War clouds and global tensions loom in 1903 era events
A collage of 1903 headlines notes rising war talk between Japan and Russia, Britain’s shifting fortunes, and U S diplomacy. It reports theater fires, theater workers held on manslaughter charges, Ozilan and Lipton donations, ship insurance gains, and Oregon Washington Idaho gold production figures. The piece also mentions fires in Chicago theaters, gasped casualties, political maneuvers with Colombia and China, and imperial maneuvers in Europe and the Americas.
Chicago Theaters Closed By Mayor Order
Chicago theaters and museums shut tonight after Mayor Harrison ordered closures for health code violations in the wake of last Wednesday's disaster. Top venues in the business district remain sealed as inspectors report violations beyond lacking asbestos curtains.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Harrison
Tolman
Japan Will Not Hesitate to Use Force in Korea Crisis
Count Casini says Far Eastern situation is gloomy yet salvageable. Tokyo hints Russia’s failure to concede core demands may push Japan from diplomacy to war. Dispatches report public anger over delay, with threat to act if Russia defers til spring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Count Cassini
Japan
Corea
Tokio
Takahira
Russia
Negotiations Struck United against Sympathy by Action
A statement asserts that the people have acted throughout negotiations and will forfeit any sympathy in the country by striking first, signaling a hardline stance and warning against perceived provocation. The remark frames collective action as a decisive early move in the dispute.
Chicago to require automatic theater door system
GREAT SAFETY APPARATUS proposes an ordinance for Chicago theaters with over 500 seats to install an automatic doors system that opens all exits simultaneously tied to lighting. A trained theater employee in uniform, approved by the fire marshal, must operate the mechanism during public hours and test it before and after each performance. violations bring heavy fines and closure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Heavy Tax on Chinese Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver January 5 report on the head tax increase from 100 to 500 affecting Chinese aboard ships. Steamers must post larger deposits. the liner Danta reportedly deposits 95,000 for 70 Celestials. Canadian Pacific steamers face 100,000 per vessel and 500 per unaffiliated traveler if any escape occurs, with strict inspections for all Chinamen passing through.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vancouver
B. C
Gravelle Faces New Indictments in Helena Case
Helena Mont Jan 6 three indictments filed in district court against Tamnac Gravelle who was found guilty ten days ago of sending threatening letters to the Northern Pacific railroad company two informations allege blackmailing letters from Helena and one charges burglary in the first degree. Conviction penalty for burglary in the first degree ranges from ten years to life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helena
Mont
Tamnac Gravelle
Northern Pacific Railroad Company
Cold snap anticipated across several states
Washington reports cold wave warnings for Ohio West Virginia Alabama western Florida Arkansas and Indian Territory with expectations of a sharp freeze spreading across the region early January.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Ohio
West Virginia
Alabama
Florida
Arkansa
Indian Territory
Fire in Theater in Chicago Kills Hundreds
A Chicago fire at the Troquoia theater on December 31 caused a rapid stampede, gas explosions, and a high death toll estimated around 550 to 586 with many unidentified bodies. The new French Renaissance style venue, opened November 23, seated 1,724, and was deemed fireproof, though the crash and panic overwhelmed the exits as crowds fled to the streets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Troquoia
Mr. Blue Beard
Wding
China Blamed By Russia In Manchuria Dispute
Pekin Jan 1 Huy Ufen director of the imperial railroad returned from Port Arthur after interviewing Admiral Alexieff about Russia’s refusal to evacuate Manchuria. The Russian commander reportedly said Russia is disappointed by China’s rejection of proposals for an amicable settlement. Alexieff warned that China is being deceived by Japan into an unfriendly attitude.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pekin
Huy Ufen
Imperial Railroad
Port Arthur
Addmiral Alexieff
Russia
Mancheria
China
Livtan
Alexieff
Japan
Work Continues On James J Hill Steamships
In New York on January 1 seventeen hundred workers are at the James J Hill shipyard at New London Connecticut. Work is rushed to finish both steamships by next summer despite strikes earlier this year. If no new strikes arise, operations will continue steadily and both ships may be completed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
James J. T Hill
New London Conn
Japan Says It Must Strike If Russia Won't Accept Proposals
Berlin dispatch reports that the Lokal Ansolgor quotes Tokyo officials who warn the Japanese government cannot endure the present situation and will strike if Russia does not accept the proposals Japan has submitted, asserting they cannot wait longer for a final decision.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Lokal Ansolgor Without Reserve
Tokyo
Japan
Russia
City Mourns After Lroquis Theater Fire Tragedy
Chicago records total casualties near six hundred after the Lroquis theater fire killing and injuring about one thousand including 2,600 spectators and actors. Mayor Harrison urges omitting New Year celebrations as authorities sort missing and identified dead and wounded.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Lroquis
Carter Hl
Harrison
Fear for Jews January 7 Date Set in Russian Threat
Washington December 30 With aims to enlist US action against a planned massacre of Jews in Russia on January 7 the Russian Jewish societies will present an appeal to the state department Simon Wolf representing United Jewish societies will lay the case before officials and later meet President Roosevelt to discuss the status of Jews in Russia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
United States
Iowa
Russia
Simon Wolf
United Jew Societies
State Department
Woll
Roosevelt
Russia Will Save Hebrews in Kishineff Crisis
Washington reports Simon Wolfe of New York met with President Roosevelt to urge U S pressure on Russia for Jewish protection after Kishinev violence. The president directed consuls to report any risk of a repeat, and early replies were reassuring. Officials expect Russian steps to prevent a recurrence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Simon Wolfe
United States
Russia
Kishinef
Roosevelt
Wolfe
Bimeedi
State Department
Kishinev
Harmony club in Seattle appeals for aid over Kishinev massacre threat
The Harmony club of Seattle with 314 prominent Jewish citizens sent telegrams to President Roosevelt, Washington lawmakers, and William R. Hearst soliciting intercession for Jews endangered by a Kishinev massacre threat set for January 7. Governor McBride endorses the message.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seattle
Harmony Club of
Thin City
Roosevelt
Washington
Congress
William B. Hearst
New York
Kishinef
McBride
Harmony Club
M. Summerfield
Reevaluation of timber and stone act appeal in Congress
Representative Mondell urged against full repeal or radical revision of the timber and stone act before the public lands committee. He argued the act funds irrigation and reclamation, rejected broad fraud claims, and favored adjusting prices by region rather than a fixed per acre rate. Chairman Lacey supported amending the law to ensure reasonable government timber land prices while acknowledging regional value differences.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Mondell
Wyoming
Irrigation Committee
Public Lands Committee
Mandell
Oregon
Washingon
California
Inter-Mountain States
Lacey
There May Be War In The Far East
From St Petersburg dated January 2 the foreign dispatches provoke pessimistic editorials about a possible war. Novoe Vremya warns “there may be war tomorrow” while remaining hopeful for a peaceful settlement. Russia asserts it does not desire war but warns against any nations testing its resolve in the Far East.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Petersburg
Novoe Vremya
Japan
Russia
Far East
Hussia
Rugisa
China Crisis Echoes War Fears in Far East
France Paris January 2 The Chee Foo correspondent of the Paris edition of the New York Herald reports Colonel Artimeff close to Admiral Alexieff saying the situation is most critical The Japanese seem eager for war while Yuan Shi Kai leaders hold a hostile stance Disturbances in Manchuria stem from the Chinese government's backing of bandits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Chee Foo
Paria
New York Herald
Artimeff
Alexieff
Far East
Insurgent Ships Taken at Santo Domingo Port
The provisional government captured two vessels from Cormeno carrying arms and ammunition for the insurgents. The ships were brought to the port and 15 prisoners were landed. The insurgents who attacked General Inerrera were defeated and several prisoners taken amid yesterday morning fighting between government troops and insurgents outside the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santo Domingo
Provisional Government
Cormeno
Inerrera
Cty
December Surplus and Receipts in Government Statement
December 1903 government statement shows receipts around 42.75 million dollars and expenditures near 92.25 million, yielding a monthly surplus about 10.4 million. Five and six months’ totals project a deficit of about 8.49 million for the current six months of the year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Law to protect American weasels trading with Philippines
Washington reports that Congress is likely to pass a bill proposed by Senator Frye permitting protection for American vessels trading with the Philippines. The measure, backed by leaders including Lodge and Hanna, would impose penalties requiring cargoes from the archipelago to transit in American vessels, with a potential effective date of July 4, 1904.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Congress
Philippines
Newport News Shipbuilding Company
Frye
Lodge
Hanna
Maine
United States
Gorge In the Alleghany Creates Massive Ice Gorge
The Allegheny River ice jam near Rowstown backs up water across the lowlands after a recent cold snap. Ice broke into pieces and formed a 15 mile gorge downstream, with Springdale still holding while slight movement remains in the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pitteburg
Alleghany
Rowston
Springdale
Monongahela
Purchase of Tacoma Site Urged
Representative Cushman urged the Army General Staff for a favorable report to purchase the American Lake camp site near Tacoma. He also pressed Interior Department to reconsider its ruling that there is no authority to erect new buildings at the Payallap Indian School. This will be taken under advisement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Cushman
General Staff of
Army
American Lake
Tacomoa
Coshman
Interior Department
Payallap Indian School
Japan Pursues Argentine Warships Moreno and Rivadavia
London dispatch reports Japan negotiating to buy the Argentine warships Moreno and Rivadavia under construction at Genoa Italy. Japanese legation has not confirmed completion of the purchase and awaits word.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Japan
Warshipa
London
Moreno and Rivadavia
Genoa
Italy
Legation
Army to Panama Campaign Ordered for Pacific Coast
The army general staff ordered troops to prepare for a Panama campaign. Selected units include First, Fifth and Twenty-fourth field artillery battalions, Eighth field artillery at Vancouver barracks, Ninth and Fifteenth infantry units in California and Vancouver, and Fort McDowell, Fort Madison, Benicia, Fort Slocum, Fort McPherson. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Shaler heads fortifications inspection to report in Washington. General MacArthur to oversee Pacific coast matters after returning from Hawaii.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
General Staff
Army
Panama
Vancouver
Wash
Presidio
San Francisco
Field Artillery
Vancouver Barracks
Ninth Cavalry
Monterey
Cal
Fifteenth
Tenth Infantry
Thirteenth Infantry
Fort McDowell
Fort Madison
Benicia Barracks
Sixteenth Infantry
Fort Slocum
Fort McPherson
Charles Shaler
Reyes
Alarl
Colombia
MacArthur
Pacific
Hawaii
Japan Moves Toward War footing In 1917
Yokohama reports say the government is finalizing steps to put the country on a war footing. Imperial ordinances authorize unlimited treasury bond issues to fund war and create a special council of war with headquarters set. Ministers discussed the crisis. details remain undisclosed. The cabinet approved a 10,000,000 yen debenture to speed the Seoul Funan railway project and to cover military expenses. The measures also allow 60,000,000 yen previously used for education to be redirected as a war fund, plus authority to issue treasury notes and short term loans indefinitely.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Yokohama
Imperial Ordances
England
Cabinet Council
Seoul-Funan
Spearhenh
Warships Ordered to Santo Domingo Amid Caribbean Crisis
Washington reports three revolutions on the island with Jiminez forces near Santo Domingo City. Minister Powell seeks an additional warship while the State Department arranges reinforcements. Secretary Moody has directed Rear Admiral Lamberton to dispatch a ship at full speed to protect Americans as the Newport earns support in Dominican waters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Jiminez
Santo Domingo
Powell
State Department
Banto Domingo
Moody
Lamberton
Trinidad
Newport
Admiral Lamberton
Navy Department
Bcorpion
Soldiers Travel in Boncara Victoria Canada
Soldiers of Number 83 Company Royal Garrison Artillery left Boncara Victoria for Hong Kong aboard the steamer Empresa of India today, relieving No 68 Company arriving from Halifax. The transfer is part of regular garrison changes and does not affect Far Eastern matters. Halifax troops arrived in Boncara in hammocks, with instructions to test that travel mode. The men found the arrangements comfortable.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victoria
B. C
Dee
Company
Royal Garrison Artillery
Trong
Hong Kong
Empresa
India
Halifax
Canal Party Victory in Panama Ratification Move
Heavy rains disrupt telegraph lines in Panama City and surrounding provinces. Reports confirm a sweeping success for mixed candidates allied with the patriotic committee backing canal treaty ratification for the constitutional convention.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Canal Party
Panama
Patriotic Committee
Dent Seeks Dawson Consulship After Roosevelt Move
Washington December 91 Laula A Dent DC register of wills met President Roosevelt to discuss his removal and the appointment of Corporal Tanner as successor The president offered Dent the consular post at Dawson City Yukon in exchange for stepping aside in the consulate affair and Dawson City was mentioned as the new posting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Laula A. Dent
Register of Wills of
District of Columbia
Roosevelt
Corporal Tanner
Dent
Dawson City
Yukon
Also Mentioned on This Page
Heart and Son
Mathilde
Horace G. Burt
Union Pacific
Harriman
Idaho
Great Britain
Columbia
Fargo Squiers
Squiers
Havana
Iroquois Theater
Secret Service
John A. Benson
Sir Thomas Lipton
Portland
National Livestock Association
Jerome Sykes
W. J. Bryan
Root
Hay
Fulton
Senate Committeee
Emootehall
Bahcroft
Portland Post
Whatcom
Fairhaven
Bellingham
Hacy Domingo
St. Louie Fair
Michigan
Thussia
Whele
Republic of Panama
Council
Gravelle
Chine
Rusia
Kishinep
WII
Roosevelt—Narmany Club
Aska Ald
Timber and Stone
Hill
the Alleghany
Tacoma
Stalf
Rave
Boncara
Dawson
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