North Carolina Newspapers

r 1 .' ."o .t ' THE - r Leather forecast. North and South Carolina Local uri this afternoon. Fair tonight Snd Friday. FULL LEASED WIRE SERVICE NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 26, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS VOTE ON ARM I 1 V ; -.- . . ..-- . V . " . OlSPATO ItSf FINALS JSI EDITION VOL. XXIH. NO. 98. WILMINGTrgj hmpiect mmw soim houses PR SUM m n m bills in ran a m it ttiw WALTON MURDER ttl Ml Lll CASE BHPENEO THURSDAY URN, w w ar . w m m RENEWED EFFORTS CONGRESS Indicate Possibility of Happen ing of Momentous, Events in the Near Future. TITANIC STRUGGLE ON BATTLE FRONT o Over Commanding Positions. Rigidity of German Censor ship Significance of Im mediate Adjournment of Reichstag Renewed Ru mor of Peace Move by Austria. The fourth dayof the terrific strug-J eIp on 'he British tront in rrancp! has opened with both sides still s' v ing vainly for a decision. The Ger mans have resorted to the terribly costly tactics of massed attacks and hav?' apparently succeeded in check ing the Brit reft advance. This partial success has been won, according to epectators of the titanic conflict, at a staggering toll of human Jife. It would seem as if the TO REGA N GROUND Dr. Nesbitt Tells Jury It Would Be Unwise to Move Miss Davidson. LOST BYGERMANS Germans Sacrifice Thousands of Men in Efforts to Drive Back British Wedge. . SURPRISE RUSHES BROKEN BY FRENCH Unsuccessful Efforts to Dis lodge French F orces From Their Position Allies Lose Several Airplanes (By Associated Press.) Last night's fighting in the great revolu- battle in the Arras region seems to tionary imitterings which were omi niously swelling through Europe prior to the inception of the great battle v,ere drowned in the thunders of the battle-field, but indications are not lacking that momentous events are about to occur behind the fighting lines. The summary adjournment of the Reichstag, when its sittings had bareiy opened is given added signifi cance by hints in the German press that the strike agitation in Germany may burst forth with renewed vio lence on May Day.the great interna tional Socialist holiday. A nation wide labor demonstration in Sweden is also planned for that day and may have its counterpart in Spain. No news of any importance has come from Austria in several days, a fact, which has given fresh vigor to the ever recurrent report of inten tions or efforts on the part of the dual monarchy to seek a separate peace. No confirmation of the reports is available from any deliable source, J but there is more definite tidings of j tr.e status of affairs in Turkey, the third member of Germany's imperial triumvirate. Reluming travelers tell appalling stories of the devastations wrought cy disease and starvation in the Ot toman empire. They also repeat the oftfoM story that the Turkish people aie sick at heart over the war and its entailed miseries, but are kept in subjection by the iron hand of Enver L(y and his German colleagues. A striking example of the rigidity rit 1 .10 fjprmnn norc.-..cV.ir St. n teA rA - - 'in v-uuoui oinu i o aiiui uu have been chiefly in connection with a renewed German effort unrest from the British the village of Gavrelle . Monday General Maig pushed a sharp wedge into the German lines along the Arras-Douai road. The Germans have sacrificed thousands of map in attempts to take it, but have failed DR. HARLEE BELLAMY TELLS GIRL'S STORY Today Whether Girl Will Be Examined Immediate ly Or Postponed. The Walton murder case was re opened this morning when the cor oner's jury, after being told by Dr. Charles T. Nesbitt, county health of ficer, that the condition of Miss Flor ence Davidson, companion of Neal Walton on the night the latter was shot to death by an unknown party near Bellevue cemetery, was not suf ficiently improved to warrant an ex amination of her by the jury unless that examination was conducted at the hospital, where she is a prisoner-patient, heard the events occur ring on the night of the murder again recited, Dr. Harlee Bellamy, who fol lowed Dr. Nesbitt in the witness chair, giving the jury Miss Davidson's story Through the capture of this place on 1-- It was not known at 2 o'clock this completely. Last night's efforts were I holding of thtfs examination at the as fruitless as the rest. The attack-1 Court House. ing forces were caught by the British artillery barrage and broken up. " On the Aisne battle front " the French also had to contend with vio lent German reactions. Several pow erful attacks were made in an at tempt to drive General Nivelle's for ces from the plateau near the Chem-in-des-Dames. The Germans lost heavily in the -breaking of these as saults by the French artillery fire. Allies Lose Airships. Berlin, April 26. (Via London) The British and French lost six airplanes on the western front yesterday. Germans Partying With Russian Soldiers. Petrograd, April 26. (Via London). A telegram received here from Riga indicates that the Germans are con tinuing unremittingly their attempts to parley with the Russian soldiers. At one place the Germans displayed a placard in which was written: "Russians: Do not attack. We also will not attack." Terrific Fighting. Paris, April 26. Tern.ic fighting continued during the night on the front of the French offensive. The tiy the ncu-c- k n , , i fiprmans renewed their counter at- .v..o i uni. ilu jt i mem. ucwa- - PPpr is allowed to leave the empire j tacks on the high ground near the Without being passed by the govern-1 Chemin-des-Dames, but gained no suc mpnt officials. Wire fences charged ( cess, the war office reports. With olrctri After a violent bombardment yes- I frontier .1 "i diong the German-Swiss iu evory possible precaution has . v w t -1 v. i nil tJuc uciaus ui terday evening, two powerful attacks were made on the front about two kilometres west of Cerny. These as- w hat is trancn.vi n 1 snnlts wpro hrnken before our lines , . '""niuiug wiiiim nit; i Kctiu-ia .v. ot thv central powers from reaching with very heavy losses for the enemy, toe rest of the world Another effort in the region of Hurte- Apart from France there are few bise farm was equally unsuccessful, lopments of importance in the In the region of Juvincourt our artil ar theatres. The British continue ieryi caught the enemy'working parties drivo forward in Mesopotamia, but under its fire and dispersed them. Jne is a curious silence in regard to' "In the region of La Pompelle, m ine Russian armies in that region ' tne Champagne and also on the front Jn attack on a fairly large scale has. between Navarin farm and Tahure, "r(n niado bv the allies on 'the Sa- several surprise attacks by the enemy 1,,nika front. mt tw tw Qa'were repulsed with no result other 'I 10 inriirntr. xirV.i, i f i than vvjicLiit;! a geiitsicii u Hisses Greeted Representative Who Heaped Criticism on The President. ADVOCATE GIVING ROOSEVELT A CH ANCE Senator Hale Favors Sending American Troops to Eu rope House to Vote To morrow or Saturday and Senate by Midnight of Lat ter Day. (By Associated Press.) Washington, April 26. The Army bill continued to thread its way through debate in both Houses of Con gress today under constant, fire Gf at- Not Known at Two O'clock J tack fron? those, !?P!e- selective conscription auu ai ueuuy. aeienaea Dy those who support the administration plan. The first prospect of a vote came in the House, where it was agreed that generaf debate should close with ad journment today, and leave only the summing up of speeches by leaders of each side. Tomorrow Chairman Dent, of the Military committee will close the ad istration selective conception plan. Then the bill will Jte considered by the House under the five minute rule, with prospect of a vote probably Fri-1 day night, or Saturday. An agreement to Vote upon and finally dispose of the bill not later than Saturday night, was reached in the Senate. The agreement, made by unanimous consent, promises a final vote not later than midnight Saturday and possihly earlier. -It also provides j that no other business shall be consid-' ered in the meantime and that, if any Senator desires to speak, no adjourn ment or recess shall be taken. Anoth-) er provision provides that at 1 o'clock I p. m. Saturday debate shall be limited to five minutes on amendments and ten minutes on the bill itself, to each Senator. The Senate agreed inform ally, however, that. b jraanimous con sent, if no meiriber desires to proceed with the Army bill, other business. may be brought up without objection. Senator Overman secured this "gen tleman's understanding" in order that both Houses may dispose of the Ad ministration bill permitting the en tentes to recruit their citizens in this country. Hisses from the galleries greeted Representative Mason, Repubblican, of Illinois, today, when he assailed Presi dent Wilson for failing to accept im mediately Colonel Roosevelt's offer to raise a division for service in France. A few members joined in the demon stration. "The .man in the White House hasn't the courage or political sagac ity to permit the Colqnel to enlist for fear he will profit politically," was the sentence which drew the hissing." . Co-operation with the Allies was urged in the Senate by Senator Hale who said this country is not fighting solely because of wrongs and insults suffered by Germany. He contended the volunteer system will not reach the needs of the nation when its mo tives in entering the war are consid ered. The moral effect of even a small force opposed to Germany, Senator Hale said, would be great. "I hope they will be sent to France," he said, "even though a handful, and in the very near, future, as an earnest of what we purpose to do." , GRAVE WARNING B T WARFARE Head of British Board of Trade Says It May Prove Impor tant Factor. EBENPU mc or U Ml 0 .n TELLS THIS TO MANY BUSINESS MEN afternoon whether the jury would pro ceed to the hospital and conduct the examination there or wait until the condition of the young woman is suf ficiently improved to make possible the Effect Will Stop As Great Vol ume of Supplies As Will Be Needed by Empire. (By Associated Press.) London, April 26, A grave warn ing that the submarine menace may be an important . factor in deciding The outcome of the war, was sounded today by Sir Albert Stanley, presi dent of the British board of trade. Addressing a luncheon of business men Sir Albert said. "We have not yet found a way of dealing with the submarine as to remove the danger of their begin an enormously important factor in de termining the outcome of the war. The effect of the submarine war upon existence of the British empire is simply this that we cannot con tinue to bring into this country all the supplies and materials required lor our existence for the continuance of the war and for the actual needs of our industries." DIRECT C TO L OF SKIPPING BY THEGOVERNM ENT Legislation to This Effect Will Soon be Asked of Congress. FREIGHT TONNAGE TO BE INCREASED By Building New Ships and Putting German Vessels in Commission Work Progressing Rapidly. Distinguished Party Busy Pay ing Official Calls In ' Washington. . ff GIVEN WARM WELCOME BY PRESIDENT WILSON Commissioners Received in Blue Room of White Houses Government Employes Thunderously Cheer Joffro and he Other Visitors From France. (By Associated Press.) Washington, April 26. The French, commission, began its first day In Washington with a round of official calls. The first was at the State, Waij and Navy departments. Former Premier Vivianl, head of thd mission, Marshal Joffre, Admiral Chc-i cheprat and Vicompte de Chambrun called first at Secretary Lansing's of flop- Thf rlArlrn nf tho o-roat hmllHIno- AVAin( the s ?a he French, to give the government direct control ! cheers, and hand-clapping. of American shipping will be asked of j Congress soon, it was learned today after a conference between the ship ping committee of the council of na-i The attorneys in the case are very muph apposed to going to the hospital for the examination. They made this plain this morning, but it could not be learned what the jury will do about this matter. This morning's inquiry brought out absolutely nothing new in the case. The inquiry will prob ably be continued throughout the aft ernoon or may be called over until the condition of the young lady is improv ed sufficiently to allow her " presence in the Court House. Dr. Nesbitt told the jury that if the members would proceed to the hos (Continued on Page Eight). X -X-5 FIRST AMERICAN PRISONER BY GERMANY. - r (By Associated Press.) 4fr London, April 26. The taking 55- of the first American prisoner of 5f war was reported to the Ameri- 5C- can Empassy today through -)f X the American consul at Glas- gow. It is usually the practice of vs- the Germans to take - prisoner 55- captains of merchantmen sunk -if by their submarines. In view of -X- this fact, the above dispatch -if may mean that an American 4f vessel has been sunk. . -if -)f :- -x- -3f ROOSEVELT'S ARMY GROWING RAPIDLY New York, April 25. Approx imately 123,000 men have applied thus far and been found to meet the necessary requirements for member ship in Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's proposed army division, it was an nounced here tonight at enrollment headquarters, which were opened some time ago with the former presi dent's approval. . Sixty per cent, of the volunteers are from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and other Southern States. Only fifty of the applicants, it was said were un A or 9 vlopro "NTnn o 1-olrw tVllQ I eT age are now being accepted, total, 10,000 are negroes. After spending a few minutes with Secretary Lansing, M. Vivianl, Marshal Joffre and Admiral Chocheprat went over to the White House to be form all v rpnivH hv PrpuMetit Wil nnn A a .tional defense and members of the the party left the building, the cheer. shipping board. Under the measures ing was acknowledged by all observers to be proposed the President and the to be the most enthusiastic and loudest shipping board would be authorized to fer heard there. The corridors, of . . the great building fairly rang with, direct the movements of American hurrahs for France. . where most needed. 'short ride from the State Department ' Within thirty days the shipping to the White House. Hundreds of au board can put into trans-Atlantic serv- tomobiles decorated with French trU ' colors and people lining the streets -, ice 65,000 additional tons of shipping, added to tne peering. 25,000 tons from the coastwise trade I At the main entrance of the execu and the rest German vessels under re- tive mansion a large party of tho . iProalHont'a orfnv an1 now gMm in pair. The German ships will be ready i.," :r 1 VL VC ' u ; . , ' . j full dress uniforms, met the French- for service within less than ten days. mpn anilltoa WPrA pTAn ati th Within a few days the shipping dlstinguished guests were ushered In board will begin to let contracts for to tne blue wnere President Wil- a great fleet 01 wooden snips to De HOn wa wauw tn rftcivA them. built on the coast and along the larg- j Th White House reception differed rivers. Steel shipbuilders will be fr.nm that 0pmHpi th Rrituh in that; Of thejcalled into conference within a week It inciUded all the members of the or so 10 aiscuss- means 01 nurrymg French mission. Minister Vivianl, 'construction. At this conference Steel. Marshal .Trvffre Admiral Chorhpnrat 4- 4 1 manufacturers probably will be heard anH inspector General of Public In A 1- 1 J 1 . 1 A 4. 4. as to wnemer mey can suppiy steei struction Hovelaque entered first and 4 QUARTER MILLION ON in larger quantities for shipbuilding wero followed by the others. STRIKE IN BERLIN. operations. ' ) since neither Minister Vivian! nor 4 ft was made clear today that the Marshal Joffre speak English, M. Hov- 4 (By Associated Press) , shipping board does not intend to op- elaque acted as interpreter. The Pres- 4 Washington, April 26. Reports 4 erate any ships if they can be leased ident shook hands warmly with Mar- or chartered to private concerns. Ishal Joffre and the other members of The reason the government itself is 'the mission, and they chatted for about having wooden vessels constructed, it ten minutes. Then the other members was explained is because it was fear-jf the commission were taken in and ed private concerns would not build introduced to the President. them. Steel vessels are bringing such ! Immediately after seeing the Presl- hiirh nrioea there is no need, it was aem, m. viviani went. 10 me capuoi. Washington, April 26. Reports 4 4 to the State Department through 4 official channels tell of a. strike of 250,000 laborers in Berlin. While the name of the official "-fr who gave the information is with- 4 held, the department says the n- 4 cident shows the growth of desire 4 4 for peace on the part of the work- 4 men. It is reported also that 4 bread rations have been reduced 4 from 1900 to 1600 grams per week. 4 Marshal Joffre, accompanied by Col onel Spencer Coshy of the Army and Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Ber- r. . I'lcumeu m mis region. S:an, Exempts Sent to Ranks. - p ,.uam' APr- 26. (Via London.) (.,. r 1 , official announcement re v,','. L H rf'- says that the German' bernf rdered a great num- sor," txt3Pts to be drafted for field war i 1 ey wiU be replaced in thej liablo f ries by women and those vice "ciuunai auxiliary ser- to leave prisoners in our hands.' Th reats of AMERICAN SHIP SUNK BY U-BOAT In More Labor Troubles Am-, Germany. -"Tod , Apnl 6- Via London). to-.. ays statement from headquar- 9u-nr.i?ifS just early enough to in tion u-nJi conscience of the muni CZZ ers" says the Berlin Lokal thpjno,:' in a recent issue. "For again t, Fa5 they have resumed duty Pair 'th" they wil1 also have to re elictinn conseQuences of their der thinis tlrm duty and' aove all toust L reSrettable occurrences ain tofievented from takin& Dlace uudy or tomorrow No Warning Given Shelled I While Grew Were Taking j To Their Boats. 1 (By Associated Press ) Washington, April 26. The de struction, without warning, by sub marine gun fire of. the American' schooner, Percy Birdsall, of New, York, was reported today to the State Department. Time and place were not announced. The submarine fired ten shots, seven of which struck the schooner 'v are helow the water line, some of them are .tin C. Illlu"nea tnat attempts : while Captain and crew of nine were ned art made to insti&ate re- taking, to the boats. The survivors prs anH :.10.n by the munition work-! were rescued by a British patrol boat (cw- Penly threatened that ' after being-in the boats about an hour Leader In Its Field No paper published in Eastern Carolina can show the gains in circulation and in advertising patronage to equal that scored by The Wilmington Dispatch in the last 12 months. From an almost exclusive local circulation it has grown until now there is hardly a point within a radius of 100 miles of Wilmington that does not have a large number of daily readers of The Dispatch. Renewals Are Coming In on nearly every mail which shows conclusively which paper the people of this section prefer to read. They want The Wilmington Dispatch because it gives' them the news and it gives it to them while it is news the same day it happens. The circulation is constantly increasing both in Wilmington and outside and this without the aid of asolic itor. Shortly we are to put canvassers in tae field and a right lively campaign will be waged for new subscribers. Advertising Patronage both local and foreign has shown an increase that compares very favorably with the growth in circulation. The advertising patronage has more than doubled, evidence of the fact that the advertisers find the afternoon paper the most profitable one in which to place their business, even though the cost is sometimes greater, for The Dispatch has a rate card and lives up to it religiously. No rate cutting is done by this paper-. Increased Facilities The Wilmington Dispatch hopes soon to greatly increase its equipment, which will better enable it to take care of its large and very rapidly growing business and at the same time give the people a still 'better paper. It is the constant aim and desire of the management to make the paper better from day to day and every effort of every per , son connected with the establishment is put forth to bring about this condition. said, for the government to have them constructed. dermnn fihina almost, readv to be. put into operation are the Nasovia,!ry. of the Navy, walked from the ex Armenis, Portonia, Clara Mennic, Maiaecutive mansion to the State, War and and Pisa, all at New York, and the NaJ3 Building. 1 Arcadia at Newport News. Twenty-, vuu iuB tnuau uui.B B .ucu I three German vessels under repair by mont the long flight of stairs to !the War Department in the Philippines the entrance of the State, War and ialso soon can be used. Navy Building Marshal Joffre despite The Department of Labor announced ana weifn. iip uguuy. auu today a plan for supplying labor to left his companions trailing after him. builUwooden ships Witnln a month Marshal Joffre and Admiral Choche the department, aided oy labor union P returned to the building to pay heads, will have 40,000 workers ready :cals on the Secretary of War and Sec- in. chinvtnrris thrrmirhrtiit th o to go country. FRIENDS OF DRAFT BILL SANGUINE Of Success in The House " Canvass Shows Majority of at Least Sixty. ance of the marshal was marked by a reception no less vociferous than the one a few minutes before. For the victor of the Marne was reserved a shout each time he came in sight. The high voices of the women clerks al- 1 ways led the cheering. President Wilson, in the brief ex change of greetings, told the French men how deeply the American people appreciated the action of the French, republic in sending the commission, , and Minister Viviani replied saying ' that the French people felt very deep- K ly the bond of friendship between tho two nations cemented by the entrance f -r of the United States into the war. He , brought a letter to the President from 1 i President Poincare. . ,. While Marshal Joffre and his aides fBv Associated Press.) Washington. April 26. Results of at canvass to ascertain sentiment of the I were calling on Secretary Baker and House membership on the Administra-, the American army officers. Admiral tion bill providing for raising an army j chocheprat and his aides were calling by selective draft, caused renewed con- on Secretary Daniels. In the mean fidence today among champions of the, time M. Viviani had been at the capi measure of its passage by the House jtol and visited Vice President "Mar by a safe majority. j shall. The former premier was ln- This was the feeliner. despite the en-, vited to address the senate at some thusiasm created among opponents of the bill by Speaker Clark's speech in onnosition to the draft system. Sen- later time and it was said it might be arranged. A similar arrangement la. being considered for British Foreign ntn lAadp.ra wwa firmallv confident of 1 Minister Balfour. i the bill's passage there. j Marshal Joffre later returned to See- I The House canvass, taken by tary Lansing's office, where he wa 'friends of the bill, disclosed, it was I presented to many other officials of the I Stated, a majority of from 60 to 70 in. State Department and then left with 'favor of the measure. Admiral Chocheprat. ' V'.i f r y 1' nued on Page Eight). and a half. - if s- 1