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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1915)
. Jfte mm jg wri - ' TOL. LV.-XO. 16,931. " PORTLAND, OREGOX, :. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1915. PHICE FIVE CENT3. . f I . i SITUATION DEEPLY STIRS WASHINGTON RelationswithGermany Are "Strained" ISSUE NOW UP TO BRITAIN Administration to Insist on Free Food to Civilians. . SHIPS N EARING WAR ZONE Twenty-Seven Vessels IYom t'nlted States, Five Carrying Passengers, Soon to Arrive Within Area of "wr Warfare." BY JOHN- CAI.LAN ClOCOHUX. WASHINGTON. Feb. 16. (Special.) Germany has notified the United States Government through Ambassador Ger ard that a state of "strained relations" exists betewen the two nations. This does not mean war. "It does mean, however, that a con dition of tension has developed which Is of serious concern to tho President and the American people. Problem Confronts) Administration. To restore the relations ot the two nations to their former state of friend liness, while at tile same time assuring protection to American ships and Amer ican citlaens traversing the high seas. Is now the problem of the President and his Cabinet. Strained relations' have prevailed man- times between the United States and other states. When Sir Lionel Sackville-West, the British Minister, was dismissed by President Cleveland, this condition prevailed between the two governments. War, however, did not follow. The President has no intention to permit war to come with Germany. "impaMf" Is Reached. He is face to face with this situation: The United, States, In a vigorous note, requested assurances from Ger many that "American citixens and their vessels will nob bo molested by the naval forces or Germany otherwise than by visit and search" In the "war zone" round the British Isles, to be estab lished on Thursday.. . . Germany, In an official communica tion, declined to grant those assur ances, and reiterated the danger from ubmarines and floating: mines to neu trals traversing the "war zone." So an impasse has been reached. The President and members of his Cabinet discussed today the entire sub ject of relations of the United States with Germany and Great Britain with a view to devising a solution which would be generally satisfactory. Warn log; 1o Britain in Eanint So far as Germany is concerned, they determined to do all they could to ob tain a declaration by Great Britain with reference to the freedom of food stuffs not consigned to the German government or to the German military and naval forces. They determined further to make clear to the British authorities that this Government was in earnest In tho warning: sent yesterday against the adoption, predicted by Winston Churchill. First Lord of the British Admiralty, of more stringent meas ures to prevent food supplies from reaching Germany. J If Great Britain will comply with the urgent representations of the United States. Germany has promised to cancel the orders for the "war sonc." The "war zone" decree will enter into effect Thursday. German subma rines will begin to operate within the prescribed area. German mines will be scattered in the paths of shipping. t 27 American Vewwln Near Zone. Twenty-seven vessels from the United States, four of American na tionality and five carrying passen gers, will enter the "war zone on or Immediately after the inaugura tion of the "new method of warfare. The United States steamship Jason, the "Christmas ship" which conveyed to Europe the gifts of American chil dren for the orphans of the war, will be due at Bristol, lying in the 'Bristol channel on Thursday. To return again to Germany's as sertion that a state of "strained re lations' exists: It mav be that this will prevent Ambassador Gerard from having his expected interview with Emperor William. This would be regretted by the President. It is not likely that the Emperor would care to receive the American Ambassador in view of the attitude adopted by his imperial Chancellor and which unquestionably he has approved. Gerard In Teaie Atmosphere Mr. Gerard will, present the Ameri can communication to the Foreign Of fice, probably personally, though the atmosphere, as he has described it, is exceedingly tense. He is not expected to humiliate himself, but he has been urged to keep the negotiations alive, for so long- as negotiations are In prog ress the Administration believes there can be no danger of a rupture. Germany, in view of the sentiment which exists, may decide to tell Mr. Gerard that his presence Is no longer desired: and that it may recall Count von Bcrnstoff. the German Ambassa dor. Even this might not be & final rup ture, for there would remain the chance that' each government would name the First Secretary of Us Embassy as Charge d' Affaires. Thn bitterness of Germany Is shown 40 AIRMEN ATTACK GERMAN POSITIONS FOUR TOWNS IX BELGIUM ARE I AIDED BY ALLIES. Big Guns, Trawlers, Barges and Aerodrome Are Bombarded With Good Effect, Says Admiralty. LONDON. Feb. 16. Forty French and British aerODlanes and seaplanes today attacked the German positions at Os tend, Middelkerke, Ghistelles and Zee brugge In Belgium and, according to the official report, with good results. Bombs were dropped on gun posi tions, trawlers, barges and an aero drome. The official statement concerning the air raid says: "The air operations of the naval-wing against the Bruges, Ostend and Zee brugge district were continued today. Forty aeroplanes and seaplanes bom barded Ostend, Middlekerke, Ghistelles and Zeebrugge. "Bombs were dropped on the heavy batteries- situated on the east and west side of Ostend, on gun positions at MIddlekerke. on transport wagons on the Ostend-Ghlstelles road, on the mole at Zeebrugge to widen tha breach dam aged In former attacks, on the locks at Zeebrugge, on barges outside Blan kenberghe and on trawlers outside Zee brugge, .AM "Eight French aeroplanes assisted the naval machines by making vigor ous attacks on the Ghistelles aero drame. this effectively preventing Ger man' air craft from cutting off our ma chines. It is reported that good results were obtained. "Instructions are always Issued to confine attacks to points of military Importance and every effort is made by the flying officers to avoid dropping bombs on any residential portions of towns." , LAW TO FIX LOAF PUT OFF Mr. Brewster Drops Ordinance for Standards Before Legislature. ri,in that regulation of the size of a loaf of bread is not feasible. City Commissioner Brewster announced yesterday that he has dropped his pro posed ordinance fixing l ounces . - cnrtiinil loaf. He also has postponed the rest of his proposed measure regulating me -i h.r.crtn other weights and measures standards of the city until the . tvirniisrh considering weights and measures legislation that is pending. ' t ....,.- an he has lnvesti- .111. il 1 " i .v . " J gated the bread proposition thoroughly . j i ...j that to fix a standard for a loaf of bread and to require labeling at smaller loaves would -cause " necessary expense to . . i a A " nnalitl legislation should do aimcu as well as quantity. BRITISH VESSEL BLOWN UP Two Explosions Wreck Steamer Off Cape Antifer. LONDON, Feb. 16. A dispatch to Lloyds from Fecamp, France, says the British steamer Dulwich, Captain Dud ley, bound from Hull for Rouen, was v.. lo.f nie-ht 25 miles off Cape Antifer by two successive explosions. The dispatch said that seven men ui the crew of the steamer arrived in Fecamp last night. They reported that none on the steamer had been Injured and that all of them could have made their escape in the lifeboats. The Dulwich- was a vessel of 3289 tons and was owned by the British Steamship Company. SCHOOLS TO GET $30,000 County High School Fund to Be Given to Ten Districts. hnni HiBiHrtn of Multnomah County are to receive Immediately approxi mately $30,000 from the county nign school fund. A. P. Armstrong. County Superintendent of Schools, Is arranging to make payment from that tuna to me districts entitled to' receive It for the first term of the school year. The districts arc: Portland, St. Johns, Park Rose, Gresham, Troutdale, Powell Valley. Rockwood, Gilbert. Pleasant Home and Union High School District No. 1, on Columbia Heights, east of the Sandy River. OUSTED HEAD YET DEFIANT Ex-Superintendent Still Holda Linn ton Water Records. . t- rnV i ir- Vah 1 K fKnsptn 1 1 i.iti.i i -. y ' Ex-Superintendent Toung. of the water works, who was dismissed by the new water board, of which Mayor Malone is chairman, still refuses to give up tne books of the plant Mr. Young has asked that receipts and a statement be given him from the department. The matter mav be taken into court. Annexation to Portland is being con. .Maruf hv a number of citizens and pe titions asking the Council to call a special election In the near future probably will be circulated next month. TURKS HURL BRITISH BACK Dead Left on Field and SOO Camels Arc Captured. BE RUN. via London, Feb. 15. A dispatch to a news agency from Bag j,j ..v. that in an engagement be tween tho advance guard of the Turkish left wing ' and Brltisn lniantry ano cavalry, the British withdrew, leaving! 17 men dead. The dispatch adds that the right wing of the Turkish army succeeded in aa- vancinc as far -as the woods . near Kono. The Turks, it is asserted, cap tured BOO camels. Only- five Turks) DIE CAST; SHIP BILL TO STAHD PR FALL Fate Will Be Decided Within Few Days. PRESIDENT STILL CONFIDENT Previous Question ftlay Be Moved in Senate Today. HOUSE LATE IN SESSION Senator Smoot Gives Kotice Debate ATM Be Continued Indefinitely. Inquiry Into Improper In fluence to Begin Today. WASHINGTON, Feb. IT. The Gov eromnt nhlp purchase bill, a an amendment to the Weeks naval a Mil iary -hill, iraa panned by the House 1 i-O o'clock A. M. by a vote of -13 t 131. WASHINGTON, Feb. 19. Democratic leaders in- both houses of Congress agreed tonight that the Government ship purchase bill either would be he fore President Wilson for .his signature within a few days or dead so far as this session Is concerned. The House remained In session until late 'in the night to pass the Weeks Gore bill, as the amended measure is known, and tomorrow the Administra tion forces will begin a final effort to get a vote in the Senate on the House amendments over the opposition of Re publicans and revolting Democrats. -Wilson Predicts Passage. Majority leaders spoke confidently to day of the prospect of victory, and President Wilson, after a conference with Senator Kern, told callers the bill would be passed.' On both sides of the Capitol belief was current that if present plans for prompt action In the Senate fell through the ship hill would be abandoned and all efforts centered on disposing of ap propriation bills, .to make unnecessary an extra session. AVhlle the House, de bated the Weeks-Gore bill the Senate continued its discussion of cloture rules. and leaders of all factions were en grossed in the conferences as to the next moves to be made. Previous Question to Be Moved. Reports had It that the Administra tion forces tomorrow would attempt to shut oft all debate by moving the previous question, and thus forcing a vote on a motion to concur in the House amendments. Should this prevail it would be equivalent to passage of the ship purchase measure and end the long and turbulent fight. The ship bill as it will go to the Senate from the House includes the ship purchase measure as agreed on in Sen ate caucus, and a provision that two years after the close of the European war ships acquired by the United States shall be turned over to the Secretary (Concluded on Page 3.) 'one nera. ' ----........ j x i i r t - - ,---- j BREAD THE ISSUE NOW AND IN THE BEGINNING. ' I I INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS "-" The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 4S.J degrees; minimum,. 5-3 degrees. TODAY'S Rain; southerly winds. Legislature. T , Senate passes prohibition bill in half an hour. Page 1. - ' Governor Lister rebuke" Washington legis lature in vetoing McArdle bills. Page Idaho Senate falls by one vote to over- . ride Governor's veto. Page . . House passes anti-trading stamp measure. Paee 5. Senate passes hill to prevent ruinous com petition among public, utillte. Page - Three members ot Senate committee would add labor and material bond clause to lease of salt lakes. Page 5. House is cleared of work In preparation for final adjournment Friday night. Page S. TVar. Fleet of 40 aeroplanes and seaplanes raid Belgium town held by uermans. 1'sge 1. French capture . twt miles of German trenches in Champagne district. Paso. A Steel company refuse $450,000 order for shell to be used In war. Page 17. Germany suggests that TTnlted States fur nish warship convoys to Insure safety oi Its merchantmen. Pare 2. British believe Germany Is still obtaining copper, - despite precautions. Page 7. National. Fate of ship-purchase bill to be decided within few days. Page 1. lioroestlc. Stork arrives absolutely without warning In Chicago home. Pago 3. Oregon exhibits at San B'ranclsco nearly all In place. Page 3. Ex-President Roosevelt la summoned In Judge Dayton's bearing. 'Page 7. pi port. Roy Moran to be traded to Atlanta, aays . McCredle. Page 12. "'Mose" Payne, Oregon's star distance run ner, sends wrrd he will return to college this week. Page 12.. Oregon dereals Idaho, 29 to 19. Page 12. Washington HlRh defeats Columbia Uni versity in basketball, rage 12. Commercial and Marine. Higher prices asked by sellers check trade In local wheat market, rage ii. Renewal of export t jylng lifts wheat a Chicago. Pago 17. - Further decline In rate of exchange on Lon don. Page yi. All bMB on llghtvessel No. 30 may be re jected as too low. rage 13. . . Portland and Vicinity. Oresoir prohibition state - committee and State Federation of Labor lawmakers to act on amendment calling for party pro portional representation . in Legislature. I'age 11. ' Major Bowlby In answer to critics says Columbia work , challenges comparison. Page S. Oregon Retail Merchants' Association In convention condemns mail-order houses. Page 14. Jitney profit in Portland figured by en gineer at S1.75 a day. Page 18. Judge Gatens refuses to settle church trouble. Page 1. . . Henry Hewett, prominent insurance man, tiles. Page 11. DEPUTIES WANT TO EAT Representative Cobb Tells District Attorney Evans He May Get Aid. Circuit Judgps and District Attorneys in Oregon have had no pay since Janu ary 1. "At thut time the fund for their salaries became exhausted, and the ap propriation of the. 1915 Legislature to cover this is not yet available. Tester- day District Attorney Evans called S. H. Cohb, chairman of the House ways and means committee, over the long-distance telephone. "I wish you'd fix some way so we can eat regularly up here," "he told Mr. Cobb. "Some of my deputies want their salaries pretty bad." "Well," retorted the" solon, "we just passed a bill providing for the indigent poor. I'll see if we can't include Dis trict Attorneys in that." Iowa' Cattle Infected. ' JESSUP, la., Feb. 16. The foot and mouth disease has broken out six miles east of here, although It was thought to have been entirely suppressed In this locality. The state veterinarian has ordered the slaughter of 107 cattle in one nera. JURIST REFUSES TO SETTLE CASE Church Doors Cannot ot ATTORNEY TAKES EXGEPTION Women "Packed Like Sar dines" to Hear Case. - TRUST RESTS WITH CHURCH I Judge Gatens Declares Court Cannot Assume Ecclesiastical Towers, but Settlement Must Coma or Tax Assessor Will Act. "The court cannot, assume ecclesias tical powers. I have no more right to say the doors of the Taylor-street church shall be opened than I have to say that services snail begin at 10 o'clock. . But if that property Isn't used for.-hurch purposes, somebody is going to have to pay taxes on it." This. In effect, was the decision of Circuit Judge Gatens late yesterday in the suit of the "Insurgent" faction of the First Methodist Episcopal Church to force the "regulars" to open the doors of the Taylor-street church, which had been closed as a result of the consolidation of two churches, and to enjoin the church authorities from selling the property. But the decision is not final. Judge Gatens permitted attorneys for each of the contending factions to submit de crees, which he would examine. Martin lu Pipes, attorney for the "insurgents,'' said he proposed to submit authorfties showing that the court did have au thority to order the church opened. "IteKtilnra" Complete Their Case. Thus the trial, which has proceeded for two days without a judge on the bench, ended rather' undramatically late yesterday when John B. Clelana counsel .for the "regulars," announced that he had- completed his. case. The day's testimony, taken for the benefit of the stenographer, had been full of minor sensations. The court room had been crowded, as usual, with women "packed like sardines" on all sides, leaving: only a small open space for the attorneys and witnesses. rtr Ttenlamin Young, ex-pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, who had resigned and gone to Topeka, Kan., about the time the breach In the church's body politic began to widen, was the first witness on the stand yes terday morning. Dr. Young had arrived from Topeka Monday especially to testify in the church suit. M illion Pamphlet Arouses. A pamphlet written by Dr. Clarence True Wilson in opposition to the plan of 'consolidating the First and Grace churches came in for discussion in the morning. A copy of this pamphlet was handed to Dr. Young by Judge Pipes. "The contents of that pamphlet are j 1 . 1 nn PnvA 1 1 , T T Tuesdays War Moves GREAT BRITAIN received yesterday through Waller Hlnes Page, the American AmbassadoV: Germany's of fer to withdraw her threat of a sub marine blockade against Great Britain if the British navy would permit the free movement of foodstuffs to the civilian population of Germany. O' nere is no expectation m tnu"" ..o.c the offer will be accepted. In fact. Great Britain Is already preparing to retaliate against Germany by placing under more stringent control ships destined to German ports, and a proc lamation momentarily Is expected de claring a blockade of the German coast, or, at any rate, the prohibition of focV stuffs destined for Germany. The Cab inet, with Its naval and military ad visers, considered this question yester day, and It Is understood the dccinlon is awaiting the formal confirmation of the Privy Council, from which all proc lamations emanate. In the meantime British and neutral vessels are moving as freely as usual, with the exception of those belonging to a few Dutch lines, which have re duced their number of sailings. The Norwegian and Danish Insurance com panies have given instructions that steamers insured by them shall have their national colors, the names of the ships and the country of their origin painted conspicuously on the sides of all vessls. . ' Holland and Jtaly, like tho United States, have protested to Germany against her sea war-zone threat, and have asked Great Britain not to make free use of neutral flags. Similar rep resentations are expected to bo made to the two countries today in a Joint note by Noway, Sweden and Denmark. For the time being questions of di plomacy are arousing more Interest than the actual fighting, although mil itary movements of the first Impor tance are taking place, especially along tho Eastern line. The German offensive, strongly supported, by frenh troops. Is being pushed with groat vigor, both along the East Prussian frontier and in Poland north of the lower Vistula. The Russians have evacuated East Prussia except for small area near Lyck, where they are opposing the German advance, and also are apparently falling back in North Poland, for the Germans an nounced yesterday that they have oc cupied Plock and Bielsk, which the Russians recaptured from them a short time ago. While the Germans seem' to have inflicted heavy losses on the retiring Russian armies, military men in Lon don and the newspaper correspondent In Petrograd continue to refer to the Muscovite movement as a strategical retirement to the fortified line which lies along the Nieman River through Kovno, Grodno and Lomia and thence southwest to the fortress of Novee Georglswsk. Heavy fighting also continues In the Carputhlans and Bukowina. In Buko wina the Russians also are falling back, but they continue to hold the Carpathian passes farther west and are putting up a stubborn resistance to the Austro-German offensive in that region. Here the fighting Is taking place in deep biiow, and both sides are suffering severely. The large number of troop the Ger mans are using in the east, it is be lieved by military observers, will pre vent for some time any attempt by the Germans to break the deadlock In the west Although there have been no events of outstanding importance on this front, a long official report of the op erations of the British force, from No vember to the beginning of February. Issued yesterday, shows that there al ways is more or less activity there. Despite the weather and the state of the ground, the report says there ha been a lot of trench fighting, in which the Indians and British territorials dis tinguished themselves. General French in the report pays high tribute to the Indians and of the territorials says they have far more than JuKtifled the most sanguine hopes entertained of their value in the field. The report adds that reinforcement are arriving regularly. The first of the promised by-weekly reports of the doings of the British army in France also was issued yester day. It says that progress has been made In the region of La Bassee, where the Germans are said to have suffered severe losses, and that the British ar tillery has shown marked superiority over that of the Germans. There was no further news of the new German offensive in Alsace, which is designed to stop the French advance toward Muelhausen, or of the French offensive In the vicinity of St. Mihlel, which, it is said, threatens the com munications between that town and Metz. The relations betweeen Greece and Turkey apparently are becoming more strained. Although Turkey has offered reparation for the insult to the GreeK military attache at Constantinople, It Is reported that the Greek Minister has left the legation in charge of a secre tary, being dissatisfied with Turkey's attitude. The Turkish Minister also has left Athens. This is believed In some quarters to be the first step In the ruiture of diplomatic relations between Greece and Turkey, which are,aid also to have been alTected by the Albanian Invasion of Serbia. The v British Parliament will debate tomorrow the motion of the labor party. calling on the government to fix maxi mum prices for food. ITALY IS SHAKEN AGAIN Earthquake Damages More Homes In Province of Aqulln. ROME. Feb. IS. Another earthquake In the province or Aquua toaay oam- aged many houses, rendering a number of thcin dangerous for habitation. Tho population, greatly alarmed. has evf.n abandonee mo unoamsseu houses, fearing anotner caiaatropne. SENATE PASSES DRY ACT IN HALF-HOUR Bill Called Most Dras tic in Union. ONLY ONE "NO" VOTE IS CAST Mr. Kellaher Is Dissenter and Two Attack Clauses. HOUSE 0. K. IS EXPECTED Trading Stamps Are nulrd li llli I,eRllnlTC Arms llusy Day 1 rasccd DIj-posltiE of Im portant Acts. Bt llONALD a. JAM,1.M. STATE CAPITOL. Salem, Or., Krh. ' .' (Staff Correspondence.) tVhnt Chair, man Farre.ll, of the Senate commit le on alcoholic traffic, approvlimly re nounced a more drastic prohibition hl'l than that of any other slate In the I'nlon now has passed both hoiit.es. H slid through tho Srnale this iiftrnu In Just half an hour, with only one dlH. senting vote, but with several jirnlaKi trailing in Its wake. The one opposing vote came from tho habitual nili.orlt. Ho (need I say It Senator Ki lla her?) remarked as he cast his vole that he would vote In the neuative If he were tho only Senator who had nine enough to do so. Two Object to ( !. It doubtless did requlro (omn nerve to vote against a bill that has had organised backing of what Senator Day terms the "most advanced of the pro hibition clement, aided and abetted hy tho liquor Interests." Those who ol Jected to the terms of tho Mil ' t voted aye were Day and Straycr. Sen utor Day Insisted that tho bill was so drastic that It would promote turmoil, keep the isaue alive and probably mnke necessary the summoning of a spiclal session of he Legislature. Senator Strayer expressed the con viction that section J Is unconstitu tional. It aulhorliHS the AttorneyGen eral to send deputies Into countl.-s to displace. In the performance ot their duties, any District Attorney who. nmy refuse or fall to enforoo the law. lie also protested against the lack or Rood faith shown In the Incorporation or several sections which he did not spe cifically mention. Concurrence 1 lejnlred. As has been said numerous times tlx sections of the hill that are confldei.d objectionable and a violation of the . n1gja bv the. Committer of One Hundred are those which place u low limit on Importation of liquors ioi home consumption and make con signees' receipts subje.-j to public tn npectlon. Criticisms also have been ol fered to the Inquisitorial feature and to section J4 mentioned by Senator Strayer. Tho bill will have to go ba k to the House tomorrow for com urrenei) i., u number ot amendments. All but one of these are corrections of typo graphical errors. The exception in uir use of the word ethyl" In pl" i,r "pure grain" alcohol In reference to .v.. .le. of alcohol by drUKSlst for scientific and mechanical purposes, fen- ator Farrcll explained, in in it..-. speech In support ot the bill, that ethl alcohol is common alcohol and the word ..nhr.i-M alcohol made from grain, mo lasses or fruit sugar. The Hou l expected to concur without protest and the Governor will sign the bill. flath House. Have H"7 Both houses passed a day prolific iu f emixeaucnrr. The liousu missed a bill designed to put trading stamps out of use; a bill malnlalnln the naval mllltla at a reduced api ro prlatlon; a bill to put loan shark n i pawnbrokers under the supervision ... . ui.ie Bank Examiner; the bill changing tho time of paying taxes and reducing penalties: tho om maaini. i.iinni for co-operation with tu Government In agricultural education ,.e ih. term of the Federal Mninn- Lever bill, besides adopting and other- tse disposing ot a numner oi umvi subjects. Mr. niaihaai'i Bill lasaertaat. .i-i... Senate, adonted the certlficHle- ,...iiv bill relating to utility cor porations and Senator Bingham's bill ioin a limit on tax levies In cities. counties, district and the Mate. Thin bill is of more than ordinary Import ance. Tho measure is moueien n i-i the law In Colorado and It prohibits the raising of a greater revenue by taxation in any one year than per cent in exces of the greater amount of revenue raised by taxation In either of the immediately preceding two year. In the event the tax-levying author ity is of the opinion that the tax lim ited by the law will be Insufficient a method Is provided for calling a spe cial election to authorlno excess taxa tion. The levy can only bo lncrease.1 by a two-third vote at such election The set does not limit the amount ot any levy necessary to be mado for tlm purpose of paying bond, debt or out standing warrants already Issued. Trading Mamaa lose. The sntl-tradlng flamp bill passd by the House was passed later In lh day by the Feralc. It may be called a tax measure by those who desire to lest cruelly with ths merchants h' now Issue trading stamps, coupons m l other evidences ot value or rehate lth (Concluded on l agu t ) tConcluded oa Fas 2.) were wounded. "