19 Mar 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Mar 19, 1917
Page
1
In a cabinet meeting today President Wilson weighs steps to meet the submarine threat. The cabinet discusses potential immediate actions including arming ships and possible earlier congressional call. The situation grows urgent as preparations continue.
The German retreat across nearly 100 miles from Arras to the Soissons Laon line is under pursuit by British and French forces. In Persia, Russian columns push toward the Mesopotamian border as British forces advance up the Tigris against Turks. Berlin boasts a successful Zeppelin raid on London with casualties and a submarine sinks the Vigilancia with fifteen missing Americans.
Secretary Lansing was summoned to the White House by the President this morning to discuss government policy. The talks occurred in Washington and reflected ongoing policy deliberations.
London report says Premier Lloyd George announced in the House of Commons a motion of congratulation to the Russian Duma. He noted that on Thursday the government would move to extend congratulations to the Russian legislative body.
Paris reports that the Oise and Aisne regions may be liberated by tomorrow or the day after as German forces retreat across terrain favoring French cavalry. Key points include the forests of Ourscamp and Carlepont, the Crony Plateau near Soissons, and a restored line near Crouy. The report cites General Berthelot’s prior fighting and General Nivelle’s defense of the Soissons bridgehead.
Washington dispatch from Consul Frost at Queenstown details the sinking of the City of Memphis after a submarine engagement on February 17. Survivors include officers and wireless operators. 58 aboard with 29 Americans. The ship was stopped, attacked, and sunk despite some crew signaling. The eight hour act validity noted as five to four.
Chief Justice White announced the majority held the Adamson eight hour railroad act constitutional and valid in all respects. The decision, 65 to 4, confirms the wage increases for 400,000 train workers and designates eight hours as the standard of a day. Dissenters argued constitutional flaws and cost shifts to railroads.
After talks with the President, Secretary Daniels summoned Admiral Bensor and Captain Oliver to discuss measures to safeguard U S shipping. Ground for belief steps were being taken to bolster naval operations.
Washington reports a swift shift to protect shipping as three unarmed merchantmen were sunk, risking American lives. Congress may be called into extra session before April 16 while President Wilson weighs arming ships and a possible campaign to clear submarines from lanes.
A cable from New York on March 19 reports all but one boat from the steamer City of Memphis has been accounted for. The missing boat, in which Captain nn sought refuge, was expected to be found and counted for by the Ocean Steamship Company later today.
Paris reports the German line in retreat along nearly a fifth of the front from Switzerland to the sea. French and British forces press the advance, capturing key towns and territory with minimal losses. At Lassigny west of Roye the Germans offered weak resistance as French forces moved forward.
London reports Captain Borum and eight crewmen from the City of Memphis are missing after the steamer was sunk. Thirty three survivors, including 33 Americans, say the captain's boat separated early Sunday. The Vigilancia lists fifteen more missing after a German submarine torpedoed it.
Washington reports no news on Captain Borum. Ship papers were found in a biscuit tin in the captain’s boat, which was picked up at 11 a m on the 18th. The boat showed signs of hasty abandonment and carried a white silk handkerchief at the masthead as a flag. The nine men may have been taken by a German submarine or a friendly craft with no wireless.
The Farm Loan Board announced that interest on all loans to farmers from Federal Land Banks will be 5 percent. A 4.12 percent rate on bonds to be issued by the land banks was also officially stated.
Reuters reports from Tampere that the new Russian regime favors home rule for Finland. The Finnish diet will convene to form a government with popular confidence. General Zein, former governor, is sent to Petrograd as a prisoner amid widespread jubilation and peaceful conditions nationwide.
Twenty six mail bags addressed to Washington and the British embassy at Washington were found rifled on the Cunard liner Saxonia upon its arrival in New York.
London reports a German naval raid on Ramsgate resulting in the sinking of a British destroyer and a merchant vessel while another destroyer was damaged. The Admiralty announced the losses today.
The Dutch freighter Sagua, en route from Cuba to New York, radioed from off the New Jersey coast that it was not sinking after colliding with an unidentified bark. The crew abandoned ship except the captain and four sailors, later returning to the vessel as other ships moved to assist.
Berlin reports a Zeppelin raid on London lasting about ninety minutes. Bombs were dropped successfully and the airships returned to base. no further details were given on casualties or damage.
In a pistol duel in Memphis on March 19 J M Johnson a night watchman in the Southern part of the city faced two burglars. One robber was killed and the other wounded. A kit of burglar tools and a box of cartridges were found where the wounded man fled. The dead burglar is unidentified.
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