17 May 1918
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Dispatch
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1918
Page
1
American troops arrived in northern France within the British zone and train with Allied forces. British officers praise their material and discipline as cordial relations bond Anglo American units, signaling readiness for renewed efforts against German advances on the channel fronts.
Western front fighting remains limited with increased aerial and artillery actions. The north Lys and south Somme sectors show intensified bombardments while limited infantry operations may resume. British and French air forces bomb rail targets behind German lines. both sides claim aircraft losses. Italian fronts report Alpine offensives with Italian gains on Monte Grappa and Monte Asoione, and continued Austrian trenches being challenged along Lake Garda to Asiago.
In Atlanta on May 17 the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South observed waning delegate turnout. The body approved widow pensions tied to years of the minister’s wife service and recommended non concurrence on a discipline revision allowing a deacon to administer sacraments when no elder is present.
A Vienna dispatch to the Lokal Anzeiger, relayed via The Hague by the Exchange Telegraph, says anti German agitation in Ukraine continues unchecked. Ukrainians accuse Germany of using Russian warships at Sebastopol to seize coal and Ukrainian merchant ships. The report also mentions German mines in the Yenikale Strait closing entry to the Sea of Azov and serious trouble in Nikolaiev where the city council has been dismissed.
London May 17 The German commission studying Germany birth rate calls for compulsory marriage before age twenty with state financial aid and penalties for noncompliance. It also provides punishment for couples remaining childless.
Dallas May 17 rivalry already developing over where the 89th annual Cumberland Presbyterian general assembly will meet as Tennessee commissioners weigh Lebanon Knoxville or Chattanooga after the 88th assembly opened in Dallas.
Richmond May 17. First witness Miss Mildred Taylor, friend of the deceased Mrs Alice Knight Johnson, recounts the night of Dec 16 at Mrs B F Stutz home where Mrs Johnson took a fatal poison capsule. The testimony describes the capsule size and the claiming of regular doses amid court caution. A Washington newspaper man A Cloyd Gill is among prosecution witnesses.
A Hamburg dispatch reported that the entire German Baltic fleet except light cruisers was recalled last week to Kiel where major naval forces are being concentrated. The Geneva transmission confirms the move as strategic posturing in the Baltic theater.
At Hot Springs Arkansas the 68th session of the Southern Baptist convention discussed the past year’s foreign mission work. Reports highlighted favorable strides in Russia and Italy, with German ownership of church property noted. Delegates sought to boost funding and debated supervising Christian soldier outreach abroad. The seminary in Louisville was praised for growth and progress.
Porto Rican labor is to be moved to the United States within a month to work on farms in the southern states, war industries, and shipyards along the Atlantic coast. The arrangement, made by the Federal Employment Service with the War Department, leverages returning transports to carry supplies to 15,000 drafted Porto Ricans at the San Juan cantonment. About 75,000 Porto Ricans are available. 10,000 have been arranged for immediate employment, with more to follow as transport is arranged.
Austrian newspapers lament the effeminization of the army noting 36,000 women and girls employed in auxiliary clerical and service roles and new enlistments of 150,000 monthly sent from Vienna to the field.
German forces opposite the American sector near Toul resort to infernal machines to disrupt patrols in No Man's Land and on German land. An American patrol member stepped on a wire triggering a bomb. the group retreated to an abandoned trench and waited before returning to the American line.
Washington reports almost a mutiny among 2,200 German internees at Hot Springs North Carolina when informed the government would move them to army posts before July 1. Guards were increased to maintain order as many had invested savings in cottage improvements expecting permanent wartime residence.
Durant Okla May 17 The 58th annual Southern Presbyterian General Assembly began its second day with consideration of committee reports and general discussions. The assembly met yesterday electing Rev James I Vance of Nashville Indiana moderator and heard several committee reports. A special committee on a resolution from Rev W G Dobyns of St Joseph Missouri to craft a message of confidence to President Wilson was due to report today.
Paris reports violent artillery fighting around Hainles and Amiens. The Haes region saw fierce bombardment while French detachments south of Montdidier pierced German lines at two points, capturing 40 prisoners including an officer. Locon Hinges Nieppe Meteren area activity noted.
Washington reports the latest casualty list with 106 names. Included are Lieutenants Averill Braxton Maxson Goodrich and M. S. Redmond, plus Private Fred L. Harshaw who died of disease. Several others are listed as wounded or missing, with towns across North Carolina and beyond named.
Washington May 17 George Creel head of the public information committee says his New York speech was not aimed at Congress. The quote about not examining the hearts of congressmen sparked furor and talk of investigation. Pou expects Creel’s letter to be delivered and the committee plans to decide on any action.
The hangings of Jasper and Edward Mimbs for the Buie murder are postponed by Governor Catts to May 31 to allow their cases to be reviewed by the pardon board on May 28 in an effort to obtain a commutation of sentence.
London officials report the House of Commons adjourned last night to May 28 with no sign of the delayed home rule bill. Government members gave no hint when the measure might be introduced.
A meeting led by John Dillon released a statement claiming the Ireland conscription bill was pushed under false hopes of a future Irish government. It condemns British propaganda in America and urges the United States to support Ireland's struggle for democratic freedom and self-determination.
British forces in France report continued Allied waiting for Field Marshal von Hindenburg to commit. The front shows favorable weather but little military change as German forces remain largely passive in sun baked defenses. A major German offensive is anticipated, with risks of a decisive breakthrough to engulf Allied lines.
Paris officials elevated Dr. Alexis Carrel of the Rockefeller Institute to commander of the Legion of Honor. The decoration was conferred yesterday by under secretary M. Mowrier in a ceremony attended by a distinguished gathering.
Ten killed when the French steamer Atlantique was torpedoed in the Mediterranean early this month. One passenger was European and nine were Arabs. The vessel weighing 6,447 tons reached port by its own means.
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