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PORTLAND, OREGON. . .THURSDAY. MARCH 23, 1917;
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
VOL. LVII NO. 17,576.
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III MEETAPHIL 2
Declaration of State of
War Expected.
GERMANY MAY ACT AT 0?XE
Jense Situation Likely for 10
Days, With Possibility of
v War at Any Time.
DEFENSE PLANS OUTLINED
Cabinet and President Decide
Action Is Only Possible
Answer to Berlin.
WASHINGTON, March ZL To
day President Wilson met the con
stantly increasing probability of war
with Germany by summoning Con
gress to assemble in extraordinary
Bession Monday, April 2 two weeks
earlier than the date he had chosen
before the latest assaults upon
American rights on the seas.
When the President addresses Con
gress he is expected to show how a
state of war actually has existed for
some time, because of the unlawful
aggressions of German submarines.
Declaration of War Expected.
Congress is expected formally to
declare a state of war existing, vote
a large sum for National defense,
probably half a billion dollars, and
clothe the President with authority
to use the armed forces "of the United
States, as it empowered President
McKinley in 1898.
Such action would not be a declara
tion of war except in ' a technical
sense, and whether the United States
and Germany actually go to war in
the fullest acceptation of the term
will depend on what the imperial
government does before Congress is
assembled or after it acts.
Dispatches From Berlin Grave.
Dispatches from abroad tonight de
claring that the German government
expected a state of war within the
next 48 hours placed an ominous as
pect on the situation.
Much to change the President's
present intentions or the course of
the Government in the crisis may de
velop before April 2. ' The first
American armed ships will by that
time have reached the war zone. The
ruthless destruction of one of them
unquestionably will be an act of war.
War May Come Any Day.
, On the other hand, sinking of a eub-J
marine by one of the armed merchant
men probably would be met as an act
of war by Germany. Even the arm
ing of American ships, with the
avowed purpose of defending them
selves against submarines, may be de
clared such an act.
In any of these events practically
nothing would remain except for Con
gress to acknowledge a state of war
existing from a certain specified date,
probably last Sunday, when three
American ships were sunk with loss
of life.
. Next Ten Days Tense. ,
The next 10 days, until Congress
meets, will be days of tense anxiety,
of eager waiting and watching,
fraught with possibilities of tremen
dous consequences to the United
States.
President Wilson and his advisers in
the Cabinet and in Congress have no
Intention that war shall be declared by
the United States. By the hostile acts
of German submarines they believe
the imperial German government is
actually making' war on the United
States and that it shall be recognized
as such a state. To meet such a con
dition the armed forces of the coun
try and all the National resources are
to be put in a state of readiness. Then,
whether the Nation shall enter the
war in its full sense will depend upon
how much further Germany carries
her acts of aggression. ,
Defensive War Planned.
In every sense war, if it actually
comes, will be a defensive war, free
from ambitions of spoils or territory,
in which the United States, the Presi
dent has publicly declared, shall want
nothing for itself, and shall seek only
to preserve the rights of civilization
and humanity. ,
In such a situation the United States
(.Concluded oa Fas 2. Column 21
GERMANY EXPECTS
WAR IN 48 HOURS
AMERICAN- JOURNALISTS
BERLIN REPORTED WARNED.
News of Teutonic View Reaches Am
sterdam Bourse in Pri
vate Telegram
LONDON. March 21. ''According to
private telegrams from Berlin to the
Amsterdam Bourse, it is expected that
a. state of war with the United States
will be an accomplished fact within 48
hours," says & dispatch to the Ex
change Telegraph from Amsterdam.
"American Journalists in Berlin, the
-dispatch adds, "have been warned to
this effect by the Foreign Office."
BIG TAX CHECK RETURNED
Weyerhaeusers Offer $98,000 on
Assessment of $105,000.
ABERDEEN. "Wash.. March 21.
(Special.) County Treasurer John B.
Orton has refused to accept a check
for $98,000 offered by the "Weyerhaeuser
Timber Company, in payment of taxes.
The company accompanied the $98,000
check with a communication saying
that the taxes as made by the assessor,
S105.000. were based on too high a
valuation of their property.
This is , the fourth year that the
Weyerhaeuser Company has disputed its
taxes, but as yet the company has
started no suit. During the past year
local capitalists have bought about
$100,000 worth of certificates of delin
quency against the best of the land
on which taxes are in dispute.
CLOCKS TO BE SET AHEAD
France to Return to Daylight Sav
ing Plan March 24.
PARIS, March 21. In accordance with
the recent decision to return this year
to the daylight saving system, which
was put into operation last' year for
the first time, the Journal Officiel' to
day published a decree advancing the
legal time by one hour at 11 o'clock
on tHe night of March 24.
The decree provides that normal
time shall be re-established at 11 P.
M. October 7. Under the decree all
clocks- and watches will be set ahead
at 11 o'clock Saturday night to mid
night.
U-BOATS LURK OFF MAINE
Naval Officer Says Attack' on Ports
Is Not Unlikely.
ROCKLAND. Me., March 21. A
statement that German submarines are
known to be not far from these shores
and that an attack on Maine ports is
by no means unlikely was made by
Lieutenant James O. Porter, United
States Navy, at a naval recruiting
meeting here tonight.
The port, according to Lieutenant
Porter, is to be the base for 70 patrol-
boats operating in and about the mouth
of the Penobscot River and bay.
MARYLAND TROOPS CALLED
Two Companies Ordered
Out to
Guard Bridges.
BALTIMORE. Md., March 21
ernor Harrington today ordered out
two companies of the First Regiment
Maryland National Guard to guard the
Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad bridges over the Susquehanna
River at Havre de Grace.
All the north and south traffic of
these two railroads passes over these
bridges.
VASSAR GIRLS "MOBILIZED'1
1120 Students Sign for War Service
as Nurses, Operators and Clerks.
POUGHKEEPSIE. N. T. March 21.
Announcement was made today that
Vassar College is in a state of "prac
tical mobilization" with nearly all of
its 1120 girl students signed up for
war service in the National league for
women's service as nurses, wireless
operators and clerks.
CALL MADE ON RED CROSS
Naval Base Hospital Gets Word to
Hold Self Ready.
NEW TORK, March 21. The first
naval base hospital of the American
Red Cross, stationed in Brooklyn, has
received word to hold itself in readi
ness for active service, it was an
nounced late today.
Its equipment is stored at the New
Tork Navy-yard.
PREMIER'S HOME INVADED
Intruder Causes Disturbance
Lloyd George's Residence.
In
LONDON. March 21. Admittance to
the residence of Premier Lloyd George
was gained this afternoon by a man
supposed -to be of unsound mind.
It was only with difficulty that he
was overpowered and arrested.
WILSONS WALK DOWNTOWN
President and AVife Tour Business
District Unattended.
WASHINGTON, March 21. President
and Mrs. Wilson went on a walk alone
through the business section of the
city this afternoon.
The tour was made despite the threat
of rain.
UNITED STATES TO
ENTER WORLD WAR
Actual Alliance to Be
Made With Entente.
FIGHTING COURSE OUTLINED
Great Force to Be Trained for
Foreign Service if Needed.
NAVY IS IN FINE SHAPE
Dreadnoughts to Be Kept Home, but
Lighter Vessels Will Scour Seas
for U-Boats Recruiting by
Allies Here Provided.
BT JOHN CALL AN O'LAUGHLIN.
"WASHINGTON. March 21. (Special)
The United States is on the eve of a
.declaration ' recognizing the existence
of a state of war with the German
Empire. ;
This declaration will be made upon
the recommendation of the President
of the United States, by the Congress
when -It shall assemble 12 days hence,
According to the proclamation Issued
by the President this morning the
"public Interests require" that Con
Sress shall convene on April 2 instead
of April 16, the date originally fixed.
Wording: of Call Changed.
The reason for the earlier meeting
of the Congress in the solemn language
of the President Is to receive a com
munlcatlon "concerning grave matters
of National policy," which should be
taken "immediately" into consideration
The proclamation first signed by the
President concerned grave matters of
"international policy." This word was
modified to "National'' because of
desire to bring home more sharply to
the people the crisis which confronts
them. Moreover, the execution of the
National policy will command action of
ah international character.
Armed Neutrality 'Sot Enonsfh.
The Oregonlan correspondent is in
formed that the reasons which actuated
the President in - convening Congress
were found in the necessity of making
more effective the measures devised by
the State, War and Navy departments
to protect American life, (American
rights and American property. These
departments have come to realize that
a policy of "armed neutrality" would
not gain the results desired.
That policy placing limitations upon
American action already was develop
ing complications of an embarrassing
character and could not be depended
upon satisfactorily to safeguard Ameri
can life and American trade.
The Cabinet, after careful considera
tion, came to the conclusion that In
(Concluded on Page 6. Column 1.)
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"PATRIOTIC WEEK"
TO BEGIN MONDAY
GOVERNOR URGES RECRUITING
OF OREGON GUARD.
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Proclamation Asks Sober Considera
tion of Present-Day Patriotism,
Pointing to State Forces.
SALEM, Or., March 21. (Special.)
The week starting next Monday,
March 25, will be "Patriotic week" In
the state of Oregon by virtue of a
proclamation Issued - by Governor
Wlthycombe today.
The proclamation urges all young
men to "fulfill the obligation of our
National citizenship by rallying to the
flag, thus setting an example worthy
of our best traditions and indicative of
their certain continuance."
The week is to be one devoted to the
sober consideration of present day
patriotism, - asserts the proclamation.
and officers of the National Guard are
to make a special effort to recruit
their companies to full capacity by the
end of that time.
National Guard officers have in
vaded every town where military or
ganizations exist; citizens' committees
have been named in all of these towns
girls' honor guards liave been estab
lished with the especial end In view
of their promoting patriotic feeling.
It is expected that the week will
see all companies recruited . to their
full capacity, with Oregon placed well
In the forefront of . the states as to
National Guard units, proportionate to
its population.
CONNECTICUT MAY GO DRY
House Passes Prohibition BUI Sub'
Ject to Committee Approval.
CONCORD, N. H, March 21. Today
the House of Representatives passed a
bill which would establish state-wide
prohibition on May 1, 1918.
- Approval by the House committee on
appropriations is necessary before the
measure goes to the Senate, because
of a provision for the establishment of
a board of state agents to enforce the
proposed prohibitory law.
SOLDIER FLEES TO MEXICO
German-American Member of
tional Guard Is Deserter.
Na-
EL PASO, Tex., March 2 L Five Ger
mans and one German-American de
serter from the United States Army
crossed the international bridge to Mex
ico early today, according to a report
In Juarez. .
The deserter was said to have been
a member of a' National Guard regi
ment encamped on the border.
iSWITCHMEN GET BENEFIT
New York Central to Pay Back In
crease Voluntarily.
. KOT YORK, March 21. Switchmen
on the New York Central Railroad will
get the benefit of .the Adamson law
dating from January 1, by the voluntary
act of the company, on the same basis
as the members of the four brother
hoods, it was announced by the road
today.
SHY ON PREPAREDNESS, BUT LONG ON MONEY
SPIRIT OF RUSSIAN
ARMY IS REFRESHED
New Hope Put Into Mu
nitions Workers, Too;
FORGES ON DEMOCRATIC BASIS
Men at Front Enthusiastic
Over Result of Revolt.
WAR MINISTER IS POPULAR
First Civilian Military Director Is
Busy Reorganizing Department
and Removing Incompe
tents of Old Regime.
BT ARNO DOSCH-FLEUROT
(Copyright, 1917, by New Tork World.
Published by arrangement.)
PETROGRAD, March 19. (Via Lon
don, March 21.) (Special.) The most
important aspect at present of the suc
cessful conclusion
of the revolution
being its effect on
the. conduct of the
war, I , asked War
Minister Guchkoff
his views on this
point, and 'he' de
tailed Captain Srao
llaninsky, his at
tache, to give me
the following ex
clusive .reply:
"All workmen in
tl- munitions and
art tilery factories
returned to work
Ario Doacn-KIeorot
this morning with trera spirit and
hopes, knowing that the revolution is
bringing great changes in the conduct
of the war.
Army on Democratic Basts.
"These are chiefly the removal of
disabilities of religion, race and class
hampering the organization of the
armies at the front. The army is re
organized on a national and democratic
basis by today's order to the army -for
mutating the soldier's demands for
civil rights for the army; also rights
of travel and of entry in theaters and
hotels the same as granted an officer,
All democratic privileges are given,
changing entirely the old feudal dls
cipline to democratic discipline.
"In answer to the question how the
army accepts the new government, it
had half expected the change, and the
final news of our success was greeted
with enthusiasm on the whole front,
as the army knew the men in the
new government, in the Zemstvos' war
committees, had provided ' the army
when the bureaucratic government
failed.
War Mlnlater Is Popular,
"M. Guchkoff is popular, because h
(Concluded on Pl,i, Column 2.)
AND GRUB.
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FIRST SPRING DAY
SEES SNOW STORM
SUN BURSTS THROUGH CLOUDS
. AT TIMES, BST RETREATS.
Days Are Now to Be Longer and In
Little While Buds and Blooms
Will Begin to Appear.
Heralded by sleet, snow, rain and an
occasional beam of sunshine, gentle
Spring came to Portland yesterday.
The day is listed in the calendar as
the first day of Spring, for the sun is
upposed to have crossed the equator
on its swing northward and this cross
ing is known in weather lore as the
Vernal Equinox.
However, to the non-professional ob
server, the "day was more like a sec
tion cut out of the heart of midwinter.
Snow fell briskly in the morning and
the heights about the city were
whitened. Mount Scott had a snow
mantle that lasted well throughout the
day.
Considerable rain fell, too, and winds
at times were brisk. The Bun bored
through the storm at times and every
possible sort of weather was experi
enced, save freezing temperatures.
It is some slight consolation to know.
however, that hereafter days will be
longer. Also it is cheering to realize
that real Spring and Summer wait
just around the corner.
For today it is probable a continu
ance of the storm may be expected,
probably more mild than yesterday's
boisterousness, however. Unsettled
weather is expected with showers and
southwest winds likely.
CONGRESSMAN TO VOTE NO
Wisconsin Representative-Elect An
nounces Opposition to War.
SHEBOTGAN, Wis., March 21. 'I
shall probably vote 'no' against Con
gress declaring that a state of war
exists between this country and Ger
many," said Representative-elect Ed
ward Voight when informed that a
special session of Congress had been
called.
Mr. Voight said the trouble with the
central powers was caused by the
moneyed Interests.
GIRL ENLISTS IN NAVY
First Woman Recruit Is Designated
Chief Yeoman.
PHILADELPHIA March 21. Miss
Loretta Walsh, of this city, said to be
the first woman to enlist in the United
States Navy under the new order of
Secretary Daniels admitting women to
the Navy, enrolled here today.
She was designated as chief yeoman
and assigned to open a recruiting sta
tion here. Miss Walsh Is 22 years old.
SHEEP AT NEW HIGH MARK
Yearlings Sell at $13.15 Per Hun
dred at Denver.
DENVER, Colo.. March 21. Tearllng
sheep sold at $13.15 a hundredweight
on the local market today.
This is a record for this market.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 46
decrees; minimum. 85 degree.
TODAY'S Probably occasional rain; south-
erly winds.
American-German Situation.
Navy preparations for war are feverish.
Face X.
Congress called to special session April 2.
Pace 1.
House may defer organization fight until
after hearing President. Page 6,
United States to enter world war. Page 1.
Federal war risk Insurance rates Increased.
Page 2.
Berlin expects to be in state of war with
America within 48 hours. Page 1.
War.
More than 40 more villages captured by
British In France. Page 4.
Spirit of Russian army refreshed. Page 1.
Foreign.
Deposed Emperor and Empress 'of Russia
arrested. Page 3.
Domestic.
Two German spies plead guilty. Page 2.
League to Enfore Peace is for preparedness.
says Mr. Tart. Page 3.
Gompers protests against Supreme Court
decision on Adamson act. . Page 4.
Pacific Northwest.
Fred BUlingsley confesses perjury but blames
former attorney. Page 7.
Oregon City proposes to annex neighboring
towns. Page .
"Patriotic week" proclaimed by Governor.
Page 1.
Eugene is convinced that road bonds are
needed. Page 11.
Board to analyze cases, of state wards is
held up by liovernor. page o.
Sport.
Beavers reach Maryavllle and find hotels
full. Page 16.
Salt Lake's fate seems to be up to pitchers.
Page 19.
Rose City Athletic Club boxing card for
Friday declared good. Page 17.
Commercial and Marine.
Feed markets excited by heavy shipments
of oats and hay to sheep sections.
Page 20.
Wheat at Chicago lower on report Turkey
was seeking separate peace. Page 21.
Profit-taking sales reduce early gains in
stock market. Fa 21.
Federal officers will be here April 2 to aak
bids on patrol coats. raj -u.
Portland and Vicinity.
General White prepares for call oa Guard.
Page 10.
Spring ushered m with snow and cold rains.
Page 1.
Ceremony marks start of crossings ellmlna
tlon Job. Page 9.
Many Oregon men Join regular Army reserve
corps. Page -District
Attorney attacks Judge Gatens'
work in criminal . cases. Page 6.
Lumbermen to meet here tomorrow to de
mand square deal. Page 8.
Forestry men listen to road bond pleas.
Page 22.
Xr. Waller tells Sunday school teachers
that their great task is soul-winning.
Page 11.
W. D. B. Dodson recites need of Portland
FestlTal dates changed to June 13-15. Page. 9
Weather report, data and forecast. Page 20.
NAVY PREPARATIONS
FOR WAR FEVERISH
Chief Need Is Material
Rather Than Men.
TRAINED OFFICERS LACKING
Every Available Plant to Be
Used Building Destroyers.
100,000 MEN AVAILABLE
Naval Militia and Reserves Are
Enough to Fill Warships Army
Problem ' One of Recruits
Rather Than Equipment.
WASHINGTON. March 21. Naval
preparations for war were marked by
increased activity today. No actual
war steps were taken by either the
War or Navy departments, but there
were many indications that prelimi
nary plans have been worked out for
rapid remobillzatlon for both services
If the call comes.
The Navy's task Is simple. Ita prob
lems are those of material rather than '
personnel. At most little more than
100,000 men would be required for man
ning every available ship or scouting
craft.
Chief Need la Officers.
They could be obtained almost over
night by mobilization of National Mi
litia and various sections of the naval
reserves supplemented by volunteers.
Only highly-trained officers would be
lacking. ,
The Army's problem is Just the re
verse. It Is men that will be needed,
and no definite step toward securing a
great force for training can be taken
until Congress expresses its will. Full
equipment could be obtained long be
fore the men are ready to use it.
Ship Awards to Be Rushed.
Steps actually taken by the Navy to
day included the advancement of the
date of opening bids for additional de
stroyers and. notification to shipbuild
ers that their full plant capacity would
be utilized in this work. There is no
way of estimating how many destroy
ers will be ordered until estimates
called for show how many can be built.
Secretary Daniels said every available
plant would be utilized to ita utmost.
The builders will present their figures
next Saturday and awards will be
made Immediately.
Bids for the' first large consignment
of 110-foot submarine chasers or coast
patrol-boats also were received today,
but will be held confidential until
Wednesday, when 100 additional build
ers are expected to submit figures. The
Navy hopes to find facilities available
for more than 200 boats, the first of
them to be delivered in two to three
months.
Hen Enrolled Rapidly.
Meanwhile the work of surveyin ,
private yachts and motorcraft is being
pressed in every naval district and the
enrollment of volunteers to man the
boats proceeds rapidly.
The department has no present in
tention of taking over merchant craft
for naval use. Secretary Daniels said
tonight, amplifying earlier assurances '
given to American shipowners by
Chairman Denman, of the Shipping
Board.
All American merchant ships, how- ;
ever, have been surveyed and classi
fied by Navy officials for possible use
in time of war. The guns being placed
aboard trans-Atlantic craft were des-
tined originally to arm auxiliary cruis
ers withdrawn from merchant fleetfl
for that Durpose. Other vessels were
classified as colliers, supply ships or
transports as they were found, suit
able. Shipping Not to Be Disturbed.
In many Instances the officers of
these ships have enrolled as reserve
naval officers and would accompany
their vessels in the Government
service.
"No definite policy yet has been
adopted." Mr. Daniels said. "We will
not. however, demoralize commerce.
None of the ships engaged in trade
will be taken over except in case of
vital necessity. They all would bo
taken In that case."
A board of Navy officers already is
dealing with the merchant marine .
question and will co-operate with the
Shipping Board In whatever is done.
It was indicated, however, that no
plans the Navy Department Is now
making will require the acquisition of
any important portion of the merchant
marine to Navy uses.
Reports of Strike Disturbing;.
Some ships may be diverted under
charter to supply the fighting fleets of
scout patrols If necessary, but because
of the fact that it Is believed the major
ships of the Navy would not be active
ly engaged, it Is improbable that a,
great supply line will be set tip.
Navy officials were disturbed by
press reports of a strike In the. Curtiss
Airplane Company's factory, with which
the Government has placed large or
ders. Tomorrow a conference of tho
various aeronautical organizations will
be held at the War Department to dis
cuss means of hastening aircraft pro
duction and the situation at the Curtiss
plant may be taken up then. The Presi
dent has power to take over the estab
lishment if necessary." A Joint Army
and Navy board reported today that
(.Concluded on Page 3, Celumn 2.).
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