La Grande evening observer., March 01, 1917, Image 1

THERE
PHONE OBSERVER YOUR WANT
VOLUME XVI. LA GRANDE, OREGON. THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1917. NUMBER 216. '
GERMAN PLOT IS DISCOVERED
SECRET ALLIANCE WITH MEXICO AND JAPAN SOUGHT
' ' '"' II. M. -.,. , I. ! ,,, ,
JAPAN REMAINS FRIEND
OF THE UNITED STATES
JAPANESE EMBASSY ISSUES AN
OFFICIAL STATEMENT SAYING
JAPAN WILL NOT ENTERTAIN
GERMANY'S PROPOSAL.
WILL ACT IT ONCE
PRESIDENT'S
President Will Refuse to Sign Any Bill
Not Giving Him Full Authority.
Senator Thomas Demands an Extra
Session of Congress. Senator Norris
May Force Full Discussion of All
Appropriation Bills.
Washington, March 1. (United Press) The House
adopted a rule providing immediate consideration of the
armed neutrality bill. It is understood President Wilson
favors the bill granting nil the powers. He will refuse to
sign any measure not granting the authority asked. The
House Dill limits his towel's to arming ships.
The Senate Foreign Committee agreed to report the
Lodge resolution asking details of the alleged German
Mexican plot. Lt eliminated the LaFollette amendment
asking how long the government possessed German For
eign Secretary Zinunerniann's letter.
The 'Japanese embassy issued an official statement
pledging Japan's continued friendship to the United
States. It declared Japan "under no circumstances"
would entertain the German proposition.
Senator Thomas demanded an extra session of Congress.
He said: "This may be the greatest crisis the country ever
faced. It is congress' duty to be here." Senator Xorris
announced his intention of demanding a full discussion of
all appropriation bills. This would force an extra session.
U. S. AGENTS LEARN GERMANS ARE FINANCING
VILLA.
El Paso, March 1. (United Press) The United States
government agents learned that Germans were advising
and financing Villa. It is reported that both Mexican fac
tions gave special privileges to two hundred Germans in
Northern Mexico.
Pneumonia Epidemic Breaks Out On Border.
El Paso; Mar. 1 (United Press") Thirty thousand
regulars and militia-men are quarantined on account of a
pneumonia epidemic.
British Are Pursuing the Turks.
London, March 1 (United Press) It is announced
that British cavalry and gunboats are chasing the Turks
beyond Kut. Thev'captured six guns, three mortal's, eight
mine throwei-s, thirty pontoons, and one river vessel.
Moose Roll Call Is
Big Event Last Night
Large Number Gather for the Big
Annual Meeting I.arge Class Is
Initiated.
Last night about 80 members of
the Loyal Order of Moose gathered
nt the hall for the annual roll call of
Ijsx Grande No. 850, Loyal Order of
Moose. Dictator George Young pre
sided and there were present about 80
members of this large and growing
order.
As Secretary Harry Swart called
the roll of members, it was discovered
that the members of this order ore
now scattered over this entire conti
nent Some of the boys who had en
rolled under the banner of the Loyal
'Order of Moose are at this time in
WILL BE MUSIC AND DANCING AND A LIVELY
ADS. MAIN 37 AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - PRINTS THE NEWS THE DAY IT
ON THE -
ARMED NEUTRALITY BILL
ice bound Alaska, while others were
found to be enlisted under the ban
ner of Uncle Sam, and following their
county's call. Some of the boys were
as far south as the Mexican border,
while others were found to be in the
states forming the Atlantic seaboard.
Inters were read from absent mem
bers who had remained faithful to the
order throughout their wanderings.
The lodge then listened to some in
spiring speeches by some of the old
guard, among which was a speech and
an original poem by Jap Stevens.
Many of Jap's friends will be sur
prised to know that he has blossomed
out as a poet, but such is the fact.
Angus Steward detailed to Rome ex
tent tho history of the order and R.
J. Green, who was the dictator of La
Grande lodge when it was first or
ganized here some four or five years
ago, gave a speech outlining briefly
the history of the lodge. Thereafter
"Daddy" Burt gave a most inspi.-ing
talk to the members. The lodge as a
IS
READY FOR THE
Washington, D. C, March 1. Unit
ed Press) Washington the nation's
hostess city again today is Mecca for
the quadrennial inaugural pilgrimage.
The pilgrims hundreds or thou-
sands of them have 'been arriving, i
pouring in, literally deluging the city,
for the past ten days. i
At all times called upon to receive I
hospitably the nation's guests, the !
capital, at inaugural times, virtually
"keeps open house." Hotels doubled-
up, every citizen takes in aome visit
ing acquaintance, and the public
buildings, halls and oven churches, are
filled with cots and beds to house the
throngs.
For ten days the town is turned
helter-skelter, scrambled, and left,
at the close of the national jamboree
prostrate.
ROUSE STARTS
DEBATE ON BILL
(United
Washington, March 1. -Press)
The house started
debating
the Flood bill empowering the presi
dent to arm merchantmen. Flood de
clared that the United States wanted
to protect steamers peaceably if pos
sible. He said we were ready to use
armaments if necessary to secure
freedom of the seas.
Representative Campbell asserted
that congress had no right to em
power the president to make war. He
urged congress to remain in session
during the emergency. Representa
tive Henry urged unity. Representa
tive Emerson warned that serious dif
ficulty was possible if the United i
Suites did not protect its rights.
Plans Made for Stoddard Funeral.
Prof. L. D. Edwards of the letter
Day Saints choir in Baker will arrive
in La Grando Saturday morning to
arrange for tho music at the George
E. Stoddard funeral Sunday after
noon. Fifteen of Prof. Edwards.'
Baker choir will be here and will join
with 25 of the members of the local
Latter Day Saints tabernacle choir.
This morning nothing definite had
been heard as to the exact date of ar
rival of Mr. Stoddard's -body. Tenta
tive plans are being considered to
have the five sons and one nephew
of Mr. Stoddard act as pallbearers.
The man who is to deliver the funeral
sermon has not yet been chosen.
Fuel Situation Gets Better.
Another carload of coal received to
day by the Sawyer-Holmes company
and carloads promised the other deal
ers for tonight and tomorrow has al
leviated local anxiety as to the fuel
problem.
whole is solid behind "Daddy" Burt
and is extending to this able organ
izer its heartiest cooperation. At the
close of his speech, the lodge rose en-
masse and cheered him for several
minutes. 'Interesting talks were also
heard f rom other members.
Thereafter a large class was initi
ated and counting the old members
present together with the now mem
bers it was found, when tho banquet
was set that there were just 99 pres
ent. It was suggested that the fold
was incomplete unless some new
member was added to make tho full
quota 100, thereupon "Daddy" Burt,
like the shepherd of biblical fame,
stated that before he went to bed, he
would bring in another member to
make the full quota of 100. Truo to
his word, immediately after the lodge
had pnrtaken of a sumptuous banquet,
"Daddy" Burt went out and before
he went to bed last night, had signed
up L. Huntley's application and
brought him up to tne lodge room be
fore the session was dismissed. All
in all this annua! roll call was a most
delightful and successful event
nnrl
INAUGURAL
fully enjoyed by all the member who Wallow county people. Mr. Thomp
nttended. ' son is recognized here as an able man.
The lodge is rapidly growing Bnd S. Benson of Portland and E. J.
large classes are being initiated each , Adams of Eugene arc the other mem
week. 1 bers of the commission.
TIME AT THE LA GRANDE
GERMANS
RETREATING TO
NEW LINES
London, March 1. (United Press)
The British, occupied positions half
a mile northeast of Gommecourt. They
are advancing on a thirteen mile front.
The press dispatches said Germans
surrendered lat uommecourt, without
resistance. The Germans are believed
to be evacuating Ba-paume. .
It is announced that a German
aro plane raided Broad
Stairs. One
woman wa9 injured.
Berlin, via Sayville, March 1.
(United Press) It is announced that
the Germans have evacuated their ad
vanced positions on both sides of the
Ancre on account of "special reasons."
Troops entered the newly prepared
defenses. The rear guards hindered
the Britiah (advance by capturing 180
prisoners and four machine guns.
London. March 1. (United Press)
I Financial Secretary Forster told the
I Commons tne British believe the Ger
man retreat is a strength-saving plan
I preceding the "Great Blow." Forster
said: "As a result of the Ancre pres
sure, the enemy retired on a twelve
mile front. The British advanced two
miles and gained ten villages and
many important positions. The re-
treat will unfavorably affect the Ger
man troops and people.
Berlin, via Sayville, March 1.-
(United Press) It is definitely
learned that Germany will blame the
United States for starting war if
America uses the Laconia sinking as
cause. German contends her barred
zone announcement relieves the meaa
ure of all responsibility for neutral
ship sinking therein.
THE WEATHER
Portland, March 1. (United Press)
Tho weather forecast: "Fair.
Northeast winds."
G. M. Richey
Continue In Business
Pioneer Iiano Dealer Will Soon Have
New Location in La Grande..
G. M. Richey, a pioneer piano deal
er of La Grande, is not going to leave
tho city and he is not going out of
business.
A rumor to that effect had been
started owing to the fact that Mr.
Richey has sold his building at the
corner of Depot and Washington
streets to C. C. Penington.
Mr. Richey does not give possession
to Mr. Penington for sixty days, and
in the meantime Mr. Richey is ar
ranging for a new store building, of
not such lurge floor space. This will
necessitate an immediate stock reduc
tion sale which will be announced in
the near future.
Mr. Richey has been in I-a Grande
thirty-three years next month; he has
built up a good business and his namo
is identified as one of the substantial
business men of the city. This has
always .been Mr. Richey's home and
he has no intention of changing his
iiesidetvce at this or any other time.
THREE STORY ADDITION
PLANNED FOR SCHOOL
' Work will start within a short time
on a three story addition to St. Fran
cis school. The addition will include
three class rooms, a -boys reieciory
jtuid a girls' refectory. The plans
, have been drawn by C. B. Miller,
George Sutherland, Walla Walla
,'plumbing and electrical contractor, is
i in La Grande today r.nd will study
the plans preparatory to making a bid
on his part of the work.
Thompson's
Appointment
Pleases
Union.
The appointment of W. I Thomp
son of Pendleton as a member of the
state highway commtssiom this week
by Govornor Withycombe was pleas-
, ant news to La Grande and Union and
AUTO SHOW, M ARCH 15,
if. .. .... .
HAPPENS PHONE THE OBSERVER YOUR NEWS. MAIN 37
GERMANY SOUGHT A
MEXICAN ALLIANCE
PROPOSED TO MAKE OFFENSIVE
ALLIANCE AND WAR AGAINST
UNITED STATES IF U. S. DID
NOT STAY NEUTRAL.
PROMISED
Mexico Was Urged
With Japan. Also Was Urged to
Make Effort to Reconquer Lost Pro
vinces of New Mexico, Texas and
Arizona. Zimmerman Said Employ
ment of Ruthless Submarine War
fare Would Compel England to Make
Peace in a Few Months.
Washington, March 1. (United Press) President
Wilson authorized Senator Swanson to inform Congres
that Germany attempted a plot to unite Japan and Mexico
into a conspiracy against the United States.
American Steamer Passes Safely Through Blockade.
Bordeaux, March 1. (Unied Press) The American
steamer, Rochester, arrived safely at the mouth of the
(liroude River.
Wshington, March 1. (United Press) Senator Swan
son told the Senate, "President Wilson authorizes me to
say that German Foreign Secretary Zimmerman's letter
to the German embassy in Mexico, proposing an alliance
with Japan and Mexico, is substantially correct.
"The statement followed Senator Lodge's resolution
asking for confirmation.
Senator Lodge said:. "I ask this because the matter w
serious. If it's false the country should know and allay
excitement. If true, congress certainly should know."
Senator Works said President Wilson should give Con
gress "all the information" in his possession.
Senator Stone asked the Senate to refer the matter to
the foreign relations committee "for further investigation
before ill advised action is taken." He said every possible
agency was being used to excite public opinion. '
Japanese Ambassador Sato denied all knowledge of the
alleged Japanese implication in the Mexican-German plot.
He admitted the report is probably true. He declared
Japan would never join Mexico and the Germans against
the United States.
Washington March 1. (Special) Germany in plan
ning unrestricted submarine warfare and counting its con
sequences, proposed an alliance with Mexico and Japan
to make war on the United States, if this country should
not remain neutral.
Japan, through Mexican mediation, was to be urged to
abandon her allies and join in the attack on the United
States.
Mexico, for her reward, was to receive general financial
support from Germany, reconquer Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona lost provinces and
terms Germany contemplated.
Details were left to German Minister von Eckhardt, in
Mexico City, who by instructions signed by German For
eign Minister Zimmermann, at Berlin, January 19, 1917,
was directed to propose the alliance with Mexico to Gen
eral Carranza and suggest that Mexico seek to bring Japan
into the plot.
BERNSTORFF TRANSMITS ORDER
These instructions were transmitted to Von Eckhardt
through Count von Bernstorff, ex-German Ambassador
here, now on his way home to liermany unaer a saie con
duct obtained from his enemies by the country against
which he was plotting war.
(Continued n Page Sinkt.) ! '
16 AND 17. " 7TR!T'.' J
I
FINANCIAL AIO TO MEXICO
to Communicate
share in the victorious peace