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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Jan 14, 1917
Page
7
An artillery lieutenant recounts surviving Verdun gas attacks as French gas bombs blanketed a forest position. He describes choking fumes, oxygen cartridges, and comrades dying, followed by hospital care and a perilous escape through gas-choked terrain.
London reports a War Office official says Australia hosts an advance in officer training begun during Gallipoli. The Imperial Service School, feeding drafts from New Zealand and other dominions, has 15,000 men commissioned in the past year and 5,000 more expected next month. It aims to become a model for colonies worldwide.
Berlin notes the conferment of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross on Field Marshal von Hindenburg and recalls eight German leaders who previously received the award in 1870 71. The piece lists Crown Prince Frederick III Prince Frederick Carl King Albert von Saxony Moltke Manteuffel Goeben von Werder and Frederick Franz II of Mecklenburg Schwerin. It also notes the Golden Star of the Iron Cross was awarded once in 1815 to von Bleucher.
Berlin court faced a farmer accused of selling sausage on meatless days. An expert found the sausage mix of blood cornstarch and farina and the court ruled the mixture could not be classed as meat.
Berlin reports support for the war time birth pattern with male births outnumbering females since the war began. Privy Councilor Dr. R Behls of the Prussian Statistical Bureau notes in Klinische Wochenschrift that about 105 boys are born for every 100 girls, a finding reinforced by Prof. Dr. Ballod’s independent studies across Germany and Austro Hungary.
Amsterdam reports that Germany produced 21 million bushels of potatoes last year, far below 1915’s 50 million and 1914’s 45 million. The news notes a dramatic decline in potato yields, signaling potential shortages and price pressures.
In a hospital recount, a veteran says only sixteen men of his battery escaped alive from the gas hell. He describes a numb head and a nauseating odor that lingers, yet reports rapid recovery and hopes to return to the front soon.
London reports a wave of Mormon proselytizing during wartime, led by prominent missionaries. Novelist Winifred Graham condemns the movement and calls for united action, alleging extensive propaganda and alleged coercive practices, urging government measures to curb Mormon influence in the United Kingdom.
Maximilian Harden, noted German peace advocate, via Allied reports, warns the German people not to underestimate Allied power. Reuters dispatch from Amsterdam cites Harden in the Berlin Tageblatt saying Russia’s resources are vast, England’s hunger is unfounded, and France’s manpower shortfall can be covered by British troops.
The Bishop of Birmingham reports serious moral conditions across British cities, blaming war times for looseness and temptations faced by munition workers drawn from inland towns. He criticizes church bodies for prioritizing soldiers and camps over domestic moral issues.
The government adds beans and rice to the list of forbidden export articles requiring special permission.
Berlin reports Professor Israel, famed for saving the Czarewitch twice, has been asked to rush to Saint Petersburg to aid the royal heir. He refused despite safe conduct and a large fee. The Czarewitch is said to be seriously ill after a cold caught near the front lines months ago.
Berlin reports a severe shortage of small coins causing business to struggle as merchants overcharge or undercharge. Chambers of Commerce and cities issue private fractional bills for local use, but these have no legal tender value outside neighborhoods. Permanent relief depends on Treasury drawing nickels and copper coins from circulation, with one, two, five and ten pfennig pieces removed to free supply.
Vienna reports that Spain moves to halt wholesale export of Spanish workers to French and British munitions plants. Ribos Fabra Angelmira Escayola and Manuel Alirango are jailed for neutrality law violations and luring workers abroad. They ran employment bureaus in Madrid and Barcelona and recruited a large force, smuggling them across the border and claiming pay per man.
London reports the Irish Brigade shows enduring courage with a new marching song praising their fights at the Somme and Ginchy. A regiment private authored the tune as veterans in France boast continued readiness and honor their fallen comrades while an Irish General oversees an Honors Book listing 980 names for gallantry and service.
Berne January 13 news says a Milan Bund rumor claims Italy mortgaged Sicily to England. the denial is not official and Northern Italians already call Sicilians Inglesi, the English.
Amsterdam пресс reports the Dutch Government Grain Bureau confirms homeward bound ships will be laden exclusively with grain for the Government. The note adds no link to Britain’s cabinet changes and clarifies the action is independent of those changes.
The War Department in Vienna on January 13 said cloth scarcity forces a universal uniform across Austrian troops. Service branches will be shown by metal badges rather than color, as used previously.
Leipzig reports the Imperial Court of Appeals ruled a soldier's postal card promising 50 000 marks to a friend's wife when he dies can be a valid will. Ernest Strasser, of Hagan Westphalia, died on the Western front. the wife will receive 7 500 dollars plus his books clothing and jewelry. The ruling overturns prior decisions that the card was not a legal will, potentially affecting many similar field statements.
Swiss correspondent cites German commander boasting French officers repeatedly try to escape from Ulm fortress camp. He recounts a tennis court siege, canned goods used to hide jail breakers tools, saws for bars, and a staged escape by a French lieutenant in a woman's gown.
London reports six Argyle Highlanders led by a sergeant entered Martinpuich after the September bombardment. They forced a dugout ambush, tossed two bombs, and about 60 Germans surrendered. The party guided by two privates crossed back to British lines amid machine gun fire.
Berlin January 18 The Lokaiahzeiger reports Emperor William donated 2500 dollars to the Children's Aid Society. The gift is earmarked to aid illegitimate children of soldiers who have died or remain in the field.
Berlin authorities urge stricter watch over children after rising juvenile crime reported across the country. Police and social services emphasize early intervention to curb escalating youth offenses.
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