03 Apr 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Apr 03, 1916
Page
1
London reports say Zeppelins attacked Dunkirk with bombs killing civilians and terror raids reached Scotland and England. Fifty bombs dropped. ten killed and eleven injured in Scotland. Trains and streetcars slowed during the five hour blackout as raids stretched across the eastern coast.
Friday and Saturday night Zeppelin raids caused greater loss of life than any aerial attack this year with 59 killed and 166 wounded across Thursday and Friday. A British airman, Lieutenant Brandon, engaged a Zeppelin at 9,000 feet, boosting defense morale. It is uncertain if the downed craft was the L-15 or another raider.
Preliminary reports from the interstate commerce commission show 96 major railroads reporting net revenues of 38 million dollars for February 1916, up from 25 million in February 1915. The Eastern district led with about a 90 percent rise, the Southern district around 50 percent, and the Western district improving over January by over 25 percent.
A royal donation of 500000 is made for war use and to be applied as deemed best by his majesty's government. Weather forecast for Mobile notes generally fair conditions with little temperature change tonight and Tuesday and moderate west and northwest winds.
The Chicago Tribune published a map of the Jackson Highway route from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, with Peter L Atherton as association president. Alabama promoters protest the map, seek explanation from Atherton, and consider action if the route is confirmed. Birmingham leaders urge Huntsville Decatur Athens Gadsden Cullman Birmingham Montgomery Mobile to respond.
April 3 The steamer Wa- driven by heavy seas sinks after collision with a Japanese vessel near Tokyo. Rescue attempts save a portion of the crew while a large number remain unaccounted. Local officials report 105 lives lost and others rescued. The incident prompts inquiries into navigation and weather conditions aboard the Wa- ship.
A financial committee led by Lamar C. Quintero reports Central American trade awaits U S shipments as European supplies near exhaustion. Secretary McAdoo returns from the trip and a detailed report will be presented to McAdoo and business groups.
In Washington on April 3 the senate adopted Senator Cummins' amendment to the army bill creating a national guard section in the general staff by 30 to 5. Five national guard officers would join the staff, a move opposed by Senator Chamberlain and the military committee who feared risk. The decision, the first senate vote on the bill, drew disappointment from Chamberlain and allies though many Democrats supported the change.
Congress met at noon and resumed debate on the army bill. The Judiciary Committee postponed Brandeis nomination review until Tuesday. The House discussed miscellaneous unanimous consent bills on national defense before naval matters. Brig. Gen. Crozier, chief of ordnance, testified before the military committee.
A Yellow Pine cyclone wrecked five business houses and nine residences and killed 22 head of cattle with extensive losses reported. Destruction occurred early Sunday morning as residents faced widespread damage and disruption.
Paris dispatch reports fighting around Verdun continuing through night with French gains in Caillette wood north of the area. German front reportedly lengthened to about three kilometers while German regrouping and redeploying artillery near French defenses are noted. A separate Turkish war office note mentions a 12000 ton Russian transport sunk en route to reinforce Turkish lines.
Verdun sees a new phase as German batteries advance closer to the French line and infantry is reorganized. About 15,000 men hit the Douamont to Vaux front, with fierce fighting around Caillette wood and Vaux village yielding a net German gain of roughly 5,600 yards, offset by heavy losses.
Mobile launches city wide effort against flies and mosquitoes with an ordinance requiring fly traps at food selling sites and markets. Health officials urge household traps as benefits promise a healthier city. Commissioner Schwarz notes public response and aims for wider adoption within ten days. City records show tens of thousands of flies trapped and pest numbers reduced in recent weeks.
The Item will split $25 among twenty contestants who correctly identified Miss Spring Time but failed to follow the official rules. Each winner receives a $1.25 merchandise order from Mobile stores advertising in The Item. Names and addresses listed include Miss Morey Martin, Mrs. H. T. Roberts, Mrs. Helen Holdweider, and others across Mobile and nearby towns.
London reports multiple British ships sunk with crews missing or rescued. The Perth, unarmed, went down with six dead and eight landed. The Achilles, 7042 tons, was sunk with four missing. Ashburton, 4445 tons, was sunk by German shells with five crew hospitalized.
The British steamer Gold Mouth of 7446 tons was sunk and her crew, two wounded, landed at Penzance per Lloyd's dispatch. The April report notes the vessel's loss and crew status.
Lloyds reports the Norwegian steamship Peter Hamre of 1080 tons was sunk Saturday night while at anchor. Fourteen men died, with the surviving crew of fifteen left. The vessel sank near London after a sudden disaster, details sparse.
Holland fears shortages as government space requisition may slow raw cotton imports from America. Wheat reserves are nearly exhausted and authorities plan to buy 100 000 tons in America atop monthly 60 000 to build a reserve. Dutch ships are being requisitioned to fetch supplies, with further increases possible if Britain raises corn import allowances.
U S Marines from the gunboat Wilmington went ashore Sunday at Swatow where Chinese troops have declared independence of the central government. The detachment reconnoitered and found the country quiet.
German forces press Verdun defenses with renewed efforts at Vaux and Douamont and claim gains in the Caillette wood. The French report tenacious resistance and reclamation of ground. Zeppelins raided eastern Scotland and parts of England, with 59 dead and 166 wounded in prior nights raids.
April 2 reports from the front describe American cavalry pursuing Villa men in the Guerrero mountains. Firing sounds were heard as authorities show no confirmed outcome yet. El Paso sources say Villa may have slipped through and fled toward Durango.
Speculation on Carranza troops in Chihuahua and Villa’s possible moves creates buzz in military circles. Pershing’s search for Villa continues after the Guerrero clash, with rumors of a southern push yet no official confirmation.
Funeral notices announce Robert Vincent McCowan died April 2 1916 aged 61 and James Joseph McAndrew died April 2 1916 age 54. Services listed for both at their homes and churches with interment in Magnolia Cemetery and Catholic Cemetery respectively.
A notice offers rewards for a lost solid white bulldog with owner contact on the collar and a lost gold watch fob with initials T K. A split diamond ring marked W J G C S is claimed. Rewards include fifty dollars for return. Messages request inquiries to the City Clerk and address at 400 North Claiborne.
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