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' I Abbeville Press and Banner I Established 1844 $1.50 the Year ABBEVILLE, S. C., Wednesday, Mar. 14,1917. Single Copies, Five Cents ; ^ BIG RAILWAY CONTROVERSY NEARS CLIMAX < Talk of Labor Trouble Is Very General In v Washington . -i i IMPRESSION PREVAILS THAT J THERE MAY BE WALKOUT < i IF ROADS REFUSE TO ACEDE J TO UNIONS' DEMANDS AT 1 THAT CONFERENCE. 1 l Washington, March 12.?Talk of a railroad strike was general among 4 local labor union officials from the i Southeast'gathered here tonight, but 1 national officials of the four big brotherhoods declined to confirm or 1 deny that definite strike plans actu- * ally were under consideration. The local leaders came for a con- 1 ference tomorrow preliminary to 1 the meeting* of brotberijood and rail- 8 way officials to ta$4Z$.;?n New York c. Thursday. 1 Similar sectional coherences will be held in othercitiesandthe broth- ] erhood beads insist that they cannot * forecast their course until the* ftfeals 1 from all parts of the country have * reached the result of their deliber- 1 ations. There were distinct indications, * however, that there might be more truth in strike reports than appeared. on the surface. An impression * prevalent among some of the local officials was that a general walkeut probably would follow quickly if the roads refused to accede to the j union demands at inursaays conference. Saturday was the day most persistently mentioned as likely to see a climax of the long controversy between the roads and their men. i SICK FOLKS OUT AGAIN- 1 \ - - i Friends of Mr. J. S. Bowie are c glad that he is able to be out again ,? on the streets, after a severe attack of. pneumonia of about six weeks x stay-in. 1 Mr. J. R. Glenn is back in the i store, having returned from the f Chester hospital last week. He < comes home well and is fastly gaining his usual strength. ( ' i WILL SEARCH SHIPS 2 FOR EXPLOSIVES i 1 Philadelphia, March 12.?Govern- 1 ment agents continued an investiga- * tion of activities among persons un- * der arrest charged with smuggling J ship chronometers from the German 1 , auxiliary ameers in the navy yard. ' -Report is that agents discovered a T' plot of .many ramifications to damage navy yard in event of war with Germany. Two crufisers, the Kronprinz Wilhelm and Prinz Eitel Freidrich are j to be searched for explosives. ? - ? THE MASONS ENTERTAINING. The Masons of Abbeville are to entertain at sapper Friday night af" ter the conferring of degrees. . These affairs are always pleasant and a good sapper is enjoyed. RADIO TO BERNSTORFF ON EXPOSURE OF PLOT Germany Asks Him to Toll Haw Not* Got Oat?Collod Crownlag Diplomatic Blander. London, March 5.?A dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph Company from Amsterdam says: "According tn * tWnWnvf gram received here,the German Government has sent a wireless dispatch to Connt von Bernstorff, former German Ambassador to the United States, who is at sea returning to 1 Germany, asking him to explain how 1 the German note with regard to ] bringing Mexico and Japan into war . with the United States was divulged. "A special courier has been dispatched to meet Count von Bernstorff on his arrival and warn him ' against granting any newspaper interviews on the situation." The correspondent adds that the 1 Socialist newspapers in Munish Leip- _ sic, and Madeburg criticise the note ' to Mexico as the crowning diplomatic blunder of Germany. WILSON'S WORDS REFRESH FRANCE K ? /?L J D ? xOUBiry voMira w / nui?mui Declaration? Assertion of Idaals. * Paris, March 11.?"President Wilton's declarations of American polcy have been a moral refreshment ? France," said Albert Thomas, sinister of monitions to the Associated Press today. "America comes forward toward the end of the war frith the assertion of ideals, of which ;he European peoples, amid all the itrain of combat, of hatred, of sufferings, of determination for specific national aims need to be reminded. France has been stimulated, cheer& and supported by President Wilton's message to congress and by his naugural address." "What do you think are the imnediate effects of the American rupure with Germany?" he was asked. "The hour that America is actually in the war" replied the minister, the flow of supplies will be returned at full tide and essential iredits will be easy. That is the way t would seem now." "The active cooperation of the iw onKmainno JillbCU ovawo AAA UUUMU?UV v.w.p a transport and in the supply of naterial and money would co'ntrw >ute enormously to shortening the irar," said M. Thomas and he added: It would be an inspiration for France to have an American coningent fighting on this side." I rHREE SCORE PERSONS KILLED IN TORNADO hundreds of Hornet Wrecked at Newcastle, Ind.?Several Other Towns Struck. Indianapolis, Ind., March 11.?A tornado swept over Central Eastern Indiana late this afternoon, killing nore than a score of persons at New:astle and two children in Wayne :ounty. The total number of injured will un over^OO, some of whom are probably fatally hurt. The damage rill total well over a million dollars it Newcastle and several thousand iollars in Wayne county. George Dyer, general superintendent of the Lake Erie and Western railroad said late tonight that he had received word from railroad officials it Newcastle that forty-two bodies lad been removed from the wreckage in the storm-swept district and ;hat at least twenty-five persons in iie hospitals probably would die. He taid the report came from a division raperintendent, who in an automobile, made a trip through the devastated district. AN OLD SOLDIER ILL. The friends of Mr. Charles A. Sotts will be sorry to know that he s sick at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Calvert, on upper, Main rH>aaf and will villi for him an jwly restoration to health. Mr. Botts is one df the older :itizen8 of the county and is a man respected and esteemed by all who mow him. During the War Between the States he served in Co. G. Orr's Regiment of Rifles and made a re:ord of which his children's children shonld be proud. Sometime ago an excellent paper felling of Mr. Botts' war experiences pras written by Mrs. W. 0. Cromer ind read at the Memorial Day exer cises. Such papers should bt read svery year and preserved by the historical committee of the U. D. C'p. TEACHING IN GREENVILLE. Miss Annie Hill has accepted a position in the graded sehool in Greenville city and leaves today for ber new work. Her many friends wish her every success. RENEWING THEIR YOUTH. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Gambrell are buying a Chevrolet car and are enjoying all the .pleasures which go with the purchase of a good car. They are enjoying life these days. BRITISH CONTINUE ' STRONG OFFENSIVE Turk* Hard Pressed By Advances ' On All Sidw Capture of Bagdad Ends Long Campaign. Keeping up their strong offensive against the Tories along the Tigris river, the British forces under Gen. Maude have captured the important city of Bagdad, thereby bringing to a successful climax an operation begun early in 1915. Likewise in Persia the Turks are receiving hard usage at the hands of the Russians, according to Perograd. In northwest Persia the Russians have captured the town of Sahna, and the Ottomans who were driven out of Hamadan still are in retreat In Asia Minor along the Sivas road the Turks attempted to go on the offensive but were repulsed. No action of great importance has been reported from any of the other theatres' of war. The Germans near Nouvron, north of the Aisne, have been engaged in a violent artillery duel with the French. Northwest of Rheims and near Besonvaux attacks against French positions were attempted but were re* , pulsed. The French on the other . hand carried out successfully sever- , al surprise attacks on German , trenches. Berlin admits th<i retire- j ment of the Germans before the ^ British near Irles on Saturday. I On the Russian front there have ^ been only minor operations and ar- j tillery activities. There stiff is no news concerning the situation in ( Roumania. N I Local artillery actions are in pro- 1 gress along the entire Austro-Italian j front i An unofficial dispatch reports the i sinking of the Danish steamer Ros- , borg, while on a voyage from Balti- i more to Denmark. Six members of the crew were killed. The dispatch does not state whether the steamer was sunk by a submarine or a mine. 1 - i MEETING THE REGENT. J Mrs. W. A. Harris went over to < Greenwood last Thursday and was present at a lovely reception given j in compliment to Mrs. Duvall, State : Regent for the D. A. R.'s. Mrs. j Harris was the guest of Mrs. D. A. G. Ouzts and wus most pleasantly , entertained. t i TUESDAY'S ELECTION 1 1 , , i Following is the result of Tues- 4 day's city election: t Ward 1.?Reese 63; Hughes, 24. ' Ward 2.?Cochran, 22; Evans, 24; Beaudrot, 11. ( Ward 3.?Bristow, 80; Blanchett, 78. 1 Ward 4.?Nicholls, 31; Stephens, < 26; Miller, 24. ( Reese was elected in ward 1. Cochran and Evans will run over 1 in ward 2. Bristow (short term) and Blanchett (long term) elected in ward 3. ] Nicholls and Stephens will make 1 the second race in ward 4. 1 J ???* i GREECE SUFFERS PANGS OF HUNGER Washington, March 11.?Another gloomy picture of conditions in Greece resulting from the entente blockade has been cabled to the Greek legation here by the new ministry of supplies, with an urgent appeal for hastening the shipment of wheat from the United States. HON. JAMES M. BAKER. Hon. James M. Baker has been reelected Secretary of the United States Senate, having received the unanimous endorsement of the Democratic caucus for the position. Mr. Baker was elected to this position four years ago over strong opposition, one opponent being a brother of President Wilson. He won the election at that time on his record as assistant librarian of the senate, a position which he filled j for a number of years with ability and fidelity. . His re-election means that he is making good in his pres- i ent responsible position. His friends 1 at home congratulate him on his : continuance in the office. j rAKES STEPS FOR FREEDOM OF SEAS )?lirr?i He Has People Behind Him But Finds Specie! Session Needed. A Washington, March 10.?Presilent Wilson, from a sick bed, today >rdered the arming of American nerchant ships against Germany's -uthless submarine warfare and at he same time issued a proclamation calling an extra session of congress ? meet April 16. The president's decision came sudlenly late this afternoon, following lie action of the senate yesterday in revising its rules to permit prompt iction on important questions and ;he submission of formal opinions by Secretary Lansing and Attorney General Gregory that he has the lower to arm merchantmen without iction by congress. Details of the government's armed neutrality plans 'or defending the merchant marine MAMA A! AtVAl/1 ITC1C vytuuiciu bv ovuiu vuvmui(|wa Americans and their ships by permitting the information to reach Germany. / Only th? Next Stop. The decision, coming at the end ?f a period of tense waiting, was generally hailed as the natural and unavoidable next step in the policy idopted by the president when he >roke off diplomatic relations with Germany, and gave warning that the [Jnited States could not tolerate attacks on American ships and citizen in violation of international law. Fraught with the grave possibility ?f war with Germany, the action was Seen by President Wilson only after, he was convinced that Germany actually was proceeding with her sampaign of ruthleasness and had made efforts to plot with Mexico and Japan against the territorial integrity of the United States. Thrill ln Sen*to. The president's decision sent a thrill thrpugh the, senate, meeting in lywuu B6UWUU) OUU Ul gviciiuuvuv iepartments. Still hoping that war arith Germany will be avoided officials declared that the issue rests mtirely with Germany. Formal announcement of the government's policy was given in the following announcement issued from She White House: "Secretary Tumulty stated in connection with the president's call for m extra session of congress that ?e president is convinced that he Saslhe power to arm American merchant ships and he is free to exercise it at once. But so much necessary legislation is pressing for conuderatfon'that he is convinced that ITls for the best interests of the country to have an fearly session of Ihe Sixty-fifth congress, whose sup jort he will also need in all matters :ollateral to the defense of our mer:hant marine." PROBATE JUDGE MAY CHARGE 35cU. PER QUART Assistant Attorney General Claud V. Sapp, in response to a request for an opinion holds that when the lew state liquor law goes into effect \.pril 26th probate judges may :harge 35 cents for a certificate. The opinion follows: "Section 10 of the act provides is follows: 'Any person desiring to import any alcoholic liquors under this act shall apply to the judge, of probate in the county in which' he resides and file with him an affidavit that the has not received any like >ermit during the same calendar r ' "?i-i-i? ? a. nontn, ana conutuung vuc v* wi? following statements, etc. "You will see from the provisions >f this section that it is not made mandatory upon the applicant for a permit to take the affidavit before the judge of probate issuing the pernit The swearing, of the affiant is lot necessarily ? part of the duty >f the judge of probate and the oath may be admiaiftsred by any officer >r person quallM#4tfultr the laws of this state to admbtfifeer oaths. In the svent, however, the applicant for the permit should make the affidavit before the judge of probate issuing the sennit, the judge so issuing would lave the right to charge and :ollect a fee of 25 cents for adminstering the oath, in addition to the fee of 10 cents allowed him under .he act for issuing the permit. ENTERTAINING THEIR FRIENDS Mrs. Frank Benton and Mrs. Rayford Power have issued invitations m their friends to a Bridge party for this afternoon at four o'clock. pleasant time is anticipated. BITTER ATTACK 1 ON PRES. WILSON P*p?r D?cUr?s Mr. Wilson tk? Most 'Unrighteous of All . Pr?id?nts. ' Berlin, March 6, via London, Mar. 7.?The Lokal Anzeiger in a lenghty editorial today severely criticise! President Wilson's inaugural address. "On the self-same day that James IF < AA ? ' uumroe, xuu years ago, assumed tne Presidency/' says the newspaper, "his successor, President Wilson, at the Capitol in Washington, tore up the document known as the Monroe doctrine which for a century has beeij the cardinal feature of America's foreign politics. The peculiarly veiled rhetoric in which he clothes his inaugural sentiments admits of no other interpretation. "The entire address is plainly an argument in support of the necessity which President Wilson thinks has been shown by the world war that there should be enforced on the old world the laws which he had evolved in his own mind for regulating the inter-relations* of the nations of the earth in future, In this ambition which borders on megalomania, is revealed a measure of presumption which, thank God, is in in veneration to the physical assets at his command needed to achieve \ the realisation of his program. Alleges Hlpocrmcy. ^ "That, however, is not the most revolting part of his address. In each of its sentences the intention is plainly revealed through persistent misstatements, distortion > and concealment of undeniable facts, to proclaim himself to the world at large as a peace mediator at the very moment that he is threatening, without cause, to take up arms and enter the war; and this though he is responsible for its prolongation by virtue of liis pro-English attitude, his so-called neutrality and his numerous sins of omission. "Never has the Capitol at Washington been more profanely desecrate^ by a speech than on this occasion. In each of its sentences its author sets up the claim to be counted among the most righteous and honorable of mortals, while in each word he reveals himself the most unrighteous and dishonorable man who has yet stood at the head of a great 1 State. And when he states that there is nothing that can alter his thought* ' or his intentions, a million voice* i shout back across the Atlantic: "No i threat of armed ships, no declaration of war, will again open up our 1 blockade zones to American com- ] merce." < SUNDAY AT DONALDS. ' Miss Fannie Stark and Allen King , had a pleasant' day in the big city i of Donalds Sunday. They attended the District Singing Convention held there, and added greatly to the singing. * 1 SOUTHERN NEGROES CAUSING j ANXIETY IN PHILADELPHIA , 1 Demand for Cheap Labor Hat ' Brought 28,000 to Quakar City ( in Six Month*. Philadelphia, Pa., Mar. 9.?An influx of southern negroes, drawn here y by a demand for cheap labor by railroads and industrial and muni* ' tion plants, is causing alarm to health officials and social workers, 1 who have begun preparations to minimize the dangers of inadequate ] housing and other evils. 1 At a conference here yesterday i of charitable organizations, housing ] experts, education authorities and church men, a committee on negro ' immigration to this city was or- < ganized. Various methods to cope with the situation were discussed. It ^ was stated at the conference that 25,000 negroes have arrived here in 1 the last si? months, and hundreds i are arriving daily by train and boat ( As a result -rite Id said, two-story . houses in the section are shel- r tering five or more families in many 4 cases. Health officials assert that this I overcrowding makes "possible a < spread of disease, destitution and crime." Study of various phases of the problem was delegated to eight < subcommittees? housing, sanitation j employment, courts, education, rec- , reation, churches and receiving immigration. 1 INFORMS THE 1 WORLD VESSELS f ARE ARMED | LJ. S. Give* Notice tf'- jJn Execution of Armed i "Neutrality" ./'J| VILL NOT GIVE OUT ANYTHING J ABOUT GUNS OR DATES OF | SAILING?STILL SOME HOPE M THAT AMERICA WILL NOT HAVE ACTUAL CLASH. | Washington, . March 12.? The ' J Jnited States government today ,1 ?ok the only formal stop t&at will irecede the sailing for the war zone ":'f> )i American merchant ships armed u a resist attacks by German sobma- rffJB Notice to the world of the inten- ' - Jm ion to place an armed guard on || merchantmen was given in a com- -M nunication aint by the state dejartment to all embassies and lega- ,;J| ions in Washington. The statement, which, it is as- :$ ranted, will be transmitted to Qer-* / '^1 nany by the Swi? minister, follows: .".3 "In view of tits announcement of be imperial German government* on .M January 81, 1917, that all ships, ' JS iose of neutrals included, met withn certain sones of the high seas ^ irould be sunk without any precau- ^ don being taken for the safety of v J the persons on board and w^boat ' $|8 the exercise of visit and search, the 3 government of the United States :-M tatas determined to place upon all ^jj American merchant vslnli siflitf through thq barred areas an armed > luard for the protection of vss- '$a wis and the lives of the persons on /:M Board." ' ? Officials continued to be reticent ;< ?|j9 today about the arming of ships and ;;i the probable date the first would be .?! ready to sail. AH such details are re- j yarded as miltapy secrets. In fact there ia a general dispo^tion to avoid discussing any. of 9 the situation pending the outcome of ^ ^ the defiance of the submarine men- ' ace by American vessels with naval Jj Suns and. gunners on board. ^ Speculation. continues as to the :'M part the United States may play if /1M forced into aerial hostilities by Gar- J many. In officiajtt^oartars the opin- | ion is very dear ftajkt President Wil- . J son for the present at least is con- : Jfl templating no more direct connec- ; 'J tion with the European war than is ' '|1 necessary to protect American rights | on the high seas. Preparations for any eventuality are going forward, but the president '' > :;J| ia known stul to cling to the hope '4 that there will be no actual clash be- ./J] tween America's armed merchant- % men and German submarines. The president, who has been con-' p fined to his bed for several days by t | a cold, was able today to discuss in- :'A ternational questions, with Secretary M Lansing. He probabiy will be in his room for a day or two longer, how ?J Afl ii cm a 1 KoKinftf mMltinff M tomorrow is expected to be can cellCARRANZA ELECJEP M Mexico City, March 12.?Gen. venusuano (jarranza wu - wusy sleeted president of Mexico by what Is believed to have been the. largest rote ever cast in the republic. Although the voters had the privilege of writing in or declaring any lame they desired, Gen. Carransa receded all except a few scattering tellots. Th* estimated vote cast runs kll the way from several hundred shousand to a million. Mexico now will have a constitutional president for the first time since 1911 -when Francisco Madero eceived more titan 300,000 votes. 3en. Victoriano Buerta called an election in 1914 and declared himself sleeted but later nullified the elec;ion on the ground that an insufflci- J mt number of votes had been cast The election marks the climax of i 3aranza's efforts. He took the field m igainst Huerta February 19, 1918, M ifter Huerta had seized the execuive power. "J