PORTLAND, OUJ-XiOX, SATURDAY. APRIL 20, 1918.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
VOL. LYIII. XO. 17,913.
PRO-HUN SUSPECT
PRESIDENT RIDES IN
ENEMY DECIMATED
COLLIDE;
G0MPERS EXPOSES
SOCIALISM IN U. S.
TANK, BURNS HAND
HANGED BY CROWD
8Y BRITISH GUNS
KILLED
TO
T
WILSON" TAKES PART IX USER
OFFENDER, XEAR END, SPARED
MERELY GERMAN PROPAGANDA,
SAYS LABOR LEADER.
TT LOAN DEMONSTRATION.
FOR TRIAL.
CHARGED
1
MACHINES
TREASON
POLICEMAN
N
SANS
Allied Line Hclds Intact
During Day.
ARTILLERY DUELS RAGE
Cold, Rainy Weather Sweeps
Over Front, Adding to Dif
ficulties of Armies.
.LOWLANDS VAST QUAGMIRE
British Hold La Bassee Canal
Against Enemy Attempts
to Force Way Across.
LONDON", April J D. There was no
change during the day along the Brit
ish front in France, Field Marshal
Halg reported this evening to the
British War Office.
PARIS, April 19. There was no in
fantry fighting during the course of
the day, but there were lively artil
lery engagements in several sectors,
according to the official statement is
sued by the War Office tonight.
The French last night reduced Ger
man machine gun nests en the front of
yesterday's attack southeast of
Amiens. There was heavy artillery
fighting in this region.
(Br the Associated Trass.)
Over the battlefields of France and
Flanders, where terrific struggles
have been waged almost without in
termission since March 21, there has
come what appears to be a lull.
Official reports tell little of actual
conditions. They say that the situa
tion is unchanged, which may indicate
that both sides are exhausted by their
exertions in the engagements that
have been fought, or that they are
busy bringing up artillery and fresh
troops to renew the struggle.
Correspondents at the f-ont tell of
miserable weather cold and rain and
sleet to add to their already known
bad conditio, of the lowlands, which
are virtually quagmires, through
which the men and materials can be
moved only with difficulty.
Ground Is Very Muddy.
The oppo-ing armies have been
fighting in a flat, marshy country
since April 9, and this ground, diffi
cult enough under normal conditions,
has been made still more nearly im
passable by rains and the tempest of
high explosive shells that has blasted
roads and fields.
It appears, however, that the Ger
mans have not repeated their thrust
along the line running north of
Bethune, where they met with a san
guinary repulse Wednesday and
Thursday. They employed about 75,
000 men along a line variously re
ported to be from six to ten miles in
length, but gained little or no ground.
The La Basse Canal front is still in
British hands, and bridges flung across
it by the Teutons have been swept
away by the artillery fire.
French Desist in Attack.
The blow aimed by the French at
the very apex of the German lines in
Ticardy, in front of Amiens, appar
ently has not been followed up. It is
difficult to believe that the, allied
counter offensive, when it comes, will
be launched in this sector. Advices
from France would seem to indicate
that the blow will be struck at an
other part of the battle line.
The southern end of the battle
front in France has shared in the
quiet that has enveloped other sectors
of the line. Only raiding' operations
and artillery duels are reported there.
An interesting dispatch .ells of the
moving of Italian troops to France.
This would point to one of two de
velopments. Either the Italian front
is in no particular danger at the pres
ent moment or else General Foch is
railing every available man to swell
the army that he will hurl at the foe
when the moment for battle arrives.
Tt is probable, however, that the force
at Italians en route to tLe French
ront is comparatively -m -Jl.
The German torpedo-boat flotilla
has been active along the coast sector
of the battle line and has joelled Bel
pan positions there. This may fore
shadow a German attempt to drive
(vestward through Nieup-rt.
The long-range bombardment of
lCac.a44 ea ! Mima
Executive's Injury Received by Con
ing Into Contact With Exbanst
Pipe in Big Fighting Machine.
WASHINGTON. April . President
Wilson participated In an Impromptu
liberty loan demonstration today in
British battle tank by riding; through
the White House grounds in the great
machine. He burned his hand severely
while trying; to climb out on top In
the presence of a ffreat throne at the
front sates.
The President appeared to enjoy the
experience, despite a bleeding; and
seared palm. The Injured hand
bandared tonight and It was said the
wound vu painful but not serious.
Thousands bad followed the slow
creeping; tank up Pennsylvania avenue,
had bought bonds) from solicitors
mounted on its roof, and waited at the
White House gate while the President
climbed through the little bole
movie cameraa clicked and the big
crawler turned carefully In the asphalt
court and passed out the driveway to
Pennsylvania avenue.
The tank Is making a tour of a num
ber of American cities.
The third liberty loan campaign will
be half over tomorrow and Indications
are that half of the $3,000,000,000 mini
mum total will be subscribed.
This record, although better than
that of the first or second loans, does
not satisfy Treasury officials entirely,
because they actually are aiming at a
$5,000.1)00.000 loan with 20.000.000 sub'
scrlbers.
Pledge will have to roll In much
faster in the remaining two weeks than
n the past to pass the higher mark.
The total reported tonight to head
quarters here was $1.104. 714, 250. an ad
dition of $114.8T.ID0 within the last
day, covering subscriptions received at
banks together with the initial S per
cent payment up to the close of bus!
neaa last nlsrht.
ALASKAN DAY TOO LONG
Land of Midnight Sun" Makes Xo
Gain by Moving Cp Clocks.
FAIRBANKS. T. A.. April 19. (By
mail to San Francisco.) In order that
the docks of the "Land of the Mid
night Sun," may register the same time
as those In other sections of the United
States. Fairbanks. Nome. Dawson and
other cities close to the Arctic circle
have set their timepieces In accord
ance with the daylight-saving status
passed by Congress. But no daylight
has been gained.
Summer days here ere light the
entire 24 hoars. For a ""brief period
the sun never drops below the horixon
and the change In time effects no
saving In daylight.
Northern Alaakans would welcome
some Congressional action by which
part of the Summer daylight might be
conserved for the Winter, when the
sun is seldom seen for nearly six
months.
WOMEN P0LICEJ0 CENSOR
Xcttly Annexed Bureau, Instead of
Board, to Watch Vaudeville Shows.
Women operatives annexed to the
police bureau" recently for war work
will do the censoring of vaudeville
shows instead of this being left to a
board of vaudeville censors, as re
quested In a petition sent recently to
Mayor Baker from a committee of
women.
The Mayor yesterday forwarded to
the City Council a report to the effect
that the women police have been given
this as part of thelr duties, and that
they can do the work better prob
ably than could a censor board.
HUNS TO ASK INDEMNITIES
Prince AVIlhelm Declares Rejection
of Peace Justifies Demand.
AMSTERDAM. April 19. Germany
Intends demanding indemnities from
her enemies, according to Prince
Frledtich Wllhelm of Prussia, on of
the late Prince Albrechf, regent of
Brunswick, as quoted by the Cologne
Volks Zeitung. In a speech at Brea-
lau. says thia newspaper. Prince Fricd-
rlch Wllhelra said:
"The enemy's rejection of the hand
of peace Justifies us in demanding
economic and financial indemnities.
Such Indemnities also are needed for
our economic development.
ZEPHYRS WRAP COOS BAY
Warmest Day of Year on Coast
Finds Thermometer at 82.
MARSHFIELD. Or, April 19. (Spe
cial.) Coos Bay experienced Summer
weather today and had a temperature
of SO to si. Persona who have -been
wearing Winter clothing generally dis
carded It on the supposition there will
be no more cold periods.
Gardening was on In full force and
planters say the ground la in first
class condition.
KANSAS WHEAT AREA HUGE
Acreage of .30,SC3 Twice 117,
With Condition Much Better.
TOPEKA. Kan, April 19. Condition
of Kansas wheat was 77. of normal on
April 13. according to the first monthly
crop report of the season, issued today.
The .30.61 acres of growing wheat
on April 13. with a condition of 77.
per cent of normal, compares with
3,379.000 acres at thia time last year
witb a condition of C0.11 per cent.
German RanksJVIelt
Under Terrific Fire.
GIYENCHY STRUGGLE FIERCE
Boche Onslaughts Preceded
by Intense Bombardment.
i
ENGLISH GIVE NO GROUND
Teutons Make Furions Attempts to
Cross La Bassee Canal, but Time
After Time Assailants Fall
and They Finally Desist.
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. April I. (By the Associated
Press.) Along the northern battle
front today the Germans rested on
their arms after the bitter defeat which
they suffered yesterday in their great
drive. Apparently they have not re
covered sufficiently to make any fur
ther threats in this line. They are
rushing the reorganization of their
badly hammered forces.
Genus Loaaea Terrific.
Each successive report gives further
confirmation of the terrific losses sus
tained by the assaulting infantry dur
ing yesterday's sanguinary struggle.
Fstween Clvenchy and Festubert the
ground this morning was strewn with
German dead and at many other points
on the long front of action excessive
casualties were inflicted by the British
artillery and machine gun fire, which
mowed down the unhappy storm troops
in countless numbers.
The British machine gunners worked
their weapons In many cases until the
enemy was only SO yards away.
There was no chance of missing these
point-blank targets. Time and again
the enemy line wavered and fell back,
unable to withstand the deluge of bul
lets, and where they succeeded In get
ting to close quarters they left a heavy
trail of dead and dying behind.
Many Tentona Surrender.
In the neighborhood of Robecq many
Germans threw away their rifles and
swam the canal to the Britten side to
surrender when they could no longer
bear up under the stream of machine
gun bullets which was sweeping
through them.
The British trench mortars also did
great execution, throwing their high
explosives into dense 'enemy ranks at
close range.
The German i.rtlllery bombardment
about Glvenchy and from La Bassee
northward along the canal yesterday
morning perhaps set a new high mark
for intensity. Veterans of many bat
tles declared they had never seen any
thing like It, although many records
have been broken since the offensive
began March 21.
German Kffort In Vain.
It wan the intention to wipe Glvenchy
off the map, and in order to accomplish
this they Increased three-fold their
(Concluded on Pare S. Column fi.)
t. ........ ...... .............. .......
Crowd Overpowers Police Official
Takes Suspect From Cells and
Hangs Him in. City Hall.
COLLINSVILLE, Okla., April 19.
Henry Rheimer, suspected of disloyalty,
was hanged by a crowd of SO men here
tonight, but after he had swung until
he had become semi-conscious the po
lice persuaded the would-be execution
ers to cut htm down on the promise
that he would be given a trial by the
County Council of Defense tomorrow
morning.
Rheimer. is SO years old and says he
is of Russian birth, although evidence
in the handa of the Council of Defense
is .said to Indicate that he is a German,
and .that he made unpatriotic remarks.
At the direction of the Defense Council
Rheimer recently was Instructed to fly
an -American flag from the front win
dow of his house and keep it there for
the period of the war.
Today reports -reached Collinsville
that the flag had been removed,
Rheimer was placed under arrest and
brought to town and lodged In Jail.
At 10:45 tonight the crowd entered
the Jail, overpowered Assistant Chief
of Police Charles Miller and two pa
trolmen and took Rheimer from his cell
to the second floor of the City Hall,
stood him on a chair,, wrapped a dou
bled electric light cord twice around
bis neck, attached the other end to the
supports of a basketball goal, and com
manded him to kiss every star In the
flag.
Rheimer complied and apologized for
whatever disloyal statements he may
have made. When the chair was re'
moved Rheimer's writhing body swung
twice past the goal post.
"Give the man a chance," Miller plead
ed. "Give him until 9 o'clock tomorrow
morning and, we'll see that he gets a
real hearing."
The mob relented and the cord was
loosed. Rheimer, it? is said, was ac
tive in supporting a German school re
cently closed by sVder of the Council
of Defense.
ICE FLOE HALTS FERRIES
Airship Will Carry Provisions to
Ill-Fated Ship.
ROCHESTER. N. Y., April 19. The
Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg car
ferry. Ontario No. 1. - bound for the
port of Rochester late today, was
caught fast in the floe of Ice which
has imprisoned its sister ship, the On
tario 2, since yesterday.
The ships have only two days' pro
visions on board, and are in danger of
being crushed by the ice.
Each boat has a crew of SO men.
Officials of the Buffalo. Rochester
Pittsburg Railroad said today that if
the vessels did not release themselves
tomorrow morning an airplane would
carry supplies to them.
WAR INDEMNITY DEMANDED
Senate of German Cities Ask Prus
sia to Secure War Spoils.
COPENHAGEN, April 19. The Sen
ates of Hamburg, Lubeck and Bremen
have adopted resolutions that the Prus
sian diet should make a demand for
war Indemnities.
The Weser Zeitung declares that a
large majority of the diet will, support
such a demand.
Mishap Ends Life of
G. L. Litzenberg.
AUTO STRIKES MOTORCYCLE
Death Follows Within Few
Minutes of Crash.
DRIVER HELD FOR INQUIRY
Automobile in Charge of E. Ehlen
berger Said to Have Been Going;
at Moderate Rate Tragedy
Occurs at "Blind Corner."
G. I Litzenberg, member of the
motorcycle squad of the Portland
Bureau of Police, was killed almost in
stantly when he collided with a five
passenger automobile driven by E.
Ehlenberger, employe of Twohy Bros.,
at the Intersection of East Seventh and
Beach streets at S o'clock yesterday
afternoon.
Litzenberg was riding west on Beach
street, following about SO yards behind
Motorcycle Policeman L. F. Russell,
who said he was going at the rate
of about 25 miles an hour. Ehlenber
ger was driving south on East Seventk-
street and, according to a statement he
made to the police, vas travellngifbout
IS miles an hour. He did not see the
officer until he was almost directly in
front of him and v immediately steered
his car o the right. The motorcycle
struck the front fender of the car and
the officer was thrown into the air,
falling head first on the pavement. He
suffered concussion of the brain, dying
about five minutes afterwards.
' Automobile Driver Held.
Chief of Police Johnson and members
of the motorcycle squad Immediately
went to the scene of the tragedy and
after making an investigation took
Ehlenberger to police headquarters. He
is being held in Jail without ball on a
tentative charge of manslaughter.
Though, from the evidence obtained,
the accident appeared unavoidable.
Deputy District Attorney Ryan, who,
with Captain Harms, of the traffic
squad, closely questioned Ehlenberger,
Insisted on holding . the automobile
driver until the case is mora fully in'
vestlgated. '
In his statement to the police. Ehlen
berger said he was on his way home
after taking five workmen employed
at the Twohy Brothers plant to their
homes in Albina. He had Just started
his car a short distance from the street
intersection and was driving at a mod
erate rate of speed when be saw the
motorcycle officer almost upon him.
The Intersection is known as a "blind
corner" and Ehlenberger said he did
not see Litzenberg until the crossing
was reached and the officer started to
circle around ahead of him. Neither
the motorcycle nor the automobile was
badiy damaged.
LltBenberg Leave Widow.
Litzenberg had been a member of the
(Concluded on Fare 7, Column 2.)
Alleged Political Organization Held
to Be Poisonous Labor Is
Urged to Buy Bonds.
CLEVELAND. O., April 19. Social
ism in America was branded as poison
ous German propaganda' by Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, in a speech in
behalf of the liberty loan at the City
Club this afternoon.
While the labor chief was excoriating
socialism and calling on labor and
capital In Cleveland to Join -hands in
speeding up the city's subscription
race, Douglas Fairbanks, moving pic
ture actor, was fnaking a loan appeal
before a crowd that Jammed the largest
theater in town. -
"There is no such thing as an Amer
lean Socialist party," Mr. Gompers said.
"The American Socialist organization
.8 merely a branch of the one in Ger.
many it Is part of German propa,
ganda."
Mr. Uompers declared he had been
changed from "the most active pacifist
In America to a good fighter," and he
said that labor will not meet in a peace
movement until the war Is over and
labor parties of all countries can be
represented.
IDLE MEN MUST GET BUSY
Forest Grove Authorities Propose to
Tolerate o Loafers.
'utussT GROVE, Or., April 19
(Special.) At a meeting of the Com
mercial Club here last night, addressed
oy uscar Baldwin, Assistant Federal
Labor Commissioner, of Portland, and
county Agent Jamison, the club unanl
mously adopted a resolution asking the
City Council to pass a vagrancy act re
quiring all ablebodied men to find work
and assist in relieving the labor
shortage.
Mayor Peterson indorsed the plan,
and every man in the town not em
ployed will be required to get busy.
SCIENTISTS COMING WEST
eastern .Men -lan to View ,inm-
Eclipse at Baker.
BAKER, Or., April 19. (Special.)
mayor u. Calmer received word to
day from S. A. Mitchell, president of
the Leander McCormick University, of
Virginia, that he and five others of the
faculty of the university would arrive
here April 28 to make preparations for
observing the eclipse of the sun June S
iir. jMcuormicK said that six other
members of the party would arrive
later.
The eclipse will be- total at Baiter
for 200 seconds, and will occur at
3:03 Jr. M.
INDEX OF TODAY'S. NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 78
degrees; minimum, 4 degrees.
TODAY'S Fair, nearly stationary tempera-
-""- ujuucin.tB ettaifrriy winas.
German attacks fail to budge allied line.
Page 1.
United States Engineers help British atop
Huns. Page 2.
Germany to continue unrestricted subma
rine warfare. Page 3.
Secretary Daniels savs Oprmnnv win k.
feated even should present offensive in
a lautB SULCCU, rage o.
Germans complete destruction
R helms. Page 4.
of city of
nasningion ornciais express belief that
nuu are stopped in drive. Page 5.
Germans, decimated by British guns, forced
to rest. Page 1.
Foreign.
British authorities prepare to deal with
threatening situation in Ireland. Page 2.
Turkish Invaders of former Russian terri
tory menace city of Kara, Page 3.
Pood easy for rich to buy in Germany, says
writer. Page 9. .
National.
Borah attacks Chamberlain sedition bill
Page 1.
Schwab clears way for shipbuilding progress
by clearing way" for prompt steel deliv
eries. Page 4.
President signs woman spy bill. Page 4.
President Wilson slightly injured while rid
ing in battle tank in liberty loan demon
stration. Page 1.
Government expected to fix prices for wool.
rage t.
Treasury announces 40 per cent of third
liberty loan subscribed. Page 6.
Delay In war work severely criticized in
Congress. Page 15.
Xwmestlc.
Pro-Hun suspect hanged by crowd In Okla
homa town, .rage i.
Gompers denounces Socialism in America i
as part of German propaganda. Page 1. I
James A. Farrell predicts increase of world's
weaitn mat win go lar toward compen
sating for war losses. Page 3.
Professor Thomas and Mrs. Granger freed
wnen city prosecutor drops charges.
Page 6.
Sports.
Washington wins from Columbia, in close
game. Page 18.
Judge McCredle visiting buckaroo training
camp, rage xo.
Vean Gregg loses pitching battle to Wash
ington, 1-0. Page IS.
Oregon defeats Aggies.. 3 to 2, when T,Ind
tcnocKs nome wun two on in eighth
Inning. Page 18.
Commercial and Marine.
Increased cereal production assured on Pa
cific Coast. Page 19.
Corn higher at Chicago, owing to colder
weather. Page 19.
Stocks rise briskly at New York, but gains
are later reduced. Page 19.
Wool trade is awaiting action by Govern
ment. Page 19.
Members of Columbia crew set strike date
for May 1. Page 14.
Portland and Vicinity.
Druggist held for selling boys camouflaged
liquor on trial today. Page 20.
Policeman killed when auto and motorcycle
collide. Page L
Dr. Brougher says victory In war means that
America must be united. Page 9.
Bill Hart is only one of several notables to
appear here for liberty loan. Page 12.
Fuel oil to be denied all plants not indis
pensable to prosecution of war. Page it
Parties to recent Hunt-Library controversy
bury all differences. Page IX
Dealers and fuel users object to new wood
prices. Page 7. ,
Vista House to be dedicated on Sunday. May
5. Page 14.
J. C. Herte, ex-convict, arrested charged I
with forgeries exceeding $300. Page 8. I
Weather report, data and forecast. Page 19.
League Held Twice as
Bad as I. W. W.
MINNESOTAN GOES ON RECORD
Judge John F. McGee Heard by
Senate Committee. .
NEW SEDITION LAW URGED
Borah Opposes Chamberlain Bill on
. Ground That It Is Too Drastic
and Would Bo In Viola
tion of Constitution.
"WASHINGTON. April 19. Irrimediate
enactment of legislation to permit the
military authorities to deal directly
with spies and German propagandists
was urged before the Senate military
committee today as the only way to
curb lynch law against disloyalty and
enemy agitation.
Representatives of the Army and
Naval intelligence departments and
other witnesses told the committee
that the situation is serious and can
not be handled under existing laws.
Judge John F. McGee, of Minneapolis,
Minn, a member of the powerful pub
lic safety commission, organized by
citizens of that state to aid the Gov
ernment in the prosecution of the Tar,
declared the department of Justice's ef
fbrts have been a "ghastly failure" in
Minnesota and that the I. W. W. is not
one-half as dangerous as the Non-Par-
tisan League members, who he charac
terized as "traitors."
Anarchy Declared Possible.
'Give1 us the military court, or when
the casualty lists come back and the
crepe hangs on the door, you will have
state of anarchy in this country.
Judge McGee declared.
Judge McGee told of the Intense feel
ing prevailing in sections of Minnesota.
In the German counties, he said, stores
are being installed by Germans to com
pete with Americans. Banks also were
being established, he said, until the
state bank examiner established a rule
refusing to grant charters to banks
until applications had been submitted
to the committee on public safety.
Committee PoarpomAcloit. .
The testimony was given in connec
tion with Senator Chamberlains bill
which would transfer from civil courts
to military courts-martial trials of all
persons charged with violating the
espionage act. After the hearing the
committee postponed action until next
week and Chairman Chamberlain an
nounced that other witnesses might be
called.
While the bill was being considered
by the committee, opposition was de
veloped in the Senate. Senator Borah
declared that the bill, if passed,, would
be unconstitutional and several mem
bers of the committee also questioned
its validity.
Delay of civil courts in prosecuting
cases Involving the espionage and
other acts intended to stop German
propaganda and seditious utterances
was criticised by Norman H. White, of
Brookline, Mass., and Colonel R. H.
Vandeman, both connected with the
military intelligence section.
Grave Offenaes Unchecked.
Twenty thousand aliens in New York
alone, Mr. White said, have refused to
give their finger prints to the Federal
authorities as required by law, and no
effort is being made to compel them,
owing to the rush of work due to the
war now facing the Department of
Justice.
There are also hundreds of cases, he
asserted, in which heroin is being sold
American soldiers by " Germans and
others in the theatrical district in New
York, but under the present laws it
can be stopped only with difficulty.
The Chamberlain bill was Indorsed
by Captain McCauley, assistant director
of the naval intelligence service, who
declared that threats of trial by court
martial would deter many persons from
committing acts which they would not
hesitate to do If they were sure only
trial by jury would follow.
Despite the united efforts of the De
partment of Justice and the Army and
naval intelligence forces, he admitted
little progress is being made against
spies and propaganda.
Senator Borah Issued a statement de
nouncing the bill, while witnesses were
urging its passage before the. Senate
military committee. -
Unconstitutional, Saya Idaho Man.
"The bill as It is presented is. . it
seems to me, clearly in conflict with
some of the plainest and most funda
mental principles of the Constitution,"
said Senator Borah, "and I do not see
how it could be changed and accomplish
what they seem to desire to accomplish
without its being clearly and unmis
takably unconstitutional.
"Furthermore, there is no necessity
for such a measure at this time, even
assuming that we had the power to
pass it There is practically no Indi
cation whatever that the courts and the
machinery of the courts of this country,
are not able to apprehend criminals
and punish crime. '
Clvif Court! Preferred.
"I am very much opposed to any
thing like this measure. I have been
In favor of drastic laws, but I am
thoroughly In favor of administering
them through the courts and juries of
the country.
Under this bill, a business man or a
(Continued on Page 4, Column 1.)
i Pi i n n