17 Dec 1917
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
The Daily Alaska Empire
Location
Juneau, Alaska, United States of America
Date
Dec 17, 1917
Page
1
Toronto reports first returns show Laurier winning in two New Brunswick towns as Canada votes in a pivotal election. Ottawa notes the union government led by Borden supports conscription while Laurier presses for a referendum, with Quebec showing strong anti conscription sentiment and Montreal facing riots amid political tensions.
Chicago December 17 Captain Mustard of the medical reserve corps and a former Nome physician warned that Alaska’s gold production could be negligible if the war lasts to 1919 unless the government relieves the labor shortage. He said wages of 35 a day no longer attract laborers and noted gold’s depreciation by about 50 percent due to lower purchasing power.
Rome reports that on December 10 an Italian torpedo boat sank the Austrian battleship Wien in five minutes during a daring raid off Trieste. The Wien went down quickly and other battleships were struck, but distance prevented accurate damage assessment.
Washington Dec 17 Chairman Davidson of the Red Cross membership committee says the drive will obtain 20,000,000 members across all classes. Encouraging reports come from every section of the United States as the effort continues.
Washington December 17. Secretary Baker designates officers to sit in war councils as part of a department reshuffle. Gen Goethals has been offered the Quartermaster General post to succeed Maj. Gen. Sharpe. Pro vost Marshal Gen Crowder remains at his current office and will not be detached from the war council.
Washington December 17 the house approved the prohibition amendment by 282 to 128 votes well above the two thirds needed. Time limit for states ratification set at seven years. The measure now moves to the states for consideration as part of the amendment process.
Washington December actions show the House set for a 5 PM vote on a national prohibition amendment with advocates confident of a two thirds majority. If approved the measure would proceed to ratification by three fourths of states within seven years as the Senate earlier fixed a six year limit.
Seattle December 17 The steamer Spokane limped in for extensive repairs after a fierce storm. The Alameda arrived at dawn battered by waves with the binnacle compass destroyed and a wave washing over the deck near St Elias Port Spencer, while the ship fought the gale.
Washington Dec 17 Seven teen members of the United States Engineering Corps are reported missing by Gen Pershing. They disappeared Nov 30 during the Cambrai offensive when German forces shifted to a large movement. It is believed they were captured while aiding the British in an attack.
Secretary Baker announces creation of a war council to coordinate supplying the army at home and abroad, aiming to streamline logistics, procurement, and support across frontlines and domestic production.
Federal Food Administrator Gun nison received a telegram from Herbert Hoover in Washington. Hoover says Spreckles, a leading sugar refiners, is sore at the food administration and would like to see it destroyed. He notes refiners’ profits have been regulated and Spreckles’ balance sheet would look worse next year without the price reduction.
President Hoover will issue a statement today to address criticism by Claus Spreckles and his charge that Hoover caused the sugar shortage. He appeared before the Senate investigating committee and sought permission to present his version of conditions. Committee members pressed questions to Spreckles, leaving Hoover's request undecided as he departed the room.
Washington December 17. Legislation bringing crews of transports mine layers and other army vessels into military service is recommended by Quartermaster General Sharpe in his annual report filed with Congress.
Secretary of War Baker says the German offensive on the Western front is a calculated bluff to persuade the United States of impending Teuton victory. Quiet along the Cambrai front. neutral diplomats report Germany may offer peace terms.
Dec 17 report says Colonel Francis Bell, a first high French officer to die on the front, was killed inspecting the French line. The bombardment pushed east of Bretna at Caprillo as Teutons seek a route to the plains. Despite heavy losses the enemy breaches Italian lines in the mountains near Piave and Bretna, with reinforcements turning the tide. Little other activity on other fronts Sunday.
Washington dispatch says Fuel Administrator Dr. Garfield will urge coal operators and miners to suspend Christmas holidays to maximize production. Each idle day costs the country 2,000,000 tons of coal. The administrator has authorized Michigan's W. K. Purdden to shut down industries if needed to secure fuel for households amid widespread domestic shortages.
Harrisburg Pa December 17 three members of 11 percent Aero Squad ron burned to death in a government warehouse at Middleton destroyed by fire yesterday. The men were confined as prisoners for minor offenses.
Portland Ore December 17 A warrant has been sworn for the arrest of Clyde R Puert a prominent Portland man in connection with the theft of eighteen thousand dollars in Liberty bonds.
London papers report that the Allies are likely to recognize the Bolsheviks cause. The move is seen as a counter to Germany aiming to gain political and economic advantage.
Dec. 17 report states the Bolsheviki government decreed confiscation of all church property and land in Russia and the abolition of clerical privileges. The measure targets church wealth and status as the new regime consolidates control in Petrograd.
London newspapers forecast that the Allies will recognize the Bolshevik government to prevent Germany from gaining political and economic control of Russia. As the armistice between Russia and Germany takes effect today on the Eastern front, emissaries from several nations begin peace negotiations. The armistice lasts 25 days.
Dateless labor strikes hinder the Bolsheviki in Petrograd as railway and fuel supplies deteriorate, creating a serious economic and logistical crisis for the government and affected districts.
Four battalions of Chinese troops reached Harbin in Manchuria to aid Bolshevik supporters in maintaining order. The China Eastern Railway zone in northern Manchuria is under patrol as the situation remains precarious.
The armistice signed by Bolshevik representatives and the Teuton allies at Brest Litovsk takes effect at noon today and remains in force until January 14. Peace negotiations began immediately after the signing.
German battleships attacked a convoy from Scotland to Norway in the North Sea and sunk a British destroyer four mine sweepers one British and five neutral merchantmen. The German destroyer also sunk two neutral merchantmen and a trawler off Tyne on December 12.
A surge of new recruits swamps Washington recruiting officers as enlistment demands rise sharply. The influx reflects heightened wartime mobilization with many young men signing up nationwide, straining offices and timelines.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.