1908: The Premier’s Daughter

LONDON: The greatest consternation was caused in Bruden Bay on Saturday night [Sept. 19] by a report that Miss Violet Asquith, daughter of the Premier, had fallen over the cliffs near Slains Castle, where Mr. Asquith and his family are passing the recess. Miss Asquith, says the ”Daily Express,” went out in the afternoon to walk along the braes to the north of the castle. She returned in time for dinner, but she had forgotten the book she had taken with her, so at about eight o’clock in the evening, she set out to look for it, remarking to her maid that she would be back in a few minutes. When nearly two hours had passed without her returning, a message was dispatched to the coastguard and the local policeman. A search party was organized and made a diligent search among the rocks until eleven o’clock, without success. Samuel Milne, a young fisherman who had been fishing in the bay in the afternoon, told some of the members of the party that he had seen from his boat a young woman sitting on the north side of the Longhaven. The search party hastened to the place described by Milne and found Miss Asquith, lying unconscious. She was quickly carried to the castle and a doctor was summoned. It is thought that Miss Asquith was overcome by fatigue and fainted. Last evening [Sept. 21] it was reported that she had virtually recovered.

1933: The Austrian Dictator

VIENNA: Austria awoke this morning [Sept. 21] to find itself endowed with a dictatorship. Acting on his speech last week, when he officially proclaimed a Fascist regime, Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss late last night obtained the resignation of his cabinet, and in the course of the night he constructed another, freed from all parliamentary and party ties. Like Mussolini, he has concentrated practically the entire power in Austria in his own hands. He is chancellor, foreign minister, minister of defence, minister of the interior, minister of public safety and minister of agriculture. The army, the gendarmerie, the police and the auxiliary forces drawn from the Heimwehr have passed under his control.

1958: Return to Soviet Sender

NEWPORT, Rhode Island: President Eisenhower, in an extremely unusual diplomatic move, yesterday [Sept. 20] refused to accept the latest note addressed to him by Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev, warning of the danger of world war if the United States and Red China fight. American Chargé d’Affaires Richard H. Davis in Moscow returned the note, on Mr. Eisenhower’s orders. In it, Mr. Khrushchev warned the United States to withdraw its forces from the Formosa Strait or have them forcefully expelled by the Chinese Communists with Soviet aid.

1908: China Favors U.S.

HONG-KONG: During the last few days leading men in the Chinese community at Hong-Kong and officials in Canton have been interviewed by a Herald correspondent, and all have expressed unanimous approval of an alliance between China and America. Unequivocal approval of an alliance was expressed by the Viceroy of Canton, who said it would be a good thing for both countries, and dilated on its great commercial and political possibilities. There were, he remarked, occasional differences between America and China, but there was room for an expanding and abiding friendship. China, in the development that must come in the near future, needs the assistance of a Western Power. There are vast railways to be constructed, mills to be built and mines to open.

1933: Cuban Leader Yields

HAVANA: Bowing before the wave of widespread opposition to his nine-day rule which threatened to plunge the country into its third revolution in less than two months, President Ramon Grau San Martin tonight [Sept. 19] announced that he had placed his resignation in the hands of the supporters of his government. To all early demands that he step down from office, President Grau San Martin refused. Leaders of the student directorate, the most powerful supporter of his regime, announced that under no circumstances would they permit the President to resign. The fact that a large section of the army, whose mutiny a fortnight ago paved the way for his appointment to the presidency, had suddenly sided with the opposition, is believed to have finally influenced San Martin to open the way for his resignation.

1958: Tunisia Rebuffs France

RABAT, MOROCCO: France warned yesterday [Sept. 18] that nations which recognize the new Algerian ”government-in-exile” will be considered ”unfriendly.” The challenge was almost immediately taken up by Tunisia, a former French protectorate. It braved French anger by recognizing the rebels and handing the French government a tough, new problem. Premier Charles de Gaulle’s government was also faced by the question of what to do about recognition of the Cairo-based regime by the United Arab Republic, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. The French government meanwhile strongly denied that the regime proclaimed yesterday in Cairo had any sovereignty over Algeria. It said the rebel ”government” had no basis other than ”assassination and terror.” The feeling persisted in France that the move taken by the rebels would complicate Premier Charles de Gaulle’s task of ending the bloody four-year rebellion which has racked Algeria.

1908: City in Grip of Cholera

ST. PETERSBURG: Russia’s capital finds itself face to face with a cholera epidemic, which, if it continues at the same rate as it has for the last three days, will soon lead to a condition of public spirit bordering upon panic. Today’s [Sept. 18] cases have exceeded all those of the previous days: they numbered 396, with 118 deaths. This brings the total since the outbreak up to 1,677 cases and 484 deaths. The outbreak appears to resemble the dread epidemic of 1892 and the returns of the next few days are being looked forward to in fear. Hospital wagons, medicaments, skilled attendants, doctors, gravediggers, all are lacking, and should there be a few more days casualties equal to or out-recording those of the last three days, accommodation, beds, sheets, blankets and other necessaries will be lacking likewise. The Red Cross committee has sick wagons going. The Town Council has voted a credit of 100,000 roubles. This is a mere fraction of the amount likely to be needed. The general opinion is that it is imperatively incumbent on the State to vote an unlimited credit.

1933: Riders on the Storm

NEW YORK: Its wireless carried away, salt spray on its funnels, lounges full of broken furniture and 140 terrified passengers, of whom 30 were bruised and injured, the Ward liner Morro Castle docked here today [Sept. 18], 48 hours late from Havana, after battling through the hurricane which ravaged the American coast, taking a toll of 14 lives in North and South Carolina. Many passengers, huddled in the lounge on the two days when the tempest was at its highest, prayed while others resigned themselves to death, believing that the liner could never weather the mountainous seas whipped by a 100-mile-an-hour wind. Those aboard agreed that Gwendolyn Taylor, 22-year-old Philadelphia cripple, was the heroine of the terrifying experience. When the orchestra was unable to put in an appearance because of seasickness, she passed many hours at the piano playing while Edward Kaltman, Newark salesman, sang popular songs. Captain Robert Willmott described the storm as the worst he had ever experienced in his long career at sea.

1958: Dispute over Formosa

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.: Secretary of State John Foster Dulles called today [Sept. 18] for a quick cease-fire in the Formosa area as the first step toward a settlement of the crisis in the Far East. Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko replied that there can be no peace in the Far East until the United States withdraws its military and naval forces from Formosa and the Formosa Strait ”and stops interfering in the affairs of China.” Mr. Dulles and Mr. Gromyko outlined their views in policy declarations before the United Nations General Assembly as it opened general debate at its 13th regular session.

1908: Aeroplane Crashes

WASHINGTON: As a result of an accident to the Wright aeroplane at Fort Myer, this afternoon [Sept. 17], the machine, while sailing, crashed to the ground, and Mr. Orville Wright and Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge were seriously injured. Mr. Wright’s left thigh was broken and he suffered severe cuts on the head. He will be unable to fly again this year. It is believed that Lieutenant Selfridge was even more seriously injured. He received severe wounds on the head. Mr. Wright’s machine was badly damaged. It turned completely over, falling at least seventy-five feet. The general opinion seems to be that part of one propeller of the aeroplane broke off from the strain of the flights. New propellers which had not yet been tried were put on yesterday in place of those Mr. Wright has been using. The propellers were six inches longer than the old ones and of slightly less pitch. Other accounts have it that one whole propeller flew off in the air. Not ten minutes before the flight began the Herald correspondent said to Lieutenant Selfridge: ”There is one man on this field who will envy you every minute.” He does not envy him now.

1933: Talks on Disarmament

PARIS: Conversations of great international importance, on which will depend the fate of the Disarmament Conference and disarmament itself, will begin in Paris today [Sept. 18]. The first talks will engage Captain Anthony Eden, British foreign under-secretary, Premier Daladier and Foreign Minister Paul-Boncour. The second will bring together Norman Davis, chief American delegate to the conference, and the French ministers.

1958: Countering Terrorism

PARIS: Premier Charles de Gaulle’s Cabinet will discuss today [Sept. 18] drastic counter-measures to the wave of Algerian terrorism sweeping France, informed sources said yesterday. In preparation, top police and security officials met to plan the anti-terrorist campaign after this now jittery capital underwent its nightly quota of rebel-inspired shootings and sabotage. It was rumoured that thought was being given to setting up internment camps for the thousands of Algerian residents in France who are suspected of being agents or terrorists of the rebel National Liberation Front.

1908: Wilbur Follows Orville

LE MANS: Wilbur Wright has accomplished two great performances today [Sept. 16]. First of all he has flown for a longer time than any French aviator, and, secondly, he has succeeded in carrying a passenger with him in his machine. Shortly before eight o’ clock this morning he commenced a flight which lasted thirty-nine minutes and eighteen seconds. He thus beat by ten minutes all French records, though, of course, they had already been beat by Mr. Orville Wright, but from the French point of view it was necessary that they should be beaten in France in order to bring home the great advance which Mr. Wright holds over all other aviators. The flight was only brought to a close by the petrol running short, and he was obliged to come down five furlongs away from his starting point owing to this fact.

1933: FDR to Sign Coal Code

WASHINGTON: One of the last and most important cogs was expected to be forged into the recovery machine tonight [Sept. 16] when President Roosevelt affixes his signature to the bituminous coal code, which was virtually accepted by operators and union leaders this afternoon after a bitter three-month struggle. Two White House conferences of mine owners and labor chiefs with the President last night [Sept. 15] and a series of feverish meetings today brought the long controversy near an end. The code, besides recognizing the right of miners to organize for collective bargaining, provides roughly for a 40-hour week with a daily pay scale starting at $5.63 and increasing according to locality and conditions.

1958: Soviet Bid to Ban Tests

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.: The Soviet Union formally proposed today [Sept. 16] that the UN General Assembly act at once to end atomic and hydrogen tests. Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko moved shortly before the opening of the Assembly’s 13th regular session. The Assembly already was faced with a crowded agenda of controversial issues and was expected to come to grips with the Formosan situation before many hours. A Soviet memorandum handed in by Mr. Gromyko charged the United States and Britain had laid down impossible conditions in their letters of Aug. 22 in which they offered to end nuclear tests Oct. 31 if the Russians agreed to their terms. Mr. Gromyko proposed that the Assembly separate the question of nuclear tests from the general disarmament problem and act upon it independently.

1908: Japan Protests Chinese Boycott

HONG KONG: Renewed activity in the boycott of Japanese goods has prompted the Japanese authorities again strongly to protest against a breach of treaty rights by the Chinese. The Japanese Consul at Canton has interviewed the Viceroy and urged the issue of a proclamation forbidding the boycott and pointing out that merchants are now indulging in open and illegal restrictions of trade. Hitherto the boycott has been conducted without mention of the actual word, but a tendency lately has been shown to throw off the disguise and openly discourage the use of Japanese goods. Chinese officials have met all the Japanese protests with the reply that they are unable to interfere with legitimate trade, the people being free to buy and sell whatever they like.

1933: Cuban Junta Fights Foes

HAVANA: The new Cuban government moved swiftly today [Sept. 15] to stamp out the counter-revolution which has flared up in the province of Pinar del Rio, Colonel Batista, chief of staff, announcing tonight that Captain Ramon Ara, leader of the insurrection, with 60 followers, had been captured without resistance near Ceja del Negro. Despite this and other reassuring official statements, reports from Pinar del Rio indicate that the movement against President San Martin’s government is spreading. Wounded troops arriving at the provincial capital reported that an engagement between federal forces and the rebels had taken place near Cuartel Ravenna. It was stated that the revolutionists were well equipped and were hourly receiving reinforcements.

1958: Chiang Plans Attack on Reds

TAIPEI: Chiang Kai-shek today [Sept. 15] condemned as ”no solution” the convoy system by which the American Command here hopes against hope to break the blockade of Quemoy. The President-Generalissimo promised to be patient. But he added firmly that if the blockade continued, he would soon be forced to order his air force to attack the Chinese Communist artillery positions that are now keeping the Quemoy beaches under heavy fire. Whether or not this strangest war enters this new and much more inflamed stage will apparently depend upon the first results of the Warsaw talks. The American policy-makers plan to seek an informal cease-fire at Warsaw. If obtained, a cease-fire will automatically lift the artillery blockade of Quemoy.

1908: Swiss Police Fine U.S. Tourists

PARIS: Mr. F.W. Woolworth, of New York, proprietor of about two hundred 5-cent and 10-cent stores scattered all over America, described yesterday [Sept. 14] an unpleasant experience in a Swiss village. ”We were arrested, fined and had an altogether unpleasant experience in Switzerland at a town called Küsnacht,” said Mr. Woolworth. ”To get around the Rigi we passed through this village, and although it possesses broad streets we went through very carefully - I am sure at less than ten miles an hour. We were stopped by two policemen, who said we were exceeding the speed limit. ‘What is the speed limit?’ I asked. ‘Six kilomètres an hour’ (about three miles and three-quarters) was the reply. It appears that the local officials use this method of levying fines to get money to run the government.”

1933: U.S. Senate to Tackle Inflation

WASHINGTON: Senator Pat Harrison, Chairman of the Senate finance committee, announced this afternoon [Sept. 14] that the administration would soon take inflationary action to boost commodity prices. A greenback issue, he believed, would bring the greatest immediate result. Senator Harrison also said that an increase in the price of gold would have an inflationary effect and that the dollar should not be stabilized at present levels. The Senator predicted that the Federal Reserve open market purchase of Government securities would be increased above the present $40,000,000 weekly, which, he said, was insufficient to raise commodity prices. He said the restoration of agricultural prosperity demanded immediate action and that farmers believed the success of President Roosevelt’s program would be jeopardized unless commodity prices rose.

1958: De Gaulle and Adenauer Hold Talks

PARIS: The warmest expression of French-German friendship and cooperation since the end of World War II was contained in a joint communiqué issued last night [Sept. 14] by French Premier Charles de Gaulle and West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer following a meeting in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises. ”We are convinced,” the communiqué said, ”that close cooperation between the German Federal Republic and the French Republic is the foundation of all constructive action in Europe. It contributes to the reinforcement of the Atlantic Alliance. It is indispensable to the world.” ”We feel,” the communiqué further declared, ”that the hostility of the past is forever at an end and that Frenchmen and Germans are called upon to live in accord and to work together.” Mr. Adenauer spent the night in the general’s home.