26 Dec 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1917
Page
1
Fragmentary notes describe defections from Lesne and rising unrest in Petrograd. Mentions of soldiers deserting, Cossack restrictions, and Bolshevik influence point to a fragile pause before a broader political shift.
Federal officials disclosed a German spy network led by a prominent woman referred to as He and linked to Franz Schulenberg. The group allegedly plotted destruction in Canada and against Pacific port facilities, with Schulenberg directed to meet in Los Angeles and later transmit military information to Berlin. Demonstrated ties include Wolf von Ierl, former secretary to Franz von Papen, and Hindu figure Ravi Chandra involved in financing.
A memorial mass was held in San Marco church in Venice on December 25 commemorating the deliverance of Jerusalem from Turkish control. The ceremony carried political weight as Austrians threatened to advance toward San Marco by Christmas but faced fervent demonstrations instead over the expulsion of the Turk from the Holy City.
Vilhjalar Stefanssen, head of the Canadian Arctic expedition and last heard from in March 1916, has arrived with his party at Fort Yukon. He has been in the far North since 1913, prompting earlier concerns about his safety.
Washington Dec 26 Fuel Administrator Garfield told the Senate inquiry that if the war lasts longer the government may seize coal and sell at a fair price. He said coal operators are earning record profits and that production must be stimulated to meet war demands. He cited limited relief for railways and stressed shifting emphasis from price to output. He noted no precise dividend figures for large speculators but confirmed large profits and the need to boost production.
Washington reports 20 000 workers have been idle for a month as strikes and lockouts disrupt the government shipbuilding program. E B Stevens of the shipbuilding board testified to the Senate investigating committee about the losses and delays.
London dispatch reports tobacco viewed as essential, not a luxury, by food controller Loui Rhondda. He warns deprivation would cause great discomfort and mentions possible tobacco rationing as foreseen by newspapers.
Rome reports that Co Del Rosso and Monte Val Bella on the Asiaro plateau were recaptured by Italian forces in a counter attack but could not be held, as announced by the war office.
Amsterdam reports in the German press that Prof. Kucarezski, Poland's premier, says a Polish throne is debated with Austro Polish options. Some favor a Polish noble as king while others want an independent Poland with an Austrian archduke. he stresses an early appointment before suffrage and to build a Polish army, subject to parliament approval.
The Associated Press reports widely that Joan Felton Williams is viewed as the leading candidate for the position of Railroad Administrator under the President's administration. The announcement follows confirmation of succession plans and indicates Williams would assume duties in the near term.
U S troops chase Mexican bandits who looted the Brite ranch and store 27 miles southeast of Marta Texas. Michael Welch, a veteran driver, and two Mexican passengers were killed. Rioters reportedly fled after a rim rock chase with 1,000 yard shooting. Colonel Langhorne led the pursuit as cavalrymen used automobiles and rifle fire to intercept the raiders.
Secretary of Labor Wilson is ill from overwork during his West trip mediating labor disputes. It is uncertain when he can resume duties, but the illness is not considered dangerous.
The Senate Military Committee heard General officers recount conditions of American overseas troops and National Army camps. General O Ryan from Camp Wadsworth and Major General Greble from Camp Bowie testified. The panel postponed further questions on Quartermaster Sharpe and kept O Ryans remarks private for now.
The draft system calls for 1089 bricklayers of draft age for General Pershing in France. White bricklayers only to be taken, via draft or volunteer service, with regional boards assembling workers by draft number. Similar skilled trades may face future calls as Crowder outlines occupational classifications.
New York December 26 The Tuscarora once a lake vessel now Atlantic service ship with 36 crew members is believed wrecked at sea north of Cape Breton island advices from Nova Scotia say The Tuscarora commanded by Captain Crowell of Cape Cod was cut in two on the lakes in September towed via Welland canal and joined at Montreal before sailing for New York on December 6 The last signal was as she passed Farther Point on the St Lawrence Today advices report wreckage parts including a bridge house and deck timbers found at St Paul island about 374 miles northeast from Cape North on Cape Breton island Shipping men think the wreckage is from the missing Tuscarora
Italian headquarters on the Piave front report Austro German defense on the west bank with trenches and barbed wire. A general described the line as highly organized with a dike embankment and farmhouses torn by Italian shelling as troops moved through front trenches.
Cleveland Ohio December 26 a plot to poison Red Cross bandages and kill soldiers of America and allies was thwarted Department of Justice agents hunted the perpetrators over three thousand surgical dressings rolled by Toledo women were infected with a green poison and burned bandages arrived from Toledo last week were found to be treated with poison revealing a deliberate conspiracy by unknown attackers.
A New York report attributes a wartime condition to constant knitting. Dr Louis Weltmiller of the Westside Y M C A says many women show symptoms and advises proper posture and rest. He notes there are 205 days in a year and you cannot finish a sweater in a day.
In the Italian trenches along the lower Piave today American Red Cross gifts reached soldiers. Consul Harvey Carroll Jr. distributed tobacco sweets handkerchiefs and other presents to grateful troops amid enthusiastic responses from local commanders and their men.
New York reports a formed organization of local draft boards preparing to aid soldiers returning from the war. President John H. Hallock says boards will use machinery to help reemployed veterans find civilian jobs and act as centers of welfare information for families and needy cases during the war.
Greece asks its citizens in the United States to enlist in the American army. The government will suspend typical punishments for Greeks who enlist with a foreign power and will reward them for supporting American arms, per a note delivered to the State Department.
Reported in Europe a American sentry was found with a throat cut after capture by German forces in France. News notes enemy terror aimed at civilians, raids on the front, and Italian front actions including Italian gains at Col Del Rosso and Monte Pertica. Bolshevik protests over troop transfers and armistice issues are also cited as Prest-Letovsk talks stall.
Pittsburgh reports 20 dead after a streetcar crash in the South Hills tunnel. Mrs Adelaide Bongiovanni, injured in the wreck, died in hospital as investigators tally the fatalities and a restaurant owner’s wife recounts a $10,000 diamond loss in the disaster.
At a national conference in Clermont-Ferrand the General Conference of Labor adopted a near unanimous resolution aligning French workers with Wilson’s war aims. The federation was urged to press the French government for a clear public statement of its peace terms and to extend Russia’s revolutionary aims to France.
Washington December 26 The Department of Commerce approves official labels for new fish foods meeting government standards. Secretary Redfield says only foods meeting requirements will bear the label recommended by the Bureau of Fisheries. Leather shortages are being explored with fish skins. samples show whale fin whale latines porpoise gray fish and shark skins yielding shoe uppers gloves bookbinding and mechanical leather.
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