of lives were lost
and millions Of dollars worth of prop
erty was destroyed by fires, explosions,
earthquakes, tornadoes and other de-
structive agencies In all parts Of the
world.
On January 5, an earthquake in For
mosa caused the death of 800 persons
On January 25, an earthquake killed 80
persons on Bali Island, Malay archi-
peligo.
On February 2, an explosion and fire
ina Chicago tenement killed 20. On
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC

Industrial unrest was apparent In
the United States throughout 1917,
largely as result Of war conditions
and in spite Of efforts made by the
government, aided by leaders Of organ
lied labor, to prevent strikes which
would delay the nations war prepara-
tons.
Early in the year nationwide
strike of the skilled railroad employees,
which had been averted In 1915 by the
passage of the Adamson law, providing
indirectly for an increase In wages.
was again threatened, owing to the
fact that the placing Of the Adamson
law in operation was delayed pending
a decision by the United States Su-
preme court on Its validity. the
threatened strike was averted March
18 by the capitulation Of the railroad
managers. On the following day the
United States Supreme court handed
down decision holding the Adamson
law constitutional.
Serious troubles were precipitated In
the Arizona copper fields July ] when
the miners struck. Disorders were re-
ported from several points and on
July II the people Of Bigbee, Ariz., de-
ported 1900 members Of the Industrial
Workers of the World, who it was
charged had fomented the strikes in
the copper mines. On July 81, 80 /.
w. w. leaders were deported from
Gallup, N. M. On August 1, Frank Lit
tie, i. w. w. leader, who had been
prominent in the Arizona troubles, was
lynched at Butte, Mont. where he had
gone to take part in a strike Of miners
and where he was alleged to have
made speeches attacking the govern
ment.
A serious tie-up of all shipbuilding
plants in the country was threatened
in August and September. Machinists
and boilermakers in Eastern ship
yards went on strike August Fl and
$4,000 skilled mechanics and other
workmen struck in San Francisco Sep
TENDER IL. On September 20, Presi-
dent Wilson named a commission,
headed by Secretary Of Labor Wilson
and representing both employers and
employees, to act as his personal rep
resentatives in allaying labor troubles
during the war. The strike in the San
Francisco shipyards was ended Sep
TENDER 26 through the efforts Of the
government mediators.
Leaders of organized labor in the
United States took decided stand
throughout the year In support Of the
government preparations for war and
against antiwar propaganda. At the
annual meeting of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor In Buffalo in Novem-
Der, union labor pledged its solid sup
port to the government in the prosecu-
ton of the war.
The railroads Of the country faced
another crisis during the closing
months Of the year when demands
were made by the four brotherhoods
for wage increases averaging 40 per
cent, affecting, directly and indirectly,
approximately 100000 railroad en-
ployees.
Labor troubles of the year were
closely allied with economic develop
ments, growing out of the increased
cost of lining in the United States. In
order to prevent further Increases In
prices government regulation Of many
industries was undertaken as q war
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
POLITICS IN FOREIGN LANDS

A spirit Of unrest was apparent In
many widely separated countries in
1917, leading in some cases to revolu-
ton and civil war. The revolution In
Russia, resulting in the abdicaticn Of
Gar Nicholas and the forced abdica-
ton of King Constantine Of Greece
were events closely allied with the
war. Disturbances in China, including
an attempt to restore the monarchy,
were influenced partly by the war.
Conditions In China were unsett 1lls
til June 80. when under the !
of monarchists, Hsuan Tung,.
emperor, announced his resu
the throne Of China. Civi
mediately broke out and o
the attempt to restore the
collapsed. On July IS the
army, led by Chang Hsun, sur
after a battle at Picking. The repS
lican government was firmly establish
ed again and later declared war on
Germany and Austria Hungary.
Civil war In Cuba threatened to dis.
rupt that country during the early
months Of the year. The rebels were
badly defeated in several engagements
and on March 7, Gomez, their leader.
was captured. The rebellion was
stamped out quickly after the capture
Of Gomez.
Great Britain continued to wrestle
with the Irish problem throughout the
year. The Irish nationalists, on March
z, demanded immediate home rule and
marched out Of the house Of commons
in body. On July rs a convention
proposed by Premier Lloyd George and
representing all factions In ireland met
for the purpose Of drafting a home
rule constitution for Ireland.
Some Misunderstanding between
the United Ssetes and Japan over I'd
Eastern matterssyere cleared away
the signing by diplomatic represent
tives of the two countries on Nove
Der 2 of an agreement by (Which Il
United States recognizes 4 fact thu
Japan has special interests in o
because of its proximity but
teeing the territorial
China and the maipta
(copyrigf
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11
THE WORLD WAR.

After three and a half years Of the
most sanguinary lighting In history.
the great nations of the world, togeth-
Ter with many Of the smaller ones, are
IT'LL at death grips, with less prospect
an early peace than was thought 10
list year ago.
htedly the greatest develop
~ the year was the entrance Of
ne United States Of America into the
conflict. The throwing Of the ire
mendous resources and man power OF
the American republic into the balance
on the side OF the entente allies, in the
opinion Of military experts. has more
than offset the advantages gained by
Germany and her allies during the past
twelve months and has made possible
the continuance Of the conflict until q
time when q definite military decision
can be obtained.
There have been a half dozen or
more outstanding events in the past
year. Some Of these have been of
purely military Significance and others
have been occurrences OF Q political ma
ture which have had q far-reaching eff
feet upon the titanic conflict.
Chief among the political upheayals
Of the year was the Russian revolution
which resulted IN the overthrow Of
Cznr Nicholas and eliminated during
the closing months of the year In q
counter-revolution which practically
eliminated Russia from the ranks of
the nations opposed to the central pow
ers. From q military standpoint the
chief events of the year have been
the launching Of the German ruthless
submarine campaign, which was d.
rectly responsible for the entry Of the
United States into the war; the Brit
fish offensives on the west front, first
In the Arras sector, later in Flanders
and still later on the 35-mile front be
tween Arras and st. Quentin; the Ital'
ian offensive against Austria from
Tolmino to the Adriatic and the sub
sequent offensive of the Germans and
Austrians against Italy. which resulted
In the overrunning of northern Italy
by the Teutonic allies.
The entry Of China, Cuba, Brazil,
Siam and other countries into the war
on the side Of the entente allies, the
overthrow Of King Constantine Of
Ns>tl - y = 49, =
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11

On January 81. Germany announced
the Inauguration of ruthless submarine
warfare.
President Wilson acted promptly,
Eeyering diplomatic relations witt.
Germany on February 3.
The Cunard liner Haconia was sunk
without warning Off the Irish coast
February 25 with the loss of Is lives.
Including those OF two American wom-
N February %, 1t was announced
the United States government was
session lof communication ad-
~ sy the German foreign minis
to the German minister at Mex
leo City, instructing him to pro-
pose an alliance between Germany
land Mexico, and to suggest that
as soon as war with the United States
was certain. the president of Mexico
communicate with Japan, offering to
mediate between Japan and Germany.
As q reward Mexico was promised gem
eral financial support from Germany
and the reconquest of lost territory in
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The United States department of
Estate announced. March II. that it
had 4 fmined to place armed guards
upon all American merchant vessels
sailing through the German war zone.
March IA, 1t was learned that the
American steamship Algonquin had
been sunk without warning by Ger
man submarine. On the same day
China severed diplomatic relations
with Germany and seized German mer-
chant ships In the harbor at Shanghai.
Gear Nicholas Dethroned.
On March Is. the Russian revolu-
Rry movement, which had begun
god riots and strikes, eliminated
plication of Car Nicholas both
elf and his son. Pending the
constituent assembly the
was vested in the execu-
tee of the Duma and a
council Of ministers with
IS premier.
forces on the west
IL, began general
ApIlt of IS miles from
Soir-cns. falling
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11

son issued an olcSl =
prices for bituminous coal in the ~
ducing districts Of the country. On
August %, President Wilson appointed
DR.. II. A. Garfield fuel administrator
for the United States. On August 30
the United States wheat committee
fixed the basic price for the 1917 crop
at $500 a bushel.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-11

n the demand OF France and
1 and other events important
Yves were overshadowed by
/ developments of the year.
lean Peace Effort Fails.
Ear opened the only military
Of importance in progress
by Germany and her
the humiliation of
8ttention was conferred
hest that had been made
it Wilson that the various
nations state the terms up
Seace might be discussed.
ksA seemed to preclude any
tion by thle United States AS
iker, but ON January % Pres
son in an address before the
Id down THE principles which
red should guide the United
participating In a league to
,eace at the close Of the pres
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-07
LOADS AT END OF GOOD ROAD
Double Amount Of Team Power Re-
quired TO Haul Wagons over In
improved Country Highway.

To see what happens at the end OF
the good road, a public road specialist
OF the department OF agriculture re-
Gently had observations made In differ
ent sections OF the country. Observers
noted many country-bound teamsters
who drove two loaded wagons, hitched
one behind the other, to the end Of the
good road, where they left one wagon
by the roadside to be returned for
later while ali the power OF their teams
was devoted to hauling q single wagon
over the unimproved highway.
Farmers bound for market frequent
ly were seen to haul wood and similar
products to the beginning Of the good
road, there dumping them and return
ing for a second load When this ar
rived, the two loads were consolidated
and easily hauled by a single team the
remaining distance to market over the
improved road
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-07
PREFACE

For ii years the kaiser was
my patient All l know OF him
and all that he told me came to
me while the relation of patient
and dentist existed between us.
For that reason I felt at first
that, no matter how vital to the
allied cause might be the infOr-
nation could give as to the kai-
ser's viewpoint, ambitions and
plans, the requirements of pro-
fessionaI ethics must seal my
lips and compel me to withhold
it from the world at large.
When, however, l considered
the grave crisis that confrOnts
the world and in which my own
country is playing so important
a part, and realized that what 1
knew of the kaiser might prove
of some value to civilization,
concluded that my patriotic duty
was paramount and rose SUI
periOr to any of the ordinary de-
mands of professional ethics.
In this conclusion 1 was
strengthened by the urgent solicit
tatiOn of the leaders of my pro-
fessiOn who were most emphatic
in their contention that my
ethical qualms were entirely I'M
warranted in view of all the cir
cumStanceS.
ARTHUR N. DAVIS. D. D. S.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-07
CHAPTER u.
The Kaiser at Petsdam.


Getting out of Germany proved to be
q far more difficult proposition than I
had imagined.
Realizing that it would probably be
several months before I could finally
settle up my affairs, and that my child
who was anemic, ought to be taken
out of Germany with as little delay as
possible because food conditions were
fast going from bad to worse, 1 ap-
piled to the kommandantur for leave to
have my wife and child go to Mem
treux, on Lake Geneva, Switzerland,
where I hoped to join them at the
earliest possible moment and accom-
pany them home. I did not relish the
idea of their going across the ocean
without me-
That was in May, 1917. Weeks
passed while our application was going
from one official to another, lying. per-
haDs for days at time under pile of
other applications of a similar char
acter or awaiting the investigation of
our personal histories, and it was not
until the end of June that we received
any word regarding it. Then we
learned that 1t had been denied.
This was my first intimation that we
might have difficulty In getting out Of
Germany.
A day or two later the kaiser called
on me professionally and told him Of
our plight, hoping that he would inter
cede for us. It was the only favor Of q
personal character had ever asked Of
him.
MY child is ailing. your majesty"
said, 'and I feel that she needs a
change OF climate. I applied to the
kommandantur for leave for my wife
and child to go TO Montreux, but have
Just heard that it has been refused ~
Davis, I will see what can do in
the matter" he replied reaSsuringly,
and as he was leaving my Office he
turned to me and said In the presence
of his two adjutants: Regarding that
matter you spoke OF, leave 1t to me
and I will see what can dol
The kaiser's influence would readily
solve cur problem, / thought. and
was very much relieved. Two days
later, however, I received a letter
from Count Won Moltke, one OF the kali
ser's adjutants, stating that the kali
ser had spoken TO him regarding the
Switzerland project, but. under the
circumstances, it was out OF the ques-
ton. If. however. my child's condition
were such as to make change Of eli
mate really necessary. he added, the
| kaiser suggested that q trip to the
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-07
ECONOMY IN GOOD HIGHWAYS
Good Demonstration Made by Motor.
truck Firm in Practical Test
Quite Recently.

At its meeting in Chicago the
United States Chamber of Commerce
adopted a resolution that the govern
nnent, through the president and the
director general OF railroads, be petit
toned, among other things, to 'com-
plete trunk highways for heavy traffic
where they can be used in relieving
railroad congestion" Note the phrase
''heavy traffic'-which calls, not mere
" for graded highway rights OF way,
but for hard surface, cement, asphalt
or brick roadbeds capable OF sustain
ing the heaviest trucks and dependable
in all sorts of weather
The day is coming-in fact, It is
here-when such highways are almost
sn absolute necessity. In some sec
lions of the country, due to railroad
inadequacy to meet the traffic de-
mands, paved crOss-country highways
are Indispensable to commerce and
community prosperity.
So, while we are building roads let
rs build them, not for today, but for
the days to come, says Atlanta Con-
stitution. 1t will be cheaper in the
long run, and vastly more satisfac-
tory from the WORD go"
The dollars-and-cents saving, and
the time economy. in hard surface
roads were clearly demonstrated by
a Northern motortruck firm in a
practical test completed some time ago
when a consignment of heavy mer-
chandise was moved overland from
Detroit, Mich, TO Toledo, o.
''The total pay load carried by a
four-ton tractor truck and two trail
ers was u TONS" says Automobile
Topics in discussing the trip. 1.-The
load was distributed as follows: Two
tons on the truck, six tons on q five
ton trailer and four tons on a three
ton trailer. The trip was made in
eight and a half hours over 48 miles
Of cement and asphalt and ID miles Of
dirt road. Almost exactly as much
tine was required to travel over the
Dirt road as over the cement, because