08 May 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
May 08, 1917
Page
1
Navy reports say American submarines in the Atlantic were supplied with stores from ships under the flag during wartime operations. German submarines were allegedly involved in the transportation of these supplies.
Washington Mike Johnson of Norfolk & Western led southeastern railroads before the Interstate Commerce Commission, urging a 15 percent freight-rate rise to cover rising wages, fuel, and materials costs. He cited coal price hikes, new coal plants, and the need for credit to fund war loans. Fairfax Harrison of the Southern and W. J. Harahan of Seaboard Air Line backed the request with their own cost pressures and embargo impacts.
Washington May 8 with Navy officials hopeful that a billion dollar ship program will soon commence. Private contracts will be canceled to allow government work and new ships to be built. Chairman Saunders and the Naval Conquising Board met officials and signaled major developments may be near, though details remain secret.
German conservatives and pan-Germans attack Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg over wartime delays at the outbreak of the war and for opposing submarine warfare. They blame him for prolonged fighting, cite claims from the Deutsche Tages Zeitung and Austrian commander Hoetzendorf, and demand retirement amid calls for peace reform and criticism of Austria Hungary.
The article notes a rapid British push against the Drocourt Queant defense, with Australians nearing Bullecourt and threatening to collapse the German line in northern France. It mentions German suppression of Western Front news, discrepancies in reports, and the Kaiser's cautious telegram, while indicating Macedonian activity may presage a wider Allied offensive.
The Navy Department announced a rigid probe into the Mani Towoc and other American Trans Atlantic Company vessels. Officials say ships were detained at St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands while authorities investigate possible supply runs to German submarines. The company operates from New York and Boston and sails under the American flag.
San Juan Porto Rico May 5 German submarines in the Atlantic were supplied from the United States by ships flying the American flag, says crew of the Manitowoc. The Muskegon Allaguash and Kegon loaded coal fuel and contraband for Germany with hidden iron chests aboard. Crew say cargoes were destined for Buenos Aires and the Danish islands transferred to US waters. Mutiny and pay disputes aboard the Manitowoc followed, with order to prevent further provisioning of enemy ships until pay and instructions were resolved.
Chicago reports May wheat trading at 3.00 a bushel the highest on record with a 17 cent advance. May closed at 2.97, while July wheat inched up 7.5 cents to 2.334.
The Greek steamship Parthenon of 2984 tons gross, bound from New York to Havre, was sunk by a German submarine on April 30 with a loss of four million dollars in ship and cargo. No crew report yet. Norwegian ships Tolska Vale and Tromp also torpedoed. Vale loses three men.
The Vale of 719 tons built in Christiania in 1915 and the Tromp of 2751 tons built at Stockton in 1897 were noted. The Tromp was reported arriving at Gibraltar on April 5 from Cardiff to Spezia. Tolosa, a Norwegian steamer of 1833 tons built at Frederikstad in 1915, may be the vessel in question.
The Norwegian bark Dione was sunk by gunfire on May 2 near London. Its crew of 12 was rescued, including two Americans C H Edwards of Normal Tennessee and H K Parker of Trents Street Portsmouth Ohio.
Berlin reports Fresnoy recaptured by German forces in an official statement issued today from the army headquarters staff.
The Supreme Court refused to review Alabama court proceedings and upheld an $18 000 damages award against the Supreme Lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose for Donald A. Kenney's death. Kenney died after an electric shock from a branding board during initiation in Birmingham. The Supreme Lodge argued the act was not regular initiation but impromptu horse play, a defense the court rejected.
Congress will be asked to appropriate 1 billion dollars to build a great American merchant fleet to counter submarine threats. The Shipping Board estimates 5 to 6 million tons of new vessels will be produced by the government over the next two years. The plan uses steel mill outputs for government use, cancels private contracts, and may pay damages where contracts are cancelled.
Washington reports the United States will exempt only steel mills needed for National Defense from the shipbuilding program. Legislation is prepared to launch first shipyard work within two weeks, with labor union cooperation pledged. Railroads will receive minimum steel supplies, and yards may stay under private operation with government supervision while maximising ship output to counter German submarines.
Conferees on the army bill halt work over an amendment permitting sending Colonel Roosevelt's division to France. They contemplate returning the bill to the House and Senate for instructions. Prohibition, selective service age limits, and volunteer patrol raises on the Mexican border block progress.
The American minister Ira Nelson Morris reports 70 Americans departed Constantinople for Berne with plans to move 20 American consular officers out of Turkey. Information from the Swedish foreign office is reassuring, indicating Americans nationwide are gathering in Constantinople and will be allowed to depart.
Washington May 8 Four machine guns trained from the well of the house formed an exhibit accompanying a speech by Representative Tilson of Connecticut a former national guard officer and House Military committee member urging use of the British army rifle to equip the U S war army He said American forces abroad should share ammunition with Britain for advantage.
W. B. Thompson a leading Southern cotton figure and other New Orleans exchange members telegrammed Congress opposing a proposed war revenue tax of 2.50 per bale on cotton. They argued sufficient cotton is needed for offense and defense and its production should be stimulated by the government.
The War Department urged Congress to appropriate 38 100 to start establishing a national military park at the Guilford Court House battlefield in North Carolina.
The French war commission arrived in Indianapolis at 12 13 this afternoon. A reception committee of state and city officials escorted the party along business streets lined by cheering crowds. The delegation stayed in the city for about one hour.
A woman identifying as Mrs. B. C. Perrin of Elma Ohio was arrested by guards on a railway bridge near Moncure thirty miles from Raleigh late Sunday night. Held on suspicion of being a German agent she said she walked from Raleigh. She carried a letter urging hair cutting and male attire and a trip to Canada. She is stated to be 65 and a professional hobo.
Goldsboro North Carolina voters approve a city manager system by 37 votes. Mayor John R Higgins is re elected without opposition. The entire aldermen slate is re elected except J W Sadler who is replaced by J W Cole on the city board.
The United States transfers one hundred million dollars to France for May expenses. Secretary McAdoo authorized the loan and delivered the funds to Ambassador Jusser via treasury warrant.
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