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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.)