12 May 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 12, 1916
Page
1
German forces push to clear Hill Cot position as artillery fire erupts. Capture and casualties are unconfirmed. frontline units clash amid ongoing bombardment.
German forces stormed several British positions near Hulluch as official dispatches from Paris and Berlin report. French counterfire repelled two German attempts to retake Man's Hill on May 12, while artillery duels raged along Avecourt wood and the Douaumont Vaux sector.
Senator Berenger writes that control of the Briey valley between Verdun and Metz is crucial to the war. He notes France has to import iron from England and America since losing the Briey basin, while Germany’s occupation could add 21,000,000 tons to its output and explain German focus on Verdun to block French attack on Metz.
A confidential memorandum dated May 20 1945 to Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg notes that since August 1914 iron and steel output nearly doubled and that if Briey region production fell 60 to 80 percent of output would impair the war effort, risking German victory.
The Overseas News Agency reports that Entente powers plan to compel the transport of Serbian troops from Corfu across Greek territory to Saloniki if Greece refuses passage. Russian authorities quote Greek denial, while forecasting allied pressure to enforce policy.
Dr. Hoeffel president of the Alsace Lorraine diet says the tie with Germany grows stronger and Alsace Lorraine now views itself as part of the German organism. He notes increased efficiency and cites a reichstag bill promising compensation for wartime property damages.
NORGE Va May 12 S B Beatty a train dispatcher and Mrs Vivian Frazier Marsdon daughter of Henrico county revenue commissioner were found shot to death in Marsdon s home Thursday Police say Beatty killed Mrs Marsdon and then died by own hand Beatty s body was found in an upstairs bedroom Mrs Marsdon lay on her bed with her baby in her arms Her parents name appears connected to the case
Mobile city officials challenge the harbor development report by Ford Bacon Davis totaling 8 791 79 dollars. The firm was contracted for 5 000 dollars in work plus 2 500 dollars expenses, with engineers charging 3 791 79 dollars. Mayor Pat Lyons says the bill is too high and will not exceed the agreed amount. Commissioner Schwarz supports paying 7 500 dollars while Commissioner Pillans recalls the 5 000 work plus 2 500 expenses. The wharves and port facilities head will study the report for days before a final city commission decision.
At Fort Oglethorpe Georgia on May 12 the day featured a recreation of the Chickamauga battle around Snodgrass Hill with two coast artillery companies in Thomas command and a student battalion under Captain Sunderland as Confederates. The exercise showed modern tactics as the attackers pressed the ridge and were reinforced to sweep the hill. The Birmingham contingent trained under a regular NCO while civilian cavalry faced a strenuous drill led by Captain Purington. Also announced is a noon lecture by former Ambassador Robert Bacon for the Chamber of Commerce in Chattanooga, with John Howe Peyton of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railway among visitors.
The Austro-Hungarian steamer Dubrovnik, a 4238 ton passenger liner built in 1912 and last registered at Constantinople, was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic by an enemy submarine without warning. A Paris dispatch earlier noted a submarine sinking of a transport laden with war material.
Samuel McClure arrives from Copenhagen aboard the Oscar II and says peace is sought only in Germany and Austria for commercial reasons. He notes other belligerents expect victory and intend to continue fighting to the end.
Washington May 12 A resolution to express the horror of the American people at the execution of Irish revolutionists was introduced by Representative Dyer of Missouri. The measure moved to committee and was not brought to the floor for debate.
William B. Bankhead of Jasper defeats former Congressman R. P. Hobson for Congress in the newly created Alabama Tenth district by a 51 vote majority. Hobson plans to contest. In the Seventh district John L. Burnett wins over Rainey and Brown by 686 votes. official counts from 24 of 67 counties show Burnett 6 642, Rainey 4 031, Brown 1 934.
Complete returns from 24 counties show Henry P. Merritt defeating Sam P. Kennedy for the state public service commission presidency by at least 5 000. Merritt holds a 1 372 lead in counted counties with Kennedy strongholds still to report while Kennedy expected gains in Mobile Jefferson Montgomery and Pike may not offset Merritt.
E D Smith defeats Borden Burr for national committee man by a margin over 6,000 with 24 counties delivering 3,614 to Smith. In the court of appeals race Pelham and Brown are re-elected, with Bricken and Whiteside vying for third place. Wallace is set as state game post fish commissioner and Anderson titled chief justice after Tuesday night results.
Montgomery Alabama May 11 county executive committees canvassed Tuesday's primary results. Returns from 42 of 67 counties show E D Smith ahead of Borden Burr for national committeeman by about 17000. Sam P Kennedy leads Henry P Merritt for public service commission by about 7000. Delegates at large named Denson White Rushton Carmichael. Bankhead defeats Hobson in the new Tenth district. Pelham and Brown are assured.
London May 12 hard fighting resumes near Dead Man's Hill on the Verdun front as German attacks to dislodge French positions on the hill slope are repulsed by French fire. The Paris war office notes increased artillery activity elsewhere on the Verdun line. A Berlin dispatch reports the Adriatic sinking of the Austrian steamer Dubrovnik, a passenger vessel, unarmed and without warning.
Mothers' Day in Mobile will be observed more extensively than ever with major efforts by Sunday schools and the Federation of Men's Bible Classes. Mobile Light and Railway Company will stop cars for three minutes at fore noon and all employees will wear white armbands. Mayor Pat Lyons issues proclamation designating May 14 as Mothers' Day urging attendance at services wearing flowers and displaying flags.
In Morganton Charles Mace, 46, was sentenced to thirty years in the state penitentiary for second degree murder in the death of his wife Bertha Mace. The killing at the Mace home occurred February 7 and Bertha testified that her father committed the deed amid a dispute over a house still operation.
The day in Congress opened with Senator Sherman resuming his attack on the river and harbors bill while Brandeis investigation was reopened. The Lodge bill to withdraw alcohol from bonds tax-free was passed as the House met at 11 am to debate rural credits legislation.
Weather bulletin from Washington on May 12 forecasts Alabama partly cloudy tonight and Saturday with variable cloudiness and warm temperatures. No precipitation expected and light winds across the state.
Paris papers on May 12 discuss Germany's admission that a U S submarine torpedoed the Sussex and note it highlights Germany's diplomatic setback before President Wilson. The Petit Parisien cites German press opinion calling the move a grave diplomatic check and restraint from retaliation toward Washington.
Marcel Hutin questions the penalty for the submarine commander and asks what punishment the American government plans. He notes rumors that Admiral von Capelle promoted Lieutenant Otto Steinbrick, commander of the U-18, allegedly involved in the Sussex torpedo attack.
Secretary Lansing hinted the United States may inquire with Germany over the punishment imposed on the submarine commander who attacked the Sussex, signaling diplomatic scrutiny and potential protest.
The Scandinavian American line steamer Frederick VIII sailed from Copenhagen to New York with a crowded passenger list. among them is Joseph C. Grew secretary of the American embassy in Berlin who recently joined Ambassador Gerard at Emperor William’s headquarters at the front.
Copenhagen dispatch says Berlin will not answer the last American note but will confer with Ambassador Gerard on the matter.
A special train of Sons of Confederate Veterans on a trip from Oklahoma to Birmingham will reach Mobile Sunday evening between 5 20 and 6 30 o clock and stay until midnight. A Chamber of Commerce delegation will meet the train and Secretary W M Clement says the chamber seeks cooperation from camp leaders and Sons of Veterans. Plans are underway to entertain the visitors.
A company of coast artillery from Galveston moves to Marathon to reinforce the second punitive expedition in Mexico. Ten other coast artillery companies depart for Fort Sam Houston to join the Texas militia as mobilization nears completion. Officials expect three weeks before National Guard units are deployed to border stations.
May first days bring record heat led by Mobile where 95 and 96 degrees topped official readings. Weather bureau notes several historic May highs in the past, forecasts continued warmth with 90s likely and light winds, while other regions report cold fronts and frost in the Rockies and plains.
Tankersley, engineer in charge of Southern Railway's New York New Orleans limited, found guilty of manslaughter with mercy recommendation after a collision in Salisbury on November 24 1915 that killed H C Severs and C E Hall and injured twenty two others. Clyde H Wilson flagman for the limited was acquitted. A fireman Arthur Kelly was discharged. Sentence set for next week.
The American steamship Nelson from Cienfuegos, Cuba, arrived with one million three hundred eighty thousand gallons of blackstrap. Four trains will haul 170 tank cars of product to various U S destinations for munition-related manufacturing. demand has surged as blackstrap’s chemical uses expand beyond feeds.
Tales of the sea from sessions of the Binnacle Lamp Club aboard Mobile's waterfront spur children to search for the famous club. Deputy Collector of Customs Walter H. Dodd notes mothers bring kids to the wharves asking about the club. He says the stories are widely read and teach geography.
Mexican bandits raid Polaris mining camp seven miles below Lochiel and other towns along the American side. General Obregon orders Mexia to cooperate with border forces and keep troops ready for eventualities.
Secretary Baker told a cabinet meeting there will be no new border orders for militia or general intervention in Mexico. The administration plans withdrawing regulars only after border danger is removed and rests on General Scott's return. Carranza and future moves depend on the general. If needed additional guardsmen may be called out.
Three Mexicans who killed Bayles, a farmer near Mercedes, were ambushed tonight. One was killed and another captured. the two prisoners are held at the military headquarters at Progreso, eight miles from Mercedes. The trio were attempting to enter Mexico, per a Fort Brown report.
El Paso May 12 Juan Amador sub-secretary of foreign affairs of the de facto government says troop dispositions are ready to restore and maintain order on the frontier General Obregon directs Trevino to move forces toward Parral and the Big Bend to pursue bandits and James Deemer captured at Glenn Springs Tri. Amador says negotiations with new states are underway and an adjustment is likely at the party convention.
Secretary Amador outlines the questions involved in governing mutual troop crossings between nations and discusses the implications of withdrawal of American forces. The brief note continues on the topic in the following column.
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