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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1916)
VOL. LVI XO. 17,241. PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1916. PRICE FIVE CENTS. GERMANS BRING IN 30-DAY TRUCE MADE 8Y WARRING TONGS VIRTUE GOLD MINE IN BAKER TO OPEN FIGHT AUTHORIZED BRITISH SEIZURE IS TO BE PROTESTED NEW BRITISH PRIZE M LOIR RATES STEAMER WESTBt'RX EXTEKS FOUR-YEAR LEASE AT $500,000 OPTION IS RATIFIED. WASHINGTON' GETS REPORT OF ACTIOX OFF CHINA COAST. CANARY ISLAND HAIJBOR. MRHCORPS If! VERDUN DRIVE W IS FEARED IN SHIP CRISIS Army of 280,000 En gaged in Violent Attack, FIGHTING IN WEST INTENSE Berlin Says 5000 Prisoners ' Have Been Taken in Neigh v borhood of Woevre. ;LINE IN ALSACE BROKEN French Say They Have Re taken Part of Forest They Previously Lost. PARIS, Feb. 23. The battle of Ver dun continues with growing intensity. It extends over a front of 400 kilo meters (25 miles), and seven German army corps (280,000 men) are en gaged. This announcement was mad officially by the War Office tonight. The official statement issued earlier in the day made reference to the ener getic bombardment being conducted in that region, but referred to the infan try activity as extending over a front of 'only 15 kilometers (10 miles) There was violent fighting at other poVnts on the French front as well. French Retake Part of Forest. "The struggle," says the War Office communication, "is continued with violence against the right bank of the Meuse toward the southeast. East o this point a counter attack enabled us to retake the greater part of the for est of Causes, situated in 'the salient occupied yesteYday by the enemy north of Beaumont. "A strong German attack on Herbe forest was stopped by our curtain of fire. According to statements of pris oners, whole units were completely de stroyed in the course of these actions. A desultory artillery duel contin ues in the region of Haute Charriere and of Fromerey in Torraine. In the region of Nomeny, our artillery has been active. An enemy reconnaissance north of Letricourt failed to reach our lines. Village Evacuated, Environs Held. "In the Herbe forest we have evacu ated the village of Haumont. We still hold the environs after a bitter fight, in which our troops Inflicted heavy losses on the enemy." BERLIN, via London, Feb. 23. An nouncement of another important gain in the offensive on the western front was made by the War Office today. The statement says that in Upper Al sace the Germans captured a position 700 yards .wide and 400 yards deep. The War Office also announced that German forces had penetrated the op posing lines for a distance of three kilometers (two miles) in the northern sector of the Woevre. It is said the allies lost more than 3000 prisoners and great quantities of material. The official statement says: "In the neighborhood of the trenches captured by our troops Feb ruary 21 to the east of Souchez the positions of the enemy were consid erably damaged by mining operations The number pf prisoners taken here was increased to 11 officers and 348 men. The booty consisted of three machine guns. Germans Report 3000 Prisoners. "In the Maas hills artillery duels continued with undiminished violence. "East of. the Meuse River we at tacked a position which the enemy has been fortifying for one and a half years with all means of fortress con struction, in the neighborhood of the village of Consenvoye, in order to maintain an embarrassing effect on our defense in the northern sector of the Woevre. "The attack was delivered in a front extending well over ten kilometers (six miles) and we penetrated as far as three kilometers into the enemy's lines. "Apart from considerable' sanguin ary losses, the enemy lost more than 3000 men in prisoners and great quan tities of material, the extent of which cannot yet be estimated. . "In Upper Alsace our attack east of Heidwiler resulted in capturing an enemy position extending over a width of 700 meters and for a depth of 400 meters. About 80 prisoners were taken." I Passcncers From Several Other Vessels Are Aboard on Reach ing Spanish Port. LONDON'. Feb. 23. A dispatch re ceived from Santa Cruz,' Teneriffe (Canary Islands), says the British steamer Westburn has out in there for repairs flying the German flag and with a prize crew of seven men and one officer. The officer is believed to belong to the German raider Moewe. In addition to her own crew there are 206 passengers, taken from various British vessels; on the Westburn. The Westburn left Liverpool January 21 for Buenos Aires. The prisoners on board came from the British steamers Flamenco, Horace, Clan McTavish and Cambridge, the British bark Edinburgh and the Bel gian steamer Luxembourg, all pre sumably sunk. The Westburn, after her departure from Liverpool, was last reported as pausing St. Vince,nt, Capo Verde, Feb ruary 4. The Flamenco left Newport, England, for Valparaiso, January 21, and the- Horace left Buenos Ayres, Jan uary 26, for Liverpool.- The Luxem bourg, left Newport for Buenos Ayrs January 18. The Edinburgh sailed from Rangoon, India, September 22, for Liv erpool. The Cambridge cannot be Iden tified, but may be tho Corbridge. The Canary Islands fcelong to Spain and the port of Santa Cruz de Teneriffe is one of tlte few fairly good harbors of the group. Several German merchantmen at Santa Cruz were reported to be arming themselves, it was presumed, for com merce raiding. Peace Leaders Mediate Factions' Differences. MURDER HONORS EVEN NOW Armistice Bulletin Beings Joy to Chinese Fearing Death. GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES Indictment for Murder of Hop Sin; Member Wedncsdpy Morning Is Expected Today Assassin Is Sullen and Silent. A. truce between the 'warring Port land branches of the Hop Sing ana Bing Kong-Bow Leong tongs was de clared yesterday at 4 o'clock. At the headquarters of the Chinese Benevolent Association. Fourth and Davis streets, on the third floor, rep resentatlves and dignitaries of the battling societies solemnly pledged themselves and their clansmen to re frain from war during the following month. The meeting was held at the instigation and under the direction of the Chinese Peace Society. Session Lasts Two Honrs. ,For two hours various phases of the situation that has cost two lives and disabled two other tongmen within the past week were dlseussed by promi nent members of the parties at strife. In the end the advocates of harmony gained their point. Documents were prepared setting forth the situation and naming the Hop Sing and Bing Kong-Bow Leong tongs as parties to the strife and pledging both societies to the rigid maintenance of a 30-days armistice. To the paper so prepared Lee Way, chief of the Portland Hop Sings, and Time- Bonir. chief of the rival Bing Kongs, with which the Bow Leong tong is affiliated,.affixed their signa tures and the seals' of their orders. Pence Emissaries Happy. Happy with the success of his ef forts toward settlement. Mo Lee Tong. New York Court Tukeft Jurisdiction vice-president of the Chinese Peace So ciety of Portland, hurried with a proc lamation of the truce to the bulletin wall at Second and Oak streets. NEW YORK. Feb. 23. An interlocu- Scores of Chinese gathered about me tory decree of divorce was granted here I proclamation and read it with llvet todav to Princess Evelyn Partrielare disDlav of interest and enthusiasm. To Entralitcheff. daughter of Charles Ni I men who have walked with rear GILLIES' FATE WITH JURY Defense Insists State Failed to Show Defendant "Got the Money." OLYMPIA, Wash., Feb. 23. Argu ments in the trial of John F. Gillies, deposed claim agent of the Industrial Insurance Commission, accused of grand larceny in connection with the industrial insurance frauds, were com pleted and the case given to the jury at 4:40 o'clock this afternoon. The jury is composed of six men and six women. Attorneys for the defense in their closing argument laid most stress on the assertion that the stats failed to show that Gillies "got" the money." PRINCESS WINS DECREE in Case of Russians. Partridge, of Chicago, in her suit against Prince Nichol is Vladaovich En- galitcheff, of Russia. The case was the only one on record in this country where there was a dis pute as to whether the suit could be tried here or in the courts of Russia. The defendant contended his Russian tizenship entitled him to a trial of the issues in his own country. CYCLONE DESTROYS TOWN for seven days or more the bulletin street corner was a happy haven. Two murders have been" committed since the plans for peace were 'begun. One Bow Leong died in St. Vincent's Hospital of his wounds, received Mon day. With swift vengeance came the killing of a reputed Hop Sing early yesterday morning. The Peace Society, with true Oriental blandnessv held to its original course and produced results that the white (Concluded on Page 4. Column Initial Expenditure f $50,000 to Be Made In Preparing to Op- erate Baker Property. BAKER, Or.. Feb. 23. (Special.) The Virtue mine, known as one of the best producers in this vicinity, will resume next Wednesday as a steady gold producer, it was announced at the close of a special meeting of the stockholders of the Virtue Mines De velopment Company today. At the meeting ratification was made of a four-year lease and option on the property to George W. Fields & Company, of Boston. The purchase price named is J500,000 and the lease is on a royalty basis of 17 per cent of the gross receipts for the first two years and 20 per cent for the last half of the period covered. The contract will go into effect March 1 and fail ure to operate for any 6Q consecutive days will automatically abrogate the contract. J. K. Komig, president of the Virtue Mines Company, has been appointed by the Fields' Interests as manager of the mine and will have personal sup ervision of the development work. The initial expenditure to put the mine in running , order will amount to $50,000. During the past 15 years the mine has been worked only spasmodically and for the last three .years of that time has been almost inactive. Since 1901 approximately 54C0.OO0 was taken out, and the mine has a total yield, through its entire history, of $3,000,- 000. nan ui diiipcJ .o Left to ri ,.i?ttee. CHAMBER BUREAU IS UNIT SWEDEN ' WILL GET COAL Britain Grants Trade Privilege Exchange for Concessions. in LONDON, Feb. 23. Sweden will be permitted to import larger supplies of coal from Great Britain than hitherto under a fresh arrangement 'with the British government. In return, Sweden has consented to the export of certain articles, including pit props, to Great Britain. ' Sweden also will transmit- goods for Russia. R0SEBURG TRAIN RESUMED Improved Business Warrants Local Freight to Junction City EUGENE, Or., Feb: 23. (Special.) The Southern Pacific Company an nounced today that a local freight train would be put on between Junction City and Roscburg. This train was discon tinued several months ago on agcount of business depression. Improved conditions warrant the re sumption of this service, it. is said. Analytical Review of City's Present Position Given. NEW SUIT TO BE STARTED Attitude Is That Portland's Advan tageous Geographical Location Should Be Recognized Now as It Was in Original Case. .s'.rest of Germans on American ( Vessel on High Seas to Be Hold Violution of Territory. WASHINGTON. Feb. 23. The Amer ican Consul at Shanghai, China, today submitted a partial report to the State Department on the recent seizure of 38 Germans aboard the American steam ship China by a British warship. The report gave no details, but fixed the location of the incident as "10 miles off shore." Should it be established that the seizures took place on the high seas, as the Consul's report indicates, the State Department is expected to protest to Great Britain, reasserting its con tention that persons on American ves sels outside territorial waters are en titled to the same protection that would be due them on American ter ritory. That principle was asserted in a pro test to France recently, which effected the release of Germans and Austrlans seized by the French cruiser Descartes, and has been maintained in several sim ilar cases. CO-EDS PRESENT PAGEANT BRITAIN SHORT OF DYES Prices Soar and Vast Stocks of Tex tiles Await Treatment. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. Consular dispatches received here today told how Great Britain as well as the United States,, is feeling the pinch of dyestuffs shortage. Prices are soaring and vast quan tities of goods are accumulating to be yed, the reports said. A committee of five representative Portland business men will determine, within the next few days, what will bo Portland's future attitude on the terminal rate situation. The executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce, transportation bureau, at a special session at noon yesterday authorized L. A. Lewis, chairman of the bureau, to appoint this committee. Three members are to be selected from the membership of the bureau and two from members of the Chamber outside the bureau. Their action, of course, will be subject to the approval of the. Chamber directors. Analytical Report Made. At yesterday's meeting an analytical report of the Interstate Commerce Commission's recent ruling in the As toria rate case was presented by J. H. Lothrop, traffic manager for the Chamber of Commerce. J. N. Teal, I traffic attorney, supplemented Mr. Lothrop's report by a brief discussion of several phases of the case as they apply particularly to Portland. It seemed to be the universal sentl ment of the men attending yesterday s meeting that Portland should take firm stand in defense of its advanta gaous position at the foot of the wate grade, that drains, the great interior V region. New Rate to Be Sought. It was informally decided to bring new suit before the Commission seeking a rate for Portland lower than the Puget Sound and the Astoria rate, This action, it was agreed, should be started at the earliest possible moment. But whethee Portland should bring action aiming to set .aside that part of the Commission's recent decision that applies to Portland was not deter mined. In support of the contention that Portland should ask for lower-than terminal rates, students of the situation point out that Commissioner Clark, in his decision on the original Astor rate .case, laid down the principle that Portland is entitled to lower rates than Astoria. Now the Commission, in its decision of last week, has set aside this prin- Fifty-Year Jubilee or Y". V. Celebrated at Eugene. C. A. Democrats Seek to Tie Hands of President, TENSION IN CONGRESS HIGH Administration Fights Rcso- lution Warning Americans From Armed Vessels. DAY FULL OF SURPRISES Wilson Holds Repudiation of Policy Would Hamper Dip lomatic Negotiations. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, Eugene. Feb. 23. (Special.) One hundred ! pretty co-eds today participated in an historical pageant a featuro of the Nation-wide Y. W. C. A. jubilee celebra tion of the organization of tho associa tion in 1866. The pageant was entitled "Girls of Yesterday and Today," Miss Juanita Wilkins, of Eugene, and Miss Emma Wootton. of Astoria, typifying the girls of 1S66 and 1916. The pageant was presented before an audience of university and townspeople at the regular assembly hour of 10 o'clock. $50,000 MADE FROM FARM "Cnnrlurieri on Pase Column 1.) Storm 'Apears to Have Been Gen oral Over Central Alabama. MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 23. Meager reports tonight from Brewton, Ala., said a cyclone late today practi cally demolished the village of Apple- ton. 10 miles away. Medical aid was called for from Brewton, but the extent of injuries or fatalities had not been reported. The storm appeared to be general in Central Alabama, extending from east of Brewton, south of this city, to Clan- ton, SO miles north. - SEE WHO'S BACK FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE DEEP, DARK WOODS! TWO MEN BLOWN TO ATOMS No Trace of Bodies Found After Nitro-Gljcerine Explosion. EMPORIUM, Ta.. Feb. 23. Jack la- cum and Victor Sudderland, of Empori um, were killed today when nitroglyc erin in the gelatin house at 'the Em porium Powder Mill of the Aetna Ex plosive company exploded, I here were no other ;nen in the building. No trace of the bodies of the two-l men were found. The explosion was heard at Driftwood, nine miles away. WEDDING PARTY DROWNS Four Lost When Launch Down in Alaska. Goes SEWARD. Alaska, 'Feb. 23. The launch Mattie, carrying a wedding party from Afognak to Kodlak foun dered a few days ago and four persons were drowned. The dead were John Payjomem Jesse Robins. Sarah Larson and Mrs. Oroloff. The bady of Payjomen was washed ashore on Wood Island, near Kodiak. FULTON CAR TURNS OVER Ten Passengers Cut and Bruised, but None Seriously Hurt. Fulton car 346. in charge of Gondii or R. H. Crouty and Motorman W. Miller, southbound, turned turtle at the corner of Virginia and Nebraska treets about 11 o'clock last night. Of the 13 passengers on the car, 10 were cut and bruised, but none was seriously hurt. t I - 1 e- ' It t : ' - . ' Land Regarded as Worthless Years Ago Is Developed. 12 EUGENE. Or., Feb. 23. (Special.) Intelligent farming methods employed on a ranch near here, -.which 12 years ago was regarded as worthless and of no soil value, resulted In a profit by the owner, J. M. Wilson, of 150,000 in the 12-year period, according to George II. McMorran, of this city. air. wuson bought the land on a "shoestring," developed it, netted good profits from his crops and is now well-to-do, according to Mr. McMorran. P0ST0FFICE PLANS HALTED Change in Portland Building Means New Delay of Several Weeks. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Feb. 23. Because of modifica tions which are deemed necessary, plans for the Portland Postoffice build ing have, been returned to Architect Hobart at San Francisco. The changes are not radical, but will delay the advertisement for bids three or four weeks. British Deny Mutiny in Egypt. AVASHINGTON, Feb. 23 The British Embassy today issued a denial of a report received here by wireless, from Berlin that there had been a mutiny of Indian tribes in Egypt. I,TKST DKVKMIPMKM'S IN ritiM ovi:n (.i ihhm n xka roi.icv. Agitation suddenly develops In Congress fur warning to Amer icans to keep off Hrmed mer chantmen of bclilKcrents. Administration Insists on right of Americans to travel on mer chant vessels, as broad principle, not to be abandoned. Many democrats fHVor repu diating Administration pulley If necessary. Wilson known to believe breaking off of relations with Germany means wnr, but holds Congress' action would embar rass him In negotiations. Republican Leader Munn In sympathy with President's poj-i-tlon. Administration leaders concen trate effor's on preventing out break of discussion tod.iy. Senator Gore to offer resolu tion refusing passports for voy ages on belligerent vessels. Wilson determined to insist on settlement without prolonged negotiations. Only six days remain before. German order to submarine com manders becomes effective. Tension In both bouses of Con gress is keen. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Heather. YESTKR PAY'S Maximum temperature. 65 degrees; minimum, 43 degrees. TODAY'S Fair; northeasterly winds. War. Seven German army corps attacking Verdun Page 1. . -v Hermann take Urittsli prize into Canary Island purt. Page- 1. Nutiiinal. Representative Mr-Arthur proposes complete revision of shipping laws hy experts. Page 3. Navy's needs and dangers to ho revealed behind closed doors. I'aRC 1. British artlon in arresting tlermans on American vessel will be protested when confirmed. Page 1. Armed merchantman crisis acute In Con gress; Wilson strives to prevent action to warn Americans front sailing on bel ligerent ..vessels. Pane 1. New charges of legal trickery made against Brandeis. Pago I. Domes! ic. Burton and Cummins officially In Presiden tial race, Page 4. New charge made by Chicago woman against woman superior In office. Page- .1. Connecticut Republicans favor Hughes, Burton or ltoot for President. Foge 4. Prince Mlsklnoff drops separation suit on learning babv is foundling. Page 3. Spcrt. James John High School defeats Franklin at basketball. Page 14. M Delmar Baker praises Wlllc and Harstad. Page J 4. Frank Moi-an confident of victory, rage 14. state fair racing programme arranged. Page It. Taelflc Northwest. Baker gold producer is leased for steady operation. Page 1. V I T Sichler arrested as prime mover In Seattle blackmail syndicate. Page u. Commercial and Marine. Wool contracting starts in Kastern Oregon. Page 10. "Wheat slumps at Chicago on weakness at Winnipeg and Liverpool. Page 10. Wall street stock dealings smallest in months. Page 10. Negotiations for sale of gasoline schooner Anvil pend. . Pago 18. Portland and Vicinity. Warring Chinose tongs agree to 30-day truce. Page 1. Representatives of great lumber interests meet here. Page u. Portland to fight for lower freight rate. Page . Fish Warden Kelly quits because of fric tion with Commission. Page 7. Intent to wreck Union Pacific Life, charge in reply to suit. Pag 18. Opera benefit for Baby Home is tonight. Auditorium contract is let to Hans Pedersoo, oespite protests, page zu. Chamber npproves plans for new bureau of jmbliu ugoauuiy and eUKK-ncj, lags 2. WASHINGTON, Feb. iX Agita tion in Congress for action warning Americans off armed ships of the European belligerents suddenly grew to such proportions today that Demo crats of the foreign affairs commit tee voted to canvass the sentiment of the House on several pending resolu tions of that nature. Sentiment in tho Senate in favor of somj such action also was expressed openly, but at the end of n day of surprises, tension and agitation such as has not been seen in Congress in some time, the word came that Presi dent Wilson still was unalterably op posed to amy such action by Congress, and that he would only be embarrassed thereby in the negotiations with Ger many. Final Position Undetermined. Suggestions were widely circulated that the situation had reached a poii-.t where the President noon would lay it before Congress, that Secretary Lan sing might in some way define the at titude of the Government in a com munication to Senator Stone, and that a time had been fixed within which the United States would expect Ger many to signify her intention to aban don the announced intention to sink armed merchant ships without warn ing. In reply the uniform statement was made officially that nothing had been determined upon; that the situation, though grave, still was a waiting one, and that no final position would be announced until Berlin was heard from. Leaders Are Apprehensive. The sudden development at the Capitol brought surprise and appre hension to the Administration lead ers. While confronted with the pos sibility of Congressional interference, with all its grave aspects, ranging from a' defection from the Adminis tration policy to downright embarrass ment of the President and the Secre tary of State, the leaders were confi dent they would control the situation and leave tje executive branch of the Government free to carry on diplo matic negotiations with Germany. At no time today did the question come out openly on the floor of either the House or the Senate, but about a score of members who announced they were in favor of warning Americans, tCuucluUvd uu l'au 2, CuJumn i.j I ' . - ' : ' ' ' ' . r ' '