24 May 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 24, 1916
Page
1
Paris reports a large German offensive east of Dead Man's Hill near Verdun failed overall, with fierce combat at Cumieres and limited trench gains east of Fort Douaumont. An Italian shell at Roverto destroyed a major munitions depot, setting the town ablaze.
Traffic officer Ben J. Dunn arrested Joe Carter, a black man, for transporting seven cases of beer on a wagon near Royal and St. Francis streets. Carter was unloading when Dunn intercepted the wagon at the Bienville Hotel. Carter to be arraigned before Recorder Edington. Dunn said he acted on Mayor Lyons' prohibition orders to keep the beat clear of blind tigers.
Paris reports continued fierce fighting around Verdun as German forces strive to capture Hill No. 304 and Dead Man's Hill on the Meuse left bank and retake Fort Douaumont on the right bank. Needing control of Pepper Hill to Vaux fort, the enemy must hold Hill 304 and Dead Man's Hill to advance on Verdun.
German forces press an unrelenting assault on Fort Douaumont and the left bank of the river as French defenses suffer heavy casualties. Terrain is reduced to ruin by shellfire while German infantry repeatedly advances into curtain fire from French batteries and machine guns.
The report describes French troops gripping positions around Fort Douaumont with unyielding steadiness amid heavy shelling. Soldiers endure colossal losses while ground remains contested as terrain is wrecked into shell holes and stripped trees mark the desolate landscape.
Berlin dispatch notes Thur i troops stormed and captured the village of Cu east of Dead Man's Hill on the Verdun front. The operation to date secured more than 300 prisoners, including eight officers.
May 24. S J McMath local agent for Central of Georgia Railway summoned to Muskogee county grand jury Thursday as Georgia investigates liquor shipments into Columbus. Officials theorize shipments by rail to Girard across the Alabama line where Alabama officials seek hidden liquor. Alabama deputies report a lodge hall with large liquor quantities found. lodge members say hidden without their knowledge.
A Mobile Chamber of Commerce group led by J. S. Taylor and W. M. Clemens will meet Secretary Houston to press for lifting the quarantine on Mobile cattle exports. Percy W. Maer joins the delegation with aims to coordinate city welfare and discuss Navy Department officials regarding the Annapolis graduates’ Mobile visit. A New Orleans delegation will join later to seek quarantine removal there as well.
A Mobile forecast promises fair and little change in temperature for today and Thursday. Winds shift from northeast to east as high pressure brings clear skies and moderate temps. Western regions report rain and snow while Abilene Texas hits 96 degrees and Mobile records 83 degrees.
The Tribe of Ben Hur plans a Thursday night moonlight ride aboard the chartered river boat Charles E. Cessna leaving Dauphin Street at 8 o clock. Drago’s band will provide music and refreshments will be served. The public is invited. Friday features a similar Cessna cruise hosted by the Knights of Pythias.
Clarence Collins testified that white man John S. West rented Battle House premises for illegal liquor sales, prompting Judge Henry Chamberlain to denounce the claim as false and hold Collins for perjury. West fined $51 plus costs. he appeals to the district court. Additional liquor cases and raids are noted, with several defendants fined or jailed.
Dublin reports John MacNeill, president of Sinn Fein Volunteers, found guilty by a court martial of complicity in the Irish rebellion. His sentence will be announced within a day or two.
Report from London May 24 says German forces renew desperate assaults on Fort Douaumont and positions east and west of Verdun. They seize part of a trench east of the fort, while French claim to hold nearly all of the fort. West of the Meuse the enemy pushes into Cumieres during heavy fighting. An Italian view suggests the aim is to hinder a broad Entente offensive on all fronts.
The old Ben Cruachan from the early fifties, famed in song, is being revived as the bark Carmela in Mobile. After a decade of decay a wreck was hauled from Dry Dock Company facilities. Captains Pierce and Bayles secured repairs by Mobile iron works and ship carpenters for over $100,000 ahead of a two week trial voyage to Cuba and later South American ports.
In less than two weeks Mobile firms will finish their contracts and the two captains who own the vessel will take the Car mela, the handsomest craft of its kind, to sea for a trial trip. Continued on Page Three.
Boston May 24. Rev Samuel A Eliot of Boston president of the American Unitarian Association urged that American and Canadian banners be displayed together on Flanders battlefields. Delegates applauded as neutrality had kept the Canadian flag from its usual place at headquarters. Eliot was re elected president and officers named include Taft Soule Cornish Williams.
The Ventura arrived from San Francisco and relayed a wireless message picked up from the Tuckerton station nine thousand miles away. Officials call it a world record in long distance radio reception.
Three hundred members of the grand lodge attended the first secret session at the temple in Montgomery Alabama at 9 30 this morning. The morning session conferred grand lodge ranks on past chancellors and representatives from lodges statewide. A short session and ceremonial are planned for tonight at the city auditorium with new officers to be elected tomorrow and much business to be disposed of.
Field dispatch from Nami Quipa Mexico May 24 reports Carranza garrison at Madera attempting to stir natives against Americans while keeping aloof. The American expedition patrols only south. Pershing thanks supporters for luxuries but notes troops well supplied and in good condition. Tomas Rojas, leader of raid at Colton Ranches, has been killed per General Trevino.
General Carranza will dispatch a new note to Washington via special messenger. Special Agent Rodgers in Mexico City advised the state department, but gave no start date or contents. Expected to reach Washington late next week, with officials noting friendlier attitudes among frontier officials after Obregon's report to Carranza following his talks with Eve Scott and Funston at the border.
An official report from General Jacinto Trevino says Thomas Rojas, head of the Colton ranch raid gang, was killed in a running gun battle and the remaining band members are being hunted. A rumor of war declaration by Mexico against the United States circulated but had no effect.
Douglas Arizona May 24 starvation is rapidly decimating the Yaqui Indians as de facto Mexican troops drive them from food sources. Colonel Miguel S Samaniego says he arrived in Agua Prieta after a year campaigning in the Yaqui river valley.
The June 2 3 national defense convention in Chattanooga Tennessee will feature speeches by Lawrence F Abbott president of the Outlook publisher and Frederick Hildekoper founder of the Army League of the United States and author on preparedness. Mayor Jesse M Little announced the gathering which includes mayors from ninety Southern and Western towns.
In the House of Commons Premier Asquith will declare the office of viceroy of Ireland abolished. Lord Wimborne, still in resignation, will receive another senior government post.
Henry Spencer admitted stealing a silver watch to Judge Chamberlain in the inferior criminal court. He was sentenced to four months on the county road. Complainant was E. A. Henderson of Magazine Point.
The hull of the bark Lamberga, bought in Havana by Captain R. A. Pierce, will depart for New Orleans and then Mobile to be rebuilt into a modern four mast schooner. Over fifty thousand dollars will be spent fitting the vessel with Ollinger Bruce Dry Docks Company handling the conversion. The Lamberga, once an old hay storage ship, will carry a cargo of sugar to New Orleans before her transfer. Captain Pierce left Mobile for Havana and plans to return soon with crews for the project.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10 to 8 to report favorably the nomination of Louis D. Brandeis to be associate justice of the Supreme Court. Senator Shields supported the favorable report arriving from Knoxville for the panel. He met with Senator Hoke Smith and did not reveal his final vote.
President Wilson sent the nomination to the Senate on January 28. A Boston citizens committee framed charges. a sub committee backed confirmation by 3 to 2 along party lines. The judiciary committee debated the testimony as doubts lingered about Reed O Gorman Smith and Shields.
The nomination moves to the senate with Brandeis facing confirmation. Senators for were Culberson Overman Chilton O Gorman Fletcher Reed Ashurst Shields Walsh and Smith of Georgia. Those against were Clark Nelson Dillingham Sutherland Brandegee Borah Cummins and Works.
An order attributed to Field Marshal von Hindenburg warns German troops on the Russian front that peace negotiations are unlikely. The message states there can be no peace until crossing the Dvina and urges soldiers to seek peace elsewhere if desired.
Newport News Virginia May 24 Within twenty four hours two more units join the American merchant marine. The Munson line freighter Munalbro and the Standard Oil steamer H Rogers will be turned over by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company to their owners. The Munalbro will load coal for Havana Cuba and the Rogers will sail to Gabine and Tampico to load.
London dispatches report from diplomatic circles that Prince von Buelow may visit Washington as a special peace mission. Officials doubt he will replace Count von Bernstorff and suggest his tasks would mirror Colonel House’s diplomacy, seeking U S neutrality views and submarine dispute details.
Duthard Limage Phillipe consul for Haiti in Mo returned to New Orleans after a week away. During his absence T C McGonigal acted as consul. A misprint suggested his replacement was appointed. Phillipe’s office is at 500 Dauphin Street.
In Virginia City Nevada on May 24 four men died in a blaze that swept the lower levels of the Yellow Jacket mine. Two bodies were recovered as mine workers continued battling the fire and awaiting word on the remaining men.
Tarragona Spain reports twenty one crew members of the Greek steamship Istros arrived after their vessel was torpedoed. The crew’s distress message was transmitted via Paris and dated May 24.
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