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II tVJMTEK WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Ihm and Fear not?riet an ?ne end? Tbon Alant at ho ttiy ?Jonuwj a Ihy God'? ?ad IMV VHSt TBUK nOUTUKON, BMaMIdna? tmm, MW Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. 8UMTER, S. C, WEDNESDAY. MARCH 14. 1917. Vol. XLIV. No. 8. L_ -_ ?AT MOOT DM SIGHT AWBRICAK rESSELS DEEM GER? MAN SUBMARINE HOSTILE CRAFT IN BARRED WAR ?onm Given Instructions Protection by President? Is Taken on Germany** De? af Old Law of Visit and Search Teasel to Prove Its Hostility. Ington. March 10.?The mere of a German submarine periscope in the presence of an a armed merchantman will thv merchantmen to take all of prou tion on the pre xaptlon the submarine is hostile, ruling of the 8tate department, that American mer could fire on German sub? tree moment it was sighted, on Germany's declared Inten of sinking on sighr all Vviels In barred sone. United States holds that denial f Germany of the old rule of visit rch make* all u-boats actual ? i hostile. Whether the I'm ted States rules for the instruction of shipping la not known. Secretary Lansing denied that the farted States la preparing a whlto of Germany's plots in this coun What American ships will be arm first and when they sail will bo secret In order to avoid end an I Jives of Americans aboard. Of circles are confident Secretary ilels* appeal to newspapers not to iblieh ship movements or arming of dps will be observed. AUTOMOBIL*: EXHIBITION 9m Be HeM In Columbia March 14th U> 17th. Columbia. March 8.?Columbia's annual automobile show, opens Wednesday, March It, g||sa promise of being one of the big ; geet' and best that has been held in the South. It prognlses to far eejffij?' the maiden effort last yoar wnich wasj ddgiared by "those who know" to hsrVi been' one of the most attractive la tH.S section L ' One- of the features, aside from the exhibits themselves, will be a cou? ple of young women who will enter fala the audiences every afternoon and evening with songs and bal-1 lads. Miss lsea Leland is known as the "personality girl," and Miss Jo? sephine Herman as the character, Singer. Miss Leland was formen With the "Everywoman" company. Mksj Herman has appeared In vaude- j vllle. Another feature of the musical pro? gram will be the Instrumental music, furnished by Schumacher's orchestru each evening. This guarantees good music. Many cars will be on exhibit. One J af the nifty models will be a new model Sedan which Is built according to latest Ideals and one of the most up-to-date on the market. Each dealer and exhibitor will be repre? sented by one of his best and newest designs. The room with automobile acces? sories will also be filled with attrac? tive exhibits, such as seen In the la teat automobile shows. Craven hall has been enlarged for the show and this will sllow more room for exhibits and for tho specta tere. The show will open on Wednesday evening, March 14. and will continue through Saturday night from 11 o'clock each morning until 11 O'clock at night. Account of the Stajle Teach? ers* association and other attractions In Columbia at that time. It is expect? ed that there will be large crowd* from all sections of the State. The show has been planned along modern methods and will cope with any of those in the larger cities. RERN'STORt't' IN NORWAY. German Ambassador to Amer? ica X earing Germany. London, March 10.?Count \ > Bernstorn* has arrived at Christ ..ma Norway, according to a Copenhagen dispatch. New York. March 9.?One meal I day for seven days wus gunrant . to 1,200,000 destitute Belgian ch l dren today when The Literary Dip si handed Herbert C, Hoover, chairman of the commission for relief In Bei? glum, a check for $300.000 0sail lb uted to the magazinex rollef fund. Ottawa, March I.?The British gov? ernment Is negotiating for the por ehase of the entire wheat crop of Canada, It was announced here to. alght WILSON CALLS EXTRA SESSION FROM SICK DED PRESIDENT ORDERS ARMING OF MER? CHANT SHIPS. Take? Stops for Protecting Vessels in Order to Maintain Freedom of Sens, Despite German Submarine War? Step Is Regarded as Unavoidable. Washington, March 9.?President Wilson, from a sick bed, today order? ed the arming of American merchant ships against Germany's ruthless sub? marine warfare and at the same time Issued a proclamation calling an ex' rr. session of congress to meet April 16. The president's decision came sud? denly late this afternoon, following the action of the senate yesterday in rovlslng its rules to permit prompt ac? tion on Important questions and the submission of formal opinions by Secretary Lansing and Attorney Gen? eral Gregory that he has the power to arm merchantmen without action by congress. Details of the govern? ment's armed neutrality plans for de? fending the merchant marine were withheld to avoid endangering Ameri? cans and their ships by permitting the information to reach Germany. The only statemnt at the White House and the navy department was that the president had determi: 1 fully to protect American rights. The decision, coming at the end of a period of tense waiting, was gen orally hailed as the natural and un? avoidable next step in the policy adopted by the president when fee broke off diplomatic relations With Germany, and gave warning that the United Statt*? could not tolerate at? tacks on American ships and citizens In violation of international law. Fraught with the grave possibility of war with Germany, tho action was taken by President Wilson only after he was convinced that Germany ac? tually was proceeding with her cam? paign of ruthlesMncss and had made efforts to plot with Mexico and Japan against the territorial Integrity of the United States. Long before the order was given from the White House, all necessar? preparations for the arming of mer? chantmen had been completed at the navy department. The president's declrion sent a thrill through the senate, meeting in special session, and In government depart? ments. Still hoping that war with Germany will be avoided officials de? clared that the Issue rests entirely with Germany. Formal announcement of the gov? ernment's policy was given in the fol? lowing announcement issued from tho White House: "Secretary Tumulty stated In con? nection with the president's call for an extra sh;3lon of congress that the president Is convinced that he has the power to arm American merchant ships and he is free to exercise It at once. But so much necessary legisla? tion Is pressing for consideration that he is convinced that it is for tho best ' Interests of the country to have an early session of the Sixty-fifth con? gress, whose support he will also need In all matters collateral to the de? fense of our morchant marine." Tho proclamation calling the extra session of congress follows: "Whereas public interests require that tho congress of the United States should be convened In extra session at 12 o'clock, noon, on the 16th day of April, 1917, to receive such communi? cations as may be made by the execu? tive; "Now, therefore, I, Wood row Wil? son, president of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim and de? clare that an extraordinary occasion requires the congress of the United States to conveno in extra session at the capltol In the city of Washington, on the 16th day of April, 1917, at 12 j o'( lock, noon, of which all persons j who shall at that time be entitled to I act as members thereof aro hereby requested to take notice. "Given under my hand and the teal of the United States of America the Oth day of March in the year of our l>>rd one thousand nine html 1 and seventeen and of the Independence of tho United States the 111st." The president sinned the proclama? tion calling the extra session of con? gress and authorized publication of the e xplanatory statement ? i?h Sec retary Tumulty standing at hll bed side. A severe cold h ?s kept him from seeing callers for three days and he was put to bed by his physician yes? terday. In deciding that he had power to at m merchantmen, the president took the position that an old statute passed In 181!?. cited in the senate debate M prohibiting such step without con? gressional action, has no application to the present situation. He Is satis DECISION LEFT TO WILSON. GERMANY HAS SPOKEN HER LAST WORD. Foreign Minister Zimmermann De? clares His Country Still Stands Ready to Head Peace Move. Amsterdam (via London), March 9. ?Dutch newspapers publish the fol? lowing statement made by Dr. Alfred Zimmerman, the German foreign secretary, to a representative of a Budapest newspaper; "As far as the United States is concerned, we have spoken our last word and the decision is in President Wilson's hands. "We are determined to carry through the submurine war to the end. The results of unrestricted sub? marine war thus far have been very satisfactory. "As to peace I may say that de? spite the refusal of our peace offer Germany still stands by the words o' the imperial chancellor and is pre? pared to place herself at the head of an alliance of states for the mainten? ance of the world's peace. "As to European neutrals I be? lieve there will be no change in their present relations with us in the course of the war. Neutral ship own? ers should give up their trade with England. They have made enough m^ey and can afford to bear the loss of English trade. They will 30on rec? ognize that it is to their interest to keep their ships at home so that they may use them to the best advantage after the war." Dr. Zimmermann added that the military situation is entirely satisfac? tory to Germany. PRESIDENT Midi DETTER. still roninm Himself to His Room. However, and Makes No Engage? ment?. Washington, March 10.?President Wilson has practically recovered from tho cold which kept him In bed for four days. Ho remained in his .room this morning, however, and has made no engagements. MANY UNFILLED ORDERS. I'nited States Steel Corporation Ha Record Licakuig shell Business, Xew York. March 10.?Unfilled or? ders with the I'nited States Steel Cor? poration February 2Sth amounted to 11,570,01)0 tons, breaking all record bed that the nation stands behind I hin und accepts the overwhelming vote in the house on the armed neu? trality bill and the opinion of a large majority of the senate as proof of the attitude of congress. Although the bill -which failed of passage in the senate provided for a bond issue of S 100,000,000 to pay the expenses of armed neutrality the government has sufficient money available for its immediate purposes. I Congress will be asked to provide j more when the extra session co:i venes. Under a bill passed during the last days of the last congress, the funds at the disposal of the federal war risk bureau to insure American ships was increased to $15,000,000. Armed neutrality is expected to re? move the practical blockade of Amer? ican ports and place the issue of eventual war squarely upon Ger? many. An attack upon an armed American vessel will precipitate a fight If tho ship gets sight of tho sub? marine and an unwarned attack will be regarded by the United States as an act of war. Germany and Austria both have de? clared armed merchantmen war ves? sels. These declarations were based largely on the charge that British merchant ships used their armament offensively and it remains to be seen whether Germany will so class and treat American craft with defense arms. The whole of German press com? ment and unofficial utterances since the question was raised in this COUn try has indicated the conviction that any armed vessel should be consid? ered hostile and sunk in the same way as a belligerent war veasel. There has bo?.?n no official expression on the subject. Germany's exact policy towards American vessels sailing through the war Rone since Its proclamation Feb? ruary 1 has been quite clear, ow? ing to the fact that less than a dozen such voyages have been made and It 1? possible that all the vessels that es? caped succeded in avoiding the sub? marines entirely. It has been suggested that Ger? many probably Issued instructions to her commanders not to sink Anierl GERMAN SAILORS GOUTY. EIGHT MEMBERS OP LIEBEN - FELS CHEW CONVICTED. Charge of Sinking Ship Sustained With Acquittal on Allegation oi' Conspiracy?Defendants Offer No Testimony. Florence, March 9.?Eight officers and men of the Cferman Hansa line steam freighter Liebenfels, which be? gan sinking in Charleston harbor on the night of January 31, were this afternoon found guilty of sinking the vessel in a navigable stream, by a jury here in the United States district court, Judge Henry A. M. Smith of Charleston, presiding. They were found not guilty of conspiracy to sink her. The jury recommended mercy. Sentence has not been passed. Capt. Johann R. Klattenhoff, master of the Liebenfels, was the only one of the indicted men whose trial was post? poned. He is confined to a Charles? ton hospital. The convicted men arc: Johann Luhken, chief officer; George Sunkel. third officer: Jonas Edward Jansen, chief engineer; Heinrich Wattenberg, assistant engineer; Johann Wilhelm Buse, second assistant engineer; Moritz von Th?len, third assistant en? gineer; August Neuse, fourth assist? ant engineer; Wilhelm Schawarting. machinist. All are Germans except Jansen, who Is a Danish subject. Several of the men are German naval reservists. Counsel for the defense argued strongly that the men should not be punished, Intimating that they were only carrying out orders. The defense offered no testimony. The government Introduced testi? mony to show that the seal of tho United States government had been broken on the wireless apparatus which had been wrecked, that the ma ! chinerv had been seriously disabled and that the seacocks were open. Mftj Gilbert A. Youngbcrg, corps of engi? neers, IT. S. A. in charge of this dis? trict, said that, in his opinion, the wreck of the Uebenfels constituted a possible menace to navigation of the channel leading to the U/nitcd States navy yard at Charleston. The Liebenfels began to sink on the night of January 31. The plight of the freighter was observed early on the morning of February 1 by tho tugs Cecelia and Wal-an, which i ; promptly offered assistance Which 1 was refused by chief Officer Lubkcn. I on the ground that Capt. Klattenhof? I was not on board. Later In the r\ the collector of the port. Fred C Peters, and a party of United States officials visited the wreck and as no? body was aboard the collector took charge, leaving deputies on guard day and night. Warrants were sworn out against tho nine defendants charging them with sinking the freighter. United States Marshal J. L. Sims thereupon took charge. The Liehen fels is being floated under the super? vision of Maj. Youngherg. It is expected that she will be given necessary repairs at the Charleston navy yard, after which she will rid' at anchor in the Cooper rivei. IMPRISONMENT AND FIXE. I Officers of Liebcnsfels Must Serve One Vcnr in Atlanta Prison und Pay Fine of $500?Case is Appealed. Florence, March 10.?The eight of? ficers of the German freighter Liben fels, sunk in Charleston harbor Jan? uary 31st, were sentenced to a year each in the Atlanta Federal peniten? tiary and fined $f)00 each. They were convicted yesterday of sinking the vessel in a navigable stream. The cases have been appealed and bonds fixed at $0,000 each. They are being held under guard because the.\ were not able to give bonds immediately. can ships without every precaution for those on board, as a last hope of keeping America out of the war. The ruthless destruction of passenger liners like the California and the La conia. however, is felt here to render this belief Improbable. The effect of America's action noon otherineutral nations will be awaited with keen interest. Vessels of those countries too have been holding to port through terror of the German menace. The throttling of neutral shipping both British and German exports have stated to be the most serious result of the German campaign to date and has exceeded in effects the actual amount of tonnage destroyed. Several German authorities, have indicated that so long as thev could terrorise neutral vessels and continue their at? trition on British shipping the even? tual starvation of England was cei tain. MANY DROWN IN COLLISION. BRITISH TRANSPORT SUNK OFF ISLE OF WIGHT. Ten Europeans ami six Hundred and Fifteen Native South African La? borers Perish. London, March 9.?The British transport Mendt, carrying South Af? rican native laborers, was sunk after a collision on February 21 and 625 persons lost their lives. Ten of the persons lost were Eu? ropeans, according to the announce? ment by Premier Botha. The col? lision occurred off the Isle of Wight. The official announcement says: j "Premier Botha stated to the South I African parliament today that the transport Mendi, carrying the last batch of South African native laborers contingent (the rest of whom were landed safely in France) collided with another vessel cn route from England to Havre and sank in 25 minutes. "The collision occurred Off the Isle of Wight February 21. The escort's searchlight could not penetrate the fog, but the survivors were rescued ! by passing vessels. Twelve European officers and 191 natives were saved. Ten Europeans and 615 natives were lost . "Difficulty in obtaining authentic information caused the delay in mak? ing the announcement public. Premier Botha said that the relatives of those natives who are presumed to have been drowned would be advised. He added mt the magistrate and native commissioners had heen Instructed to inform the chiefs, head men and the people so that they might know the truth and not heed idle and mis? chievous stories which experience proved might be circulated. The im? perial authorities, he declared, would pay compensation to natural benc I ftcaries." I - I The Mendi was a British steamer j of 4.230 tons gross, built in Glasgow ; in 1906 and owned by the British end African Steam Navigation com ; peny Ltd., of Liverpool (the Elder, i Dempster company), the last entry in shipping records regarding her movements was on December 27, last. when she was reported at arriving a4 j Port Natal from Dar-es-Salaam. - NINE STEAMERS SUNK. Many Men from Italian Transport Lost in Rough Seas When Vessel I Sank. I Berlin, March 10.?The admiralty i announced that nine steamships, three vessels with an aggregate tonnage of thirty-two thousand, had been sunk in the Mediterranean. The list given was as follows: The armed Italian steamer Morino, the Indian transport Rosalie, the armed British Reamers Wathtield, Tojanprince, Brunby and Craigendoran, a French steamer, an armed hostile transport and the Greek steamer Victoria. The an? nouncement said that two Italian sol? diers from the Italian transport Mi nas, sunk February 15th, declared thousands of soldiers aboard the Ml nas perished because of the rough seas. ERECTING BIG RADIO STATION. , Americana Say Mexicans Plan for Wireless Connection With Ger? many. Galveston, March 10.?American passengers arriving on the Wolvine liner.Harald from Vera Cruz de? clare that a powerful radio station is being erected near Mexico City under direction of German engineers. They said they had positive information the station was expected to establish di? rect connection with Berlin. SMUGGLING EFFORT! DISCOVER? ED. Efforts Alleged to Have Been Made to Remove Articles From Interned German Cruisers. Philadelphia, March 10.?Alleged attempts to smuggle goods on and off the German commerce raiders Kr?n-1 prlns Wilhelm and Prince Eitel Friedrieh here arc being Investigated by federal authorities. A sergeanl In the United States marines is said t<> be involved. Arrests are expected as the outcome of the Investigation. MORE MEN JOIN ARMY. Recruiting of Regulars Shows Big In? crease. Washington, March 8.?Recruiting during February resulted In 1,852 men being added i?? the regular army, the war department announced today. Officers behoved the army can be I brought to its authorized strength be-j fore Juno o0. ATTITUDE OF BERLIN IS ANX? IOUSLY AWAITED IN NEW MOVE. I?ossible Thnt Action of German Sub marine Commamler May Bring on Conflict Despite Efforts to Avoid It. Washington, March 9.?Armed neu? trality will be the status of the Unit? ed States the moment the first mer? chant ship under the American flag puts to sea with cannon mounted for defense. President Wilson made this clear in his address to congress February 26 when he asked specific authority to arm merchant ships for defense against submarines?the steps he or? dered today upon his own responsi? bility. Writers on international law have held that armed neutrality consits in placing the country in a position to defend itself and its neutrality against threatened attacks or inroads by bel? ligerents. This state of preparedness may last an indefinite length of time, through good fortune in avoiding contact with belligerent forces afloat or ashore, or to confine its declaration of purpose to infringe the neutrality of a coun? try to mere threats unsupported by action. On the other hand, the status of armed neutrality may change to one of actual hostility through a col? lision?such as submarine attack on an armed merchantman. President Wilson has said that It may not be necessary to put armed forces anywhere into action. All will depend upon the future attitude of Germany and the treatment of Amer? ican ships by German submarine commanders. In his address to congress the president said: "I am not now propos? ing or contemplating war or any steps that lead to it. I merely request that you will accord me by your own vote and definite bestowal th? means and authority to safeguard in practice the right of a great people who are at peace and who are desirous of ex? ercising none but the rights of peace to follow the pursuit of peace in quiet? ness and good will. V. S. FORCES AT SANTL\GO. American Marines and Sailors Land? ed, Causing People to Regain Their Confidence. Santiago, Cuba, March 8.?With the rich cane fields and the big Union Sugar mill at San Luis, ten miles from Santiago burning, 400 American marines and sailors are in charge of Santiago tonight and fighting in this city has ceased. The American forces were landed from the mine-layer San Francisco, the cruiser Olympia, the gunboat Pet? rel and the gunboat Machias. The people of Santiago have regained con? fidence since the landing of the American troops. At San Luis, however, the residents are greatly alarmed and have built barricades in the streets expecting at? tack from the rebels. Heavy fighting is reported in the vi? cinity of Palma Coriano. Many civilians are leaving the city to join the constitutionalist army, it was reported tonight. f SCORES GERMAN GOVERNMENT Socialist Member of Diet Says Public Food supplies are Unfit to Ent. The Hague, March 10.?The Ber? lin Vorwaertz quotes Herr Hofer, a Socialist deputy, in the recent food debate in the Prussian diet as saying that food served in public kitchens is unfit for consumption. He asked the government if it is not satisfied in our hatred by the whole world without causing a revolution at home. APPOINTS HOME BOARD. Governor Names Confederate Commis? sion. Columbia, March 10.?The throe members of the board of eommis Stoners of the Confederate infirmary were appointed yesterday by Go v. Manning. Members of the board are: H. E. rhompson Of Columbia. S. R. Dendy >f Walhalla and S. E. Welch of Charleston. The appointments take dVect March 16. Mr. Dendy was ap? pointed to succeed the late W. H. trummond. London. March 9.?Count von Zep iclin was suffering from dysentery Or some time prior to his death and inderwent an operation, according to l Berlin dispatch. He appeared to ie recovering when mumps developed md iator infiammution of the lungs.