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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1915)
THE MORNING OKEGONTAN, TUESDAY, APRFL 37, 1915. 3 FRENCH UNABLE TO WITHSTAND GASES Germans' New Mode of Attack Introduces New Element in Warfare. AFFECTED MEN COLLAPSE Favorable Wind to Carry Vapors to Urcnclies of Foe Needed to Make t'so of Deadly Fumes Ef fective Some Victims Die. BY WILL. IRWIN'. Copyright. 1313. by the New York Tribune.) BOULOGNE. April 2o. The gaseous vapor: which the Germans used against the Krench divisions near Ypres last Thursday, contrary to the rules of The Hague convention, introduced a new element into warfare. The attack of last Thursday evening- was preceded by the rising' of a cloud of vapor, greenish-gray and iridescent. That vapor settled to the ground like a swamp mist and drifted toward the French trenches on a brisk wind. Its effect oh the French was a vio lent nausea and faintness, followed by an utter collapse. It is believed that the Germans, who charged in behind the vapor, met no resistance at all, the French at their front being- vir tually paralyzed. Long Preparation Evidenced. Everything indicates long and thorough preparation for this attack. The work of sending out the vapor was done from the advanced German trenches. Men garbed in a dress re sembling the harness of a diver and armed with retorts or generators about three feet high and connected with ordinary hosepipes turned the vapor loose towards the French lines. Some witnesses maintain that the Ger mans sprayed the earth before the trenches with a fluid which, being ig nited, sent up the fumes. The German troops, who followed up this advan tage with a direct attack, held inspira tors in their mouths, thus preventing them from being overcome by the fumes. In addition to this the Germans ap pear to have fired, ordinary explosive shells loaded with some chemical which had a paralyzing effect on all the men in the region of the explosion. Some chemical in the composition of these shells produced violent watering of the eyes, so that the men overcome by them wero practically blinded for soma hours. Effect Slow in Wearing Away. The effect of the noxious trench gas seems to be slow in wearing away. The men came out of their violent nau sea in a state of utter collapse. Some of the rescued have already died from the after effects. How many of the men left unconscious in the trencnes when the French broke died from the fumes it is impossible to say, since those trenches were at once occupied by the Germans. This new form of attack needs for success a favorable wind. Twice in the day that followed the Germans tried trench vapor an the Canadians who made on the right of the French position a stand which will probably be remembered as one of the heroic episodes of this war. In both cases the wind was not favorable and the Canadians managed to stick through it. The noxious, explosive bombs were, however, used continually against the Canadian forces and caused some losses. RURAL ROUTES OPEN SOON Union, Or., and Silvcrdale, Wash., Services Established. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, April 26. Rural free delivery route No. 2 is to be established at Union, Or., June 16, to be served with route 1 three times a week by one carrier. The route is 39 miles long, serving 92 families. The carrier's sal ary is fixed at $1100. On the same date a new route will be established at Silverdale. Wash., 14 miles long, to supply 12S families three times a week. The carrier's salary is $484. Postmasters appointed are: Oregon Maggie Perry, Black Butte, vice William Harris, resigned. Idaho Mary A. Conlin, I-amont, new office: Thomas McP. Gough, Midvale. vice Oliver Smith, resigned. GERMANS COMB NORTH SEA Press Declares Fleet Is Seeking British In Vain. LONDON, April 26. In a dispatch from Copenhagen, the correspondent o the Exchange Telegram Company says that leading German papers, including the Tages Zeitung and Vossische Zel tung, declare that the German fleet is now willing to accept battle in the North Sea. The entire fleet, the papers declare, has several times cruised over the North Sea vainly seeking the Brit ish fleet. The Vossische Zeitung says the NorJ weglan steamer Foedin met the Ger man fleet last Sunday off Heligoland. The German commander said to the captain of the Foedin that the German fleet had one desire only, namely to engage the British fleet and he hoped the British fleet might be found. NEW CADET TEST ORDERED Failures in March Bring Second West Foint Kxamination May 25. WASHINGTON. April 26. As a re sult of about 90 failures among pros pective West Point cadet candidates in the March examinations, Secretary Gar rison has ordered an additional exam ination May 25 next, which will be held at 16 Army posts in all parts of the country. The successful candidates will be admitted to the Military Acad emy on July 1. The present first class at West Point, numbering 164 members, will exceed the Second Lieutenancies available on July 1, according to present estimates. Thero are only 105 prospective vacan cies in the grade of Second Lieutenant, including 39 in the engineers, 31 in the infantry, 27 in the cavalry and eight In the coayt artillery. CHIROPODIST AIDS ARMY British Society Urges Crcution of Corps of Corn Doctors. LONDON. April 9. (Correspondence of the Associated Press.) Chiropodists in uniform as a necessary and honored part of the British army is proposed by a London paper, inspired by the marching- record of a Lancashire regiment which boasts a well-known chiropodist among its ranks. This regiment has made- the hardest practice marches without a man's dropping out. The reason is the fine shape the regimental feet are in. Detached from the humdrum routine of duty, the soldier-chiropodist spends his day peeling and paring. If every regiment had the same advantage such things are retreats from, Mons might be made without discomfort. Besides, the thing which saved the British on that occasion was the bad state of the German feet, due to new boots. The National Society of Chiropodists, which has a clinic in London-for the free treatment of soldiers and sailors, is enthusiastic over the idea of a chi ropedic corps, wearing khaki and bear ing the corn and razor or some other appropriate insignia on their caps. RIVER OPENING FAVORED REGl'LATIOM OF FREIGHT RATES IS PREDICTED RESULT. Development Would Prove More Effec tive Than Interstate Commission, Says Senator Ransdell. MUSKOGEE. Okla.. April . 26. De velopment of waterways and the natural resultant transportation com petition and not regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission or other bodies offers the escape of the United States from excessive railroad freight rates, according to Senator Ransdell, of Louisiana, chairman of the Senate committee on rivers and harbors and president of the National Rivers and Harbors Association, who addressed the Southern Commercial Congress here tonight. "The shippers and consumers of this country are entitled to the use of the waterways God has given them," he said, "and such competition is the proper way to regulate our roads. "Eight million tons of freight passed through the Sault Ste. Marie last year at an average cost of .63 of a mill, compared with a rail rate of .73 of a cent. This same relative difference exists on all well-improved waterways. "I believe every waterway in this country should be developed to the greatest possible extent," he said, "pro vided, after a thorough survey by Army engineers, it is found it can be done at reasonable cost. They should be given over to privately-owned lines. Just as our railroads are." Gabe E. Parker, superintendent for the five civilized Indian tribes which have headquarters in Muskogee, wel comed the delegates to the congress on behalf of the Indians of Oklahoma. PACKERS OPPOSE RISE FREIGHT RATES ARE DECLARED REMUNERATIVE NOW. Witness Before Commission Suspects . Roads of Trying to Make Meat Producers Carry Burden. CHICAGO, April 26. Present freight rates on packing-house products and fresh meats are so remunerative to railroads, according to C. B. Heine mann, assistant traffic manager of Morris & Co., packers, that there is no Justification for increasing the tariffs. Mr. Heinemann occupied the witness stand before WT M. Daniels, Interstate Commerce Commissioner, all day, voic ing the objections of the packing-house interests to an increase of 3 cents a hundred pounds on fresh meats and packing-house products, one of the ad vances proposed by 41 Western rail road systems on certain commodities. He declared that the damage claims for injury to meat products in transit were inconsiderable. Regarding the average earnings of traffio in packing-house products and fresh meats in comparison with the carriers' freight revenue from other commodities, the witness said: "It looks to us as if the carriers were trying to make the packers bear the burdens by unremunerative rates on other hauls and other commodities. There is no equity in thus trying to load up the cost of one prime necessity of life." SECOND BATTLE LIKELY VILLA'S AND OBREGOX'S FORCES EXPECTED TO MEET. Conflict Awaited South of Torreon, Where Zapata's Men Aid in Hem. in in in Obreson's Arm?-. WASHINGTON. April 26. The forces of Generals Villa and Obregon prob ably will meet in a second battle within a few days somewhere south of Torreon, according to a statement is sued here tonight by the Villa agency. Villa is declared to have completed his concentration at Aguas Calientes following his retreat from Irapuato and the advance of the Zapata forces from Mexico City is said to have drawn an "iron ring" about Obregon's army. "General Obregon's army is not at Leon, as contended," the statement says, "but somewhere south of Ira puato and is isolated from all sources of supplies and reinforcements. Inter ruption of railroad service between Pa chuca and Tula completed the work of cutting off Obregon. He has no com munication with Vera Cruz." Mail advices from Sonora said Yaqui muiaiis nave recently attacked several foreign-owned properties In the Yaaui Valley district. ODENWALD REPORT GIVEN Porto Rican Commander Tells of Stopping Deporting German Liner. WASHINGTON. April 26. A detailed report on the stopping of the Hamburg-American liner Odenwald, which attempted on March 21 to go to sea from San Juan, Porto Rico, without clearance papers, was received at the War Department tonight from Lieutenant-Colonel Burnham, commanding the Porto Rican regiment. Its contents were not mado public, but it is under stood this account does not differ sub stantially from Colonel Burnham's re port at the time. According to the original report, when the vessel sought to leave port without clearance papers warning shots were fired from machine guns and then one shot from a five-inch rifle mounted on the ramparts of Morro Cas tle was sent across her bows, Later the German Embassy addressed a communication to the State Depart ment asking for an investigation and describing the firing as an "attack." alleging that the usual "blind warn ing shot" was not fired. Fresno County. California, nroducu 4.- 000 pound?, or about 60 pr cent of the . Aiirnrnia raisin crop, ann nearly twice tne quaniuy proaucea oy cpain. f italian war pact js declared Ambassador at London to Sign Agreement With Sir Edward Grey, Rome Hears. PRESS IN FAVOR OF ALLIES British and French, Reports Say Intervention Is Imminent Ger many Offers to Cede -Territory to Austria Also Rumored. ROME, via Paris, April 26. The opinion prevails in parliamentary cir cles that if no definite decision as to Italy's participation in the war Is reached previous to May 12, the date on which the Chamber of Deputies re convenes. Parliament will be pro rogued. International questions could not be discussed in Parliament while they were still under negotia tion, it Is argued, and it would be ab surd and almost undignified for Par liament to discuss trifling matters when such highly important questions were before the country. Furthermore, the Chamber has given full powers to the Cabinet and nothing has occurred to destroy this confidence. Referring to the international finan cial situation created by the war, the Giornale d'ltalta says the United States, at the end of hostilities, will be the only . country to have secured large economic profit. Kins Meets Cabinet. This paper then gives statistics - to show the Increase in American exports and says further: "This war, which is devouring Eu rope, is a magnificent thing financially for the United States." King Victor Emmanuel met the mem bers of the Cabinet in conference yes terday. He talked with Premier Sa landra and Foreign Minister Sonnino on the situation at length, and after they had gone he was closeted for an hour with Minister of War Zupelli. An energetic campaign is being con ducted in the Italian press on behalf of the allies. Every day there appear telegrams from Petrograd warning Italy that if she does not soon inter vene she will lose everything. It is said the allies have decided to give nothing in case they are victorious to a neutral power which, in the words of Jules Cambon. the French diplomat, "rushes to succor the victor." Pact Reported Near. The newspapers also publish long re productions from the French press, saying Italy's participation in the war is imminent. Dispatches from London say the Italian Ambassador there. Marquis Imperlali, is about to sign with Sir Edward Grey, the British Foreign Minister, an agreement con taining clauses which provide that Italy shall side with the allies. Although dispatches from Berlin and Vienna on this subject are more guarded on account of the censorship of the press of those cities, efforts are being made to offset this campaign. Representatives here of the Berlin and Vienna newspapers are most active and seek to convey the Impression that every necessary measure will be taken to prevent Italy from abandoning her neutrality. It is affirmed that In the end Austria will be convinced of the necessity of making suitable territorial concessions, even if Germany is com pelled to compensate her by ceding territory in Bavaria or Silesia. Deep Secrecy- Maintained. On this theory there are being pre pared many imaginative lists of dis tricts to be exchanged between Austria and Italy and between Germany and Austria. The truth of the matter is, however, that there is little basis for these various reports. It can only be said that the negotiations are still pro ceeding and they are surrounded with the deepest secrecy. Persons close to Premier Salandra are of the opinion that in spite of the arguments in favor of proroguing parliament he intends the Chamber of Deputies to meet May 12, as has been arranged. Otherwise the impression might gain ground that the govern ment wishes to rule without control of the representatives of the country, which is far from the intention of the cabinet. EXTRY BEFORE MAY INTIMATED Von Buelow Quoted as Saying Situ ation Is Unpromising. PARIS. April 26. A friend and brother officer of Peppino Garibaldi nas lniormea tne Petit Journal that Garibaldi gained the impression from interviews with King Victor Emman uel, Premier Salandra. Foreign Min ister - Sonnino and prominent politi cians that Italy would never enter the war on the side of the allies before Parliament convenes in May. A diplomat accredited to the Quir inal. who requested that his name not be disclosed, told the Matin's Geneva correspondent that in a conversation with Prince von Buelow on April 19, the German Ambassador appeared pes simistic over the situation for a peace ful solution of the Austro-Italian dif ficulties. "The situation is obscure." Prince von Buelow is' quoted as saying, "and I expect no good can come from it. Italy's pretensions are such that It is impossible for Austria to accept them. On the other hand, Italian military preparations are assuming such -proportions that the hypothesis of simple diplomatic pressure becomes inadmis sible. Evidently, the object of the ne gotiations was to gain time." JOHN BUNNY SUCCUMBS DEATH REMOVES MOVIE COMEDIAN KNOWN TO MILLIONS. Complication of Diseases Fatal to Famous Actor After Illness Lasting Three Weeks NEW YORK. April 26. John Bunny, whose antics as a moving-picture comedian have made "millions laugh, died at his home in Brooklyn today. He had been ill for about three weeks of a complication of diseases. Members of the family were with him when he died. For a week he had apparently been on the mend. A stren uous month of work, it is believed, caused the breakdown which resulted in his death. John Bunny was 52 years old. For 29 years he had been before the footlights before he entered the moving-picture field four years ago. Mr. Bunny was born in New York City, of English parents, was educated In the Brooklyn public schools and was a clerk in a general store until he went on the stage at tha age of 19. John Bunny is dead. Nobody will ask who he is. for his face is familiar to every man, woman and child in every country in the world where motion pictures are known. His career began as a "legiti mate" actor more than 30 years ago. He played in the old Cordray Theater on Third street here for a while, but gained little or no recognition. He played in the companies of Maude Adams, Annie Russell, Sol Smith Rus sell and the companies under the di rection of Savage, Brady and the Frohmans without much success. His fame came as a motion-picture actor. From a $40-a-week man he rose to the position of the highest salaried man on the screen, his yearly salary exceeding $100,000. He was one of the funniest men in motion pic tures. Children crowed with delight over his fat, funny, freckled face, and grown-ups enjoyed his antics almost as much as the children. He left motion-picture work a few months ago and went into vaudeville, but, as before, he was not a sensation. People wanted him on the screen. On the stage he wasn't funny. His father was a native of England, he himself being the first of nine generations who was not a sailor. Bunny read the account of his own death in one of the papers a few weeks ago and laughed heartily over it. He is survived by his wife and several children, most of whom are grown. ALIENS MAY BE CAUGHT SUSPECTS FROM COOS BAY MAY BE VIRGINIA CLANSMEN. Arrears on Counterfeiting Charges May Lead to Identification mm HIUs--vtlle Court Murderers. SAN FRANCISCO. April 26. Federal officials are investigating the Identity of two men held here on counterfeit ing charges to learn if they are Claude and "Bush" Allen, of the notorious Allen clan, members of which raided the Hlllsville. Va., Courthouse March 14, 1912. and killed five officials in an effort to free Floyd Allen, one of the clan. - The two men gave the names of Tom Boggs and William B. Young when ar rested recently, but admitted them to be aliases. Boggs said his true name is Claude Allen, but denied relation ship with Floyd Allen. A letter addressed to his sister. May Allen, in Virginia, is said by Federal officers to have been found on Claude Allen. In it Allen sent "regards to Floyd" and said "don't tell anyone where I am." The second man denied the name of "Bush" Allen. The two men were arrested with a third man aboard the sloop Barnacle, which came here from Coos Bay, Or., and molds and metal for counterfeiting were found. Allen, when arraigned today, pleaded guilty. The other men pleaded not guilty. Their trials have not been set. MUNITION ACTION DUE FIELD GUN TYPES TO BE DIS CUSSED BY ARMY OFFICIALS. Board Ordered to Convene In Wash- inston Likely Will Consider Mobile . Artillery Increase. WASHINGTON. April 26. Questions concerning field guns and ammunition for them will be considered shortly by a board consisting of Colonel Charles G. Treat, general staff; Major John H. Rice, ordnance department, and Major Charles P. Summerall, field artillery, which has been ordered to convene in Washington. . While the order convening the board does not make -mention of the subject, it is expected that the officers will consider not only types of field guns and ammunition supply but that it also will consider the amount of mobile army artillery necessary for a given number of troops. Many officers who have been fol lowing developments in the European war are convinced that a greater proportion of mobile artillery should be provided than previously deemed necessary. Striker Sentenced to Life Term. - FAIRMONT, W. Va., April 26. Roy Haller, who with 133 others was in dicted for the murder of Constable W. R. Riggs. during a riot between strik ing miners and a Sheriff's posse near Farmlngton, W. Va., last February, pleaded guilty today and was sen tenced to life Imprisonment. Junction City to Clean X p. JUNCTION CITY. Or., April 26. (Special.) Forrest Miller, Mayor, has Issued a proclamation setting May 4. 6 and 6 as official clean-up days for this city. The arrangements are being made by the Civic Club. Women's Im provement Club and Council. If You Are a Family Man You need a bank account with an institution like this, where you will feel at home. Pay your bills by check; it is the clean, safe way, and the cancelled checks, which the bank returns, are indisputable receipts for all money paid. Let us open you will feel LUMBERMENS NATIONAL BANK Fifth and Stark EFFECT OF BRITISH MINES IS FEARFUL Surface of Ground Torn Into Huge Craters by Under ground Explosions. GERMANS RESIST SURPRISE After First Panic, Eye Witness Says, Enemy Turns and Drives Out At tacking British Troops, AVlio in Turn Gain Victory. LONDON, April 26. "Trenches, par apets and sandbags disappeared," says the British official "eyewitness" In de scribing the -effect of the explosions of the British mines which preceded the recent attacks and capture by the British of hill No. 60, to the southeast of Ypres. "The whole surface of the ground." the narrative continues. "assumed strange shapes. Here it was torn into huge craters; there large mounds of fallen debris were to be seen. "As the reports of the explosions died away and while dense columns of smoke and dust hung in the air, our men sprang from the trenches and rushed across the intervening space of some 40 to 60 yards lying between our line and the gaping craters before them, the front covered by the attack being only some 250 yards in length. Germans in Panic. "Where the mines actually had ex ploded nothing was left of the occu pants of the hostile line, but in the neighboring trenches our assaulting Infantry witnessed an extraordinary scene. Many German soldiers, possibly owing to the fact that they were work ing, were surprised while in their shirt sleeves and without equipment. Stunned by the violence of the explo sions, bewildered and suddenly sub jected to a rain of band grenades thrown by our bombing parties, they gave way to panic. "Cursing and shouting, they were falling over one another and fighting in their hurry to gain the exits lead ing into the communication trenches. Some of those in the rear, maddened by terror, were driving their bayonets into the bodies of their comrades in front of them. "Of this our infantry had only a momentary glimpse before they fell upon the enemy with the bayonet, burst through the maze of trenches, poured into the craters and pressed on down the communication trenches until at last they were stopped by barri cades defended by bomb throwers. Germans Take Offensive. "The Germans quickly recovered from their surprise. From our line the hill is a salient which Is exposed to fire from three sides and. It was only a few minutes before the German gun ners took advantage of this fact and opened fire. Soon the whole position became obscured in the smoke of bur3ting shells. Meanwhile our bat teries had begun to support the at tack, and a terrific artillery fire was maintained far into the night. "Nor was the enemy's infantry idle. Advancing up -the communication trenches they threw hand grenades over the barricades and also into the mine craters, on the crumbling sides of which our men were clinging in an endeavor to obtain a foothold. "Throughout the night the fighting continued, culminating early in the morning of the 18th in two massed attacks by the enemy. These were beaten off. principally by the fire of our machine guns, some of which had been rushed up. "Nevertheless, In spite of the heavy losses, which left the hillside piled with dead, the enemy continued his pressure during the whole of Sunday, until gradually we were driven from the southern edge of the hill. At 6 P. M. help reached our front line in the form of reinforcements, who swept the Ger mans from the foothold they had gained." Modoc Irrigation Project Xear Done. KLAMATH FALLS, Or.. April 26. (Special.) The Modoc Point irrigation project on the Klamath Indian reserva tion, north of this city, is near com -Dletlon: It is stated that the work all will be completed within the next month and that it is possible even now for some of the Indian farmers under the main ditch to begin irrigating any time. The work yet to be finished Is that of completing the main laterals from the main canal. Two Italians Arrested for Treason. VENICE. April 26. Charged with at tempting to sell to a foreign power railroad plans for the mobilization of the Italian army, John Schlehew, an Interpreter, and Ernesto Crescent, designer employed in the technical of fices of the Italian railways, have been arrested for high treason. an account for you; at home here. All Charge Purchases Made Tuesday and Bal ance of Month Charged on June 1st Accounts. Mail and Telephone Orders Pacific Phone Marshall uits fife CoatS fr Present and Midsummer Wear Coats That Sell Regularly at $18.50 Very Special $ 1 3.95 Netv arrivals in coats for women, of fine wool poplins in black, navy and putty. They are 43 inches long, beautifully tailored and trimmed with moire silk and satin piping. One model is lined throughout with peau de cygne silf(, and the other model lined to the waist. Third Floor Our Special $1.00 Waists That Have Grown So Justly Famous & Popular Veribest Blouses are a revelation in the blouse world. Every week Veribest Waists are shown in entirely new models. Tuesday we introduce in this sale the new RUFFLED - BLOUSE, which is the last blouse fashions. Made of with ruffles of organdie combined with lace. Also, flesh-colored voile waists in allover embroidered de signs. Third Floor A Sale of $2.00 Fiber Suit Cases At $1.59 New House Dress Aprons In Five New Styles as Shown in the Illustration 59c Instead of 75c Regulation coverall style in extra size, made with round neck, short kimono sleeves, belted back. Also same style as above in regular size, having Dutch cap to match. Another model of striped or checked gingham, belted-front style, tieing at the back, having round neck and kimono sleeves. - Also same style, of percale, in light and dark colors. Apron with yoke effect, finished with tab at front, has round neck, kimono sleeves, belted back. All these aprons are trimmed with white bias pipings or colored bandings and all have pockets. Made full size and length. Ponrlh FliMir. Offers Tuesday A Great Special Purchase of 2000 Petticoats 75c Cotton Messaline Petticoats 59c $1.25 Cotton Messaline Petticoats 89c All Silk Petticoats WITH ELASTIC TOPS Very Special $1.75 PHONE YOUR WANT ADS TO THE OREGONIAN Main 7070 Filled by Expert Shoppers 1 of Merit Only" 5000 Home Phone A 6691 A SUIT OPPORTUNITY For Women Offering Four New Styles At $19.45 Suits of fine gabardine and serge. Suits in navy blue, black. Belgian blue, green, black-and-white checks. that have just arrived by express. therefore expressing all the latest notes in novelty styles and semi-Norfolk effects. Suits that are perfectly finished and tai lored in every respect. With jackets lined throughout with a fine quality peau de cygne silk. Third Floor FRONT word in fine voile1 This sale of suitcases will be very welcome to vacationists. These are fiber suitcases, which are the best kind for Summer service. light in weight and dustproof. 24 and 26-inch sizes. Made with lock, bolts and corners. Very light and durable. Burnrit Bucmcit A 6095