04 May 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile News Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 04, 1917
Page
1
Washington reports a cablegram from the British foreign office says western front forces are two weeks ahead of attacking schedule. The advance is faster than expected with smaller losses, only about half the Somme rate, credited to better artillery prep and controlled assault pace.
London reports the British breaching the Oppy line in a fierce offensive aiming to collapse the Wotan line before its completion. Haig concentrates forces near Queant to close the jaws of a German defense that guards the Douai Cambrai sector and northern Lens coal and iron regions.
British forces advanced northwest of St Quentin and northeast of Hargicourt, seizing Malakoff farm. They held Fresnoy, repelling counterattacks, but abandoned one breach northeast of Cherisy on the Arras Cambrai road. Fighting persisted near Bullecourt with heavy counterattacks along the Hindenburg line. Continued on page nine.
Recruiting at Mobile stations Friday showed a clear dip as the naval office did not send personnel to Montgomery and enlistments in the regular army and Alabama Infantry fell, reflecting a quieter recruitment period in the city.
The News-Item will publish a twenty seven week serial titled Adventure by Jack London starting May 5. Each Saturday edition will feature one thrilling chapter and a romantic thread. Syndicated through McClure Syndicate, the serial is copyright protected.
London reports from the Admiralty state the missing boat in the Atlantic has been found with all hands saved. The incident involved sailors from Rockingham and occurred near open waters, with recovery confirming no loss of life.
Captain Edwards of the American steamer Rockingham said in a AP interview that all fourteen lifeboat occupants, including Third Officer McKenny and thirteen American gunners, should be safely landed as seas stayed favorable. He noted submarines dived quickly after sighting and torpedoing came minutes after guns trained on the periscope area.
Captain Charles Edwards of the American steamer Rockingham reported sighting two submarines Tuesday afternoon five miles distant. A torpedo struck near the engine room, killing two crew members as the ship sank. Forty men survived aboard four lifeboats that escaped to sea and later reached Londonderry. The submarine approached the lifeboats but offered no assistance before submerging.
The censorship section of the espionage bill failed to pass in the House, defeated 220 to 167. Associated Press reports the measure could not be saved by opinion and did not advance on May 4 in Washington.
Three arrests on charges of violating the prohibition law were made this morning by deputy sheriffs. Those taken into custody were Andy Keily, Will Duff and Dave Abrams, who were docketed at the county jail. The three made bond.
Fore cast: fair tonight cooler. Saturday expected fair. Winds light. Temperatures to drop slightly.
In Christiansburg Virginia on May 4 the defense in Prof Charles B E Vawter's murder trial rested after two witnesses testified they saw Vawter between 9 30 and 10 30 PM on the night of the shooting and that he was not bringing Mrs Vawter back. Mrs Vawter was not recalled as the state began rebuttal and defense attorneys introduced a liquor house bookkeeper from Baltimore formerly of Roanoke to counter claims of heavier May drinking. court admitted heat ledger leaves from 1910 to 1916 despite objections.
Lunch adjournment at 12 50 left prosecution still rebutting and defense summoning new witnesses in sur rebuttal. Prospects for finish by Saturday night dim. Afternoon session expected to be consumed by testimony and contested instructions with argument likely tomorrow afternoon. J L Lee to close for the state and may not be heard until Monday.
On day three of the trial the defense called two witnesses who testified they saw Vawter between 9 30 and 10 30 PM and that he was not drinking. The defense rested as the prosecution sought a 25 minute recess for rebuttal. Rainy weather and a subdued crowd marked the day in court.
Prosecution drops intro of Heths dying statement used to fuel speculation about its facts. Spectators watch Mrs Vawter endure Lee's cross examination as the trial unfolds.
Mrs. Vawter acknowledged intimacies with Heth while intoxicated and described how a morning confrontation led to a struggle over a revolver. She claimed she begged her husband to kill her, heard shots, and said the blame lay with both Heth and herself as Mr. Vawter moved about the house.
On Friday two aliens filed petitions for naturalization in the United States district court. They are Alexander G. Ross of Camden Alabama and Nathan Dreyfus of Mobile. Ross is a native of Forfarshire Scotland.
The Supreme Court of Alsbanay today refused to impeach Sheriff Thomas J. Batson of Jefferson County over the D. D. Overton escape and related incidents. The court found Batson not guilty. The hearing cited 22 prisoners escaping in about as many months and scrutinized claims of sheriff negligence and corruption surrounding the jail yard and key access.
The remarks note all Jefferson county official figures attending the trial and ponder whether a union exists or fear of a looming day. The excerpt mentions a defense linked to grand jury notes from an investigation, claimed as the first time someone could access those notes and the critique it drew.
A British delegation led by Charles Bowerman and J. Thomas arrives in New York en route to Washington to advise American labor in wartime efforts. They travel aboard a British steamship at the invitation of the American Federation of Labor with H. W. Garrod representing the labor party.
Paris May 4 A Marseilles dispatch says the patro ne of torpedoed transport Arcadian showed heroism in saving victims of the submarine. Officers and men leaped overboard and held up drowning soldiers. One patrol saved 23 men in an hour and a half.
The News-Item announced a $26 gold prize for the best answer to What is Mobile's most pressing need The contest was judged by L D Dix Rotary Club president W D Bellingrathi Chamber of Commerce president and John T Cochrane School Board president The winner will be announced and the essay printed tomorrow.
Police report a surge in stolen plumbing and lighting fixtures from vacant houses. Over four months about a thousand dollars worth of brass copper and lead piping has vanished from multiple properties including northwest State and St Joseph streets and 63 Tuttle avenue. A gang attacked the Tunstall residence on Dauph Way stealing plumbing fixtures valued at 200 dollars.
Several thousand registration cards for eligibles for the conscript list of the army have been received at the city hall from Washington. Instructions will come soon on their use in registration. One side of each card asks twelve questions about name, birth, citizenship, race, employment, and exemptions. A warning corner states if the person is of African descent tear off that corner.
The document outlines registrar filled fields for a person registered. It requests height and build, eye and hair color or baldness, and disability status. It also includes spaces for name, city, precinct, county, state, registration date, and registrar signature.
East B. Chamberlain representing several defendants in prohibition cases appeared before the commission. City Attorney R H Smith said he would prosecute all cases as the prosecuting officer. Mayor Pillans stated the executive declined to interfere with the course of the law or use clemency to prevent injustice. Commissioners Schwarz and Lyons advised the attorney to proceed with the cases.
In a May 4 annual message to congress President Gomez states Venezuela continues strict neutrality while noting Germany has departed from accepted maritime warfare. He says no incident has harmed Venezuela and the nation remains uninvolved in broader complications, distancing Caracas from U.S. entanglements.
The Mobile city commission advances ordinances to hold a vote on issuing bonds up to 100000 for a sulpher system and dredged channels. Amendments seek federal and state harbor approval before election and project details include docks, bulkhead, warehouses, and terminal facilities along Mobile Bay.
Washington May 4 Definite plans have been completed for sending United States army base hospitals to the fighting front in France. Details will not be disclosed. The sending of the American hospital units is in accord with a plan to increase hospital facilities behind the front and reduce the number of hospital ships which have become targets for German submarines.
The weather bureau predicts cooler weather for Mobile tonight and Saturday with fair skies. Moderate northwest to north winds are expected and temperatures range from 73 to 76 degrees. the Tombigbee River and its branches are projected to rise over the next two days.
Articles of incorporation filed in probate court Friday establish Hol-Gif Drug Co of Mobile Incorporated to run a general retail drug business in Mobile. Capitalized at 3000 dollars, the new company begins with total subscribed capital. Incorporators are R L Hollingsworth and M K Griffing.
New York May 4 Count Adam Tarnowski von Tarnow the unreceived Austrian ambassador to the United States issued farewell greetings to his countrymen and urged them to honor the land that hosts them and on which they earn their livelihood before departing the U S after failing to be received at the embassy.
The German Socialists dispatched a delegation to the Stockholm international conference. Phillip Scheidemann and Ebert Mueller head the party executive and Reichstag, with Deputies David Noske and Gnauser, and labor union leaders Lagien and Bauer joining the mission.
The May 4 session opened with widespread selling in New York stocks as rails led losses. Read ing, New York Central, Louisville and Nashville, Norfolk and Western, St. Paul preferred, Delaware and Hudson joined declines, with Mexican Petroleum Bethlehem Steel and Industrial Alcohol among the big losses. United States Steel and other industrials initially held firm but eased as offerings grew. A brisk rally was underway.
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