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. /