Morning Oregonian., February 10, 1917, Image 1

VOl... XVII. NO. 17,543.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
V
WILSON
WAR
HOT TO ASK
Measures to 'Protect
Americans' Desired.
HOSTILE ACTION IS AWAITED
Government Considers Arming
and Convoying Ships.
ISSUE STILL WITH BERLIN
Effect of Tying Up of Vessels in
American Harbors Is Considered
and Idleness Is Subject of
Growing Exasperation.
SIX MERCHANTMEN
SUNK BY U-BOATS
FIVE VICTIMS ARE NEUTRALS
AN D ONE IS BRITISHER.
K
V
WASHINGTON. Feb. 9. The course
to be taken by the United States if
Germany compels the use of force to
safeguard American lives and rights
has been determined. It was learned
authoritatively after today's Cabinet
meeting that in the event President
Wilson goes before Congress again It
will not be to ask for a declaration of
war. but to follow literally the words
of the address in which he announced
the break of diplomatic relations and
request authority to use means deemed
necessary to protect American seamen
and people.
The President, it is said. Is as
Btrongly desirous as ever to avoid war
with Germany, but also is as deter
mined as ever that American citizens
and ships shall be free to travel the
high seas unmolested.
Right to Be Enforced.
His next step, if taken, will be to
enforce that right and even then the
issue of war or peace will be with Ger
many. Any hostile action will have to
come in the form . f an Interference
with an American right.
Details of the Government's plans
are not discussed. It is known, how
ever, that convoying and . arming of .
merchant ships are being considered.
No new development came today to
Indicate that the overt act by Ger
many regarded as Inevitable was near
er at hand. Fewer reports of ships
dunk came in and none told officially
of the loss of an American life. Fur
ther information received about George
Washington, the negro fireman lost
on the Turino, indicated that he prob
ably was a British subject.
Defense Council Meets.
The Cabinet met today with all mem
bers present except Secretary McAdoo.
Just before the meeting the majority
of the members had attended & ses
sion of the Council for National De
fense, called at the War Department
to discuss mobilization of the Nation's
resources as a result of many offers
from manufacturing and other com
panies to place themselves at the dis
posal of the Government in the event
of trouble.
Practically every member took to
the Cabinet information about the ac
tivlties of his department In connection
with the general precautions being
"taken. 'Questions discussed included
proposed emergency legislation, steps
for protecting property, mail problems
precipitated by the failure of ships to
sail from American ports for Europe,
economic issues, and Army and Navy
preparations.
Government's Course Unchanged.
After the meeting it was authorlta.
tlvely said that nothing had yet hap
pened to change the course pursued by
the Government since the break in re
lations with Germany. The cumulative
effect of reports of vessels sunk by
German submarines collected by the
State Department, however, has been to
make officials certain that Germany i3
indeed proceeding with her proclaimed
policy of ruthlessness.
The effect of the tying up of ships in
. American harbors because of fear that
they will be sunk if they pass through
the war zone is one of the questions
receiving careful consideration. So far
bs could be learned today there have
been no reports to the Government of
. serious consequences to Industries, but
such reports are expected and the en
forced idleness of the merchant fleet is
a subjet of growing exasperation.
Some resentment was expressed in
Administration quarters today over
what was construed as an implication
contained in Germany's request of Am
bassador Gerard that old treaties be
tween Prussia and the United States be
reaffirmed, that such action was neces
sary to make certain that the rights
of Germans in this country guaranteed
under those treaties be made secure.
Spirit of Treaties Observed.
It was reiterated that the American
Government fully intends acting ac
cording to the spirit of the ' treaties.
While the treaty actually was abro
gated by passage of the seamen's law,
with a conflicting section, the Govern
xnent here looks upon the pact as at
least furnishing the guiding principle
under which it will act.
The Administration is understood to
be highly gratified by the action taken
by many of the neutrals in protestin
with varying degrees of firmness
against Germany's new submarine pol
icy. While none has so far. followed
the lead and suggestion of the United
States by breaking off diplomatic rela
tions, nevertheless the expression of
sentiment was said to be the chief ob
ject desired by President Wilson in sug
Resting action to them.
There was no sensation to disturb
Four Norwegians Destroyed, Officers
of One Being Killed by Shell
lire Without Warning.
LONDON, Feb. 9. Six ' merchant
vessels were listed today as having
been sunk by German submarines.
Four of them were Norwegians, one
British and one Spanish, as follows:
Norwegian Storskog, ship, 2191 tons;
Ida, steamer, 1172 tons, two killed;
Hanskinck, steamer, 2667 tons; Odin,
steamer. 1045 tons.
British Hanna Larsen, steamer, 1310
tons.
Spanish Neava Montana, steamer,
2039 tons. x
The crew of the Storskog was aboard
the submarine when a steamer ap
peared and the undersea-boat sub
merged. The chief officer and carpen
ter were the only ones able to return
to this ship's boat, and they were
picked up by the steamer.
Surviving members of the Ida's crew
were landed today. The captain stated
that the chief mate and the steward
were killed while on deck -by gunfire,
the submarine firing continuously
without warning until the vessel sank.
The steamship Hanskinck formerly
was the American steamer Satilla.
The captain and chief engineer of
the Harna Larsen were taken prisoner.
The remainder of the crew was landed.
The Hanna Larsen originally was
German. Her registry was changed to
U-BOATS
BY DIRECT
COMBATED
GUNFIR
E
BELGIANS' NEEDSi
ARE STILL VITAL
HOOVER RENEWS PLEA TO PEO
PLE OF UNITED STATES.
. . ... . Feeding of Additional 1,200,000
A w-w- If MA AT fAAflA llA '
rtlllllli Ul VCOOClO UC-r Schoolchildren Has Increased
dared Effective.
Guns Mounted on Steamships
Have Great Advantage.
OTHER METHODS EMPLOYED
British when she was requisitioned by
the British Admiralty while interned
at a British port.
Reuter's Christianla correspondent
reports that the steamer Odin of Ber
gen was sunk February 2 without
warning and that two persons on board
her were killed.
Twenty-five of the crew of the tor
pedoed British steamer Vedamor per
ished with the sinking of that vessel.
which was reported yesterday, accord
ing to the Press Association. The sur
vivors have been landed.
The three surviving children of John
M. Little, of New York, whose wife
and one of whose children were lost
on the California, arrived in Glasgow
today. Mrs. Little was on her way to
the sick bed of her mother, Mrs. Hill
who died last night without having
been Informed of her daughter's death,
The child who was lost was a boy of
12 years.
LIQUOR PROVES ELUSIVE
Missing Case of Beer Found, Only
to Vanish Again.
Somewhere in Portland someone 1
mourning a case of beer which he or
she ordered, but did not get. Likewise
someone is presumably enjoying the
contents of the case.
The shipment came in with the last
egal cargo of liquor on the steamer
A, Kllburn. It was so disguised
n an ordinary packing box that at
first It could not be found. When it
was discovered on dock finally a court
of Inquiry went Into the steamer's
hold to obtain a close view of the place
where it had been stowed.
When the court returned to the dock
the beer had disappeared.
.(.Concluded on Page 3, Column
SHIPPING BOARD FILLED
Raymond B. Stevens, of New Hamp
shire, Is Nominee.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 9. Raymond B
Stevens, of New Hampshire, was nomi
nated by President Wilson today as a
memoer oi tne snipping .ouaru tt suc
ceed Bernard N. Barker, who resigned
soon after' being confirmed by the
Senate.
Mr. Stevens, nominated for a term of
five years, was formerly a member of
Congress from New Hampshire, and a
present is a special counsel for the
Federal Trade Commission.
J. B. LOPER DIES AT 101
First Vote Cast for William Henry
Harrison, Last for Wilson.
OLTMPIA. Wash., Feb. 9 J. B.
Loper, 101 years Old, died here today.
He was born at Rochester, N. Y., and
followed the shipbuilding trade.
Until three" months ago he was ac
tive and took a keen interest in poll
tics and' business. He voted in 1
Presidential elections, casting his first
vote for William Henry Harrison and
his last for Woodrow Wilson.
MILITARY SCIENCE TAUGH
Colorado Guard Officers to
Factory Workers.
Train
DENVER, Feb. 9. Noonday classe
In military science are to be held
various Denver factories and shops be
ginning tomorrow.
Officers of the Colorado National
Guard, who Monday night instituted
free evening classes in drilling, tac
tics, first aid and other military
studies, today arranged to supervise
the noonday classes.
SWEDISH PEOPLE APPROVE
Government's Rejection of Wilson
Plan Has No Dissenters.
STOCKHOLM, via London, Feb. 10.
The Swedish government's rejection of
President Wilson's suggestion to make
common cause with the United States
in severing diplomatic relations with
Germany has not been followed by di
sent in high political quarters.
Even the strongest pro-entente pa
tisans seemed agreed the invitaaio
could not possibly have been accepted.
ERISCOPE MAKES FAIR MARK
Marine ' Authority Close to British
Shipping Interests Says Deck
Guns and Good Marks
manship Win Fight.
NEW YORK. Feb. 9. Although
figures to show the number of sub
marines destroyed by the entente allies
and the means used in their destruc
tion are unavailable, owing to the rigid
censorship on war activities, it was
earned here tonight from an authori
tative source that direct gunfire from
the decks of warships and auxiliary
vessels had been -the most effective
method employed "thus far.
To combat the submarine menace the
British government and her allies
ave adopted various plans to catch the
ndersea boats, although some of them
have been abandoned as Ineffective.
Light Guns Most Effective.
A marine authority of unquestioned
standing, who Is close t6 British ship
ping interests, said today when asked
as 'to the effectiveness of arming
ships: '
We have found that light guns, dis
charging propectiles of four to six
pounds, in the hands of trained gun-
ers, have been by far the most ef
fective weapon. I know personally
that as many as two and three sub
marines have been bagged In one day
In this" way. (
A submarine commander looking
through a - periscope has & range of
ision of about three miles, but he
must get his target broadside on to
have a reasonable chance of making a
torpedo hit what it is aimed for, and
as torpedoes are expensive missiles he
cannot afford to take many chances on
miss.
One True Shot Enoagb,
"A periscope above the water at a
distance of 2000 or 3000 yards makes
a fair mark for a gunner working from
the deck of a ship 30 or 40 feet above
the surface of the sea. One shot hit
ting the mark is all that Is needed, as
the submarines are of light construc
tion, easily penetrated and a hole any
where in their shell spells their doom.
It is seldom that a torpedo Hs fired
when a threatened ship can so maneu
ver as to show only her stern for a
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 2.)
Cost $1,000,000 a Month.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9. Herbert C.
Hoover, chairman of the Commission
for Relief in Belgium, told members of
the City Club in an address today tuat
there is no starvation In Belgium at
present and that there would not be
any "so long as the Commission has
funds to continue its work." He said
that the Belgians are now healthy.
"But." he added, "it is the vital duty
of Americans to give aid that this
health may be maintained. Without
this aid Belgium must Btarve."
Mr. Hoover said the relief commis
sion is short between four and five mil-
lion dollars a month in Its budget.
"This is due largely to the fact that
we have taken on additional loads."
he said. "Recently we have been feed
ing 1,200,000 school children 'at a cost
of more than $1,000,000 a month.
"We must raise this money by some
means other than Government subsi
dies and we appeal to the citizens of
the United States to help with the
burden."
CHRIS EVANS, NOTED
BANDIT LEADER, DIES
War Long Waged on
, Southern Pacific.
BALTIC ARRIVES
IN BRITISH PORT
VESSEL CARRYING AMERICANS
REPORTED SAFE.
POOR FARM LEFT FOR HOSPITAL
Neighbors Organized to Resist
Eviction by Railroad.
TRAINS OFTEN HELD UP
BRITAIN TO GET PROTEST
Chile to Send Note Regarding Re
moval of German From Ship.
SANTIAGO. Chile. Feb. 9. The Chilean
government will protest to Great Brit
ain against the removal by the British
transport Otranto from the Chilean
steamer Maipo of Captain Ernst
Krausse, manager of the German Kos
moa line.
A dispatch from Lima, Peru. Febru
ary 8, said a vessel believed to have
been the Otranto removed Captain
Krausse from the Malpo near Ceiro
Azul Thursday "morning.
BATTLE IS ON OFF BRAZIL
Heavy
Firing Near Island
Miles from Mainland.
125
RIO JANEIRO, Brazil. Feb. 9. A dis
patch received here from Pernambuco,
Brazil, quotes the Dlario, of that city,
to tha effect that cannon firing was
heardjfcetween 2 and 6 A. M. today near
the island of. Fernando de . Norohna,
a Brazilian- island 12a. miles from the
mainland.
The newspaper says flashes were ob
served from the island, as though large
naval guns were being fired.
INDIANA DRY BILL SIGNED
Use of Liquor to lie Prohibited After
April 2, 1018.
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 9. Governor
Goodrich today signed the state-wide
prohibition bill making Indiana dry on
and after April 2, 1918.
The law prohibits the sale, manufac
ture, giving away or advertisement of
all alcoholic liquors, except pure grain
alcohol for chemical and medicinal
purposes and wine for sacramental
uses.
DEALS
SPEAKER
CHARGED
BY
CLASH
Deputies, Sent by Company After
Most Relentless Enemy, Are Led
' Into Ambush and Killed.
Capture Follows Night DueL
Chris Evans, famed California high
wayman, died last night at St. Vin
cent's Hospital at 10:30 o'clock, end
ing a checkered career which carried
him from the leadership of a bandit
gang to the doors of the County Farm.
He was 70 years old.
Evans, who was a Catholic, received
the consolations of religion from the
hospital chaplain a few hours before
his death. I
Evans came into the limelight for
the last time on January 221917. when
he was committed to Multnomah
County Farm for the remainder of his
days.
One-Time Leader Wi AVealt. '
He was then palsied", weak, and help
less, and bore little resemblance to
the hero of Wild West romance that
he looked 15 years ago. His son took
him from the farm and sent him to
the hospital for an operation.
Evans began his career as a bandit
by declaring war against the Southern
Pacific railroad when the company
notified him that his grant of land in
the San Joaquin Valley had reverted to
the corporation. His home was on the
place, and he had been raising wheat
and stock. .
Neighbors Organised for War.
Evans' answer to the eviction no
tice was to organize his neighbors into
a vigilance committee. They ' learned
that the railroad had sent 15 deputies
to drive them from their homes.
Flredfor the defense of what they
considered their own 'property, the
vigilantes crept forth and ambushed
the evlctors. There was a - battle,
fought from behind fences, sand dunes!
and rocks. In the end the vigilantes
triumphed, and not one of the 15 depu
ties escaped alive.
Railroad Hated Intensely.
Evans dodged the clutches of the
law. He fled and Joined John Sontag.
The two organized a band of profes
sional bandits; Driven from their
homes through the agency of the
Southern Pacific Railroad, the men
hated that corporation with insane
Adriatic, With One American Citi
zen Aboard, Now In War Zone,
but No Anxiety Is Shown.
NEW YORK, Feb. 9. The steamship
Baltic of the White Star Line has ar
rived safely at Liverpool, according to
a cable message received here tonight
by officers of 'the company. The mes
sage besides announcing that the Bal
tic had reached her pier said "all well."
The arrival of the Baltic removes
from the danger zone another British
vessel carrying United States citizens.
There were two Americans among her
44 passengers. The steamship took to
England a full cargo of munitions.
' No report had been received tonight
from the Adriatic, also of the White
Star Line, which sailed from New York
last Saturday and which Is believed to
be inside the war zone. Officials of the
line professed to feel no anxiety for
her safety. There is one American pas
senger on the Adriatic
The American line announced tonight
that no decision had been reached as
to the sailing of the steamships St.
Louis and St. Paul, which have been
indefinitely postponed. The crew of
the St. Louis still is on board awaiting
orders. The company flatly denied it
had been decided to mount guns on the
St. Louis before she sailed.
Thomas Asks House to
Reverse Stanfield.
COMMITTEE DECLARED PACKED
Storm Breaks When Gill Bill
Goes to Game Committee.
(Concluded on Pago 4, Column 3.)
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AMERICAN VESSELS READY
Non-Contraband Cargoes Loaded and
Crews Wholly American.
NEW YORK. Feb. 9. Two freight
steamers flying the American flag were
ready tonight to start for Bordeaux
with non-contraband cargoes. They
are the Orlean, of the Oriental Naviga
tion Company, and the Rochester, pf
the Kerr Steamship Company.
Each vessel registers about 6000 tons
and each is manned exclusively by
Americans. Both vessels have the
American flag painted on both sides.
Until her purchase recently by the
Oriental Company the Orlean was
known as the Avellanada and was un
der the Argentine flag. The freighters
will get away tomorrow morning, their
owners' announced.
CROCUSES ARE IN BLOOM
Sunshine Brings Out Earliest
Spring .Garden Flowers.. -
of
Its crocus time In Portland, and
lawns will be gay with the earliest
of Spring garden flowers in a few days.
Thursday saw the first crocuses of the
season bloom in residence districts and
in the City Park. Southern slopes
were flecked with yellow, and tulips.
just peeping above the turf, looked
round and ready to burst. Many of the
other early flowers have made wonder
ful progress with the last few days of
sunshine, and soon will be in bloom.
Dr. S. M. Mann reported that the
first crocuses to be seen in LInnton
this Spring bloomed Friday also.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
TESTE RDATS Maximum temperature, 80
decrees: minimum. 37 decrees.
TODAY'S Occasional rain; -variable winds.
Legislatures.
House passe road and Irrigation codes.
Pass 5.
Washington Legislature will be represented
at bridge opening. Page 7.
Marriage test repeal carried in Senate.
Paga 7.
Penitentiary allowed $207,040 for blenniuro's
expenses. Page 6.
Antl-plcketlng bill passes Kouse, 33-23.
Pm O.
Coos aud Curry organize to combat beach
bill. Page 6.
Speaker charges deals In counter attack on
Thomas. Page X.
Submarines.
British find direct gunfire most effective
against submarines. Page 1.
Nearly 3000 Red Cross nurses ready. Page 2.
Liner Baltic, with Americans aboard, safe
in .British port. Page 1.
Wilson will not ask Congress to declare
war. Page 1.
U-boats sink six merchantmen. Page ft
Germany regrets detaining Gerard. Page 2,
National.
Senate completes modified strike bill.
Page 2.
Broker testifies members of Congress bought
stocks. Page 4.
Only four small warships added under Dan
tela supervision. Page 3.
Departure of Oregon and Washington troops
delayed. Page 13.
' Domestie.
Ex-President Taft says America's position
has changed since time of Washington,
Page 2.
Mooney found guilty of bomb murders.
Page 5.
Pressing needs of Belgians urged on Amerl
cans, page l.
Sports.
Bronson Is now good drawing card among
fight, fans or Northwest, page in
McCredle announces team personnel for
Honolulu trip. Page 16.
West defeats East by voting down proposed
amateur tennis rule. Page lo.
Uncle Sams defeat Seattle, S to 1. Page 16.
Pacific Northwest.
State attacks Clackamas decision In Hyde
case. Page a.
Commercial and Marine.
Higher bids for all grades of wheat in
Northwest. Page 17.
Resumption of exports lifts wheat prices at
Chicago. Page 17.
All stocks, except a few equipments, are
lower. Page IT. -
Third Pacific Coast Nellsen vessel chartered.
Page 13.
Portland and Vicinity.
Olive branch Is held out to Chinese tongs.
Pag 12.
M. h. McCall Is found guilty of slaying
barber. page .
Henry building sold for $350,000. Page 12.
J. E. Davidson accepts position in East.
, Page 11.
City club commends University of Oregon
ticnool or commerce, rage u.
Board nf Health issues report on vital sta-
tistics. Paagel 1.
City faces choice of completing Auditorium
Itself or adding S-'H.ouu to contractor
price. Page 10.
Chris Evans, noted, bandit leader, dies.
Page 1.
State societies to help entertain Teachers
convention. Page 13.
Weather report, data and forecast. Page IT
SENATE ALSO ACCUSED
Member Declares Rogue River Meas
ure Is Slated for Sacrifice to
Get Other Act Through and
Attack Is Withdrawn.
STATE CAPITOL, Salem, Or.. Feb. 9.
(Special.) Charges of "log rolling,"
trading" and "foul work" were hurled
back and forth on the floor of tho
House tonight in an unexpected but
sensational personal clash between
Speaker Stanfield and Representative
Thomas, of Jackson County.
The encounter arose over the Speak
er s disposition of Senator Gills bill
to prohibit commercial fishing in the
Willamette River above Stony Point,
near Oswego.
Stanfield referred the bill to the
committee on game, of which Repre
sentative Corbett is chairman.
Speaker's Ruling Attacked. (
Instantly Thomas Insisted that the
bill go to the fisheries committee, of
which he i3 a member. He declared
the game committee "loaded," and
wound up his brief but fiery assault
with a. motion to set aside the Speaker's
ruling.
Stanfield accepted the challenge.
Calling Representative Anderson to
the chair, he descended to the floor.
Representative Eaton gained prior
recognition and appealed to members
of the House to sustain their Speaker's
decision. "It is a courtesy and a right
that custom and good, legislation de-
mand." he said. Moreover, he declared.
the Speaker had been entlrelly fair.
Foal 'Work Is Charged.
But the Speaker did not purpose to
let the reflection on his fairness and
good Judgment pass without reply.
"This is the first time that I have
asked this House to sustain me in any
of my decisions." he began, "but it is
time now to speak plainly on some
things.
"There has been log-rolling and
trading and foul work in this House.
I am going to ask you now and here
to allow this bill to go to the com
mittee on game, where I believe It will
have a fair and impartial hearing. The
author of this bill has asked me to
send it to the game committee, and
we ought to consider his wishes."
Committee Declared Stacked.
Thomas was on his. feet instantly.
"I understand this committee has
been stacked against this bill." he
cried. "I know what is going on here.
They tell me over in the Senate that
(Concluded on Page o. Column 1.)
Yesterday in the Legislature.
THE Senate yesterday passed Senator
Cusick's bill repealing the pre
marital medical examination law, which,
has caused so many couples to go to
Vancouver to wed. Among the Sena
tors voting for the repeal were Smith,
of Josephine ,and Wood, both physi
cians. It now goes to the House.
Representative Sheldon's bill grant
ing all legal voters the right to vote
for school directors by removing the
property qualification. passed the
Senate. It goes to the Governor, as
it had already passed the House.
Other important bills approved by
the Senate out of a total of 25 bills
passed were the following:
The Orton bill, making the teachers'
tenure in office law-still tighter and
providing that a teacher may not be
transferred to a lower-salaried position
without a hearing before three com
missioners appointed by the presiding
Circuit Judge.
A bill restricting the mothers' pen
sion act and giving County Judges dis
cretion in granting relief.
Senator" Pierce's bill establishing a
grain inspection bureau at Portland
under the supervision of the Public
Service Commission.
One of three bills killed by the Sen
ate was Smith of Josephine's measure
to reduce salaries of Circuit Judges
from $4000 to $3600.
The Senate and House will be In ses
sion all day tomorrow.
The House held Its first night ses
sion. disposing of a big volume of
business, passing six bills and hearing
a grist of committee reports.
' The road code and irrigation code
were passed by the House at the aft
ernoon session, and the anti-picketlng.
anti-banner bill at the morning session.
The 'Willett bill, removing property
qualifications from voters at all school
elections, and the Laurgaard bill, re
ducing the terms of school directors in
Portland from five years to three yeara, .
went through the House at the after
noon session.