VOI,. LVIXO. 17,253.
PORTLAND, OREGOX, THURSDAY, 3IAKCH 9, 1916.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
DAKOTA LOSSES BY
FLOODS GREAT
BERLIN TO ADJUST
POLICY TO ALLIES'
J. M'LEMORE PAYS
40-YEAR-OLD DEBT
ENEMIES EXCHANGE
GROUND AT VERDUN
WATSON LEADS IN
RACE IN INDIANA
XEW SECOND IN REPUBLICAN
SENATORIAL CONTEST.
FOUR BIG REALTY
DEALS ANNOUNCED
HOKSES AXD CATTLE OCCUPY
ING HOUSES OF OWNERS.
OllEGO.V MAN REMINDS TEXAS
REPRESENTATIVE OF IjOAN.
mm FLEET
REPORTED OUT
Fifty Great Warships Are
Seen in North Sea.
LONDON THINKS BATTLE ON
British Authorities Speculate
as to Real Meaning of
Naval Sortie.
TWO ZEPPELINS ALONG
Numerous Trawlers Accom
pany Ships, Ostensibly-for
Mine-Laying Purposes.
LONDON, March 8. A German
fleet consisting of at least 50 big war
ships, followed by a large gray
painted armored trawler fleet, two big
Zeppelins and numerous submarines
was sighted Monday in the North Sea
off Terschelling Island, North Hol
land, according to the report of a
steam trawler which has arrived at
Ymuiden, says Reuter's Amsterdam
correspondent. The fleet was proceed
ing westward.
Five Big Cruisers Seen.
The correspondent adds that on
Monday morning five large cruisers
of unknown nationality passed Ymui
den at full speed.
Reuter's Ymuiden correspondent,
telegraphing under date of Wednes
day, says that the fleet returned to
its base on that day.
"A Dutch trawler which was
searched by one of the warships," the
correspondent adds, "reports that
many of the vessels had a peculiar ap
pearance. Those carrying several
funnels had their sternmost funnels
painted yellow or covered with yel
low cloth, while the other funnels
were gray."
BY ARTHUR S. DRAPER,
Correspondent of the .New York Tribune.
(By Special Cable.)
LONDON, March 8. (Special.)
The report that a German fleet of
warships has sailed from the Kiel
Canal and is now in the North Sea is
unquestionably accurate, a high naval
authority said tonight. Britain now
believes a big naval battle is in prog
ress. While the number of vessels com
prising the fleet was first given here
as 20, reports from Holland indicate
that it is much larger. A Dutch traw
ler, which made port today, reported
having seen at least 50 war vessels,
trailed by a large fleet of trawlers, os
tensibly for mine-laying purposes.
Fleet Headed Westward.
According to the crew of the Dutch
boat, the huge German fleet was
headed to the westward.
Speculation is rife here as to the
purpose of the dash of the German
fleet from its hiding place. One di
vision of naval opinion has it that the
sortie is an attempt to create diver
sion and draw the attention of the
British to the larger fleet, while an
other, or possibly as many as a score,
of commerce raiders escape to ths
high seas to emulate the spectacular
Moewe.
A majority of officials and experts,
however, seem to be of the belief that
the fleet is merely engaged in re
connoitering as a prelude to a huge
naval battle.
Mines Laid Effectively.
One feat already accomplished by
the Germans, it was learned tonight,
is the mining of the English Channel
and parts of the North Sea more ef
fectively than those waters have been
mined since the outbreak of the war.
Great quantities of mines have been
reported along trade routes, those of
neutral countries not having been ex
cepted. As a result of the new menace to
navigation it is believed here that the
trade of Holland will be seriously af
fected and that some countries may
eventually be forced to cease the ship
ment of merchandise owing to the
enormous quantities of explosives
lurking beneath the surface of the
sea.
Neutral Blockade Probable.
A high official here today declared
the Germans contemplated a blockade
of neutral countries as a part of their
xiew submarine campaign and that
(Conclude on Fag 4. Column 3.)
Three Towns Threatened With Dam
age, as I co Gorge in Missouri
River Remains Unbroken.
SIOUX FALLS. S. D., March 8. Heavy
losses of hogs, cattle, horses and sheep
by farmers in the lowlands of the
James and Missouri rivers near Yank
ton. S. D.. are reported by Yankton
rescue parties who patrolled the flooded
area in boats today. Sixty-eight fami
lies are occupying single houses to
night. In some houses horses and cat
tle have been quartered in the first
story, while the family, together with
refugees, occupy the upper stories.
One train from the west, the first for
two days, made its way Into Yankton
toda East and north the tracks are
covered with from 18 inches to six
feet of water. Between the towns of
Volin and Mission Hill. Kan., communi
cation by boat was established today.
The ice gorge in the Missouri River,
between Yankton and Vermillion, re
mains unbroken tonight, but the water
did not rise perceptibly during the day.
The dammed waters of the Missouri
have poured into the James River Val
ley and thence around the gorge and
downstream. Meanwhile the gorge in
the James River holds fast and Mission
Hill, Volin and Gayvillo are threatened
with damage tonight.
ONE MAN RUNS STREETCAR
Vancouver Operator Gets Off at
Crossing, Waves, TIjen Goes On.
VANCOUVER. Wash.. March 8. (Spe
cial.) The one-man system of oper
ating streetcars has been introduced
into Vancouver.', The car on the depot
line is now operated by one man, who
acts both as motorman and conduc
tor, taking the fares as the passengers
board the car. All but one entrance is
closed.
In crossing the railroad track he
stops his car, jumps off and runs ahead
onto the track, waves his hand, then
climbs T-ack onto the car and goes
ahead. Inadequacy of revenue is given
by company officials as the reason for
cutting down the car crew on this line.
ZEPPELIN IS HIT IN RAID
Explosion Reported and Piece ol
.Propeller Found in Kent.
LONDON", March 8. Messages re
ceived here from newspaper corre
spondents in Kent, assert that one of
the Zeppelins, which took part in the
Sunday raids was damaged by anti
aircraft guns.
One message save a Zeppelin which
passed over the Kentish Coast home
ward bound early Monday morning
was seen to be in difficulty. Another
dispatch says it is reported an ex
plosion took place on board the Zeppe
lin when it was hit hard and this
crippled it.
A broken portion of a Zeppelin pro
peller was found in Kent today.
CHELAN COUNTY EXCLUDED
Proclamation Eliminates Vast Area
From National Forest.
WASHINGTON, March 8. A large
area in Chelan County, Washington,
along both sides of the Entiat River,
is excluded from the Chelan National
Forest under an executive proclama
tion made public today.
This opens to entry about 3797 acres.
which will be held for settlement under
the homestead laws from May 4 to
May 31, and which, after the latter
date, will be subject to disposition
under any applicable public land law.
VILLA IS NEARING BORDER
Rebel With His Followers Reported
Ten Miles From Line.
COLUMBUS, N. M., March 8. Fran
cisco Villa and his forces today reached
the ranch of the Palomas Land & Cat
tle Company, at Nogales. Chihuahua, 10
miles below the border and 44 miles
east of here, according to a telegram
sent by the American foreman of the
ranch and which was received here late
today.
The message made no mention of Ar
thur McKinney, James Corbett and
James O'Neill. American cattlemen, be-
lieved to have been taken prisoners
yesterday.
T. R. DISAVOWS CANDIDACY
Illinoisans Who File Petitions Pre
ferring Colonel Repudiated.
NEW YORK. March 8. John W. Mc
Grath. secretary to Theodore Roosevelt,
announced today that he had sent the
following telegram to Louis G. Steven
son. Secretary of State of Illinois, at
Springfield:
"I have today received the following
cable for transmission to you: I here
by disavow candidacy of any and all
delegates to Illinois primary who file
petitions expressing preference for me
for presidential nomination.
-THEODORE ROOSEVELT.'
PERUVIAN VOLCANO ACTIVE
Falling Ashes Make Region iJark
and People Are Alarmed.
AMBALO. Ecuador. March 8. Tun
guragua volcano, in this province, has
been in eruption several days.
The city of Ambalo and the sur
rounding region are almost in dark
ness on account of falling ashes. The
people are greatly alarmed.
Offer Made to Abide by
Existing Law.
ANSWER REACHES WILSON
Administration in No Haste to
Announce Stand.
RUMOR OF CHANGE DENIED
American Citizens Must Decide for
Themselves When They Embark
on Armed Vessels Not En
tering American Waters.
WASHINGTON. March 8. Germany
today made a further explanation to
the United States of the position it has
taken In regard to armed merchant
vessels of the entente allies.
Count von Bernstorff handed Secre
tary Lansing a formal memorandum,
which, after reviewing the events lead
ing up to Germany's recent decision to
treat armed merchant ships as auxiliary
cruisers, conceded that existing Inter
national law does not regulate the use
of submarines, indicated a willingness
to conduct undersea warfare In ac
cordance with the law prevailing at the
outbreak of the war. providing Great
Britain and her allies would regard the
same laws, and expressed the hope that
the people of the United States, re
membering the long existing friendly
relations between the two nations,
would appreciate the German opinion.
Administration In No Haste.
The memorandum was submitted to
President Wilson shortly after its re
ceipt. It -would be considered, together
with other documents from the German
government, in determining what shall
be the next step of the United States
in the submarine negotiations. There
was every Indication that the Adminis
tration would be in no hurry to an
nounce a stand as to the new policy of
thu Central European powers, or to
pass finally on Germany's latest pro
posal for a settlement of the Lusitanla
case.
From both the White House and the
State Department there came. In the
courso of the day, emphatic denials of a
rumor that the Administration itself
Intended to warn American citizens off
armed ships. At the State Dep-rtment
t was explained that it was for the
citizens themselves whi took passage
on armed ships not entering American
waters to determine whether they were
boarding vessels armed defensively or
offensively and the nature of the in
structions under which ship captains
would act in the presence of a sub
marine. Foreign Waters Another Issue.
An offensively armed ship which en
ters American waters, it is said, would
be regarded as a war vessel and would
not be allowed to remain in more than
24 hours. In foreign waters, however,
it is no concern of this Government
how ships, are armed.
The new submarine campaign of the
central powers now has been in opera
tion eight days and up to tonight the
Concluded on Page 2. Column 5.)
Congressional Publicity Recalls Boy
hood Friend and Long-Forgotten
Favor to W. F. Carter.
EUGENE, Or., March 8. Forty years
ago Jeff McLemore, now Representa
tive in Congress from Texas, and au
thor of the famous McLemore resolu
tion warning Americans to keep off
armed belligerent merchant ships,
found himself stranded while visiting
at Cincinnati, O., and borrowed $15
from W. F. Carter, a boyhood friend,
who was then clerking in a hotel at
that place.
Today Mr. Carter, who Is manager of
a printing concern in this city, re
ceived a letter with a postal money
order for 825 enclosed from McLemore.
McLemore and Carter were raised
on adjoining farms in Tennessee, and
it was but natural when the farmer
boy found himself far from home and
without funds he should seek his' old
time friend for assistance to get back
home. The money was forthcoming,
but, according to Carter, the man who
was to be a famous Congressman for
got the favor.
Carter never again heard of McLe
more until a few months ago, when
he read in one of the Oregon papers
some reference to Jeff McLemore, Con
gressman from Texas, and reaching
the conclusion that it was the same
man, wrote him a letter. It was not
answered, and another letter followed,
reminding the Congressman of this
indebtdness. This brought the money
today.
OREGON ASKED TO PROTEST
England's Proposed Embargo on
Dried Fruits Opposed.
SALEM. Or.. March 8. (Special.)
Aid of Oregon commercial bodies in
urging the State Department at Wash
ington to . protest to Great Britain
against its proposed embargo on dried
fruit Imports is sought by California
fruitgrowers, according to a communi
cation received today by the Salem
Commercial Club.
The California growers request that
the Oregon commercial organizations
communicate with Oregon's Congres
sional delegation that they may urge
action by the Department of State.
It is declared that California grow
ers now have arranged for shipment of
dried fruit products and that an em
bargo would seriously injure them
financially.
NEWLANDS RAPS CONGRESS
Senate Predicts Failure to Evolve
Practical Defense System.
WASHINGTON. March 8. Senator
Newlands, of Nevada, in the Senate to
day predicted that the present Con
gress would fail to evolve a practical
system of National defense, and charged
both the Senate and House with pursu
ing "most inefficient methods in under
taking the great problem."
"Five separate committees, two in
the Senate and three in the House, are
investigating the subject," he said,
"and the witnesses are rushing from
one to the other repeating their stories
in the greatest confusion."
Half of Co-Eds Have Goiter.
MADISON, Wis., March 8. More than
50 per cent of the University of Wis
consin co-eds are affected with goiter
in a moderate form, according to Pro
fessor W. J. Meek, of the university, in
his lecture today to a health and dis
ease class.
THE IRRESISTIBLE HIRAM.
OH H I RAM f
1 KMErV You could
CME BACKf
French Retake Wood,
Germans Redoi
D0UAUIViV.c;ttO 'AGAIN
Crown Prince's Army Said to
Have 20,000 Prisoners.
GUNFIRE IS TREMENDOUS
New Artillery, Even More Destruc
tive Than Famous "42's,' Re
ported to Be Employed by
Teutons In Their Attacks.
PARIS. March 8. The French, by a
strong counter-attack today, succeeded
in driving the Germans from the great
er part of the Corbeaux wood which
they occupied yesterday. According to
the official statement Issued by the
War Office tonight, the Germans now
bold only the eastern extremity of this
wood. The Germans, however, have
reoccupied the Hardamount redoubt.
Douaumont, to the north of Verdun,
is again being heavily bombarded.
BT OSWALD P. SCHVKTTE,
War Correspondent of the Chicago Ially
News. (By Special Cable.)
WITH THE CROWN PRINCE'S ARMY
ON VERDUN FRONT, March 6. (By
Courier to Berlin and Wire to London,
March 8. The number of French pris
oners taken by the Germans in the
action around Verdun now is approach
ing the 20.000 mark.
Effect of Artillery Terrific.
The chief impression received from
all of them is of the terrific effect of
the German artillery, especinlly the 42
centimeter (16-inch) mortars and new
guns which, apparently, are even more
destructive than the famous "42s."
Captured Turcos are said to be al
most paralyzed by this artillery fire.
This helps to explain why the German
losses. in this great action have been
less than were expected. Stories told
by French prisoners of the havoc
caused by the artillery bombardments
are easily verified by what I have seen
of the French trenches. I saw miles of
them so pulverized that no earthquake
could have razed them more thorough
ly. Trenches, "bombproof' dugouts
and barbed-wire barriers are one inde
scribable mass, the earth jagged with
fragments of barbed wire and splintered
poles.
Germans Prepare Bis; Gou.
No wonder the French were reported
paralyzed when the Germans stormed
the positions.
The artillery fire on both sides is
comparatively quiet today. This gives
the French opportunity to strengthen
their new positions, but, apparently,
the Germans consider it important to
provide an overwhelming artillery
strength before renewing their attacks
on the north and northeast.
PARIS, March 8. Prisoners taken at
Verdun estimate the losses of the bat
talions which took part in infantry
(Concluded on Page 4. Column 4.)
Goodrich; and Adair Conceded as
Primary Cboioes for Nomina
tions lor Governorship.
INDIANAPOLIS, March 8. Represen
tative John A. M. Adair, Democrat, of
Portland, and James P. Goodrich, Re
publican, of Winchester, were selected
in yesterday's state preferential pri
mary to run for Governor next Fall.
Opponents of Goodrich and Adair con
ceded their election tonight.
The contest for the Republican nomi
nation for United States Senator is
undecided. Returns received up to 9
o'clock tonight from 1920 precincts out
of 3177 in the state give James E.
Watson 68.14a and Harry S. New 51.353.
It is believed the counting of second
choice votes may be necessary to de
cide the latter contest. The final re
sult may not be known for two or
three days.
CAR. SHORTAGE LESSENING
O.-W. R. & N. Co.. Actually Has Sur
plus; Southern Pacific Gains.
Tta car shortage in Oregon rapidly
is being overcome.
The O.-W. R. & N. Company yester
day wiped out its shortage entirely
and last night actually had a surplus
of from 12 to IS cars.
The Southern Pacific still is short
several hundred boxcars, but Is making
rapid gains. An aggregate of 130
empty cars wag received at Ashland
yesterday; another consignment of 131
empties is due today, and 102 tomor
row. All other roads have an ample supply.
40,000 ARMENIANS GONE
Only 1 6 Found Alive In Erzerum
When Russians Enter Town.
LONDON, March 8. The Russians
found today only 16 Armenians alive
in Erzerum out of the usual Armenian
population of 40.000, according to in
formation received in Petrograd and
forwarded by Reuter's correspondent in
the Russian capital.
"The Turkish inhabitants of Erzerum,"
the correspondent adds, "said that a
few days before the capture of the
fortress by the Russians all the
Armenians in the town were driven out
in a westerly direction, where the
Kurds massacred them all."
JAIL VICTIMS NUMBER 18
Two More Die at El Paso, One of
Them ex-Physician.
EL PASO. March 8. With the deaths
tonight of T. D. James and A. C. Wan
roy, the list of victims of the fire in
the El Paso jail Monday mounted to 18.
James was 64 years old and was said
to have been a university graduate and
formerly a physician at Dallas. Tex. He
abandoned his profession, friends said,
to become a member of a traveling min
strel troupe.
Clyde Workers Threaten Trouble.
LONDON, March 8. Trouble again is
threatened among the Clyde workers
owing to the refusal of the government
committee on production to concede an
advance in wages there.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 53
degrees; minimum. 46 degree.
TODAY'S Occasional rain; southerly winds.
War.
German and French both report recapture
of positions near Verdun. Page l.
Fifty German warships said to have sailed
Into North. Sea, Page 1.
National.
Southern Pacific offers entire rights in
Oregon A: California land grant for
lO,000.O00. Page 2.
Shields power bill passed by Senate. Page 2.
Senator Stone says Wilson does not want
war. Page 2.
S. A. D. Puter makes sweeping; charges
at hearing on land grant bill. Page 5.
Germany will adjust International law pol
icy to that of allies. Page 1.
Admiral Fletcher estimates cost of great
naval programme. Page 3.
Text of German note on submarine policy.
Page 4.
Domestic
Harry S. New leading for Republican Sen
atorial nomination in Indiana. Page 1.
Losses by floods in South Dakota great.
Page 1.
Pacific Northwest.
Legislative committee will investigate state
aided schools. Page 7.
Flood threatens Grays Harbor. Page 7.
Former missionary, through knowledge of
Chinese signs, aids police in gambling
raids. Page 1.
French life - "hellish." says Harvard man
who served with British at GalUpolL
Page 8.
Sport.
Mot orb oat Club buys six acres on Ross
Island. Page 15.
New York boxing commission seeks to avert
fraud In Wlllard-Moran fight. Page IS.
Trambltas selected to meet Fighting Billy
Murray for March 17 smoker. Page 14.
Oaks new Infield makes team appear
stronger. Page 14.
Commercial and Marine.
Oregon farmers holding 3,000,000 bushels
of wheat. Page 19.
Chicago market breaks In anticipation of
bearish crop report. Page 19.
Wall-street stocks close firmer on crop re
port and Washington advices, page 19.
Japanese may ship steel through Port of
Portland. Page 18.
Portland and Vicinity.
W. C. T. U. to offer women's Jury service
bill. Page 9,
Guy Talbot says Northwest isn't attracting
Eastern capital. Page 8.
Old man and his dog are reunited in court.
Page 11.
City transfers dog pound to Humane Society.
Page 20.
Daughters of American Revolution gather
ing for state conference. Page 12.
Four big realty deals give added Impetus to
market. Page 1.
Business men hear warning on Stevens bllL
Page 9.
Weather report, data and f 'recast. Page 19.
Shattuck pupils trill give: play tomorrow
night. Page JS.
F. W. Ayers found .guilty. Page 20.
f
Union Meat Company
to Spend $150,000.
7-STORY BUILDING PLANNED
Mrs.' E. E. Lytle Sells Rivera
Residence for $30,000. ,
VIRGINIA WOMAN IS BUYER
Portland Golf Club Acquires Links,
With 113.6 Acres, for $50,000,
and Motorboat Club Buys Six
Acres on lloss Island. 1
OUTSTANDING EVENTS IN
PORTLAND REALTY .AND
B tILDIXG MARKET
YESTERDAY.
President Colt, of Union Meat
Company, announces $150,000
will be spent at North Portland
packing plant for seven-story
reinforced concrete cooler and
curing: building.
Mrs. E. E. Lytle sells beautiful
country home at Rivera to Mrs.
Mary S. Napier, of Virginia, for
$30,000 cash.
Portland Golf Club officers de
cide definitely to purchase 113. fi
acre tract at contract price of
$50,000.
Portland Motorboat Club buys
six acres of Ross Island property
as site for new clubhouse.
After a three-day lull following the
record-breaking: developments of la.-t
week the Portland reaity market came
back strong: yesterday by furnishing: a.
$150,000 building announcement from
the Union Meat Company, a $30,000 res
idence sale for cash and the conclu
sion of important land purchases by -the
Portland Golf Club and the Port
land Motorboat Club.
C. C. Colt; manager of the Portland
offices of the Union Meat Company, an
nounced yesterday that plans had been
ordered for immediate erection of a
seven-story reinforced concrete build
ing" to supplement the company's pres
ent plant in North Portland. Mr. Colt
said Yesterday the official estimates
had not yet been filed, but that the
new structure, which is to cover ground
area of SO by 122 feet for the full
height, will probably cost about $150,
000. . It is understood that other ad
ditions to the big: meat plant may bn
made in the early future, and Mr. Colt
last night admitted that he had hopes
in this direction.
Contracts to Be Let at Once.
"The new building is required to take
care of the increased business resulting-
from the tremendous expansion of
the hog business In the Northwest."
said Mr. Colt last night. "This new
structure, which is to be known as the
cooler and curing building, will double
our capacity for handling- pork prod
ucts. We are about to let contracts for
the foundation work and hope to oc
cupy the new building- by November 1.
"In the past year we have spent ap
proximately $75,000 on new equipment
and smaller buildings to be used in co
operation with this new building. The
plans are being prepared by company
engineers."
Although the Swift interests, of Chi
cago, which own the Union Meat Com
pany, also control the Portland Stock
yards Company, which last week an
nounced plans for $150,000 worth of im
provements in the North Portland
stockyards plant, the two building
projects are separate and distinct, yes
terday's announcement involving an.
addition to the packing plant and the
previous one purely a stockyards prop
osition. Fine Home Bring; 930,000.
The beautiful country place of Mrs.
E. E. Lytle at Rivera was sold yester
day to Mrs. Mary S. Napier, who moved
to Portland recently from Virginia, for
$30,000 cash, the sale being handled
through Frank E. Hart.
The former Lytle place is on the
west bank of the Willamette River,
five and one-half miles from Portland
on the site of the historic old White
house. The residence was erected in
1913 on a two-acre tract that embraces
260 feet of sand beach and a pictur
esque slope to the river. The place is
at the railroad station Rlverwood,
where the C. D. Brunn, Thomas Kerr,
Peter Kerr. Frank E. Hart and Mrs.
Helen Ladd Corbett residences are
grouped.
Because the newly acquired Napier
property occupies a commanding point
at a curve in the river bank many look
upon the property as one of 'the
choicest riverside homesites near Port
land. The ground is improved with ex
tensive landscaping, which includes
paths that lead from the main road to
the residence and on to the boathouse
on the bank of the river. The place ia
equipped with gas, electric light and
Bull Run water service.
Mr. Lytle Mar Move to Ruck.
Mr. and Mrs. Napier win take pos
session of the Riverview residence Im
mediately while the Lytles will move
back to Portland proper. Mr. Lytle.
who recently purchased a large wheat
ranch in the Palouse country of Wash-
(Cuncluilud on Paga 0, Column 2.)