a -t -
JT -
VOL. LVII NO. 17,556.
PORTLAND, OREGON, TUESDAf. FEBRUARY 27, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
TONNAGE SUNK BY knnn
"PUT HONOR FIRST,"
SAYS MAYOR ALBEE
PRESIDENT ASKS
CONGRESS TO ACT
DIVISION OF IDAHO
ONE STEP NEARER
ll.ROATS IS 24.522 IUUU
WV Aks
FIVE VESSKLS IN ADDITION" TO Ml UilllU
TELEGRAM SENT OREGOX DELE
GATION AT WASHXN'GTOX.
HOUSE FAVORS CALLING CONSTT-
IiACOXIA DESTROYED.
TUTIONAIi CONVENTION.
THOUSA DS
CONGRESS TO GRANT
WILSON'S REQUEST
Two Houses Already
Are Paving Way.
ahcaii Hi
LOSI Oil LACONIA
mm
Support in Protection of
Americans Requested.
EXTRA SESSION PROBABLE
Wilson's Advisers Hold Delay
Will Convince Germany Na-
tion Is Not United.
OVERT ACT NOT AWAITED
Tdews of Sinking of Laconia Is
Received While Congress
Listens to Address.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. Presi
dent Wilson today asked Congress for
authority to use the forces of the
United States to protect American
ships and lives against the German
submarine menace to put the Nation
in a state of armed neutrality.
The immediate response was the in
troduction in the House of a bill, ap
proved in advance by the President,
empowering him to furnish cuns and
gunners to American merchantmen
and to "employ such other Instrumen
talities and methods" as may become
necessary, and providing for a $100,
000,000 bond issue, to be used in his
discretion for war insurance to en
courage American commerce to brave
the submarine periL
Speedy Action Indicated.
The bill may be brought up in the
House tomorrow with special rules for
Its immediate consideration.
A similar bill will be considered to
morrow by the Senate foreign rela
tions committee.
The President's long-expected ac
tion, while received in the main with
expressions of support, threatens to
force an extra session of Congress.
Republicans, disinclined to grant
blanket authority while Congress is in
recess, give evidence of opposing the
legislation the President asks, not for
the purpose of withholding it, but to
force him to have Congress in spe
cial session to take a hand in the
next steps, which they feel will lead
to war. The Republicans are receiv
ing passive support from the Demo
cratic element classed as pacifist.
( Effect on Germany Deplored.
The President's advisers deplore
this situation, for its effect on Ger
many, where, they are convinced, it
will feed the official impression that
Congress will not support the Presi
dent if he finds it necessary to go to
war, and that he is not speaking the
sentiments of a united country.
The President's request for author
ity to use "other instrumentalities" is
the principal sticking point. Even the
Republicans, and some of the Demo
crats, who hesitate to give him what
he asks) say they would be willing to
give him authority to arm American
ships or act on a definite proposal,
but are reluctant to "sign a blank
check."
The Administration faces this divi
sion in its own ranks in its effort to
convince the Kaiser that the United
States is now preparing to enforce re
spect for its rights on the high seas.
Some Democrats point to the Presi
dent's own statement in -his address
today that he considered he already
had implied authority to act, and
might do so without sanction of Con
gress. specuic Aumoniy uesired.
Sir. Wilson himself, however, said
he preferred not to act on implica
tions, and did not desire to be left
without specific authority and no Con
gress to which to turn. All these
things point toward an extra session,
although a way out may develop at
the last moment.
Although President Wilson told
Congress he was not acting because
of the long-feared "overt act," news
of the destruction of the Cunard liner
Laconia, with Americans aboard, was
received here as he was entering the
doors of the Capitol and was passed
from mouth to mouth through Con
gress while he was speaking. Lack
ing details, its seriousness could not
be estimated, but it was apparent
everywhere that it gave weight to the
President's words, then falling upon a
body of grave, silent legislators, as
.(Concluded ua Page , Column 3.;,
Sailor Arriving In Boston Tells of
IUddling of German Submarine
by Portuguese Destroyers.
T
I
X
VICTIMS OF GERMAN SUBMA
RINES REPORTED TES
TERDAV. Tonnage.
Laconia (British) 18,099
Algiers (British) 2,361
Eros (British 1,843
"Vigda (Norwegian) ..... 1,854
Kleber (French) .. 277
Maria Adrlana (Dutch)... 88
Total known tonnage..... 24,522
Tonnage previously sunk. .431,771
Known tonnage since Feb
ruary 1..... ....458.293
Summary Since February 1.
American 2
Other neutrals ........ E4
British . 107
Other belligerents ... . ... 19
Unidentified ................. 2
Total
1S4
LONDON. Feb. 26. Lloyd's announces
that the British steamer Dorothy, 3806
tons, and the British steamer Algiers,
2361 tons, have been sunk. A dispatch
from Queenstown says the British
steamer Eros, 1843 tons, has been sunk.
and that 14 survivors have been landed.
The French official communication
Saturday announced the sinking of the
Dorothy. The Algiers was built In
1882. Her home port was London.
PARIS, Feb. 26 The French Admir
alty announces that the following ves
sels were sunk February 25 and 26:
Jutch sailer Maria Adriana, 88 tons;
Norwegian steamer Vigda, 1854 tons;
French sailer Kleber, 277 tons; British
steamer Algiers, 2361 tons.
BOSTON, Feb. 26. The sinking of a
German submarine in the harbor of St.
Vincent, Cape de Verde Islands, by two
Portuguese torpedo-boats on the night
of January 1, was described here today
by Arthur J. Jeffs, of New Tork, a
member of the crew of the steamship
Eddie.
One shot apparently pierced the sub
marine's hull, Jeffs said, and prevented
her from submerging. The undersea
craft then circled the Eddie several
times, maneuvering for an opportunity
to launch a torpedo, but the torpedo
boats finally caught the submarine be
tween them. They opened up with their
rapid firers and the U-boat, with her
hull riddled, sank suddenly.
The Eddie left the islands while Jeffs
was on shore leave and he stowed away
on the Fagerness. He was detained
temporarily by the immigration au
thorities.
SOCIALIST PARTY. IS SPLIT
Warring Factions in Sweden Come
to Open Rupture.
STOCKHOLM, via London, Feb. 26.
The rupture between the warring fac
tions of the Socialist party, which was
foreseen at the recent congress here,
has come to pass.
Members of the Socialist Left have
published an appeal for the formation
of a new Socialist party. The procla
mation is signed by 15 members of the
party in Parliament and 18 from the
general party organization.
ANTHEM'S USE RESTRICTED
San Francisco Would Require Salute
at "Star-Spangled Banner."
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26. A pro
posed ordinance prohibits the use of
the anthem, "Star-Spangled Banner," in
ragtime medleys, vaudeville, or for
dance-hall marches, and requires mu
sicians and audience to stand during
its rendition whenever practicable.
It was passed to print by the Board
of Supervisors here today.
GERMANY FREES SAILORS
Varrowdale American Captives Re-
leased February 16, Is Report.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 26. Ambassador
"SVillard at Madrid cabled today that the
Spanish Foreign Office had notified
him that 72 American sailors taken on
the prize ship Yarrowdale into Germany
had been released by Germany on Feb
ruary 16.
No details were given.
Mi
SEED SPUDS ARE $100 TON
Seattle Jobbers .Also Pay $2 00 Ton
F. O. B. for Oregon Onions.
SEATTLE. Wash, Feb. 26. One hun
dred dollars a ton for seed potatoes is
the price quoted to jobbers here by
farmers in the valleys between Seattle
and Tacoma. Holdings are . reported
scarce.
Seattle jobbers paid $200 a ton f. o. b.
for Oregon onions.
IRISHMEN AR BANISHED
Military Tribunal Decides to Issue
Order Without Trials.
LONDON, Feb. 26. Twenty-eight
persons have been arrested in Ireland
Henry E. Duke, chief secretary for Ire
land, told the House of Commons to
day. The arrests were made under the
defense-of-the-realm act.
It was not proposed to try these men.
Congestion in Eastern
Yards Acute.
SITUATION GROWS ALARMING
Trackage From Los Angeles
to Chicago Glutted.
SOME ON ROAD 3 WEEKS
Fear Expressed That Fruits, Veg
etables and Meats May Spoil Be
fore Reaching New York.
Federal Aid Asked."
CHICAGO, Feb. 26. (Special.)
Thousands of cars, filled with food
stuffs consigned to the Atlantic sea
board for export, are lying on the sid
ings of the Western railroads between
Chicago and Los Angeles. Cal.. held
there because of the congestion In
Eastern railroad yards, according to re
ports received today by the Bureau of
Investigation, United States Depart
ment of Justice, from special investi
gators who have Just returned from
food Inspection trips along the Western
lines.
These foodstuffs, some of which have
been on the sidings for three weeks,
consist of fruit, vegetables, canned
goods and meats. The lines of the
Southern Pacific are cited as an exam
ple of this food congestion in the West
and Southwest. It is explained that on
this line some of the cars have been
on siding so long, fear Is expressed that
the food will spoil before It can reach
a market.
Eastern Movement Wasted.
It Is the opinion of the Federal au
thorities working out of the office of
Hlnton G. Clabaugh, of the Bureau of
Investigation, that if some plan could
be evolved to start the long trains of
foodstuffs eastward they would relieve
the food shortage situation in New
Tork. Chicago and elsewhere.
Much of this food. It is reported, was
arranged for only recently by agents
of the British government sent to the
United States shortly before the Ger
man submarine blockade was an
nounced.
When the submarine blockade finally
was announced, cutting down number of
ships sailing from the Atlantic seaboard
cities, the great movement of cars Into
New York and the East caused a block
ade and railway yard congestion which
finally extended to the Western lines.
Eastern Yards Choked.
Loaded freight cars were piled up on
every available siding between New
Yor-k and Philadelphia, and then the cars
were shunted on sidings farther west,
only to be added to by other cars mov
ing rapidly In from the West. The
blockade then reached Chicago, causing
a cessation in shipment of grain east
ward. The Far Western lines began to
fill up with cars until the present con
dition unearthed by the Federal In
vestigation came to light.
It is possible that the Federal Gov
ernment may be - asked to take some
action toward moving the tralnloads
of foodstuffs Into the Eastern markets
within the next few weeks. It Is pointed
(Concluded on Page 4. Column 6.)
NOW WE
J
t
Portland Executive Refuses to Re
quest "Peace at Any Price,"
as Urged by Some.
The "peace-at-any-prlce" propagand
ist is severely rapped in a telegram
dispatched yesterday to the Oregon del
egation in Congress by Mayor Albee.
Mr. Albee urged that the President re
ceive the full support of the Oregon
members In Congress and that they for
get other appeals than those that It
was necessary for the honor of the
country to be maintained at any cost.
Mayor Albee has been requested by
Dr. W. T. Foster, H. W. Stone and oth
ers to send a telegram to the Oregon
delegation. He said that he would.
After thinking the matter over. Mayor
Albee decided that he could urge but
one thing: "Put honor first and peace
second."
Mayor Albee explains in this tele
gram that he had been requested to
send a telegram urging peace at any
price,' but his answer to the request is
that "peace without honor would blot
out nearly a century, and a half of
glorious National achievement.".
Following is the telegram:
"In God's name, I wish to urge you to
stand by our President and our Nation
in this most trying time. Give no heed
to those who, perhaps unwittingly, lend
aid and comfort to an opposing force
by sending forth to the world the false
impression that a large proportion of
our citizens are so wrapped up In the
propaganda of peace that the Nation's
honor Is lost sight of and that as weak
lings we will refuse to protect those
who with Justifiable expectancy look
to the Stars and Stripes as the' emblem
of liberty and the enemy of oppression.
"I have been asked by those taking
requested concerted action to telegraph
you urging peace at any price, and my
answer Is this- message to you urging
you to put honor first and peace sec
ond, for peace without honor would
blot out nearly a 'century and a half
of glorious National achievement. May
you have divine guidance in a calm and
earnest Judgment to the end that the
peoples of the earth may rise up and
call this Nation blessed."
The telegram was sent to each of the
five members of the Oregon delegation.
MISSIONARIES WILL STAY
American Board Not to Order Its
Workers Out of Turkey.
BOSTON, Feb. 2( The American
board of commissioners for foreign
missions and other boards controlling
the missions and the mission colleges in
Turkey have decided not to order the
American missionary workers to leave
that country. Dr. James L. Barton, sec
retary of the American board, an
nounced tonight.
All American workers In Turkey have
permission to leave, but It is expected,
he said, that none except' those whose
term of service has expired will quit
their posts.
NEWSPAPERS ACCEPT PLAN
Requirements to Be Reduced to Meet
Paper Situation, If Necessary.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 26. Newspaper
publishers from throughout the United
States, meeting here today with the
Federal Trad Commission, voted unan
imously to co-operate with the Com
mission if it decides to accept the pro
posal by news print manufacturers
that the Commission fix a price for
their products.
The publishers agreed to reduce their
requirements if necessary to make the
plan successful.
KNOW WHAT AN UNTENABLE POSITION IS.
RESULTS WILL BE "OBTAINED
Check for $100,000,000 to Be
Handed to President.
GRAVE SITUATION IS SEEN
German Gage of Battle Will Be Ac
cepted by" Provision for Armed.
Protection of Americans
Traveling toy Sea.
BY JOHN C ALLAN O'LAUGHLIN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. (Special.)
From neutrality to armed neutrality!
President Wilson formally asked Con
gress today to permit him to take this
serious step should developments in
the German submarine campaign make
it necessary.
Congress will comply with the Pres
ident's request. Mr. Wilson hopes it
will do so promptly and thereby pro
duce an Impressive moral effect upon
the Central European nations.
The two houses axe paving the way
to the enactment of legislation con
ferring power upon the chief executive
to protect American life and property
upon the high seas. At the same time
they are preparing to hand him a blank
check for $100,000,000 for use in meet
ing the 'expenses the new policy will
Incur.
Result Will Be Forthcoming;.
At the meeting of the Senate com
mittee tomorrow suggestions for
amendments of the Administration bill
will be offered for the purpose of
specifically defining the President's au
thority. The amendments will be sub
mitted to the President and those ap
proved by him will be accepted by the
Democrats. The President is not con
cerned about the textual integrity of
the bill; hj wants results. These ha
wil: get.
It was with the greatest 'reluctance
that the President appeared before Con
gress to obtain authorlL- to use force
if necessary against the powerful Ger
man naval machine. He realized that
he must be prepared for any eventual
ity during the months when Congress
will not be sitting. He hoped that
conditions would not compel him to
exercise the power which he believed
Congress would not hesitate to give
him once he explained the grounds
upon which he based his request.
American Lives Imperiled.
That hope, however. Is at a vanish
ing point tonight, as fuller details are
being received In connection with the
sinking of the Cunard passenger liner
Laconia.
The press reports say the vessel was
sunk without warning. Whether or not
she was warned, the fact, remains
and this looms large In the Preslden
tial mind that she was torpedoed at
10 o'clock last night 140 miles from
.shore. Here Is the imperiling of Amer
ican life which the President spe
cifically warned Germany the United
States would not tolerate.
It will be well for the American peo-
(Concluded on Page 3, Column 1.)
Joint Resolution Provides for Bleet-
lng In Moscow June 19 Prior,
to Asking Congress to Act.
BOISE. Idaho. Feb. 26. (Special.)
The proposed creation of a new state
out of territory comprised in the 10
counties in Northern Idaho was one
step nearer realization today, when the
House of Representatives adopted by
a vote of 36 to 25 House Joint resolu
tion No. 196 calling for a constitutional
convention to consider the proposal.
Because a call of the House was in
sisted upon and ordered before debate
had been beard for and against the
resolution, debate was entirely shut off
and the measure passed without com
ment. By the terms of the resolution a con
vention Is called, to be held in tho city
of Moscow June 19. 1917. for the pur
pose of drafting a constitution for the
proposed r.ew state, the southern
boundary line of which is the southern
boundary line of Idaho County, the
proposed territory being all counties
north of that. Each county Is to have
delegates to the convention equal to
the number of Representatives and
Senators In the Legislature. The con
stitution adopted must be submitted to
the qualified electors in the territory
for ratification, after which a petition
will be presented to Congress for sub
mission of the territory as a new state
in the Union.
EX-GOVERNOR HAINES LOW
Hopes for Pioneer of Boise and Idaho
Are Given Up.
BOISE. Idaho. Feb. 26. (Special.)
John M. Haines. Governor of this state
in 1913-1914. was at death's door to
night, and all hope of his recovery has
been given up. He is suffering from
a complication of diseases, brought on
by pneumonia, and with a. weak heart.
Mr. Haines is a member of the real
estate firm of W. E. Pierce & Co. and
Is one of the pioneers of Boise and
Idaho. He first came into public promi
nence when he was elected Mayor of
Boise. He was defeated for re-election
as Governor two years ago by the
present Governor, Moses Alexander.
SPRING DAY IS PROMISED
Sunshine and Rise in Temperautre
Driving Away Snow.
Tuesday fair, westerly winds."
Bound up in those four words are
promises of Spring that apparently was
ushered in yesterday with a number
of hours of real sunshine and a ma
terial moderation in temperature.
Temperatures ranged yesterday be
tween a maximum of 46 degrees and a
minimum of 34. two above freezing.
The snow has rapidly disappeared
from all but rather eminent districts.
Yesterday's precipitation was .14 inches.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 48
aegrres; minimum. 6 degrees.
TODAY'S Fair; westerly winds.
Submarines.
Tonnage destroyed by German submarines
in day. Pace 1.
Navy has runs for merchant ships, but gun
ners are needed. Page 2.
Indignation In Holland over sinking of
uutcn amps is growing, page 4.
Cunard liner Laconia. with 26 Americans
aboard, sunk without warning. Page 1.
Profeaaor Delbrueck Justifies submarine
campaign aa reprisal for British block
ade. Page 2.
Wilson aaka Congress to give him authority
ana means to protect American Uvea.
Page 1.
Text of Prealdent's address to Congress.
page .
Congreaa to grant Wilson's request. Page 1.
Members from Northweat favor extra sea
slon of Congreaa Page 3.
War.
British capture Kut-el-Amara. Page 8.
German destroyers raid British coast.
Page 3.
German retreat rreateat sine battle of
Marne. Page 4.
Domestic.
Thouaands of cars of foodatuffs kept for
weeks on sidings, page J.
Sport.
Brenton and Slglln send In signed con
tracts. Page 12.
Multnomah Club wina amateur hockey title.
Page li
Washington beats Lincoln at basketball.
Page 12. .
Pacific Northwest.
Propoaed division of Idaho advanced by
House action. Page 1.
Washington Supreme Court decldea against
Jitneys. Page 7.
Attorney-General Brown offers no opinion
as to solving missing bridge bill puzzle.
Page 14.
Lister and Senate clash on mlllage. Page 7.
Commercial and Marine.
Demand from East for wheat has ceased.
Page 23.
Chicago wheat market weakened by sink
ing of Laconia. Page 23.
Shipping shares advance on President's ad
dress. Pago 23.
Record prices for cattle and hoga at Port
land stockyards. Page 23.
Tramp steamer owners reported to have boy
cotted sacked grain. Page 14.
, Portland and Vicinity.
Drug prices continue to soar. Page 13.
Four sisters sue fifth In (40.000 will case.
Page 0.
Dairymen of Western States submit milk
samples In contest. Pago 13.
Oregon farmers realize blar profit from po
tatoes and onions. Page 13.
Cashier officers go to Jail today. Page 11.
A. Musgrove Roberts in need after accident.
Pago 11.
Senatora Moser and Huston grilled by
Chamber. Page ft.
Dr. r. N. Roberg says Board of Health
work Is hampered by lack of funds.
Page 10
Essay a favoring road bond Issue Invited,
page .
Mayor Albeo urges Oregon delegation to
"put honor first." Page 1.
Senator Moaer appeals for united support
for road bonds. Page 3.
Cicero -K. Hogan elected Captain of 'Troop
A. Page 5.
Rev. Dr. Boyd takes Issue with pacifist
views of David Starr Jordan. Page 5.
Weather repurt. data and forecast, face 3,
Cunard Liner Is Sunk by
U-Boat at Night.
26 AMERICANS ON BOARD
Vessel Is" Armed for Defense,
but Torpedo Comes With
out Warning, in Dark.
SURVIVORS ARE LANDED
Washington Regards Sinking
as Most Serious of All
Germany's Acts.
LONDON, Feb. 26. Two American
women, Mrs. Mary E. Hoy and her
daughter, Miss Elizabeth Hoy, both of
Chicago, lost their lives in the sinking
of the Cunard liner Laconia, a great
vessel of 18,099 tons gross, which had
been only recently taken from the Ad
miralty service to resume her run as
a merchant vessel, destruction of
which was officially reported by tho
British Admiralty today.
Swamping of Boats Fatal.
A Central News dispatch from
Queenstown says Mrs. and Miss Hoy
were drowned by the swamping of a
boat.
The dispatch says many survivors
suffered severely from exposure. All
hospitals and hotels in QueenEtown
were prepared for the reception of the
survivors, and plenty of warm food,
clothing and beds were available when
they arrived.
The Laconia was torpedoed by a
German submarine and sunk without
warning in the darkness of late night.
She was armed for defense, but ap
parently had no opportunity to use her
gun.
Twenty-6ix Americans Aboard.
There were 26 Americans aboard, of
whom six were cabin passengers and
20 were members of the crew. Two
lives are known to have been lost.
Wesley Frost, American Consul at
Queenstown, telegraphed the Ameri
can Embassy here today:
"Cunarder Laconia torpedoed 10:50
Sunday night. Two hundred and seventy-eight
survivors landed. Details
lacking but known some missing. One
dead."
LONDON,. Feb- 27 (Tuesday)
Apparently two small parties of the
Laconia's survivors, apart from the
main body, have been landed 15 at
Banley and about the same number
elsewhere. The steamer which rescued
the bulk of those aboard the Cunarder
carried also the survivors of the
sunken British steamer Falcon and 14
members of the crew of another lost
British vessel.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. The sink
ing of the big Cunard liner Laconia,
apparently without warning and with
26 Americans on board, loomed up to
night as the most serious disregard of
American rights since- the ruthless
German submarine campaign began.
Government officials here made no at
tempt to conceal their concern.
Consul Reports One Life Lost.
Consul Frost, at Queenstown, re
ported to the State Department the
sinking of the vessel and the loss of
one life, but late tonight had not been
able to furnish details as to whether
it was an American who met death.
He expected to secure full informa
tion from the 267 survivors due at
Queenstown at 11:30 o'clock tonight.
Officials pointed out that while
final reports may show that no Ameri
can lives were lost, the fact will re
main that the Americans on board
were illegally assaulted on a peaceful
mission and escaped death only by
good fortune.
Official Mail Is Lost.
The United States is concerned in
the sinking of the Laconia also be
cause a large amount of official dip
lomatic mail had been intrusted to
her.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26. Twenty-six
Americans, six of whom were, cabin
passengers and 20 members of the
crew, were on board the Cunard liner
Laronia, from New York, February
18 for Liverpool with 75 passengers
and a crew of 216, when the vessel
ACoucluued us rat 2. Culvuua 2..