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THE WEATHER ' Fair Monday aad Taeeday; warmer Taa4y west portloa. The New; same erveir Dent Advertising ,'. Medium in North Carotins VOL CV. NO. 78. RALEIGH, N. C, MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 1917. PRICE: FIVE CENTS, GERMANS DESTROY THREE NATION-WIDE RAILROAD AMERICAN SHIPS; STRIKE CALLED OFF UNOFFICIALLY ADMITTED IN WASHINGTON THAT VIRTUALLY STATE OF WAR NOW EXISTS 1 , . ALREADY ARMING AMERICAN SHIPS; SENDING WARSHIPS MAY BE NEXT MOVE Tfttiii on the wet front, the pro-war -evolution in Hiiia. threats of Infer ml trouhlea in Oermnnv. and Chins's :-vemnee of relations, hse-ej-ved to nnvince mny observers that th be Tinning of the end ia near. Hie Herman retreat in France ia not vrt accepted ai mora than strati gie however. The Russian revolution, too, a admitted to ho'd possibilities of conn- I r-revolut'on which wilL greatly erip. me imb miuinrv rrneieney and in aome quarter it ia held confidently that Ger- (Continued an Par Faar.) Some of Highest Officials of Government Hold President Has Power to Declare That a State of War Exists No Indication That He Will Fol low Such a Course Dispatches Indicate That All Three Ships Were Sunk With Complete Dis regard for Safety of Those on Board. (By the Associated Press) ' Washington, March 18. With the announcement of the ruthless destruction of three unarmed American merchantshipn by submarines, it was unofficially admitted here tonight that virtually a state of war exists between the United States and Germany. Technically the United States remains in a position of armed neutrality. Whether this shall be changed before April 16, the date fixed for a special session of Congress, the war mak ing branch of the government, President Wilson has not de cided. One step the President is contemplating is a call for an im mediate session of Congress to hear an address asking for au thority to adopt aggressive measures against the submarine menace., Alreadv American ships are being armed to defend them selves. The next move must be to send warships with orders to seek out submarines and clear the trans-Atlantic lanes. Sore of the highest officials of the government hold that the executive has-the power to declare that a state of war exists and to proceed with aggressive protective steps pending the assembling of Congress. There is no indication, however, that the PesirJknt will follow that course. Of the three ships destroyed, two were unloaded and home ward bound, and all were American built. American owned and officered and mannM-lwplv by America.", citizens. Meagc disptches Indicate that all were sunk w'th complete disregard for the safety of those on board, and that many of the crew may have been lost - . i Definite Poller Neaaary. Today's development brought the gov ernment face to face with the problem of formulating a definite policy for the nation ia rate the United States actu ally entera the war. Tbl posslliil ty waa mentioned by the President ia his inaugural addresa March 6. All of the eonditiona outlined by the President in hit message announcing tii diplomatic break with Germany a lead ing to a state of armed neutrality have - new been f dialled. -- i he "overt net" do. , scribed by him then has actually come; i if ia fact it had not been committed when the President went before Con gress. Since then he haa established a state of armed neutrality without lt( specific authority of Cougref. President Wilson waa out automobil ing when the first Associated i'ress ilia patches telling of the three disasters came in quirk succession. Through Sec retary Tumulty ho waa given all avail able fact immediately on his return. - Several hours later official reports came from Consul Frost at Qujenstown and Consul General Skianer at London, telling of the sinking of the City of Memphis, the Vigilaneia and the Il linois. These dispatches confirmed press reports but added few details. International lawyers and constitu tional expert here showed no hesitancy tonight ia aaying that President Wilson haa full authority to interpret as an net of war and announce that this coun try considers tht an actual state of war exists by reason of Germany s , flagrant assault on American shipping. Such action would be subject to the . approval of Congress. - Despite the unwarned sinking of big passenger liners like the California and the Laneonia, the Jeopardizing of Amer icana on nearly score of other vessels, and the sinking f t . nfh- -"-' can ships, the Housatanlc, the Lymaa M. Law, and the AiUutU u, a.uc ur an restricted "warfare began some offi cials . inspired - by the President's an nounced reluctance to believe that Ger many would carry through1 her threat, have elung desperately to the hope that aome slight respect for - international 'aw might still be shown. , , German sea warfare may fairly be stated, however, to have surpassed even the mnst pe!mistio forecasts hern, rhat aha actually mean to send every r easel to the bottom that darea to, ven ture within her forbidden tones Is now ' accepted a fact. Neutral, paasenger, Belgian rel'ef, appear to be all in the same category. , ;';,..,-.; Watch Deve'opmenta Closely. With the practical certainty that th's country will become Involved ia hos tilities with Germany, even if only for the keeping onen of the sea tones to Europe, officials are scanning the war ewa with the closest acrntiny. An ad vance on the west front or in M-aopo-taraia is aow studied with the keen ear ernes borne of 'a realization that it may have a direct effect on America's future history. ; The kareidoaeopie developments ' of the last few weeka history haa been fol- lowed moat keenly, i The apparent crumbling of Turkish power in Meso potamia and Persia shown in the capture of Van today by the Bossiest, following the fallof Bagiad to the Br t lah, the unexpected sweeping f orwa d .of both British and French ia a wid NEGROES SUBSCRIBE TO FUND FOR BELGIAN BABIES Aaheville, March 18. At a maa meeting of negroes, held at the Y. M. I the colored T. M. C. A. of Aahe ville, today, funda sufficient to "adopt" fifty Belgian babies for three months were subscribed. The subacriptioa was on the basis of $1 a month to feed one of the starving tots, and was raised, half by the Y. M. I. and half by the negro schools and ehurchea of the city. The meeting waa enthusiastic from start to finish, and the subscriptions came rapidly after several short talks by white speakers, pointing out the needs of the Belgian babies. Each church and school, pledged certain amounts and the Y. M. I raised 75 on the spot. White societies have raised a considerable amount for thia purpose. CITY DP MEMPHIS sn T Had the Stars and Stripes Painted on Both of Her Sides CREW LEAVE IN BOATS Given Fifteen Minutes by U Boat To Leave Ship; Ger mans Then Sent Torpedo, Tearing Great Hole in Side of Vessel; Not All the Small Boats Yet Rescued (By The Associated Press.) London, March 18. The American steamship City of Memphis, which left Cardiff k'riday in ballast for New York, was sunk Saturday when ahe left port. The City of Memphis had the stars and stripes painted on both sides. She en countered a submarine about 5 o'clock Saturday evening. The German com mander ordered the captain of the steamer to leave his ship within fifteen minutes. The entire crew entered five boats and the submarine then fired a torpedo which struck the vessel on the starboard side, tearing a great hole through which the sea poured. The steamer settled down quickly and foundered within a few minutes. During the night the boata became separated, and at 4 o'clock Sunday morn ing throe bo. t erewa were picked up by a patrol vessel and landed. These boats contained 33 men, mostly Ameri cas. Ail the officers -were Americans. The officers believe that the other boats will le rescued. Had Adveatareus Career. Ntw York. March 18v Forty eight men who were Americana by birth or by naturalUtioa and nine other, sev eral ot whoa were believed to be natur alised Americans, -eomp-.ised -the eiew of the American freight steamship City of Memphis, eported from- London to day aa having been sunk by shell-fire. The vessel itself, valued at S800,000, had weathered safely many adventures ii Kuropean watera on previous voyages since the war began. Owned by the OeeU- Steamship Com ORDER TO MUSTER OUT STATE T IS OOPS NOW SUSPENDED Third Infantry Arriving Tues day Will Be Held Under Arms At Fair Grounds MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RECEIVE GUARDSMEN Second Infantry Will Proceed To Goldsboro From Border While Brigade Headquarters Will Come To Raleigh; No Explanation Given For Hold Up of Mobilization The demobilization of the Third North Carolina Infantry, National Guard, due to arrive in Baleigh Tues day, received a set-back yesterday when orders were received bv the State au thorlties suspending the order to mus ter out. The Third Infsntry, about eight hundred strong, will encamp at the State Fair Grounds here, while the most "earnest efforts wiU be made to re cruit the organization up to its fu'l strength of about two thousand. In the meantime, the order for the muster out of the Second Infantry ha likewise been impended, and this organization will encamp at the Goldslioro Fa r Ground. Captain William J. Tedball, U. 8. A. of the quartermaster's depart ment, in expected here immediately to take charge of the provisioning of the troops. State authorities yesterday were com pletely in the dark aa to the significance of the suspending order. It may be a measure relating to the strike situation ox, it may be another .precautionary I move, it waa pointed out yesterday. ro one eared to vouchsafe any opinion as to the length of time the troops may yet be held in service. The First In fantry haa already been mustered oat, but the Third is now on the - to North Carolina from Camp Stewart, VIGILANCIA IS SUNK W THOU T WARNING Fourteen members of Her Crew Are Reported To Be ' Missing SUBMARINE NOT SEEN Captain, First and Second Mate Several Engineers and Twenty-Three of the Crew Landed At the Scilly Islands; Valued at More Than $1,000,000; Cargo $750,000 London, March 18. The sinking of the American tamer City of Memphis, Illinois and Vigilaneia was announced today. Fourteen men from the Vigi laneia are missing, as are some of the men from the City of Mmhis. The crew of the Illinois was landed aafely. The Vigilaneia, was torpedoed without warning. The submarine did not ap pear. The captain, first and second 'nates, first, second and third engineers and 23 men of the crew have been land ed at the Scilly Islands. The fourth engineer and 13 men are missing. American on Vigilaneia. New York, March 18. The crew of the Vigilaneia comprised 45 men, of whom 21 were American, including Capt. F. A. Middleton, Two of the 21 were nat uralized and one had ?rt paper. There were alio five Porto Kicnns and one Filipino in the room force RAILROADS YIELD, MOVED BY NEW CRISIS CREATED BY SMONGOF VESSELS EMPLOYES WILL GET EIGHT HOUR DAY WITH PRESENT PAY FOR TEN HOURS Board of Mediators Empowered to Make Terms t With Employes. Managers Voice Conviction That Neither at Home Nor Abroad Should There Be Doubt as to the Efficient Operation of the Nation's Railroads at This Time. Brotherhoods Do Not Get All Demands t (By the Associated Press.) J New York, March 19. The conference committee of rail road managers early thia morning authorized President Wil son's mediators to make whatever arrangements were neces sary with tha railroad brotherhoods to call off the threatened stride. j The formal letter in which thia authorization was made, signed by Elisha Lee, chairman of the managers committee, was as follows: "In the national crisis precipitated by events of which we heard this afternoon, the national conference committee of railroads joins with you in the conviction that neither at home nor abroad should there be fear or hope that the efficient ope rations of the railroads of this country will be hampered or impaired. 1 . .,: "Therefore you are authorized to assure the nation there will be no strike, and as a basis for such assurance we hereby authorize the committee of the Council of National Defense to jrrant tc the employees who are about to strike whatever ad- capuin justment your committee deems necessary to guarantee the un. Middleton .'. a graduate of the New interrupted and effluent operation of the railroads as an indis Urk naval school training ship. The n,nalhlo nrm nf noHrmnl Hfn.a : t Brotneroeoda Win A Victory. WASHINGTON OFFICALS Th " v the manager SUCCESS OF MARCH 17 WAS OF VAST IMPORTANCE, THE FRENCH DECLARE (By the Associated Press.) . Paris, Mareft 18. The seventeenth of March will remain among the most memorable days of the war la the opin ion of the French who regard the sue eeaa oa the- front from the Anere to the Olse aa the greatest since the battle of the Marne. It' ia considered - not merely a local success bat a veritable strategic retreat forced , upon the Ger man, the full consequences ef which probably will not be revealed for sev eral days. Tha fact that the French at certain points went beyond the road from Boye to Noyoa Indicates that the German retreat will not end there. "The Oei mans stiJ are at noyoa" favorite phrase of the parliamentary op ponent of the government who nought to Impress npon it the fact that the German were only 87 milea from Paris, now will have to bo abandoned. It would be d.ffleult to say,, military eritics assert, where the Germans pro pose to establiah (table defense. ,. The retreat of modern armiea, encumbered with great supplies of material, can be effected only with extreme alow aces which permit an active and resolute adversary to , maintain contact aneeao tair7. - This is the Irst oeeaaio aiae the armiea have beoa established on the weatara front that Trench Tillage have 1 V , while the Second and linride He. d anv rnmmonlv k anva the Raw .k oharters are still on the border, expect ine nngaae pro eeed to Baleigh for muttering ont. but these instructions have been suspended for General Young and staff as well a for the Third and neeond regiment Captain Hiram Stanley, of High Point,: haa reported to Mujor Peterson for duty here and today Will beg n work to get the Fair Ground In shape for the reception of the Third Tuesday The avallaHlity of the buildings at the Fair grounds mskes it unnecessary for the men to erect tents and the troops will be stationed here ia barrack style until their order for mustering out come. Other Mobilisation Points. The situation in thia Bute in the matter of mobilisation camps alout which the War Department appears to be taking considerable interest now, has brought attention specifically to the nnsuitability of Camp Glenn for mobl lixatioa point during the winter season. Between April 15 and November IS, the camp site there will prove entirely satis factory, it ia thought. However, in ease all three regiment are called into ser vice again at any other time, the First Infantry, it la believed will be mobi tized either in Charlotte or Salisbury, depending upon the city which make the most sntuiaetory proposal. Charlotte Make Offer. Dispatches from Charlotte last night furnished the Information that Mayor T. U Kirkpatrick ha tendered a -camp site, ligbte, water, barracks en" -r"w-'-faeilitiea without cost to the State or Federal governments if Charlotte aboulu be selected. First Infantry Reeraltlag. The First Infantry, contrary to nu merous feasimistie prophecies, in re cruiting it number to full strength with a vim. The Adjutant General of fice is just ia receipt of notice of fifty recruits added Col. Gardner, who was here recently, declared that the men are eager to be back in the service again. They were glad to be back home, to see the folk, and experience the de lights of home life for a bit, but they are not discouraged at- their experience in soldiering. O tha other hand, the apparent uecea of the First, la West era North Carolina, in recruiting their organization would indicate that the men themselves ar the best recruiting agencies,. V,, In spit of all (forty ft seem that the twenty-alx men wanted by Major Peterson for organisation into quar termaster eorpe for Baleigh will not be available. Military authorities in th tate are finding it hard to explain why each difficulty should exlat. But easy or difficult, be that a tt may, the National Guard ia up against th proposition of recruiting to full strength and la determined that the re cruiting shall be done.' The regular army and the navy appear able to Had recruit in North Carolina, and th Na tional Guard authorities believe that the National Guard can be recruited ale. i .,, v Visitors her from Atlanta and Jack sonville, tell of towaa literally plastered with National Guard recruiting adver- Line, the City of Memphis, of 5,232 ton, MM o leave at any time. The Bri gross, sailed from New York January 23. ueadquartera had been ordered to carrying 9,653 bales of cotton valued at 600,000. Thia ahe Jelivered at Havre, nance, and waa on her way aome -n uaiiast wnen sunk. Her captaia waa L. P. Bo rum of N. folk, Va, where he waa born of Ameri can parents. Her other officers, all American-born except one, were: nrst officer C. u. Laird, Second Offi cer A. Carroll, aaturalied Amercan: Third Officer M. Dierland, W. I. Percy chief engineer, F. Bevill first assistant engineer, F. McPherson second assistant engineer, W. IS. Thompson third assist ant, engineer. Others on board were the ship's sur geon. Dr. F. Shea, and the wireless op erators, J. Welsh and P. J. Douohue, living in new lorx, a did also the fol low.ng, all negroes: 11. Canty, baker; D. a Jackson, chief cook ; O. McLean, second cook ; J. Lewis, mesaman, J. Cooke and"C, Cooke, -wait era aad G. Canty and G. M. Mitchell. mem boye, all negToes, were members of the crew. In thia category also were H. O. Bo ill. kteward ; C A. Phillips, elee- triciaa; F. Montere, H. H. Hobbs and J. Alqueat, water tender; J. Bumbo, U. . Winn, and J. Walker, oilers; N P. Clausen, boatswain; E. Nelson. H. eolgoord, and r. Jtaha, quarter-mantera; A. Federsoa, W. Ixisberg, 8. Lodwhmn. r'. ruttin, K. Lassen, L. Abraham F. Timmermaa and J. D. Hanlon, sailors, and W. Nixon, M. Lopeyei M. Outiereae, (Continued on Pag feer.) been evacuated by the German aad oc cupied by the French and English. Bapaum, Boye, lassigny and large number of villages ia' Picardy and Artoia, which for two years have not seen French uniform, now can witnesa the tri-eolor of their country and th flag of their allies. , 1 he victorious entry of th Preach into Boy on th heel of the retiring German waa marked by atirrlag in cidents in which 800 liberated eilUens participated, regardless of danger. Th inhabitant threw themselves in front of the arriving French soldier, nil shouting as they did oo, "Vive L Frs!" Women hugged them while old people grasped their hand. Tear were in the eye of all when auddsaly a 12-year-old boy began kinging th "MarseUlaiae,' which waa taken np in stantly by th population. Oa rushing wave of soldier joined In and it waa to the sitraJaa f th national aathem that th French outpost, left Boy, pressing the retreating German. Th general feeliag ia that th ad versary ha aaffered severe blow that may hav still greater consequence. Th French aad British advance waa mad over ground " measuring approxi mately 80 kilometre (about S3 mile) aad may be extended at some point where artillery actios hav been ex ceedingly intense ia th last few days. (Continued en Pag Fear.) names of 18 Americans in the crew on file here. are: B. D. O Cnnell mate, J. H. Smith second mate, N. P. North, naturalised, thid mat; F. Brown, carpenter, New port News ; A. Gillard quartermaster, J. H. Loera quartermaster, 8. Stamut sea man, Fred Behwia, nrturalised, chief en gineer; . A. Dentr-u assistant enrineer, Walter Scott second assistant engineer,' Alexander Bodriguea, Porto Bico, oiler; M. Bull, Porto Bico, fireman; C. W. Day son steaward, J. A. MacDonald, Can ada (first papers), second cook and baker; Walter Pitta cook, J. Connors waiter, E. Lopes, Porto Rico mesa boy Paul T. Piatt, wireless operator. The Vigilaneia as i-u.it .11 1890 for the New York and Cuba Mail Stenm ship Company, better known as the Ward line. 1'ntil shortly after the outbreak of the war she was engngd in she was sold to engage in the cotton carrying trade from f e Uni'e HtnVs ARET GREATLY RELIEVED Washington, March 1?. Word that the railroad strike had been called off brouglit initialed satisfaction and re. ef to administration offli-ia!., tonight. Particularly in view of the sudd n in-i-ren)' of tension tonight over relation with Germany, it was felt the setting of differences between the railroads and brotherhoods removes a big menace to proper internal preparationa for aa tionnl defense News of tho agreement reached the White House after President Wilson had retired. Assltmed To Special Dnty. Annapolis, Md , March 1. The seven in (lrmon norU. In March. 1915. while cen naval officers attending me post on Jhe way to Bremen, she waa eelxed i graduate school at the naval academy . I received order at noou today assigning (Coatlaacd from Pago One.) them to special duty. WAKE UP CONTESTANTS FREE CARS ARE READY Eighteen Splendid Machines Are To Go Free To Eighteen Lucky Folks For Free Votes 300.000 EXTRA VOTES NOW FOR FEW SMALL COLLECTIONS Do Not Fail To Get a Club of $35 in New Subscription Be fore the Offer Expires; Only a Few Days Are Given For This little Task, So Make the Most of the Time THBEE hundred thousand ex tra, vote each time our books show 435 in new subscriptions to your credit, Candidate. Do you realize what an enormous advan tage just one extra certificate for three hundred thousand votes means f Do yon realize that two such certificate gWe Tou b'tter than a half million extra votes, nut to speak of the regular schedule earned t Why, three such ballot gained by a little extra exertion right now, will giv you nearly a million extra vote, the total vote credit for this will net you well over million. If this 1 th rase, then what will four or five clot of new subscriptions yield t Of course it la to be expected that not many will be able to obtain more thin one little club of 35, in new sub scriptions, during the time limit, which is nntil midnight, April 7th. It i to be hoped, however, that some will as this period to gain absolute safety, for thia la possible. Now Is The Tim t Thia special offer la the oppor tunity of th competition to attiia reserve so large that no matter what, or who might' oppose yon af ter th offer close none may chal lenge your position. No limit has been sot a to th number of club that a candidate may turn in npon this offer, therefor yen may hav aa many certificate aa yea can get club of S3S, ia new subscription, before midnight April 7th. New payments are counted in the total, not a single subscription upon this offer. In other words, a club of ';" means any combination of payment tftnt rggregMe that amount. You mnst not hold sub scriptions; you must send them in when they are mode. You will re ceive the regu!nr certificates fur vote immedintelyj but the ext"a certificates r-re made up n..jttia:l ed to you nt one time immediately after the close'of the offer; Tbi is done thnt there may be no mistake in sending you the proper number of extra certificates. The Next Club Period. The next club period will giv fewer votes than does this one, so " all who are wise will exert them reives right now, regardlesa of weather conditions or any other ob stacle which presents difficulties. ' , Not Too Late. t Why any one should think it to late to become a contestant in this competition we cannot understand. Look at the vote column. Not a registration of - thirty thousand votes as yet and for one new year-, ly subscription tho regular schedule is thirty thousand. Why, if any one really wants aa automobile ab solutely free through thia competi tion it would seem strange if he or she cannot e wonderful oppor . utnlty right now to get into field where much indifference is shown. Every pria is free and cash eommiatuoa i given to every non prise winner. Bend In your ' nam today. . ' - ; ai incir mianuflji eonHre.,, mean that th brotherhoods have won aa in. portant victory although it doe Be bring them all their original demand By the agreement, it ia assumed, they viil be awarded pro rat time for over, time on the baric hour day which they have been assured. Their original demands called for time and a half for overtime on th same basic day. Basalt A Surprised The announcement of the managers that they had yielded apparently cam aa a surprise to the brotherhood chief for they were in bed when summoned again to the conference' room. arlie ia the evening there had been a dis tinctly pessimistic feeling aa to tho prospect for averting a strik. Up to that hour the. railroads had refused to make the concessions granted aad tho brotherhood bad stood fast to their de termination to strik unless they woa their demands either by the Supreme court declaring the Adamson law valid or by their employers granting tha the eight-hour day. . Appeal By Mediator I Earnest appeals by Secretary Laa and the other mediators to the patriot. l-im of the railroad managera ar be lieved to have been an important fac tor ia bringing about a settlement. Th critical aituat'oa in which th coun try find itself because of the sinking of American ship by German euhena- rine waa impressed upon them aad they were told that if n strike were permit, ted at this time It would be a national calamity. Similar pressor waa brought to rear upon the brotherhood chief. Whether or not President Wilson ronimunicated directly with Secretary Lone during the night could not be learned but there were report that th sokesmea for th mediator: had hoe iuformed by the Pres'dent that r : ralysis of tha nation's transportation, system must be prevented at all cost. ' Ibe first Intimat on that th strik waa to be called off was given to th Associated Press by an official of th ionferenee of roilroed manager soon after the letter nnthorixing whatever concession m'ght benecessary had boon, sent to the med stor. Lane1 rormal Statement. It waa an hour and a half later that Secretary Lane made this formal (tate- ment! l!egarda of the decision of th So; -em Cou-t on the Adimaon law th ' ' fsie "-hour day will go into effect." ? It haa rern necewtary in the meaw- t'me to awakes the brotherhood chief . "nd fummon them from their own hotel to that at which the conference was held. ' The jo'nt committee which U work ng out the detiils of the agreement la expected to adjust technical deta-le ef he application of tho basic eight hour . w in such a way that It will N -factory to both poasenfer and freight r.invee f the railroad. The rilrod mannger left th hotel at which th conference wa being held at 11:30 o'clock. Th brotherhood chief were aid to hav retired at th hotel which ia their headquarter. The medi ator Milt were oonf erring toejether. All th Mrtie concerned appeared somewhat pessimintie. No announcement wa mad aa to whether the conference would bo reonmed during th night. New York. hUreh lry-Whetber er not tk railroad strike will b begun at 7 o'clock tomorrow night by th four brotherhood of trainmen remained opec question, tonight a far aa aarfac (Catlnd on Pag Fr4 ,!
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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March 19, 1917, edition 1
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