THE 3IOBXIXG OREGONIAX, SATURDAY, DCEMTiEIt 23, 191Q. 5 WASHINGTON WAITS ON BRITISH OPINION Hope Entertained That Re flection Will Modify Bel ligerent Attitude. PRESS NOW IS HOSTILE so busy collecting water rents this month that he forgot to pay .his own rent in time, and so had to fine himself 50 cents. The ordinance requires that where rents are not paid by December 16. a penalty of SO cents must be added. RATE VERDICT THRICE WON Robert Service Obtains Judgment at Baker Against Railroad. BAKER, Or.. Dec. 22. (Special.) A verdict of $2204.49 with Interest at 6 per cent from May 27. 1906. or approx imately $3600, was awarded to Robert Service today by a Circuit Court Jury In his suit against the umpter Valley Railroad for alleged excess freight charges on lumber shipped by the Serv- Itelations With Germany, However, Regarded as Having Been Vast ly Improved Diplomats V Worry Over Own Status. WASHINGTON'. Dee. 92. Whlln nnfli rng official came from Europe today to enow wnen tne belligerents will reply to President Wilson's note urging dis cussion of peace, or what the nature of the responses might be, the London news dispatches indicating that an early reply was unlikely because of the necessity of consultation between the allies, agreed with the view prevailing here. Apparently the Administration, hav ing dispatched the note and in the In terest of caution having taken steps to see that no construction abroad was placed on the President's purposes, now Is carefully watching the expressions of opinion, particularly in the British press. As the attitude of the Teutonic allies had been clearly foreshadowed, and the President in the note specific ally disclaimed any association with that attitude, the Interest of American officials centered on the reception of the note In the entente countries and among the European neutrals. Two Statements Cabled Abroad. It was recalled, as the London dis patches, most of them hostile, arrived, that similar expressions greeted the original proposals of the central pow ers, but that tho views were moderated in the British press and among the en tente diplomats here after reflection and discussion. To preclude any possibility of mis construction of the President's purposes from the flurry of yesterday, caused by Secretary Lansing's two statements, both statements were cabled to Ameri can diplomats abroad In neutral as well as belligerent countries today, so they might be prepared to state correctly the President's attitude to the govern ment to which they are accredited. The German view here is that what ever the reply of the entente allies, the relations between Germany and the United States will have been immeas urably improved, probably to the point of assuring careful steps by the Berlin government to avoid any such condi tions as led up to a crisis which threat ened a break In diplomatic relations. That view Is that the advantage of comity with the greatest of neutrals will be so forcibly impressed upon the people of the central empires that It will not again be endangered. Entente Diplomats Still Fearful. Entente diplomats, while they appar ently had decided to accept the Presi dent's attitude in good faifh. had not wholly disposed of their fear that It might redound to the advantage of their enemies. The notes to the belligerents. Secre tary Lansing's explanatory statement and recent German submarine activi ties furnished the chief topic of dis cussion at today's Cabinet meeting. After the Cabinet meeting Secretary Lansing said that full information con cerning the sinking of the British liner Arabia was not at hand. The Ameri- can Government Is anxiously awaiting word from Berlin regarding the British horse ship Marina, which admittedly was sunk without warning by a Ger man submarine, and which, the State Department has been convinced, was not a transport. No course of action will be decided on until Germany has been heard from further. Messages congratulating President Wilson poured In, in the White House today in increasing volume. Almost without exception the senders inter preted the actions as a peace move. Mann Praises Wilson's Action. Republican Leader Mann referred tb the note on the floor of the House to day and heartily praised President Wil son's action, "without regard to parti sanship." he said. "I believe the whole people of the country warmly congrat ulate and commend the President in every effort he has made or may make to restore peace in the world. It became known in the course of the day that some members of the diplo matic corps are worried over their per sonal status with their home govern ments, whom they have been Informing for weeks past that the United States would take no action in the European eituation. With the arrival of the Ger mon nronosals and the announced de cision of this Government not to add any word of Its own, most diplomats became finally convinced, and so re ported to their governments that no step towards peace would be taken here Unless a aeciaeo. cna.uge vnnc. CHURCH UNIONS WILL ACT Meetings to Be Held to Consider Wil son's Peace Message. NEW YORK, Dec 22. Action by gen eral church organizations on President Wilson's note to belligerent powers was foreshadowed today by announce ments that meetings will be held in the near future to consider the message, It was announced by the Church Peace Union that a conference of the trustees had been called for next week and trie hope was expressed by one of the members that action indorsing the note will be taken. It also was announced by the Federal Council of the Churches In America that a meeting of its administrative committee would be held next week to take up the subject. "TRAIL OK LONESOME PINE" IDEAL PLAY FUR CHRIST MAS WEEK. V f Wl -V ' i J I isf Mr .'-WvJ r ;v . r , f,c I - t " ' , ' Ice & Wright Lumber Company. Both parties to the suits have filed bills of exception, but the matter of appeal will be settled later. The plaintiff sought to recover $12,255 for rates on the product of the mill near Whitney, to Baker. Jhis is the third time the plaintiff has won, being granted $3400 the first time and $11,000 the second. Both were appealed and both times the Supreme Court threw the suit back here on technicalities. During the litigation the Service & Wright Company ceased to exist as a corporate organization and Mr. faervice continued as plaintiff. Birds to Bo Studied Tonight. A bird meeting especially for teach ers will be held tonight at 8 o'clock n the Audubon Bird Club rooms, 309- 310 Y. M. C A. building. Miss Alice Randall, a Kenton teacher, will give an illustrated lecture on "jSomi Port- and Birds and Ways of Interesting Children in Bird Study." The public Is invited. Water Collceotr Is Delinquent. ABERDEEN, Waeh.. Dec. 22. (Spe cial.) City Treasurer T. H. Hill, offi oial water collector of the city, became HELP FOR BRONCHIAL COUGHS The simplest and quickest way to get rid of wearing racking coughs is to take Foley's Honey and Tar. You get the curative Influence of the pin balsam and other healing ingredients, together with the mollifying and laxa tive action of honey. Editor C. T, Miller, Cannelton, Ind. (Enquirer writes: "I was troubled with bronchial affection and coughed constantly day and night. I took Foley's Honey and Tar and got relief. It Is great for bronchial colds and coughs." La grippe and bronchial coughs, croup, hoarse ness, tickling throat, yield readily to Its healing influence. Rntb Gates as Jane. Ideal for Christmas week is "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," which opens at the Baker tomorrow matinee. Ideal be cause It appeals to the love for nature .In old and young, being a superb scenic triumph. It shows the mountains of Virginia and life among them, giving a vivid picture of how the rough natives live there people who -never see a real city rn all their lives. Ruth Gates will play the role of the half-wild little mountain girl, and Albert McGovern the young civil engineer who ventures Into these mountains at the risk of his life and who finally succeeds in introducing some of the ways of the civilized world outside Into their lives. There will be a special Christmas-day matinee Monday. m The Ben Selling Store News Devoted' to the Interest and Comfort of the Buyer of Men's and Boys" Apparel. A Specialty Shop. Portland, Oregon, December 23, 1916. For Men and Boys. Christmas Gifts for Men House Coats, $5 to $20. Dressing gowns,$3.50 to $30. Mufflers, $1 to $3.50. Silk shirts, $5 and $6. Silk pajamas, $7.50. Kid gloves, $1.50 to $3. Auto gauntlets, $5 to $7. Umbrellas, $1.50 to $6. Initial handkerchiefs, 25c, 35c and 50c Hat orders, $3, $4 and $5. . Silk neckwear,. 50c to $4. The Boys' Christmas Suit A Dg line of nobby, new Norfolk suits with extra trousers, offered today for Christmas shopping. Sturdy tweeds, cheviots and fancy weaves, tailored just the way a boy likes them. Every age up to 18 years. Do not overlook these suits today. Extra salesmen will be in attendance. These splen- t f ETf did suits are priced at rhl") 11 only Children's Overcoats Reduced $5.00 and $6.50 ECi Overcoats at r w.... J0Jv $8.50 and ?10.00 QPT f( Overcoats at pJJJ These are in good, 'warm fabrics, every age from 3 to 10 years. Christmas Gifts for Boys Men's Silk Hose Splendid hose in black and colors. An acceptable gift for a man 50d and SI Silk Shirt Special Handsome stripes in new silk shirts are special- jlEZ ly priced now. . . . ij)000 Dressing Gowns, sizes 3 to 16 years, $2.50, $4 and $5. Ruffneck and jersey sweaters, $1.50 to 5. Flannel blouse waists, 50c, 75c and $1.00. Madras and percale waists, 50c and $1.00. Union suits, sizes 4 to 18 years, 50c to $2.50. Pajamas, muslin or flannel, sizes 4 to 18 years, $1 and $1.50. Plaid ties in gift boxes, 25c Paris garters and arm bands in sets, 50c Suspenders in Christmas boxes, 35c BEN SELLING Morrison at Fourth Lined leather gauntlets, 75c Handkerchiefs in boxes, 3 for 25c Silk ties, 25c and 50c. Cloth, felt and plush hats, 50c to $2.00. Leather belts, all colors, 50c. Windsor ties, 25c and 50c. Youths' shirts for detached col lars, $1 to $3. Cloth caps, 50c to $1.50. Special school stockings, fast black, 30c Children's kid gloves, tans and grays, $1 and $1.25. Knitted toques, 25c and 50c Knitted gloves, 25c and 50c. Leggings, all fabrics and colors, 50c to $2.50. Second Floor Leading Clothier YOU'LL HAVE TO HURRY TO DO YOUR XMAS SHOPPING, AS TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE WE WILL REMAIN OPEN THIS EVENING TO SERVE THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND IT IMPOS SIBLE TO CAXL DURING THE DAY. OUR LAST DELIVERY OF LARGE XMAS PACKAGES LEAVES THE STORE AT 6 P. M. SHARP. Our Xmas Offerings AS IN THE PAST CONSIST OF A LARGE AND VARIED ASSORTMENT OF ARTICLES SUITABLE FOR XMAS GIVING. A FEW SUGGESTIONS POCKET KNRTES, RAZORS, MANICURE SETSt SCISSORS AND SHEARS BEEF AND GAME CARVERS TOOLS FOR MEN AND BOYS ELECTRIC COFFEE MACHINES AND POTS ELECTRIC CHAFING DISHES HIGH-GRADE FISHING TACKLE THERMOS AUTO LUNCH OUTFITS SNOWSHOES, SKIS SPORTING GOODS OF ALL KINDS BOYS' WAGONS, VELOCIPEDES, ETC. Honeyman Hardware Company FOURTH AT ALDER TOMMIES' GET MAIL Vast Quantity of Gifts Dis . tributed in Trenches. TRUCKS GAILY BEDECKED Civic League Luncheon Today. The Oreg-on Civlo Leagroa will hold Its luncheon In tho gold room of tho Multnomah Hotel today. Letters and Parcels for Men on Ex treme Front Line Delivered With Rations British Forget No Soldier In Service. "WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IX FRANCE, via London. Dec. 22. (From a staff correspondent of the Associated Press.) In these last days before Christmas It Is a strange procession, indeed, that winds its -way on the travel-scarred roads of Northern France to where the greatest armies the world LATEST OFFICIAL WAR REPORTS Russians In Roumania. PETROORAD. via London. Dec. 22. Russian troops in tho northern part of the Roumanian province of Dobru dja. having been attacked yesterday along the whole front by superior nu merical Teuton forces, says tho Rus sian official statement Issued today, have beg-un a further retirement to the northward. The statement reads: "Roumanian front On the left bank of tho Danube active attempts by the enemy to attack lis wero repulsed by our fire. "In Dobrudja the enemy with su perior forces attacked our detachments along the whole front. After stubborn resistance our detachments commenced to withdraw to the northward. "By a darinpr attack of one of our regiments the Bulgarians who had ad vanced to the east of Lake Babadagh from the village of Enisal wero thrown into Lake Ibolata and a. greater part of them were drowned. One hundred and fifteen were taken prisoner. Black Sea V e have sunk two Turk ish motor gunboats." LONDON, Dec 22- The official com munication Issued by tho War Office tonight says: "Last night (Thursday) the enemy bombarded our front on the south bank of the Ancre. We repulsed an attempted raid opposite the Hohenzollern redoubt. "During the day (Friday) consider able artillery activity prevailed on both sides of the Tpres-Messlnes areas. North of tho Ancre our artillery dis persed some enemy working parties. Between the Ancre and the Borame our front was shelled intermittently at va rious points. "Yesterday during a few bright in tervals our airplanes co-operated suc cessfully with our artillery. One of our machines has not returned." German. BERLIN. Dec. 22. (By wireless to Sayville, N. 1.) Teutonic forces con tinue to advance in the Dobrudja, and have taken 900 Russian prisoners, says tho official statement issued from Ger man general headquarters today. On the other fronts there has been but lit tle activity. The statement follows: "Western theater Near the coast In the Somme sector and on the east bank of the Meuse the artillery activity in creased during the afternoon hours. On the Yser a Belgian outpost was taken. "Eastern war theater, front of Prince Leopold Along the Drena and on the Ktokhod the Russian artillery fire con tlnued for a long time. An advance of two hostile companies southeast of Riga was repulsed. Northwest of Zalostse. Galicia, German advanced troops entered both the most advanced positions of tho Russians and the vll lage of Zvyzyn and returned after de stroying four mine throwers and cap turing- 34 prisoners and two machine guns. "Front of Archduke Joseph A hos tile night attack on Csuedlemer, north of Trotus Valley, failed. "Army group of Field Marshal von Mackensen In Great Wallachia the situation is unchanged. The Dobrudja army continues to make progress, and has "taken 900 prisoners from the Russians." 11 Pi' PARKER'S HAIR BALSAM A toilet preparation of merit. Helps to eradicate dandruff. For Restoring Color and Beauty to Gray or Faded Hair. ftfvi ana gl.ooat Prut! u'lstw. Italian. ROME, via London, Dec. 22. The War Office communication today says: "Along the whole front there have been desultory artillery actions. Tho military hospital In Gorizia was again shelled, despite its protection by visible red crosses. Of the sanitary person nel two were killed and four wounded. "On tho Carso our troops, by Bur prise advances, occupied several crater' like hollows in the limestone and put our enemies to flight. "Hostile, airplanea attempted, to zoake raids over our lines, but promptly were driven off by anti-aircraft bat teries. A Tew bombs wero dropped on Grigno, In the Sugana Valley, on Calalzo and Oten In the valley of Plave and on Vertoiba, southeast of Gorizia, causing no casuallties nor damage. British. has ever known are locked In a llfe-and-death struggle. Vieing with tho seemingly endless train of motor trucks groaning under capacity weight of powder, shells and all the varied and sinister material of war are numberless other trucks fairly bulging "with presents and greetings of the yuletlde. Oddly enough, both types of trucks are deco rated gaily with holly and mistletoe. It appears now that no soldier, regard less of how humble his station, will bo forgotten. Tho handling of the vast amount of mall for tho English. Canadian and Australian troops is fraught with great difficulties, for powder and shell assert their prerogative of preference, and the holiday season will bring no lessening of the gun pressure on the part of the front. Despite the complex problems connected with the task, the organization behind the British front makes it possible for letters and parcels to reach tho men In tho front-line trenches within eight hours after their posting in London. One reason for this Is that the mall Is being handled and distributed by "Tommies" who for merly were postal employes. The Canadians received the bulk of their mail last week, most of the sol diers obeying with childish Impatience instructions not to open the parcels until Christmas. The mall for the Australian troops necessarily was posted six or seven weeks ago and naturally there were many casualties In that period, so that the authorities are confronted with many parcels which will never reach their Intended owners. A feature of the Christmas army malls Is that tho outgoing post Is al most as heavy as the incoming, with a strange cross-current of money or ders going home and coming out. Some idea of the army postal problems may bo gained from tho fact that normally the British army sends 1,100, 000 letters and postcards and 11.000 parcels daily. This number Is being doubled and trebled during tho Christ mas rush. Another Interesting fact is that a soldier receives an average of four leters a week and writes one. The packages being sent from the front contain all manner of souvenirs from the battlefields and trenches. Letters and parcels for the men on the verv front line are sent to them with their rations. The favorite Christmas cards tho "Tommies" are sending home is one on which loving mottos are woven with vari-colored eilk threads. EL ARISH LOST BY TURKS Progress of the War. BRITISH OCCIPY TOWN DO FROM SCEZ CANAL. MILES Capture of Strongly Entrenched Posi tion! Declared Severe Moral and Military Blow to Defenders. LONDON. Dec. 22. El Arlsh. 90 miles east of the Suez Canal, was captured yesterday by the British. The text of tho British official statement says: "Yesterday tne Egyptian town of El Arlsh was occupied by our troops after being for two years in the hands of the enemy. From the fact that the enemy had constructed a strong entrenched position covering the town and that a large amount ,of work recently had been carried out there. It appeared that the enemy had every Intention of of fering a stubborn resistance. "They abandoned their position Tues day night and retreated to the east and southeast. It Is a serious blow to the Turks from a moral and from a mili tary point of view." El Arlsh Is a fortified town of Egypt on the Mediterranean, near tho frontier of Palestine. It Is a town of less than 20,000 population, in territory which had been held by the Turks since tho time of their invasion of Egypt and unsuccessful attack on the Suez Canal. GIRL BRINGS PEACE FLEA BRITISH CENSOR AVOIDED SPECIAL, MESSENGER. BY Bertrand Russell, English Pacifist, Ap peals to President Wilson, Saylnn; He Can Stop European War. NEW YORK, Dec. 22. A girl who came to America as a messenger from Bertrand Russell, an English pacifist and philosopher, delivered to the Amer ican neutral conference here today an open letter from Mr. Russell addressed iflerrte Cfjrfetnras; at : (Oregon Grille Christmas brings with it anticipation of a satisfying dinner dinner that, because of its extreme goodness and delightful sur roundings, coupled with exceptional music, fills you full of that Yuletide feeling "good will toward men." Our Christmas dinner will do this and more. RESERVE YOUR TABLE TO DAY. $1.50 per plate 5:30 to 8 P. M. 3e (Oregon Grille E. E. Larimore, Manager n to President Wilson, appealing to him to "bring peace to Europe." The let ter was sent by messenger to evade the British censor. The name of Its bearer was not disclosed through fear of making trouble for her should she return to England. Three members of tho conference committee, George Foster Peabody, Paul Kellogg and Miss Emily Greene Balch, were selected to carry the let ter to President Wilson, and left here tonight for Washington. Mr. Russell, who Is the heir of Earl Russell and was a lecturer and fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, recently was fined $500 for having written a pamphlet opposing conscription In Eng land. Ho also was prohibited from coming to the United States to lecture at Harvard and was forbidden to enter any prohibited areas In London. In his letter Mr. Russell asserted that it was within tho power of the President "to bring the war' to an end by a just peace," and that "tho United States has the power, not only to com pel the European governments to make peace, but also to reassire the popula tions by making itself the guarantor of the peace." "Such action." Mr. Russell wrote, "even if It were resented by tho gov ernments, would be hailed with Joy by tho populations." PUPILS OMIT CHRIST CHILD Chicago Carols Are Void of Religious Features. CHICAGO. Dec. 22. Christmas carols, sung in practically all of Chicago's public schools today, avoided mention of the Christ Child. The changes In the carols resulted from a recent order from the Superin tendent of Schools calling attention to a state law prohibiting anything of a religious nature in class exercises. A pneumatic helmet composed of In flatable rubber tubes has been patented for protecting babies' heads from bumps and bruises. 51IIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIllllIlllllllll1IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIlfIIlIIIIIIIIIlIIIlIIIIIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIillIII bHiuiiiutiuuiimiiiiiuiiiiiiimiuiiiiiiuium iiiimiiimiimiiiiimiiimim 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 nuiiuuiuiiHuinniiHiuunuiiniiiiinc EXCEPT in Northern Dobrudja, where the troops of the central powers continue to drive the Russians and Roumanians towards Bessarabia, there has been little Important activity on tho battlefronts of Europe, The Russian troops In Dobrudja. Pe trograd announces, wero forced to re tiro northward under heavy attacks from numerically superior hostile forces. Berlin says that tho Teutonic army In Dobrudja continues to advance success fully and announces the capture of 900 Russian soldiers. East of Lake Raba dagh a Russian regiment. Petrograd records, drove a force of Bulgarians Into Lake Ibolata. A great many Bul garians were drowned and 115 were made prisoner. The artillery bombardment continues at various points on the western front. Berlin reports increased activity, espe cially In the Somme sector and on tho east bank of the Meuse in the Verdun region, the scene of. the latest French advance. In Galicia. near tho Zlochoff-Tarno-pol Railroad, there has been a spirited engagement. Berlin reports the break ing of the advanced Russian line north west of Zalostse, while Petrograd says the Austro-Germans were compelled to retire after occupying some trenches. Some fighting has taken place In the Trotus Valley on the Moldavian fron tier and along tho Bystritza River in the Carpathians. El Arlsh. 90 miles east of the Suez Canal in Egypt, has been captured by British troops. Tho town had been oc cupied for two years by tho Turks, who had built strong entrenchments around It. Tho defenders fled from El Arlsh on the approach, of, the British army, 3 3 Santa It's Your Last Chance Electric Gifts Always Right TIPS FOR THE TARDY Our Store Open Till 11 Tonight Electric Gifts 75c to $150 Vacuum Cleaners Hair Driers Boudoir Lamps Samovars Toasters Disc Stoves Foot Warmers Milk Warmers TUassage Vibrators Cigar Lighters Ovens Waffle Irons Washing Machines Library Lamps Coffee Pecolators Chafing Dishes ELECTRIC STORE Flat irons Curling Iron Heaters Luminous Radiators Tea Kettles Sewing Machine Motors Shaving Mirrors Kitchen Ranges Shaving Mugs ELECTRIC BUILDING i i ma zz iimiiuiiuiiimuniiuummiimiMuiuiwimm v