davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
FOOD CONSIDERED
BY TEUTON CHIEFS
Big Council at Berlin Called to
Discuss Economic Situation
Strikes Put Down.

London, Feb. . Military severity ap-
parently has suppressed the strikes which
have troubled Germany for almost a week
but signs of even greater trouble are seen
here in a sudden gathering yesterday of q
council of the Central Powers in Berlin.
A semi-ofiicial Berlin despatch says
that discussions in the high political
and military conference concerned food
questions and Germany's relations with
her Eastern enemies, especially TO the
desired conclusion of peace with lkmlne.
A semi-official dispatch from Berlin
TO Amsterdam said DR.. Won kuehlmann,
German Foreign Minister, aud Count
Czernin, the Austro- Hungarian Foreign
Minister, who had been at Brest-Iltovsk,
and Gen. Won Ludendorff, the German
Chief Quarternaster General would par
ticipate in deliberations on political and
economic questions affecting the common
interests and territories of Germany and
Austria Hungary Count Bottle Won We
del the German Ambassador to Vienna,
also was expected to attend
Another dispatch said the Bulgarian
Premier, Vaseil Radoslavof and the
Turkish Grand Vlzier, Talaat Pasha,
would be present.
The Amsterdam correspondent OF the
Exchange Telegraph Company says the
sudden return of kuehlmanu and Czernin
TO Berlin is considered in German political
circles as the forerunner of the rupture
Of the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
COAL SHIPMENTS AGAIN HELD UP;
RAILWAY TRAFFIC PARALYZEDs
C0LDEST FEB. 5 IN Is YE AIRS

Philadelphia. Feb. 5.-An unexpected
drop IN temperature to the lowest Of the
winter in some sections has again retarded
the production and movement 81 coal IA
the anthracite field
Pottsville, in tho heart of the region.
reported sixteen below zero, Allentown
twelve below, Wiliamsport ten below
and Harrisburg six below. Other lo-
calities reported an extreme Of 26 below
n the mountain districts.
In Philadelphia the official thermome-
ter recorded two below at s q. m, drop
of seven degrees since midnight.
The United States weather bureau
reports this TO have been the coolest
February day since 1899
Early reports from the anthracite
field were to the effect that the extreme
cold weather had almost completely
paralvzed the railroads and mines.
dispatch from Harrisburg today says
transportation throughout Pennsylvania
Is paralyzed as the result OF last night 5
unexpected drop IN temperature. The
temperature officially in Harrisburg IS
gwen rs hvc degrees below zero, but in
the country throughout the central Penn
sylvania reports vary from 10 to 20 de-
grees below.
Passenger trans on the Pennsylvania
anu Cumberland Valley railroads were
frozen ia drifts at many points today and
Continued on page 6
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
MANHOLE PLATES
HURLED SKYWARD
IN WEST EIGHTH ST.
Several Dwellings Were Damaged
and the Community Was
Greatly Excited
JUST BEFORE NOON TODAY

With d report that could be heard In all
parts of the city, the Bell telephone sub
way manhOle covers along " est Eighth
street. st jackson, Harrison and Franklin
streets, were blown up shortly before noon
today, due to heavy explosion OF gas
that had accumulated in the subway.
These manhole lids have holes in them TO
allow the gas that collects to escape, but
the snow and ice of the past week had
choked these holes and as q result the gas
collected and caused the explosion.
The explosion at Eighth and Franklin
streets was probably the most serious. II
badly damaged the cornice and roof of the
house of J. Henry Grimm, at 1919 West
Eighth street The whole sewer plate was
thrown IN the s-ir and In its flight went to
the third story c0rnIce Of the Grimm home
and struck the wooden cOrnIce there and
badly damaged it and then came down
through the front porch roof Of the house
and tore a hole through it.
The plate at Harrison street broke into
several pieces and one OF these pieces
struck the roof Of the porch Of the home
of Clarence ". Pyle, at 1923 West Eighth
street, and damaged it to some extent.
At tLIgnJh au,I a acAsOn streets tie Iurcc
Of the explosion did not break the plate
but sent ii flying sky7Eard and in It's flight
il struck the arc4ight at that intersection
and put it out of commission.
1t seems like almost a miracle that some
person was not either killed or badly
injured as a result Of the accident, but no
person was injured. Persons living in the
immediate neighborhood were badly shak-
en- as a result of the blow-up and it was
thought by many that one Of the powder
plants had gone up. Some people even
went TO the roofs Of their homes TO try to
see the smoke they expected to rise from
the powder yards.
Someone called fire companies and they
responded but were Of no service and both
the telephone companies, the gas Co. end
the Traction Co, sent their men 70 see II
they could help matters. The gas could be
plainly deto cted in the vicinity where
the plates were bloWn of 1t cv'd ntly
escaped from leaks in nearby gas mains
due to the freeze, and found its way into
the telephone sui way.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
THREE CLOSED DAYS
LIKELY NEXT WEEK
Sunday, Monday and Lincoln S
Birthday Expected to Aid
the Fuel Situation.
By Associated Press to Every Evenins


Washington. Feb.
II was practically certain today after
a conference between Fuel Administrators
Garfield and Director General McAdoo
that the heatleas Mondays could not be
Immediately abandoned IA had been
hoped because the intense cold had SO
cut down movement of fuel supplies 10
the country
As Director-Gencral McAdoo and Fuel
Administrator Garfield went into confer
euce 10 discuss abandoning the heatlcss
Monday, reports came IN showing coal
move mCnts east OF the Mississippi cut
more than fifteen per cent IN the last two
DAYS.
Continuance OF the order will result
in a three day shutdown next week, which
will be of material assistance, the fuel
men believe, in the coal and railroad
situation in the East. Tuesday, February
IL, is l,incoin's Birthday, a recognized
holiday in lnoat OF the. States which are
worst affected by the coal situation.
Because of this movement for n general
three day shutdown similar 10 the five
day shutdown of ;wu weeks ago Is finding
favor with Fuel Administration officials.
1t probably would be necessary to invoke
for the second time the general shutdown
order TO make the three day period
entirely effective.
The Monday order applies only on
Mondays and there would be nothing to
stop factories and other plants from
operating Sunday and on Lineoln's s
Birthday without special order covering
these two days.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
RUMANIAKS CAPTURE
z RUSSIAN DIVISIONS
Fighting III Progress All Over
Bessarabia as Far as the
Dniester River.

London, Feb. Official kilograms
despatched from Jassy Saturday, say the
greater part of the Roumanian army is
enaged in fighting Russian troops, who
are overrunning Moldavia and Bessarbia.
while Bolshevik troops are concentrating
In Bukowina.
After twenty-four hours fighting, the
Rumanians disarmed the Ninth Russian
Division, which attacked Galatz, taking
over fifty guns, and surrounded and dis
armed the Eighth Russian Division, which
attacked the centre of the Moldavian
front This division was sent under convoy
to Russia.
In response TO an appeal from the
BessaraLian Republic, it is officially de
clared, Rumania sent troops there 70 pre-
vent the devastation Of the country By
bands Of Russians, and also occupied
hishinev, the Ungheni-Jassy Railway and
depots from which Rumania draws sup
plies
Fighting is in progress between the
Rumanians and the BosheYiki ali over
Bessarahia as far as the Dniester
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
GOV. TOWNSEND
CONSIDERS CALLING
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Said Today, However, That He
Had Not Reached a
Decision.
WAR LAWS ARE SOUGHT
Special Dispatch to Every rvenius

Speldi lispeVCh 70 Every ENeblus
Dover. Feb. 5.-Govemor Townsend
was not at the State House today. but
was gotten in communication with at his
home in Seibyville and asked concerning
the possibilities of special session Of
the Legislature To pass certain war meas
ures. The governor stated that he was
holding the matter Of calling \ special
session under most careful and thoughtful
consideration, but up TO the present
tame had not reached &c nitc decision
Strong resolutions urging special
session was passed at the last Delaware
State Grange session, representing \
large percentage OF the farmers and
agriculturists of the State and similar
demand was made by large vote N the
recently organized Farm Bureau 81 kcnt
county, held here some weeks ago, asking
for some legislation that WI assist 4 III
solving the labor QueS ton, .lnd ia view of
the fact that the NaUonIl Council Of
Defense is making demands upon the
State, which come outsidc dt the cmerg-
gency resolution passed by the last Legs
latlIYe Governor TOWNSEND! rs deeply
impressed with the reasons put forth by
their agencies, especially those vitally
connected with the farming interests IN
the production of foodstufIs, and, for this
reason, the calling Of special session
seems probable
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
NO FUEL RELIEF
Administrators Ten Weegcs Returns
From Washington With No !
encouragement.

Charles H. Ten Weeges, State Fuel
Administrator, returned from W ashington
last night, but declined to make any
statement for publication further than
that there would be no change in the
orders fer Monday closing until further
instructions were received from Wash
ingtOn-
The extreme shortage Of fuel and the
impossibiity Of moving il from the mines
has placed this section Of the country al
most on a famine basis and the admins
trait n hesitates TO take any action look
ing toward an increased consumption Of
fuel.
In Wilmington the situation has as
Sumed u rather alarming aspect. There
is not more than a twenty-four hour s
supply on hand, the dealers depending
sci lyupon dailyreceipts y fill their orders
Hard coal can not be had and the bulk
Of the deliveries now being made Of neCes-
sitv are soft coal While this is not so
satisfactory as the hard coal people in
need of fuel are cont PEELED TO use that or do
without, and with the temperatures hover
ing around zero no one is refusing any
thing in the shape Of fuel
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
SH|PYARD MEN
HAVE CLOSE CALL
Several Overcome by Charcoal Gas
in a Boat at Pusey g. Jones
Wharf.

Several men employed at the Pusey IL
Jones works escaped death by but few
I4lin2tes this morning when they were over
come by gas from a charcoal fire that had
been built in the hold Of boat IN which
they were working From what could be
learned, five men were working in the
hold Of boat that was recently launched
Because Of the extremely cold Gather
they had built fire of charcoal in a small
tin pan The men wor ed along all right
for sometime and the effects of the gas
thrown off from the charcoal were not felt
for a time.
Had it not been that one of the men
working In the hold found it necessary to
get a tool from another boat, it is probable
that all would have been asphyzlated.
This man left the hold and went for the
needed tool. When he returned he found
the other men lying IN the hold uncon-
scious Aid was at once summoned and
men working in the yard managed TO get
the men to the deck of the boat. The
police station was called upon and patrol
/ car with Officers Robinson Brown and
7 Gamble hurried to the scene, with the
lungmotor Qf the department.
/ When they arrived, Patrick McGorgan
! had already been removed TO the domno-
| pathic Hospital in the Phoanix ambulance.
James Lynn, father Of former Assistant
City Solicitor John Lynn, and Ephriam
| White, colored, were still atthe plant and
! the officers administered artificial respira-
| tion and then removed the victims to the
| homeopathic Hospital The Negro was
/ the weakest of all and be had to be given
/ treatment at the institution with the lung
/ motor, but was soon revived.
! james Shivery was in the gang OF work
men, but he was revived soon after being
removed from the boat and did not have to
! be removed to the hospital. All the VIC
TINS were able TO leave the hospital this
I afternoon
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
AMERICANS HOLDING
HARD PART OF LINE
Is Nearest 10 Rhine Defenses and
Most Difficult for an
Offensive.
WAsnINe.roN- = 8.

WASHINGTON, fEH. D.
Gen Petshing has taken over one Of the
hardest portions Of the western front
The terrain is billy, woody, broken and
extremely cold. The American force now
in the front line trenches are nearer the
Rhine River and actual German territory
than any Allied units, except the French
IN Upper Alsace
So far rs olTicial reports indicate,
the American front may be anywhere
between st. MihieI and Epinal. The
Allied line in French Lorraine extends
southeast from Verdun. There has been
little change on the battle line on this
front since the French near the outbreak
Of the war succeeded IN getting a foot
ing on German territory, a small portion
of which they still hold.
A military expert Of high rank dig
clissing the reason why the Lorraine
sector was selected, at least for the pres
ent, for the American front, said;
FRENCH WANTED OUR MEN
That is peculiarly the French part
of the line, and the French most wanted
our troops. The sector fitted 10 best
too with plans for supplying the American
forces without confusion. The British
part of the line protects the points vital
TO Britain, England protection and
convenience working happily together.
10 nave started Ia Oh uie 'front.'
cl9sest TO the English would have meant
interference with the British supply,
because il would have caused such 3
concentration on the channel coast as to
amount TO congestion, so naturally an
other coast of france WAS selected for the
trited States transport service. This
left the British unmolested in their de-
fence of the positions they are most sensi-
tive about
''To have chosen a more central posi-
ton for the American army would have
meant interference also with the French
defensive system. The French army Is so
disposed as to constitute the best defence
of Paris II can be said that both the
British and the French forces are anchored
TO defensive positions OF course. Of
feIlsives are talked OF, but tho considera-
tion of foremost concern III both armies Is
the defence
THE ceasiest part of the front upon
which TO conduct an offensive is the
British, because they would advance
against lines which have been construct
ed only since the war began The French
and Americans are up against the old
German line-Die Wacht am Rhein-
which the Germans have been fortifving
ever since the War Of 1871 and for whose
better defence strategic railways systems
have been constructed by Germany"
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
BUSINESS SECTION
OF ABERDEEN, ND,
WRECKED BY FIRE
Water Plugs Frozen. Dynamite
Necessary to Check Blaze
Early Today,
ESTIMATED LOSS 100000

Aberdeen. Md, an important town
on the Maryland division of the T., II.
& ". railroad, about 40 miles south of
Wilmington, was almost wiped oil the
map by fire carly TODAY The business
section of the town was badly wrecked,
n number of large stores being burned and
n loss resulting which Is estimated az
100000. number OF families, II -
understood were routed out of their
homes by fire Because of frozen fire
plugs, which made it impossible to use
water in any apprrciablc quantity. It.
was necessary TO blow a number OF build
Ings up with dynamite to check the prog
ress of the blaze
This latter work was done by about 200
soldiers and workmcn from the govern
ment proving ground near Aberdeen,
who quickly responded tn the call for
help and proved q wonderful aid to the
local fire fighting force, not only IN
checking the blaze, hut also IN taking
care of the sufferers The mercury regis
tered 10 degrees below zero, and high
wind was blowing from tho west when the
fire broke out. thus adding 10 the handi-
caps enumerated above Many persons
who were asleep IN their beds had to tiee,
scantily clad, for their lives.
The fire was discovered at about $50
O'Clock in the grocery store of W. n.
Adams & Son, on the main street, and the
flames spread go rapidly that there was
no hope Of continuing them 20 tho building
in which they started. The origin Of the
blaze had not been learned. The follow
ing buildings were destroyed
United States postothce.
W " Adams x Sons grocery store.
William Silver & Co, canned goods
brokers.
Henry X Tarring & Son, hardware.
l.. ). Slade, harness.
5. L. Fylc, groceries
Hsnwsy & Gibson, general merchandise
Several smaller buildings, also some
dwellings
Ivin' drug store
All of the buildings destroyed were
wooden structures.
The fire had practically burned itself
out up to the dynamited area by 10
q clock, and there was no further danger,
The railroad property was not damaged.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
HOPES Of ALLIES
OUTOONE BY u. S.
Head Of House Committee Says
We Have Given More Aid
Tnan Expected.
b. Associated Press % Every Eycnlus

NAsHINGroN, Feb. ..
The United States viii furnish more
men and money for the war IN 3 far
shorter time than has been the fondest
hope Of our own people and the people Of
the nations with which we arc associated,
Chairman Flood of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, declared in the House today in
presenting the Diplomatic and Consular
appropriation bill.
As the result Of the work of Col. Uouse 5
mission Mr. Flood said, ia complete
understanding exists Of precisely what the
Allies need from this country and exactly
what this country can furnish them"
Under the secretaries Of State, War and
Navy, he declared, the country viii furn-
ish more in men and means than WIS
expected of us.
The appropriation bill a. presented by
Chaipnan Flood carries IS. .206, ,0S7 for the
next fiscal year. 100000 more than the
current appropriation because Of increased
var burdens. The increase provides for
% new secretaries TO embassies and
legations, many additional clerks, aug
menttd secret funds and other allowance
With the State Departments sanction,
Mr.. Flood told how the Japanese mission 5
visit here resulted in exchange OF notes
which. he said, removed causes Of friction
between the TWO countries and works for
peace in the Far East, making quite re-
! mote the possibility so often discussed Of
trouble between this country and Japan
"Rationing of neutrals, involving an
interference with some of the vital supplies
Of such countries AS holland, Denmark and
Sweden, he said, lis a matter calculated
10 create intense irritation, with the tang
ible risk OF it's developing into enmity.
Too much cannot be said of the splendid
manner in which the State Department
handled this delicate situation" tie
closed with personal tribute 70 Secre-
tary Lansing
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
Discover Foes Intended chsrgs
and Drop Heavy Barage Fire
on Hostile Lines
BELIEVE TtUT0NS LOST
HEAVILY IN MEN KILLED
Pershing's Men Wounded in Figh'
Last Saturday Displayed Hieh
cst Type of Courage
MANY Gas SHELLS FIRED
~ As.oeia,ea Pres, - rv,ry Ev-alss

~ hsso~iated Press ~ Tvrry Evrnirr
with The Amrflcau Army F-r1~r
Monday. Feb 'dclsysd
German plans to Fnid fhe Amcrie1r
frenches were frustratrd etriv f0faF
The American 1rfi'icrrTnrr puf down
hcayy bJrage n front md or 'fs GsT
'nsn lines which lrr believed 1 lav'
Dern filed with men and nf~rrs awutinr
thr signal ~ attaek
Tho sector occupied ~ tbe tr1~rirar
troops Is northwest ~ i1W
advisable 70 mention no number q ncf
in line the length n 'he Te~ior mi 0fhrr
dcfaile
The location of ihr eertrr ~ kept
secret until lt hecaruc cer'sin fFnf 30
enemy had discovered "
N was discovered ~ certain h0rr
that the Germans intended ~ carry 0uf
a "ailent raid Fifteen ninutes heirri
the time set all The American guns ron
ceatrated their hre where, arrnrf M 2
the information The enrrny raF r7aeaeT
II is believed heavv aFlalii~- were 2
flicte5 on tbe Ge-Tnare
E~Ewy r.Tv7 gss rprv1v
There has been = nenersl incrrape .n
the artillery lrtivity Tor 'hn .aEt da.
or ~ al along the American front rb,
Germans are stll unable - oceupv fhe
FIRST line trenches which were -avrd
bv the American art1ler7 fire. Thet
have now. constructed another linz ~
trenches ~ that point
American patrols have w0rsrf fheir
way over No Man Land and inEpecterf
the damaged trenches 1s well AZ faev
could
The Germans ar~ using gas sheeiis
freely and endnaynrrr - envci0n ono
~ our battery positions with "a, bus
without success. They have dropped q
number Of shells IN the roads befiina tho
American lines.
Two men we're reported wounded today
By shells. The visibility remains poor.
WOUNDED MEN COURAGEOUS
Fuller reports from the tirst Inc show
great courage was exhibited BY tie troops
during the heavy German bombar1men,
of Saturday A number u men Eho
were wounded slightly by'snell spiInters
we're treated in the first lne with thea
first aid packets ana insisted 90 remaining
at their posts until the night wae lnlsneu
One nlan Who was carried 20 u neid dress
ing station returned % ms comrades u
the line after hls wounds mad benl at
tended 70, ana renamed on duty untli
the firing ceased ana tho danger SAa over
All the men later went % . hospital Tor
full treatment.
Many Of the Americans have la1
their irst experlencc with Eas 10 TIC ass
few days, Is the Germans have lccn
sending over q considerable nunber q
gas shells None came over tins aluH
noon, but an alarm was -1vcn- rhn
chief OF staif ol one division anu anothe-
staff officer Vno were motoring - q VII
lacc back of the lines came upon sey
eral companies, alI the men n masks
The officers hurnedly put on their oWn
MASKS and rode on toward the front lnf
At the next village the men we're searinG
masks. The officers kept theirs IN unu
they saw. through a shell hule n the aid
OF 4 BRICK val, 20 Infantrymen Rltn o.
masks on. rolling dice as nothing had
happened
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
PATRIOTIC STUDENTS.
Those at No. "a Grammar School
Have Disposed of $l,7lS
in War Stamps.

With determination to do their bit
toward helping America and her Ailies
to win the war. and with feeling tha'
no sacrifice is too great if II is actuatod 10y
patriotism and love of ones country
the students at No. "A Grammar school
under the generalship of Miss Sallie keld
Shaw, the principal, had up to noon To,
day, bought 1913 war savings stamps ana
5000 thrift certi Gates, representing
cash outlay of Sl,715.76. =,
This is regarded as wonderful, school
record and it speaks .volumes for the
children. The campaign, which is in
charge Of Miss Shaw, aided by her corps
OF teachers. has been well planned and
is being carried out with thoroughness
and the cooperation of everybody at
the school The children have been using
all Of their available money, including
Christmas gifts, prize money derived from
bread making and other war contests
and in every way they have shown their
loyalty to their school, their teachers
and their country.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-05
Zero Temperatures Extend East
Of the Mississippi From
Maine 10 Florida.
RAILWAYS AGAIN TIED UP
WEATHER OUTLOOK IN
DELAWARE FOR TONIGHT
AND TOMORROW
Fair and continued rold to-
night; Wednesday fair and not
quite 81 cold, diminishing north
west winds.
WAsHINrroH ~
tttttttttttttttttttttstttttt stttttttttt
ociatef Press - Every Evening


Severe cold today gripped the country
cast of the Mississippi river from its
northern borders To the Gulf 81 Mexico
adding its share toward making this one
Of the most extraordinary winters of
modern times
The present cold wave, however, IS not
expected 70 be Of long duration az there -
indication of moderation in the lake
region and Ohio valley tonight, in the
western portion Of the Middle Atlantic
States tomorrow and IN the Atlantic
Coast districts Thursday
From 81 degrees below zero in the St.
Lawrence valley, the cold graduated 70
unreasonable temperatures az far as the
extreme southern parts of Florida.