Newspapers / Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.) / March 12, 1917, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE ASHEYILLE CITIZEN THE WEATHER FAIR. CITIZEN WANT ADS ; BRING RESULTS . . VOL. XXXni, NO. 140. ASHEVLLLE, N. 0., MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 12, 1917. PRICE ITVB CENTS run U VVU (TAPT HISTORIC ABODE OF THE ANCIENT CALIPHS FALLS BEFORE BRITISH ADVANCE in Streets Once Trod by Haroun-Al-Rashid, Immortalized "Arabian Nights'9 Resound to the Tread of Solid Phalanxes of Britons, Marching on to Restore British Prestige in the Minds of the Mohammedans. GENERAL MAUDE SENDS NEWS OF THE VICTORY Capture of Bagdad Marks Climax of One of the Most Dramatic Phases of the Great World War and Kills Germany's Hopes in the East. TURKS RECEIVING E SEVERAL FRONTS First Sign of Spring LONDON, March 11 General Frederick Stanley- Maude, in command of the entente forces m Mesopotamia, telegraphed today the welcome news for the British of the occupation early .this morning of the city of Bagdad, the chief Turkish city in Mesopotamia and formerly the capi tal of the empire of the caliphs. No Details. No details of the capture have yet been received, Gen eral Maude 's story of the operations carrying events only up to Saturday morning when the British, after effecting a surprise crossing of the Diala and bridging the Tigris, had driven the Turks back to within three miles of Bag dad. It is evident, however, that the Turks have been un able to offer any serious resistance since the fall of Kut-El-Amara. They were said to be hurriedly summoning reinforce-! ments from other theatres of the war but the distances to be covered were so great that additional forces were un able to arrive in time to save the ancient city, which, after Mecca, occupies first place in the Mohammedan mind. Will Restore Prestige. The fall of Bagdad, besides ending German hopes of an eastern dominion, based on a Berlin-Bagdad railway, will reverberate throughout the Mohammedan empires and it is believed will more than rehabilitate British prestige in the far east, damaged by the earlier loss of Kut-El-Amara. Perhaps no more welcome news could come at a time when the British public for the first time, owing to the submarine war, is beginning to feel the effects of the war in a greatly reduced food supply, besides being thrown into depression by the revelations of the Dardanelles re port. Further news must be awaited before it is known whether General Maude made important captures of Turkish troops or guns, either before or at Bagdad. Losses Slight. Apparently the occupation was effected without re sistance and with only slight losses. Even if the Turks succeeded in extricating all their forces, the loss of Bag dad is a grave blow to them. Bagdad has been the base for all Turkish operations in Persia. Up to within a few days ago the Turks occu pied about 30,000 square miles of Persian territory, but with the Russians pressing them closely from Kirman shah, as well as from the direction of Erzerum, indications point to a speedy junction of the British and Russian I forces, which would soon compel the Turkish evacuation of Persian territory. Dramatic Phase of War. Bagdad's capture makes the climax to one of the most dramatic and picturesque phases of the world war. The city which has fallen to British arms links the present to a past so distant that it is semi-fabulous. The known his tory of Bagdad reaches back for more than four thousand years to the shadowy times of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a quay built by the scriptural monarch still existing submerged in the Tigris. Within its precincts also there still stand the tombs of the Jewish prophets Joshua, Uizra and .Lzekiel, and the well of Daniel. Rose to Splendor. Long after the Babylonian dynasty had ceased to be more than a memory Bagdad rose to splendor as the artistic, literary, scientific and religious capital of the world. The heart of the great Islamic empire of the Caliphs for hundreds of years, it was known throughout the world as "th6 glorious city," arid was the scene of the fantastic exploits of Haroun-Al-Rashid, the potentate -whose magnificence is immortalized in the Arabian Nights. British Capture of Bagdad is Followed by Russian Successes. OTHER FRONTS ARE RELATIVELY QUIET Violent Artillery Duel Be tween French and Ger mans in the West. Keeping up their strong offensive against the Turk along the Tigris river the British forces under General Maude have captured the important city of Bagdad, thereby bringing to a successful climax an operation be gun early in 1916. Getting Hard Usage. Likewise In Persia, the Turks are. receiving hard usage at the hands of the Russians, according to Petrograa. In northwest Persia, the Russians have captured the town of Sahna and the Ottomans were driven out of Hamadan are still in retreat. In Asia Minor, along the Slvas road the REACHES HAVANA EN ROUT TO HIED STATES Leaves This Morning on the Governor Cobb For Key West. ( MR. GERARD'S VOYAGE WITHOUT INCIDENT Party Anxious For Part of Time But Voyage Is Made Safely. TORNADO CAUSES MORE THAN SCORE OF DEATHS AND MILLION DOLLARS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN PORTION OF INDIANA Total Number of Injured Will Amount to Over 200, Some of Them Being Probably Fatally Hurt Physicians, Nurses and Guards Rushed to Newcastle, Which Is Hardest Hit ;r. ., Section of the State Bodies Dug Out of Wreckage of Homes. (Continued on Page Two) CAHNZA IS ELECTED PRESIDENT DF BY Largest Vote Ever Cast in Mexico, is Belief Officials. of LITTLE OPPOSITION. tCONTTNTED ON PAGE TWO? MEXICO CITY. March 11 General Venustiano Carranza was today elected president of Mexico by what is be lieved to be the largest rote ever cast In the republic Although the voters had the privilege of writing in or declaring anv nam they desired, General Carransa re ceived all but a few scattering ballnta. The estimated vote cast runs all the way from several hundred thousand to a million. The presidential election today was provided for In articles adopted by the constitutional assembly which met at Queretaro. Many of the old residents declare that this was the first real election ever held In the country. Report from various parts of the republic indicate that there was no disturbance or intimidation. Although there was no opposition for the presidency, the congressional contests were bitterly fought. The campaign lasted until the early hours of this morning and the streets were littered with dodgers and handbills. Conditions at the polls throughout the district were orderly and troops were not in evidence, the soldiers costing their votes in their barracks. Mexico will now have a constitu tional president for the first time since 1911, when Francisco Madero received more than 100,009 votes. General Vlctoriano Huerta called an election in It 14 and declared himself elected but later nullified the election on the ground that an insufficient number of votes had been cast. His election to the presidency marks the climax' of the efforts of General Carransa, who took the field against Huerta February II, lilt, after Huerta had seised the executive power. The election today was simplified by the fact that then U no vice president under the new constitution. It will be some time, however, be fore the returns of the congressional elections are definitely known, al though the candidates on the ticket of the constitutionalist-liberal party, which first backed Carransa, are ma nning strongly in -asset of th districts. INDIANAPOLIS, March 11. A tornado swept over central eastern Indiana late this afternoon, killing more than a score of persons at New castle, and two children In Wayne county. The total number of injured will run over 2 OK), some of whom are prob ably fatally hurt. The damage will total well over a million dollars at Newcastle and several , thousand dollars In Wayne county. The storm crippled wire communi cation throughout the eastern part of the state and reports were meager. Adjutant General Harry B. Smith, of the Indiana national guard said his reports were that twenty-six were dead ' and 160 Injured at Newcastle. Two companies of militia were order ed to Newcastle to police the city. Physicians, nurses, undertakers and ambulances were ordered to New castle from Indianapolis, Muncle and other towns surrounding Newcastle. Two special Interurban cars, carrying thirty physicians ana tiny-three nurses were sent from here early In the evening. Their arrival at New castle had not been reported to Gen eral Smith at 10 o'clock. TWEVTY-OJJE DEAD. NEWCASTLE. Ind., .March 11. Twonty-one are known to nave been killed, several are missing, more than a hundred persons were Injured, some fatally, and property damaged to the extent of t 1,000,000 was the total of a tornado which struck New castle shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon. Tha dead: EVERETT DVNLAP. BERNICE DA Via. ORRIS DAVIS. JAMBS NEILIS, recently from Kentucky. GRAY DAVTfl. MR8. JOHN DAVIS, mother of Crmr navls. DAVIS, son of Gray Davis. MRS. ARCHIE FLETCHER. 1 HALER, young daughter of John Haler. RAZBR, twelve-year-old son of W. T. Raier. MRS. ARCHIE WILLIAMSON, MIS8 OPAL WILLI AMBON, daugh ter of Mrs. Williamson. NEWTON. BERNICE DAY. JUNE DAY. MRS. MARY E. WILLIAMS. MRS. VERA HIGGINS, daughter of Mrs. Williams. ERNEST WATERMAN, aged six. Two men and one boy unidentified. Among the missing are: WILLIAM DAVIS. J. W. McLANE, and two sons. MRS. W. NEWTON. WILLIAM LOWERY. Appeals for Help. Appeals for help were sent out by Mayor Leb Watklns and Governor Goodrich was asked to send troops to police the city, which Is In darkness tonight owing to the demolition of the power plant. The exact number of dead may not be known for a day or two, as prac tically all the bodies thus far found have been dug out of the wreckage of their homes. The search was hampered by darkness but with the coming of daylight tomorrow It Is be lieved several more bodies will be found. Early tonight the list of Identified dead totaled ten and there were seven other bodies In the morgue but It was said several others had been found In various sections of the wrecked district and taken Into near by residences not damaged by the storm. Confusion and disorder followed in the path of the storm. Those who es caped injury and death ran wildly about the streets, women and ohll dren crying and wringing their hands and men snouting and cursing. The men finally settled down and began the work of rescue, digging In the ruins of their homes for missing members of their families. Found in Street. Only two or three bodies ware found in the streets. For several hours the town was en tirely cut off from outside communi cation. Traction cars could not run Into the city because of the demolish ed power house and even the roads were blocked in practically all direc tions with fallen trees and telephone poles. As soon as possible calls for help were sent out by Mayor Leb Watklns, who started In to organise the rescue work. Although the skies had been threatening during the early after noon there was little warning of the approaching tornado. A huge funnel shaped cloud suddenly appeared in the west, hanging low and sweeping toward the city. Groups of persons In the streets began seeking shelter, men and women running wildly through the streets. The tornado lasted only about five minutes and was followed by a hard rain which also stopped in a few minutes. One witness of the tornado, who was driving with his family of four in an automobile, reached a point in the court house square when the storm struck. The ' man and his family sought shelter in an excavation for a new building. Crouching in mud and water knee deep they remained there until the storm had subsided. After the storm had passed hun dreds of persons rushed to the south- side to aid In the rescue work. The HAVANA March 11. James W Gerard, former American ambassador to Germany, and his party, arrived at Havana this moraine from Corunna, Spain, on board the Spanish steamship Infanta Isabel.' Mr. Gerard will leave here Monday morning at 10 o'clock for Key West, Fls, on board the steamship Governor Cobb. The voyage of the infanta Isabel which began at Corunna. under threatening auspices, was without in- cldent There had been apprehension: before embarking at the Spanish port because of the submarine men-, ace, notwithstanding that the Infanta Isabel is a neutral ship. She carried1 more than 1,600 Spanish emigrants and Germany is known to be anxious to maintain friendly relations with Spain. , - v ,f Anxiety Increase. . : u Anxiety In the ambassadorial party Inoreaeed when the vessel was one day out, upon the receipt of a wire less message announcing the sinking of the Cunard liner Leccnla. yUl ap prehension vanished after the ship , passed . Oh Asorss nd .-last - Friday night the lights of the Bahamas were picked up. ' ;?:i'".':,.:'jJ;::v" ' . The Infante Isabel arrived off Morro Castle about I o'clock this morning In a dense fog and remained three miles off shore until signalled by Morro Castle at o'clock. Then- she entered the harbor. All the sengers were in the best of health. Many launches oame out to the ship, the occupants greeting Mr. Oerard who stood at the rail. At a o'clock newspapermen saw the ex ambassador who greeted them pleas antly but refused to make any state ment. He received from them the In- formation that president Wilson had (Continued on Page Two.) SELECTION OF TARIFF (Continued on Page Two.i OF LATE DEVELOPMENTS Tells Associated Press He Has Not Heard of German "Plot." CHRISTIANA, Norway, March 11. (Via London) Count von Bernstorff, former German ambassador to the United States, on arriving here on board the steamship Frederlk VIII, told the Associated Press that he was Ignorant of the political developments of the last four weeks and whgn told of the disclosure of Germany's ef fort to make an alliance with Mexico, he expressed his surprise and added: "It is news to me." The count was told of President Wilson's progress toward the arming of merchantmen but no maae no com ment, although seeming eager to hear of the latest developments on both sides of the Atlantic The count oa his arrival received a large amount of mall, which he read hurriedly. It is not yet known when the loe conditions In the Cattegat will permit the Frederlk to sail for Copenhagen. Cos at von Bernstorrr spent Satur day in Christian la sightseeing and meeting German officials. In the evening he attended a dinner given la hiehoDor at the German legation. TO MEET AT WASHINGTON Will Discuss Some Plan of Settlement of Eight-Hour Day Controversy. CLEVELAND. O.. March 11. W. G. Lee, president of the Railway Trainmen, announced today that a meeting of the chairman of the gen eral committees of the four railroad brotherhoods representing the south ern roads would be held in Washing ton. Tuesday March II. to discuss a plan of settlement of the eight-hour controversy. A similar meeting of chairman for .he southwestern roads will be held In St Louis on the same day. while eastern chairman will meet in New York and western chairmen in St Paul, on March 14. After the organisations have acted, the plan of settlement will be sub mitted to the national conference committee of railways by ths brother hood chiefs In New York on March II. Warren S. Stone, grand chief of the engineers: W. 8. Carter, president of the firemen and englnemen; I E. Sheppard. acting president of ths eond actors, and W. O. Lee. president of the trainmen's organisation, left here tonight for Washington, where they will confer with President Samuel Oompers of the American Federation of Labor tomorrow oa labor's loyalty la ease of WASHINGTON IS SILENT No Further Details on Arm ing American Ships Are Made Public COMPLETED Br WILSON I 1 Prof. Taussig, of Harvard, 5 Will Be Chairman of the ; Commission. OTHERS MENTIONED. WASHINGTON, Maroh 11. The American government having an nounced its decision to proceed with the arming of merchantmen Intend ing to so to Europe in defiance of Germany's ruthless submarine cam Dalsn. no further details on the situation were given out today. Many interesting questions relating to the new policy remainea un answered. The only statement au thorlsed was that nothing will be done by the government not In strict accord with International law. Because of reports of bad food mnriltlnna In Germany, the fall of Bagdad to the entente allies and other news looked upon as unfavor able to ths central powers, some of ficials considered further peace sug gestion from Germany as among the possibilities. President Wilson, although prac tically recovered from the cold which kept him in bed most of last week, remained indoors all day. THE WEATHER. 1 WASHINGTON, March 11. Fore cut for North Carolina: Fair .Mon day; Tuesday fair, omswhet WAHHTNY3TON, March 11. Prest. ' dent Wilson practically has completed selection of the tariff commission J and the nominations probably will be . sent to the senate during the present ' special session possibly tomorrow. Professor Frank W. Fausslg. ot 1 Harvard university, will be chairman . of the commission and has obtained ' leave of absence from Harvard until September 1911. He is an authority on economics and has written exten- 4 slvely on the tariff. Daniel O. Roper, another member -S expected to be nominated by the president has had practical exnerl- ' ence in dealing with the tariff. j After serving In the South Carolina legislature, he became clerk of tha senats Interstate commerce commit tee and than became Identified with the census bureau in the collection of cotton statistics, making a trip to uurooe 10 stuay tne question. When the present tariff law was framed he was connected v .th the house ways and means committee as an au thority on statistics. Until last fall he was first assistant postmaster gen eral. William Kent a member nt tfca house until March i. probably will be another member. He was born in Chicago, but has lived most of his life in California. He has been ex tensively Identified with banking and other forms of business. He was elected to one congress as an in. surgent republican and for two terms as an Independent During the last campaign he supported President Wilson. Among the other men under con- sideration is E. P. Costlgan. of Den ver, a lawyer. He was originally a republican in 11X and again in 1114 -was the progressive candidate for governor of . Colorado. Professor Irving Fisher of Yale, also has been ' mentioned. E. E. Pratt chief of the bureau ef : foreign and domestic commerce of the commerce department, has also been mentioned in connection with a place en the commlsslonil as has Mtso Ida Tarbell. a writer. It is understood, however, that Miss TarbeO refssed tM consider the peettioa.
Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.)
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March 12, 1917, edition 1
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