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The Lancaster News VOL. 12, NO. 41, SEMI-WEEKLY. LANCASTER, S. O., TUESDAY. APRIL 10.1917 = - CUBA DECLARES WAR ON TEUTONIC NATIONS WILL AID UNITED STATES IN STRUGGLE. German Steamers in Cuban Port Are Seized and Active Warfare Is Planned. m Habana, April 7.?Cuba, not yet out of her 'teens as a republic, is at war with Germany?-the first of the Latin-American countries to range herself alongside the United 8tates, her liberator and protector. At 7:16 tonight President Menocal affixed his signature to the Joint resolution passed unanimously late this afternoon by both senate and house without a dissenting voice being raised, thus putting into effect the declaration that a state of war exists between Cuba and the imperial German government. The Joint committees appointed only yesterday by the senate and house agreed early this afternoon on the phraseology of the resolution to be presented and the stage was set for quick action before either branch of congress convened. The senate acted -with extreme solemnity. The resolution was raad. Dr. Rleardo Dolz, Conservative leader, who took the floor and made a short, impressive speech in favor of the resolution No amendments were offered and the 17 senators present voted "aye" when the motion was put. There was no applause or excitement following the vote. The scene in the house was more enlivened. The galleries were packed long before the session open. The ministers of France, Spain and Uruguay occupied seats in the diplomatic section. Choers for Action. After the reading of the Joint resolution Representative Alfredo Batencourt, speaking for the Conservatives, made an impassioned speech in favor nf .14 a a As\r\4 4 rvn lla n;na fvoniianitu Vk '? V? U\IV|/V*V/II. AAV " WO AS V^UVIIIIJ interrupted by tremendous applause, the entire'house and galleries rising to their feet, cheering ai)d clapping wildly. Jose M. Cotinia addressed the house of the Liberal side in support of the resolution. Then by a rising vote the house unanimously adopted the resolution. The resolution follows: "Article 1. Resolved that from today a state of war is formally declared between the republic of Cuba and the imperial government of Germany and the president of the republic is authorised and directed by this resolution to employ all the forces of the nation and the resources of our government to make war aga> ist the Imperial German government with the object of maintaining oor rlguL, guarding our territory and providing for our security; prevent any acts which may be attempted against us and defened the navigation of seas, the liberty of commerce and the rights of neutrals and international Justice. j ~ May Raise New Force. "Article 2. The president of the republic is hereby authorized to use all the land and naval forces in the form he may deem necessary, using existing forces, reorganizing them or creating new ones and to dispose of the economic forces of the nation in any way he may deem necessary. "Article 3. The president will give account to congress of the measures adopted In fulfillment of this law. which will be in operation from the moment of its publication In the official gazette." Late this afternoon Chief Port Inspector Panne notified Euseblo Azp<azu, secretary to the president, that he had observed large volumes of smoke pouring from the funnel of the self interned German ship Bavaria. Port police went ahoard the ship and were informed by her commander, Capt. Graafles, that he, in compliance with orders from his govK eminent, had attempted to damage the machinery in order to render the ship useless. The crew, together with the captain and his wife. nelW removed, as were the crews of three interned German shlpe in Habana harbor. All were sent to Cabanas fortress. The other vessels were found to have been slightly damaged. They are the Adelheid, Kydonla and Olivant. , i ? WESTERN NATIONS TO JOIN INWORLD WAR OTHERS MAY FOLLOW THE CUBAN EXAMPLE. Brazil Is Expected to Take Lead With Several Others Soon to Follow. Washington, April 8.?Early entrance of several of the South and r?n) ral Amerlpon luMrnna 1n?n war against Germany is regarded here as practically certain. Braall, aroused by the sinklnc of her steamship Parana, is expected to become a belligerent this week and it is assumed that her lead will be followed promptly by other countries. Reports of divided opinion in Argentina have ffiven officials here little encouragement to look for aggressive action by that country. Active support of the United States by at least two of the Ave Central American republics and possibly by four would not be surprising. Official and unofficial reports that Estrada Cabrera, president of Guatemala, is contemplating seriously a break with Germany, have been received. So long as Mexico's course is undefined unusual interest {s attached to the position of the Central American governments, especially that of Guatemala, controlling the southern frontier of Mexico. In the event of the development of an unfriendly situation In Mexico^ it is realised that Guatemala's role would be far from unimportant. Has a Good Army. In Guatemala Estrada Cabrera has built what Is regarded generally as the most efficient army in Central America and with it he would be in -position to lend valuable assistance to the United States. Antipathy between Gautemalans and Mexicans ttaefe has existed for years. Efforts have been made by counsellors of Cabrera to induce him to ent r promptly into the war. If he does place his country in the list it is expected that Nicaragua will quickly follow and that the long standing differences between those two rnun'rifl* and Salvador and Honduras may be swept away in a desire to present a united Central America. An odd situation would be left in the position of Costa Rica. There a new government has Just been installed and has apparently no opportunity of recognition by the United States. Federico Tinoco. who over threw the government of Alfredo Gonzales in January, was elected president on April 1. Official notification of his election was received at the state department yesterdav. The country I? at pe?cc but prior, to the election and immediately after the overthrow of Gonzales the United States government announced that it would not recognize the de facto government and would not recognize Tinoco if elected. Watch Mexico Cloeely. American officials continue to watch closely every move in Mexico but little real anxiety remains. It is believed now that German machinations in that country have failed and that the worst that may be expected is a declaration of neutrality. Investigation by officers of the American army showed the reports of German reservists crossing from the United States into Mexico have been exaggerated and that the total number crossing the Rio Grande since the breaking of relations with Germany up to ten days ago was not more than 100. ' DKHTllOY FOOD VKSSKL. ( ci-mans Sink Another Belgian Relief Ship. London, April 7.?The Norwegian steamier Camilla, with a cargo of corn for the Belgian reliof commission, according to a Rout?- dispatch fro*i? Copenhagen, has been su/ik without warning with the loss of two lives. The .vessel was sunk ofT the coast of! Jaederen south of Stavanger. Norway. and nine survivors and the two dead have arrived at Skudesnaee, Norway. The survivors were 12o hours in a boat before they were picked up by a steamer. The Norweigian steamer Camilla. 2,273 gross tons, was owned in Bergen. Marine reports do not record her recent movement*. The Camilla wai built in Havre in 1908 and waa 291 feet long. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY HAS SEVEREDJMIONS PASSPORTS HANDED TO THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR. Dual Monarchy Said to Have Broken With America, Following War Declaration. London, April 7.?Passports havj been placed ait the disposal of the American embassy in Vienna, according to a dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph company from The Hague, quoting' telegrams received there from the Austrian capital. The dispatch says that Bugaria and Turkey have also decided to break off relations with the United States and that Holland will probably look after Austrian interests in Washington and American interests in Vienna. No News in Washington. Washington, April 7.?Word that the Austro-Hungarlan foreign ofllqe had placed passportB at the disposal of the American embassy at Vienna had not reached the Austrian embassy here early today, according to Prince Hohenlohe-^chiilingshorst, one of the embassy attaches. Minister Panatetoff of Bulgaria said today he had received no instruction from his government to break relatione with the United States and demand his passports. "I have no information that would lead me to believe that Bulgaria desires a break with the United States." he said. "I sincerely hope that European reports are untrue." Abdul Hak Hussein Bey, charge of tie Turkish legation, said he had atsolutely no information of his government beyond that contained in press dispatches from abroad. It was made clear at the legation, however, that officials of the legation would not he surprised should Instructions to ask for passports be received. V Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Everall. Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Everall, wife of E. Everall, died at the home of her son, C. H. Everall in this city, at an early hour Sunday morning. Death was due to rmenmnnln frrkin which the deceased had suffered only four days. Mrs. Everall was 69 years and seven months of age. She was a pood woman, a devout member of the Methodist church, and had many friends. She had been making her home with another son, J. R. Everall, and was in Lancaster for a visit when she became ill. She is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs. C. L. Bailey and C. H. Everall of I^ancaster, Mrs. M. S. Hinson and J. R. Ev'?rn]i rf he Zion section, one brothor. W. M. Vicks and two sisters, Mrs. Nancy Vicks of the Zion section and Mrs. Mattie Coins of Kershaw. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. D. W. Keller of the T^ncaster Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock and interment took place in the Zion church cemetery. TABERNACLE NEWS. Tabernacle, April 8.?Our school will close next Saturday, April 14 The ninth grade will debate the question: Resolved: That we should have woman suffrage in South Carolina. The debators on the affirmative are: Misses Annie Carnes, Christeen Taylor. Alma Carnes, Mabel Rowell, Ruth Rowell and Etta Bell Funderburk. The egative: Mr. Loyd Taylor and Misses Annie Mildred Rowell, Reulah Taylor, Mabel Kate Shute, Nellie Tavlor and Norma Rowell. Several sneakers have been invited to make addresses. Dinner will be served on 'he grounds. The public is cordially invited to attend. Little Miss Katherine Row ell entertained a number of her little friends Saturday afternoon. April 7, celebrating her r.ftli birthday. Tiie little folks enjoyed an egg hunt and many other games. During the afternoon hot chocolate. cake and candy were served. She received several dainty little gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Merritt ol Lynchburg, S. C.. are visiting the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Taylor of this section. ARMY IN FORM. West Point, N. Y., April 7.?Th? Army defeated Hamilton college, 10 to 0, in the first baseball game ol the seaaon hare today. BRITISH LAUNCH THE j ; FIRST SPRING DRIVE ! HAIG'S MEN SCORE ONE GREAT SUCCESS. Strongly Fortified Position Falls Before Great Charge Made by English Troops. ) What seemingly is the commence> racnt of a big offensive by the Brlt ish forces in France has begun along > a 15" mile line extending from Lens > to the village of Henin-sur-'CoJeul, i lying to the southeast of Arras. On the entire line big gains in ter' rain have been everywhere made. Heavy casualties have been inflicted on the Germans and tn addition prisoners running into the thousands? D.816 already have been counted? and great quantities of war material were captured. The operations are still in progress. The British cas uaities are declared to have been > slight. Probably the greatest gains were made on a 12 mile front from Givonchy-en-Gohelle, north of Arras, to Henln-sur-CojeuI, southeast of Ar' Vas. Here defenses of all kinds, some of them most heavily fortified, were stormed and captured by the Canadians. Notable among the positions is the famous Vimy ridge, wfoich frequently has been the center of sanguinary encounters. The German line was penetrated to a depth of from two to three miles during Monday and at nightfall King George's men were still pressing forward. The element of surprise evidently I played a prominent part in the British victory for along the entire front t recently there had beer nothing more than small encounters and artillery duels. The thrust of the British was quick and violent, gauged by the rapid sweep they made against positions that previously had been considered almost impregnable. The Canadians captured 2,000 prisoners. The artillery preparation before the infantry attacks were launched is described as resembling a veritable inferno. Not content with their successes between Lens and Henin-sur-Cojeul, the British also struck vicinuslv in the repion of Cambrai, where the village of Memicourt was captured and further progress was made in [ the neighborhood of the Havinoourtj wood, while still farther south additional gains were made around St. Quentin. The intense aerial activity continues between the British and Germans. London reports that two German machines were destroyed and 15 others driven down and that the i Brit'sb e'-ela 0 filled to return *o their base. On the part of the line held by the French there has been only artillery activity except in the Parroy wood where a German attack against air advanced post was repulsed. Rheiins Is still being heavily bombarded by the Germane. Only minor operations have taken place on the Eastern front front the : Baltic sea dow n into Roumania. The {usual bombardments are in progress on the Austro-Italian front. In Macedonia there have been reciprocal j bombardments and small infantry at-j tacks. Unofficial advices from Brazil in-; jdlcate that Brazil is on the immediate verge of severing relations, .with Germany as a result of the sink- j ing of tlie Brazilian steamer Parana. too I/IV*RsJ l/OST. Reports reaching Lancaster A thin ... I ?- ? -* W W.?vi I^nfia m U VIUVR M1IU that the Kdisto Munitions plant, owned and ofwrated by the Hald win Ixjcoinotive Works and a British concern and located a ; few miles from Philadelphia. J ' was blown up this morning t4 with the loss of probably lOO ! , llv?s. Nineteen bodies had been I recovered at noon and other bodies were being taken out J every hour. It is suspected that the German* are responsible. * ^ SPAIN STILL NEUTRVL. Madrid, April 9 (via Paris).? ? The official journal today published > ?:a decree declaring the neutrality of ' Spain in the war between the United 1 States and Germany. PRESIDENT FAVORS CONSCRIPTION PLAN .. WILL NOT USE THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM. I Army Heads Say That Half Million Men Must Be Recruited at Once. "Washington, April 9.?President Wilson threw the weight of his personal Influence into the scales today in an effort to overcome opposition in congress to the administration army plans based on the draft system. Summoning Chairman Dent of the house military committee to the White House, the president made it clear that he believed the safety of the nation hangs on the action of congress in this regard. He will make a similar situation tomorrow to Representative Anthony of Kansas, who has led opposition to the draft plan among Republican members of the military committee. In his action today the president recognized the fact that there may be a strong feeling in congress in favor of adhering to the old volunteer \ system and sought to bring home to Mr. Dent, one of those who hold that view, the lesson to be drawn from the great war into which the United States now has been plunged and which all point. military advisers of i the government declare, to the absolute necessity of facing the issue squarely and summoning men to the colors by draft. A compromise plan may be offered by the opponents of compulsory service. i A sentiment for such a move was evident In Mr. Dent's committee be fore which Secretary Baker and the], military chiefs of the department assembled in full strength during the i riflV tn ?mnnnrt tHc . policy. There was no indication, j however, that a compromise would be accepted by the president. Talk of Conscription. In the Renate debate on conscrip-ji tion occupied much time during dis- i cussion of the regular army appro- ji priation bill. jl Ah a result of Chairman Dent's at- | titude it is possible that some other ; member of the house comm'ttee will present the administration bill if it is reported substantially in the form in which it was drawn. The chairman ' agreed to introduce it "by request," i which means that he would take no responsibility for it. While refusing to discuss his con-!1 ference with the president for publi -j' cation, Mr. Dent admitted that no 1 conclusion was reached. He said: "There is no chance on t' earth of the >?M1 coming out of th*? 1 committee in any form within a week j at least. The main controversy t* over the question of conscription. 1 There is no question, however, on thei1 part of any one as to giving the preaj dent all the men and money needed j1 to carry on the war. The only controversy is as to the means of doing ; so." Before the house committee Secretary Baker stood firmly for the general staff plans. For Draft System. "Would von nrefer " lipnreunnt-i-I tive Anthony asked, "authority to raise a volunteer army within 30 days rather than to raise the 500.000 under a selective draft that might take six months." "I prefer the selective draft sys-' tern," replied the secretary. Mr. Flaker approved a suggestion that instead of authorizing, two increments of selective draft forces, 500.000 to an increment, the bill authorizes the president to call as many such increments from time to < time as he may deem necessary. |< In the senate the 1918 appropria > t:on bill, designed to carry on the ex isting military establishment, made i rapid progress. It han passed the house already and came from the senate committee carrying a total of $27 8,000,000, which is in addition to the $3,000,000 now asked for the army to meet the war emergency. The bill now contains a section j which does away with the grade of' brigadier general, substituting a se- 1 r.ior and Junior division of the grade' of major general instead. The new section also proposes that the chief of staff be given the rank of general, senior of all other army officers, while In that poaitibn. This (Continued on P?g? 8 ) jpi.DU A Y liiAK lOSTRlAN SHIPSgARL J "Seized by uncle m i TAKE OVER VESSELS IN U. S. FORTS. Machinery in Several BadlyDamaged?All Crews to Be Interned at Once. Washington, April 9.?Fourteen. Austrian merchant vessels in American ports were taken over today by the government coincident with the* announcement that Austria had broken diplomatic relations. Telegrams to the collectors of easterns at the ports concerned were sent, personally by Secretary McAdoo latelast night instructing that the crews. aboard the vessels be removed and that customs guards be placed in their stead. The status of the removed crews will be determined by immigration authorities. In a formal announcement of the government's action tonight Secretary McAdoo made it clear thaf the government had not confiscated the vessels but had acted for the purpose of protecting them "from further Injury." Damaged by Crews. From this statement it was tnfeiv red that the ships were damaged by their crews as in the case of the German vessels taken over by the government upon the declaration of war with Germany. The vessels thus taken into the government's keeping were all at Atlantic or Gulf ports a& follows: At New York?The Dora, Him#laya, Ida and Martha Washington at Boston, the Erny; at Philadelphia,, the Franconia; at Newport News, the Budapest; at Pensacola. the Lucia: at Tampa, the Borneo; at New Orleans. the Anna, Clara and Tereva^. and at Galveston, the Campania and Mora witt. The tonnage of the fourteen vessels totals approximately 67,001).. The largest of the fleet is the Martha Washington, at New York, of 8,312: tons, and passenger accommodations fni* 1 1 A A * .... ?.*vv/ me smallest le. the Anna, at New Orleans, of 1,57 btons. Machinery Dismantled. Houston, April it.?A force of deputy inspectors and deputy United.! a States marshals, led by Fred C. Habst, collector of customs at Gal? ceston, late this afternoon seized Austrian steamers Morowitz aotl) .'ampania in the Houston ship canal. I'aptains and crews of the setzedi *hips were to be taken to immigration headquarters on Pelican Island,, llalveston, for further orders from the government. The ma* hinery of the Campania apparently had been dismantled prior to seizure, it was said, after o. cursory examination. The Morowitz, it appeared, had suffered some damage. Capt. Rakos, of the Morowitz, some time ago took out his first citizenship papers. No resistance u as ofTered. The Morowitz is a vessel of 4,7!?5 tons an<l the Campania of 3,5.51 tons. Investigation bv government authorities showed that the boilers of both ships had been disabled, rendering the ships unfit for servicewithout considerable repairs. Under (mm me iwo captains, Rakos, of the Morowitz. and l.upis, of the Campania, said they had crippled the machinery on orders but would not pay from whom the orders had been received. 1 + ? * THK AMEKH'AN KKD ClUkttH ? NKEDS VOL'. " \ + Japan has a Ketl ("rott* mem > l>cr*hip of 1,800,000. iftrniany has a I tod Oow membership of 1,00(^000. I'nitwl States has a Red Cfoea membership of 100,000. + Can yon afford to let your Red 4* Cross lag so far behind in this 4 grcjit world work? Will you not become m mem + her and urge others to- do- the < same? ' + t iMite to the mass meeting st ' the conrt fionse ne*t Saturday , evening at 8:80 and Jpin the local chapter. /