30 Jan 1918
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile News Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 30, 1918
Page
1
Article notes wartime railway delays from Germany and Swiss Basel as a strategic gateway into Germany. It suggests troop movements cause late trains and frames Basel as a critical entry point and warning against anything that would aid Germany in World War I.
The News Item will publish a USA newspaper coordinated series by the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Victor Morgan of The Cleveland Press traveled to Europe to answer what is happening in Germany today. Mobile readers gain exclusive N E A service coverage.
London report says three people were killed and ten injured in last night’s Gotha raid. Officials fear six more bodies are buried in a house ruin. Anti aircraft fire and planes disrupted the attack after the heart of London was targeted. Conditions favored the raid with clear sky and light wind.
At Mestre a German raid on a Red Cross hospital killed two American volunteers, William Platt and Richard Cutts Fairfield, as bombs struck the courtyard. Both youths, believed from Pennsylvania and New York, had not enrolled in the American Red Cross, having joined the Wynne-Bevan ambulance corps through Harvard ties. The raid wounded several patients and left a funeral procession with many coffins.
Mobbilians will get two chances to witness Harry Gardiner the Human Fly as he scales the Mobile courthouse at 12 30 Friday and later climbs the City Bank building on St Joseph street under a searchlight. Proceeds aid the Mobile Church and Recreation House Fort Morgan and the Defense Council fund for Alabama soldiers. Espalla and Vickers join The News Item in bringing the act to Mobile.
Italian forces report new successes on the Asiago plateau capturing and holding important peaks Col del Rosse and Monte Val Bella. Austria lost ground as Rome and Berlin acknowledge Italian progress while Austrians had earlier taken positions on December 23. British and French units repelled raids with casualties noted.
The narrative describes thin German soldiers at Basel with mottled skin and loose necks signaling long underfeeding. It notes harsh insults like schweinhunde and claims of massive Western movement of men and weapons, including record cannon concentrations at Cologne and Mannheim, driving a looming Allied confrontation.
A wartime article describes a strategy to test western line weak points with overwhelming force. Cologne and Mannheim to distribution hubs, green American troops expected, no weather delay, and Kaiser prepared to spend a million lives to break through. The piece notes a relentless assault and heavy casualties as the plan proceeds.
John Ash was docketed at the county jail last night on a charge of violating state automobile speed laws. County Officer Daves alleges the defendant drove his car at a speed greater than eyean es a case against Mayson, car in the inferior criminal court today. was continued.
About 2 365 poll taxes were paid by afternoon with expectations of 3 600 by Friday midnight. Voters urged by county candidates to secure eligibility for the August primaries. Alabama attorney general rules soldiers must pay if voting rights are exercised until a new law provides exemption.
Antoine Deutsche, a machinist from Bassaic, N J, was arrested by federal authorities after allegedly predicting publicly last Wednesday that the Submarine Boat Corporation plant at Newark would be blown up or burned. The Newark plant suffered a $1,000,000 loss from a recent fire. Deutsche is held pending examination as secret servicemen investigate the overheard prediction.
United States Senator William Hughes of Paterson died in a Paterson hospital after weeks of illness due to septic poisoning from a tooth infection and bronchial pneumonia. News reports note a record daily sale of war savings stamps reached 1340 dollars, surpassing the prior high. Carriers and office windows contributed to the peak as sales remained strong.
British fighters returned safely after a raid across Kent and Essex with about fifteen aircraft taking part. Bombs were dropped on southwestern outskirts of London and elsewhere with few casualties reported. Several aerial engagements occurred and no raiders penetrated deep into the capital.
An anarchist newspaper in Petrograd urges the United States to hold Ambassador Francis personally responsible for the safety of Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman who face two years in federal prison for conspiring against the draft. Recent dispatches from Ambassador Francis make no further comment on the matter.
The $400,000,000 issue of certificates of indebtedness closed last night and was heavily oversubscribed. The Treasury Department announced that allotments will be made once all subscriptions are reported. The certificates are payable on April 22.
About 000 worth of smileage tickets for army camp theaters were sold in a national drive to fund better amusements for servicemen, it was announced today.
Forecast calls for fair conditions in Alabama and Mississippi with rain in the northeast Alabama portion. Tonight colder with a cold Thursday expected in both states.
A campaign to raise 15000 in stock at 100 each to fund the Gulf Coast Fair was launched. W F Barry says 7000 will cover current debt and the balance will secure a fair for Mobile this fall. A noon meeting at the Battle House and Rotary Club luncheon follow to boost support.
London reports that the British steamers Aragon and Osmanieh were sunk in the Mediterranean earlier this month. The loss of 79 lives was confirmed by Thomas J. McNamara, financial secretary of the admiralty, with details on ship tonnage build years and ownership.
Mr. B. F. McLeod of the Emergency Fleet Corporation will be in Mobile on Friday. He seeks a conference with Mobile’s shipbuilding heads and will review labor conditions at plants with government contracts during his visit. His prior stop was postponed.
Madrid reports Premier announces swift action after the torpedoing and sinking of the 4490 ton steamer Giralda on January 26 following a prior pilfering incident. The incident disrupts coastwise trade as details are awaited.
Gardiner presents an acrobatic exhibition at the Court House with a Friday 12 30 PM start and a Saturday 7 30 PM show. He describes his act as guided by psychological acumen and faith, not physical dexterity, claiming to bend water and spigots with perceived certainty and mind power.
Speaker Mr Gardiner urges strict self denial to educate the self for perfect self control. He argues modern society over-indulges in physical and mental life and that spiritual powers must ascend and govern human desires.
The Associated Press reports a new severe cold wave spreading from the Northwest to the Central West and eastern half of the country. It brings light snow, rain in the southeast, and will reach the Atlantic coast by Friday with intense conditions in the Ohio valley and upper lakes region.
Announcement from France on January 20 reports about 500000 tons of former German steamships ready for high seas service. Most vessels are transporting men and materials to France as part of Allied efforts, with ships including the viathan formerly the Vachen and about a dozen others.
Here is the Human Fly who will perform two exhibitions in Mobile. He will scale the Courthouse on Friday and the City Bank on Saturday night.
The dispatch notes that German strikes are described as sporadic rather than nationwide. Reports differ by source with Rotterdam and other lines citing only mild or targeted demands rather than a broad general strike.
Reports from Mackay Queensland say the cyclone and tidal wave caused heavy property damage with a small death toll likely not exceeding twenty. Much sugar in storage was damaged and value placed around 2 500 000 pounds. The town remains flooded with streets filled with wreckage.
Police Officer Louis Baker was jailed on a charge of assault and battery filed by taxi driver J P Koung. Baker, released on bond, is accused of an incident at a local hotel three weeks prior that also led to a 20 day suspension for the officer. The warrant was sworn before Judge Chamberlain as Koung also alleged face painting, a knockout, and a kick.
The Mobile Council of Defense reports $3,000 subscribed to aid Alabama soldiers and over $8,000 already pledged for comforts not provided by the government. The drive continues until Friday with a full report to follow. Chairman easpalla expects Mobile to contribute $4,500 in total.
Mrs. A I Donovan, charged with cruelty to an animal, demanded a jury trial at arraignment in the inferior court and was released on a $100 bond. The warrant alleges she failed to provide proper care for three cows on the property.
A British War Office statement reports good visibility enabling aerial operations. British airmen dropped 400 bombs on targets near Roulers Menin and near Tournai. Several enemy planes were shot down or forced out of control. Three British aircraft are missing. Six tons of bombs were dropped on enemy billets rail stations and aerodromes overnight. All British machines returned safely.
War department legislation tentatively agreed by the Senate Military Committee proposes a registrar for youths reaching 21 since June 5 last, allocates quotas by class, and allows the president to call men for special industrial work. Provost Marshal General Crowder outlined the plan to set a new drawing order, with most new registrants expected in class one. The bill excludes exemptions for men aged 31 under Baker’s plan.
Knights of Columbus leaders organized a war fund drive at a meeting of team captains at the Ith on Hotel. J H Glennon announced a well organized session in Mobile with Bishop Edward P Allen to support the movement in camps and community.
A narrative fragment describes Gus Entrekin, arrested for drunkenness, appearing in court, arraignment, and paying ten dollars as a self-imposed fine in a chaotic scene. The text references a cow and unspecified section 276.
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