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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1914)
K Vni.UV.. NO. 16,878. PORTLAND, OREGON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1914. PRICE FIVE CENTS. V v STERN WARNING GIVEN BRITAIN Meddling With American Shipping Must Cease. NOTE FOR WHOLE ENTENTE Definite Statement as to In tentions for Future Con duct Is Asked For. UNDUE DELAYS FORBIDDEN Taking of Ships to British Ports for Examination Will Not Be Tolerated. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. The United States Government dispatched today a long note to Great Britain, insisting on early improvement in the treatment of American commerce by the British fleet. It gave warning that public criticism was general over unwarranted interference with the le gitimate foreign trade of the United States. The document, constituting the strongest representation on this sub ject made by the United States to any of the belligerents since the outbreak of the war, was cabled to Ambassador Page to be formally presented to Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secre tary. Its preparation was begun a month ago by Solicitor Cone Johnson, Coun selor Lansing and Secretary Bryan and finally had the personal attention of President Wilson, who revised its . phraseology with minute care. Subject Covered Fully. As the detailed point of view of the United States in numerous specifio cases of detentions and seizures of cargoes had been set forth in a series of emphatic protests, most of which have gone unheeded, today's communi cation was couched in general terms, covering the entire subject of the re lations between the United States and Great Britain as affected by the lat ter naval policy, considered highly objectionable by this Government. Since France has adopted practical ly the same decrees on contraband as has Great Britain, today's note is vir tually a statement intended for all the members of the triple entente. The note declares at the outset that the representations are made in a friendly spirit, but that the United States considers it best to speak in terms of frankness, lest silence be construed as an acqiuesence in a pol icy which infringed the rights of American citizens under the laws of nations. British Held Responsible. The document points out that com plaints on every side and public criti cism in the United States hold the British policy as directly responsible for the depression in many American industries, a situation the seriousness of which must be apparent to Great Britain. Reimbursement alone for cargoes unlawfully detained or seized, it states, does not remedy the evil, as the chief difficulty is the moral ef fect of British practice on American exporters, who are restrained by it from taking risks or hazards which in no case ought to surround legiti mate trade between the United States and other neutral countries. Feeling has been aroused on the subject to such- an extent, the com munication adds,- that the American Government feels compelled to ask for definite information as to Great Bri tain's attitude, in order that it may take such measures- as will protect American citizens in their rights. United States Long Patient. The United States, it points out, was patient at first, realizing that the unexpected outbreak of hostilities had heaped a mass of burdens on the Brit ish government, and thinking an early clearing of the air would come. Five months have now elapsed, the note as- iCsaeludcd on fas 2.1 ITALIAN AID RUMOR INTERESTSAMERICA WASHEVGTOX XOT ADVISED OF CRUISER'S ORDER TO HELP. Secretary Daniels Seeks Information Relative to North Carolina's Threat to Fire on Tripoli. "WASHINGTON. Dec. 28. Department heads, although without official ad vices on the subject, were keenly in terested tonight in a Rome dispatch saying- the Italian cruiser Calabria at Beirut, Syria, had been instructed to co-operate with the American cruiser North Carolina in protecting refugees on the Syrian coast. Secretary Daniels cabled the dispatch, to Captain Oman, of the North Caro lna, at Beirut and to Captain Decker, of the cruiser Tennessee, which left Jaffa yesterday, taking a load of refugees to Alexandria. Mr. Daniels also repeated his request for information from the cruiser com manders concerning a recent Athens dispatch announcing that the North Carolina had threatened to fire on Tripoli, Syria, when the Turkish au thorities sought to prevent the de parture of British and French Consuls and their nationals on an American steamer. Repetition of the request was ordered because it was feared, owing to interrupted communication, the messages bad failed to reach the cruisers. A report received from Captain Decker, of the Tennessee, earlier in th day, told of the departure of 500 refugees In his vessel from Jaffa for I Alexandria, but made no mention of other incidents involving American ships on the Syrian coast. KINGS HONOR PRESIDENT Birthday Anniversary of Mr. Vilson Brings Congratulations. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. President Wilson began receiving messages to night from rulers of foreign countries, congratulating him on his 58th birth day anniversary. The first to arrive were from King George, of Great Brit ain, and President Estrada Cabrera, of Guatemala. Led by Secretary Bryan, the Presi dent's Cabinet called at the White House during the evening to extend congratulations. Because of the can cellation of all state dinners and re ceptions following Mrs. Wilson's death. the gathering of the Cabinet was the nearest approach to a social affair held in the White House for many months. .Among messages . received were sev eral from parents of children named after the President because their birth days were the same as his. Mr. Wil son usually answers . such messages personally. FOOD'S IMPORTANCE VITAL "Life of Brain-Worker Should Con sist of 4 0 Years' Preparation." PHILADELPHIA, Dec 28. The im portance of a periodic examination of the individual to determine whether there has been a change in his relation to food was urged by Dr. Louis Fau geres Bishop, of Fordham University, in an address today before the social and economic section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "The life of a brain-worker," said Dr. Bishop, "should consist of 40 years of preparation and 40 years of fruitful labor, but many leaders in thought are found giving out in the 50's, nearly all of the remainder in the 60' a, with only a few enjoying active work in the 70's." MILITARY PLAN OFFERED Muster State Militia Into Federal Service Is Idea Submitted. CHICAGO, Dec. 28. A plan in line with President Wilson's "citizen sol diery" idea was submitted here today by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles D. Davis, at the meeting of the Illinois National Guard and Naval Reserve Association. Under the proposed plan militia regi ments would be mustered out of the state service and into the Federal, but would retain their state designations. Thus, the First Infantry, of Chicago, would become the First Illinois Infan try. U. S. A The present community system of recruiting for these regi ments would continue as at present. THAW REMAINS IN NORTH Slayer of Stanford White Likes New Hampshire Better Than JTew York. MANCHESTER, N. II.. Dec. 28. Harry K. ;Thaw, slayer of Stanford White, intends to remain in New Hamp shire as long as possible, his secretary said tonight in reply to a question as to what steps Thaw was contemplating in view of the recent decilon of the Su preme Court of the United States that he should be turned over to the New York authorities. Thaw's mother, who has been pass ing the Christmas holidays with him at his leased home, left for Pittsburg today. EXILES ON WAY TO CUBA Costa Rica Deporting Ten Who Plot ted to Assassinate President. PANAMA. Dec 28 Ten persons de ported from Costa Rica as the result of the discovery of an alleged plot to assassinate President Alfredo Gonzales, and start a revolution in the republic, passed through Colon today on board the steamer Calamares, bound for Cuba. The alleged conspirators are said to be members of the Conservative party in Nicaragua, who were attempting to foment trouble in Costa Rica. BONUS IN NEW PLAN FOB TAX PAYMENT Two Installments and Rebate Suggested. LEGISLATORS HEAR OFFICIALS 3 Per Cent Discount, 1 Per Cent Penalty, Is Proposal. SALARY - CUTTING FAILS Multnomah Legislative Delegation Discusses Levy Funds and De cides on Measure; Rivalry for State Money Rebuked. People of Oregon will pay one-half their taxes April 5 and the remain ing half October 20, they will be penalized 1 per cent a month for de linquencies and be allowed a discount of 3 per cent on advance payments if recommendations adopted last night by the Multnomah legislative delegation are enacted into law by the Legisla ture. An additional penalty of 5 per cent is provided for delinquencies be yond the second-payment period and the discontinuance of the publication of delinquent tax lists in the news papers is proposed. These were the conclusions reached after many hours of discussion par ticipated in not only by the members of the delegation but by state, city and county officials. There was much diversity of opinion, especially over the time for paying taxes. Late Payment Warned Against. S. Grutze, Chief Deputy City Audi tor; C. A. Bigelow, City Commissioner, and A- L. Barbur, City Auditor, warned the legislators against fixing the pay ment periods later in the year than at present They predicted that such action will leave the city without funds during, the interim following -the eid of the city's fiscal year November 30 - and the time the taxes actually are collected. E. S. Huckaby, chleT deputy tax col lector in Multnomah County, advised the delegation on the effects that pen alties and discounts have upon the tax paying public. He declared that it is necessary to provide a penalty heavy enough to force persons to pay their taxes when due instead of borrowing money at the banks. The rate of pen alty must be Substantially higher than the rate of interest charged by the banks, he said. Thomas B. Kay, State Treasurer, warned against making the payment periods too late in the year, lest some of the state institutions be left with out funds at certain times. He also favored a discount for advance pay ments as a means of obtaining a larger (Concluded on Face 2.) j. Vi ' I . ... ,. . 1 - INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 48 degrees; minimum. 39.9 degrees. TODAY'S Probably fair; southerly winds. War. United States warns Great Britain and other Triple Entente members, demanding; early improvement of American com merce conditions. Page 1. Italy's move to co-operate with America In . Mediterranean waters significant. " Page 1. Germans desire withdrawal of certain United States Consuls In Belgium. Page 1. Kitchener not of Ireland but of Suffolk. Page 2. Russians control Carpathian passes, but re tire from Cracrow. Page 4. California's ship of food for Belgians Is passing Panama Canal. Page 4. Mexico. General Maytorena delays border peace plan at Kaco. Page 1. foreign. Gale kills many and causes damage In Great Britain and Ireland. Page 2. National. Administrative leaders fear quorum will be lacking at reopening of Congress. Page 2. Domestic. Appeal granted Leo Frank, doomed for Georgia murder, by Federal Supreme Court Justice. Page 5. Canadian soldiers shoot American hunters. Killing one. Page 5. Sports. Rules of conduct for amateur athletes adopted and Western colleges criticised at Research Society session. Page 10. Pendleton man says Western Trl-State League will be revived next year. Page lO. Cliff Blankenship, of Salt Lake, to be play ing manager. Page 10. Matty approves Comtakeya choice of Row land to manage White Sox. Page 10. Pacific Northwest. Growers of hops back Oregon association. Page 15. Idaho Legislators will caucus at Boise this week. Page 12. Commercial and Marine. Scarcity of white wheat In Northwest leads to higher prlcea Page 15. Chicago wheat marfct slumps on larger estimate from Argentina. Page 15. Wide gains made In Wall Street prices. Page 15. Cattle advance sharply at North Portland yards. Pago 15. Bear makes speedy trip up river, showing passage clear of ice. Page 12. Portland and Vicinity. Rental for United Railways franchise set at G per cent of gross earnings. Page 9. Crook and Malheur people to plead witb Legislature for money for project. Page 12. Rosarians' excursion departs for California Page 9. Witnesses against Consolidated Contract Company testify that company made money on laborers. Page 11. David Warfl-jld, at Hellig, touches human ity's chord In "The Auctioneer. Page 4. Multnomah legislative delegation proposes many changes In tax-paying plan. Page 1. Weather reporc, data and forecast. Page 15. REPORT PEEVES MR. BRYAN "Liars," Retort to Resignation Talk, Is Laid to Frozen Grape Juice. WASHINGTON. Dec. 28. tSDeclal.1 Secretary of State Bryan seems to be ut of tune with the general spirit of Aie season. Some believe that the hunt ing trip for rabbits over in Virginia on Christmas day is responsible, while others' say his Juy il 'grape.'juU-e froze stiff last night. At any rate, when Mr. Bryan was asked today as to the truth of pub lished reports that he intends to with draw from the Cabinet, he replied that one of the objectionable features of being Secretary of State was the ne cessity of having official relations with "deliberate liars." Mr. Bryan was not specific, but it is to be feared that this un-Chrlstmaslike characterization was intended for some of his friends among newspaper correspondents. Board Approves Rediscount Rate. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 The Feder al Reserve Board today approved re discount rates of 4 per cent on ma turities up to 30 days and 5 per cent on maturities between 30 and 90 days for the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. This is the first bank to re establish a rate below 5 per cent. THE PRESIDENT WHAT, NOT GOING, ARE YOU, WILLIAM? AMERICAN CONSULS ISTSUITGEB Withdrawal of Some in Belgium Is Desired. STATE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED Formal Notice Is Served on Washington Government. MILITARY NECESSITY BASIS Request Is Declared Impersonal. Permission of Invaders Is Term Under Which Others Slay Act. Bryan Disposed to Agree. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. United States Consuls in Belgium must be ac ceptable to the German military au thorities, and the withdrawal of some now there, for the present at least, is desired by the Berlin government. This was made known in a formal notifica tion to the Department of State today. Secretary Bryan declined to make public the text of the German commu nication or to comment on it until he had had full opportunity to consider it. The understanding in official circles is that the notice is similar to the one sent Argentina and other neutral coun tries. Military Permit to Act la Edict. It is said that while the German government does not Insist that Con suls In Belgium take out new exequa turs from German officers, it an nounces that such consuls must exer cise their functions only by permis slon irom the military in control of the territory in which the consulates are situated. The United States has consular rep resentatives in Brussels. Antwerp, Liege and Ghent Since the war be gan. they have had little work of the ordinary character, their activities having . been . devoted largely . to . look ing after refugees and aiding in re lief work. Military Necessity la Basis. , The request for the withdrawal of certain consuls is said to be entirely Impersonal, and to be based on the law of military necessity, which recog nizes the right of a military officer in command of occupied territory to dictate absolutely the amount and ex tent of civil business and the manner in which it shall be conducted in that territory. Mr. Havenith. the Belgian minister, called at the State Department today after the German notice had been re ceived. Later he Issued this state ment: "The Belgian Minister has been in formed that the German government has notified the neutral powers of its intention to cancel the exequaturs ac- (Concluded on Page 4.) i Monday's War Moves THE United States Government has made strong representations to Great Britain, insisting upon an early improvement in the treatment of American commerce by the British fleet. A long note has been forwarded to the British Foreign Secretary through Ambassador Page, covering the rela tions between the United States and Great Britain as affected by the Brit ish naval policy, which is considered "highly objectionable" by the Ameri can Government. The British government, through the naval and military authorities, appar ently fearing a raid over British towns by German airships, has issued a warn ing to take to cover should the sound of firing be heard. In the Eastern arena the official re ports Indicate a similar condition so far as progress by either side is con cerned. Petrograd reports, however, that between the Pilica River and the Upper Vistula the Germans are now on the defensive. . The Russians also report the cap ture of more than 20,000 prisoners, to which reference was made in previous announcements. A Petrograd dispatch by way of London says that all the Important passes, in the Carpathians are again In Russian hands. A violent storm has temporarily stopped important military operations along most of the battlefront In Bel glum ana France. In this territory the positions of the opposing forces remain virtually the same as they have been for weeks past. The battle lines in the east and west have undergone only infinitesimal changes in the last day. The French and the German reports agree that the Germans have captured a section of trenches near Hollebeke, south of Tpres. The French assert that the Ger mans gave up trenches on the first line to the extent of about 800 or 900 yards in the Lens region, further east, while unsuccessful demonstrations have been made from both sides at various points along the extended lines. The reports of the numbers of wounded both armies are sending back from the lines in Belgium appear to show that the fighting on Christmas day in that country was the fiercest of the last month. Correspondents in the rear say the Belgians, as a result of five days' sapping, captured nearly 3000 Germans with only email losses to themselves. According to the Russian reports the German attempts to capture Warsaw have failed, while the Berlin official statement says'-there- is' general con fidence that the German and Austro- Hungarian forces are making prog ress along the great front. Th. Rus sian forces have been driven back 60 miles from Cracow, which is now free from immediate menace. English newspapers are enthusiastic over the raid by their cruisers and seaplanes on Cuxhaven. They decline to accept without reservation the Ger man statement that ships at Cuxhaven and the gas works were hit by bombs, but that no damage was done, and consider this improbable. The naval writers dilate and specu late lavishly upon "the most remark able engagement of twentieth century warfare." They conclude that the Ger man ships feared to come forth and give battle to the British cruisers be cause of the uncertainty as to whether the British battleships were lurking behind them. The fact that the Zeppelins were driven off is taken by, some as evi dence that the Zeppelins are really untrustworthy craft Others think it means that the Germans are husband ing all their dirigibles for a grand raid on England. It is argued by some of the writers that if Cuxhaven can thus be at tacked why not Heligoland, Wllhelms haven. and even the Kiel Canal. The only damage the British expedi tion sustained was the loss of several hydroplanes, costing $45,000. PAYNE ESTATE IS $75,000 Son and Sisters Remembered in Will by Late Representative. AUBURN, N. T.. Dec. 28. By the will of the late Sereno Elisha Payne, Representative in Congress, which was admitted to probate today, an estate comprising real and personal property to the value of $75,000 is left to his three sisters and his son, William K. Payne. Property in Auburn and $2000 are left to the sisters and the residue to the son. MERRIMAC SURVIVOR DIES Californian, in Fight With Monitor, Die? at Age of 80 'Years. GRASS. VALLEY, Cal., Dec. 28. Andrew G. Peterson, a survivor of the battle between the Monitor and Merri mac, died here tonight of paralysis, aged 80. Peterson was a Finnish sailor and at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate navy and was assigned to the Merrimac. He had lived here for many years and at one time was town marshal. TAFT OPPOSES DRY NATION It Would Give Government Duty of Sweeping Doorsteps, He Says. BOSTON, Dec. 28. "National prohi bition is a dangerous proposition," said ex-President William H. Taft, speaking before the Bar Association of Boston at its 17th triennial banquet tonight. "It would revolutionize the National Government. It would put on the shoul ders of the Government the duty of sweeping the doorsteps of every home in the land." MAYTORENA DELAYS PEACE ON BORDER Acceptance of Plan Is Not Announced. HILL PREPARES TO QUIT NACO Enemy Places Troops to Halt Him Until Settlement. MEN REMAIN IN TRENCHES Anotlier Conference Is to Be Held Today With General Scott; Move to Point Opposite Douglas, Ariz., Is Programme. NACO, Ariz., Dec. 28. Failure of Governor Maytorena's agents to an nounce tonight that their chief had agreed completely with Brigadier General Hugh L. Scott's border peace plan was believed here to indicate there would be further delays before the matter is finally settled. Their telephone message late to night from Maytorena's headquarters saying that they would meet General Scott agan tomorrow is interpreted here to mean that there must be another conference between the chief of staff of the United States Army and the Sonora government unless May torena should conclude to accept Gen eral Hill's proposal of Scott's plan to settle the matter. When the agents left here today to consult with their leader at his camp 16 miles southeast of here, it was ex pected they would report his final agreement. Although Hill, under the terms of the plan, expects to evacuate Naco, and consolidate his forces at Agua Prieta, opposite Douglas, Ariz., May torena threw outposts along the border east of here to prevent the Carranza leader moving until the peao plans are fully settled. Hill accordingly ordered his men to remain in their trenches, after starting preparations to evacuate. It was reported also that Maytorena had placed 500 men- east of here and a like number on the sou;h. CHIEFS ARE NOT IX HARMONY Zapata Would Hang ex-Federals, but' Villa Opposes Plan. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Dispatches from the Brazilian Minister in Mexico City, dated early today, described the political situation as full of uncertain ties. He referred to the lack of har mony among the several chiefs, some of whom were advocating radical and extreme measures of government, but indicated that nothing alarming had de veloped and that good order was being preserved. From its own agents the State De partment was advised that friction ex isted between the Zapata and the Villa factions, based chiefly on the desire of Zapata to execute many of the officers who once served with the Federal army. At present a decree issued by General Gutierrez suspending all executions for whatever cause pending a fair trial Is in effect. The Gutierrez and Villa element holds the officers should have a trial and be represented by counsel, but the Zapata followers are said to favor summary extermination of those who served the Huerta and Carbajal regimes. The American Government is endeav oring to procure a general amnesty, and, while no promises have been made that recognitloin will follow, the Mexi can factions understand that unless a humanitarian course toward their op ponents is pursued, the recognition of the United States will be withheld. The United States Government has indicated clearly that it would look with disfavor on continued executions, and its remonstrance is believed to have been largely responsible for the Gutierrez decree. The following summary of dispatches from Mexico was issued by the Stat Department: "Latest Information received indicates that quiet prevails along the entire west coast of Mexico. "A mall dispatch from Vera Cruz, under date of December 23, reports that roving bands have been pillaging in various parts of the State of Vera Cruz. "A mail dispatch from Guadalajara, dated December 15, says that the Car ranzista authorities have designated Ciudad Guzman as the capital of Jalisco, to which place they have transferred the state's archives." A dispatch from the Carranza head quarters says the Villa army is evacuat ing Mexico City, as communication with the north is threatened. The report further says that half the Villa garrison at Torreon revolted and Is fighting the other half in the name of Carranza, and that Eulalio Gutierrez, elected President by the Aguas Callen tes convention, has resigned and offered his services to Carranzo. Later reports, however, discredit the latter assertion. Yaqul Indians have looted Torres la Colorada, according to a wireless dis patch from the United States cruiser San Diego, off the west coast of Mexico. Bank of Erance Declares Dividend. PARIS, Dec. 28. The Bank of France declared a dividend today for the second semester for the fiscal year of 90 francs ($18) net a share. During the preceding fiscal year dividends amounting to 208 francs, 33 centimes were paid. r