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Newspaper
San Antonio Light
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Date
Apr 11, 1917
Page
1
Chester April 11 Associated Press reports a high official says a bomb assembled by an employee caused yesterday's explosion at the Eddystone Ammunition Plant. Death toll estimated at 116 with 125 to 150 injured and 23 missing as investigators probe whether malice or accident sparked the blast.
Tonight showers colder. Thursday fair and colder. Lone star region weather outlook notes include temperatures in San Antonio and vicinity with a night cold snap and a brighter day ahead. City by city readings show Chicago Milwaukee Kansas City New York Washington with varied winds and rain.
Rain from the New Mexico border eastward ends a months long drought across the plains and Panhandle. Matador reports three inches while Wichita Falls and Northwest Texas areas receive one to two inches, saving wheat and spring grass though some fields near Vernon will need replanting.
A slow steady rain began in Southern and Western Oklahoma this morning aiding crops. Altus recorded the heaviest fall at about one half inch.
McKinney Texas April 11 heavy rain fell today benefiting grain and other crops across the area boosting prospects for the harvest.
The weather bureau forecast showery and drizzly conditions with a touch of sun and a possible temperature dip in San Antonio for Wednesday night and Thursday. No signs of settled weather yet. some development may bring sun, but other factors suggest ongoing unsettled conditions. A light rain of .03 inch fell Wednesday morning in San Antonio, part of broader rains reaching Del Rio, Abilene, and areas between. Del Rio recorded .24 inch and Abilene .28 inch.
A Reuters dispatch from the French headquarters on the Macedonian front reports rioting in several Bulgarian towns. In Sofia German cavalry reportedly charged the rioters causing many casualties. Some dispatches claim Bulgarian troops joined the protesters.
London reports Lieutenant William Leefee Robinson, 21, the first aviator to shoot down a Zeppelin over London, is missing. Robinson had become a celebrated war hero last September after bringing down a Zeppelin at 10,000 feet during an air raid on London.
The Wilson liner Samoa sank off Queenstown with one American aboard who was saved. Consul Frost at Queenstown reported the loss to the State Department.
The Ways and Means Committee reported a war financing bill providing 5.0 billion dollars in bonds and 2.0 billion in treasury certificates. It authorizes a 35.0 billion bond issue with up to 3.0 billion for foreign credits and 2.0 billion for domestic use. An extra bond issue up to 63.9 million is to redeem the 1908 loan. It also authorizes 2.0 million in foreign indebtedness certificates for one year.
President Wilson met with Speaker Clark and House leaders to discuss the war program and the army draft plan. Democratic Leader Kitchin said the bond bill would pass Friday and noted House opposition to conscription. The talks covered relying on volunteers first if the volunteer system fails.
In Austin on April 11 the House appropriations committee debated paying pre session members as to whether the legislature can use the contingent fund for per diem. A ruling from the attorney general and a ok from Comptroller Terrell were sought, with the senator finance panel not yet convened.
National Guardsmen who have families dependent on them must leave the service, regardless of any desire to remain on duty, under an order issued by Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Barry. The order supersedes a prior rule that retirement was merely a privilege.
The reorganized city county political machine carried the Independ ent ticket in the San Antonio school election with majorities from 224 to 395 in a 5255 vote. Free text books for up to fourth grade also carried 2114 to 508. Mounted machine activity spurred arrests after a Ward 3 clash at the I N depot.
The Chicago Butter and Egg Board unanimously voted to abolish all rules governing futures in butter and eggs. Dealers may still purchase for future delivery by dealing directly with shippers, but the board’s action is expected to largely curb speculation.
War Department reports indicate the regular army will soon hit its peace strength of 138000 enlisted men and new units await the army organization bill. The House Military Committee plans hearings with Baker Scott and Crowder to explain the administration plan and a civilian officer training camp program is proposed to train officers nationwide.
In New York April 11 a naval censorship of ship mail is shown by a postal card from an American battleship. The card warns that any sentence beyond address sender name and date will be destroyed, and sailors are told to cross out lines they do not wish to use.
Charles FE Butler a negro night janitor at the U S mint in San Francisco was arrested by a secret service operative after federal detectives traced tampering with the money press. Butler admitted placing small amounts of silver in the mould to mint a few half dollars each night to sustain his daily needs. He had served in government employment for 23 years.
In Yoakum Texas on April 11 naval recruiters required an interpreter to process G Holmeg of Shiner and his 17 year old son Otto for naval enlistment because the father cannot speak English. The farmer requested enrollment saying it is his offering to America.
Miss Pauline M Jordan of Haverhill reports from Bucharest that Miss Nellie M Moore learned Miss Jordan had been imprisoned by the Germans. The letter says she was confined in a cold basement with little food and poor fan ventilation.
Captain F R Kenney in charge of army recruiting in Chicago reports War Department orders to rush recruitment among Black residents for Chicage.
Buenos Aires April 11 La Razon interviews Argentinian leaders on neutrality as Brazil and Chile pivot. Brago urges joining Allies against Germany while Zeballos argues for steadfast neutrality to gain world respect. Doyen notes Brazil’s break with Germany complicates keeping neutrality. Bidan endorses U.S. stance and warns of risk if Argentinians die aboard torpedoed ships.
Rio de Janeiro April 11 government delays promulgation of severance with Germany awaiting Switzerland reply to take over Brazilian interests. Cabinet debated immediate rupture with ministers of war and marine favoring war and seizure of German ships. Foreign Minister urged demand for satisfaction over sinking of Parana.
Copenhagen April 11 The German press largely ignores the South American situation with Brazil and other republics joining the allies given little prominence. Sunday papers avoid South American news while Berlin and Hamburg run dispatches inside pages with no comment. Director Zimmermann lectures Austria and Bulgaria on delaying relations with the United States.
Geneva dispatch quotes the Journal de Geneve noting South American nations join the U.S. in breaking with Germany. The piece argues Germany is being expelled from the world, losing access beyond Europe and facing a future where victory in war no longer ensures global standing.
MONTEVIDEO April 11 The Uruguayan government issues a decree of neutrality in the war between the United States and Germany and between Cuba and Germany.
Paris reports the Lafayette Flying Squadron will switch from French to American uniforms and carry the American flag at the front. Ottawa notes the Stars and Stripes were first carried into battle in Europe at Vimy Ridge by a young Texan wounded in the assault.
The San Antonio Telephone Company is removing telephones from several downtown locations. Officials could not confirm the scale of service loss. City council actions influence the move and authorities warned poles in the business district will be removed and charged to the company if not undergrounded as required by an ordinance.
Speaker Clark announced a Cuban House of Representatives message declaring war on Germany. The resolution praises unity with the United States and honors Cuba's liberty and independence, noting the flag with the allied nation and past sacrifices to aid Cuban liberty.
Daniel Watson of Austin, former Hays County legislator, receives word that his son Robert Daniel Watson, 21, died when the steamship Frederick was torpedoed near the Orkney Islands northeast of Scotland. The note from nine crew members in a bottle washed ashore on the Orkneys confirms the tragedy.
The Senate passed the army appropriation bill carrying 278 million dollars for the existing regular army and amended it to become immediately available.
Montevideo reports in official circles that a rupture of relations between Uruguay and Germany is probable following recent events with diplomatic consequences likely to affect both nations.
British troops advanced near Louveral toward Cambrai and captured Monchy le Preux and La Degere amid snow. The Lens Arras front saw 11 000 prisoners 235 officers 100 plus guns eight inch heavy guns trench mortars and 163 machine guns taken.
British assault at Arras devastates German defenses with heavy artillery and rapid advance. German guns silent amid ruined trenches, bowing to the British barrage and captured positions in the early phase of the battle. Rebels report shortages as wire and fortifications collapse under the onslaught.
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