Today -100: October 6, 1915: Of the missing, ultimata, arabics, posses, and bacon

Rudyard Kipling’s only son John is “missing, believed killed” at the Battle of Loos. He was 18, barely, and had been in the war since the start. Rudyard used his influence to get him into the Irish Guards despite his weak constitution, even weaker eyesight, and his age. Rudyard will spend months trying to confirm that his son is in fact dead and find the body, which he never will, the shell that killed him not having left any identifiable remains.

Bulgaria is said to be disconcerted by Russia’s 24-hour ultimatum to expel German officers. They’d expected a much weaker response, like a simple request for information, which they planned to fudge by giving the Germans short leaves of absence and saying “Germans? No Germans here, mate.” The ultimatum has expired but the Russian ambassador hasn’t left; he recently had an appendicitis operation.

Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos resigns – for the second time this year – after a dispute with the king over whether Greece should join the war. The two disagree over whether there is still a treaty between Greece and Serbia which will oblige Greece to come to the defense of Serbia when Bulgaria attacks it and whether the promise of Kaiser Wilhelm (who is Greek King Constantine’s brother-in-law) that Bulgaria won’t attack Greece is sufficient guarantee. French troops are arriving in Saloniki to aid Serbia.

Germany apologizes to the US for the sinking of the Arabic in August, blaming the u-boat commander and promising to pay compensation for the 3 Americans killed. Amb. von Bernstorff says, that new orders to sub commanders have “been made so stringent that the recurrence of incidents similar to the Arabic case is considered out of the question.” It is thought on both sides that this puts to rest the whole unpleasantness between Germany and the US over submarine warfare in general.

Emmeline Pankhurst denounces trade unions which oppose the employment of women in munitions as “traitors.” Never one to mince words, is Mrs. P.

New Jersey’s political parties hold their conventions. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats come out officially for women’s suffrage. The Progressives do.

A letter to the NYT points out that unmarried women had the vote in New Jersey from 1797 to 1807, when women (and blacks, though the letter doesn’t mention them) were disfranchised.

A posse that prevents a lynching in Bowling Green, Missouri includes Speaker of the House Beauchamp “Champ” Clark.

Britain seizes three cargoes of bacon on their way to Denmark, presumably not believing the Danish claim that it’s for the home market and not re-export to Germany. Denmark is mad, because bacon.

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