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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 12, 1915)
VOL. LV.-NO. lG,99.i. PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1913. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ! WILSON TO ACT WITHOUT DELAY Cabinet Approves Draft of Demand on Germany. . SERIES WILL BE TAKEN UP Falaba, Cushing, Gulflight and Lusitania Grouped in Ask ing Explanation. INTENSE FEELING VOICED Position Taken That Warning of Attacks Does Not Make Them Justifiable. WASHINGTON, May 11. Presi dent Wilson practically had decided tonight on the first step in the policy which the United States Government will pursue as a result of the sinking of the British liner Lusitania with the loss of more than a hundred American lives. The President will act promptly within another day or two. A draft of a communication to be sent to Germany was submitted to the Cabi net today and approved unanimously: Explanation of Series Demanded. While no official announcement was made, it was learned that the United States would present and insist upon an explanation of the series of in cidents which have occurred since the proclamation of a war zone around the British Isles the sinking of the Falaba, causing the death of Leon C. Thresher, . an American citizen; the attack by German airmen on the American steamer Cushing, the tor pedoing of the American steamer Gulflight, and, finally, the destruction without warning of the Lusitania with a toll of more than a thousand lives. In what are described by those fa miliar with the document as firm and unmistakable terms, the President voices the intense feeling of the United States over these happenings, and in the name of international law demands an adherence by Germany to the established rnles of' maritime warfare. Guarantee to Be Asked For. The note asks that some assurance or guarantee be given hereafter that unarmed merchant vessels carrying non - combatants be visited and searched when encountered on the high seas by the German navy and passengers and crew transferred to a place of 6afety before any prize is destroyed. The President points out, it is un derstood, that the United States in its note which said Germany would be held to "strict accountability" for any attacks on American vessels or lives had not admitted any right on the part of Germany to carry on such methods of warfare and declares, moreover, that the giving of official notice of an intention to commit an unjustifiable act did not justify the act or make it lawful. Future- Course Not Predicted. What will follow in event of a re fusal by Germany to comply with the wishes of the note to be sent, no oneof the President's official family would predict. They said the Presi dent was determined to act firmly and deal with each situation as it arose. It was pointed out, too, that in his speech in Philadelphia, in ref erence to peace, Mr. Wilson was ex pressing merely an ideal that he wished America could and would fol low. ' Persons familiar with the Presi dent's point of view indicated, how ever, that he was by no means unpre pared for or unaware of the possible eventualities of the present crisis and knew that circumstances and events over which the United States might have no control might demand vig. orous action. The circular from the German gov ernment to neutral countries, assum ing responsibility and promising rep Concluded oa Fa go Column 4 J. DISASTROUS FIRE STRIKES .SEWARD CHANGE OF WIXD, HOWKVEll, SAVES ALASKAN TOWN. Several Ilesidenccs and Much Hull ing Stock of Alaska North, crn Gone; Loss $100,000. . SEWARD, Alaska. May 11. The roundhouse, machine shops, car shops and half the rolling tstock of the Alaska Northern Railway, as well as several residences were destroyed by the fire which started yesterday in the timber on the Poland homestead and was blown toward Seward by a strong north wind. ' The total loss tonight was estimated at $100,000. The wind died down early tonight and all danger of further damage is over, but patrols will watch the burned district. The fire still is burning in tinrber on the Brownell . homestead above and to the west of the town, and in the stamps and brush north of Lowell Creek on the Government railroad ter minal tract, where it probably will burn several days. Before the wind shirted It appeared almost certain that the entire town would be destroyed. Mayor Meyers and Fire Chief Horner called upon all the men in town to aid the firefighters. A stand was made at Lowell Creek, where the fire's advance toward the main part of town was stopped. The fire swept across the reservoir supplying the Seward, water system but did not interfere with the water supply. Every barrel and tub In town was commandeered to supply water to firefighters working in places out of reach of the city water mains. The steamer Corwin, which stopped here en route from Seattle to Nome and which resumed her voyage early this morn ing, was called back fey wireless and all the pasengers and'erew put to work fighting the fire. When it seemed likely that the entire town would bo destroyed all the women and children were sent to the head of the bay or put aboard the steamer Santa Ana for safety.' 1000-BED HOSPITAL IS PLAN Western Doctors and Miners Going to War to Care tor British. WENATCHEE, Wash., May 11 (Spe cial.) Dr. Thomas H. Grosvenor is considering entering the English hos pital service either in England or on the field. On Saturday he received a telegiam from Dr. J. M. Neff, of Spo kane, who, in company with Dr. J. B. JIurphy, one of the big surgeons of tho world, is organizing a hospital unit of 32 doctors for service with the Brit ish army. The plan is to have a 1000-bed hos pital. They will arrange for a com plete hospital staff which will go from Chicago, including 75 nurses and 32 doctors, in June, and they are guar anteed free transportation from and to New York. The physicians receive the same salary as British officers of equal rank, about ?S a day and maintenance. Dr. Neff urges Dr. Grosvenor to go and the offer will be accepted if Dr. Gros venor can arrange to take his wife and baby with him. GERMANS GIVE RUSSIAN AID t Two Citizens of Teuton Descent Help Man Get His Final Papers. MM1NNVILLE. Or., May 11. (Spe cial.) Nine applicants for citizenship were passed upon today, the first day of the May term of Circuit Court for this county. Judge H. H. Belt, of Dal las, presiding. Tho nationalities represented were four Danes, three Germans and one Russian and one English. The Russian had for his witnesses two citizens of German descent. Those receiving their final papers today are: John G. Weber. Albert Du now, Henry Pelzer. Herbert Chegwyn, Adam Bauer, Eskiel Hansen, James C. Johnson, Christ Hanson and N. P. Pe tersen, the last four being residents of Carlton. FLOATING COURT SAILS Officers to Handle Cases Arising in Alaska District. SEATTLE, Wash-, May 11 The coast guard cutter Bear sailed tonight for Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean, car rying mail for Nome and Point Barrow. She also takes Government supplies for the stations in Bering Sea and the Arc tic, north of Nome. Before leaving Nome J. J. Hutson, second litutenant of the cutter, will be sworn in as United States commission er by the Federal Court Lieutenant R. L. Lucas will take oath as mar shal. They will hold court at the places where the boat stops, administering justice in minor criminal cases and in more important ones binding the de fendants over to the regular court at Nome. MR. LISTER WILL PREACH Governor Will Occupy Pnlpit of Olympia church Peace Day. OLYMPIA, Wish. May 11. (Special.) Governor Lister has accepted an in vitation to occupy the pulpit of the Olympia Congregational Church next Sunday, "Peace day." In reply to an inquiry from a New York newspaper yesterday Governor Lister said that u large navy, such as the newspaper is championing, could not be built up in sufficient time to render immediate service. He ejt' pressed the belief the present war like ly will so Impress the world that it will be the last. ITALIAN NEUTRALS still hope Rome, However,Thinks War Is Imminent. STATESMAN" URGES PEACE Plea Made to Maintain Bar rier Against Slavs. FORMER ALLIANCE CITED Pacificist, in Final Effort to Avert War, Argues Nation Should 'ot Play Into Hands or Am bitious Russia. ON THE ITALIAN FRONTIER, via Paris, May 11. The opinion prevails in Rome that Italy's participation in the war is only a question of days. Nevertheless there is still in Italy a party which hopes in the possibility of the country remaining neutral. With the idea of presenting correctly the views of this party. Its leader, one of the most influential statesmen of mod ern Italy, has been interviewed. This statesman lives near the frontier. He declined to permit his identity to be divulged for fear his words would be misunderstood as an. endeavor to create obstacles for the Italian Cab inet, ."and this Cabinet." he said, "must be supported by all Italians, even if it makes mistakes." Plea Made for Treaty. Continuing, the leader of this party said: "Italy, so far as possible, must re main faithful to her treaty with the central empires. They allowed her to remain neutral, but not to pass to the opposite camp. 'Whatever examples may be brought forward of the violation of interna tional agreements, it is neither noble nor honorable for any country to com mit such violation without very grave motives. "In the present situation Italy would not have a. sufficient motive to cast off her ancient allies if Austria would consent to cede to her territory inhab ited by Italians. Feee City of Trieste Suggested. "If Trieste were organized into a free city, administered by her Italian citi zens and protected against any possible attempt on her nationality, Italy might be satisfied to receive the remainder of Italian territory now under Austrian administration, leaving 'at the same time Trieste to the central empires as an Italian commercial port." "Once the reason of the antagonism between Italy and Austria is removed, the elimination of Austria would be of no advantage to Italy. For if Austria Hungary disappeared, Italy would then be in contact with the Slav world, which is more powerful and more to (Concluded on Page 2. Column little) SX (( ' ' ifx nit r INDEX OF TODAFS NEWS 1 TESTERDAT"' ..um tempt rature, 64 degree' m. 50.6 degreea. TOD" V1 inesday shower, southwest- O " War. Allies continue advance against Turk. Page ' Russians are also retreating In South Poland. I'ae 5. Italian neutrals making final effort to avert war. Page 1- . ' Anti-Oerman riota In London may lead to internment of all Germans. Page 0. Attack with asphyxiating a-aees repulsed by British on western line. Page LJnd on Butes and Herbert Stone, Americans, Five their lifebelts to v.'onien and die Page 4. Officer of Gulflight says American flag in plain eight. Page 1. British Admiralty denies atory Xrom German sources that British ships engaged in battle with each other in Korth Sea. Page 2. National. Wilson to demand explanation from Germany of group of submarine warfare incidents. Page 1. Domcntk. Sons of Itevru tlon ex press f ai th In Nary p if called on to defend American honor. Page 4. Colonel Roosevelt says Lusitania Incident calls for vigorous action. Page 4. Sport. Pacific Cdast League Tesulta: rortland Oakland game postponed. rain; bait Lake G, Los Angelea 1; ban .Francisco 3, Venice 0. Page 14. Rip Hagerman pitches three-hit victory for Cleveland against Yanks. Page 15. Rodgors will bo Beaver captain; Murphy goes to Aberdeen. Page 14. Tennis school to be opened at Multnomah Club tonight. Page 14. Pacific Northwest. State Grange opens session at Tillamook. Page 8. State Industrial clubs to exchange products with those of other states. Page S. Disastrous fire hits Seward, Alaska. Page 1. Commercial sod Marine, Local wheat prices bid ur sharply. Page It). Crop damage reports cause wheat selling at Chicago. Page 1Ul Stock market recovers much of ground re cently lost. Page 19. M. H. Houser, first Portland exporter to fix positively new-crop grain ship, taking Andre Theodore. Page 16w Portland and Vicinity. J. A. Farrell, president of Steel Corpora tion, optimistic as to business outlook. Page L Congress of Mothers will open Its convention tonight. Page 6. Cost of meters to fall on water users re gardless of plan of financing. Page lti. Bruce Granville and C. P. Mack, believed to be fetation A robbers, face lung terms. Page 13. Hearing begun In VJO.OOn suit against milk man, charged with stealing affections of patron's wife. Page 8. Miss Beatrice Lash leads in race for queen when votes finally counted Page -0. Weather report, data, and forecast. Page It. BODY REPORTED FOUND Rumor in Ireland Investigated by Vanderbilt's Secretary. QUKENSTOTVN, May 12 There is a persistent rumor current here that Al fred Gwynne Vanderbilt's body has been recovered on the Irish coat. Webb Wade, Mr. Vanderbilt's secretary. Is in vestigating. LONDON. May 12. The Daily Mail asserts that the body of Alfred Gwynnu Vanderbilt has been found and is be ing taken into Queenstown. CRUISER GOEBEN BATTLES Russian Klect Reports Defeat of German Vessel in Black Sea. PETROGRAD, May 11. An official communication issued tonight says: "On the 10th our Black Sea fleet, after bombarding the forts of the Bosphorus, exchanged fire with the cruiser Goebcn, which, being struck by many projectiles, made off rapidly." WHO SAID WAR? FUG ON GULFLIGHT PLAINLY Ifl SIGHT Officer Says Ensign Fluttered in Breeze. SUBMARINE THOUGHT BRITON No Attention Paid to Craft by Accompanying Vessels. BRITISH PATROLS NEAR BY American Steamer Subsequently Is Towed Into Port; Captain Dies Suddenly Following Day on Board Rescuing Vessel. WASHINGTON, May 11. The State Department late today made public a sworn statement by Ralph K. Smith, ex chief officer of the American steamer Gulflight, now her captain, describing the torpedoing of that vessel May 1 off the Scilly Islands. When torpe doed, the officer says, the Gulflight was flying a large American ensign. six by 10 feet in size. He said he saw the submarine, but "could not distin guish or see any flag flying on her." Chief Officer Smith further says that shortly before the submarine was sighted two British patrol boats, the Iago and Filey, took positions on either side of the Gulflight and ordered her to follow them to the Bishop Light house. Flas Standing Out In Breeze. "I personally observed our flag was standing out well In the breeze," the officer said. Tho text of "Captain Smith's state ment follows: "May 11, 1915. I am Ralph E. Smith, now master of the steamship Gulflight. At the commencement of the voyage I was chief officer. The ship left Port Arthur on April 10, 1915, about 4 P. M., laden with a tank cargo of gasoline and wooden barrels of lubricating oil. The voyage was uneventful. When about half way across the. Atlantic the wireless operator told me there was a British cruiser in our vicinity and that he had heard messages from this ship the whole time since leaving Port Ar thur, but she made no direct commu nication with or to our ship. from the sound of the wireless messages given out by the British ship, she seemed to maintain the same distance from us until about three days before we reached the mouth of the English Channel. British Patrol Vessels Spokea. "On may 1, about 11 o'clock in the forenoon, we spoke two British patrol vessels named Iago and Filey. We were . then about .22 miles ' west of the Bishop lighthouse. The pa trol vessels asked where we were bound. After informing them we were bound for Rouen, they ordered us to follow them to pie Bishop. The Filey (Concluded on Pace 2, Column 1.) WAIT A Tuesdays War Moves WITH two of the greatest battles of the war in progress one be tween Arras and the Belgian coast and tho other in Western Galicia to say nothing of the operations in the Dardanelles and lesser engagements along the eastern and western fronts, the armies of the belligerents are now fully occupied. The battle in Northern France and Flanders might be divided into three section. From the coast to Ijixmude the. Belgians, supported by French ma rines, have taken the offensive and, besides repulsing German counter at tacks, have gained a footing on the right bank of the Yser Canal. Around Ypres, particularly to the east of that town, the Germans continue to attack the British lines and are again using gas and a tremendous amount of artil lery; but. according to the British ver sion, without making any impression. Farther to the south, as far as Arras, the French continue their offensive and have made very material progress, cap turing a number of Germans, with guns and machine guns. The greatest importance is attached to the French operations, as tbey threaten the German lines of commu nication for the armies on the Oise and the Aisne. The result of this bat tle, which doubtless will not be decided for days, is awaited with deep interest. According to the French report, the Germans, their railway lines having been damaged by allied airmen, have brought up reinforcements by motor cars. These have been met by the con centrated force of the French artillery. In fact, the artillery is becoming more and more the determining factor in the war. Around Ypres, tho Germans, berore launching their attacks, which have been delivered on successive days, set up a large number of heavy and light guns, subjecting the British to a bom bardment such as they themselves re ceived at Nuevo Chapel le. Officers and men who have escaped from it say that the trenches were utterly de stroyed and the ground churned up by the shells. Nevertheless, the British found some kind of shelter, and when the German Infantry tried to advance they were mowed down. There are no signs, however, of the German attacks slack ening. The Germans are reported to bo concentrating more levies iu Belgium, ready to take the place of or give sup port to those now on the firing line. Indeed, many believe that the biggest effort yet undertaken to reach the French coast ports is now under way. The Russians are making desperate efforts to stop the Austro-German on rush in Western Galicia and are fight ing stubborn rearguard actions in an endeavor to hold the Germanic allies until reinforcements can come up. JDespite the serious reverses they have suffered in the western part of the province, tho Russians continue their attacks in Eastern Galicia and along the eastern sector of the Car pathians. At the other end of the line in the Baltic provinces the Russians appar ently have brought up a force suffi ciently strong to drive back the Ger man raiders who were threatening Mitau. Seemingly they are leaving the Germans in undisputed possession for the present of Libau. The opinion prevails In Kome that Italy's entry into the war is the ques tion of days, while along the border the universal feeling la that It is a matter of hours. The peace party, however, contends that the country will remain neutral. Ex-Premier Giolittl. one of the chief exponents of the policy of peace, it is reported will enter the Italian Cabinet, taking a post without portfolio. Anti-German feeling, engendered by the sinking of the Lusitania, has caused riots in Liverpool, Manchester, Salford and Birkenhead. Property of Germans In all these places has either been burned, looted or damaged. In Liverpool all unnatur alized Germans have been interned and naturalised suspects of Great Britain of Germanic birth have been advised to leave the city. The question of the Internment of enemy subjects has been brought up In the House of Commons and the Cabinet will discuss the ques tion. A German aeroplane has dropped bombs on St. Denis. France,' wounding several persons and damaging several houses. TURKS SINK SUBMARINE Crew Captured Trying to Enter Marmora, Admiralty Hears. LONDON, May 11. The Admiralty tonight issued the following state ment: "A Turkish official communication, coming by way of Berlin and Amster dam, says the Australian submarine AE-2 has been sunk oy Turkish war ships while trying to enter the Sea. of Marmora and that the crew of three officers and 29 men were taken pris oners. "No confirmation of this report so far has been received at the Admi ralty." CANADA INTERNS GERMANS Steamer Prince George Collects 182 to Be Sent to Camp. VANCOUVER. B. C. May ' 11 The Grand Trunk Pacific steamship Prince George tonight brought 182 German and Austrian prisoners of war who wera im mediately transferred to a waiting train and taken to Vernon for Interment in the detention camp there. These men had been collected from Prince George and up-country points along tho Grand Trunk Pacific line. STEEL CHIEF HERE; TRADE MESSAGE JOY J. A. Farrell Shows Busi ness Is Improving. IRON AND STEEL TAKE JUMP Dollar Predicted Basis of Com merce of World. FOREIGN DEMAND TO GROW American Manufacturers to Control Eventually All 3Iarke(s; Profit Sharing Called Necessary. i Trout bt reams Lure. 4 SlfiXIKICAKT tTTEIlACr,S BV J JAMKS A. FARIIKI.U HEAD OK I'.MTKD STATES STI3i:l J CORPORATION. f The teel business has in- I creased more than 100 per cent I since January 1. I The American dollar is destined I to become the trade standard of the world. J American manufacturers event- ually will control the world's f principal markets. I Tremendous expansion of trude I will follow the close of the war. The profit-sharing arrange- ! ments. industrial accident relief, personal welfare work, pensions and co-operation arc accepted as the standard attitude of modern t employers toward employes. I These humanitarian methods are f necessary for present-day indus I trial success. I ' Oregon trout streams are so i alluring that I'm going to take ! a day off to try my luck, al though I never fid tied for trout i before. --- Business in iron, steel and allied trades has increased more than 100 per cent since tho flret of the year and Is continuing to increase. Thia la the cheerful mes:-a;re brought to Portland yesterday by James A. Far rell, president of the United States Steel corporation. Mr. Farrell was in Portland on a com bination business and pleasure visit, lie disposed of most of his buslncws yes terday and is prepared to tackle the pleasure today. Armed with a brand-new rod and reel, a wad of stout leaders, h rein forced line and an ample supply of spoons, hooks and flies, he departed last night for the Deschutes river. Ho was the guest of Thomas D. Honey man and was accompanied by a few friends, and the party was under the guidance of Curtis G. Sutherland, of the O.-W. R. &. N. Company, than wliunt no one Is better informed on the habit of the trout that don't want to be caught. "I never fished for trout In my iifc," confessed Mr. Farrell last night, "and If I catch anything on this trip 1 11 be tempted to come to Oregon to try my luck again." Preparations Made far Oatlna. "I'll bet ho catches some if thero are any fUsh to be caught," Insisted Mr. Sutherland, knowingly. Preliminary to the fishing expedition Mr. Farrell had to be measured for an outing shirt, a khaki suit and a pair of high-topped boots. This procets served to reveal the caliber of the man. He is tall, broad-shouldered and raw boned, but his outward appearance does not betray his real size. Ho is 48 Inches around the chest and 42 around tho waist. Every Inch of him is bone and muscle. There Is no surplus welpht about him. He is constantly in fit con dition, physically. And a man In bis position has to be For, besides being head of one of America's most gigantic Industrial con cerns, he is active in many other par ticulars. The United States Steel corporation Is probably the foremost present-day example, of "the new order" in the at titude of the large employer towards Its employes. Knaployrs' Welfare Promoted. It maintains successfully a profit sharing system with Its employes, a pension system, an accident relief fund, a sick benefit system and an employes" welfare system. The eljht-hour day long has been iri effect among the com pany's skilled men. While all these progressive depar tures were Inaugurated prior to Mr. Farrell's incumbency as president, ho is in hearty sympathy with them and declares them as essential to the suc cess of the company's extensive busi ness as is its accounting system or its sales force. "It Is the modern way of dentins with the employe." he said. "It Is tho accepted way by all modern corpora tions. The employe is entitled to an opportunity of sharing In the profits of the employer and the employer is in duty bound to take an interest in the welfare of the employe." latrrest txtends to Homes. The welfare work of the steel com pany goes so far as extending sanitary regulations to the homes of its work -inermen and providing proper housing . Concluded on lJay 15, Column i.j 1 10.2