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About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1917)
LET EVERYONE BOOST FOR THE BIG CATTLE AN D HORSE RAISERS' CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN LA GRANDE, APRIL 24 AND 25. AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER PRINTS THE NEWS THE DAY IT HAPPENS VOLUME XVI LA GRANDE, OREGON. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1917. , NUMBER 194. UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINING IS THE ISSUE; DIPLOMATIC BREAK BETWEEN U. S. AND GERMANY IMMINENT Washington, D. C, Feb. 1. Diplomatic relations between the United States and Ger many are tense. The issue is the unrestricted submarining of neutral vessels in the forbidden zones established by Germany yesterday. The United States has been warned to keep its ships and its citizens out of the forbidden territory. What will the United States do? What will Wilson do? Rumors are current that the United States may break off diplomatic relations with Germany. Will this mean war? The Japanese situation is also acute. President Wilson has asked senators to put the quietus on anti-Japanese legislation in Oregon and Idaho. Passports have been refused Americans planning to leave for Europe. PRESIDENT i w ANSWER 1 Conferences Are Held And Secretary of State's Manner Indicates Situation Grave Secretary Lansing Refuses To Answer Any Questions. Washington, Feb. 1. (United Press) Secretary Lan sing met the newspapermen at three-thirty-five this after noon, lie said : "I have nothing to say. I won't answer any questions bearing on the present situation." STEPS ARE ALSO I URGED TO EOT TROUBLE WITH JAPAN In Washington tlie Situation is Regarded as Grave-Secretavy o. State Lansing Refuses to AnswerQuestio.i . 0 Newspapermen-Senators Chamberlain and Lane Called on To Ask Ore gon Not to Pius Japanese Laws-Americans Desiring Passports to Europe Are Refused. German Crisis Causes Leak Probe To Adjourn. New York, Feb. 1. (United Press) The leak probe may be suddenly adjourned in order to enable members to return to Washington to participate in possible Con gressional proceedings in connection with the German situ ation. The committee interrogated Francis A. Conolly, who sent Broker Ilutton a telegram the day before the President's peace note was announced. Conolly declared lie did not possess any leak knowledge. He declared he didn't realize the telegram's importance. He said he knew from his own knowledge of the situation that some big event was imminent and telegraphed his message to Ilutton accordingly. GERMANS ARE SINKING III SHIPS SUB1H CAMPAIGN (By Robert J. Bender, United Press Correspondent.) Washington, Feb. 1. President Wilson is nearly ready announce the government Is answer to Germany's un to announce tue gov restricted submarining note. Secretary Lansing is pre paring the official communication. Its contents are secret. The state department refused to issue passports to Americans planning to sail to Europe.. This action increased the tension. It may mean the government is planning to break diplo matic relations with Germany or that President Wilson is determined to modify his former stand. President Wilson Confers With Secretary Lansing. Secretaiy Lansing and President Wilson conferred for an hour this morning. They discussed the forthcoming communication. Secretary Lansing refused to make a statement, lie appeared nervous and smoked a cigarette. Scores of newspapermen crowded around. Secretary Lansing cried: "I can't sav a thing now, boys. Please close the door and let me go." lie said he must see the newspapermen at three-thirty this afternoon. Secretary Lansing's gravity after the meeting with President Wilson indicated a most serious situation had developed. The passport announcement convinced many that a diplomatic break was imminent. LATE NEWS BY WIRE The Black Twenty-Fourth Starts On Hell's Hike. Deniing, New Mexico, Feb. 1. (United Press) The "Black twenty-fourth" infantry, leading General Pcrs'h-. ing's withdrawal, left Twin Windmills and entered "Hell's Hike", a twenty-three-mile waterless stretch. They must make the distance in a one-day march. The advance guard encamps twenty miles below the border tonight. The entire expedition is moving northward. Senate Urges Congress To Construct a Military Highway. Salem, Feb. 1. (United Press) The Senate passed a resolution urging Congress to construct a military high way on the Pacific coast from Canada to Mexico. Senator Smith said: "The hidiwav would be very useful in the ! event of war, and profitable in time.of peace." Representative Goode introduced in the House a bill tax ing all property owned or held in trust for churches, relig ious corporations and institutions. It exempts property exclusively used for church and Sunday school purposes. Representative Lauregaard presented a bill regulating jitney busses. It provides a fifteen dollar license fee, the license to be obtained from the Public Service commission. It fixed routes and .time rate schedules. It fixes chauf feurs' (nullifications. The House passed the sterilization bill. Dutch Steamer and Three British Fish ing Smacks Are the First Victims. Others Come Later. PARLIAMENT OF DENMARK IS CALLED INTO . SECRET SESSION. SP15H CABINET MEETS Chancellor von Hollweg Addresses Reischtag Committee and Says Cermany Accepts the Allies'Challenge for a Finish Fight-Interned German Freighter, Liebenfals, is Sunk at Charleston-All the World is Watching the Outcome of Germany's New War Policy. Trouble With Japan Also in the Air. Possibilities of diplomatic difficulties with Japan also loomed up. The state department and Counsellor Polk asked Sena nra fMi:inilifrl;nn iiiid T.nne in use ;ill ther influences to prevent the Oregon legislature from passing Alien land laws. They also met Senator Brady, of Idaho, and asked him to prevent the Idaho legislature from passing similar laws. It is reported Counsellor Polk said these acts would cause a serious situation. Japan's ambassador conferred with Polk today. Diplomatic Crisis Causes Wheat Markets to Drop. Due to the ticklish foreign situation the wheat markets throughout the country opened ten cents under yesterday's closing aud immediately lost five cents. Throughout the day, however, the market regained five points, closing ten cents under yesterday's close. The above information was contained in wires reaching Ed. Kiddle in Island City, to day. One dispatch this morning said: "Morning papers look like war." Paris Reports Patrol Engagements North of Altkirch. Paris, Feb. 1. (United Press) It is announced that patrol engagements took place of Altkirch. ast of Rheims and north Great Britain Answers Hospital Ship Charge. Washington, Feb. 1. (United I'ress) British Ambas sador Spring Rice handed the state department Great Britain's reply to Germany's charge that the Allies mis used hospital ships. Great Britain threatened reprisals if hospital ships were sunk. Reconnoitering Engagements On Western Front. Berlin, Feb. 1. (United Press) Reconnoitering en gagements, giving valuable information as to the disposi tion of the enemy forces, are the only westem front ac tivities reported. Senator McCumber Denounces President's Peace Note. Washington, Feb. 1 . ( United Press) Senator McCum ber started the debate on President Wilson's peace speech, lie denounced the President's ideas. lie said the German note foreshadowed an era of slaughter and starvation. "We face a critical situation. The Nation's honor, is in volved," lie said. London, Feb. 1. (United Press) The Belgian steamer Euphrates, and British steamer Trevan, were submarined. Dutch Steamer and Three British Fishing Smacks Sunk. (By Ed. L. Keen, United Press Correspondent.) London, Feb. 1. Germany's new submarine campaign started today. The Dutch steamer, Epsilon, aud three British fishing smacks were the first victims. They were destroyed within the barred zone. The crews' fate are not reported. Parliament of Denmark Called Into Secret Session. Copenhagen, Feb. 1. (United Press) A specially summoned cabinet meeting dscussed the German note. It is undei'stood the cabinet summoned Parliament to a sec ret session. Chancellor Hollweg Accepts Challenge For Finish Fight. Amsterdam, Feb. 1. (United Press) Chancellor Vou Hollweg addressed the Reichstag main committee. Berlin dispatches quoted him as saying: "The Allies challenge us to fight to a finish. We accept. We stake everything. The enemy's conditions mean destruction of Germany's defensive force." Sella Carload of Hupmobilefl. C. Wilson today reld a carload of Hupmobilos to the Enterprise Ma chine & Auto company. I Cox Fined $25 Today. J. N. Cox, found guilty by Municipal Judge Eakin on a charge of illegally selling alcohol, this morning paid the Spain Believes Commerce With Allies Is Forbidden. Madrid, Feb. 1. (United Press) The cabinet met and discussed the situation. Spain understands Germany foi' bids neutral commerce with Allies regardless of flag or cargo. German Interned Freighter Believed To Be Scuttled. Charleston, Feb. I. (United Press) The interned German freighter Liebenfals sank at anchorage. The German crew refused assistance. Tt is believed she was scuttled. $25 fine imposed by Judge Eakin. Thelnuses to parents raising large fami chargc preferred rgainst Cox was lies. A tremendous decrease in tlie that ho procured a 50 cent bottle of size of families, as revealed by th alcohol for George Rippey of 215 Fir state vital statistics, is blamed. struct. THE WEATHER Portland, Ore., Feb. 1. (United Press) The United States weather bureau forecast: Fair, except un settled weather and probably rain and snow in northwestern Oregon. South erly winds. T. R. Must Ixok to Laurels. Mismarck, N. D., Feb. 1. (United Press) "T. R." Isn't going to have anything on North Dakota's farmer legislature. This was indicated by the recommendation of the state board of health today that the fifteenth legis lative assembly pass a law giving bo-
