20 May 1915
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1915
Page
1
At Lake Mohonk Conference, ARM insists the United States must be ready to defend itself from aggression. He condemns those who would neglect the necessities of the situation and calls for firm military preparation.
Berlin reports Germany will dispatch its answer to the American note to Washington soon. The note’s contents remain undisclosed. The paper denies that U S German relations have worsened since the note was received.
Secretary of War Gar Rison argues the nation must face facts about defense not isolation. He contends self respect and readiness protect material possessions and the distinctive American identity, insisting war’s horrors pale beside national neglect of duty and safeguard of institutions.
At Mohonk Lake New York the Lake Mohonk conference hosted a heated armament debate. Secretary of War Garrison and General Leonard Wood argued for stronger military preparations while Normal Angel of New York urged disarmament and cited his war zone hospital service.
Montgomery May 20 Special. Wm F Feagin superintendent of education Wm D Jelks of Birmingham and J B Ellis of Selma met to discuss Alabama Illiteracy Commission work. They will seek funds solely from voluntary contributors. The commission has already received several hundred dollars in subscriptions and expects more. Mrs E D Thames of Greenville is hired as field agent with more staff to come. The group hopes to raise about 10000 for next year.
The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed death sentences for Syd Jones and Millard Carpenter of Jefferson County with executions set for June 25. Jones killed a fellow convict Will Watson while imprisoned at Flat Top mines. Carpenter murdered John T. of Birmingham. Robert Todd remains serving a life sentence for killing Joseph Alexander. The court denied Theo Lacy’s writ of certiorari regarding embezzlement.
Three inches of snow fell in northwestern Kansas yesterday as a late May winter weather event disrupted travel and prompted cool conditions across the region. Midwest storm systems brought unseasonal snowfall affecting roads and commuter schedules.
Announcement made in Tulsa on May 20 reports the sale of 320 acres of land in the Cushing oil field for approximately two million dollars.
London reports suggest moves to preempt a US note on delays in examining detained cargoes. Since Saturday, 12 vessels from American ports had their cases settled in various ways including prize court actions, purchase by the British government, or clearance to proceed. Most were cotton ships, with 28 detained and only three American registered. The vessel Mayor discharged its cargo and proceeded after government purchase.
President Wilson issued a White House statement upon returning from his visit to the fleet in New York. He praised the appearance and quiet efficiency of the officers and spoke of a navy never in better condition.
In Syracuse on May 20 William M Ivins chief counsel for William Barnes in a libel suit against Theodore Roosevelt concluded his address to the jury by labeling Roosevelts tale as a fairy tale He attacked Roosevelts morals and pointed to Barnes prior support and alleged 1910 events He urged the jury to consider Roosevelts credibility as he said the case is not political and promised to finish his argument.
In Montgomery Alabama May 20 the organization of a woman's auxiliary to the Southern Commercial Secretaries Association was announced at the opening meeting. Miss Alice Hackney of Raleigh influenced John Wood of Roanoke to propose the organization. Wood was elected president. Fifty delegates from thirteen Southern states attended the experience meeting sharing community building efforts across cities.
A Wednesday night muster by the three Mobile companies of the First Infantry along with the band and sanitary corps, commanded by Lieutenant John Rush, featured the sanitary corps rooms which were highly complimented for their neatness.
Anton Kuepferle, a man who claimed American citizenship and faced charges of supplying military information to Britain's enemies, died by suicide in Brixton prison. He reportedly hanged himself after arriving in Liverpool February 14 and being arrested in London February 26. He left a note praising the fairness of his trial and confessed his belief that both sides would die.
The trial opened Tuesday at the Old Bailey police court on a charge that Anton Kuepferle attempted to communicate to Germany information about British war ships and military forces. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Delegates from Gulf Coast communities gathered at the Mobile chamber of commerce to launch a permanent Gulf Coast Citrus Exchange. Dr. O F E Winberg and G B Green were named temporary chairman and secretary, a two delegate per county committee was formed, and plans favored a central exchange with county sub exchanges and a governing board.
Thomas T Dorman a longtime traveling salesman and a 50 year Mason died at 8 45 AM at 211 North Conception Mobile He was a member of Athelstan Lodge 369 Mobile Chapter 21 Abba Temple Shriners Mobile Commandery 2 Knights Templar and longtime superintendent of Mobile Masonic Temple Association He was 72 born in Greensboro Alabama and resided in Mobile since childhood He never married and survived by adopted brother Howard M Austis and niece Mrs Jennie Mims Funeral arrangements to be announced。
Knights of Pythias from across the state attend a two day Montgomery grand lodge session. Reports say the order is in flourishing condition and the coming year should show greater advancement. The committee on a Widows and Orphans Home, read by Jacob D. Bloch, urged erection of the proposed home.
Gordon Smith head of Smith's Bakery will travel to Atlanta to attend the Southeastern Bakers' Association convention starting May 24. He plans to deliver an address titled How to Make a Small Bakery Grow and will be the sole Mobile attendee at the three day event.
Loyal Order of Moose Mobile Lodge No 221 to hold memorial services for eight deceased members at 7 30 Sunday evening in the lodge hall between Conception and Joachim streets Mobile. Public invited to attend.
London reports Windhoek capital of German Southwest Africa fallen to Union forces under General Botha after little resistance. British troops seize railway rolling stock and martial law is proclaimed. Botha says capture is of utmost importance to the empire and Union, meaning complete possession of the territory.
A Copenhagen report cited in London says seventeen German submarines have been lost since February 18, during the submarine blockade of England. The claim circulates in German naval circles and follows Italy rejecting a final Austrian offer.
Reports from Rome indicate the Italian chamber of deputies, almost unanimously, granted full war powers to the minister of War. Premier Salandra introduced a navy powers bill, a committee to review it immediately, amid broader moves toward united action as Italy edges toward potential conflict.
The British trawler Chrysolite was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat thirty miles off Kinnaird’s Head in the North Sea yesterday. Peterhead, Scotland reports the loss.
A dispatch via Messagero dAthens reports French troops have landed at Seddul Bahr on the Gallipoli peninsula and are moving on Krithia on the Dardanelles European side, supported by the French fleet in the bay. British forces at Gaba Tepe are directing their action.
Mobile civic leaders press for continued fundraising to sustain first class baseball. The Booster drive reports 200 books sold and about 420 dollars collected on Thursday, with total near two thousand including Wednesday sales. Committee leaders R M Weinacker Harry G Crawford and W T Goubil push teams to report and win prizes while urging public support to keep Mobile baseball alive.
The Mobile Chamber of Commerce and neery Club promote baseball ticket sales starting Wednesday. All proceeds go to strengthen the team.
In Charleston West Virginia the state senate adopted a joint resolution urging Georgia's governor to commute Leo Frank's death sentence to life imprisonment for the murder of Mary Phagan. In Harrisburg Pennsylvania the legislature adopted a concurrent resolution requesting the Georgia governor to commute Frank's death so he may vindicate himself.
C J Eastburn arrested on prohibition charge was fined 150 or 50 days hard labor by Judge Henry Chamberlain in the inferior criminal court near Prichard. Marshall Thomas of Mayeville got the same fine, both appealing to the city court and released on 150 bond. Liquor seized was ordered destroyed.
Boston dispatch May 20 reports several new mortars mounted at Fort Andrew capable of hurling half ton projectiles eight and a half miles. Officials call them the coast’s most powerful weapons. Projectiles are nonexplosive, designed to sink ships by tearing holes from great height.
Gulfport Mississippi buyers W B Landry and partners paid 50000 for 8400 acres of virgin timber land in Green County. The deal was negotiated here with the heirs of Avera acting as vendors.
William Howard Taft told the sixty third Ohio Congregational Conference that too many churches and ministers crack the foundations of religion. He urged cooperation over competition and noted Christian unity has not halted the war.
London May 20 Swedish steamship companies operating between Stockholm Norrkoping London and Hull have suspended services due to constant interruptions to traffic caused by German war activities.
The state news editor of The Item reports large Bermuda onions sent by G. S. Walker Pollard Ala. The onions from Walker's farm weigh over one pound each and are described as a very fine variety. In parts of Alabama onions yield a net profit of about 500 dollars per acre.
A Wednesday blaze in Vicksburg damaged three buildings owned by the Bnai B'rith Society, American and Kern Express Companies. Two firemen were injured though neither was hurt in the active flames. The Bnai B'rith club rooms were spared. insurance on the building and furnishings totaled $30,000. Stock in the adjoining A. Rose and Company dry goods building was damaged by water.
In Philadelphia on May 20 the captain of the American steamer Cushing Lars Larson Herland reported that the German aeroplane attack on April 28 in the North Sea was a dastardly attempt to sink an armed vessel and murder crew. A copy of the report went to the state department in Washington.
Seven newly elected Alabama National Guard officers stood examinations at the adjutant general’s office before commissions in the state militia. Named are Major Walter C. Bare of Gadsden Fourth Infantry and lieutenants Charles J. Matthews George Hall Hilton C Company G Comune Gilmer and George Armatees tenants of Company M Second Try and Thomas H. Garrett of Company F Fourth Infantry.
The period forecast shows unsettled conditions tonight and Friday with probable showers across Mobile Alabama and Mississippi. The same pattern is seen in Alabama with lingering showers possible into Friday.
A collection of fragmented lost and found entries lists items including a gold and pearl handle with initials Spao ae Prichard car or between Lexington Ly nne and Lafayette street, a black folding pocketbook, a bracelet engraved with the name Ethel Busby, and requests to contact Miss McMahon and Mrs Howard Long for rewards. The text is garbled with broken names and addresses.
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