davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
IN BANDIT ATTACK
MeXicans Rob American Oil
Boat of $4,000 at TampicO.
American Paymaster Killed and
Two Wounded During Clash.

Washington, Feb. 25.-Unofficia1
advices reaching here today said the
bandits got as much as $4,000 from
the American paymaster and that the
Americans defended themselves Wig
orously, wounding five of the Mexi-
cans The affray, these advices said,
might result more seriously than sup
posed, possibly in the withdrawal of
the Americans
Washington, Feb. 25.-one Ameri-
can was killed and two wounded in an
attack by Mexican bandits on an oil
boat at Tampico Saturday.
Edgar House, a paymaster for the
Texas Oil company, was killed. The
wounded are: j. P. S. Mennett, DR..
Brisbane. an employe of the Island
Oil & Ira ansport company, and a
third man named Prather.
Efforts to retake the oil fields about
Tampico from Manuel Palaez have
been resumed by the Carranza troops
with some success. General Diegu ez,
commanding the government forces,
has driven the Palaez forces from the
country about the Cerro Azul, one of
the largest oil wells of the Huasteica
capital Saladera, a small town on
the edge of the oil region, has been
captured.
The American killed was Edgar
House, paymaster, Texas companies.
and the wounded were: Mennett Sc
riously; DR.. Brisbane of the Island Oil
and Transportion Co., and Prather,
slightly wounded
According to state department re-
ports the launch was going up the
canal at Tampico when the bandits
opened fire.
Rob Another Firm of $1,000.
The same advices said that in other
'depredations on Americans last Fri
day $4,000 was taken from the CASH
ier of an American company and that
the American company's eommissa ry
at San Geronimo had been rif1ed and
something less than $500 taken Both
Carranza and rebel troops are in the
vicinity.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
Over the Top With French on
Chemin deS Danes Sector.
Go Several Hundred Yards Into
German Lines.
NO AMERICAN CASUALTIES
Number of Huns Killed and
Machine Gun Is Trophy.
Two German Officers Among
the Enemy Captives.

With the American Army in France,
Sunday, Feb. 24.-An American pa
troll in the Chemin des-Dames sector
in conjunction with French patrol.
early yesterday penetrated a few hun
dred yards into the German lines and
captured two German officers, twenty
men and one machine gun.
There was some sharp fighting and
a number of the enemy were killed
and wounded. There were no Ameri-
can casualties
The Franco-American patrol was
under command of a French officer.
The news quickly spread along the
American front and developed a keen,
competitive spirit among the men.
Boches BOmbard Village.
The bche artillery got the range of
a village late Saturday afternoon and
shelled it vigorously. The streets were
full of officers and men.
With the arrival of the first shell
they vanished into dugouts and
bitches One officer found he jumped
on the exposed side of ditch. When
shell exploded near him. he sour
ried into a house and signalled the
American guns.
The Yankee artillery began pound
ing the Germans, who soon ceased fir
ing. Telephone service between the
was suspended for a time today and
only couriers used. in an effort to get
messages back as quickly as possible,
under The most difficult conditions.
On Alert for Heavy Attack.
Men from rest camps at all points
were rushed to the front in motor
trucks. where they were modified to
repel a general attack. The maneu-
| yer was executed in the most ap-
| proved manner. Brisk artillery en-
gagemelts continue, the America n
guns holding their own despite super
| ior emery observation facilities. Two
days rain has resulted in knee-deep
mud along the whole front
The French war office communica-
| ton Sa N1rday reported that nerth of
the Ailette river. which parallels the
Chemin des- Danes, French troops
! had penetrated the German lines as
| far as the neighborhood of Chevrigny.
They were reported to have returned
with material and twenty-five prison
| ers. including two officers.
! The presence of American units
along the famous Chemin- des- Danes
| was disclosed in an Associated Press
dispatch last Friday. In patrol fight
the previous day American soldiers
had killed one German and CAPTURED
another One American was wounded
! slightly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
To Swing AlfOnso's
Army on Side of TeutOns.
Create Danger mt Frances Own
Weakened Back Door.
PROPAGANDA IN SPAIN ARMY
Germans Are Spreading Dis
content Against the Allies.
Create Break Owing to L. 5.
Embargo Is the Plan.
BY ROBERT ]. BENDER

Washington. Feb. 25.-Germany has
launched a determined effort to bring
about uprising in Spain and II pos
sible swing Alfonso's army to the side
of the Teutons.
With Russia's army eliminated from
his own back door. the kaiser would
like nothing better than to create a
dangerous situation at the rear OF the
allied forces in France.
Recently an authoritative review OF
the Spanish situation was printed
its difficulties and serious aspects
and today the American military au-
thoritieS have permitted the printing
of an open propaganda letter now be-
ing distributed in the Spanish army
by the Germans. In addition. German
agents are throwing all the insidious
poison of their influence to create a
break between the Germanophsse
Spanish army and the Spanish ner-
chants who have wholesome respect
for the American embargo.
Unsuccessful in India
The new German move follows here
unsuccessful efforts to bring about a
revolution in India and Ireland earlier
in the war added details of which
came to light today. They further IN
dicate the methods the German agents
may be using to gain her ends in
Spain.
The Justice department has made
public two letters showing that Alex
ander Berkman and Emma Goldman
were apparently cooperating with
German spies in foreign countries to
stir up rebellion in India
At the same time the United Press
received a copy of letter showing
that John Dewey, New York, former
editor Of the now suppressed '-Gaelic-
American" was the directing agency
in the attempted shipment of German
supplies to the Sim Feiners in Ireland
before the arrest of Roger Easement.
'The request for arms) was made
from Dublin and we transmitted II Ito
Germany from here" Dewey wrote in
his letter which was found on the
premises of Lawrence de Lacey. at
the time of the latter's arrest in Cali
fornia and conviction for conspiring
to free the German Consul Bopp, in
termed : San Francisco.
THE betrayal of the information
about tue ship1oad of arms by Wilson's
men (tie. president's) enabled the
English to catch the vessel
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
SQUELCH REVOLUTION
Revolt in Costa Rica Put Down and
Order Restored.

San Jose, Costa Rica, Feb. 25.-The
revolution in Costa Rica has been put
down and order has been completely
restored.
The troubles had their inception
last Friday when a band commanded
by Rogelfo Fernandez Guell, editor of
Ell impartial, a pro-Gerrnan newspa-
per which has been suppressed by the
Costa Rican government, attacked a
passenger train from Punta Arenas,
capturing some of the passengers.
This band continued looting along the
railway line until government forces
arrived and routed the rebels.
Yesterday there was another small
movement in the outskirts of Cartago,
and a similar one in Turrialba, but
the rebels were dispersed almost
without resistance The movement has
had no echo in the rest of the coun-
try. Order has been completely re-
stored and Costa Ricans almost with
out exception have offered their ser
vices to the government
Casualties in the fighting were
three killed and five wounded There
was no destruction of property Rail-
way traffic has been re-established.
The rebels proclaimed as their po-
litical platform suppression of land
and income tax recently enforced by
the government.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
Bound st. Johns to n. Y. Liner
Goes on Rocks in Blizzard.
At First Reported All of the 146
on Board Had Perished.
TWO WOMEN AMONG RESCUED
Die in Icy Water and From Ex-
pOsure on Board.
Ship Being Pounded to Pieces
on Cape Race Rocks.

st. Johns, Feb. 25.-Forty-th
persons aboard the Red Cross liner
Florizel wrecked near Cape Race in
a storm early yesterday were rescued
today. Three rescue ships brought
the first batch of survivors to port
and others were on the way in the af-
ternoon. The number of lives lost
now stands at 1913.
Among the survivors are five sa-
loon and seven steerage passengers.
Most of those saved were members of
Major Michael Sullivan bound for
Halifax, Ralph Burnham of the Royal
Flying corps, Alex Ledingham of St
Johns, Archibald Gardner and two
women. Miss Minnie Daniel and Miss
kittie CantWell.
Struck Early Sunday Morning.
The first batch of survivors were
taken off in three lifeboats and four
dories but the sea was SO rough that
they were unabl to approach the
shore near which the Florizel struck
early Sunday morning while on voy-
age from this port to Halifax and New
York. All had suffered terribly from
cold and exposure. Steamers met the
boats and took the rescued aboard. A
wireless message from the Prospero
to John Crosbie, minister of shipping,
early today was the first word of hope
that any of the seventy-seven passen-
gers and crew of SiXty-nine had been
saved. The Prospero reported that
every effort was being made to trans
fer them from the battered hulk.
Rescue Ship Did Heroic Work.
The Prospero, a staunch coasting
vessel, had been dispatched at the first
report of the disaster, from Placentia
bay, Is miles around the coast from
Broad cove, but after her departure
government authorities felt that her
task was hopeless. With the sealing
stood outside the cove while reports
were sent by observers on land that
the sea had not sufficiently subsidized
to allow the launching of boats before
daylight.
When naval gunners had shot a
line from the shore across the bow
of the F1orizel as she lay submerged
from her funnel aft and saw no at
tempt on the ship to make the line
fast, it was believed all those on
however, watchers reported that lights
had been seen in the wireless room
and the forecastle showing some per-
sons were still alive. Later came the
message from the Prospero reporting
she was alongside the Florizel and
vivors. The report added that their
names would be sent as soon as possi-
BILE.
Blizzard Like a Hurricane.
Forcing his ship against a blizzard
in which binding snow was driven
by winds often reaching hurricane
proportions the Florizel, Commander
Captain w J. Martin, yesterday
morning sought to round Cape Race
on his voyage from here to Halifax
and New York. Apparently, however,
he misjudged his position for the
Florizel rushed on the jagged rocks
of Broad cove on the east side of the
island, north of the Cape. The
region is uninhabited and means of
rescue were not available. One wire
less message said the steamer was
rapidly breaking up and nothing more
fCnnfinued on Page TXo.I
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
POWELL APATRl0T'
State Journal Reporter Pre-.
pares Himself for Army.
To Operating Table That He
May Be Physically Fit.

Percy c. Powell, for the last three
years a reporter on the State Journal,
left today for his old home in Lincoln,
Neb., where he will undergo an opera
ton making him physically fit to enter
the service of his country under the
next draft.
Powell, VINO is of draft age and who
probably would not be called into the
army until next fall or winter, has
taken the matter in his own hands and
will waive exemption by preparing
himself for training by submitting to
an expensive and serious operation.
Under the first draft, Topeka, ex-
empt thru her deluge of volunteers,
was not called upon to furnish men to
the cantonments. Powell, however,
attempted to enter the first training
camp but was refused on account of a
physical defect.
Now, altho he would probably not
be accepted under the draft owing to
his condition, he has practically aban-
doned a most promising newspaper
career that he might be of service to
his country at the front
Powell will be met by his parents,
DR.. and Mrs. L. A Powell in Ne
braska. The operation probably will
take place Wednesday.
Percy Powell has built up a big fol-
lowing of friends and associates in his
newspaper work in Topeka He has
worked on Omaha, Kansas City, Jop-
lin and Ieavenworth newspapers and
is brilliant and trustworthy reporter.
He has been on the court house run"
on the State Journal for some time
and has thrilled thousands of readers
of the paper with his original and i'm
pressive style.
He is the second Topeka newspaper
man to go voluntarily to the. operating
table for his country's cause.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
LOOKS LIKE HUNGATE
Shawnee Bar Association Eayors
Lawyer For Dana's Place.

Friends of Otis Hungate, a promf-
nent Topeka civil and criminal lawyer.
are today circulating petitions ad-
dressed to Governor Capper urging
Hungate'S appointment to a judgship
in the Shawnee county district court.
The vacancy is opened by the death
of A w. Dana. judge of the first di-
vision. Most of the Shawnee bar Is
behind Hungate.
Friends of Hungate say the student
body of the Washburn law school.
many of the Washburn faculty, and
a majority of the leading lawyers
have signed the petitions. Robert
Carver, county attorney, is also a
signer. Several Topeka lawyers, how
ever. are urging that Carver himself
be appointed.
Both Hungate and Carver possess
an enviable legal career. Carver is
at present county attorney. and has
won considerable recognition in the
handling of complicated civil matters.
Hungate is former county attorney
and besides having a private practics
is an instructor in the Washburn law
school
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
BIC DRIVE BLUFF?
Huns Tried To Create HObgOb-
lin Terror on West Front.
Now Looks as Tho It's Only
StupendOus Propaganda Drive.
Trolley car equipped ny the Red
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMM:

With the British Armies in the
Field. Feb. 25.-German war party
propagaEdiStS have bungled the job
and overlooked the pudding.
A careful study of today's situation
on the west front reveals the most
stupendous propaganda drive the
for the biggest stakes, is a total
failure.
Despite utilization of every method
to create a state of terror among
troops and civilians, to increase the
tension and prolong the nerve-strain
before the offensive, their methods
have resulted in a fiasco Troops and
civilians are chuckling over the hob
goblin
Germans Acquire Cold Sweat?
The British staff expects the Ger
mans will put up a stiff fight, but
receive a drubbing. Indications are
gradually acquiring cold sweat
Some prisoners admit they do not be-
lieve the Prussian plans will succeed
altho they will make mince meat of
their own troops
French civilians openly doubt an Of
fensive will be launched, asking:
"Why so much hullabaloo?" The
soldiers shrug their shoulders saying,
Let it come
Confirming reports of food condi-
tions in Germany, prisoners say that
not only civilians and noncombatants
but line troops not actually slated for
the push are now on reduced rations-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
TO STAY
of Allies Still at
Posts in PetrOgrad.
Special Trains Take Attaches
and Families Thru Siberia.

PetroSrad, Feb. 24.-The allied am
bassadors at conference today at the
American embassy determined to re-
main in Petrograd pending develop
ments. The general belief in embassy
circles is that the German offer which
the Bolsheviki have agreed to accept
is couched in such ambiguous terms
that they must be cleared up thoroly
before the actual status of Russia can
be asceI tanned.
Some members of the embassy staff
already have left, while others will
leave by way of Siberia on a special
train tonight. together with many al
lied nationals. The ambassadors. how
ever, have not yet reached a decision.
Ambass;4 dor Francis, j. Butler Wright,
the counselor, Normal Armour. sec
ond secretary, and Private Secretary
Johnson and a sufficient staff of
clerks will REMAIN in Petrograd.
a special embassy train in charge
of James G. Bailey, first secretary,
and William C.. Huntington, CONNER
ciai alta che, and some members of
the staffs OF the Japanese and Chi
nese embassies leave tonight for -Vo-
logda. Col. James A. Ruggles, the
American military attache, will stay in
PCtrograo for the time being
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
PetrOgrad Council Votes To Ac.
cept Terms, 1875 to SIS.
Slavs Acknowledge Nation Is
Helpless To Offer Defense.
CHANGES MAP OF EUROPE
Russia Gives Up Territory Pop
ulated by so Million.
Austria Also Ready Now TG
Make Peace With Russia.

Petrograd. Feb. "a (delayed) The
executive committee of the pan-soviets
agreed tc accept the German peace
terms by vote of 126 to s5, with 26
not voting.
Russia Is Dismembered.
London, Feb. 25.-Russia's accept
ance of Germany's peace terms
changes the face of Europe.
1t cuts from Russia 3S1 900 square
miles of territory, fifty million popu-
Iation and shoves her back from the
Baltic, leaving. her helpless and i'm
potent Iii Germany's power, economi-
cally and physically.
The morning press today had not
yet time to comprehend the full mean
ing of the situation. The headlines
contained such words as tragic, dis
membered, humiliating, impotent.'
The Post says there is mo other
hypothesis but treachery."
''She is disarmed and helpless" says
the Chronicle.
Austria's Answer. .'for Peace
Paris, Feb. 25.-"Austria, in con-
cert with her allies, is ready to con-
clude negotiations of peace with Rus
sia." Foreign Minister Czernin wire
lessed this message to Foreign Minis
ter Trotzky in reply to the latters S
query of February Is as to whether
Austria would conclude a peace with
Russia. according to radio messages
today from Basle, Switzerland.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
RUSSIAN PEACE DUBIOUS.
Vote Indicates Big Opposihon-What
Will Germany Do With Territory?
BY j. w. T. MASON.

New York, Feb. 25.-The Russian
pan-soviets' acceptance of Germany S
latest peace terms by a majority of
only about fifteen out of total exec
utive committee membership of 237
strongly indicates that a paper peace
at this time will not permanently ad-
just the east front situation.
AS soon as Germany's intention of
crushing Russia by a new diplomatic
offensive is realized by the masses
of Russia, there is a strong possibil-
ity of another revolutionary move
ment. Won Hindenburg can only hold
the Russians to his terms by making
Russia a conquered province and thus
limiting the number of east front
troops available for the west.
Not Necessarily Annexation.
The new offensive of German mill
tarist diplomats has for its object the
elimination of the Bolsheviki from
any participation in the self-deter-
minatlon of Poland and the Baltic
provinces. This policy does not nee
essarily entail annexation of western
Russia to Germany. Even the Ger
man militarists are earning that too
much ruthlessness does not pay. But
by making Germany responsible for
the fate of western Russia Won Hin
denburg whats to turn Poland and the
Baltic provinces into vaSSal states of
NAAC pIODdDly with SELL
government under the direction of
Germany. This would give Germany
control of the trade of that vast re-
gion.
Russia is thus facing a new issue
of preservation with Ukraine.
largely cutting off Russia's former
complete access to the Black sea and
with the Finnish coast line no longer
in Russia's possession, the severance
of the Balkan provinces would cut
Russia's water outlets very nearly to
the point of extinction.
Would Become Inland Power.
Russia would become almost an in
land power.
The self-determination which the
Bolsheviki demand for small nation
alities would be denied to the Rus
slams themselves. The existence not
only of the revolution but also of
Russia as nation is at stake. 1t is
impossible for Russia to accept any
such permanent settlement as this
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
HEAR FROM "OvER THERE"
Lieut.. f. d. Keilmann to Talk to
Press Club Tonight.

Lieut. E. D. Keilmann, just out of
the trenches in France. will be the
principal speaker tonight at meet
ing of the Topeka Press club in the
Chamber of Commerce. keilmann, a
former Topeka newspaper man, has
interested thousands of readers of the
State Journal recently with stories of
life in the trenches and new sidelights
of trench life will be heard from his
lips tonight by Topeka newspaper
men. Keilmann has accepted posi-
ton as city editor of the Lawrence
Journal World.
In addition. debate, the subject of
which is kept secret, will be heard.
Nc one, excepting the debaters them
selves, knows anything about it and
probably before the night is over the
detaters will not know as much as
they thought they did.
The meeting will open at 7:30
o'clock sharp.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
OFFICIAL WAR
STATEMENTS



Paris Feb 24-Sunday-The Bel
giau official statement issued tonight
reads: -Four German attempts dur
ing the night of Feb. 22-23 to approach
our advance posts at various points on
the front were checked by our. barrage
fire. machine guns and grenades. Ar
tillery activity on both sides WAS gen
eral along the front, most intense in
the region of Dixmude where We effect
ually silenced several batteries by our
destructive fire Our aviators have
carried out a number of flights and
engaged in several aerial combats."
GERMAN.
Berlin Feb. 25.-tIerman troops have
occupied Pernau, Russian seaport in
Liyonia, 90 miles northeast of Riga,
and Dorpat. 151 miles northeast of
Riga, the German war office announced
today
In the German advance to Dorpat.
5000 Russians were taken prisoner.
This flying detachment Travelled 100
miles In five and one-half days.
The advance s-uard Of General Won
Linsingen's troo' $, in the south have
reached Zhitomi-, 50 miles west of
Kier.
whole staff of the Russian special army
was captured, with the exception of the
commander-in-ch chief, who fled:
Pernau Ga seaport in Livonia, on an
occupied.
storm troops of .he Sixteenth Hus-
sars took Dorpat dn Livonia 157 miles
northeast northeast OF Of bna Riga1 aPtnTing p 700
FRENCH.
Paris. Feb. 25.-Artiliery was active
around Tahure lwhere American artil-
lery is aiding the French) in the Cham
pagne region and IN the Doider region of
upper Alsace. the French war office
announced today.
North of AiIette and at Ursel, French
raiders brought in prisoners.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
LA Toilette BIG ISSUE
Defense Causes an Outburst of IBdig-
nation in Wisconsin Senate


Madison, Wis. FEB. 25.-Senator
Robert NJ. La Toilette is the big issue
before the senate of the Wisconsin
legislature today. This house is un-
der a call to bring back all absent
members to vote on an anti-La Fol-
lette resolution. The ruction started
Saturday night when a two-hour pre-
pared speech was delivered by Senator
Huber of Dane county in defense OF
La Follette's war record. Senator I.
P. Witter. Grand Rapids. Wis, today
withdrew the Republican, harmony
resolution and announced that La Fob
letteism on the war had been made an
issue.
''If Wisconsin is as black as she is
painted If we are disloyaI as 9TH
ers think we are. we shall have an
opportunity to show" said Senator
Witter. 'If we are disloyal the coun-
try should know and let the other
forty-seven states train their guns ON
US until the decks have been cleared -