07 May 1915
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 07, 1915
Page
1
May 7 in Peking the Japanese minister to China delivered an ultimatum amid a sinking rumor of the Lusitania. The note demands China’s acceding to modified twenty four demands presented by Tokyo. Officials indicate the case is hopeless.
The Cunard liner Lusitania carrying 1,253 passengers was torpedoed ten miles off Old Head Kinsale Ireland at 2 o clock and sank by 2 33 p m. Reports say some passengers were saved and boats sighted with survivors. Prominent Americans aboard included Aloe G Vanderbilt Elbert Hubbard D A Thomas and Lady Mackworth.
Tokyo reports that in presenting its ultimatum to China Japan omitted all items in group V of the amended list except the Fu Jen concessions, on which agreement exists. Group V demands are reserved for future discussion.
May 7 dispatches report China prepared to concede all demands from Japan as diplomatic efforts show China likely to submit. Warships and transports are readied at Sasebo and a second squadron under Admiral Nawa sails. Japanese advisers face security measures as tensions rise in Manchuria and Shantung.
Miss Elizabeth Dodge of New Ice outlines a YWCA plan to end the servant shortage by creating educated domestic scientists through domestic economy training and cultural study. The domestic service commission report argues the approach will replace servants with trained workers, aligning with broader social reform goals.
Mobile prepares for May 13 celebration as Lock 17 completion sparks shipping deals. Three vessels change hands or are chartered for Mobile to headwaters of the Warrior River. Martha Hennen and barge No. 2 join Myrtle as Mobile through waterway business grows.
Local Manager J W Moore of the Pratt Consolidated Coal Company will attend the May 13 opening of Lock 17 on the Warrior River. He will travel by rail to Birmingham, join officials for a special train to Cordova, then to the locks. Moore noted the towboat M Carney and five barges are loading for Mobile and a large coal bin will be built at Ollinger & Bruce Docks.
The Tombigbee river packet John Quill arrives at Municipal Docks from Demopolis and other landings and is readied for a Saturday departure to Lock 17 on the Warrior river. A large crew is expected and chairs cots and furnishings are loaded as hustlers work to complete preparations. Alabama river packets from Selma Montgomery and other landings arrived Friday after the Quill. The vessel will load Saturday and depart Saturday night.
Mrs. Mathilda Friml filed two suits, one for divorce from her husband Rudolph Friml, the opera composer, and another against Emma Trentini the light opera singer, alleging alienation of affections. The actions were filed in New York on May 7.
At Spring Hill College alumni dinner in the Battle House 300 guests will be seated Matt Mahorner Jr acts as toast master Rev Fr E Cummings S J college president responds to Our Duty to Our Alma Mater Former Mayor C Lavretta speaks on Our Guests and T Touart on The Spirit of Alma Mater A ball game on Sunday on college grounds follows the banquet and dormitory grounds tour
General forecast shows fair conditions tonight and Saturday. Cooler tonight with moderate winds turning to northwest. Alabama and Mississippi both expect similar patterns with cooler air and light to moderate northwest winds.
The Lusitania, a Cunard liner built in Glasgow in 1906, 785 feet long with 32 500 gross tons, was torpedoed and sunk this afternoon. Captain W T Turner led the ship, noted for its speed in the trans Atlantic race.
Fragment describes Kinsale as a seaport near the entrance of Stacl ee between Ireland and England with reference to the Lusitania being torpedoed off that area.
Official Washington reacts with shock to news of the Lusitania torpedoing on May 7. Officials say details are awaited and stress no complications unless American lives are lost, then the United States would hold Germany strictly accountable.
Washington dispatch reports President Wilson showed keen anxiety to learn whether American lives were lost but gave no comment during the briefing.
London May 7 The British steamer Candidate was torpedoed by a German submarine yesterday off Watertford Ireland The crew were saved The Candidate was outward bound.
British steamship Centurion was torpedoed by a German submarine off the Irish coast. The crew were saved. The Candidate, owned by the same company, was torpedoed near Waterford, Ireland, while bound for Jamaica.
NEW YORK May 7 The stock market plunged after news of the sinking of the Lusitania. Prices fell rapidly with war specialties dropping 15 to 30 points and stable issues down 5 to 10 points as traders rushed to sell.
The sinking of the Lusitania caused little long term panic in the cotton market. Within an hour the price declined by 25 points as traders adjusted to the news.
Gordon W. King city ticket agent of Mobile and Ohio Railroad and Cunard line in Mobile voiced regret after hearing of the Lusitania sinking. He reported no passengers from Mobile or the immediate area were booked for the voyage.
Hon. Harry Pillane, mayor of Mobile, called the Lusitania torpedoing horrible after learning of the incident. He was relieved later to hear a later report stated all passengers were saved.
A Havre dispatch to the Daily Telegraph says General Non Bissingen governor of Belgium has dispossessed the Red Cross of its powers and seized funds totaling 40000 dollars. Prince de Ligne has filed a protest with American Minister Whitlock.
Admiralty offices report no news on Lusitania passengers or crew. Upon torpedoing, naval station dispatched tugs Warrior Storm Cock and Julia five trawlers and the local lifeboat to sea in pursuit of survivors.
A Cunard line official said about twenty boats were in the vicinity of the Lusitania disaster site and sixteen more vessels have been dispatched to the scene for rescue work.
First cabin passengers aboard the Lusitania arrive in Liverpool with travelers from Atlanta San Antonio Memphis Baltimore Baltimore England and New York. The list includes Leonidas Bistro W Broderick Cleote Elaine Haight Harwood Ca ht Elbert Hubbard and others.
John Ihlder of the National Housing Association spoke on Proper Housing at the Rotary Club in the Cawthon hotel. He warned crowded tenements weaken soldiers, urged gradual reform over two generations, noted Philadelphia’s single family homes by chance, and urged southern cities to seize the chance to improve housing conditions.
Petit Parisien reports the government will introduce a wartime bill prohibiting the manufacture sale and transport of all alcoholic drinks. Even beverages with a slight proportion of alcohol are said to be banned under the plan.
Storms over vast parts of Louisiana and Mississippi last night and today caused 83 deaths and injuries to about 60 people with heavy property damage. Most victims were African American. fatalities rose in Coahoma and nearby counties as reports late today confirmed additional deaths. Communication disruptions hindered full casualty tallies, but danger was easing as wires and rails resumed service.
Paris reports an unofficial Athens dispatch saying three Russian aviators bombed Constantinople causing extensive damage. The Russian Black Sea fleet bombarded forts on the left bank of the Bosphorus, with shells landing within about ten miles of the city.
Belated reports confirm 14 killed in Mississippi and Louisiana storms with extensive property destruction on plantations. Carries details of deaths including a white man, dozens of Negro victims, railway disruptions, and injuries totaling around 45 with repairs slow due to telegraph and telephone outages.
News brief from Shreveport and Houston reports rising flood stages along the Red River and Brazos river basins. A stage near 27 feet threats two feet from flood level with more rainfall expected from upper basins. No major damage yet but conditions may worsen near the rivers mouth.
A single bad result from Friday's harbor storm was a bark driven ashore to the east. Other vessels rode out the blow with anchors holding in the upper stream, preserving safety for ships and crews aboard.
A Rome dispatch reports former Greek Prime Minister Venizelos, now in Cairo, recalled to Athens as tensions rise over entering the war. King Constantine declined to accept his recommendations, and Venizelos exiled himself after disputes over veracity between him and the king.
Tribune dispatch from America reports an army corps has arrived at Moravita ten miles from the Serbian border and is advancing against Serbia. The move signals intensified conduct of operations in the Balkan theater with troops from Eugene noted in transit.
A dispatch reports that forts at Chanak and Kalid Balir in the peninsulas have been silenced and several on both sides of the waterway up to Nagara are likely out of action.
May 7 report notes ongoing artillery exchanges between allied warships and Turkish shore batteries at the Dardanelles. Several vessels shell the Gulf of Saros area with incendiary rounds, and the town of Maidos was set ablaze yesterday.
A London dispatch reports that allied forces after heavy Turkish losses seized the heights near Behr Fort four miles west of a key position. The allies pressed advances along the peninsula facing Turkish reinforcements and fierce fighting to block a junction with troops at Seddul Bahr and Gaba Tepe.
Smith La May 7 Ben Lewis of Beulak Way cared for a wounded mallard found in reeds. The bird lost a leg but was aided by a homemade wooden leg with a paddle to swim. The duck joined domestic ducks and learned to fly. in 1914 it migrated north. Ben continued repairing legs and rubber webbing for other ducks in need.
Lost open face gold watch with fob at postoffice area offers reward. Contact 161 N Commerce St. Lost diamond ring on Royal between Charleston and Government streets, return to 104 Government Street for reward. Black and white collie and letters reported stray, contact F C Scheible Beerum Street. Other classifieds on page five.
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