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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 25, 1914)
jRmittjf Jj rf nim VOL. I.rv. XO. 16,666. PORTLAND. OREGON, SATURDAY. APRIL 25, 1914. PRICE FIVE CEXTS. SEVEN AMERICANS HELD AS PRISONERS Englishman Is Also in Hands of Federals. FOUR ARE TAKEN FROM TRAIN intent to Execute Four of Cap lives Is Reported. MEN TAKEN TO CORDOBA Mexico City Mob Reported Balked by lluerta's Troops in Effort to Burn Railroad Shops Tvoll Ing Stock Confiscated. VERA CRUZ, April 24. Seven Amer icans, prisoners of Mexican soldiers, are being held at Cordoba or Orizaba, on the line of the Mexican Railway be tween here and the capital, four of whom at least are threatened with execution, according to authentic in formation received tonight. Four of the Americans were taken from a train on the Vera Cruz-Isthmus line at Tierra Blanca and further along at Motzolonga station three other Americans and an Englishman were seized. Those captured at Tierra Blanca are W. A. Mangan, superintend ent of the railroad; Engineer Elliott and Conductors Riley and Hart. Soldiers Predict Exratlonn. At Motzolonga, Edward Weuneh. his son, Sidney; A. M. Thomas and Mr. Boyd, an Englishman, were arrested by federals. The belief that the federals intended to execute at least four of the prison ers was gained" from the conversation of the soldiers who captured them, which was overheard by passengers on the train. The prisoners were taken to Cordoba and it is believed later were transferred to Orizaba, a point nearer the capital. Eighteen Americans are still in Tier ra Blanca, among them J. O. Cook, chief engineer of the Isthmus Railway; J. O. Schneider, J. D. Longston, C. D. Harrison and his wife and children and Mr. and Mrs. George McComber. Huerta'e Troops Restrain Mob. An indirect report received here to day from Mexico City said a mob at tempted to burn the terminal of the Mexican Railway, but was prevented by President Huerta's troops. The Mexicans are confiscating all the locomotives and rolling stock of the Mexican Railway and concentrating them at Aplzaco, an hour's run south of the capital. All the engineers of that line have been held and sent to Orizaba. The train dispatcher at Ori zaba was arrested, but released later and told to leave. Five divisions of the civil administra tion were organized today police, san itary, harbor, finance and customs. An effort was made to place Mexicans as the heads of all the departments. This was found to be impossible at least in two departments and American officers were assigned. They are Lieutenant Commander McNelly, of the battleship Louisiana, who was appointed Chief of Police, and the fleet paymaster, who was made collector of customs. Americans to Be Made Inspectors. An American will be made Inspector over each department headed by a Mex ican. The police provisions call for a con tinuance of the patrol of Americans, although the Mexicans have been in vited to co-operate in the organization of a native force. The customs re ceipts, it is said, may . be placed to the credit of the United States. Close scrutiny will be maintained over all newspapers and other publica tions and no editorial comment con cerning the American occupation or news regarding the movement of troops will be permitted. The commandant of the San Juan de Uloa fortress in the inner harbor, dressed in full uniform, called on Rear- Admiral Fletcher to-day and obtained permission to take supplies to the women and children refugees in the fortress. The battleship Louisiana sailed today for Galveston to convoy the Army transports to Vera Cruz. avj- Lieutenant Holds Court. Police Court affairs in Vera Cruz were administered today by a Naval Lieutenant, who was kept busy hear ing the "cases of Mexicans who had been picked up by the patrols or ar rested during the recent fighting. He proved to be a lenient magistrate; much to the surprise of the Mexicans, many of whom believed the "gringos" would order their execution. Thomas B. Hohler, the British charge d'affaires, who had charge of the. train which brought the refugees from the capital here last night, i tended to return to the capital tonight. The British cruiser Hermione, which although a neutral vessel, has been en gaged in the removal of Americans from Tampico, reports that only a few re now there. Daniels Congratulates Fletcher. Rear-Admiral Fletcher today received the congratulations of Secretary Daniels. The adtnlral conveyed to the officers and men his own appreciation of their "splendid conduct, which gained for them the -high approbation of the Secretary of the Navy." Much of the work of reorganizing af fairs in the city has been forced riw (Concluded on Fage 3.) PATRIOTIC 'PREXY' ADVISES STUDENTS DOX'T GO TO W AR FOR FITS AXD KUIX CAREERS IS 1VORD. When Country Calls I'll Lead "Whole College and Expect Every Man to Go, Sujs Dr. Bovard. LOS ANGELES, April 24. (Special.) To resounding cheers from the col lege students. Dr. George F. Bovard, president of the University of South em California, today promised that if the occasion arises he would head a volunteer corps of university students and lead them to war. The promise was ' made in chapel, following a caution delivered to the students by Dr. Bovard in these words: 'There isn't a. man of us here who would not go to war and fight for our country If duty called. I want every man of you to stand ready for duty at any moment. "But in the meantime I don't want you to give way to excitement and run away to war for the fun of it and ruin your careers. " "War Isn't fun and at present there is no need for young men just starting out to jeopardize their entire futures in professional and business careers. "If the time comes we will all go. I will go myself and lead the whole col lege." NURSES WOULD VOLUNTEER Graduating Class of Sellwood Hos pital Ready for War. By unanimous resolution, adopted at a meeting last night, the five members of the graduating class In trained nurs ing of the Sellwood General Hospital, decided to volunteer in a body for service in Mexico. "We don't know whether we'll get to go or not," said one of the young women, "but, like Admiral Badger, we are ready." The members of the class are: Miss Ann Smith, Miss Rose Smith, Miss Myra Mayo, Miss Clara Stong and Miss Lulu Elmer. Alumnae nurses of the Sellwood Gen eral Hospital who wish to join In the offer of services, which will be made to the War Department, are requested by the members of the class to communi cate with Miss Rose Smith at the hos pital. WAR INQUIRY IS ASKED Boston Men Telegraph Lodge 'Sug gesting Probe Commission. WASHINGTON, April 24. A commis sion of inquiry to Inquire into the Mex ican situation for the information of Congress and the people before steps of war are taken was urged in a tele gram Senator Lodge caused to be read to-the Senate today. The telegram was signed by John D. Long, ex-secretary of the Navy; Albert E. Fillsbury. Samuel A. Eliot, Charles F. Dole. Wil liam Dean Howells, Edwin D. Mead and John Graham Brooks, all of Bos ton. They also urged an immediate dec laration by Congress that the United States would in no event take any territory from Mexico by conquest. TORN TRACK HALTS CHARGE O'Shaughnessy AYHhin Five Miles. Huerta Acts on Rumor. WASHINGTON, April 24. Rear-Ad miral Fletcher reported to the Navy Department late tonight that a spe cial train from Mexico City bearing Charge O'Shaughnessy and other Americans had arrived at a point five miles out from Vera Cruz where the track was torn up. A train from Vera Cruz to meet the charge had reached the break in the tracks. The Admiral also reported that a rumor had reached Mexico City that Mexicans were being detained at Vera Cruz and that as a result General Hu erta had ordered that no more Ameri cans be permitted to leave the Mexican capital. JOBS SAFE DURING WAR City Employes Who Go if Call Comes to Get Places on Return. Firemen, policemen and other city employes who go to the front in case of a call for the Oregon National Guard or for volunteers will find their positions waiting for them when they get back. This was the an nouncement yesterday of Mayor Albee, who said he would lo his part in see ing that no employe who goes loses his position. Before making the announcement. Mr. Albee conferred with members of the Municipal Civil Service Board and they agreed to do everything they can to assist in the plan. It is believed a way can be found to get around all possible civil service complications. CIRCULATION LAW UPHELD Newspaper Publishers Indorse En force merit of Requirement. NEW YORK, April 24 The Ameri can Newspaper Publishers Association, in the last day of Its convention today- adopted a resolution pledging loyalty to President Wilson in the Mexican sit uation. The resolution was sent to the White House by telegraph. A resolution was also passed uphold ing the enforcement of the new pub licity law, which provides for a full statement as to ownership and circula tion. Linn County to Observe May 22. ALBANY. Or.. April 24. (SDecial.) Linn County Court has selected Fri day. May 22, as "Good Roads" dav. be lievlng next Saturday was too early in the season to accomplish the best re sults in roadbuildlng in this section of the state. Extensive plans will be made for a general, observance of the day on that date. FEDERALS SET FIRE TO TOWN ON BORDER Two Killed by United States Patrol. NUEYO LAREDO IS IN RUINS Destroyers Driven Off by Guns on American Side. CONSULATE IS CONSUMED Guards at International Bridges Shoot Down Men Who Attempt to Dynamite Them Machine Guns -Take Additional Toll. LAREDO, Tex., April 24. Nuevo Laredo, the thriving Mexican border town, opposite here, is in ruins to night, devastated by dynamite and fire by Mexican federal soldiers, who late today began an orgy of destruction which did not end until they were forced to . flee before the guns of the American border patrol. Two Mexicans are known to have been killed by United States troops and several were seen- to fall when a machine gun platoon at Fort Mc intosh got into action. Several brisk skirmishes between the Americans and Mexicans were fought, as the Mexicans, their troop trains ready to pull out of the burning city, began an indiscrimi nate fire across the international boun. dary. There was no evidence tonight tnat their shooting had been effective. Valuable Property Destroyed. 'Property damage in Nuevo Laredo will reach $500,000. Among the build ings destroyed were the United States Consulate, municipal building, postof flce, theater, the flour mill, one of the largest in this section of the South west; railroad shops of the National Railway and other smaller structures. The fire still was burning tonight. with no chance that it would be con trolled until everything inflammable had been, consumed. Kerosene and other combustibles, liberally used, add. ed to the wreckage, which otherwise would not have been great, owing to the adobe construction largely used. There was no property loss in La redo. Both international bridges are safe, although efforts to dynamite tnem resulted in the death of two men engaged in the undertaking. One Mexican was shot by a sharpshooter from the top of tb,e water tower. The Mexican was trying to reach the end of the "nternational foot and wagon bridge. Another was killed when he tried to blow up the American rail road bridge. When the Mexican soldiers finally left order was quickly restored in (Concluded on Page 2. ) INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, eXo degrees; minimum, 41 degrees. TOOAY'S Fair and warmer; westerly winds. Mexico. President Wilson believes war may yet be averted. Page 3. Nuevo ltredo burned; two Mexicans killed . In skirmish across border. Fase 1. Argentina press arolces disapproval of United state's move in Mexico. Page 2. - President of University of Southern Cali fornia warns students against war for tun. Page 1. . Brigade of infantry sails for Vera Cruz Page 2. Army activities at San Francisco marked as 3500 troops go to the front. Page 3. Villa says Carranza is as friendly to United States as he. Page 2. Several Americans held prisoners by Mexi cans. Page 1. Panama Canal Is put on war footing. Page 1. National. Senator Poindexter'a toll- talk draws hot reply from Senator Root. Page 3. Sports. Coast Leaxne results Portland 0, Venice 12; San Francisco 2. Oakland o; Sacratmento 6. Los Angeles 2. Page 8. Northwestern League results Spokane 4. Portland 2: Vancouver 9, Seattle 2; Vic toria 6. Tacoma o. (Page 0. Western Tri-State results Pendleton 8, Walla Walla 7; North Yakima 11. Baker 8. Page C. Pacific Northwest. 730 Hood River good-road builders improve . Columbia Highway. Page 10. Fort Stevens - Hospital Corps rushed to the border. Page 5. Big crop is prospect In Indand Empire. Page IS. Head of Deschutes land company blames Governor. Page 12. Commercial and Marine. . . Hop dealers acain interested In new-crop contracts. Page 17. Wheat prices turn downward at Chicago on account of general rains, page 17. European selling responsible for decline in stock prices. Page 17. General trade not disturbed by Mexican trouble. Page 17. Qualities of boats suitable for Army trans ports discussed. Page 12. Mexican situation causes American-Hawaiian line to refuse cargo for East Coast. Page 12. Portland and Vicinity. " Increase in Ice prices is Nation-wide. Page 7. Two little boys lose lives on East Side. Page 7. Whole state will observe "Good Hoads day" today. Page 16. Two carriers in the employ of The Orego- nian to get trip -to Glacier Park. Page 16. Mas&raas to climb Mount Rainier. Page 11. Weather report, data and forecast. Page 17. George M. Hyland submits written tender to build Derby-street approach. Pago 7. Latest political news. Page 7. Boys prove to be best bakers in Lents con test. Page 9. FIREMEN WOULD ENLIST IS Members of Local Department Want Service Period Reduced. - Should special enlistments be per mitted so that men may serve only bo long as the tronble in Mexico shall last. 15 members of the Portland Fire De partment, who have served previously in the Navy, will re-enlist, according to assurances given to Lieutenant R. R. Smith. U. S. N in charge .of the Navy recruiting station here. Four men were enlisted yesterday who expect to see service in southern waters. . At the recruiting station of the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Udell enlisted six men and, like the new sailors, they were sent to Kan Francisco for train ing. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry C. Haines, adjutant-inspector of the Marine Corps, who accompanied Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt from California tO-o the Bremerton Navy-yard, returned via Portland - yesterday and inspected the station here. ALL SET TO PICK HIM OUT FEDERAL TROOPS DENIED TRINIDAD President Wilson Re fuses Ammons. SOLDIERS CAN'T BE SPARED PreceoV61 .. industrial War fare Not to Be Fixed. FACTIONS DECLARE TRUCE Colorado Governor Declares He Will Issue Call at Once for Special Session of Legislature State Troops Will Advance. DENVER, April 24. Governor E. M. Ammons, en route to Denver, late today called upon the Federal Government for troops to aia in composing the strike situation in Colorado, and re ceived tonight an answer that the War Department could spare no soldiers for this purpose. This answer was conveyed in a. tele gram signed by Congressman Edward Taylor. Wilson Attitude Reported. According to Governor Ammons, who arrived in Denver tonight. Congressman Taylor's message stated that at the Cabinet meeting today President Wil son took the attitude that the Govern ment could not send troops into Colo rado; that there had been no provoca tion for the National Government to Interfere in the Colorado situation, and that he could not establish the prece dent of sending Government troops into a state to quell disturbances caused by industrial warfare. Governor Ammons said tonight that he would Issue immediately the proc lamation for a special session of the Legislature, previously pledged by Lieutenant-Governor Fitzgarrald. He approved of the informal truce ar ranged late today between the warring factions. If it becomes necessary. Governor Ammons said he would see that the entire quota of enlistment went to the front Truce la Declared. A truce between the warring factions in the southern coal fields was ar ranged here today, it was said after a conference between Roady Kenehan, State Auditor: Horace N. Hawkins, at torney for the United Mineworkers of America, and Justice Musser, of the Supreme Court. John McLennan, district president of he United Mineworkers of America, held by the state militia under Major P. J. Hararok. near Ludlow, was ordered released today by Lieutenant (Concluded on Page 2.) --- PANAMA CANAL IS ON WAR FOOTING GOETHALS SENDS IXFAXTRY TO PATROL- VARIOUS LOCKS. OnrraUn; Machinery Goes Under Lock and Key Fortifications at Each End to Bo Manned. PANAMA. April 24. Colonel George W. Goethals. Governor of the Panama Canal zone, issued orders today placing the canal zone on a strict war footing. Goethals instructed Major Gerhardt, commanding the Tenth Infantry, to send two companies of infantry to patrol the Gatun locks and one each for duty at the Mlraflores and Pedro Miguel locks. The soldiers were given 100 rounds of ammunition each and will camp near the locks. The operating machinery of all the locks will be locked and the keys placed in the possession of Colonel Goethals. It is understood that coast artillery companies will be distributed among the fortifcatlons on Flaraencol and Culebra Islands at the Pacific end of the canal and also at Toro Point and other forts at the Atlantic end. The action of Colonel Goethals is believed to have been the result of anti-American sentiment expressed in fly sheets which, were making their appearance In the streets of Panama and also shown editorially In El Diarlo which is strongly pro-Mexican. There are 250 Mexican employes on the canal, and their presence probably also had something to do with the ac tion of Colonel Goethals. Garcia Rodriguez, a Mexican resi dent of this city, was arrested today. charged with making Inflammatory anti-American speeches. He probably will be deported. PASSPORTS GIVEN THRICE Veteran V1k Served Algara Also GaTe Papers to 2 Envoys Before. WASHINGTON. April 24. When Ed die Savoy, the veteran colored messen ger at the State Department, delivered Mexican Charge Algara his passports. he performed that mission for the third time since he came to the department in Hamilton Fish's day, 44 years ago. Mr. Algara departed for Toronto, Can ada, last night. Savoy first delivered passports to Sir Lionel Sackville-West. the British Am bassador, who displeased President Cleveland by Interference in American politics. His second mission was performed 16 years ago. when he carried to the Span ish legation here the passports that gave Minister Luis Polo y Bernabe a safe exit from the United States, on the declaration of war with Spain. FLEET CHIEFS IN ACCORD American and British Admirals at Vera Cruz Co-operating. VERA CRUZ. April 24. The most cordial relations exist between Rear Admiral Badger and Ztear-Admlral Sir Christopher Cradock. commander of the British cruiser squadron here. They have agreed to divide the time for the use of the wireless as fol lows: Six hours for the American fleet, six for the British and the re mainder for other nations. The Nashville departed today for Puerto, Mexico, to take refugees on board. American and Hawaiian steam ers have been permitted by Mexican officials to resume the loading of sugar there. All messages from that place, however, are censored. CLACKAMAS "DRYS" PLAN Prohibition Party to Have Xo Hand in Fight in County. OREGON CITY. Or.. April 24. (Spe cial.) The Prohibition party will hold a county convention here Tuesday, April 28, when the anti-saloon forces will meet and map out the preliminary local campaign for the "Oregon Dry movement. The Clackamas County fight will not be managed by the Prohibition party, but by a committee composed of representatives of all the anti-saloon forces. "The Oregon Dry movement Is too big for any one party or group of persons." said Dr. T. B. Ford, chair man of the county central committee. "We can obtain the best results through the united ef Torts of all who are back of the plan." MEAT ANIMAL LOSS HIGH Disease Held to Figure Largely In 'Scarcity of Food Product. WASHINGTON. April 24. The enor mous sum of I150.0u0.000 was the ag gregate loss sustained by the United States in meat animals as the result of disease and exposure in 1913, according to estimates announced by the Depart ment of Agriculture today. The figures indicate a total loss of 7.005,000 hogs valued at $73,000,000. This represents more than 1.000.000,000 pounds of meat destroyed mostly by cholera. "If there had been no such loss, it is said, "probably increasing scarcity of meat would have been largely pre vented." The hog cholera epidemic of 1913 caused an estimated loss of about $65,- 000.000. NEGRO IS CHOSEN JUDGE Senate Confirms Nomination for Municipal Bench at Capital. WASHINGTON. April 24. The nomi nation of Robert II. Terrell, a negro, as Municipal Judge for the District of Columbia was confirmed tonight in the Senate. The nomination had been held for two months, being vigorously op posed by Senators Vardaman. Smith, of South Carolina, and other Southerners. Senators urging confirmation tonight declined to pass Terrell's name on the list of nominations and a vote waa forced. WILSON FEELS WILL BE AVERTED Optimistic Note Struck in Washington. ADVISERS TAKE NEW ROPE Army, However, Continues to Move With Precision. EUROPE BECOMES UNEASY Inquiries by Foreign Diplomats as to Status of Commerce Feature of Day German Steamship Lands Part of Cargo. WASHINGTON. April 24. While the attention of the United States Govern ment for the most part today was con centrated on restoring order at Vera Crux and expediting the departure of Americans from all parts of Mexico, a watchful eye was trained on the trans continental boundary between Mexico and the United States for signs of hostility from constitutionalists. President Wilson and his Cabinet had a long meeting, after which optimism was conspiculously apparent both in their demeanor and In formal discussion of the situation. Vllla'a Attitude Esraoragn. There was no particular develop ment to which the feeling of hope fulness that real war would be averted could be traced, but General Villa's friendly pronouncement, it was ad mitted, had impressed many officials here with the possibility that the con stitutionalists would remain neutral while the American Government sought reparation from Huerta. Other officials were not so sanguine and th.e Army moved with precision to protect the American boundary and re inforce the expeditionary forces of marines and bluejackets at Vera Cruz. Conferences at the State Department between Secretary Bryan - and Repre sentatives of the Mexican constitu tionalists resulted in the dispatch to General Carranza of a telegram by the latter, strongly advising him to remain neutral and assuring him that the American Government Intended to withdraw its forces from Mexico Just as soon as satisfactory reparation had been made for offenses committed by Huerta. Carransa Told He Risks All. The advice given Carranza here was that by assuming a hostile attitude he would draw all Mexico Into war; Huerta would be perpetuated and the Constitutionalists' cause lost in the melee. Four countries, among them France and Spain, came forward with inquiries to the United States about possible means of mediation between the Huerta government and the United States, but Secretary Bryan said . these advices could not be described as "overtures" and he was Inclined to attach little Im portance to them. Signs of uneasiness abroad because the United States, although not having declared a blockade or a state of war, is exercising jurisdiction at Vera Cruz between measures "short of war" and actual war, began to be apparent to day. Cabinet officials -said no attempt would be made to interfere with the regular channels of commerce any where, cargoes being allowed to land at all points. Munitions of war alone yould be held at the Vera Cruz customs house if landed. Army and IVavy Busy. Outside of the diplomatic branch of the Government, the Army and Navy continued their plans for the holding of Vera Cruz, the care of refugees, the provisioning of American forces and the maintenance of a strict border patrol, not only to prevent raids and uprisings, but to keep all factions in Mexico from obtaining arms and ammunition from the United States. The War Depart ment continued its plan for the mobili zation of regulars and volunteers should the President call for them. The Army transports, bearing infantry and artil lery, sailed for Galveston to re-enforce the naval forces at Vera Cruz. The sporadic outbreak at Nuevo Laredo. Mex.. where the evacuating Federals burned the town and fired across the American border, was not unexpected, but - tt was significantly pointed out by officials here that the American trbops returned the fire merely in defense of the international line and did not become the aggres sors. Both the military and naval forces are operating under this prin ciple, defending themselves from at tack, but making no offensive move without instructions from Washington. CJarrfuson Drsns o a Fatare, 1 Congress still talked about Maxloo. Senator Lodge read a long telegram from many prominent persons urging an Inquiry into the Mexican situation before war was declared. Representa tive Fitzgerald, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, asked, the President if he wanted any "war appropriation." and Mr. Wilson said "Not as yet." Secretary Garrison virtually is with out funds for the particular move ments of the Army now being made, but he is drawing on the future. Lead ers in Congress have assured him they would back him up in the present emergency. The President has hesi tated to approve any request for an (Concluded on Page 3.) WAR 33 109.2