18 Apr 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Apr 18, 1916
Page
1
Eerie dispatch reports / Mexican and allied forces pursue Villiers area. French forces seize a trench at Steingrugh near Verdun, fortifying positions in the ongoing Verdun siege.
April 17 dispatches report U S Cavalrymen fired upon by Carranza garrison soldiers at Parral. The incident follows prior sniping and disrupts the drive toward the south as cabinet keeps U S policy unchanged and expeditionary command faces a serious problem.
London reports 22 French aviators attacked Bulgarian base in Mesopotamia. Berlin announces German assault near Steinbruch south of Haudremont farm in Verdun region yesterday. German war office says 1,646 unwounded prisoners were taken.
Salonlte April 18. Twenty two French aeroplanes bombarded the Bulgarian staff headquarters at Doiran at 3 o'clock this morning. The raid was declared an entire success by French officers. A German plane attempting to bomb the aeroplanes was attacked by French rapid firing machines and forced to abandon the attack.
British lines on the south bank of the Tigris in Mesopotamia have been forced back by the Turks for a distance of 500 to 800 yards, according to an official statement issued by the press bureau.
Paris reports renewed German bombardment of French first line trenches in Verdun west of the Meuse from Dead Man's Hill to Cumieries. East of the river calm persisted while attacks between Douaumont and the Meuse grew violent. German divisions pressed a one mile salient between the Meuse and Douaumont including Pepper Hill.
Paris April 18 Albert Thomas munitions minister warned at Crénusot works that France must push even higher effort. He praised workers but said enemy strength grows with disciplined logistics and that allies must help France surpass current production to match the sleepless foe.
Street vendors sell The Item for two cents with clear change ready. Buyers urged to pay no more as The Item and Baseball Extra carry the same price and all sellers are equipped with copper cents for easy transactions.
The Music Lovers Association of Mobile voted to sign a contract with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for two May concerts. Pledges and sales already total about $600 for tickets, with 230 members each taking at least $2, far exceeding the $1,000 guarantee. The orchestra is to be paid $1,500 plus expenses, needing about $1,600 in total ticket sales. Secretary duties shift to Mrs. James R. Hagan at 1329 Bell during Secretary Hans Curiel’s absence, with Chamber of Commerce offering cooperation.
The Mobile Chamber of Commerce sends hearty congratulations to Mayor James Rolph Jr and the citizens of San Francisco on the tenth birthday of the new San Francisco noting Mobile’s own growth into orange groves and comparing sister cities.
Dr W J Selkins of the Department of Agriculture leading tick eradication in the county reports inspectors appointed by the county board are largely incompetent. He seeks to select ten efficient inspectors and warns dipping vat operations may be delayed if unmet. The board postponed action to a special meeting next Monday with George A Maloney invited.
Lawrence W. Grey of Theodore Alabama surrendered at the county jail after noon Monday and was charged with murder for shooting Lyman Myles a Black man. Myles died on a front porch after running 300 yards following a dispute over hogs and dug ground. Coroner G H Thomas investigated.
The Hunter Benn Lumber Co of Mobile loaded the Russian bark Imperator, noted in U S German talks after its sinking. Captain Brandtman, its master, was a Mobile and Gulf ports figure. The bark sailed from Gulfport Mississippi to a French port.
Washington April 18. President Wilson favors the senate bill postponing sugar on the free list until 1920 with a preference to the house bill postponing indefinitely. Chairman Simmons of the senate finance committee said conferees were at a deadlock and asked his advice. Simmons returned to the conferees prepared to insist on the senate provision.
Tonight a meeting of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce directors will discuss upcoming plans. Officials intend to address committee changes and potential new sections amid a busy agenda.
Lessie Mazeek, described as a negro, was docketed at the county jail Tuesday morning on a prohibition violation charge. His place was raided several times and a small quantity of liquor was found.
In Columbus New Mexico on April 18 reports say a monorail carrying General John J. Pershing and his escort was fired on by Mexican forces near Providencia while en route to Namiquipa to dispatch details of the Parral engagement. Five assailants fired. no bullets hit. Additional reports mention a possible ambush near Parral and strained ties between American forces and Carranza troops.
Reports from Mexican sources claim Pershing recalled U S detachments and concentrated forces near Satero Namiquipa and Colonia Dublan. Parral fighting allegedly enraged locals and united anti American and anti ranza factions. No confirmation on Villa's body though pessimism grows among informed Mexicans.
Members authorized directors to hire a secretary as soon as feasible and plan to align with the Tourist Welcome Club. They appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressing sorrow over J L Locke’s death in a recent automobile crash.
Washington April 18 forecast notes tonight and Wednesday moderating east to southeast winds for Alabama and Mississippi.
Reported German gains near Chauffeur wood north of Verdun were reversed as activity cooled west of the Meuse. British advances along the Tigris below Kut el Amara were checked by Turkish forces. French planes bombed Doiran HQ, while UK cabinet crisis over conscription deepens with Asquith delaying a Commons statement.
Senate opened at noon and resumed debate on army reorganization with a possible vote before adjournment. The agricultural appropriation bill was taken up with an amendment providing 175000 dollars to investigate potash manufacturing to reduce Germany imports, as committees review defense and other measures.
Washington April 18 The Interstate Commerce Commission suspended proposed rates on molasses from New Orleans and key from Louisiana and Texas to Chicago Kansas City St Louis and other Middle Western points until October 20 for investigation.
Wolfe von Igel, secretary to Franz von Papen, former German military attache, is arrested after a fist fight with four Justice Department agents in Captain von Papen's Wall Street office. He allegedly tried to destroy a safe and claimed the scene was German territory amid threats of war. The indictment for conspiracy to blow up the Welland canal was mentioned but extradition was not expected.
R B Smyer the Birmingham postmaster was in Washington seeking changes at the Birmingham post building J W McQueen Fran Adams and C E Knox coal operators arranged bids to supply coal to the Seaboard Railway for the next fiscal year bid opening set for Norfolk tomorrow
A cabinet session with Secretary Lansing considered a policy document completed by the President. It will advance Tuesday night or Wednesday. The crew of the bark Schwanden signed in at Mobile as many shippers and seamen showed no indication of the vessel’s charter to a specific party.
Report says Count von Bernstorff may be authorized to issue a general statement to Secretary Lansing on submarine controversy as the American government urges a speedy settlement. Senate committee Chairman Stone planned to meet President Wilson before cabinet, amid expectations Bernstorff would carry no new instructions from Berlin.
In Ocean Springs Mississippi on April 1 a remarkable fish like creature was netted. Witnesses describe a spear-head shaped body with a bird like tail and paddle like fins. Local resident Seymour, a fish hawker, reports it as unlike anything seen before.
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