12 Dec 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1917
Page
1
A fragmented report notes opposition to the Bolsheviki Q sine grows firmer. The text suggests rising resistance within political factions in a period of vigilant alignment and sharpened divides among groups.
The Halifax disaster response reports a revised death toll near 1800 with about 1900 bodies recovered and 900 still under debris. Many victims are blind, and 200 children have lost both parents. Relief efforts, shelters, and funerals proceed as investigators prepare the official inquiry.
Former Prime Minister Asquith told a Birmingham audience that British sacrifices prove an enduring spirit and a new era of liberty and justice. He supported President Wilson’s aims, argued against enemy misperceptions, and urged a lasting peace based on generosity and justice.
The Railroads War Board told President Wilson they will cooperate fully with any decision on the rail problem. They said they do not seek a billion dollar loan or suspensions of anti trust laws and urged a federal traffic director to coordinate shipments and approve credit for new capital. They blamed congestion on thousands of priority orders from many sources.
A night blast at the Bethlehem Steel shell loading plant near New Castle Delaware killed guard Theodore Jacobson of Harrison New Jersey as shells exploded amid flames. The incident damaged a 200 by 100 foot frame building containing 4600 loaded shells. loss estimated at 200000 with no other injuries. Incendiarism suspected. trolley delay affected about 500 workers.
The Senate Military Committee opened inquiry into World War I mobilization outlining problems from the National Defense Act of 1916 to 1,000,000 man goal. General Crozier cited manufacturers reluctance to accept fixed-price contracts, prewar funding gaps, and labor shifts as key delays. He said emergency orders used $335 million of a $100 million reserve funds and projected major progress by next summer. The hearing adjourned to continue the next day.
Amid reports of a planned counter revolution in Russia, Allied leaders including the United States consider sending an American army to support anti Bolshevik factions. The plan envisions a solidified front against Bolshevik forces in Southern Russia and a new line to keep German troops from Russia’s grain and metal regions. Front-line engagements near Hose in Kursk province and Kharkov are noted as Allied and Bolshevik forces clash while rumors of a Bolshevik disruption of the Constituent Assembly persist. The Vienna battleship Wien is reported sunk with most of her crew.
War Department announced that men in the national army will not be granted furloughs or leaves unless they are seen as necessary. The action aims to avoid disrupting morale and causing hardship on railroads, and reflects the department's concern over the burden such leaves would place on the service.
Report from Petrograd describes fighting as Bolshevik forces clash with incoming troops in the capital. Russian general leads troops against Bolsheviks. clashes near Mohilev reported with Bolsheviks defeated.
Grantland Rice the well known writer enlisted at Camp Sevier and has been promoted to sergeant of Battery F, an outfit from Tennessee, his native state, with orders dated December 12 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Havana dispatch reports President Menocal has sent a war declaration request to Congress asking to declare war on Austria Hungary. The message was delivered to President Coyula of the House and is expected to be read when Congress convenes. Action is anticipated to pass before the session ends.
Official announcement says an armistice was signed in Jassy Romania, suspending hostilities at 10:30 p m yesterday until further notice.
Italian Army headquarters report that Representative Tinkham of Boston fired the first American shot against Austria from the lower Piave. He pulled a string to fire a large 149 millimetre gun sending a shell toward Austrian positions across the Piave.
Copenhagen dispatch says the semi official German news agency reports Russian troops began demobilization. Peace negotiations initiated on the Russian front have been authorized.
Premier Lloyd George announced in Parliament that General Allenby entered Jerusalem on foot, vowing protection of sacred buildings. The proclamation assured maintenance of holy places and reported a warm reception, with guards around sites and the Mosque of Omar under Mohammedan control.
A broad regional snow story notes heavy Dec 12 snow across Virginia North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia with several cities reporting record or near record depths Six to ten inches fall in multiple locations including Newport News Roanoke Richmond and Danville while Norfolk and Columbia see disruption and ice slows travel Officials record 1908 1898 comparatives and crews work amid freezing temperatures and high winds in the region
Solicit or Hayden Clement urged the jury to convict Gaston B. Means of first degree murder with two alternate verdicts. The State alleged Means squandered and killed Mrs Mandy A. King to avoid accounting for estate funds, while defense stressed Means’ good character and questioned seizures from his New York apartment. The trial paused for rulings on witness testimony and motions, with closing evidence expected the next day.
American soldiers in France will receive a Christmas bag. Initial shipments for base hospital units on the British front were sent forward today, with final distribution set for Christmas. Each bag includes two cigarette packages two tobacco packs two pipe tobacco plugs a toothbrush toothpaste needle kit half a pound of candy and a khaki handkerchief.
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