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' , | ' ?y '?.. "d|s| " ' : i . : : %* . '4 ' Abbeville Press and Banned Established 1844 $1.50 the Year _ ABBEVILLE, S. C., Wednesday, Mar. 21,1917. Single Copies, Five Cents 76th Year,j| TO ANNOUNCE NEW STATUS DEFINITELY VIGILANCIA CASE ADDS TO TENSION Aggressive Action By ' Navy Department Possible WILSON INAUGURATES MOVEMENT FOR SPEEDING UP OF PLANS FOR COPING WITH GERMAN MENACE. SUGGEST. ED THAT SPECIAL SESSION OF CONGRESS MAY BE HASTENED. ' Vx* ' ______ V * T . l_ Washington,-March 19?President Wilson is expected within the next 48 hours to indicate definitely that he believes a virtual state of war exists between the United States and Germany. Adviccs from Plymouth that 15 men, some of them Americans, had been drowned when the American merchantman Vpgilancia was sunk without warning by a German submarine added, if possible, to the already grave view of the situation held here as a result of the destruction of the Vigilancia, the Illinois and the City of Memphis. Whether the president will hasten the extra session of congress, called for April 16, or will take additional steps to protect American commerce without this move was not disclosed tonight. No official pretended to know his plans, and the general view was that lie was still considering the question in'his usual deliberate way. A cabinet meeting probably will be held tomorrow afternoon and at that time the situation arising out of the new acts of aggression on the part of Germany is expected to be ? .LI. Uiyiuu|iu; %?hw??pi.wi Preparations for agirenira action to' protect American rights began today when the president visited the navy department personally and directed Secretary Daniels to utilize the $115,000,000 made available by congress to hasten naval building plans. \ The New York navy yard was directed to begin the construction of 60 submarine chasers and announcement was made that bids for 200 % more will be opened Wednesday. Through the early graduation of two classes at Annapolis and the mobilisation of reserves it is proposed to make it possible to man quickly all ships of the navy. The question was also taken up of getting into communication informally with Great Britain and France to discuss cooperation in the protection of commerce lanes across the Atlantic. This step probably will not be taken until the course of the United has been finally determined. Jn addition to his conference with f .Secretary Daniels, the president saw . Secretaries kerning and McAdoo and ' William Denman, chairman . of: the federal shipping board, and there. * was eeyary indication, that he .was mapping' out comprehensive plans " for the yurotectioii of American., interests in any eventuality. It is generally conceded that already a virtual state of war exists with Germany in spite of the technical armed neutrality status of the United States. HOME FROM COKER. Miss Lavinia Coleman is at home from Coker college nad will remain until the beginning of the next term. Her friends are glad to see her. NEWS FROM MRS. SIMPSON. The friends of Mrs. W. D. Simpson will be glad to know that she is recovering rapidly, though she is till in the hospital in Chester. When she is a little better she will go to Monroe for a visit before returning to Abbeville. ATTENDING THE S. C. PRESBYTERIAL Miss Bessie L.ee uneatnam and Mrs. F. W. Wilson went to Greenwood last Friday, where they attended the meeting of the South Carolina Presbyterial. They visited friends in Hodges also before returning on Monday afternoon. HOME ON*A VISIT. Scott Hammond spent a day or two in Abbeville this week. He is living in Rock Hill now and is prospering. He was on his way to Greenwood where he ?oes,*s a delegate to .the " Woodmen* Convention.'' *" " * SINKING OF SHIPS MAY MEAN WAR Immediate Declaration of War Expected of Congress " London, March 18.?The sinking ol the American steamships City of .Memphis, Illinois and Vigilancla was announced today. Fourteen men froir the Vigilancia are missing, as ar< some of the men from the City ol Memphis. The crew of the Illinolf was landed safely. The City of Memphis, in ballast from Cardiff for New York was sonl by gunfire. The second officer anc 15 men of the crew have been landed A patrol boat' has gone in search ol the other members of the crew. The Illinois, from London for Port Arthur Texas, in ballast, was sank at f o'clock this morning. The Vigilancia was torpedoed without warning. The submarine did no1 appear. The captain, first and second mates, first, second and third engineers and 23 men of the crew have beer landed at the Scllly islands. The fourth engineer and'13 men are missing. Washington, Marcn 18.?witn uu announcement of the ruthless destruction of three unarmed American merchant ships by submarines, it was unofficially admitted her9 tonight that virtually a state of war exists between the United States and Germany. Technically the United States remains in a position of armed neutrality. Whether this shall be changed before April 16th, the date fixed for a special session of congress, ^the war making branch of the government, President Wilson has not decided. One step the president is contemplating is a call for an immediate session of congress to hear an address aBKlllg lor Ituuiuili; iu auu^b VJUU ive measure against the submarine menace. Already American ships are being armed to defend themselves. The next move must be to send warships with orders to seek out submarines and clear the trans-Atlantic lanes. Some of the highest officials of the government hold that the executive has power to declare that a ^Jtate.ol war exists and to proceed with aggressive protective steps pending the assembling of congress. There Is no Indication, however, that the president will follow that course. .Of the three ships destroyed, two were unloaded and homeward bound. All were American built, American owned and officered and manned largely by American citizens. Meagre dispatches Indicate that all were sunk with complete disregard for the safety of those on bbard, and that some of the members of the crew day have been lost. Today's developments brought the government face to face with the problem of formulating a definite policy for the nation % case the United States actually enters the war. This possibility was mentioned by the president in his inaugural address March 5. All of the conditions outlined by the president in his message announcing the diplomatic break with Germany as leading to a state of armed neutrality have now been fulfilled. The "overt act" described by him then has actually come; if, in fact, it had not already been committed when the president went before congress. Since then he established a state of armed neutrality without the specific authority of congress. rs. THE STORES TO CLOSE, A petition has "been circulated in ?mi. ? -? j.l_ ? -1 w*r_ -a Auueyuie ana uic uieruuiiiiu) ui 141c city have agreed to close their stores on April 1st for the summer season, at six o'clock. This is fifteen days earlier than they closed last year and this extra holiday is appreciated by all who will be free from work. This is one of the changes which may be attributed to the automobiles. Almost ev^ry one owns a car now and the desire is strong to "burn 'em up" along the public highways after six o'clock these bright days. DISTRICT SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION To Be Held at Lebanon Presbyterian Church Sunday, March 25. The Sunday School of every denomination are urged to send representatives to this meeting. Miss Ravenel, State worker from Spartanburg, Prof. R. B. Cheatham and Rev. M. R. Plaxco of Abbeville, and other Sunday School workers will address the convention. This district is composed of Abbeville, Cedar Springs and Magnolia township. The people of Lebanon will provide dinner on grounds. THE TIME FOR THE LECTURE. of a P.ahi4 TTrmcap AUV IVVVUAV WW WUV VVUA V Thursday night will be on "Norway, the Land of the Midnight Sun," and bids fair to be one of the most interesting of all the lectures. On account of the lengthening day, the time hereafter will be at half past eighturfcloclc - ~ v Come ou time and get a good seat ADAMSON 8-HOUR LAW IS UPHELD { Supreme Court Hands Down An Unusual Decision. t New York, March 19.?Shortly . after 2 o'clock this morning Secre. tarv Tjfliifi announced that the threat L ened strike of railway employes had j been averted, confirming an anl nouncement made by an official of i the conference committee of railway managers that the strike had been t declared off. ,>-f i \ The conference committee of rail1 road managers early this morning . authorized President Wilson's mediat tors to make whatever arrangements s ere necessary with the railroad , brotherhood to call off the threateni ed strike. The formal letter in which this authorization was made, signed by t Elisha Lee, chairman of the managel ers' committee was as follows: "In the national crisis precipitat1 ed by events of which we heard this ! afternoon the national conference * committee of railroads join with you in the conviction that neither at 1 home nor abroad should there be ' fear or hope that the efficient oper1 ation of the railroads of the country ; will be hampered or impaired. "Therefore, you are authorized to 1 assure the nation there will be no strike and as a basis for such assurance we hereby authorize the committee of the council of national' [ defense to grant to the employes who are about, to strike whatever ad! justment your committee deems necessary to guarantee the uninterrupted and efficient operations of the railroads as an indespensable | arm of national defense." The decision reached by the managers at their midnight conference , means that the brotherhoods have I won an important victory although it doe^ not bring them all their orig! inal demands. By the agreement it is assumed ; they will be awarded pro rata time for over time on the basis of an i eight hour day which they have been , assured. Their original demands called for time and a naif for over time on the i same basic day. , The managers left the conference room at 2 o'clock but the brother* , hood chiefs remained in conference ' with the mediators. The managers ^eaded by Elisha Lee, returned to the conference room at 2:20 and Secretary Lane sent for the newspaper men. Secretary ^Lane issued this statement: "Regardless of the decision of the supreme court on the Adamson law tne basic eight hour day will go into effect." "The details are being wprked upon by a joint committee which will have its negotiations completed by noon," Mr. Lane said. The men will get their present ten hours pay for eight hours work under the agreement. These concessions on the part of the managers are virtually what the employes contended they would gain under the Adamson law if it were declared constitutional. RUMORS OF WAR. D. H. Hill went down to Columbia on business Sunday and there was great excitement among our folks when someone started the report that as an old Clemson boy and one well versed in the military arts, Gov. Manning had sent for him to start the. movement to clean up the Germans in short order. He returned on Monday with nothing more formidable than a natty looking suit case full of legal papers. A MASONIC SUPPER. ^ The supper given by the Abbevile Lodge of Masons last Friday was a success in every way. Mr. Kenneth Ti^i i ? DttKer was 11 ere lrum vjrceuwuuu and was one of the speakers after the tapper. Sixty men were present and greatly enjoyed the supper which was served by the ladies of the Seceder church. A FAMILY GATHERING. Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Speed will have the happiness to have all their children at home with them the latter part of this week. Mr. Owens Speed comes up from Charleston on Friday* while Mrs. Marchant and her fine young son, and Preston Speed will come down from Greenville Saturday. Mr. Marchant will spend Sunday in the city. SEEING THE GIRLS. In the spring time a young man's fancy turns lightiv to love and as last Sunday was tne first spring day I we have had, John Lomax, one of Abbeville's gay young sports, reaolv, ed to see all his sweethearts on the same day. His travels took him to Belton, Hodges, Greenwood, War> renton, Salak, Darraughs and Pratt's ; station. rr^ !i i U.J . Itto auu uou ? 5^ ?UU | * ENTENTE MAKES C MORE ADVANCES u?l r> i. r-_: I r muui uruuiius ucuiicu ? In France By the British The sinking of three American steamers by German submarines with 0j possible loss of life among the crews fC of two of them; further important ^ advances over a front of about 100 8{ miles by the British and French ar- CI mies in France and additional gains ;r by the Russians and British over the Turks in Turkish Armenia, Persia and C( Mesopotamia are the outstanding fea- 0j turea in the war news. The American steamer Vigilancia ^ City of Memphis and Illinois were the vessels sent to the bottom by Ger- ^ man submarines. The Vlgllancia was ?<c torpedoed without warning and the City of Memphis was torpedoed after w the crew had been given 16 minutes u to leave the ship. The Illinois is re- m ported merely as having been "sunk." ^ The crew of the Illinois waa saved, A; but members of the crews of both the Vlgllancia and the City of Memphis, jj most of them Americans, are missing R The important towns of Peronne, ?>, Chaulnes and Nesle, and more than ^ 60 villages have been taken by the 0f British troops on a front of some 45 miles, and King George's men are et continuing their pursuit of the retreat ln ing Germans. gj At some points Sunday's Incursions cc Into German positions were to a depth h( of ten miles: The operations were ^ carried out on a front running from Arras to Chaulnes. ' A Taking up the operations south of A Chaulnes, the French recaptured their old positions on the Roye-Noyon road and including the important town of Noyon. In this region, northeast of W Lassigny, the French have penetrated el more than 12 miles through the Gef- cfc man positions toward the town 6f ca Ham. M To the southeast the entire first line at of the Germans, including the vll- lo lages of Carlehont, Morsam 'and ar Nouvron Vongre were captured by Yi the French while northeast of Soiss, wi ons, Crouy has been taken. fr The armies of the Russian grand pC duke, Nicholas, are pressing the m Turks in the Lake Van and Sivas re- ^ glons In Turkish Armenia and In Persia In operations which have as their objective the cutting off of the Turks who are Leing pressed northward by the British in Mesopotamia. Unofficial reports say the town of J>( Van, on the east bank of Lake Van, Jjjj has been captured by the Russsians / and that further gains have been made by them In the region of Ker- he manshah. In Mesopotamia the Otto- co mail forces are in full flight in the hi direction of Samaria, north of Bagdad, ed according to the British war office. to re ENTERTAINING AT BRIDGE. cc te Mrs. Sol Rosenberg entertained the Bridge club at a charming aa meeting last Friday afternoon with ^ her sister, Miss Julia Schwerin as guest of honor. There were seven tables of players, there being guests outside the club. Cream chicken, aspic, fruit salad and tea was served as refreshments, hs The afternoon was a most pleasant nt one. fr MISS GERTRUDE CALVERT D: ? r Mr. W. A. Calvert was called to b? ? ? " ? 1 L rm vl Keel springs, n? U.t mat luuiouajr on account of the illness of Miss Gertrude Calvert, who is attending The Flora McDonald School. Miss Gertrude was suddenly attacked with _, appendicitis. She was taken immediately to the Chester hospital and was operated on successfully Sunday yc morning:. Her many friends in Ab- ca beville will be glad to know that she ai is doing nicely. ' ! wi A PLEASANT PARTY. Gi It Mrs. Rayford Power and Mrs. dr Frank Benton entertained their he friends at a pleasant party last Wed- va nesday afternoon at their home on ca upper Main street. The house was in thrown all together and the dainty ar rooms were made more beautiful wi with vases of flowers and pot plants, kr ^VtttAA 4>nk1oo A# vaaIt ni* JLI1C1C WCIC bUigc taciVkj v* AWA ?jt and five tables of bridge players. ur Mrs. Power and Mrs. Benton prov- th ed themselves charming hostesses. ra so STORES TO CLOSE AT 6 O'CLOCK ab t . . i bi Take Notice, that beginning on April the lsi all the business houses w of Abbeville will begin closing their vi stores at 6 o'clock and will continue ar to do so until Sept. the 15th. Now if WJ the City Council will pass an Ordinance setting the clock up one hour it will give the clerks and others one hour more to enjoy the afternoon. ^ It would mean that instead of clos- n( ing at 6 that we would really close ^ at 5, but would go to work one hour n( earlier in the morning. ty TWO NEW ALDERMEN NAMED ch * ?* 01 In Tuudtj'i second primary n? Dr. J. R. Nickles won over Tru- az man SUrni in ward four, 47 80 to 36. u . In ward 2 Bon Cochran, won over Evans, 33 to 32. ? :ZAR DEPOSED BY REVOLUTIONISTS Umpire Is Shaken to Its Very Foundation By Fierce Revolution. Stockholm, March 16.?The empire I Russia has been shaken In Its tundatlon by a revolt, the fierceness id exact consequences of which are ill shrouded behind a rell of se ecy?the same that managed to hide om the world for fully a week that le long-smouldering sparks of dlsrntent had been fanned to the fury ! rebellion. Nicholas II Is ho longer czar of all ie Russlas. He has abdicated his Lrone and Is today a refugee at the jadquarters of some loyal army chief lomewhere on the eastern front." 1 His brother, Michael Alexandrovitch ho six years ago, fled the empire as 1 exile because of his morganatic arrlage, has been appointed regent i act for the 13-year-old czarvitch, lexis Nicolalevitch. London, March 17.~-Grand Duke Ichael has accepted the throne of ussla, conditioned on the consent of ie Russian people, according to a atement here today from the semtBclal Russian news agency. New York, March 17-?The Russian apress and crown prince are safe , Finland and the emperor at the lotgorsky monastery In PskofT, acirdlng to a cablegram made public jre today by the Russian-American static corporation. ? UTOMOBILE PRESENTED TO REV. F. H. WARD LAW York, March 17.?The Rev. F. H. ardlaw of Charlotte, N. C., pastorect of Bethesda Presbyterian lurch, has been presented a touring ir by^the Bethesda congregation, r. Wardlaw spent Monday night id Tuesday in the Bethesda section oking over his new field of labor id Wednesday morning, while in Drk en route home, was presented ith the automobile by a committee om the church. Mr. Wardlaw extcts to move . his family to the anse at Guthriesville and assume s pastoral duties about April 1. j THE RT.ITF. JAf.ICF.TS_ Some of the enterprising little >ys around town have organized'a iseball team and named themselves rhe Blue Jackets." They have cared a petition around asking for >lp to buy their outfit and have llected the magnificent sum of ne dollars, which they have investl in mits, bats, balls and protecrs. The Blue Jackets are now ady for any challenge and are nfident that they can clean up any am in the town or county. The boys have enjoyed the money' i much as the older men have in ntributing and in reading the peaon. BUYING PROPERTY. Dr. and Mrs. . J. Irwin Gilmer ive bought a home on Nickles avete and are moving in this week om Magazine street Dr. Gilmer is with the McMurray rug Co., and is a young man our lople think well of., Mrs. Gilmer is made many friends in Abbeville bo are glad to feel that they will ake their home in our town permaintly. CAR LOOPED THE LOOP.. 1 ' ' \ Eugene Breazeale, the seventeenlar-old son of W. E. Breazeale, me near losing his life yesterday ternoon when a delivery -truck he as driving, looped the loop and mped the gap at the corner of reenville street and the Boulevard, is said that the young man was iving the car at good speed when i attempted to turn into the Bouleird from Greenville street The r slid a good distance and ran to a telephone post, rebounding id striking a tree. It was badly recked. Young Breazeale was aonsoUu nnd when nicked > by several gentlemen was in an iconscious condition, remaining at way for some time. He waa shed to a hospital, where he was on brought around. He will probily feel a bit sore for some days, tt will soon be himself again.?The nderson Farmers Tribune. Eugene is the son of Mr. and Mrs. '. E. Breazeale who lived in Abbelle several years ago. Friends here e glad to laiow that this accident is not serious. A GOOD CITIZEN. Mr. S. T. Young, of Troy, was in bbeville on last Thursday on busiiss. Mr. Young is now a citizen of cCormick county, though he was kt in favor of leaving1 the old coun until the people 'voted for the Jinge. Nevertheless, he will make ie of the leading citizens of the jw county, and his common sense id good judgment will be worth mnf>iino? to the conntv authorities. only hi* advice in public matters deeded. GOVERNMENT GETS READY FORWAR VIRTUAL STATE OF WAR EXISTS ? President Utilizes Navy Emergency Fund of > v. J $115,000,000 NAVY AND WAR DEPARTMENTS AT WORK, FORMER ESPECIamy nriNr. irrivr im ab. . RANGING FOR COAST PATROL AGAINST SUBMARINES? TO HASTEN GRADUATION OF AN. NAPOLIS CLASSES. ? Washington, March 19.?Prepare- - xi tion for aggressive action by the ^ nary against the German submarine jnenace began today at'the direction > of President Wilson. The president authorized the expenditure of the $115,000,000 emer- ' ^ gency fund provided by congress to speed up naval construction and pay specie! additional war cntft and the suspension of the eight hour labor law in plants engaged on naVy work. ' > Immediately afterward Secretary Daniels ordered the New York pavy yard to begin building 60 submarine chasers of tbe 110 foot type, to be completed in from 60 to 80 days. With the president's approval die . secretary also ordered the graduation of the first and second classes \ >: kit the naval academy. The first class will go out March 29r supplying 172 . junior officers to fill existing Vacancies, and the second-in September*/. 'J furnishing 202 mora a. full jear b*> fore they otherwise would be available. While the energies of the navy jwill be concentrated for the present 'on efforts to get^ into commission craft designed particularly to de troy submarine* and guard thm .toast, warships building generally will be speeded up under the recent agreement with private builders and iwith the funds now mede available. The announcements from the department followed an hour's conference between Secretary Daniels and the president, who walked over from the White House "to the state, wkr and navy building for the purpose. Engines for the "chasers" to be turned out by the New York plant will be bought from private manufacturers in tiiAe to have them installed promptly upon completion of the hulls. Bids for 200 or more additional craft of the same type "coast patrol boats," as they are to be designated, will be opened next Wednesday. Mr. .Daniels has called upon the entire ^mall boat industry to submit figures as to the number that could be turn- , out at high speed. He plans to manapollze the market with government orders. I A large number of privately ownted motor craft available for navy . use may be drawn upon at any time. ' Retired navy officers have been, at work along the Atlantic coast sur* * j; veying boats for a.month. Contracts have been made for tfieir purchase and a telegraphic order will make them government property overnight Volunteer cretfs for - the boats . have been enrolled among yachtsmen and others along the coast* Navy officials estimate that within \ four month* a fleet or <,uw paum* , and chasers will bo ready for action. It is planned to assemble tbo volnn* teera within a few days to begin actual operations as a matter of training, ponding orders from the president for complete mobilization of the nary. HOME ON A VISIT. Mrs. M. B. Reese leaves this week for her home in Oxford, Miss., where she will visit for some time. Mrs. Reese goes to see her mother, Mrs. Wardlaw, who has been quite sick, with pneumonia. She is better now _ . which is good news to her friends ana relatives in nuuomc. Mrs. Reese will be accompanied by her three bright and interesting * little girls. *r OFF ON A VISIT. Mrs. S. E. Bradley leaves this week for Chester, where she will visit for two weeks with the family of her niece, Mrs. D. G. Phillips, after which die will go to Union for a stay of some duration with her OATl Mi- TntA Tlrftdlev. WELL, AND AT HOME. [ Amos Morse it at home after a while spent in an Atlanta hospital. His friends are glad to (tee him and. : to know that he is well again. . ) . i. . .