davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Germans Torpedoed the
Owasco, Formerly Under
the Kaiser's Flag
Two of Crew Lost
Submarine Lurked Near Light
house and SHIPPED Ships
Passing Through Beam

AN ATLANTIC PORT. Jan. 24.-Thc
American steamship Owasco, formerly
the German steamer Allemannia, and
seized here when the United States
entered the war, was sunk by sub
marine the early part Of December
while in Mediterranean waters near the
Spanish coast, according to survivors
OF tho ship, who arrived here to-day on
Spanish liner. 1t was said that two
men of the crew lost their lives.
Tho Owasco is the American shin
recently reported as having been one
of three vessels sunk while passing a
lighthouse, with the submarine living
off shore and picking the vessels off
as they passed through the beam of
light. The other ships sunk were a Nor
wegan and British shib.
Ship Blazcd Like Torch
The Owasco went down fifteen min
utes after being struck by the tornedo.
'biazing like torch," as one Of fine
SURVIVORS put II. for the Owasco car
l ried more than $4,000 cases Of uasolcne.
nc crew took 10 the boats, and out Of
n'neIy-seven men on board ali were
saved except Norwegian seaman. AL
bert Jacobsen. and a Spanish mcssman
Garcia. 0'''''''''' ~
I'VE were part of convoy of four
vessels" one Of the men said to-dav
We were preceded by an English and
Norwegian ship. Shortly before mid
h,ght the men on watch heard thc ev-
plosion Of the torpedocs that sent thc
vessels ahead Of us to the bottom and
Immediately sounded the alarm on thc
OWasco that brought every one to the
Geek; ready for emergency. We wore
not kept long in doubt, for less than
ten minutes after the first vessel was
torpedoed the second vessel and ",r o,,r
own were victims"
me submarine evidently continued
TO lurk in the vicinity, as on tho FOL-
lc"1hg morning the crew of the Owasco
~1tnessed from the shore a fight he-
tween destroyer and a mcrchantman
on one side and U-boat on tho ofher
The tight lasted about two hours With
out apparent damage to any of tho
combatants.
ne OWasco was q steamship of .63O
IONS gross register, built at Belfast in
loso ana formerly owned by the Ham
purg g-Amerlcan Line. She left here No.
venocr ~ with cargo for an Italian
Por'' under command of Captain A. c.
DAWSON, and carried crew of about
seventy men, in addition 10 a detail of
navy gunners.
The loss of the Owasco makes three
former German ships that have been
victims of German torpcdoes. The
others were the Actaon. formerly the
a = Aaaamsturm, sunk November 81, and the
ARMENIA. The latter ship was beachcd
and, 1t is understood. will soon be
ready again for service. ''' w
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Entire Region From Monte
Tomba to Spinoncia
Evacuated
Dummy Soldiers
Hide Withdrawal
Wooden Cannon Also Used
in Ruse to Cover
Wide Retreat
,Ey Tho Associated rrcssl

ITALIAN ARMY HEADQU ARTERs
IN NORTHERN ITALY, Wednesday
Jan. c3.-The enemy has evacuated
territory on the northern mountain
front behind Monta Tomba, extending
from the Piave River westward. TheiI
defence lines have now been moved
back to Monte Spinoncia.
Italian patrols making reconnois-
sances in the last few days found that
the enemy patrols and sentinels had
been withdrawn, and later discovered
that the enemy had abandoned the en-
Tire region.
This retreat is a sequel to the brill
lant victory French troops recently
obtained on Monte Tomba. mas much
rs the cncmy's position thereafter be-
came untcnablc.
The retirement of the enemy is i'm
portan. as showing that he has given
up his effort to force passage to the
Venetian plains by way Of Monte
Tomba and the west bank of the Piave,
at least for the present He is now
rear.
A Definite Withdrawal
When the French made their drive at
Monte Tomba some of their detach-
ments were carried by enthusiasm
through the ro-German lines to
: the banks of tho Piavc River. They
then found the hamlets were deserted,
.but it was believed this was incident
to the days operations, and it was not
then known that the section was being
systematically vacated by the enemy.
Further reconnoissances made in the
last few days showed there had been
definite withdrawal. Camps, material
and supplies had been taken to the
rear, and the long lines Of forward
trenches were deserted.
Italian patrols exploring the region
found that the Austrians had adopted
a remarkable ruse to conceal their de-
parture. They had lined the forward
trenches with dummy soldiers, topped
with helmets which protruded slightly
above the trenches to give an appear
ance of occupation. In one of the bat
terry positions they had constructed
machine guns with zinc barrels mount
ed on wood, while pieces OF wood and
gas pipe were shaped with the same
object.
Extent of Withdrawal
The section evacuated includes de-
fensive positions along the valley Of
Ornio. The enemys retirement takes
him further into the mountains. The
heights around Monte Tomba do not
exceed 1000 feet, while those in the
Nicinity of Monte Spinoncia are nearly
1000 feet high and are further back
from the plains.
While the enemy still holds his ad
vance positions on both slopes to the
Brenta River, his voluntary evacuation
of one of the chief lines Of approach
to the plain appears to indicate that
he has given up hope of breaking
through this winter, and the French
are receiving large measure Of credit
for this decisive setback of the enemy's
r,1o
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Nieuw Amsterdam
Gets Permit to Sail
Liner Long Held Up in AM
sterdam; Germans to Black
list Dutch Ship

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 24.--The l!ol-
land America Line steamship Nicuw
Amsterdam has obtained permission to
sail for the United States.
The "Handclsblad" says it learns the
German government intends to place
all Dutch shipping firms on the blacklist
as a result Of their agreement with the
United States and to refuse Dutch
vessels supplies Of COAL This, says the
"Handelsblad,' referring to the stop
page Of the coal supply, would be tan
tamount to the cessation Of outward
sailngs.
The steamship Nieuw Amsterdam has
been lying in Rotterdam for some time,
prepared for the voyage to the United
States. At first it was said she was
being held up by storms. but DIS
patch aast Monday asserted that she
was being detained owing to the re-
fusal of Germany to guarantee her a
safe passage. 1t was even declared
that passengers had received warnings
not to make the transatlantic voyage
aboard her Originally she had 1000
passengers on board, among them
thirty Americans. Whether any of
them have debarked during the long
hold-up in Rotterdam is not known
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

Lloyd George Weakened
Line in West, Says Repingtor
Declares That the Situation There Now Is Critical
and Denounces War Cabinet for Not Maintaining
Strength of British Armies; Allies Outnumbered
by Germans

LONDON, Jan. 24.-The situation or
tho Western front is now critical, in
the opinion of Colonel c. A. Reping-
ton. one of the foremost English mil
itary critics, who recently resigned
from "The Times" and became mil
isary correspondent of "Ths Morning
Post" In his first. contribution to "The
POST which appears in to-day's issue
he criticiscs Premier Lloyd George and
the War Cabinet severely because. he
asserts, they have failed to maintain
the strength Of the British armies in
the West, thereby creating the present
conditions.
The Germans, Colonel Rcpington
says, now have 1865 divisions on the
Western front, or more than all the
Allies combined, excluding the Italian
theatre. The number Of German troops
Is being increased, he adds, at the rate
Of seven to fifteen divisions monthly,
and may be expected to reach more
than 200 divisions as soon as it is DOS
S'D'S W SoHCcutIaIc (nCm.
The arrival Of some Austrian forces
also is to bs expected, and news al
ready has come of the appearance of
Austrian troops in Belgium. Remark
ing that the accumulation of this i'm
mcnsc force may be either to support
negotiations or for grand attack. the
writer says all the evidence points to
the impending delivery of series of
great attacks.
Reviewing the strength of Great
Britain's allies, Colonel Repincton
writes:
American Aid Slow
The American troops are not COM
ing In as fast as some sanguine csti-
mates foretold, but | feel sure that
General Bridges, who accompanied Mr.,
balfour to the United States, must
have given the War Cabinet a pretty
accurate forecast. The American armv
can be only contingent during tho
next few months. This is ali the moro
reason why wc this year should place
every available man in the field.
II want to tell the people of England
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Official Statements
West
BRITISH

LONDON, Jan. "a (NlGHT> During the
day there some hostile artillery activity
at different points along our front south of
the Scarpe. particularly in the vicinity of
Noreuil. The enemy's artillery also WAS &C
tive i'll the neighborhood Of Passchcndacc.
FRENCH
PARIS, Jan. "a (DAY) There is nothing
TO report. except raid east of Auberive, in
which we took prisoners
GERMAN
BERLIN, Jan. Western THEATRE
There has been no event of Importance. Pris-
oners have been gathered in at many points
through our lively recopnoitring activity. At
the Boesinghe-Staden railway SIX machine
guns were captured.
In Macedonia, in isolated sectors. there was
artillery fire. Southwest of Lake Dorian a
British attack broke down
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Canada's Food Head Quits

,, OTTAWA, Jan. 24.-W. J. Hanna
rood Controller, has rendered his resi~'
nation, and it has been accepted, it was
announced tonight. He will be suc-
ceeded by II. B. Thompson, Of Vancou-
mr.. Hanna explained that he could
not continue to exercise the duties Of
rood controller without serious impair,
ment to his private interests.
inc Prime Minister, in accepting the
RESIGNATION, expressed regret that Mr.
;anna i;1;s had found it necessary to re.
to the ability and devotion ba ~ y "
brought to the administration Of his h;s
Office. VI MS
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Crippled U~Boat Chaser
Picked Up by Liner

AN ATLANTIC PORT, Jan. 24.-Of.
ncefs on a Spanish liner which arrived
mere to-day after run of twenty six
days from Cadz reported that thev had
picked up some 600 miles southeast of
the bermudas an Allied submarine
chaser that was flying signals of dis.
treSS.
The chaser was manned partly bv
Amerlcans. She had machinery trouble,
ana orllted at the mercy of the sea
Tor over week. Her crew was with
out provisions when she was picked nm
me Spanish vessel. observing her sig.
nal bore down upon her, and, desnitc
heaVy sea, put out lines and towod
the helpless craft to Bermuda at n
speed Of about six knots. Twice the
eowllne parted during the run, but the
each time. "' t'ourS
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

particularly those ministerial poiJroons
who blcat about our losses, that our
total casualties In killed, wounded and
missing since the war began are but
little higher than the number of
French dead. The only suitable recog-
milton we can make of French hcroism
IS to help them now in their hour Of
need"
Declaring that the British armies in
France have not been maintained ade-
Quately since the death Of Lord kitch-
ener, Colonel Rcpington says that
political strategy is first among the
causes which have brought about the
present critical situation OH .he West
ern front"
Haig's Statements
"Field Marshal Hais's recent state
ments that his drafts did not. reach
that he had to fight l3, German divi-
sions with half that number" he
adds, "is the most damning indict-
ment of the War Cabinet that could
have been madc.'
When Mr.. Lloyd George became
Premier, Colonel Repington goes on,
he rejoiccd because he though it
meant more vigorous prosecution of
the war, and particularly the utiliza-
IVA VI HlllIlOnS C1 clVlllanS, Dut ne
found that it meant nothing of the
sort. He declares that "by imposing
upon Haig a certain course Of action
contrary to that agreed upon at the
Allied conference Of November. 1916
the Cabinet incurred grave RESPONSE
biity."
He says further that each man 1T
the front has had to do the work OF
two because tho Premier has lacked
the courage to tell the country tho
truth and to pass on to The public the
advice he must have received from any
General Staff conscious of its duty"
"The most favorable construction
can place on. the Prcmicr's inaction,"
he adds, "is $hat he WAS gambling for
peace by Christmas But in spite of
his inumerable speeches no peace
came"
The writer charges the Cabinet with
procrastination and cowardicc.
"The question which concerns most
deeply every man, woman and child in
the United Kingdom" he declares, "is
whether Haig's men win now be suf-
ficiently reinforced to enable them to
compete with the enemy on fair terms.
My opinion is that they will not be-"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
French Destroy Enemy
Works in Brilliant Raid
German Lines Pierced on
3,O00-Yard Front at
Vienne-le-Chateau
lBy Tho Associated rress !


' WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
FRANCE, Jan. 23-Thc French on
Monday executed a brilliant said on the
German lines eastward from Vienne-
lc-Chateau, near Four de Paris, along a
front of 5000 yards and reaching G.
depth of 500 yards.
An intense artillery preparation
made the progress of the TROOPS easv,
and they. were able to destroy ali enemv
works, shelters and mine galleries be.
lore returning to their own line. FIJI
teen prisoners were captured by the
1,i french, as well as three machine guns.
The French suffered few casualties anI
none killed. '''"
All of the participants in the raid
declared that the gunners' work was
magnificent, not only as regards de-.
structionn, but in the manner in which
IT completely silenced the enemy ar.
tillery 90
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25

probably will act accordingly. but in
the event Of disagreement the feel.
ing is that the government will accep,
the majority report and put it into
effect. with possibly few alterations
calculated to harmonize the different
factions in Ireland.
Whatever happens. it is not thought
there is likely to be further threats
OF civil war in ireland. 1t is believed
the plan decided upon will meet with
the approval of q majority of Ircland's
well-wishcrs everywhere. and that by
wise and firm administration the un-
compromising elements will eventually
be won over.
"Thc Telegram's s" Dublin correspond
ent states that a report from Washing
ton that tho United States is prepared
to loan ireland S1OO,OOO,OOO to obtain
the fullest measure Of home rule, and
American capitalists are ready to in
vest like sum in Ireland if the ques-
ton is settled is prominently displayed
IN all Irish papers and has caused the
live]iest interest.
Argument for Settlement
The Dublin correspondent Of The
Times" says that the report furnishes
the friends of settlement with a
new and powerful argument and will
serve to increase the disrepute Of the
Sim Fcin policy, whose violence and
abuse now embrace the President and
government Of the Unted States.
Dublin reports regarding the Irish
convention continue hopeful. Dis
patches to "Thc Chronicle" contain
mysterious references 10 "ccrtain
cventualities following the convcn-
tion' which might induce John f..
Redmond to regard his retirement
from leadership as obligatory and
make an earnest plea in Rcdmond's
behalf, saying: "If he is driven from
his position. wherein he would feel
obliged TO resign because Of any ac-
ton or failure on the part of those
who get support from him, the cause of
Ireland. as far. as the war is con-
cerned, would ~ down with him and
all consequences would have to be
faced Of what would appear to be
betrayal of Ireland. for so the world
would read what would appear be-
trayal of Redmond"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Italians Take Austrian Post
On Piaue in Surprise Attack

LONDON, Jan. 24.-Italan detach-
ments struck successful blow against
the enemy on the Piavc delta to- day.
occupying by a surprise attack an Aus
trian advanced post at Capo Sile, driv-
ing back the garrison and capturing
q quantity Of arms and ammunition,
the Rome War Office reports tonight.
On the northern front patrol en-
gagements took place on the eastern
edge tof the Asiago plateau. There
we're lively artillery actions astride the
Chiesa and the Adige rivers and on
the slopes of Montello, the commu-
nique adds.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Bonar Law Defends
Haig and Robertson

: LONDON, Jan. 24.-Andrew Bonar
nS~' ns government leader in the House
y. commons, replying to a crossire Of
9uestions to-day, declared that General
pr William Robertson. chief of the
imperial Staff, and Field Marshal Halo
nave the full confidence of the govern
ment and the War Cabinet, and that. so
1ar as ne knew, no member of the gov
ernment was behind the attacks which
were gelng made against those generals
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Foe Using Italians in West
Prisoners Being Killed by the
Guns of Own Allies
[Stdf Correspondeuce1

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Germanv is
using Italian prisoners OF war on the
Flanders front, where great numbers
OF them are being killed by the fire
from the Allied artillery, an official dis
patch from Rome to-day states. 1t saws.
"A large number of italian prisoners
captured by the Central Powers DURING
The last few months have been sent fH
the Flanders front. where they are
forced to work for their enemies under
.Ii Inc constant ire of the Allies artillery.
me Number of dead and wounded
among these prisoners is appalling"
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Flood i'm Germany
Sweeps AWAY a Town

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 24.-Telegrams
from Frankfort to Dutch newspapers
report that the recent sudden rise of
the river Maize, tributary of the
Rhine, caused damage of several mill
ion marks to German property. The
town of Sobernheim, on the Maize
with a population of about 5000 is
reported to have collapsed like pack
of cards.
Floods are also causing considerable
damage in various parts Of Holland.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
Italian Front
ITALIAN

ROME, Jan. 24.-The relative calm along
the whole front was broken by lively artillery
actions in the mountain areas, astrde the
Chiese and the Adige. on the slopes of Mon
tello, along the Piave and toward the coast,
and by patrol engagements on the eastern
edge of Asiago Plateau and in the neighbor-
hood of Cuvazuccherina.
At Capo Sle small! parties occupied by Z.
surprise attack an enemy advanced post
driving back the garrison and capturing Il
considerable quantity OF arms and ammuni-
ton.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
China Formally Apologies
For Attack on u. S. Warsh;,

PE,klNG. Jan. 24.-The Foreign Of
nee mas expressed regret for the at
acy in the Yangtse Kiang last week in
which one sailor was killed and two
others were wounded. The Foreign o.
nee has promised to make an investiea-
ton and reparaton.
A patrol of the river by foreign war
ships is likely to result from recon
mendatlons made by the diplomatic
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
British Steamer Baykerran
Sends Radio Calls for Hail.

AN ATLANTIC PORT. Jan. 24-.
call for help from the British stean..
Bayherran, badly damaged as tho -
suit of storm. was received hv r,i;.
here to-day. The message sa;d "uo tho
steamer had lost all her boats. Vie
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
u. S. Cats Rout Trench Rats;
English Felines Slackers

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Jan. 24-Eng-
lish house cats are "slackers" so far
as ridding European trenches of the
rat pest is concerned, according to pro-
r,oters of "patriotic cat show" which
opened here to-day.
New-York tribune., 1918-01-25
z French, l Italian Ship
Sunk by U-Boats in Wa.L

PARlS, Jan. 23.-The sinking of two
rrench vessels of more than 900 tons
ana a,,. one of lesser size is shown in the
weekly report of French Shipping
losses. Four vessels were attacked nn ,
successfully nv" u'' :
ROME. Jan. 23.-Thc weekly report
Of Italian shipping losses gives tho
sinking of only one small Saline vcs.
sci. One steamship was attacked m
successful ""
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-24
To Set Pace for the Nation.

One million individual investors in
war savings stamps in Wisconsin be-
fore February 10 will be the slogan Of
an intensive drive to be instituted
February 3 by the Wisconsin War Saw
ings committee.
The campaign will be state wide and,
in respect to the number of individ-
uals actually canvassed, will surpass
all previous war campaigns in Wiscon-
sin or in the nation.
At a meeting with State Director J.
II. Puelicher in Milwaukee, various
leaders IN the different war cam
paigns were consulted and 1t was de-
cided to launch the war savings stamp
campaign in Wisconsin on February
3, this date being designated by the
American Bankers association as a
national thrift day.
To the II county committees already
enlisted under Mr.. Puelicher for war
savings will be added the strength Of
the Red Cross chapters throughout the
state and the women's organizations
under the leadership Of Mrs. J. w.
Mariner.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-24
Seventh Annual Road School.

The seventh annual road school Of
the Wisconsin highway commission
will be held at Madison February to
9, inclusive.
The road school may not be so large
ly attended this year as in the past,
owing to an opinion just rendered by
the attorney general that a county is
not liable for expenses of members of
the state road and bridges committee,
and that the law does not permit the
expenditures of public funds for that
purpose. The week will be devoted
to discussion of various live topics of
interest to road builders.
The commission announces that 1918
will be a road maintenance year in
Wisconsin, and the program is largely
devoted to topics and discussion which
will help WiscOnsin's road builders to
save roads already built, and maintain
the new state trunk highway system.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-24
Shows Way to Shorten Hours.

IF Wisconsin women are to get a
shorter working day, they will have to
go to the legislature" said T. M. Will
cox of the industrial commission in a
talk before the Wisconsin Federation
of Women Wage Farmers.
1T is necessary for some organiZa-
ton to determine proper wages and
hours, and you can do it," explained
Mr.. Wilcox. 'The reason men get
twice as much as women for the same
work is because of their unions.
''The industrial commission does
much to improve conditions under
which women work, and is ever check
ing up employers and striving to make
their situations ideal. All sanitary
conditions are properly inspected and
proper heating, lighting, and lunch
room facilities are insisted upon. We
are also concerned with hours and
wages and can forbid employment of
women in certain capacities"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-24
Call for Special Session.

Governor Philips formal call for a
special session of the Wisconsin leg
ssiature to convene on February 10 at
two O'Clock in the afternoon, has been
ISSUED. Financial matters, the tenn
DOrary appointment of United States
senator and broadening of the absent
voting law, more stringent social
disease statute, stronger provisions for
furnishing persons for melting insurrec-
tIon and seditiOn, Il law that will per-
NIT the manufacture of skinned milk
cheese in this state when properly
branded, are among the more impOr-
rant Of the Is reasons given for the
call.
There is no plank in the call to per-
NIT Of fusion Of parties and this sub
ject is not specifically mentioned. Be-
cause of the strict constitutional pro-
vision relating to special sessions of
the legislature and what may be con-
Sidered. it is doubtful if any bill on
this subject can now be legally intro
duced
Regardless Of the expressed belief
that the special session will not con-
tinue more than one week or ten days,
some members Of both branches of the
legislature declare the session may
consume il months time