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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1915)
5 REPLY ', IS BELIEF Outline of Answer Is Sent to France. ITALY REACHES AGREEMENT Understanding With Allies on Contraband Noted. GERMANS FILE PROTEST Congressmen Told "Only England and Her Friends Can Benerit by Our tTnboly Commerce In . War MaterlaU." iivnov Jan. 4. The British jot rnment's reply to th American note concerning contraband probably will be aent before the end or tnia ween. It ia thought the answer will be friendly. An ouUine of the reply has been submitted to France, which Is greatly Jnterested because of the activity of French ships in searching Mediterra nean cargoes. A statement probably will be Issued shortly, showing that Italy has ar rived at an understanding with Eng land and the other allies concerning contraband satisfactory to all the countries affected. Few Cargeee Stops It can be stated authoritatively that only five cargoes destined for Italy have been topped at Gibraltar since November IS. Two of these were re leased within three days and the others as soon as the alleged contraband could be removed. Since December 4 no cargoes destined for Italy have been intercepted by the allies. Rubber cargoes destined for Ameri can firms and held In English ports probably will be released soon or pur chased by Great Britain, which needs rubber for manufacture of tires, bed blankets and boots. KtlatioDs la Pregreaa. rnntnt negotiations are in prog ress between the allies and the neutral countries situated near Germany look ing to a tightening of the export reg ulations which will prevent American Khlnments from reaching Germany and Austria through neighboring countries other than Italy. A loosening of the regulations apply ing to American cargoes, it is said by British officials, will depend largely on the assurances received from neu tral countries that they will not assist In supplying Germany. Turkey and Austria with munitions of war. ANSWER SAID TO BE FRIENDLY British Ambassador Calls at State Department for Conference. WASHINGTON'. Jan. 4. Sir Cecil Pprlng-Kice, the British Ambassador, called at the State Department today for the first time since the American note of protest on shipping was sent to Great Britain. He conferred with Counsellor Robert Lansing. Though he bad received no Instruc tions as yet concerning the answer which is to be made to the American note, the British Ambassador indicated that it mould be of a most friendly character. It is understood that Sir Cecil regards the American note as moderate In tone, compared to the usually peremptory and mandatory tenor of notes of this kind passing be tween neutrals and belligerents in times of war. That Sir Edward Grey. In his talks to Ambassador Page, similarly showed that England received the American note In a most amicable spirit and In tended to ameliorate the shipping sit uation so far as was possible to do so, was learned today from high officials here. Another development which Is re garded as affording a solution of one of the points under dispute between Great Britain and the United States is the decision of the Washington Adiuln- irtration to certify American cargcs as to the exact contents before leaving. Secretaries Bryan and Redfield and Acting Secretary Peters, of the Treas tiry Department, conferred today on the formulation of a circular to be issued tomorrow urging co-operation between American exporters, shippers and the Government In regard to the manifests of neutral ships used to carry American cargoes. Exporters will be urged to accom pany their products with affidavits telling exactly the contents of their shipments. Treasury officials will be Instructed to certify that cargoes con tain the articles mentioned In the manifests, but they, of course, will not endeavor to rule on the subject of whether a product is or is not contra band, or what Its ultimate destination may be. OEKJIANS FILE COMPLAINT President of Alliance Asks Congress to Guard Neutral Trade. WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. "Forbid ex portation of all munitions of war that are contraband and you will remove the excuse for the British conduct which called forth the note of protest recently aent to London." said Theo dore Putro. of New York, addressing the rCvacluded ea Fas .) BRITAIN FRIENDLY SENATE QUESTIONS PRESIDENT'S POWER FIGHT OVER FEDERAL AP POIVTEES COMES TO HEAD. Missouri and North Dakota Gases Arise to Block Wilson, Who Wonld Override Upper House. WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. Differences between President Wilson and some members of the Senate over Federal appointments resulted tonight In the Senate Judiciary committee ordering an inquiry Into the authority of the Pres ident to make a recess appointment to fill a vacancy created during a session of Congress. Senators Culberson. Reed. Walsh. Brandegee and Borah were named as a sub-committee to conduct the Investigation, This action followed the decision of the committee to recommend rejection of the appointment of Edwin G. Bland, of Kansas City, to be United States marshal for the Western Missouri dis trict Bland was given a recess ap pointment to the rnarshalshtp, which was vacant before Congress adjourned last October. After the present ses sion began his nomination was sent In and Senator Reed has been fighting its confirmation ever aince. Soon after the meeting of the judiciary committee the Senate in exec utive session unanimously rejected the nomination of Mrs. Marjorie J. Bloom to be postmaster at Devils Lake. N. D, Three months ago the Senate refused to confirm the same nomination and after Congress adjourned the President made a recess appointment. Last month be again sent In Mrs. Bloom's nomination. He had nominated her in the first place after the appointment of her husband to the office had bean rejected by the Senate following an In vestigation of chargea. NEW YORK IS WEALTHIEST Resort of Controller Says Land Is Worth $1,447,547,869. NEW YORK. Jan. 4. The wealthiest land-owner in the limits of the munici pal Jurisdiction, according to a report by Controller Prendergast. is the City of New York. The assessed valuation of the city's holdings Is $ 1.447,547.869, of which $1,429,491,360 is within the city limits. Compared with the figures of 1911, the value of the properties shows an increase of $71,104,589. The Increase In land values reaches the large figure of $41,689,078. while in the value of buildings and other Improvements, it totals S29.Z33.632. TURKS ARE RAIDING PERSIA Defending Force Defeated by Otto mans After Russian Victory. PETROGRAD (via London). Jan. 4. Turkish troops whose defeat by Rus sian forces was announced December 12, when they attempted to invade. Rus sia from Persian territory, are now re ported to be ravaging the region south of Lake Urumiah, in Northwestern Persia. Hastily assembled levies of Persian troops sent against the In vaders were defeated. A protest was made some time ago to Turkey by the Persian government. It is said no reply has been received. ARIZONA DRY LAW TEST ON Convicted Man to Try Validity in Habeas Corpus Proceedings. TUCSON. Aria.. Jan. 4. Louis Gherna, a saloonkeeper, arrested January 1 by pre-arrangement to test the Arizona prohibition law, was found guilty to day in the Superior Court and given a sentence of 90 days or a fine of $100. Gherna refused to plead prior to judgment in order to give basis for habeas corpus proceedings which will be instituted Wednesday for the pur pose of bringing the validity of tho law to a legal test. SUBMARINE IS CONQUEROR German Craft Reports Sinking Brit ish Battleship Formidable. ppt-i iv .Ian. 4. via wireless to Say- vllle. L, I. An official announcement made public through the official press bureau today says: "A German submarine boat reported by wireless to the Admiralty in Berlin that It has torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off Plymouth the Brit ish battleship Formidable. "The submarine was pursuel by Brit ish destroyers but escaped undam aged." AMERICAN IS REAL SANTA Presents to Russian Cliildren Whose Fathers Are at War Total S500. PETROGRAD. Russia, Jan. 4. A member of the American colony of Moscow has contributed 3500 presents for Russian children whose fathers are at the front. The gifts consist of gloves, shoes, caps and other articles of clothing and their distribution is to be completed before the Russian Christmas. George T. Marye, Jr.. the American Ambassador, and Mrs. Marye are pass ing the holidays at Moscow. FRENCH ORDER , WAGONS Portable Kitchen Vehicles Must Be Ready in Three Months. LOUISVILLE. Ky, Jan. 4. Work on S000 portable kitchen wagons for the French army was begun here today. The value of the order Is placed at $230,000. The French government specified that the wagons be ready In three months. MUTUAL PLAN FOR DEFENSE IS SOUGHT Executives and Con gressmen to Meet. BALANCING OF BILLS IS HOPE House Sub-Committee Decides on Recommendations. NAVAL RESERVE FAVORED Chief of Operations Also Advocated, Co-ordination ' Between Depart ment, Atlantic Fleet and Legislators Questioned. WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. Co-operation between the executive and legislative branches of the Government in appeals for the National defense is the object of a conference arranged today between Secretaries Garrison and Daniels, of the War and Navy Departments, and the chairmen of the Senate and House committees on military and naval af fairs. The conference will be held tomor row nisrht at the home of Secretary Garrison, who suggested the Idea. Be sides the four chairmen of the Congres sional committees, other Democratic leaders have been Invited. General Policy Is Intent. It Is generally expected that an ef fort will be made to balance the vari ous appropriations In conformity with a general policy for the promotion of the National defense, plans for wmcn probably will be submitted to Presi dent Wilson for final approval. The various bills for the increase in the Regular Army will be one of the prin cipal tonics for discussion. While this conference was being planned the House military committee today heard Representative Gardner, or Massachusetts, advocate his proposal for a commission of nve men to investi gate the military preparedness of the country and the naval sub-committee wound up its work on the naval appro priation bill, which is to be submitted to the full committee Wednesday. Chief of Operations Proposed. The subcommittee Incorporated in the naval bill a provision creating the office of chief of operations, under the Secretary of the Navy, with a four-year tenure of office and to be held by a Rear-Admiral. His functions would be to supervise all naval preparations for war emergencies. The subcommit tee also provided for an increase of 41 commissioned officers in the marine corps and the promotion of 110 non commissioned officers. The Administration provision to cre ate a naval reserve, designed to pro duce ultimately a reserve-.; of 25,000 former men of the Navy, was adopted with amendment Co-Ordlnation Is Questioned, Lack of co-ordination between the Navy Department, the Atlantic Fleet (Concluded on Pago 8.) INDEX OF TOWS NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature 4X3 degrees; minimum, 34.2 degrees. TODAY'S Rain; southeasterly winds. War. Germans' recent escape from trap In Russia declared unequaled In brilliancy. Page 2. Great Britain's reply to America's protest, due this week, expected to be friendly. Page 1. Pestilence follows fierce fighting In Gallcla country. Page 2. . Germans lose Steinbach in Alsace. Page 3. Foreign. Danish King and Icelanders are engaged In disputes. Page 3. Mexico. Deplorable condition week ago in Mexico City is revealed. Page 3. National. Wilson's fight with Senate comes to head and probe is started. Page 1. ShlDDinr bill is rushed to front by Dem ocrats, who are warned of bitter fight by opposition. -Page 1. Canal slides may cause postponement- of International fleet's trip. Page 3. Department executives and legislators to try to reach mutual plan for National de- . fense. page 1. Sports. ; Jim Corbett has plan to dlsciver real "white nope. Page 10. Uncle Sams hope to get revenge on Van couver hockey team tonight. Page 10. Giants get Hans Lobert from Philadelphia. Page 10. Everyone is against Giants, says Matty, and he cites how SlcGraw tried vainly to get Jfclagee. .Page 10. ' Pacific Northwest. Sierks, confessed murderer of Wehrman, admits bearing grudge against Pender. Page X. Recluse near Salem shoots and kills boy caught cllnfbing fence. Page 5. Treatment of Bull Moose In Washington As sembly puzzles Republicans. Page o. Idaho's officials are Inaugurated. Page S. Commercial and Marine. Three-cent advance In local wheat market. Pago 13. Bulge in wheat at Chicago, due to Argon tine freight situation. Page 15. Record run at Portland Union Stockyards. Page IS. Wall street securities advance with favor able news. Page 15. Luceric. formerly on this run, expected here to load grain, page 12. Portland and Vicinity. Hotelkeepers seek privilege of serving liquor to transients wtlh meals. Page 9. Multnomah delegation would have Portland school district select Its own texiDooas. Page 12. County budget passed and Harriman bridge to be leased, .rage i. AttemDted discharge of Russell Chamber lain from city service up to Supreme Court. Page 9. Mother wife and sisters of Pender are over. Joyed by confession which clears Pender of murder. Page 11. New county officials take office. Page 9. GIFTS FLOOD TO TROOPS French. Transportation Taxed and 1, 400,00V Gallons of Wine Given. PARIS, Jan. 4. So many presents for the soldiers at the front are being received that the transportation de partment f the army is being vir tually overwhelmed for the time being. Gifts of private persons include 1,400,000 gallons of wine from the de partment of Herault alone, while the Angou region gave 130,000 gallons. The prefect of the department of Herault, In advising Jouis J. Malvy, Minister of the Interior, of the present, added that another gift of 1,400,000 gallons of wine probably would be made. GREEKS IN CANADA CALLED Mobilization Order Says Reservists Must Be Ready for Duty March 1. WINNIPEG, Jan. 4. Instructions have been received that all Greek re servists now in Canada must report at once to the colors. The mobilization order states they must be ready to take' up their duties with their regiments March 1. JOHN BULL IS BEGINNING- TO LOSE HIS SHIPPING BILL IS TO T Democrats Wfrj:';d of Br- REPUBLICAN FIGHT BITTER Lodge Styles Measure Sub sidy Worst Kind. COMPLICATION IS FEARED Plan Proposed Would Not Relieve Shipping Conditions, Assert Re publican Leaders in Tpper , House, Who Plan Attack. WASHINGTON, Jan. 4. Government purchase of ships as proposed in the Administration bill to create a shipping board, finance a $10,000,000 shipping corporation and expend not to exceed 330,000,000 for the purchaee or charter ing of ocean carriers became today the foremost issue before Congress. By a vote of 46 to 20 the Senate made the ship purchase bill the unfinished business, to be supplanted only by ap propriation bills. This action, on mo tion of Senator Fletcher,, acting chair man of the commerce committee, pre cipitated a showing on the part of the opposition Senators whlqh gave certain indication that there were breakers ahead for the proposed legislation. Charging that an effort was being made to rush the bill with undue haste, Republican Senators, among them Sen ators Gellinger, Lodge and Root, served notice that the measure would be fought to the last ditch. Danger Pointed Out. Minority members of the commerce committee filed a report written Dy Senator Burton and indorsed by Sen ators Nelson, Perkins, Smith of Michi gan and Oliver, asserting that the plan proposed would not relieve shipping conditions because it would be impos sible for the Government to get ships enough to do any good. It pointed also to dangers of International complica tions, declaring that "every craft set nfinat bv the Government would aaa one more risk of our being drawn into the present war." Senator Fletcher, who has charge oi the bill, and who recently comerreo with President Wilson concerning it urged the measure in a lengthy speech. He declared the war had produced ship famine" and that the Interests of all people in the United States demand ed that the Government take lmmedi ate action to supply ships to carry American nroducts demanded in the markets of Europe and South America. He gave as an instance the fact that cotton sold at 19 cents a pound m tier. many when It was bringing 7 cents in the United States. Germany would con. sume 500,000,000 pounds of cotton If she could get it, he said, and the South had 15 times that amount to selL America Had Six Ships as War Opened. When the war began. Senator i Concluded on Page 2.) TEMPER. RUSHED ON PPER ALSACE seems to be the cen ter of the most important fighting in the western arena of the war. En gagements of a violent nature are being fought in the region of Sennheim, which the French call Gernay, lying about eight miles northwest of Muel hausen. The French forces have occupied th heights around Sennheim, and in addl tlon have driven the Germans out of Steinbach. a village further to th north.. This loss Berlin admits. At other points along the front ex tendine- to the North Sea there has been only intermittent cannonading, Both Russians and Germans admit that no important change has taken place of late on the front along the left bank of the Vistula. In West Gallcla the Russians are making steady progress, and according to their of ficial statement have captured many Austrian prisoners. Russian troops have crossed the crown land of Bukowlna and occupied the town of Suozawa, within a short distance of the Austro-Roumanlan frontier. British warships have bombarded Dar-es-Salaam, capital of German East Africa, where it is reported much dam. age was inflicted and all the German vessels in the harbor were disabled. Politically, the American note still occupies a prominent position, dividing attention with speculations as to what Roumanla and Italy intend to do. Th answer of the British government. Is expected, will be sent to Washing ton late this week. It is understood aere that . Great Britain has reached such a satisfactory understanding with Italy with regard to the "trans-shipment of contraband that no cargoes destined for that country have been stopped since De cember 4. British officials declare that the relief of the American shipping from the present regulations depends largely on the assurances of neutral states bordering on belligerent countries that they will not assist in supplying Ger many. Austria or Turkey with food products and munitions of war. The German statement makes no mention of the severe fighting in the east reported by the Russian military authorities. It say. merely that the situation is unchanged and that Ger man attacks continue. The activities of the Turks in the Caucasus seem to be assuming an in creasing importance, Judging from the attention the Petrograd official com munlcations are devoting to this region. Although not admitting that the Turks have been victorious. It is conceded that they are fighting with great valor and stubbornness in the vicinity of the fortified town of Sari Kamysh. The Turks claim to have taken this posi tion. Russia, however, does not admit this and says the Turks have suffered enormous losses.' Comparing the Turkish and the Rus sian statements it would seem that the Turks are making headway, although both sides are losfng heavily as their troops flounder and fight through the deep snow wand in the bitter cold of these high altltudea The battle of the rivers in Poland has not yet come to an end. The Ger man declaration of having taken Borji mow, northeast of Bolimow, a strong Russian position east of Lowicz, and a step nearer Warsaw, Is denied by the Russians, who say that the German as saults there have been repulsed with heavy losses and that elsewhere they have been held at bay. Petrograd pro fesses to see the end of the battle ot the Polish rivers and a concentration of German forces at some other strategic point in a renewed attempt to break through. IT it Is true that the Russians have taken another pass over the Carpathian Mountains, the invasion of Hungary in real force should soon be a realty. Up to the present, detachments of Rus sian cavalry have crossed these moun tains, but there never has been an In vasion in strength. K was a German submarine which sank the British battleship Formidable on New Year's day in the English Channel. This announcement Is made from Berlin, which is so advised by a wireless from the submarine. The Formidable, according to the same au thority, met with disaster off Plymouth. An Italian battleship has shelled Durazxo, Albania, to check a revolu tionary movement on the part of the Mussulmans. MILLIONS LEFT TO SON, 16 Temple Bowdoin, Partner of J. P. Morgan, Remembers Kniployes. NEW YORK, Jan. 4. By the will of Temple Bowdoin. partner of J. .P. Mor- an, filed for probate today, the bulk of the estate, which runs Into millions. is bequeathed to the decedent's 16-year-old son, George Temple Bowdoin. Mr. Bowdoin left $100,000 to publto In stitutions and remembered 300 em ployes in his will. The will also provides that each per son in the employ of J. P. Morgan A Co., or Drexel & Co., of Philadelphia, shall receive a sum of money equal to- one month's salary. Every employe in Mr. Bowdoln's personal service for five years' or more is to receive a year's salary. Other employes also are remembered. HARVESTER PLANT STARTS Twenty-Five Hundred Kmploye Soon to Be Put to Work. AUBURN, N. Y., Jan. 4. The officials h local Dlant of the International Harvester Company today began engag ing again the employes who have been idle for many months. The company employs about 2530 per sons here under normal conditions. Of ficials said today they expected to have the plant running at run capacity ithin a few weeks. u HAIRED OF PENDER Slayer of Wehrmans Tells More Details. PLOT TO GET EYEN ADMITTED Hammer Thrown Into Tent to Incriminate Enemy. CONFESSION IS BELIEVED Asylum Inmate Outline Steps on Sight or Mnrder, Tells of Grudge Against Neighbor Who He Hoped Would Bo Hanged. SALEM. Or., Jan. 4. (Special) John G. II. Sierks. the Insane asylum Inmate whose confession that he killed Mrs. Daisy Wehrman and her little boy near Scappoose. September 4, 1911, probably will free John Arthur Pender, convicted of the crime and sentenced to be hanged, today gave additional in formation which, stat officials say, strengthens his story. Without hesitation Sierks revealed his motive for wanting Pender hanged and said he would not have confessed but for the pleadings of Rev. W. Q. MacLaren, chaplain of the Peniten tiary, who said it would be necessary for his salvation. "I wanted Pender hanged; I had It in for him: I wanted to get even with him," declared Sierks. , Confession Frees Mind. Sierks was polishing the floor cf the ward for the criminal Insane when questioned. He had as assistants In the work numerous other Inmates or the ward, and was working as In dustriously as any of them. Sierks smiled as he came forward at tne com mand of the attendant. "How do you feel today? lie was asked. "I feel fine." lie replied. "Better man I have for a long time. Did not sleep much last night. Worried a great deal. But I feel all right today, and I ara glad a load is off my mind." isked If It wot not a pretty iona trip he took the night of the killing. h aave the number ot nines recited In detail how the trip was made. It was the same story as giver In his confession. Gradce Agalast reader Adsmltred. . r wantixi to tret even with Tender because he had threatened my father." said Sierks. "My father shot his dog and he said he would prosecute my father and make him pay $300. He then turned our cattle out of the pasture." th. .tnrv of the e der FUrKS snoot ing th doa- and the threats of Pender has been- told frequently by person living In the neighborhood ot tne families. A.kM If he threw the hammer wun the broken claw Into Pender's tent In the belief that It would fasten the guilt nf tho Wehrman crime upon n. Sierks said that was his purpose. He declared ho hnd deliberately planned (Conclude! on l'Hge 2.1 SrRIXGFIKI.D ACTIVITIES ;IVE TANtilHl.lC KVIDKXCK OK PltOGIll9. SPRING FIELD, Or., "Jan. . (Special.) Reconstruction of the Booth-Kelly sawmill here the past year, and the resumption of operations August 1, was the big gest event of 1914 for fprlng fleld. The mill employs about U men ten hours a day, and Is cut ting from 100,000 to 140,000 feet of lumber a day. Th mill Is operated throughout by elec tricity, with Individual motors. A large amount of paving had been done In 1913. The past year there were two blocks of mac adam street laid at a cost of $000. a concrete bridge constructed across the mill race at Focond street at a cost of 93000. and about 91500 was spent in minor street repairs. Two sewers, cost ing 9700, were laid. A brick annex to the Commer cial State Bank building was con structed during the Summer for a post office. Messrs. Wlnsenrled and Perkins remodeled the old White Elephant livery barn at Fourth and Main streets, making spaces for a garage and four store rooms. All these were oc cupied as soon as completed. Paul Brattaln ercclcd a fine residence In the Brattaln Addi tion at a cost of $2600, and John Boyle constructed a bungalow at a cost of $1200. There were half a dozen smaller dwellings, aggre gating probably $3000. All three of the church underwent some changes or re pairs. The Baptist Church was enlarged and rebuilt at a cost of $2500, and a $500 addition was made to the Christian Church. Itepalrs and repainting of th Methodist Church amounted to $200. The Hotel Springfield wu remodeled and refurnished at a cost of $1500. Repairs at the City Hall cost $160, and there was $900 expended for paint, sidewalks and minor repairs at th two schoolhouses.