Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 1914)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1914. " 5 BESIEGED PROMISES HOT TO CHASE FOE General Hill Makes Offer, if Maytorena Will Withdraw From Naco. "HONOR" MAY PROVE BAR Chier or Tnited States Army Staff Is on Ground to Investigate , Trouble, but Bad Weather Prevents Conference. NACO, Ariz.. Dec. 21. If General Jose Maytorena will withdraw his Vil lista forces from the siege of Naco, Mexico, General Benjamin Hill's Car ranziata forces will not chase him, ac cording to a tentative agreement be tween Hill and the United States Army officers announced here today. Whether Maytorena will consider It honorable and prontable to withdraw under these conditions. If they are es tablished, remains to be seen. Brigadier-General Hugh !. Scott was to have had a conference with him today, but bad weather compelled its postpone ment. A further conference between Gen eral Scott and General Hill is set for tomorrow in the bullet - punctured United States Custom-House, recently abandoned by customs officials. General Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of the United States Army, resumed today his investigation of the border trouble here. He is seeking informa tion from those in touch with Mexican affairs, which may aid in composing the situation here, where for 10 weeks Governor Jose Maytorena, of Sonora, the Villa leader, has besieged the Car ranza forces of General Benjamin Hill, entrenched in Naco, Sonora. The reinforced United States Army forces here under command of Brigadier-General Tasker II. Bliss now total 4700 men. Rain fell during the forenoon, caus ing a practical cessation of the Mexi can fire. TFLIiA FOES PUT TO DEATH Two Convention Leaders Reported Executed in Mexico City. SAN ANTONIO. Tex., Dec. 21. Gen eral Aragon, a member of the Aguas Calientes convention, and Colonel David Berlanga. secretary of the convention of the military chiefs, were executed in Mexico City December 8, according to private advices received here today. It was reported that Berlanga had assailed the actions of Provisional President Gutierrez, General Villa and other leaders at a meeting of the con vention. General Aragon, It was said, was ac cused of complicity in a plot to de stroy telegraph and railroad lines in Northern Mexico to hamper the move ments of General Villa's troops. SLAYERS OF" BRITOXS SHOT Mexican Outlaws Pay Penalty Be fore Guns or Firing Squad. DOUGLAS, Ariz., Dec. 21 Jose Es- calante and Esteban Cruz, Mexicans ar rested at Nacozari on charges of hav ing murdered Thomas R. Francis and It. E. Dunn, British subjects, confessed the crime today and were promptly executed, according to a message re ceived by J. T. T. Paxton, British Vice Consul here. A firing squad detailed by Car ranzaists officers at Nacozari closed the careers of Cruz and Escalante, who were charged also with several other crimes. Dunn and Francis were robbed and then killed two weeks ago at a mine near Nacozari. Great Britain Thanks America. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British Ambassador, called at the State Department today to present the thanks of his govern ment for the action of American Con suls Simpich and Hostetter in Mexico in obtaining the release of II. Percy Meaker, the British subject who was Imprisoned recently in Sonora by Gen eral Maytorena's troops on the charge of having aided the enemy. TSING-TAU'S FALL TOLD (Continued From First Page.) strength to stretch "their lines across the peninsula at a distance from the city and therefore were compelled to concentrate on a narrow span from the Bay of Kiau-Chau to the sea. This left their last line so. close to the city that a battery had to be placed in the streets. In guns, the garrison mounted 40 pieces, of all patterns, calibers and makes, and the allies 140 siege guns, with a preponderance of heavy 28 and 21-centimeter mortars. Four of the German 24-centlmeter cannon were captured from the Chinese at the time of the Boxer uprising, and six 12-centimeter pieces had been used against the French at the siege of Paris, more than 40 years ago. Then there was a scattering of field pieces and light naval guns carried ashore from dis mantled gunboats in the harbor. Japan's Moves Save Men. In short, Tsing-Tau was nothing near eo strong as the Japanese supposed it, and in no wise merited its reputation of a second Port Arthur. Had the Jap anese but known, they might have car . rled the defenses by storm much ear lier than they did. Their methodical, cautious operations however, undoubt edly saved their men. , On the morning of October 31, the anniversary of the Mikado's birthday, the besiegers began their final bom bardment. The artillery fire was con tinuous and overwhelming, and until the capitulation on November 7 there was a constant roaring from the bat teries and an unceasing crackle of rifle and machine fire from the trenches. Meanwhile, under cover of a hail of shot and shell, Japanese sappers short ly were pushing forward their trench heads until, when the big guns were silenced to permit the infantry to take the open field, the Germans evacuat ing redoubt No. 3 found Japanese rifles and machine guns plready covering the exit of -their bomb-proof. Once the besiegers had broken through at this point, the city was theirs, for there was nothing left to oppose them. At 6 o'clock In the morning of the 7 th, as the white flag went up over the forts, the stocky men with the red shoulder straps al ready were marching through the streets, torn and dirty, with their in trenching spades on their shoulders, shouting "Banzai." In the assault the Japanese cha-ged with as much dash and fury as they had shown caution in th siege. The most terrible Incident of the capture was the slaughter with spades and picks of 13 German soldiers and one officer caught in Fort Bismarck. Germans generally testified that the negotiations for surrender and. the siege operations themselves were con ducted by the Japanese in accordance with the best standards of civilized warfare. In one particular they went to an -extreme that even caused some German amusement. As position after position became untenable, the Ger mans on withdrawal would destroy the works and Dlow up the guns. Before surrendering they wrecked the gov ernment buildings, waterworks, docks, railway and sank all warships in the harbor. Hearing that this was on the cards, a Japanese aeroplane was sent over the city to drop a message, in bad German, of which the following is a literal translation Into English: "To the officers and men in fortress: "We deem it to be contrary to the will of god and to humanity If one should destroy the still useful weapons, warships and other materials which no longer have tactical value, and only from the Jealous Intention ttiat they should not fall into the hands of the enemy. "Although we believe that with Ger man officers and men who appreciate the honor of knighthood such thought lessness has not been carried out, we take liberty in expressing our opinion regarding the matter. (Signed.) "The Siege Army Command." German Hatred Bitter. Toward the British the Germans showed hatred even more bitter than was spoken against Japan in Berlin when it first became known that she would enter the war. The striking of the British battle ship Triumph by a shell from one of the forts caused greater rejoicing than would have been accorded the sinking of a Japanese cruiser. The lone Ger man aviator in the fortress, after spot ting the British camp by its white tents, aimed almost all his bombs at it. When the British entered the city with the Japanese every execration conceivable was showered on them by the German prisoners. One officer spat In the face of General Bernardiston as he passed. The British took no part in the ne gotiations for surrender, and on occu pation hoisted their flag only over their own quarters. ' Although repeatedly pursued by Jap anese biplanes, the lone German avia tor always outdistanced them in his monoplane and Just before the capitu lation he fled into Chinese territory and Interned his machine for the dura tion of the war. Often he was able to bring back valuable sketches of the enemy's positions. Air Scoots of Little Benefit. On the contrary, the Japanese com mander got little good from his air scouts. General Kamio expressed much disappointment with their work. They returned with reports of damage done, he said, but he was always skep tical, and, as those knew within the lines, rightly so. Their bombs did little damage and it was always possible to dodge them before they landed, after their whistling approach had been heard. ' There were many reports in Tsing Tau of 111 treatment received by the Chinese at the hands of the Japanese, but such personal investigation as was possible showed that the two races got on very well. During the early days of the bombardment something like 100 coolies were killed by shells di rected at the German earthworks which their huts adjoined, but this was due to the national stolid unwillingness to leave their dwellings even when in the zone of fire. When the Chinese found they were fairly treated they some times posted proclamations of welcome in their villages along the railway seized by the Japanese, at the same time, with true Chinese thrift, inviting the troops to pay well for what' they took. An incident illustrative of the deep Japanese sentiment for th-3 beautiful was found in one of the first acts of Major-General Yamanashi, second in command. The correspondent discov ered him, a little man with formidable drooping mustachios, sitting wrapped in furs beside a bank of flower pots. He had found them drooping and with ered in the abandoned German quar ters taken over by him and It had been his first care- to tend and revive thtm. BRITISH HOLD 10 RULE RIGHT RETAINED TO SEARCH VES SELS FOR CONTRABAND CARGO. Certificate by Consols Suggested mm Measure to Prevent Unneces sary Delays to Ships. LONDON, Dec. 21. It can be asserted positively that no definite agreement has been reached whereby England will refrain from searching ships which leave American ports with statements from English Consuls that they are carrying no contraband. England is willing to accept such statements in cases in which there is no reason to believe that the cargoes may have been augmented at sea. The long negotia tions between England and America, however, have resulted in no positive agreement or understanding between the two countries. The Foreign Office is eager to pre vent unnecessary delays and Is willing that American shippers have their car goes examined by authorized agents designated by British Consuls, provided tney desire to do so and America ap proves such examinations. But Eng land makes no guarantee that under such circumstances cargoes will be ex empt from further inspection. if deemed necessary by the Admiralty. it is declared authoritatively that consular inspections in most cases would expedite snipments merely, as the number of suspected cargoes is comparatively small. Earlier in the war copper and other contraband were loaded underneath coal or heavy freight, making inspection extremely difficult and necessitating virtually a complete smiting of the cargo. Where bulky articles of contraband are trans ferred at sea, from one ship to another, it is impossible to conceal them be neath the entire cargo, and consequent ly it would be an easy matter to make a supplemental examination in the cases of vessels in which the original cargoes contained no contraband. AMERICANS REACH BERLIN Army Officers Hope for Permit to Visit Battle-Front. BERLIN, via The TTatriKv tn Tn. Dec. 21. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph e! K.unn, Aiajor JJ. E. Aultman, Major Clarence C. William, Captain Wilson D. Burt. Captain Samuel G. Shartle and Captain Samuel D. Rockenbach, United States Army, have arrived here from Washington by way of Munich. These American officers hope to ob tain the permission of the German gov ernment to observe the operations at the front. NOTED INVENTOR PASSES Many Idfesaving Apparatns JSVork of Edward S. Copeman. LOWESTOFT, England, Dec. 11. (Correspondence of the Associated Press.) Edward S. Copeman, inventor of lifesaving apparatus, is dead at his home here, aged . The best known of his inventions is a raft for saving life at sea. This was adopted throughout the British mer chant service and earned him several medals and decorations. He invented a water tank cart which Is Btill a standard in the British army. GERMANY SA D TO BACK BALTIC UNION Leadership and Promises Are Offered to Sweden for Aid, , . Petrograd Says. PROFFERS ARE IGNORED Scandinavian Kingdoms Urged to Unite, Kaiser Holding Out Kin land, Estnovia, Livonia and Courland as Prize, It Is Said. PETROGRAD, via London, Dec. 21. The recent conference at Malmo, Sweden, of the Scandinavian Kings and a visit which King Gustave is report ed to have .made to Berlin previously constitute a subject of much interest in Russia in view of the suggestion of a Scandinavian union. It is recalled that Professor Ostwald went to Sweden on a semi-official Ger man mission, at which time he proposed such a Scandinavian union, similar to the German Empire, in which Sweden would occupy a position analogous to Prussia in Germany, promising, it is said, that if such a union were real ized, Germany would contribute Fin land, Estnonia, Livonia and part of Courland. This proposed Baltic union of 25.000, 000 population would, according to the alleged German view, become an im portant European power, while the Scandinavian countries separately, de spite their high cultural and industrial development, would be politically in significant. Rasslan Discusses Scheme. A Russian diplomat, discussing this plan, said today: "Excluding our provinces, which Ger many never will be able to offer the union, Russia favors such a Scandina vian union, although apparently Ger many is inspired in accordance with her aim to create several buffer states before herself and Russia. A strong, united Scandinavia would weaken Ger man influence On the Baltic "We do not believe that Sweden wants our provinces or that the Finlanders. Ethonians or Letts desire to join the Scandinavian union. Therefore the Ger man figures of 25,000,000 should be de creased to 12,500,000, which is the pres ent population of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, adding perhaps Schleswig Holstein, which Germany, if defeated, probably would be forced to return to Denmark. The immediate aim of the union would.be to fortify neutrality." LONDON, Dec. 22. The correspond ent of the Daily Telegraph at Copen hagen says he learns from a. high diplomatic source that Germany pro posed that Sweden should help her in the war, offering as, compensation the Baltic islands and a protectorate over Finland. Sweden Ignores Offer. y "As Sweden idid not deign to reply," ihe correspondent adds, "Germany inti mated that if Sweden refused the offer Germany, at the peace conference after the war, would let Russia take Sweden as compensation for Poland. "This threat was similarly ignored. and then Germany began to irritate Sweden by stopping her wood export. "These were incidents leading up to the conference." 133 PER CENT MELON CUT Stockholders in Standard Oil Sub-- sidlary Get Christmas Gift. NEW YORK, Dec. 21. (Special.) Another Standard Oil Company melon was cut today, making a fine Christmas present for stockholders of the Ohio Oil Company, one of the Standard sub sidiaries. It took the form of a dis tribution of stock of the Illinois Pipe Line Company among the holders equivalent to 133 1-3 per cent dividend. The Ohio company is both an oil producing and pipe line company, op erating in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Its capital stock is $15,000,000 par value, divided into $25 shares. Last year it made $22,000,000 profit, eaual to 152 per cent on its stock, and declared 57 per cent-dividends. At a meeting of stockholders today tn Lima, O.. the Illinois company stock was parcelled out on a oasis equaling 133 1-3 per cent. EGG WASTE $200,000,000 Only Two-Fifths of Crop Reach Consumer, Is Testimony. NEW YORK, Dec 21. Between the hen and the consumer there is an estimated waste in eggs-of $200,000,000 annually In this country, declares Wil liam Mann, attorney for the New York Central Railroad Company, who testi fied today at the Inquiry into the but ter and egg business of the state by the Attorney-General's office. Mr. Mann placed the value of the annual egg crop at $500,000,000. . The witness said that not more than six out of ten eggs laid reach the con sumer. Of the $200,000,000 waste, he added, $50,000,000 is due to needless breakage of eggs in transit from the nest to the retailer. The balance of the loss represents unnecessary addling, spoiling and deterioration of good eggs due to poor handling. VANCOUVER PIONEER DIES Mrs. Elizabeth Electa Hathaway, 87, City Resident Since 1852. VANCOUVER. Wash., Dec 21. (Spe cial.) Mrs. Elizabeth Electa Hatha way, 87 years old, who crossed the plains in 1852 and who was the last charter member of the First Methodist Church here, died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. E. King. The funeral will be held from the Methodist Church tomorrow morning. Rev. W. T. Randolph officiating. Mrs Hathaway is survived by 15 great grandchildren, 35 grandchildren, two daughters, Mrs. King and Mrs. H. R. Caples. of this city, and four sons, A. O. Hathaway, of Washougal; O. B. Hathaway, near Woodlawn, Or.; A. B. Hathaway, of Crabtrce. Or., and H. B. Hathaway, of Fellda. WOMAN IS CAUSE OF DUEL One Kival Receives Four Wounds and Innocent Bystander Is Hit.' RENO, Nev., Dec 21. In an Im promptu duel over a woman, W. Murphy and C. Farias emptied pistols at each other tonight on Center street from a distance of 15 feet. Murphy was hit four times and a fifth bullet slight ly wounded a bystander nearly a block away. Farias was not hit and crave himself up. , . WAGE LAW TESTED Decision in Oregon Case May Prove Epochal. COURTS ARE AT VARIANCE Statutes of Many States Depend on Outcome and if Minimum Wage Legislation Is Upheld Move ment Will Gain Impetus. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU; Wash ington, Dec. 21. Wide significance will attach to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in what is known as the Oregon minimum wage case, recently argued before that tribunal and because of the great Interest and the general effect of this decision the court probably will weigh the subject at length before deciding it. The Oregon caae is the first one of th6 kind ever to reach the United States Supreme Court, there having been no previous decision affecting the constitutionality of minimum wage laws, but the decision of the court in this case will affect similar laws in all other states which have made such enactments. State Courts Role Variously. The Oregon law, which is attacked in the Stettler-Simpson cases is simi lar to the minimum wage law of Min nesota, with the difference that the Oregon courts have upheld the consti tutionality of the . law of their state, while the Minnesota courts have held their law to be unconstitutional. Other state courts have ruled variously on the question. In the main, the ' minimum wage laws of the several states are framed along a common line and if the Oregon law be held constitutional other states will be able to enforce similar laws, and where their laws do not coincide with the Oregon law they can be amended readily, so as to come within the ruling which the Supreme Court may make. On the other hand. If the Supreme Court holds the Oregon law to be unconstitutional the minimum wage laws of other states will be at tacked. Court Expected to Take Jurisdiction. It may be that the Supreme Court will hold that no constitutional ques tion is involved and it may pass up the Oregon case without deciding it, but lawyers who have familiarized themselves with the record in the case rather expect the court will take Juris diction and will hand down an opin ion in accord with the views of its members. A decision by the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the Oregon law would not only result in appeals from other states where the Jewelry for all the family Watches Cuff Links' Tie Pins Bracelets Lockets Lavallieres, etc. mm pi Avoid the crush of the department stores and do your Christmas shopping at Ben Selling's Store Open Evenings Until Christmas. state courts have held the law to be unconstitutional, but it would result in the redrafting of the laws of states where there is a radical difference from the Oregon statute. Furthermore, if minimum wage legislation is held to be constitutional. Legislatures of states thaKhave not yet passed mini mum wage laws will be called on to enact such legislation and strong labor support will be given to the move ment to force through bills of this character, patterned closely after the Oregon law. SNOW GIVES CHICAGO WORK Railroads, Trolley Lines and City Employ Thousands. CHICAGO. Dec. 21. Thousands of men who sought shelter in municipal lodging-houses last night were given employment today by railroads, trolley lines and the city, clearing the streets and railway tracks of the heaviest snowfall of the Winter. There were 3800 jobless men shel tered in two municipal lodging-houses and the Rufus Dawes Hotel. All of them were ready for work. They were paid per day. REPENTANCE DAY IS SET German Prelates Order January 10 to Be Observed by Soldiers. AMSTERDAM, via London, Dec 21. The newspaper Nleuw Rotterdamsche Courant learns from Cologne that the archbishops and bishops of Germany have ordered that January 10 be kept as a general repentance day by the Catholics in the army. The priests In the field are charged to encourage the soldiers to participate as much as possible. Olympla Sails for West February 1 5 CHARLESTON, S. C, Dec 21. Orders were received here today for the United States cruiser Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship at the' battle of Ma nlla, to be ready to sail February 15 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition by way or the Panama Canal. The Olym pla has been here since 1912. Automobile Pioneer Passes Away. SAN ANTONIO. Dec. 21 Dr. J. W. Carhart, said to have built the first self propelled vehicle, died here todav. need 84. He was honored recently by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers in resolutions recogniz ing mm as the pioneer in the automo bile business. Wilson to Reappoint H. C. Hall. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. President Wilson, it was learned today, plans to reappoint Henry Clay Hall, of Colo rado Springs, Colo., member of the In terstate Commerce Commission, whose term expires January 1. 22 Below in Nevada. RENO, Nev., Dec. 21 Elko was the coldest place in Nevada today, the of ficial temperature there registering 22 degrees below zero. . That You May Know Us Better Do not compare us with the ordinary installment stores. Ours is sC high-class institution for the better trade of the city. Open an account with us as you would with your grocer no payment down and, if you are unable to meet your account between the first and tenth of the month, make small payments as suits your convenience. We will give you three to six months in which to settle the full amount. Christmas Gifts You May Pay for Bath Robes With slippers to match; all the wanted patterns in warm, com fy materials. $5 to $20 Credit Your Privilege STRIKE YET TALKED Enginemen Say Some Efficien cy Test Features Must Go. UNFAIRNESS IS . CHARGED Firemen Continue Citing to Arbitra tion Board Cases of Alleged Over working, Volations ot 16 Ilour l,aw, Etc. CHICAGO, Dec. 21. Threats that the enginemen would strike unless certain features of the efficiency tests in the railways "safety first" campaign were eliminated were made today before the wage arbitration board by Warren S. Stone and William S. Carten, repre senting the men. The witnesses today were: O. K. Mo denback, Elreno, Okla., of the Rock Island road; C. B. Vance, running be tween Centralia and Cairo, 111., on the Illinois Central; N. T. Hicks. Trinidad, Colo., of the Colorado & Southern: E. O. Livesay, Denison, Tex., of the Mis souri, Oklahoma & Gulf; A. P. Jacoby, of the Moberly division of the Wabash; C. P. Mohler, Bloomington, 111., em ployed' by the Chicago & Alton, and W. F. Stevens. Calgard, Alberta, -of the Canadian Pacific. All are firemen. The witnesses told generally of men laid off and promotion deferred by the advent of heavy engines, of long hours and scant pay, the latter impaired by expenses when away from home. It appeared from the testimony that on the heaviest engines one fireman cannot do all the work required, and is assisted by the engineer. The men as serted that on such engines an as sistant fireman should be provided. It appeared also that violations of the 16-hour law are frequent. . The strike threat came when Stone and Carter both declared that they had received promises time and again that unfair tests would be eliminated, but that the promises were disregarded. "If the courts cannot protect us and the board cannot, the united strength of the men will." declared Carter. "The practices of which we complain are con demned by the rules of the railroads themselves, but they continue." The men complain that the tests are made in' such a way that they frighten the engine crew to a degree Inimical to health, and sometimes result In their leaping from their engines. Frank's Writ of Appeal Denied. ATIiANTA, Ga. Dec.1 21. Federal Judge Newman today declined to grant a certificate saying in his opinion there was probable cause for an appeal to the United S'ates Supreme Court in the habeas corpvs proceedings instituted by Store Holiday Neckwear Clever Ties in neat Christ mas boxes, 50c, 75c, $1, $1.50 405 Washington Street at Tenth of Permanency Friedland ler s Skillfully chosen stock offers a wealth of 0 DIAMONDS And other Gems of rare quality and bril liancy in the most ar tistic settings. Wrist Watches, Jewelry, Watches, Silverware Gifts of Leather, Clocks, Novelties, . Mesh Bags, Toilet Ware, Etc. Reasonably Priced in Every Instance. Friedlander's Established 1S70. 310 Washington St. Between Fifth and Sixth If It's Electrical! Here Are Some Suggestions Electrical Heaters Electrical Table Lamps Electrical Lighting Fix tures Electrical Tree Decora tions Electrical Devices of All Kinds Fireplace Appliances of Any Description SEE US OPEN EVENINGS M. J.Walsh Co. "The Popular Lighting Fixture Store" 311 STARK STREET BOTH PHONES Leo M. Frank, convicted of the murder of Mary Phagan. Judge Newman de nied application for a writ Saturday. War Loan Payments Conic Easily. LONDON. Dec 21. ,A call for 30, 000,000 ($150,000,000) on the war loan, which was due today, was arranged easily. There was no disturbance of money rates. open every evening until Christmas. Later Christmas Waists A new lot of white, gold and flesh crepe do chine military collars and hemstitched trim'd. Long sleeves and low neck. $5.00 We Give American Travel Scrip