- V WEATHER FORECAST; North Carolina Cloudy tonight and Wednesday; probably rain. Warmer Wednesday, in east portion. South Carolina Cloudy tonight and Wednesday; probably local rain. II CO O A nnOTTTT FULL LEASED WIRE SERVICE VOL. XXIII. NO. 54. WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, TUESDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 13, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS, BAGDAD, CAPTURED BY BRITISH LIE L ; BERG KEPT GERlkXiNY INFORMED AOUT AFFAIRS .r .- the 7 wliiiiNGTOir D v . " . - 1 FINAL EDITION 1 111 1 1 wiu uu yiyjiLai iyj u u iiiiiL.' I leads of Brotherhood Con ferred Today But Give Out Nothing. REPORT THAT STRIKE MAY START SATURDAY. Atlantic Coast Line and Sea board Would be Included in First to Feel Effect of Strike. President Notified Men Will Be Loyal to Government. (By Associated" Press ) Xt w York. March 13. information received by the National Conference Committee, composed of ni.vr.-vgers of ilio sivai railway systems an ' made ;miiiic by that body today, indicates thai the lour employees' brotherhoods have completed arrangements for a progressive series of strikes to begin ;:; ti o'clock eastern time on S?- .r day night if the conference or. the c-isrh'.-hour question held here Thurs (!av fails to reach a satisfactory agree- The proposed strike program, ac cording to this information, is as fol- Saturday. 6 p. m., call out all train men in freight service on the New York Central, Baltimore & Ohio, Erie, Atlantic Coast Line, Southern Rail way. Louisville & Nashville and Sea board Air Line. Such an order would involve 40,000men. Monday, March 19, 6 p. in., call out the freight trainmen on the Lehigh V?!ky. Lackawanna, Jersey Central, Pennsylvania, Long Island, Maine Central, Delaware & Hudson, Read ins and all other roadsTn tjne JSouth' (jasrevn territory or extending to New r-vk. Tuesday. March 20, 6 p. m., call out ;1! the freight trainmen in the North-v:-s'ern group, including the Hill -''ads and all those centering at Chi- W. diu sday. March 21, 6 p. m., if the railroads still refuse to grant the n s terms. ( xtend the strike to all o; !,( reirlu trainmen and call out .'c passenger trainmen on every :.:;! in the country. '.()(:! railroad labor leaders from 'lie Southeast met here-today to dis ( u-s i he renewed demand for an eight iour day to be presented to the rail niiul Thursday by chiefs of the four ' ;o:!i, rhoods and the advisability of 'fliai- an immediate general railway :"'ke it; tin. demand is refused. Offi- i : f Hie brotherhoods said the died of exposure and shock. Sole Am iwptinn of ;i strike would not be de-"erican aboard, John Roy Christian, 121 trrmnod imt;i word-came from sec tionil meetings of railroad labor men to ... in other cities today and I'l'iiorrow. A!".ui 200 men were expected to ,!i,'Hi tile meeting here today. Have No Order to Strike. Hoston, .March 13. Local chairmen Or tho roll,.,! 1. Virt rr.fl n e-rtirt 4 O f :cy had received no strike orders up I mission, but as there are practically no an early hour today and that theySPamsh in Belgium, it is possible that "i not been nntifiprl that. t.hfi National '!!iers nf tho hmthrhr,ori wRFft ! PlHllllillir ,, trtiiijrol ctrilD "If am- 't;nn e i-htr, ,Lri 0rD rwT-r.. wstd I am sure that we would have ""ard of it," said Z. J. Blake, chairman (i tin. !,.,-I !. l J r . 4.: T7I . it "-i"ei s; ami Firemen of the Boston and j ''''.i-ieii of the Boston and Maine sys tem. Told President of Conference. "ds.nngton, March 13. The rail-: brotherhoods "on March 7 wrote 0 I resident Wilson, it became known 1 t0(kv, formally notifying him of the; ifying triferenco with the railroad repre sentatives scheduled for March 15. In letter; the brotherhood leaders de-tiaif-d they were "hopeful" of making I1 satisfactory adjustment of questions with the railroads. HlP Ijrflt ll TV rrr rAnrnortnto tiiy-OCJ sal. SfJ hi formed President Wilson that if v'nilo they were negotiating with the !aii'oa(ls the Nation becomes involved Hl war. they would co-operate to the I'll'-st extent with the irnvernmpnt. y. . j-,- . fetary ViiSOn of the department of Iator had official information today re rding the intention of the brother 'oods to strike unless a satisfactory fangement was reached at Thurs- usy s e conference. An investigation was through Governmental agencies, hr... j. ever. rlil v.-as stated that there was little a definite character that the gov r"ttent could do until the outcome of 'OH IfldOtJn J.. TkT tT i mi J S n knoV11 -- v-nug in iew i orK i uursuay 10 At the direction of President Wil (n. Secretary Wilson will keep in vS0 touch with the conference in :,ew Vork and should it fail the Gov ment will then consider further PPH. Government officials regarded it as ' llUf'i( livable that there should be a i RE IN RELIEF WORK APT TO Washington Believes Ger many Trying Break Up Belgian Relief. CASE OF STORSTSAD IS BEING CITED Official Report Shows That Vessel Was Sunk Without Warning Although Identity Known. (By Associated Press.) Washington, March 13. Probably early withdrawal of all American par ticipation in Belgian relief, including the withdrawal of Brand Whitlock, American minister from Brussels, as a result of the pressure of the German submarine campaign, was forecast to day at the State Department. The of ficial report on the submarining of the relief ship Storstad intensified the sit uation. Consul Frost, at Queenstown, Teported as follows: "Norwegian steamship Storstad, Beunos Aires, bound for Rotterdam, 9, 000 tons maize, Belgian relief, under English charter, sunk by German sub marifie, seventy 'miles west of Skfel1 ligs, 11:30 a. m., March 8. Submarine first shelled ship from 3 miles, 15 min utes during which Storstad stopped and hoisted abundant unmistakable signs of Belgian relief errand." After 15 minutes interval, submarine torpe doed Storstad without warning from 400 yards, Belgian relief signals be- inc nrominpntlv visiblp. Shin carrifiri oifi,Q, -iQC.o xr, Miin, during abandonment. Submarine in terviewed Captain's boat for all par ticulars, refusing request for towage, then fired additional shell and tor pedoed sinking vessel. No attempt es cape or resistance. Weather heavy, sea strong, east wind, dull showery skies, three boats became separated, Captain's boat rescued by patrol near Skelligs, 9:30 p. m., March 9. After i severe battle with sea fourth engineer Mercer street, Seattle, saved, affidavit taken. Other two boats landed at Capirciven, evening 10th. Have tele graphed c6nsul Liverpool take affidav its officers. Total deaths, 3. This re port dlso Ambassador, Consul Gener al." Arrangements have been made for some time for the replacement of Am ericans by a joint Dutch-Spanish Com i""5 WiH Wlil 111 Ulft- Germany's unwillingness to guaran- tee safety of relief ships lead officials here to belief that she is trying to 'break up the. relief work HF JOHNSON QUITS GOVERNOR'S JOB (By Associated Treaa Qaorampntn Marr.l) 1?,. Gov- 'nom w 'Tntitienn Spnatnr. electj announced his resignation from the Governorship here today, effective Marcn 15 LIKELY AFTE Strange Looking Ship, Sup posed Be English, Seen Cruising ArouncJ. (By Associated Press ) . New York. March 13. An uniden- unea amy r-rman Lefjh raiucii), wao 01511 Islands on February 24 by the offi cers of the Norwegian steamship, As kild. which arrived here today from 1 Gibraltar. The officers said the stranger, carrying four, masts and two funnels and painted gray, aia not in terfere with the Askild after coming close enough to determine her na tionality. A tank vessel which reached here last, week reported the presence of what was believed to be an armed German merchant ship north of the AMERICAN OW ED U ! HAIDER! I X-X ' u 11 y l j w.-.-.-...-::-x.'.j ,A l&&&?$ttt V1V OF BAGDAD, Dispatches from London report officially the capture of Bagdad by the Turks from Kut-el-Amara in disorderly retreat. He recently predicted that arrived at Bagdad it would be an un disciplined mob. This picture shows '' '! g DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS - CALLED. (By Associated Press.) 4 v Washington, March 13. Demo- 4' cratic Leader Kitchin today call- j ed a caucus of House Democrats i for April 12, to consider organiza- tion of the House. 4 4 fr fr f ' I Sp 4 S 4 4 4 WAYNE FARME S HELD-UP I John W. Howell Shot Through the Hand By an Unknown Negro Yesterday. (Special to The Dispatch.) herv was attpmntpri nh'rmt fnnr initoi 1 north of this city yesterday afternoon . p.orts indicate preparations for opera when John W. Howell, a prominent lons a large-scale.- When the farmer, of near Pikeville, was shot1 blow vlil corne and -where it Will fall, through the hand by an unknown j however, are matters Of speculation. negro man. Mr. Howell stated to The Dispatch correspondent that he was on his way, nome trom tnis city at about .5 o clock' a stretcli and without sprang upon the road. One negro held a revolver in his hand and commanded him to halt. . At this juncture tne negro came! nearer and Howell attempted to land him a terrific blow- on the head with an axe when the negro fired one shot into Howell's hand. Mr. Howell returned to the city im mediately and notified the sheriff, who is today endeavoring to locale the as sailant. bery was attempted is considered a very dangerous' place, for during the last few weeks not less than three people have been assaulted at or near that, same spot and many. people are inclined to believe that it is inhabited by professional crooks who know that the farmers when returning from the ity have money on their person. Ty EEL SENATORS HOLD POSITIONS Both Simmons and Overman Get Important Chairman ships Is New Congress. (By George H. Manning.) Washington, D. C, March 13 In the committee assignments made yes terday by the Senate Steering Com mittee and ratified by the Senate, Senator Simmons retains all his old committee assignments, which are as desirable as those of any member of the Senate. Senator Overman also retains all his old committee places and is given membership on the committees on expenditures in the Commerce De partment and the committee on uni versity of the United States. Senator Simmons' committee places for the next two years will be finance chairman, commerce, engrossed bills, examine the civil service expendi tures in Department of Agriculture, interoceanic canals and transportation and sale of meat products. The committee pxaces for Senator Overman for the next two years will be rules chairman, appropriations, ex penditures m Department 01 um- merce, forest reservations auu yiuieu- tion of game, industrial expositions, judiciary and university of States. United VON BERNSTORFF HAS REACHED COPENHAGEN nr.r.-h J Moreh 19.1 Via Lnndnni (By Associated Press ) Count von Bernstorff and his party! arrived at Copenhagen at 10:30 o'clock. this morning from Christiana. Count! . - . xi rt Ls. VOn HrOCKQOrn-itanLZau ,me utiiuau minister to Denmark, and the German of woods when suddenly Jw; I s: couurv. either neutral or belligerent. " ".f""1":. L?J ' Tfll Tl yarning two negroes, tn h th y - d f The John D. Archbold took out of Uw aZ, rl I III II him irom the side otj Pnlni; " IBfireen 39 Racks of mail from Norway. 1T. ' I III II consul-general, greeted the former. Ambassador to Washington. -vW.-.-.-.w S CREATE I Closing of Dutch Frontier May t Signify New Tactics on Part of Teutons.' THE WESTERN FRONT f BRISTLES WITH ACTION. Preparations Being Made For Operations on Large Scale But When Blow Will Come Uncertain. The Franco-Belgian front is bris- llinS with military activity. AU re- i -iucn auenuon centers on ine norm i em part of the front. The Germans frontier and there" fere reDorts of im- portant troop movefaehts behind the In the Champa lie the first fight- ing. continues brisK . but whether an important offensivr ,n either side is ,.tr.,i 1 j u ,1.. GERMAN nann rn Tnitflni UfllHIIL-l 1 u iiieiun i sprrpt harrier hJt!- crvr irttoT-nt-otorT i-ui hranmivriias uiait truni -iziiw veloped. Paris last n. i reported thej three da's' according to the officers, regaining of all the t( 'ches the Ger- ail(1 &UJ ma1l1 taken offr examina mans had taken on tne commanding ll?fn- T1e tanker resumed her voyage Hill 185, in the region of Maisons deiwlthout ll- Champagne. Today's French war of-J Since the German submarine block fice bulletin announced the complete ade began no mails have reached here repulse of a violent German counter-! on Scandinavian or Dutch ships.. The attack here, the French retaining all their positions. Berlin's account of yesterday's fight-iers to risk the voyage since February I ing concedes the loss of ground onl, sailed without passengers, cargoes Ihe sou! Invest slope of Mill 185. The Germans report also announces an j attack by the British on a wide front just smith of Arraf. which it declares was repulsed with heavy British losses. It h-.is been apparent for several! days that, an intense battle for air su premacy whs being waged on the Franco-Belgian front, with the British aerial forces the especial object of the German attack. Light on this strug gle was thrown by a statement made for the British government, today in the House of Commons in which it. was conceded that ihe struggle for supremacy as notably intense at the opening of this active season, after a winter's strengthening of the aerial arm by both belligerents. (Trade Commision today notified the The British were taking every country's leading anthracite coal pro measure to gain ihe upper hand defi- ducers that anv failure to grant the nitely, it was indicated, and there ;Ufmai Spring price reductions cannot wa severy reason to hope, it was de-jhR justified by claims of increased cost clared, that they would again assert 'Gj- production. their superiority. i In its inquiry into the cost of min- British Attack Failed. Berlin, March 13 (Via Wireless) The British made an attack yesterday companies which mined in 1916 about over a wide, front south of Arras. To- 75 per cent of the total production of day's official announcement says the anthracite. "This information' says attack failed and that heavy losses the commission, "obtained directly were inflicted on the British. (from the records of the companies re- if erred to, indicates no increase in av- Germans Repulsed. lerage cost in the last four months of Paris, March 13. Several attacks ; i9ig and further indicates an actual were made by the Germans last night j decrease of cost in the case of some of and all were repulsed, the war office tiie companies whose cost of prodtje announced today. j tion is high. A strong German detachment which) "judging from the tonnage produced attempted to advance on the Coury!in janUary. 1917. there is no reason !Road was checked. Another futile at-ito tempt was made near Beaulne-et- Chivy. Two German attacks on Hill 185 and on Louvemont work, on the Verdun front, were countered easily., (Continued on Page Three.) . a a l & 4. OVER SCORE ENTOMBED. (By Associated Press.) Cannonsburg, Pa., March 13. Twentv-four men were entombed ! by two explosions of the mine of the Henderson Coal Company at Hendersonville, five miles from here early today. Seven men were later taken out alive and ef- forts are being made to reach the ' - others. The Pittsburg station of the Bureau of Mines has sent a - : r.c,n-na. ri t- anH an anfomn. tS -a- ixiiiic xcowuc " - ' bile truck to the scene. . . frv & erm rrcL . British. General Maude drove the by the time the fleeing Turkish army a general view of Bagdad. ej. j rj. 4 4 t i 4- 4" BRITISH PUSH ON. v (By Associated Press.) 4 I' London, March 13. British cav-4 4s airy from Bagdad has occupied 4 Kazimain on the Tigris river, five 4 miles above Bagdad, it was offi- i 4r- cially announced today. This oc- 5 c?0 cupation took place on March 11. 44 4" 2 4 4 4-' 4" 4 4 4 4 '-J 4 4. EngHsh Officials Stripped Tanker of Mail Sent to The United States. - - (By Associated Press.) N1?w York, March 13. Mail carried on -an American ship, the Standard Oil tanker, John D. Archbold, was removed by the British authorities at Halifx, according to the officers of the vessl, wffich arrived here today from Bergen, V a sp flying the American flag on the i Atlantic has been denied the privilege UI"ai rtUU wwue"; n., i . j ci . .1 mi . . 1 1"7ou.l"c V" i- ?C"M I0"1.0. uy '",'t"is 111 vuttmlA'."'orcdU of Kirkwall. There she was detained Bergensfjord and Kristianiafjord, the '.only two Scandinavian passenger lin- and mails. Coal Producers Can't Mulct Consumers by Old Cry of Increased Cost Production (By Associated Press.) Washington, March 13. The Federal J ing anthracite, the report which soon will be issued, the commision has ob tained information on the costs of believe that costs thus far in 1917 woui(j materially change the average shown by the figures compiled from September to December, 1916." ADMITS LOSS OF x : BAGDAD IS SERIOUS. frj (By Associated Press ) j London, March 13. The Koelnische Volks Zeitung is quoted by the Cen- ,tral News Amsterdam correspondent as describing the occupation of Bag- dad as an undeniable success for the British, especially as the Britisn also have succeeded in driving the Turks from the Sinai Peninsula. . The event must be regretted, but it has not the least influence on the decision of the war. j The newspaper says Mesopotamia hflcamA SPWln d 5ITV theatre of Onfira- " " .. tions. The loss of Bagdad, it com- I TOOK MAIL OFF ' AMERICAN SHIP , , , , . puunc exuiuuaiiou. j. iiaw is now w bU vmi qacc QAier IIKIl I I Iflill H i ON MORE EXPENSE ments, is nevertheless painful to the 1 j Turks. THAW DECLARED LUNATIC BY THE COURT TODAY Adjudged Insane in Philadel phia and Must Go to An Asylum COMMISSION PASSED ON CASE YESTERDAY. Under Pennsylvania Laws Young Degenerate Can't Be Carried Back to New York. (By Associated Press.) Philadelphia, March 13. Harry K. Thaw was today adjudged a lunatic by the Common Pleas Court of this city 1 and tinder the law cannot be taken to New York on requisition to stand trial on charges of assaulting a Kansas City high school boy. Thaw will be kept in St. Mary's hospital here pending his removal to a Pennsylvania Asylum. The court's action was based on the report presented today by a lunacy commission which yesterday took the testimony of Thaw and his mother. James Gay Gordon, counsel for Mrs. Thaw, on whose behalf the lunacy proceedings were begun, made this st atement: "The inquisition which met yester day and heard the case of Harry K. Thaw, adjudged him to be a lunatic ind the finding was5 today filed in the TT&urt of Common Pleas. "Judge Martin made Che usual ap propriate order touching his person and estate. Thaw is now in the cus tody of the sovereignty of the State of Pennsylvania, represented by its Court of Chancery and under the con trol and protection of tne " court and laws of the commonwealth. This necessarily settled the question of his extradition and rings dowaJthe cur- safe from harm to himself and others and the court will hold control and guard him. "Anything with respect to him hereafter can only be done with the 1 sanction of the court." LIKELY TRAGEDY Young Collegian Shot at Home of Professor In Vir ginia Today. (By Associated Press.) Roanoke, Va., March 13. Stockton Heth, Jr., son of Captain Stockton Heth, of Washington and Radford, Va., was shot three times through the abdomen in the home of C. E. Vawter, professor of mathematics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where young Heth is said to have been a frequent guest, at 3 o'clock this morning. The injured man was brought to a Roanoke Hospital and the exact nature of his wounds has not been announced, although his con dition is said to be serious. No ar rests have been made, according to advices from Blacksburg, and no defi nite statement as to circumstances of the affair are obtainable as yet. Speculation as to who had shot Heth apparently was answered about noon when it was learned that Prof. Vaw ter had left for Christiansburg, county seat near Blacksburg, for the purpose, it was stated, of surrendering himself to the authorities. No statement as to what led to the trouble is yet avail able. Heth's condition, following an opera tion, was extremely critical with a slim chance for recovery. PRESIDENT INDOORS BUT MUCH BETTER. (By Associated Press ) Washington, March 13. President Wilson remained indoors today be cause of the "cold of which he has suf fered for the past week, but it was said at the White House that his con dition was steadily improving. The usual Tuesday cabinet was cancelled. Both Secretary Tumulty and Dr. Cary T. Grayson, the President's phy sician, said shortly before noon that the President was steadily improving.'.. Tl nT-OTTCn cdA TVTr- Wilnn mnnl A I be able to sit up this afternoon. GERMAN SUBMARINE MAY BE STRANDED (By The Associated Fress.) Tiondon, March 13. A German sub marine is reported stranded in the neighborhood of Hellevoetsluis, on the MYSTERY CLOAKS Dutch coast, says a Keuter dispatch from The Hague. Government Has Positive Ev idence That He Sent Mes sages to His Government From Appam. KEPT WIRELESS AT WORK CONSTANTLY. German Officer Aboard In terned Prize Ship at Norfolk Sent Messages to Sea- Probably Familiar With Thq English Code. (By Associated Press.) Norfolk, Va March 13. Evidence that Captain Hans Berg, German com mander of the prize ship Appam, vio lated the neutrality of the United States constantly while the ship was at Newport News, has been placed in the hands of Department of Justice agents, according to information from a source generally authentic. When the Appam' was awarded to her English owners by the United States Supreme Court recently Berg and his German crew were sent to Philadelphia. It was then found that they rehabilitated the wireless outfit, which was put out of commission by the United States government and , were using It to send and receive mes sages. A private wire had been run to Berg's stateroom, where he read the happenings of the world by flash; lights. An investigation has been in prog ress on the Appam for several days and it has been positively established, that as late as December 8th 1st Cap- ) ta n, Berg sent a wireless message to a German ship. It is believed that Berg was in constant touch with his own government and furnished it informa tion of value. There is evidence that he was familiar with the English code. The messages sent by Berg Decem ber 8th gave details of affairs affect ing Germany being considered by Con gress and President Wilson, it wa? said. ' - HOW TO AG f Government Sends Instruc i tions to Those Who Will Be On Duty. (By Associated Press.) Washington, March 13. Complete t and definite instructions to the "arm ed guards" to be placed aboard Amer ican merchant craft bound through tho German submarine zones have been 'completed by the Navy Department and approved by Secretary Lansing. They will be forwarded to the Navy personnel aboard the merchant craft whenever the ships are ready to sail. The nature of the instructions will not be made public. They were care fully prepared by Navy officials and then submitted to Secretary Lansing, at whose suggestion some amend ment was made. It is planned not to broadcast tho orders generally through the naval service but to furnish the officer in command of the armed guard on each ship with a copy when his vessel is ready to sail. The Navy Department is making every effort to suppress all information regarding armed ships, such as sailing dates, the equipment put aboard by the Navy, the personnel supplied to handle the guns or any thing that might be of the slightest value to an enemy. It was said offi cially, however, that no conflict oC jurisdiction between the shipmaster and the gun crews would arise. ONE AMERICAN ON BOARD BUT ESCAPED. (By Associated Press.) Washington, March 13. The sink ing of the Cunard non-passenger liner Folio with one American on board was reported to the State Department today in a preliminary dispatch from Consul- Frost at Queenstown as fol lows : "Cunard non-passenger Folio sunk off Waterford, 10th. Survivors land ed Dungarron. Sole American, Boat's Surgeon W. J. Core, Nashville, Tenn., saved, uninjured." ROADS WILL STAJP PAT. (Associated Press.) Mt New York. March 13. Should .the railroads be threatened by the four brotherhoods of trainmen with a Nation-wide strike at the conference here Thursday with the railroad managers, their stand ... . Will DQ, it was learned today, there cannot be any compromise on the question of the eight- hour working day now. This to- ' sition will be based on the con- tention that the railroads agreed r to enter a stipulation with the Gov- ernment to do nothing to alter the status quo pending a Ie- cision from thtr Supreme Court on the Adamson law. ARMED SUARDS ARE , r 4i 1 " l,i iP I' i. ft if i i V in 1 (Continued On Page Three) Azores. '