The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, March 21, 1917, Image 1
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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. . .