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Newspaper
Wakefield Advocate
Location
Wakefield, Michigan, United States of America
Date
Mar 03, 1917
Page
4
A garbled report references a stretch of terrain near Calabasas and a distant river, mentioning rustlers, a Lefever barn, and a Spain connection. It hints at a staged crime involving theft, deception, and a scratched knife incident tied to unnamed locals and an uneasy frontier atmosphere.
Eighteen persons perish when a fast freight crashes into the rear of a Pennsylvania express at Mount Union station. Among the dead are Chester A Minds and Mrs Minds, two other Minds relatives, several named passengers, and three unidentified children being taken to an orphanage. A Pullman porter and multiple salesmen from New York and Wisconsin are listed among the injured or killed.
German submarines report sinking 21 ships including the White Star steamer Afric and a British transport, with details on tonnage and dates. The Overseas News agency notes Afric was sunk February 12, not February 16, and mentions four auxiliary cruisers or transports believed sunk earlier.
Berlin reports English destroyers fought a German torpedo boat force in the English channel during the night of February 25 into February 26. German boats reportedly advanced past the Dover Calais line toward the Thames mouth and then withdrew after heavy artillery actions. German forces hit no losses. coastal installations and the town of Markete were bombarded.
Havana reports government troops seized Camaguey after light resistance from rebels who fled. Santa Clara battles at Loma del Grillo left 15 rebels killed and 118 wounded with Del Portal wounded. Government losses were seven wounded and one killed as Colonel Betancourt advances toward Santiago.
Robbers entered through a rear window at the First National Bank in Daytona Beach Florida on March 1 drilled a vault and took fifteen thousand dollars plus an unestimated amount of securities.
London March 1 Turkish troops taken prisoner by the British at Kut-el Amara now number several thousands, Sars Curzon, member of the war council, stated in the house. The retreating Turks were pursued.
British headquarters report a significant German withdrawal on a front in France. Under fog and mist, German forces pulled back from Pys, Serre, Miraumont and Petit Miraumont including the Butte de Warlencourt. British gains imply a retreat up to three miles in places, after bitter resistance and prior heavy losses of ground and prisoners.
Amsterdam reports Holland will seize 40 German liners interned in the Dutch Indies if Germany does not indemnify owners of seven Dutch vessels torpedoed by German submarines. The Dutch government notes Germany is responsible for the sinkings and vows retaliation unless indemnities are paid.
Hartwig Devisen formerly of Laporte Indiana and Mrs Devisen were held in Paris due to German connections after leaving Germany with former Ambassador Gerard party. They were released by representations from the American embassy and will sail for the United States from Coruna Spain to embark for home.
From Presidio Texas on February 27 wire reports describe a clash 30 miles west of Ojinaga between Carranza garrison troops and Villa forces. Seventeen Carranza soldiers were killed and many wounded while Villa forces left ten dead on the field according to Mexican witnesses.
The Navy Department opened bids for 2400 one pound rifles and mounts 350 three inch rifles and mounts and many four and five inch guns with mounts. These are the types suitable for arming merchantmen.
Berlin reports Von Bethmann Hollweg told the Reichstag President Wilson’s recall of relations with Germany was brusque and unprecedented. He compared it to Wilson’s Mexico policy, faulted U S travel rights, and urged that German peace terms demand reparations and strong guarantees for Germany while confronting Britain’s sea blockade. He warned that Britain’s control of seas must be broken.
Berlin reports say the Yarrowdale prisoners cannot be released due to an infectious disease found at their residence in Washington. Officials claim Germany aims to use the sailors as hostages pending a decision on peace or war, escalating the diplomatic dispute.
London reports Premier Lloyd George warned in the House of Commons that Germany’s submarine campaign endangers Britain. He urged strict import restrictions to conserve tonnage, accelerate home production, and deploy harsh measures to safeguard the nation’s shipping, noting over a million tons already pledged to France.
Robert Allen Haden, American Presbyterian missionary in Foochow China, reportedly died when the French liner Athos was sunk by a submarine 210 miles east of Malta on February 17. Consul Keblinger in Malta sent the report to Washington, noting the Athos carried troops and may have been a transport. No action expected until submarine identity is confirmed.
Denver February 28 a state house bill makes singing or playing The Star Spangled Banner in a medley a misdemeanor. The law targets performances that mix the anthem with other tunes. It aims to protect the national symbol and enforce proper respect for the anthem.
Copenhagen dispatch reports that all Hungarian newspapers will cease publication within days due to a paper shortage. The Frankfurter Zeitung summarises Budapest sources saying the crisis forces mass shutdowns and disruption of media across Hungary.
Havana reports Colonel Betan Court leading a government detachment from Manzanillo toward Santiago where rebels are attacked. The force advances and enters the town of Bayamo in Oriente Province, signaling a government assault on rebel positions.
A storm drenched thousands of acres in San Jose California and displaced 200 families. Alvin Huber, aged fifteen, drowned as the flood claimed two lives in the area.
A Louisville blaze caused over 1 million dollars in damage, destroying the Kentucky Public Elevator Company elevators and wrecking or harming 75 freight cars. The incident occurred on February 28 in Kentucky's Louisville district.
Washington February 28 a bill granting a pension of one hundred dollars a month to the widow of the late Major General Frederick Funston was passed by the senate.
Berlin reports a French ammunition plant near Paris blew up causing about 200 deaths and 700 injuries. The blast destroyed 80 000 tons of ammunition, per Overseas News Agency dispatch.
London reports the Westminster Gazette under the headline Another Step for War says President Wilson advances one step at a time but leaves open chances for opposition to develop, suggesting growing tension as U S policy nears potential conflict.
President Wilson urges Congress to grant authority and credit to arm American merchant ships in response to German submarine warfare. He cites recent Allied neutrals’ losses, outlines the case of ships like Housatonic Frye and Law, and argues for defending maritime rights while avoiding war if possible. He emphasizes preserving neutral rights, ensuring insurance, and readiness to act if diplomacy fails. He stresses congressional action is needed before the current term ends to safeguard peace and commerce.
A report on vital statistics claims it is more dangerous to be a baby at home in Britain than an infantryman in France. It explains that of 100 births, 10 are lost before birth, and of the remaining 90, about one fifth die by the end of the first year, leaving very few to celebrate their first birthday.
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