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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1916)
VOL. Li VI. NO. 17,240. PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1916. PRICE FIVE CENTS. IS JAPANESE FLEET IS BRITISH BLOCKADE CHINESE 10 DEATH ATHLETE'S MEMORY FLITS WITH BLOW ASTORIA GAY FOR IN MEDITERRANEAN MINISTER CREATED PUT THIRD Of! US! L WARSHIPS BUI-VG GREAT NUM CABINET OFFICIAL TO HAVE OREGON STUDENT CONTINUES PLAV, BUT KNOWS IT NOT. BER OF AIRCRAFT. , FULL CHARGE OF QUESTION mm navy CHAMBERLAIN LAND BILL IS IN FAVOR E80 HACKED DU CELEBRATION Admiral Says France Is Close Fourth. BOARD FAVORS QUICK WORK Navy Equal to Any by 1925 Is Present Policy. ARMOR SUPPLY LIMITED Maximum Output Said to Be Suffi cicnt for Only Eight or Nine Big Ships a YearPresent Fleet Js ot Criticised. - WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. The object of the building policy formulated in 1313 by the Navy General Board, it was disclosed today before the House na val committee, was to keep the United States ahead of Germany In the race for naval supremacy. The statement was made by Rear-Admiral Charles J. Badger, a member of the general board, who explained that the policy had con templated a fleet of 48 first-lino bat tleships by 1913 to accomplish its pur pose. The ftatement did not go into the record of the hearing and Admiral Badger did not amplify it to show why the board had thought such a course necessary. Former Policy Abandoned. The Admiral was replying to a sug gestion that the object of the old pol icy, abandoned this year by the board for the first time, was to keep the American Navy In second place. While , that was the effect it had, he said, the real object was to keep ahead of Ger many. This year the board fixed as its pol icy the creation by 1925 of a fleet equal to the most powerful afloat at tha time, he said. The committee did no go into the board's reasons for chang ing its ideas beyond drawing out th explanation that the board believed a fleet 10 per cent superior to any fight lng force that might be brought against it would be necessary to in sure against the invasion of American soil by an enemy. Germany's Strength Estimated. Under questioning by Representa tive Kelley, Admiral Badger said the construction of three additional dread noughts and eight battle cruiser would place the Navy on a par Vith the capital ships of the German flee today. Germany now has 22 dread noughts and eight battle cruisers, he said, according to the best available information, while the United Staes has all told 19 ships of the dreadnought class, built or building. To equal Great Britain's fleet within two years. Admiral Badger said, the United States would be obliged to have a total force of 40 dreadnoughts. 15 battle cruisers, 23 swift scouting craft 200 submarines and 250 destroyers. He was not favoring such a programme, but merely answering questions by Representative Butler. Such a fleet could not be built in two years, he added, though it might be constructed In four. Output of Armor Limited. Representative Butler said construc tion experts of the Navy had told the committee that' the maximum number of capital ships that could be laid down at one time in the United States was 22, and that they could be com pleted in two years if the skilled labor could be found. Admiral Badger thought the armor output would not permit such rapid construction, and Representative Butler agreed, saying he had been told "by the man who sells armor to the Government" that the maximum possible output was 64,000 tons a year, or enough to equip eight or nine heavy ships. Chairman Padgett remarked that the armor manufacturers had told the in vestigating commission last year that they could produce only 2S.000 tons annually. in urging a great increase in the fleet Admiral Badger said he did not wish to be understood as saying the present force was not a thoroughly efficient one Fleet Good, as Far as It Goes. "I did not want to give the impres sion." he said, "that our fleet is no good. The only trouble with it is that it is not big enough for possibilities. It's a good fleet, well drilled, well equipped and well organized. 'We are now prepared just as far as our power will permit us to be. More power means more ships." Regarding the present place of the United States fleet among the navies of the world. Admiral Badger said, he classed it as third in fighting power, with France a close fourth. "1 think we are number three." he eaid. "Japan is coming along; but has a good deal to do to equal our fleet. In military power fighting efficiency I think we are a pretty good third, with France not far behind." Representative Kelley questioned Ad miral Badger as to the net result of the five-year building programme ad vocated by President Wilson. He asked if It actually meant any Increase what i ever over the old Congressional policy of two capital ships a year. Five-Year Plan Defended. The Admiral was inclined to think not. but later agreed with' a statement of Representative Callaway that, under the old two-ships-a-year programme. .iCoaclutled uu Puti J. Ctfliini u Vessels Presumably Sent to Protect Shipping Fnder Flag of ' Tokio Government. COPENHAGEN, via London, Feb. 22. German newspapers print dispatches from Italy saying that a Japanese fleet has arrived safely in the Mediterranean Sea, together with a great number o" air craft. Two Japanese steamers have been torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterra nean, the liner Yasaka Maru and the freighter Kenkoku Maru. On January 3 announcement was made at Tolfio by the Jiji Shimpo that a squadron of Japanese warships was to be dispatched to the Suez Canal, pre sumably for the purpose of protecting Japanese shipping. The armored cruis ers Kasuga, Tokiwa and Chitose were mentioned as having been assigned to this service. ROSLYN HAS $100,000 FIRE Department Store of Northwestern Improvement Company Damaged. TACOMA. Wash., Feb. 22. Approxi mately 1100,000 loss was caused by a fire starting in some refuse, swept in front of the ash pan of a boiler in the big department store of the North western Improvement Company at Roslyn, a coal mining town, according to advices received here. It was neces sary to blow in the side of the build ing with dynamite to get at the blaze. Help was called from Cle Elum. C. W. Swain, manager of the store, was over come by smoke. In. the building were the real an personal tax rolls of Kittitas County. These records and those of the company were rescued. Many iusee caps much oil was stored in the buildin but an explosion was averted. POLICE BALL IS SUCCESS Xearly 1000 Tickets Sold for Bene' fit of Disabled Officers. With a large crowd in attendanc the ball given in Cotillion Hall las night under the auspices of the Police Beneficiary Association proved an un qualified success. The profits of the affair will be devoted to the relief of officers injured in the performance of their duty or disqualified for work by sickness. Nearly 1000 tickets were sold The police orchestra of 14 pieces gave a concert between 7:30 and 8:30 o'clock. The. whole police band was deemed too large for playing In the hall. All th arrangements were in charge of a co mlttee of 48 patrolmen, headed by Cap tain Circle and six sergeants. STARVING COYOTES GO WILD t An i ma Is Invade Yards and Give Fight in Baker District. BAKER, Or., Feb. 22. Special.) Coyotes, unable to obtain food in th open, are invading; towns and ranches, causing great fear among ranchers. One coyote invaded the yard of Frank Pearce at Pleasant Valley and fought the dogs. Mrs. Pearce ran to separate them and the loyote chased her into the house. She slammed the door shu just before he reached it. Another coy ote entered the barnyard where Sam Rizor, living near Pleasant Valley, was feeding cattle, and attacked his dogs. Rizor and the dogs drove the animal away after a fight. FEED SCARCE; CATTLE DIE Losses in Baker District Are liuid to Soaring Prices. BAKER, Or., Feb. 22. (Special.) Because of the scarcity of feed in Grant County, oats have gone to $2.25 a 100 pounds and threaten to go still higher. Since the heavy storm, sheepmen have been in a dilemma regarding the care of the flocks. The rise started when Newton Shank bought 5000 pounds at 2 cents and M. Whetstone bought 2700 pounds at slightly higher price. Many sheepmen have been compelled to move their ant. mals nearly across the county and many have lost large numbers because of the inability to obtain food. SOUP KILLS OFF RABBITS E. F. Averill, However, Finds Coy otes Suffer Little From Campaign. PENDLETON, Or'.. Feb. 22. (Spe cial.) Thousands of rabbits are dead on the flats between Hermiston and Heppner, according to E. F. Averill of the United States Biological Sur vey, on his return from that section. Their death was due partly to the storm and partly to the poison cam paign waged by the farmers. Chopped alfalfa, poisoned and made into a soup. was put out for the animals. Coyotes, however, seem to have suf fered little, and a campaign will be waged for their extermination. AMBASSADOR GERARD HURT Collarlione Broken While Skating In Germany. BERLIN. Feb. 22. (By wireless to Sayville. N. T.) James W. Gerard, the American Ambassador, fell yesterday while skating at Partenkirchen, Ba varia, and broke his left collar bone. He returned to Berlin today in care of the naval attache of the Embassy and Surgeon Carl Ohnesford. Ambassador Gerard went to Parten kirchen -on Friday for a brief outing while the Winter sports were in progress.. Views of Admin istra tion Made Clear. OTHER MEASURES REJECTED Department of Justice to Of- - fer Amendments. TAXES REGARDED AS LIEN Provision That Would Have Con firmed Uncompleted Sales to C. A. Smith May Be Eliniinat . cd in Final . Draft. OREGON1AN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Feb. 22. The Administration favors the passage of the Chamber lain land grant bill, amended to meet the views of the Attorney-General. It is opposed to every other' pend ing land grant bill. This was devel oped at today's hearing before tne House public lands committee, when C. J. Smyth, Government' counsel in the land grant case, eplalned the stand of the Department of Justice, and Chairman Ferris volunteered the state ment that Secretary Lane favored the Chamberlain plan and was In accord with the Attorney-General. It also developed at today's hearing that there is a Joker in one of the new provisions recommended by the Attorney-General and the smiles that were evident on the faces of committee members when Representative Sinnott made this known indicated that this provision may have to be eliminated. C. A. Smith Also Benefited. Mr. Smyth was emphasizing the Jus tice of the amendment recommended by the Attorney-General permitting those who had contracted to buy lands from the railroad company, but who have not yet made payment In full and have not secured title, to get title in the same manner as provided in the innocent purchaser's act. He said some 80,000 acres were tied up in executory contracts. Mr. Sinnott asked who would benefit by this provision. A number of poor people," replied Mr. Smyth. "Is Mr. C. A. Smith one of the 'poor people' who would benefit under this amendment?" asked Mr. Sinnott. Mr. Smyth was evidently flustered, but admitted that C. A. Smith was one of the beneficiaries. frow' extensive are Mr. Smtih's con tracts?" asked Mr. Sinnott. I ' do not know," answered Mr. Smyth, "but they are very large. This disclosure that the Attorney- General's amendment will operate to confirm uncompleted sales to C. A. Smith opened the eyes of the com mittee. Settlers' Rights in Issue. "But," persisted Mr. Sinnott, ''you are insisting mai seiners wno nave been living on this land, some of them for years and maintaining homes and (Concluded on Page 2. Column 2. ) Responsibility for General Trade Policy to Be Placed on Shoul ders of One . Man. LONDON, Feb. 22. The government through the Marquis of Lansdowne. an nounced in the House of Lords tonigh that It had decided to turn over all matters conected with the blockade of Germany to one man who would rank as a fullfledged Cabinet Minister. It is understood that the new post will go to Lord Robert Cecil, who since the formation of the coalition government, has been Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He will retain this post, joining the Cabinet Blockade Minister. The new Minister will be charged with- the administration of the order in council - regulating - the blockade, as well as responsibility for the general policy and practice of the government with respect to trade passing to or from neutral countries. Lord Robert Cecil is a lawyer of wide experience and a young man. members of the British Cabinet go. In the Foreign, Office he has been inti mately concerned with blockade opera tions, particularly in their relation to the complicated matters touching bel ligerent and neutral rights. His ele vation to the cabinet will give the Unionists another representative in the coalition councils. ONLY 5 CO-EDS ARE DRONES Of SO Failures at Agricultural Col lege 45 Are Men. OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Corvallis, Feb. 22. (Special.) Women students at the Oregon Agricultural College are superior to the men in scholastic attainment. Fifty students failed In the past semester's work. Of these only five were women. All who failed were dropped from the college rolls. Of these 28 being first offenders were reinstated on trict probation, 15 were denied rein statement for at least one semester and seven voluntarily withdrew from col lege. WOMAN SUFFRAGE GAINS Maryland Senate Passes Bill for Constitutional Amendment. v ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 22. Woman suffrage won a victory in the Senate by a vote of 17 to 10. The measure is pefiding in the House and is a special order for consideration tomorrow. Tr nfltcA4 Kv tYit ITrtilca srnm.rA . ' ,. ,,, t i dered for his money they are not over by the Governor the question will be!. , . , .. . submitted to the voters of Maryland in the form of a constitutional amend ment. OLD FORT PUT ON HIGHWAY Blockhouse Built in 1856 at Clieha lis Moved to View Point. CENTRALIA, Wash., Feb. 22. (Spe cial.) The work of moving Fort Borst from, the banks of the Chehalis River to city property just west of the city limits was completed yesterday. The moving was performed under the direction of the Commercial Club. The blockhouse was erected in 1856. It now rests on the Pacific Highway and is expected to be an Interesting object for tourists. TWO KINDS OF PREPAREDNESS. Two Mysterious Nighf Visitors Sought. FRIENLujTuIRK IN BODY Robbery Theory Is Favored by Police, Not Tong War. PURSEAND MONEY MISSING Movements of Strange Celestials :rc Traced Victim Declared Not Connected With Either of Warring Factions. ROSEBURG. Or.. Feb. 22. (Special.) With his head horribly cut and bat tered and his throat severed from ear to ear, the body of Lee Faut. an aged Chinese laundry worker of this city. was found late today in his humble quarters almost in the heart of the business district. A friend who discov ered the body notified the officers Following a brief investigation, Sher ff Quine declared that he believed Lee was attacked soon after he retired for the night. A blood-bespattered hatchet. found near the body, indicated that it was with thij weapon that the assail ants struck their victim several blows on the head. A keen dirk, with a blade about eight inches In length, was found penetrating ghastly wound at the base of the abdomen. Strangers' Visit Recounted, Ling Toy, a Roseburg Chinese, in formed the officers that he visited Tree's dwelling last night and found two strange Celestials there. One of these men, he said.' he thought he had met previously. Ling Toy said that when he left' for his home after 10 o'clock the strangers were still chatting with Lee Faut. At a late hour tonight, the men mentioned by Ling had not been located, and it is believed they have left town. Ling said he believed the men lived either n Portland or Eugene. vvnue tne oiticers are working o the theory that Lee Faut was mur looking the fact that a tong war I raging on the Pacific Coast. Roseburg Chinamen deny that Lee Faut belonged to either tong. Lee Faut lived alone 1 his cabin and is said to have accumu lated considerable money. Most of Money Kept In Bank, Most or his funds, however, are known to be on deposit in a local bank. Although Faut generally kept few dollars on his person not a cen could be located by the officers today A bill purse which he carried Is also said to be missing. Trior to coming to Roseburg thre years ago, Lee Faut lived at Grants Pass, where he conducted a laundry Prior to that time, he resided in Port land for many years. A Coroner's jury was selected this (Concluded on Page 4, Column 3.) t Psychologists Describe Case of Glenn . Wheeler at Eugene as Retro active Amnesia. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON. Eugene, Feb. ?2. (Special.) Glenn ("Tubby") Wheeler, for two years one of Bezdek's mainstays on the varsity basketball team, lost all memory yesterday after noon when playing a game of basket ball in the gymnasium. He did not "come to" until this morn ing and can remember only up to noon of yesterday. He has suffered from retroactive amnesia, according lo psychologists. .Wheeler was playing forward when he was hit on the jaw. He sat down on the floor, dazed, and then got up and continued playing to the end of the game. When it was over ho went down into the locker-room and asked one of the boys what he had been doing. When he was told, he asked questions of the game, but could remember noth ing of playing. He was taken home and put to bed, ana this morning was somewhat better, but feeling weak from the effects. Several years ago he was hit on the Jaw similarly and rendered uncon scious. FORFEITURE BILL OFFERED Reluni of Unused Railway Rights of Way. Is Favored. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, freb. 22. Representative Ferri.- of Oklahoma, chairman of the public lands committee, at the request of the interior Department, hus introduced bill forfeiting "to the United States all lands granted to railroads for right of way purposes, where the railroad has not been constructed within five years following the date of its location. The bill reconveys to the United States full title to such lands, and provides that tne -rorreiture hereby declared shall. wnnoui need or lurther assurance or conveyance, inure to the benefit of any owner or owners of land heretofore conveyed by the United States subject to any sucn grant of right of way." There will be no forfeiture, however where railroad construction is progress ing in good faith at the time of the passage of the bill. "GENERAL GLOOM" BURIED Symbol b-T Pessimism Dropped in Pacific Amid Merry Mourners. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22. "General Gloom," a symbol of pessimism in the form of a gigantic hammer which has been buried at several points since it was started West by the Rotary Club, of Syracuse, N. T., was today consigned to its final resting place on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean by an optimistic party of mourners from the steamer Bear. The cheerful cortege was organized by the San Francisco Rotarians. GILL LEAD NEARLY 2 TO 1 Mayor Gets 30,845 of 58,411 Cast, While Opponent Has 15,932. SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. 22. Hiram C. Gill, Mayor, seeking renomination in yesterday's primary election, received 30,845 of the 58.411 votes cast, his nearest competitor, who will be Mr. Gills opponent in the election of March 7, being Austin E. Griffiths, with 15,932. councilman Oliver T. Knckson go 9724 votes. Charles D. Raymer, So cialist candidate for Mayor, received 1910 votes. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, degrees; minimum. 6b decreet. TODAY'S Fair; northwesterly winds. War. Japanese fleet reported in Mediterranean sea. Page 1. Baron Berosford attacks British naval pol ley. Page 2. British create Minister in Cabinet to havt charge of blockade. rage 1. Bulk of Czar's Warsaw army saved by hold- lng out ot ono fort, ragu I. Foreign. French join Americans In Paris at Washing ton s birtnday observance. 1 age National. Qhamberlaln land-grant bill finds favor with Administration. 1'ago 1. '.Ticturo brides" to bo barred by immigration bill. Pago 3. American Navy rated as third on world's list by Admiral Hadger. Page. 1. Domestic. Educator.! discuss child welfare. Page Wreck on New Haven cause of nino deaths. Fage 4. Women accused of blackmailing rich Seattle men by use of camera. Page 4, Charges of graft, in women's department of city government, stirs Chicago, Pago 4. Sports. Salt Lake perfecting affiliation with New lone Yanks. 1'age 13. Washington State College five on important tour, without two basketball star. Page li. Big card on tonight at Rose City Club. Page 1 li. Beavers to get Wilie and Harstad from Cleveland. Fage IX racific Northwest I Astoria holds elaborate dual celebration. Page 1. Oregon athlete'j memory upset by blow on jaw. Page I. Subterfuge to get state guarantee of irriga tion bonds changed. Page tt. Roseburg Chlneso hacked to death. Fage 1. Governor urges boys to stay on farm. Page 5. Commercial and Marine. Establishment of great wool market at Portland assured by experiment of past season. Pago IV. Hearing on tomorrow ocr harbor lines. Page 17- Portland and Vicinity. Peace conference held by tongs. Page 16. Sons of Revolution elect officers. Page 9. Chamber takes up Portland's rate problem. Pago :;. All city plants roses as part of tribute to Washington. Page IB. "Romeo and .lullet" benefit to save 70 babies. Page 13. Weather report, data and forecast. Fage 17. Lumbermen will commence three-day session here this nioinios. rase 17, Patriotism to City and Country Stirs Throng. DECORATIONS ARE GENERAL Speakers All Predict Great Future for Port. AID FOR ALL OREGON SEEN Keynote it Gathering Is Drlcriiiina tion to Make Most of Opportun ity by Uniting for Increaso of Commercial Importance. ASTORIA. Or.. Feb. 21". (Special. Astoria held a auuble celebration to day in commemoration of the Nation first President and in honor of what j was more fresh in the minds of every one, tne granting of parity rules to tin: Lower Columbia River district. It was a day of Jollification mid congratulations. The weather was Ideal. Flags were floating from almost every housetop and crowds of enthu siastic citizens lined the gaily deco rated streets, listening to the music, and oratory and complimenting their neighbors that the Columbia hus at last come into its own. , 4prn-.r Meeting Held. The celebration proper commenced at 3 o'clock with an open-air meeting that was attended by thousands of pel sons. Several speakers addressed -4Jw-.il v -sembly and, while each 'spoke of tin: victory gained, the majority laid stress on the fact that the battle Is but half won that what is most needed is unity of action in procuring the business, which the port is now prepared to handle. A victory, not for Astoria, but for the whole of Oregon and the Columbia, Basin. That was the underlying senli- ment of practically every address mad at tonight's banquet. I nit j' of Purpose I rged. That sentiment, with the admonition that Oregon must unite and york as solid commonwealth for the benefit of all sections If she wishes to thrive commercially, was the burden of every speech, and it was a line of thought that aroused the enthusiasm of every one present. Dr. Affrcd Kinney, chairman of the committee, opened the afternoon pro gramme by recalling the work of the committee of 21 organized 21 years ao to obtain three things for Astoria: First, equitable rates to and from all points reached by rail; second, im mediate dredging of the entrance to the Columbia River to gain a 10-foot channel; and third, suitable port ami docks capable of accommodiilin i the argest ships sailing the seas. Further Progreaa Predicted. The people today huve realized these conditions, he said, and are on the road to even greater prosperity. Mayor Fred J. Johnson explained how grateful the people should be over the victory Just won and wh.-it the future held In storo for Ihoni. H admonished his hearers to stand to gether, to be careful of their criticism of others, and above all to be truthful to themselves. Wallace R. Struble spoke upon th effect of the rato decision upon the Columbia River basin. He said this was a great achievement, hut that even greater things were In itoro for the city, and he hoped to see the day when the Lower Columbia River harbor would be filled with commerce from all marts of the world. He urscd the people to support the naval base com mittee, assuring them that no stone, would be left unturned until this val uable acquisition was procured. unl rurpoae Pointed Out, Rev. YV. S. Gilbert called attention to the dual celebration the people were holding, that of commemorating the name and fame of George Washington and rejoicing over the victory that would increase the commerce of th' district. J. M. Anderson spoke briefly on (Tie advantages gained by being placed on a parity with Fugct Sound and other points. . He told the people that As toria had much for the future and that the fight must be continued to hold and utilize the commercial Ad vantages before them. Ex-Senator Charles W. Fulton said that while he lived in Portland his heart was in Astoria. He was more than gratified over-the success of hi home city in gaining the rate recog nition and believed that it meant more to tho people of the Lower Columbia River district than they themselves realized. Shipping Organization Urged. J. E. Cratkc, of the Astoria Budget, spoke briefly on the opportunities be fore the people since the rate suit had been decided in Astoria's favor. Ho called attention to the importance of extending tho Influence of the com munity by organizing for the export trade. There are opportunities, ho de clared, that could be developed lo bring grain to Astoria now if the people grasped them. Steamship lines, he asserted, stand ready to co-operate with Astoria If ts business men show a disposition to meet them halfway and Astoria had (LvactitU on rase u. Column 1-).