Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1915)
I I t t v 'f ' 1 t h . I VOL. LV.-yQ. 16,020. " rORTLAKD, OREGOX, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1915. IMt ICE FIVE CENTS. PCDRfiflHMnTCTnlVON BERNSTORFF IqCMATF I (1RRYINR !l INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWSllRFTAII MFRRHfiNTS !l Mondays War Moves (SESSION'S FLIGHTS ahicaisfii Recession From War Zone - Plan Remote. NOTICE IS SUPPLEMENTAL Raids on Merchant Ships Begin Thursday if Car goes Are Blocked. GREAT BRITAIN'S REPLY IN Germany Offers to Yield Point, but Allies Refuse to Let Food Reach Enemy. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. Three days remain before the German Ad miralty proposes to carry into'effect its proclamation ordering a submarine campaign on enemy' merchant ships and developments in the diplomatic situation moved rapidly today through the medium of the United States Gov ernment, custodian of the diplomatic interests of the various belligerents. Coifht von Bernstorff, the German Ambassador, delivered a note to the United States, which was promptly transmitted to Great Britain, in which Germany offered to recede from her plan of destroying enemy merchant ships, if restrictions placed by the allies on shipments of conditional contraband and foodstuffs destined to the civilian population of Germany were removed. Otherwise, the note announced, Ger many proposes to put into effect the original proclamation, adding also the "strewing of mines in waters surround ing Great Britain and Ireland. Arming Merchant Ships Cause. Alleged arming of British merchant vessels is given by the German gov ernment as ground for attacking enemy merchant ships without search or previous visit regarding merchant craft hereafter as in the category of warships. The Ambassador's com munication was sent from Berlin be fore the- recent American note was delivered by Ambassador Gerard and is supplemental to the German For eign Office memorandum on the sub ject of the new war zones. Wljile the German Ambassador con ferred with Secretary Bryan and Counsellor Lansing, the complete text of the British reply to the American note of protest on neutral shipping, dated December 26, was received. It was laid before President Wilson. Be sides ' giving statistics on neutral commerce and entering a general de nial that there had been any unwar ranted interference with legitimate shipments, the new note contains a statement from Great Britain that the recent Government decree taking over the flour and grain supply in Ger many required added precautions on the part of the allies that conditional contraband might not be permitted to reach the armed forces of the enemy. The document constitutes a further statement of the British government on the legal questions involved. The full text will not be given out until after an agreement for publication is reached with the British Foreign Of fice. Wilhelmina Case Worries. Another development which bears directly on the submarine warfare threatened by Germany Vas tne dis patching of a telegram by the State Department today to Ambassador Page, instructing him to submit to the British Foreign Office evidence given here by the owners of the American steamer Wilhelmina to prove that her cargo consists of food stuffs destined for non-combatants and not subject to seizure. The sug gestion is made that unless Great tritain has sufficient grounds not yet lvanred for doing otherwise, the ship be permitted at once to proceed with her cargo to her destination. From the German point of view, the Wilhelmina constitutes a-tcst case VON BERNSTORFF CALLED TO BERLIN? GEUMAX EMBASSY PEXIES RU MOR rnoM-LOXBOX. Kaiser Said to Be Dissatisfied "With Manner in WJiJcIi Diplomat Has Handled Situation. LONDON, Feb. 15. An Amsterdam rtianatrh to the Exchange Telegraph Company gives the rumor from Berlin that Count von Bernstorff. the German Ambassador to the United States, has been summoned to Berlin. Countess von Bernstorff, it is added, had enimsred passage by a steamer, which sailed Saturday, to join her hus band at "Washington, but she canceled the booking a few hours before the steamer's departure. -WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. The Ger man embassy tonight authorized a de nial of the report that the Ambassador had been summoned to Berlin or was toTnr,ia tintr leaving: the cnltea States for any purpose. It was said also that Countess Bernstorff had made no plans for a visit to America in the near future. Should, however, Count von Bern storff leave, it is said his successor will be the Minister to Norway or the Min ister to Sweden. The recall of Count von Bernstorff would "have no relation whatsoever to the controversy existing between the United States and Germany in connec tion with the Berlin "war zone" decree. The decision to return him to Germany was reached tome weeks ago is the be lief here. It arises out of the dissatis faction which exists with his handling of the situation in the United States. Count von Bernstorff is blamed In some circles for tbo fact that American public sentiment has run so stongly against Germany. His interviews dur ing the early part of the war are be lieved to have hurt rather than helped his country. Friends of Count von Bernstorff say he is being sacrificed and that there is no justification for his recall. They point out that he was in Germany when the war began and that by the time he reached the United States pub lic sentiment had become fixed. They admit that he made a mistake in his attempt to use Mr. Oscar Straus as a peace intermediary, but they say this was pardonable in view of his desTre to show the American people that Ger many was willing to lay down her arms and that Great Britain really was insistent upon the continuance of the war. NATIVES FACE STARVATION Red Croats .Society Rushes to Aid Victims of Tidal Wave. WASHINGTON. Feb. 15. The Ameri can Red Cross today authorised an emergency appropriation of $2000 from its contingent fund for the relief of the inhabitants of Alanua Island of the Sa moan group. Reports say 1500 natives are facing starvation as a result of the recent earthquake and tidal wave which destroyed a1; iooi products. Food supplies for six months are needed to relieve the native population of Manua Island. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15. Approxi mately 80 tons of f oodstuffs f or the re lief of the starving natives on the Manua Islands were rushed aboard the steamer Sonoma today by naval officials at Mare Island Navy-Tards upon orders received from 'Washington. The cargo, consisting chiefly of biscuits, canned salmon, flour and other imperishable foods, and valued at $6000. is the first installment of relief supplies author ized by Secretary Daniels to the value of 10,000. BRIDE'S NAME FORGOTTEN Priest Fixes License and Wedding Bells Ring On. When Frank G. Tillman went to the Courthouse last week -to get a mar riage license, he forgot the surname of his intended bride, or neglected to mention it. As a consequence, Sunday morning he faced Father O'Hara in St ilus's Cathedral with a license to marry Miss' Sarah Cb,abott, though Miss Sarah C. Stearns stood beside him. The mistake did not muffle the wed ding bells, however, tor Father 0"Hara added the name of the bride on the li cense. Deputy County Clerk Hennessy had discovered the mistake, and called It to the attention of Deputy County Cerk Soules, who had acted as wit ness for Mr. Tillman when the license was issued. CHILD LABOR BILL WINS House 1 Works 1'ilibuMcr and Tuts Cp Bars on Products. WASHINGTON. Feb. 15. The Palmer bill to bar products of child labor from interstate commerce was passed by the House tonisht by a vote of 232 to 44, after a lively debate and the issuance of a writ to arrest for absentees to suppress a filibuster. The bill now goes to the Senate. When Representative Palmer -proposed suspension of the rules to pass the bill, several Southern members protested and . started a filibuster marked by repeated points of no quorum, rollcalls and ruling. f RUSSIAN LOAN SNAPPED UP Ten - Million - Pound Subscription Ust Closed Larly. LONDON. Feb. 12. The issuo of ten million pounds sterling of Russian treasury bills has so attracted bankers and insurance houses and the appli cations have been so large that tlx lists were closed at noon today. The Intention originally was to keep the subscription list open until Thursday. lULIIIML LUUU I I II U I Ilk 1 1 Ilk. INI.IIW i w ,i E Republicans and Demo crats File Charges. HOPE FOR SHIP BILL PASSES Action in Upper House Before March 4 Dubious. FILIBUSTER YET HOLDS Administration Asa In Defeated by Vote of Seven Insurgents and Senator I-odgc Begins Deter mined Long Spcch. "WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. Charges and counter-charges from Democratic and Republican sources concerning influ ences for and against the Government ship-purchase bill." which have smoul dered about the capital for two weeks, were made the subject of a special in vestigation today by the Senate. The decision to inquire into alleged lobbyinsr by agents of the shipping trust"' against the bill and into intima tlnna of negotiations for options on belligerent ships to be sold to the Gov ernment was -unanimous. "With the decision departed the last hope of some of the most earnest champions of the sfhipplng measure that the hill could be passed in the Senate by March 4. Although Democrats of the House, in caucus, sought tonignt to pave tne v for passage of the amended bill In the lower branch of Congress within a day or so. Republicans of the Senate had added to their determination that the filibuster against it should not be broken. JEven some of the Administra tion Senators were inclined to the view that appropriation measures should now be taken up and rushed through before March 4. . While no definite announcements on the subject of an extra session have been' made, the view -was jiubmltted by persons close to the President that the ship bill issue would be taken before the country. It would be shown that the House had' passed the bill after a desperate effort had been- made to break down Republican, opposition in the Senate, and the responsibility for -failure of the measure was due to a Republican filibuster. Fire to Hold Inquiry. The inquiry ordered today will be conducted by Senators Walsh. Simmons, Reed, Burton and Weeks. This com mittee will meet tomorrow to consider its task in all its aspects and to mark a plan of . procedure. Should there be no extra session of Congress, the com mittee would he empowered to sit dur. Ing a recess, as" it is conceded that the proposed inquiry could not be con cluded by Marehjl. Republican opponents of the ship (Concluded' on Page -8.) j UNCLE PROB DEMANDED jgjjgy - n VyQ t -OPEH DOOR .; ti The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Clear; maximum tempera- ture 62.2 degrees; minimum, 30 degrees TODAY'S Cloudiness, probably rain south- easterly -winds. . Lea-lslatnres. Senato defeats hydro-electric bill passed by House. Paze 5. Senate passes bill maklne suspension bridge the net deadline. Page 4. Permanent registration law for Oregon passed. Page 4. r-esislaiure's fliihts of oratory are over, , eay Konald a. Callvert. , Pago 1. Third wrt bill to appear at Olympia today, rage B. - War. Germany reiterates war zone stand, which gora Into effect Thursday, if foodstuffs continue to to blocked. Page .1. Danish paper d ;elarcs war between Germany and United States possibility. Page o. Allies expect to spend 1 10,000,000,000 on war during year. Page 2. British admiralty intimates ending Importa tion, of food to Germany. Page 2. Dutch government protests both to Germany and Great Britain. Pase 2. German Ambassador, Count Von Bernstorff, said to have been called home. Pajie 1. Foreign. Flood damase in Ttomo grows. Pase 8. National. . Senate champions or ship purchase, bill al most give up hope and demand 'lobby'" probe. Page 1, Domestic, Ensrlnemen's wages rise faster than cost of living, arbitration board is told.. Pago 3. Sports. Comls!;ev. In Portland with Ban B. John son, tells cf trying to get back. Harry .I-ord. Page 10. Undo Sams and Vancouver meet tonight In battle for Hockey League leadership. Page 10. Ralph Gruman matched to box Jimmy Duffy In .New York. Page 10. Star track man enters Oregon and RO an swer Hayward's call for practice. Page 10. Jefferson High defeats rortland Academy, 43 to 12. rage 10. Commercial and Marine. Local grain market responds to advances in East: Pago ,1S. Flurry In wheat at Chicago due to heavy export buying. Page 15. Foreigh exchange rates fall to lowest quo tations known In years. Page 15. "Big Three" not to race on southern trip to beat time ot Great Northern boats. Page 12. Pacific Northwest. pv-iif h!nrer start move at Tacoma for organization to co-operate witn grot association. Page 0. - Seattle laborer kills railroad clerk,, wounds another and la snot down by. ponuv. Page V. " f Portland and Vicinity. Methodist trial goes on without Judge, who has formed opinion. Page 16. C. C. chapman to quit Commercial Cluh to become editor of own paper. Page 12. P.etall merchants, in state convention, de nounce gift schemes. Page 1. Municipal plant for repairing paving con templated. Page 11. Colonel John Mccracken, Portland pioneer business man, dies. Page 10. GROGSHOPS CLOSE DOORS Four-Score and More Des Moines Sa- loonmen Don't Wait for Friday. DtS MOINES, la.. Feb. 15. Eighty six saloons in Des Moines and two in Valley Junction closed their doors to night at " 6 o'clock. Several of the grogshops closed earlier -in the day, after having sold out all their supply. No scenes of disorder on the streets were experienced, and the police re port few arrests for intoxication. The saloons are allowed until Friday to prepare their' stocks for shipment out of the state. " Washington llobbers Get $2000. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. Two masked robbers entered a trolley terminal not far from the Capitol today, held cash iers at bay with revolvers and got away with $2000. While one of the robbers held the clerks back the other went through the cash drawers and scooped into a sack the coins turned in by con ductors and rolls of "bills ready for the bank. ' SAM MUST I DEPEND ON HIS DIPLOMACY? . ! : . ... RETAIL .MERCHANTS OF STATE CONVENE iO Usenet "uiums Vig orously Denounced. LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS URGED Mayor Albee Extends Freedo.m of City to Retail Dealers. GOVERNOR FIRST SPEAKER Problem of Credits Dealt With at Length and Other Trade Topics Dicciicd Thoater Parly Giv en Sessions I,as?t 3 Days. Denouncing the trading stamp as a nuipance and taking up the subject of credits, the most vexing problem with which, the storekeeper", has to deal, re tail merchants of the state opened the ninth, annual convention at tha Mult nomah Hotel yesterday. The gather ing will conclude It's sessions tomorrow night with a banquet at the Commercial Club. Last night the delegates were guests at a big theater party at the Orpheum, the entire house having been bought. Tonight they will attend the hockey match at the Hippodrome and tomor row afternoon they will taken for an automobile tour of the blty. Legislative Action t ried. At the first session yesterday morn ing the regular order of business was set aside, as the convention members could not wait to vent their wrath on the trading stamp and gift schemes of whatever description. The resolu tion strongly supported House bill 40. introduced in the Legislature to do away with- the pestiferous stickers and similar schemes to attract customers. The practice was called an evil in the resolution and was said to be in imical to the best interests of merchants and the general public as well. The resolution urged all members of the Legislature to vote in support of the I Ul and it wis directed that a copy of the resolution be sent to each Sena tor and Representative. "Bad Debts" Discussed. First in Interest In the day's pro ceedings, after the business of listen ing to addressee of welcome In the morning and organizing the convention was disposed of, was the discussion of how best to deal with customers who neglect to pay their bills. Credit was said to be the rock upon which many a business is wrecked each year and how to solve the problem Is regarded as the biggest question to be consid ered. I. if. Nicklin, of Eugene, secretary of the Lane County Credit Association, of- fered a solution for the difficulty in his address on the topic, "How to Con- i duct a Successful Merchants' Associa- I tion," which opened yesterday after noon's prograpvme. Lane County, he said, has a success- (Concluded on Page 11.1 I IE rumored summons last night to Berlin of Count von BcrnstoflC, Am bassador to the United States, is the latest development in the war situa tion.. the Importance of which cunnot bo underestimated. Indications point to the probability that the Emperor wants, by his side, a born diplomat, who is conversant with tin American viewpoint as re gards neutral ehlpplnff and who may bo able to act In conjunction with Ambas sador Gerard in Berlin - In a manner better than any other one man. The sustained Austro-Gcrman pres sure on the eastern front, with tho ad mission by Petrograd that the Russians plan to asauino the defensive on their own territory, is a feature of the mili tary situation. The Germans lay claim to progress in Bukowln. and unofficial advices from Budapest even say that the Aus tilans have swept as far east as CzornowitE, but the latest official com munication from Vienna docs not so state. However, it Is said that Nad worna, in southern Uallcla, has been occupied by them. There Is no noteworthy change in the western theater. The Germans took about 1000 yards of trenches south of Vpres, but the allies partially balanced this by capturing about 300 yards be. t.weeri Bethunc and La llassee. Tho British public is centering Us Interest lust now In the outcome of' the German so-called blockade of British waters, due to begin on Thurs day, with special reference to lt ut fect on neutral shipping'. . The speeches in the House of Com mons ot David Lloyd-George, Chan cellor of the Kxchrquer and Winston Spencer Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, the former explaining the concerted financial plans of the allies, and the latter reviewing the naval situation and promising the utmost endeavors to cut off all German food supplies, temporarily have over shadowed the war news. The Royal Dutch Sieamsh.p Com pany today suspended cervice to Havre on account of the German threat, and, according to Berlin dispatches, all Dutch shipping companies have decided to suspend service to England after February 18. The British steamer Wavelet, from Pensacola, struck a mine In the Eng lish Channel. The loss of life num bered II, and the steamer was beached. Italy and the Netherlands also have filed protests with Germany relative to the war zone warning reiteration as to neutral shipping in the North 8ca. OTTAWA FEARFUL OF RAID Canadian Parllnment MerU With '. Windows All Darkened. OTTAWA, Out.. Feb. 13. Despite the report from Brockville today that the Dominion police there believed two toy balloons sent up last night at Morris town, N. Y., had been mistaken by per sons on this side cf the border for searchlights on aeroplanes flying Into Canada, every precaution against an aerial raid was taken here tonight. The Canadian parliament met with windows darkened, with the tower light extin guished and the Parliament grounds, which are usually ablaze, in absolute darkness. No lights were shown at the royal mint or at F.Ideau Hall, where the Duchess of Connausht and the Prin cess Patricia were awaiting the return cf the Duke ot Connaught from West- ern Canada. COST OF DYING IS PROBED Snn Francisco Labor Council Is Con ducting Investigation. SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 15. A probe into the high cost of dying was begun today by the law anH legislative com mittee of the San Francisco Labor Council on recommendations made by the council. The committee will make a thorough investigation of the cost ot dying and report to the council its findings, with recommendations as to legislative action to control the situa tion. The investigation was inntisated on the complaint of Patrick Flynn. secre 1.irv of the Marine Firemen's Union, and Georee Tracy, president of the TvimaraDhical Union, both of whom charge that the cost of burying mem bers has Increased 100 per cent in the last 10 years. QUAKES SHAKING ITALY Convent Belfry Falls on Houses and Buries Inhabitants. ROME. Feb. 7. Renewed earthquake shocks occurred today in parts of the district In Central Italy visited by eels mle disturbances several weeks ago. One person was killed and six persons were injured in the collapt-e of a house at Nazhano. At Kocco Sinlbaldi the belfry of 'the Convent of Santa Alar la fell upon several houses, burying 10 persons. - Cittaducale was entirely wrecked and at Veroll several houses were rendered uninhabitable. The population of Cittaducale is camping in the open air despite the tor. rential rain that la falling. There are about 2000 people In ktlie town, which U in the Province of Aqulla, five miles east ot Rieta. AMERICAN GOODS WANTED Consul at Milan Cables That Huge Orders Await Country's Ships. WASHINGTON. Feb. 15. President Wilson was informed in a cablegram received from the American Consulate at Mi'an yesterday that ."I sly needs I 1.000,0000 Ions of American coal, yoo. ! 000 tons of stcl, hundreds of thousand? ' of tons of American goods' and that I "America can cct tho entire trade l-ermancnlly." 'Beg Government furni.'h ships." the cablcKrsni added. It' A OF ORATORY TO END Business to Replace Talk, Is Hope. 3 -HOUR FISH DEBATE JARS Both Houses Adopt Rules to Limit Speeches on Bills. HYDRO-ELECTRIC ACT DIES Hou.t? Protldc" t riinilt of l-winmj 1j Pa.-Mnc Mohs.ii re llcorsnnllne WclshU snil lca-nrc S-lcm-1'oiir Ikj l-cll. nv trosat.p n. cali.m:ht. STATK CAI'lTOI Salrm, Or.. I'.'. 1 (St.-iff Correspondence.) rot-slhly the Inst Tight of oratory "f 1'ie prrn-m session of the Ik elfl:tl ure has had It soar. From now on It will be bushier punrtuated by brief dlMUi-!oil. Tl.nl at leaet Is the hope of presiding offi cers and most of th members In bom louses. The flnnl tmoplierl'T lomh. If they he final, were erlod-d In tlie Senate this afternoon. The reerbr Hons rontln'ied f"r nrarly three lioui i and they com ernrd that prolific noun. of trouble but JuMly famous Columbia Klver salmon. Tho discussion concerned tie closing of the Willamette KUer cither hnc the suspension bridge or above tlm mouth of the Clackamas Kivor lo flsli ing with rise than honk and line As this Is written lale In the afternoon Senator Gtis Xloser still l.ns the Ih-or and Is talking loud un.l rarn"Ml. How It is all going to turn out I can not ay. The result will be printed elsewhere In Tlio Orea.mlan IC tlx Senators get through before It Is lime to go to press. I am tired of It. r-o are others. Mr. t.arland'a t hreat Mleeclaa. Senator Garland, n little while atro. when Se'ialor IMmick was wavlnu tonirue. -hands and a three-foot rule, said he was in sympathy with tho Clackn-u County Senator's position but would vole sgalntt him If he did not stop talking. He etopped. The Issue may be. an Important one It doubtless Involves the livelihood or the necenslty of movln elsewhere to certain commercial lishet men of Oiegon City. It perhaps involves better lUhlr.ji for the fun of it fur many Portland anglers. It 'may even Involve the op portunity of a tufti'lent number vf fish to mount the falls ut Oregon Clt to supply tho hatchery on the Mr Kenzie. Hut even so. it is generally known that every h'enator hl already made up his mind how he would vota before the debate cUrted. As liri tofore remarked useless oratory co-i. tlie. Mate more than leglslirlivu lei hire. tarrrbea N Limited. Th. re is a rule row in force In t'.n Senate limiting the speeches of authoi- of bills to five niltiutrs and those or other j to three minutes. It Is undci htood that today's i onlroversy Is the last that will be permitted to break the rule. The House today adopted a llkt rule, so perhaps In the remaining four days there will be more voting than talking. In defeating the hydro-electric bill which had been passed by the House the Senate took action, that may supply material for those who ara bemonnlnu th-i lack ot conrtructlve" lelslailu at this session. As The Orrsonmn stated editorially, th word "coimtru. -tlve" as applied ! legislation It peculiarly one of personal definition. Mill Ieesa-1 Ahead of Tlmra. The liydro-le-lrlr Mil. It Is admit ted by some of its nio.t ardent sup porters, was perhaps ten years ahead of the times. Jn other words. It inliila have been properly clashed an experi mental. It permitted rural communi ties to organize Into districts and boi.d themselves to raise money for tun structlnsr and maintaining public, utili ties. The Indebtedness autlioilzrd by the law might have run a hll aa I.', per cent of the assessed valuation Certain safeguards, not hs pcl.le as might be. were thrown round Hie op eration of the lam-, such a the one re quiring approval of the Itailroad Com mission. The main objection" voiced were that the bill created a new form or district which could create new fur ni of lax oi an a'li eady overtaxed people by vote of persons who w:re not tax payers: that it made tho pioprrt.v In th district" taxaole i for posr-ible fiiianrl.-il deficiencies In operation of the utility, and that It provided no way for a com munity or part of a district to with draw If It found that it had bei-n "stung." Ilaaaer of Jtraemlita KUet. The possibility Uiat promotion schemes mitfht be uuloadod on a rural community through Influence over Cm voters therein, who would not he taxed or burdened, or even materially bene fited by the proposed aolicmr. la ipent apparent. Otherwise the bill aa a measure to encourage public owner ship of utilities that aro not actual necessities in itclf a principle on which able anil hoiies-t men do not agree. Another crumb of roonoinv nii.i 2r:inted In tho llou.-c In Hie adoption ot Senator Pay's bills reorganising t.in nyyteni of inspecting weight n! measures, l.'run r the l?13 luw a icp " i ' ortcIJd' J vn rnj;o o