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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 1916)
. ... Jlwtiiti Jj n ptttai, TZITTZ pnnTUn nnEGOV. TTTFSDAY. FEBRUARY 29. 1916. PRICE FIVE CENTS. 1j v i. v. i - TITANIC COMBAT EBBSAND FLOWS Germans, Halted at Ver dun! Gain in Champagne. BOTH SIDES LOSE HEAVILY Teutons Advance Over 1600- Yard Front in Champagne and Attack in Woevre. FIGHTING IS HAND-TO-HAND Carnage Around Ancient Fort Frightful Douaumont Is Center of Battling. LONDON, Feb. 28. Attacks of the Germans to the north of Verdun, where the battle for the fortress is still racing fiercely, were driven back by the French fire and counter at tacks, according to the official com munication issued by the French War Office today. Hand-to-hand encounters occurred to the west of Fort Douaumont and the Germans are reported to have been driven from a small redoubt which they had taken. German at tacks on Fresnes, in the Woevre, the official communication adds, com pletely failed. Germans Gain in Champagne. The fighting in the Champagne dis trict, however, was, according to Ber lin War Office reports today, far more effective from a German stand ' point. There French positions on both sides of Navarin farm, over a front of about 1600 yards, were taken, Ber lin reports. It is said that more than 1000 men and nine machine guns were captured. Berlin also reports that in the Ver dun region fresh French reserves were exhausted in fruitless efforts against Fort Douaumont and that the Ger mans advanced their lines further toward Bras and Vacherauville and made fresh gains in the Woevre. The Berlin report maintains that all the French troops have been driven from the Meuse peninsula. Massacre Is Frightful. "A frightful massacre," is how Ger man soldiers taken prisoner in the battle of Verdun describe the effect of the French artillery, machine-gun and rifle fire. But the impetus of the as saulting force was not diminished thereby during the first four days, because fresh troops were thrown into the battle unceasingly. "Advance, no matter what the losses may be," was the order given to the German troops before the attack. This is verified by documents found on one of the captured officers. The most critical moment in the six days' actions was when the Germans gained a footing in the intrenched camp by the capture of Fort Douau mont. The least hesitation on the part of the defenders would have been disastrous. The Germans redoubled their efforts to take advantage of any confusion, but the French immediately began a counter offensive. Clash Is Murderous. French infantry advanced at double quick to the trumpet charge and leaped at the first ranks of the Ger mans with irresistible fury. The clash was murderous to both sides. The thinned French ranks were not to be denied, but went on to the sec end German wing, while reinforce ments were hurried to their support. The German lines wavered first west of Douaumont; then were driven out of the ruins of the fort. A cry of tri umph went up all along the French line and the ardor of the counter at tack was redoubled. In the meantime an artillery duel, surpassing in in- tensity any previous action of the war, added to the carnage. The battle now seems to have reached' a critical point. The assault ing forces, however, recoiled slightly in the region of Douaumont, leaving the regiments which occupied the fort cut off and surrounded by French troops. The attacks upon the French left at Pepper Hill (Cote du Poivre) seemed to have failed completely. However, attacks made repeatedly with such heavy masses as the Ger mans are constantly bringing up, it is admitted by the military authorities, $200,000 OR MORE STOLEN FROM MAIL MILIilOX-DOLliAR robbeuy at tempted OX FERRY. Packages of Money From Washing ton to ,Xew York Banks Taken From Pouches. NEW YORK. Feb. 2S. The robbery of four valuable registered mail pack ages, which appears to have been an attempt to steal at least $1,000,000 in currency consigned to New York banks, became known here today. The robbery occurred Saturday when a United States mail automobile truck was entered while it was on a ferry bound from the Central New Jersey Railroad station, at Communlpaw, N. J., to Liberty street. New York. The packages were stolen from mail pouches, three of which were from Washington and one from Baltimore. Postoffice inspectors admitted that other pouches containing currency consigned to New York banks were on the truck and while professing igno rance of the amount, said that such consignments frequently ran as high as $1,000,000 and more. It is believed that this currency was the booty sought. According to unofficial reports, one of the stolen Washington packages contained $200,000. The robbery, the inspectors said, was done by some one who had keys both to the mail truck and the pouches. OREGON GINSENG THRIVES Farm Near Molaila Sends Out Larg est Shipment in History. MOLALLA. Or., Feb. 2S. (Special.) C. A. Ramsay, proprietor of the largest ginseng tract in Oregon, which is near this place, is making the largest shipment ever sent from this section. Mr. Ramsay has a little more than an acre and a quarter planted to this root and it -nets 10 per cent interest on J30,0O3. The Oregon ginseng roots are larger than those grown anywhere else. While eastern ginseng averages between 30 and 40 roots to the pound, the Oregon product averages about 14 roots to the pound. MONKS ISOLATED BY SNOW Even Famous Hogs Unable to Travel From Mount St. Bernard. GENEVA. Switzerland. Feb. 26, via Paris Feb. 27. (Delayed.) Monks and travelers are imprisoned on Mount Saint Bernard by 12 feet of snow, which is banked up to the lower windows of the monastery. The famous Saint Bernard dogs are not able to make their way through the snow. Hoge- avalanches have interrupted wire com munication with the monastery. Snow has fallen steadily for eight days and nights and the monks will be isolated for a month. They are plentifully supplied with food. JUDGE SHEA MAY GET POST Indiana Man Virtnuily Decided on as Ambassador -to Chile. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. Sponsors for various candidates for appointment as Ambassador to Chile to succeed Henry P. Fletcher, newly appointed Ambassador to Mexico, said today they understand the President had virtually decided upon the appointment of Judge Joseph II. Shea, of Indianapolis. Judge Shea was recommended by Senator Kern. 7 LOST ON SUNKEN RUSSIAN Steamer Captured From Germans Is Destroyed. LONDON, Feb. 28. The Russian steamship Petshenga has been sunk. Fifteen of those aboard were saved. The Petshenga was formerly the German steamship Erik Larsen, cap tured by the Russians early in the war. She was of 1647 gross tons. Seven of the Petshenga's crew were lost. BRITISH STEAMER IS SUNK Two of Southford's Crew Killed W hen Disaster Occurs. LONDON. Feb. 28. According to Lloyd's, the British steamer Southford, formerly the Sindbad. has been sunk. Eleven of the vessel's crew were saved. Two were killed. The Southford was a vessel of 897 tons. LONE NEGRO ROBS BANK St. Joseph, Mo., Cashier and Clerks Imprisoned; Kobber Gets $1600. ST. JOSEPH. Mo.. Feb. 28. A negro entered the Mechanics' State Bank here late today and after forcing the cash ier and two clerks into the vault, ob tained $1600 and escaped. A Sheriff's posse in motor cars start ed in pursuit. - GOLD CARGO TO BE IMMUNE Britain Not to Seize Shipment of 91,500,000 for Holland. NEW YORK, Feb. 28. Another ship ment of gold to Holland under an agreement with the British government against seizure will go forward to morrow on the Holland-American liner Nieuw Amsterdam for Rotterdam. The shipment, amounting to 11,500,- 000. was announced today. REPEATS PLEDGES F Right to Sink Armed Ships Maintained. MOTIVE OF VESSELS IS ISSUE Americans on Craft at Own Risk Mr. Lansing. BRITISH WORD AWAITED Merchantmen's Right to Defend Selves Upheld by State Depart ment, but Armament to At tack Foe Is Different. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. Germany, in a formal note presented by Count von Bernstorff to Secretary lansing today, reiterates assurances regarding the fu ture conduct of submarine warfare given in the Lusitania case, declares those assurances have not been mod ified by the memorandum setting forth its intention to treat armed merchant men of the entente allies as auxiliary cruisers after midnight tomorrow, and attempts to justify the issuance of the memorandum by presenting evidence and assertions designed to prove that the British government has instructed merchantmen to use their armament for purpose of attack in violation of assurances given to the United States. Later it was said at the State De partment that while the United States stood unalterably for the right of mer chant ships to carry guns for defense it was not now, and never had been, contending that Americans could travel with immunity on ships having orders to act offensively. Motive Cardinal Consideration. It was indicated that, although Sec retary Lansing was not prepared at this time to accept as conclusive the allegations of Germany in regard to the confidential instructions said to have been given to British sea captains, that if the contentions were sustained the fact would have an important bear ing on the future attitude of this Gov ernment. It is felt in high official quarters here that the question of mo tive is the cardinal consideration in determining the difference between de fensive and offensive armament. A copy of the so-called British in structions, which were handed to Am bassador Gerard in Berlin and which are construed by Secretary Lansing to be the all-important element in the sit uation as it stands at present, have not yet arrived. Pending their receipt and a subsequent decision regarding the at titude of the United States, the State Department is prepared to consider any overt act committed by the commanders of German and Austrian submarines in the light of the facts. It was au thoritatively said that the department probably would not act upon the case of an American who sustained injury aboard a vessel which it could be def initely established was to bo of fensively used. The State Department makes a broad (Concluded on Page t. Column 4. GERMANY OR E T ' ? FACE TO FACE! , " : : : " ' 3 CO-EDS OUT OF 23 HAVE GOOD FEET XOT ONE OF ENTIRE LOT HAS PERFECT TOE LINE. Varsity Tx-sts of Newly Registered Girls Show Defects Laid to Styles or Shoes Worn. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, Eugene. Feb. 28. (Special.) Prints taken by the physical culture department of the feet of 23 second semester freshman girls, show that but three have good feet, and not one a perfect toe line. These co-eds are the first to undergo a new test being tried out by the de partment to determine the condition of the feet of girls entering the uni versity. Most of the girls were found to have flat feet caused by wearing high heels and pointed toes. "When one wears high heels the muscles of the arches and the muscles in the back part of the foot are weakened and gradually the arch, breaks down, caus ing a flat foot as well as many phys ical disorders," said Miss Freida Gold smith, who has just completed the first set of prints. The method of taking pictures of the feet- is similar to taking the thumb prints. The foot is painted and an impression made on a card. The print is then painted with a solution which makes the lines more distinct, so that crooked toes and broken arches can be determined. In the future all fresh men will have prints taken upon reg istering, and defective foot classes will be organized. GOVERNOR TO SEE HAWAII Rosarians Will Be Accompanied on Excursion by State Executive. SALEM, Or., Feb. 28. (Special.) Governor Withycombe today accepted the invitation of the Portland Rosa rians to be their guests on the excur sion to Honolulu this Spring. The ex ecutive will be accompanied by his daughter. Miss Mabel Withycombe. The Rosarians have chartered the liner Great Northern and will 'sail di rectly from Portland for Honolulu, leaving April 12. The party expects to be gone about 18 days. MILL ADDITION STARTED Excavation Commenced for $750, 000 Building at Oregon City. OREGON CITY, Or.. Feb. 28. (Spe cial.) Work on the ?750,000 addition to the Hawley Pulp & Paper Company plant began today, which the C. J. Cook Company started a steam shovel on the excavating. The greater part of the site of the new plant has been cleared. The Cataract flrehou,se will be moved this week, half of the old pumping and filtering plant, which was bought from the city, has been removed. R. P. H0BS0N IS CANDIDATE Ex-Representative in Race for Elec tion to Port Once Held. TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Feb. 2S. Ex- Representative Richmond P. Hobson will be a candidate for Congress from the new Tenth District, it became known here. He will oppose W. B. Bankhead, son of United States Senator Bankhead. Mr. Hobson was defeated for the Senate in 1914 by Oscar W. Underwood. DIAZ 10 LEAD HEW REVOLT IH Ger.oral EIik . AmerL can Secret Service. EXILES TO BE MET IN CUBA Neutral State of Oaxaca Is to Be Called to Arms. - 25,000 TROOPS AVAILABLE People Already Object of Carranza Attack to Force Recognition of Dc Facto Government De fenders Poorly Equipped. WASHINGTON. Feb. 28. Felix Diaz, who has been watched for several months by Department of Justice agents because of suspected activities in violation of American neutrality, ap parently has left the United States for Mexico with the Intention of launching a new revolution against the Carranza de facto government. Information reaching officials here indicates that he hopes to organize and lead the troops of his native state, Oaxaca, and such other forces in Southern Mexico as he can gather about him. General Diaz left New Orleans Fri day for Havana, where several Mexi cans, whose names have been associated with his in reports of a revolutionary movement, were understood to be awaiting him. Teodoro Dehesa, ex Governor of Vera Cruz, and General Aureliano Blanquet, War Minister under Huerta, were reported to be among them. Arrest Not Warranted. Although Diaz eluded the Federal agents detailed to match him, Depart ment of Justice officials said tonight that since no evidence warranting his arrest had been found, and as he left the country, according to reports, as a private citizen of Mexico and not as a leader of any organized revolutionary movement, nothing probably could have been done to detain him. General Diaz, a nephew of the Mex ican ex-President of that name, has been absent from Mexico since Huerta, whom he helped establish in power, sent him abroad on a diplomatic mis sion. Most of this time he has spent in the United States, and, although he was suspected ,of being connected with the revolutionary plot for which Huerta and several others were indicted, no direct evidence against him ever de veloped. Oaxaca Long Kentral. Oaxaca, where Diaz is expected to launch his movement, is the only state that has held aloof during the fighting of the past two years. Led by state officials the people declared their in dependence of all factions and Carranza and other leaders were told that the state would be glad to resume its place in the union whenever anyone dem onstrated that he had restored a stable central government After Carranza's recognition by the (Concluded on Pane 3. Column 3.) HUNTERS TRAP LIVE COUGAR FOR MOVIES BATTLE IN TREE-TOP FOLLOWS ALL-NIGHT WATCH. Party Returns to Grants Pass and Lodges Animal In Dry Goods Box After Hard Trip Over Trail. GRANTS PASS, Or., Fob. 28. (Spe cial.) Three Grants Pass sportsmen yesterday brought to this city a live cougar entirely unharmed and fully grown. After an all-night watch and a thrilling battle of two hours with the cougar in its lofty retreat in a tower ing giant of the forest, John B. Ham mersly. Claude Bardon and John Mc Timmins finally succeeded in passing a rope over the animal's neck and brought it to earth unharmed. The dogs struck the scent too late to at tempt the capture the previous night. The cougar now is safely lodged in a dry goods box. The men, with three trained dogs, made their way from the Illinois side of Greyback in the vicinity of the Ore gon Caves over the mountain trail to Grants Pass, carrying the cougar lushed to a pole. Outfitted for a trip into the wilds, the three huntsmen started out last week to catch a cougar for use in work before a motion-picture camera. The couger soon will be placed in training for its initial appearance. The only difficulty anticipated by the showmen is the completion of a suitable cast for the wild animal film. The carcasses of 15 or 20 deer were found along the route traversed by the party. BIG WAR PLANT BLOWS UP Tri-Xitro Tolr.-.l Explosion Rocks Boston, 12 Miles Away. WOBURN, Mass., Feb. 29. The T. N. T. building of the New England Chemical Company blew up with a ter rific explosion early today. The tri nitro toluol stored in that section of the great chemical plant is said to be one pf the most powerful explosives used in the manufacture of war muni tions. BOSTON, Feb. 2S. A heavy explo sion was felt over a wide territory early tpday. Windows in Melrose, more than seven miles from the chemical works, were shattered and building in Boston, 12 miles from Woburn, were shaken. The chemical works have been filling largo war orders. BEND FOR RAILROAD AID Bonds of $30,000 to Buy Terminals Approved, 170 to 17. BEND. Or.. Feb. 28. (Special.) This city today gave evidence of its desire to assist Robert E. Strahorn In the con struction of the Oregon, California & Eastern Railroad by voting 179 to 17 in favor of the bond issue of $30,000 for the purchase of land needed for ter minal purposes. Only a light vote was cast because of the certainty that the bonds would carry. An amendment to the city charter permitting district bonding for sewer ami street improvements carried 179 to 9. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 4H degrees; minimum, 37 degrees. TODAY'S Occasional rain; southwesterly winds. War. German editor advises sinking of all ships bound for Britain. Page 2. French repulse furious German attacks at Verdun. Page l. Foreign. Henry James, novelist, dead, Page 4. Mexico. Felix Diaz on way to load new revolt against Carranza. hage 1. National. Senate ratifies treaty for protectorate over Haiti. Page 3. Shields and Myers water-power bills to be debated . jointly in Senate. Page 2. Admiral Knight counsels speed in building Navy. Pago 4. House to revise land grant bill, using Chamberlain bill as basis. Pago 3. Germany repeats assurances in submarine warfare policy. Page 1. Secretary Daniels opposes Naval baso at Astoria. Page . Domestic. Two hundred thousand dollars or more stolen from mail. Page 1. " Lieutenant-Governor Eshleman. of Califor nia, dies suddenly. Page 4. Sport. Gus Fisher signs Beaver contract. Page 12. Unconditional release denied Galveston player who waited CO days for six days' pay. Page 1-. Miller and o'Connell wrestle here tonight for middleweight championsnip. i'agu i-. Cleveland franchise issuo Is still In air. Page 12. Pacific Northwest. Grants Pass hunters battle In tree top and capture live cougar for movies. Page 1. Addison Bennett finds town of Powers "hum- dinger." Page 7. Seattle women indignant when patrolman breaks up party. Page 7. Slayer at Grants Pass calmly relates killing of couple. Page 6. Commercial and Marine. Butter prices cut ' to shut out Southern competition. Page 17. Five-cent slump In wheat at Chicago. Page 1 7. War stocks lead in decline in Wall street market. Page 17. Cuban Interests after vessel being built here. Page 17. Portland and Vicinity. Farm near Gresham is leased for boys' school. Page 7. Medical college strike war wages fitfully. Page 10. Bankers to recommend paying lower rate on savings accounts. Page 9. Chamber plan would amend coastwise ship law. Page 10. Three are rescued and three grope way out In early morning fire. Pago 11. City passes inspection laws and will begin "better meat" campaign. Pago 18. Council Is firm In determination to let Auditorium contract In accordance with bid. Pago 16. United States National Bank to build hand some home. Pai!o 1. Mrs. Edward Maclowell is honored at two receptions. Page 13. Palestine pageant opens in While Temple. Pase Hi. Weather report, data and forecast. Fag 17, BANK WILL BUILD FINE NEW HOI United States National Making Plans. START THIS SUMMER LIKELY Exclusive Banking-House Pro posed on Site Just Bought. LAND VALUE IS $275,000 Properly on Stark Street at St.ttli Is 100 hy 100 Feet and Removal Mill Put Six Finuncial Insti tutions on Thoroughfare. A modern bank building that .shall rival in magnificence and uf .tartan qualities all other hanking Iioines in Portland will bo erected by the 1'nit' d States National Bank on tho quarlc block at the northwest corner of Sixi and Stark streets, purchased yesterday. Several bunk buildings in other cities row are being tnformully considered by tho United States National's direct ors, and one of these, may servo as n model. Definite plans have not been prepared. Karly Mart Probable. It is probable that work will he started before the end of Ihe Summer. Leases on the old buildings on the property expiro in July and August oT this year and it is understood that .some of the directors are eager to have work begin as soon as those leases run out. It is possible, however, that con struction limy not be undertaken this year. The property acquired by the bank consists of two full lots, each 60 by 100 feet In dimensions. Tho outside lot. at the corner of Sixth und Stark streets, .was purchased from Harry Wolf and Murcus Wolf for 1175,000, covered by a cash considera tion of $137,000 and assumption of a mortgage of $38,000. Inside Lot louts I OO.OOO. The Inside lot. net to the Wells Faryo building, was acquired from Alexander Wagner, of Portland, for $100. 00" in cash, making the aggregate price paid for the full coiner of 100 by 100 feet J275.0C.O. "We certainly would not invest tha' amount of money In properly unless we Intended to improve It," ald J. c, Alnsworth. president of the bank, last night in discussing the proposed new building. Pinna Are Indefinite. "We have made no definite plans, at all." In: continued, "and don't know when we will hp In positieoi to build. It Is probable, thouch. that as soon as conditions warrant we will Improve the property. Wc are certain to do nothing before the present lease ex pire next July and August." It is understood that the new build ing will be erected for the purpose of serving the United States National Bank exclusively. The directors are said to be convinced that, this stylo of structure will best serve the Blowing needs of the institution. Option Exercised After Five Months. Final transfer of tho Slxth-atid-Stark-streets property yesterday was the consummation of an option on the property held by the United States Bank directors for the last five months. The first option was taken In October, through the local real estate firm of Wakefield, Fries & Co., in the name of I. W. liellman, president of the Wcltn Fargo Nevada National Bank, of San Francisco, who Is one of the directors of the United States National. This option expired January 20 and was re newed at that time for a period of days. It is understood that Mr. Ilelhnan and other directors at first intended to purchase the property on their per sonal accounts, but subsequent de velopments made it advisable for the United States National, as a corpora tion, to take over Ihe properly. The deeds filed yesterday provide for a transfer to the bank. stamp Tax 237. Incidentally, the deeds bore an ag gregate of $237 worth o revenue stamps. By the time the new home of the United States National is completed It will mark another step In the up town movement of financial Institu tions. It will also add another hank to the comparatively large number lo cated on Stark street. The Canadian Bank of Contmerce Is at the corner of Second and Stark streets, the Bank of California at Third and Stark, Hartman & Thompson ui Fourth and Stark and the Lumber men's National at Fifth and Stark. The new home of the First National Bank at Fifth and Stark is nearlng com pletion. The present home of the United States National is at Third and Oak streets. MUNITIONS SHIP IS BURIED Fire on Kunslan Vom.scI Alxnit ! Sail Is of Unknown Origin.. NEW YORK. Feb. IS. Klrc ln..c out here today on the Euryiiiacim-. i Husslan ship laden with munition.- ' war, which was about to sail for I . -. i -vostok. The fire was extinguished after i ship had. been seriously damaged. Tli cause i unknown. (Concluded on Fat 6, Column 8.)