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Newspaper
Fairfield Journal
Location
Fairfield, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Feb 28, 1917
Page
5
Washington reports two American women dead as a German submarine attack on the Laconia stirs a congressional battle over arming ships. President Wilson acts at risk, with La Follette opposition delaying authority while consul Frost lists American casualties and ship losses.
Former U S envoy and his wife depart Spain aboard a vessel bound for the United States. The party has halted in Madrid for final formalities before resuming their crossing home.
Official figures from the disaster list 294 passengers and crew aboard the Laconia. Survivors totaled 267 landed at Bantry and Queenstown. Fourteen drowned and five tied of exposure buried at sea. Additional reports name Americans saved including Robert Gillis of Ridgewood Brooklyn and a Baltimore man identified as Thomas Coffee.
Corunna Spain February 28 It has become known that on his departure from Berlin ex Ambassdor Gerard received a personal warning from a German official friend not to sail for the United States. The warning’s existence is known only to Gerard and trusted confidants causing anxiety about the Infanta Isabel voyage. Gerard takes the warning seriously.
Sam Whitehurst of Berlin NL is jailed in Quincy Illinois after using the assumed name Charles Robinson to wed Hagel Hurd of Lawton Iowa and then forging checks in Sioux City to fund a honeymoon. Hagel Hurd has been returned home by her father.
A rear end collision on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Mount Union killed nineteen passengers and a porter. The list includes T N Bright and Chester Minds a former Penn football star, with victims from New York Cleveland Rainey and Denver among others.
Berlin reports from Overseas News state the release of the Yarrowdale prisoners is postponed because an infectious illness has broken out at their residence. A quarantine is needed for several people about to depart Germany. The Americans are stated to be safe and well.
New York February 28 Senate judiciary committee unanimously votes to report favorably the woman suffrage referendum bill. Also noted is George Young, nephew of Mrs. Mary Hoy, who died with her daughter after exposure when the Laconia was torpedoed, planning letters to officials urging protection for Americans at sea.
Washington reports bids to the Navy Department for 2400 one pound guns and mounts 250 three inch guns and mounts and several four and five inch mounts. The guns are described as highly effective against submarines and as the size used on merchant ships if Congress orders.
An official statement says forces entered German lines southeast of Vailly and returned with prisoners. Patrol engagements occurred in Bezonvaux and the Vosges, while elsewhere the front remains quiet.
Berlin Feb 28 Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg criticized President Wilson for breaking off relations with Germany after a note on Jan 31. He cited U S actions as unprecedented and argued for maintaining neutral shipping rights while condemning Britain’s sea power. He recalled historic U S‑German friendship and noted shifts in wartime policy including arms embargo debates.
The Hague reports no clear government plan yet for the submarine attack on a Dutch steamer flotilla off the English coast. A peaceful solution is anticipated, potentially Germany ceding ships to replace lost tonnage to stabilize food supply. There is talk of urgent cattle fodder shortages and broader wartime disruptions.
The steamship Frederick VIII departed Halifax Nova Scotia on February 28 bound for Copenhagen carrying Count von Bernstorff former U S ambassador and a large contingent of German passengers including other officials and travelers.
New York February 28. The Standard Oil company will seek indemnity for the destruction of its oil properties in Roumania during the German invasion.
Berlin reports that thirty Tirpitz supporters led by Count von Hoensbroech held a meeting to discuss changing the chancellor. Proponents plan rallies in major towns and seek newspaper backing to force a government leadership change. Socialist and Liberal papers condemn the action.
Evansville Indiana February 28 Judge Hostetter convened superior court at 12 30 am and by 1 30 pm issued an injunction against an express company forbidding it from refusing liquor shipments into Tennessee as the bone dry law took effect that night Dealers said the ruling saved shipments that would have missed Tennessee before the Thursday deadline.
In Clinton Illinois on February 28 the circuit court denied motions for new trials in the Musser estate suits against Carl B. Person Chicago labor editor for 7000 and Attorney Arthur Miller against Attorney Frank Comerford for 10000. Judgments entered against Person and Comerford. Ends long wage labor dispute linked to Antone Musser's 1913 death.
A bill by Rep Miller of Kokomo would authorize a state coal investigation in Indiana. The measure includes a $1,000 appropriation and requires the commission to start within ten days of passage and report findings to the governor at the earliest opportunity.
Deputy Galli urged reprisal after a German wireless announcement said a camp for French and British officers was set up near the Karlsruhe royal residence to shield the palace from French air raids.
The will of Roger Casement, the former British knight and consul, who was hanged in Pentonville prison Aug. 3 after his conviction for conspiring to incite the Dublin revolt, was probated. It disposes of his estate of 675 pounds to his cousin Mrs. Perry.
Senator Stone introduced from the foreign relations committee a bill granting the President blanket powers to defend American rights at sea and authorize armament with a $100 million appropriation. Senator La Follette blocked immediate consideration, prompting a parliamentary clash and the measure being laid over.
Racine Wisconsin February 28 Representatives of local manufacturing firms assert Cedric B Ivatts acted as foreign representative for them during the Laconia disaster and that he was a naturalized U S citizen born in England. They say he left New York on February 17 and was seen off the ship Laconia while employed by Kennedy Mitchell Company of New York.
In Jacksonville on February 28 W J Bryan announced his opposition to granting broad powers to the President, saying authority should remain with Congress. He would go to Washington to influence denial, canceling five Florida engagements and telegraphing congressional friends. He expressed faith in the President's aims but warned against ceding Congress's power, regardless of confidence in the executive.
William Bailey Howland, president of the Independent corporation which publishes the Independent and the Countryside Magazine, died suddenly in his office from angina pectoris. He arrived at his office in the morning in apparent good health.
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