davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

poets. Two of these, Hugo Schmidt and II. J Leasing, said to be Ger mans, were turned over to depart ment of justice agents. Tonight there were reports that two Germans had been shot by sailors during the day but neither the police nor naval authorities would confirm them.
 The fire started before dawn in the old Granby theatre on Granby street and gained rapid headway as the fire men were handicapped by frozen fire hydrants. low water pressure and near zero temperature 1t quickly spread the Montinecllo hotel and other nearby buildings in the block It was brought under control late in the day, but broke anew early tonight. leaped across Granby street and leyelled hali of the block there before being checked
 Fauing floors and wsns toek toll of firemen and naval guards One fireman, Charles Mccoy, was killed and seven others hurt in the collapse
 
 of an upper floor of the Monticello hotel in the day and tonight two fire men and several sailors were caught in falling wall of the Lenox build - ing. Three were brought out badly hurt. but wo others were left in the debris.
 Bremen of Norfolk. Portsmouth and Suffolk with organized sailor fire brigades fought herocially amid ice and binding smoke and bluejacket5 led the rescue work when the fighters were trapped Several of the firemen caught in the hotel were brought out through the daring of the blue jackets.
 Reports as to the number of eX- plosions vary II was first said that the fire in the Granby theatre had followed an explosion. but Fire Chief Mclaughlin and naval investigators announced tonight that this was not the case. They said there had been three separate and distinct explo- sions.
 Guests from the Monticello who were forced to flee in the biting cold of the dawn after they had watched
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
Congressman Tinkhdn1
 Returns From Europe
Refotes Conditions As He Found Them or BattIefields in
 France and Italy

An Atlantic Pom. Jan l.-Repre- sentative George Holden Tinkham, of Massachusetts, who is credited with firing on December II, the first shot sent against Austrians .y an Ameri- can, while he was on a yisi, to the Italian front, arrived today on a French steamship. Mir. Tinkham said he-fired at the instigation of colonel commanding a battery engaged in stemming the advance of the Teutons on Ghe lower Piaye He added that while he did not know the results of the shot, he was convinced the shell, which was from ttS millimetre gun. struck where it would do the most good
 Tt just happened tha. was on the firing line at the opportune moment he said. q lid not 30 there with that particular idea in mind, but l could not resist the temptation. knew that by doing SO | laid myself liable to drastic theaunent should ! be cap tured by the Austrians. but was will ing to take the chance
 Mir. Tinkham did not come anscath-
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

ed from his v!siJ to Italy, He returns with one arm in a sling from broken finger and his head in bandages for contusions received when an a'rtomo- bile in which he was riding at night along a shell torn road, skidded and plunged over a 30-foot embankment.
 Mir, Tinkhlm, who also visited the French firing line, said that the situ- a on is critical and the successful outcome of the war depends upon American effort with complete and thorough military and economic as sistance. In italy, he said the situa- ton when he left tha, front. was es- pecially serious. although the Italians were fighting bravely and making d magnificent resistance under extreme difficulties.
 He said that he visited the Ameri = can troops in France and found that their enthusiasm and agearness to be lat tho enemy was wonderful
 Their equipment" he added, is not wsat ii should Dc" He will report his observations to authorities at Washington.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
QUEEN MARY REPLIES
 TO DR. ANNA SHAW
IN BEHALF OF BRITISH WOMEN THANKS WOMEN OF AMERICA
 FOR THEIR HELP

London, Jan. 1.--Queen Mary sent a telegram from Sandringham today to Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, of New York, says the official press bureau, reading as follows
 q received with much satisfaction and pleasure the friendly message you addressed to me from the wom- ems committee of the council of na tional defense of America.
 Please convey to the sisterhood of your great country the warm thanks of women of the British em- pire for their inspiring words of en- couragement and assurance. The horrors of war have taught us to know one another better and they have strengthened the ties of kinshiD and mutual sympathy by uniting the women of the English speaking races heart and soul in the struggle for liberty and civilization.
 Confident of the valuable help we women can give our gallant sailors and soldiers, pray for Gods richest blessing on ours
 (Signed) MARY R.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
GENERAL SlBERT
 RETURNS FROM FRANCE

Washington, Jan There had been no advance information of the return of Major Generals Sibert and 8latchford, but it was announced re- gently by the war department that General Mann had been relieved be- cause of physical inability to stand field service.
 Secretary Baker tngiht declined to comment on the return of the gener- als and asked that there be no specu- lation on the subject.
 General Sibert commanded the first division of expeditionary forces sent to France and the understanding has been that he would be the active field commander of all troops under Pershing He has been mentioned frequently as one of the probable sc lections for the rank of lieutenant general when the corps are formed in the eXpeditionary forces.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
American Railroad Men
 Reported Under Arrest
Mission Was Sent to Russia to As- sist in Rebuilding the DeIap-
 idated Railroads

withdraw to this country, but the state department has indicated that the men would be kept at their posts, and that although recognition of the Bolshevili regime Is withheld, it is the intention to eurtail the work of railway rehabilitation begun under tho Kerensky provisional government.
 The American embassy at Petrograd reported to the state department last "Wednesday that Charles lS. Smith. member of the railway mission, had been arrested at Tohita, Siberia, but has been released after fe whours of detention. Earlier news dispatches from Russia said that MT. smith had been taken into custody while in con- pany with M. Oustrougoff, formerly assistant minister of railways in Rus sia, who was arrested by tho Ball. IsheviR because of his prior affilia- ton with the provisional government.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
SNOW STORMS ARE
 RENDERING AUSTRIANS
PART OF ARMY IN NORTHERN ITALY HAS BEEN CUT OFF AND
 ARE WITHOUT FOOD.

Geneva, Monday. Dec 5l.-Snow continues to fall heavily along the Swiss Italian and Swiss Austrian frontiers and in the Tyrol A telegram from Chiasso, which is confirmed by Swiss soldiers on duty on the Italian frontier heights. states that Austro- Germans are held up on the TyTol frontier
 Many Red Cross and food conveys are stalled in She mountain passes, and regiments of central empire troops have beer isolated without food supplies for several days.
 Military trains from Trent which are depended upon to provision the Austrian front are blockaded. A large army under General Conrad is trying to clear the railway but unless it sue ceeds serious difficulties will hamper the operations against the Italians.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
POLISH TROOPS FROM
 AMERICA LAND IN FRANCE

Washington, Jan. 1.-The first con- tingent of Polish troops recruited in America for service with the allies has landed safely in France, it was announced by Colonel James Martin of the French military mission. The unit, composed entirely of men grad uated from the Polish training camp at Niagara, New York, will be at tached to the Polish forces now fight ing on the west front. For military reasons, the number of men in the contingent was withheld.
 The forces were welcomed by the military and civil authorities and were given an ovtation by the popu- lace, who witnessed the debarkation according to the announcement cabled by General Archinard.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
ALLIES NOW FACING HARDEST PERIOD OF WAR
FRENCH COMM sslONER TELLS AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT
 THEY MUST DO TO HELP

An Atlantic Port, Jan. 1.-The en- tente allies are entering the hardest period of the war, but period which will prove richest in decisive results If We know how to play a good game and its issue will be decided in the next six months" according to Cap tain Andre Tardieau, French high commissioner to the United States who returned to this. country today. He will go to Washington tomorrow,
 The commissioner first arrived in this country last May. He returned to France in November and his gov ernment decided to continue his off cial title for a period of six months.
 While Captain Tardieau pointed to the possibility of a strong German att tack on the western front during this winter he is absolutely confident that it will be another Verdun," he declared in a statement.
 The urgency of a large effort was emphasized by the French representa- tive in this statement:
 "The battle is not only on the bat tlifield. I have told to the French with complete frankness what America expects from them in the way of restrictions and new sacrifices I am coming back to explain here the necessary sacrifices that France and her allies are expecting from Ameri- can people for victory"
 Men, wheat, oil, ships and locomo- tives are things most needed and which America is able to give, Cap tain Tardieau said.
 By way of tribute to Colonel F. NJ. House, who headed the American mis- sion to the inter-allied war confer ence in Paris, Captain Tardieau said.
 Thanks to the presence of Colonel House and his associates, the inter- allied conference has done excellent work. It was necessary that the gov ernment Of the United States should assert it's will and it's capacity to take in Europe, the part which belongs to America in the directoin of the war"
 "The French army has never been more magnificent, the British army is equally superb and the American army is increasing day by day" Captain Tardieau said in speaking of the nor ale of the allied forces. That he might retain his commissionership in the United States Captain Tardieau declined to accept portfolio in Pre- mler Clemenceaus' cabinet. He did this, he said, because he believed nothing is more urging and more necessary" than the work to be done through this commissionership
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
FRfIGHT TO BE SENT THROUGH PASSENGER TUNNEL
Passenger Schedule on the Pennsyi- vsnia to Be Disregarded when They Interfere With Movement of Freiqht Shipments Country May Be Di- Vided Into Operating Divisions.

Washington, Jan 1.-Coal trains went forward toda. under new gov- ernment orders based on the belief of Director General McAdoo that rail- way congestion rather than actuaH shortage, is responsible for the fuel famine in many districts
 Upon receipt of reports that hum dreds of loaded col cars were stalle . on sidings behind long strings of cal containing shipments uf hisiiss pref erential rating that coal. all, existing priority orders for the entire country | were suspended by Robeft S. Lovett, 1 priority director of the war indus tries board, on recommendation of Director General McAdoo.
 This is expected to result in quicker movement of the entire mass of congested freight, whose sluggish ness has been caused largely by multiplicity of priority orders.
 President Wilson. it was learned to- night, will go before congress Friday to present his recommendations for
  eration fully effective and to provide for compensation of the carriers, and legislation which already has been drawn will be introduced immediately after his address. Some of the off cials thing there will be vigorous fight over the question of whether the legislation should be effective only for the period of the war and s limited time thereafter. or should re- main in force until specifically re- pealed or modified by congress.
 Representatives of railroads were to have appeared tomorrow before the senate interstate commerce commis- sion, but when word came that the president desired to address congress Friday, it was announced that they would ask permission to withhold their statements for the present. The
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

Washington, Jan. 1.---No word from official sources had reched the sta.e department tonight regarding the re- ported arrest of the American railway mission at Irkutsk. The apartments communication with Russia has been very irregular, however, and officials would not be surprised if the report were true. An inquiry will be sent to Ambassador Francis at Perograd lat once.
 Although several railway units, each Icomprising several hundred men. are lin Siberia to assist in improving con- ditions on the trans-Siberian railway, 1t is thought that only few could have been at Irkutsk. They probably are scattered in small detachments along the entire route.
 There have been frequent rumors that the railway mission was about to
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

New York, Jan. 1.--Another reverse for the Tenutonic allied arms follow ing that effected by the French troops in their initial drive on the northern front in Italy has been brought about by the Italians in a sharp attack in the famous Benson loop in the lower reaches of the Piave river.
 Here the enemy has been driven to the eastern bank of the stream from positions he had held since the from the Tsanzo mado their stand along the western shore of the Piave Thus the entire right bank of the PiaVo has been cleared of the in- vader except for the north, where the battle line runs westward from the stream through the hill region.
 The fighting for the Benson bridge head has been in progress since last Thursday, the Italians keeping ener- getically after the foe in order to re- gain the position which always had been considered a menace to Venice. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy by the artillery and rifle fire of the italians before he was forced to recross the stream.
 On he northern front the infantry again is idle for the moment, but the big guns of both sides are keep ing up intensive duels on various sec- ffagH t41Y Ytf ion ufsltr kn Tomba and on the Asiago plateau. The enemy is continuing his air raids over important towns on the plain, his latest attack having been directed against Vicenza Bassano, Castel Franco and Treviso. Thirteen persons were killed and forty-four were wounded, the majority of them civil ians Only small material damage re- suited from the new raids.
 Likewise the operations on the fronts in France and Belgium are be- ing confined almost exclusively to bOmbardments. although the German war office claims a further gain of ground by the army of Grown Prince NuppI6GHl Ol bdfdfid OfGT lHc DllL~ ish south of Marcoing in the Cambrai sector
 There are persistent reports that heavy fighting is in progress between Kaledines- -Cossacks and Bolsheviki troops in southwestern Russia and that the casualties have been heavy.
 No details of an authentic nature have yet come through, but the re- ports say the Bolsheviki have been defeated on the southwestern front with numerous losses of men and guns but that they have occupied the inn portant town of Poltava
 still further progress has been made by the British troops operat- ing against the Turks in Palestine north of Jerusalem The Turks in the fighting of the last several days have lost more than 1000 men killed and 750 made prisoner.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
RAILROAD EMPLOYES
 SUBJECT TO DRAFT

Jefferson City, Mo, Jan. 1.---Men of draft age who are employed by the government in the operation of rail-
 roads, will not be classed as em- ployes of the government under the new regulation. according to word received today by Lieutenant Colonel ]. II. McCord from Provost Marshal General Crowder. Question had arisen as to whether the men should be classed as skilled government em- ployes or skilled industrial employees
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
FGERMAN SPIES CAUSE OF $2,000, ,0C0 FIRE

the theatre burn, were taken care of in nearby homes and hotels.
 As building after buildingt wen down, with them an apartment house, scores were made homeless and the national guard army on City Hall ave- enue was thrown open.
 At the Armory during the day Red Cross workers and other volunteers looked after the homeless and also supplied hot coffee and sandwiches for the naval patrols and firemen who were forced to seek rest from their gruelling work against the flames.
 When the firemen responded to the alarm for the theatre fire they found all the hydrants in the vicinity frozen. Fires had to be built to thaw them out In th meantime, the firemen looked on helpless while the big theatre building burned. When water finally came the pressure was so low that streams would not reach to the upper stories of the burning building and the fire soon was beyond control,
 The combined departments of Portsmouth and Norfolk apparently were making good headway against the flames, when an explosion oc- cured in a cloak shop and another blaze started.
 Suffolk then was asked for assist ance and rushed apparatus to the city by train. In the meantime the naval authorities at the navy yard and naval base offered aid and fire brigades were soon on the scene.
 Department of justice agents joined with the city detective force in seeking to unravel the mystery of the explosions. Three of the men arrested were placed in the city jail and federal agents took charge of the other two, Schmidt and Leasing. The latter officers said, first represented himself as a department of justice official
 Fire tugs from the navy yard early in the day took up positions on the water front three blocks away and as- sisted the fire engines and pumped tons of water into the burning build ings, but the block on Granby street from City Hall avenue to Tazewell street virtually was destroyed. uEsac two buildings, the Dixon and Conner cial structures, both new, escaping destruction. They were badly dam , aged.
 Just at dusk the fire in the Monti- cello broke out afresh and despite the heroic work of the firemen and sail ors. the LenoX, Carpenter and Taze~ well buildings. six story structures across the street. were wrecked, For time the naval Y Nj. C. A. was threatened. but the wide lane separ- ating it from the burning buildings enabled the firemen to save it and other large buildings nearby.
 Although the fire was still burning in the ruins late tonight the fire chief announced that the danger was over if the naval patrols could check the work of incent'faries.
 The firt swept district is but three blocks from the Elizabeth river water front on the north, and five on the west. It is more than mile from the Norfolk navy yard, which is To- cated up the Elizabeth river in the western section of Portsmouth The nearby water front is used by bay and river steamers and trucking vessels.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
TAFT ADDRESSES SOLDIERS
 AT CAMP DODGE

Des Moines, la, Jan. 1.-Speaking under the auspices of the Y. M c. A, war council former President Taft today told 5000 national army sol diers at Camp Dodge, what the United States is fighting for and why it is at war He outlined the out rages Germany committed against the United States and showed that at all times the United States acted within it's rights under international law.
 "The American people are natur-
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
NINETY PER CENT CLAIM
 EXEMPTIONS IN CHICAGO

Chicago, Jan. Fully 90 per cent If drafted registrants who have re- turned their Questionnaires to the 1hicaso boards are claiming exemp- ton it was announced tonight. The majority are passing their claims on dependency grounds.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

ally peaceable," he said. "The United States does not care for war, or the autocratlc methods which must neces- sarlly be adopted during a war. The United States will never adopt a pol icy of permanent preparedness. It Is for this reason that the United States must fight this war to conclusion and demonstrate that no nation, peacefully inclined, need fear a sud- den attack by Germany"
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
NEW YORK STATES BUDGET

Albany N Y, Jan. 1.-Governor Whitman's estimates of the amount it will take to conduct New York states affairs for 1918 total approxi- mately $7S,000,00O, a reduction oi about $20,OO0O00 from the amount requested by state department heads This is S1,3l7000 less than that ap- prrpriited by the 1912 legislature.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
MEXICAN BANDITS
 RAID THREE TOWNS

Nogales. Ariz., Jan. t.-Three towns were raided and footed and South ; ern Pacific de MexicoI train held up yesterday by bandits operating be- tween here and Canan9a. Sonora. ac- cording to reports reaching here to- day. Three hundred federal soldiers have been ordered from Hermosillo to take up pursuit of tbe mauraders.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

Norfolk, Va, Jan. 2-CWednes- day.)-Fire broke out in Ports mouth, Va, just across the Elizabeth river from Norfolk at about :45 o'clock this morning. Four or five residences and two or three barns were reported de- stroyed and it was said at 2:25 a. m. teastern time) that the fire was not under control. The or igin of the fire had not been de termined at that time.
 Late tonight Chief of Police Riser and Fire Chief McLough- lin said they could not establish that any of the persons under ar rest were responsible for the fire here today and said none of . explosions which occurred ap- peared to have been due to in- eendiarism.
 Shortly afterwards it was said the fire had been controlled and that the loss would not he great.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

Norfolk, Va, Jan. l.-Nearly two blocks in the heart of Norfolks busi- ness district including the Monti- cello hotel, were destroyed, three men were killed and score more injured in series of explosions and fires today which both the police and maya authorities believe here were incen- diary. The fire had been checked to- night, but still was burning fiercely in the ruins
 The loss is roughly estimated al more than $2,000.000.
 Three distinct explosions in as many buildings, one after the fire once virtually had been brought under control. led to the belief that the enemy agents were at work. Mayor Mayo practically placed the city un- der martial law by turning the sit nation over to naval officers and some 2,500 marines and bluejackets from nearby naval stations. assisted the po- lice and home guards in maintaining order and preventing vandalism.
 Naval patrols rounded supicious persons throughout the afternoon while five men were arrested as sus-
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
Two Blocks in Heart of NOrfOlk'S s Business
 District Destroyed

As the Fire Would Nearly Be Brought Under Control Explosions Would De- cur in Other Buildings Without Ap- parent Cause--Three Men Killed and Score More Injured Five Men Are Placed Under Arrest.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
.TEUIONS ARE DRIVEN ACROSS
 PIAVE RIVER
ENTIRE RIGHT BANK OF THE STREAM IS NOW CLEARED OF
 THE INVADING FORCES
BELIEVE MENACE ID VENICE
 HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED

Operations on the Fronts in France and Belgium Are Confined Almost Exclusively to Bombardments.- Further Progress Made Against the Turks North of Jerusalem.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

Forecast for Arkansas: "Wednesday fair. continued cool; Thursday, fair, colder in east portion.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02
lFOR RENT AID WILL
 ;NT THAT VACANT ROOM

People looking for rooms turn to .e classified ada of the newspapers
 see what is offered. An ad in the enunel-Record is almost sure to ing a customer.
The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-02

CONTINUED ON PAGE EIGHT.