Morning Oregonian., April 02, 1917, Image 1

Jftitwttii:
V VOL. LVII NO. 17,585.
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
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V -2'
ESS IS SURE
MR. PEIMFIELD WILL
COME TO AMERICA
0I0T ENDS JORDAN
PEACE GATHERING
GRONNA UNCHANGED
BY LOSS OF LIVES
OREGON BATTALION
MANY WEEP WHEN
DANISH RULE ENDS
IW. E. WILLIAMSON
E TODAY
ENDS HIS
LIFE
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AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRIA TO
START AT OXCE.
SENATOR WHO , FILIBUSTERED
TO VOTE AGAINST WAR.
IIOISTIXG OF AMERICAN" FLAG
AT VIRGIX ISLES SOLEMN.
CONGR
MAY
OV
ow
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Only Form of Resolution
Is Unsettled.
SESSION CONVENES TODAY
Pacifists Reduced to Group
Too Small Even to
Impede Action.
MESSAGE IS COMPLETED
Conclusion Foregone That
Either War or State of
War Will Be Declared.
WASHINGTON, April 1. Con
gress, called in extraordinary session
by the President, will meet tomor
row to determine the most important
issues before the executive represen
tatives of the United States since the
Civil War.
It is considered a foregone con
clusion that it either will declare
war against Germany or declare that
a state of war exists because of Ger
many's aggressions on the high seas.
Message Is Completed.
President Wilson has completed the
message he will deliver to Congress
end is ready to address a joint ses
sion as soon as he gets word that
both houses have been organized and
are ready to hear him.
Either before or directly after he
addresses Congress the President i3
expected to. confer-with, the leaders of
. both houses regarding the specific
legislation desired by the Adminis
tration. House to Act First.
The War and Navy Departments
continued today their preliminary
preparations and measures and are
ready with recommendations for
further strengthening the Army and
Navy, to be submitted as soon as
Congress decides whether the Nation
Is actually to go to war with Ger
many. Both houses meet at noon tomor
row. The Senate, already organized,
will be ready to transact business
when the gavel falls, but in view of
the fact that any war resolution is
expected to carry an appropriation,
It is expected that action will wait on
the House.
Democrats Likely to Win.'
Democrats and Republicans of the
House have cleared the way for an
immediate effort to organize, and the
belief was general tonight that the
Democrats would resume control, with
Speaker Clark in the chair, within a
few hours after the session begins.
There is little doubt that a war
' resolution will be adopted by a large
majority in both houses. There are
little groups of pacifists opposed to
war, except to resist invasion, who
will vote and probably talk against
any warlike movement.
No Group Strong Enough. x
There are other groups who have
their own ideas about what the
United States should do in the pres
ent situation, but none is strong
enough to prevent action or seriously
impede its progress.
In the House there will probably be
no persistent opposition except from
the members who favor more far-
reaching action than the President
recommends.
The Senate has its new cloture
rule to limit debate if a small group
there undertakes to delay action.
Legislation All Deals With War.
Aside from the war resolution and
the appropriation which probably will
accompany it, there is not much leg
islation now on the books that leaders
believe is necessary before next Win
ter. ' The appropriation measures
which failed at the last session,- par
ticularly the Army bill, the amend
ments tothe shipping act, giving the
Government broad powers over mer
chant shipping; some changes in'the
Federal reserve act and legislation to
curb spying are among the things
which probably will be deemed es
sential to prosecution of whatever
course is determined upon.
Additional revenue legislation and
(Concluded on Pags 2. Column 3.)
Secretary Lansing Requests Return
of Diplomat, but Vienna Says
Relations Are Maintained.
LONDON, April 1. Frederick Pen
field, the American Ambassador to
Austria-Hungary, and Mrs. Penfield are
about to depart for Washington, according-
to the Neue Freie Presse, of
Vienna, as reported by neuter Am
sterdam correspondent.
Ambassador Penfield, It is added, is
going home at the request of Secretary
of State Lansing, as the American Gov
ernment urgently desires his presence
and advice regarding matters connect
ed with the war. Joseph C. Grew, the
counsellor of the Embassy, will be in
charge during the Ambassador's ab
sence. AMSTERDAM, via London, April 1.
Telegraphing from Vlen- , t' corre
spondent of the ser 1-offlclal Nord
deusche Allgemelne Zeltung of Berlin
says:
"With the view to obviating all mis
understandings we are authorized to
state that the Journey of Frederic C.
Penfield, the American Ambassad"-, to
Washington, means no change in the
relations between Austro-Hungary and
the United States. Diplomatic Inter
course continues. Mr. P- afield is ex
pected to return to Vienna in about
three months."
WASHINGTON, April 1. State Dej
partment officials declined tonight to
throw any light on the departure of
Ambassador Penfield from Vienna.
They would not admit that the Am
bassador was on his way home or that
he had been recalled by Secretary
Lansing for a conference.
YOUNG MAN IS DROWNED
Harry Sappington, of Parkersburg,
Is Victim.
BANDOX. Or., April 1. (Special.)
Harry Sappington, 24 years old, "was
drowned in the Coquille River near
Parkersburg today and parties are
dragging the river for the body.
Together with four other young men,
Sappington had returned from a dance
at Bandon in the launch May. He was
standlngvon the landing, having Just
left the launch, when he fell off into
the river. He was a dairyman in the
employ of Sam Clinton. A brother-in-law,
Charles Jensen, of Tillamook, Or.,
has been notified and is en route here.
AUSTRIAN LEADERS ACCORD
Policy of Non-interference in Rus
sia Is Approved.
BUDAPEST, via Amsterdam and Lon
don, April 1. Discussion regarding
Hungary's attitude toward events in
Russia was made a special order of the
day by the Hungarian Chamber of
Deputies. The government spokesman
made a Bpeeoh. to which the leaders of all
parties e greed, declaring for a policy
of non-interference In the internal af
fairs of Russia.
He added that the central powers
were ready to take up peace negotia
tions whenever the entente countries
"abandoned their lust of conquest."
SAN DIEGO FAIR CLOSES
Panama-California Exposition Ends
Arter 2 7 Months.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 1. The three
months' post season of the Panama-California
International Exposition ended
at midnight last night with a music
programme and outdoor festivities..
The fair closed officially January 1,
but was extended until March 21, thus
making the life of the exposition 27
months without interruption, the long
est record ever made by a similar un
dertaking.
FILIPINOS WANT TO ENLIST
Seamen to Offer Services to Nation
in Case of War.
MANILA. April 1. The Filipino sea
men's union has called a meeting of all
Filipino sailors to consider means of
offering their services to the United
States Navy in case of war.
Admiral A. G. Winterhalter has
cabled to Secretary of Navy Daniels
asking for authority to enlist Filipinos
in the United States as full seamen in
all waters.
TRAINING STATION ABLAZE
Incendiarism Is Suspected
Guard Is Doubled.
and
LAKE BLUFF, 111., April 1. Fire,
possibly " of Incendiary origin, for a
time menaced the Great Lakes Naval
Training Station here early today. It
was extinguished by a battalion of
seamen, ordered out to assist sentries
who discovered the blase.
- As a result of the incident double
guards were posted about the reserva
tion. TURKISH TRAP IS FAILURE
British Frustrate Plans and Force
Foe to Retreat.
LONDON. Xpril 1. Efforts by Turk
ish troops to envelop a British force
near Deltawah, 35 miles north of Bag
dad, have failed, says an official British
statement.
The Turks in that region now are
in, full retreat.
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Soldiersand Prominent
Men Lead Invasion.
OLD GLORY LEADS CROWD
"Don't You Touch That Flag,'
Cry Hundreds to Police.
FLAG SEIZED; MEN CHARGE
Baltimore Banker Bearing Colors
ClubbedCollege Professors and
Lawyers Have Part and Sev
eral Arrests Are Made.
BALTIMORE, April 1. After an en
thusiastic patriotic demonstration sev
eral thousand persons stormed the
Academy of Music tonight, swept a cor
don of police aside and routed a big
pacifist meeting, stopping Dr. David
Starr Jordan in the middle of a word
and refusing to allow the speaking to
continue.
Men socially prominent Joined Na
tional Guardsmen and led the inva
sion. .
.Halted temporarily ty police re
serves, the patriots became infuriated
when a police captain wrested a large
United States flag from its bearer. Car
ter G. Osbourne, Jr., a banker.
Flag Dip; Crowd Advances..
When the flagbearer was struck to
the floor by policemen's clubs the
crowd moved forward, and when the
flag dipped out of sight of the crowd
it was enough; the crowd simply swept
into the hall and took possession. Po
lice reserves from all over the city
were then called and Anally dispersed
the crowd with their clubs.
Douglas G. Ober was beaten so badly
that he was taken to a hospital. Car
ter G. Osbourne, Jr., Allison Muir, Will
iam Tipton, Leonard Ober and Louis
Merryman were arrested.
Pro tensors in Front Rank.
Just as Dr. Jordan was beginning his
plea for' peace, the crowd of anti-pacifists
composed of business men, pro
fessors of schools and colleges in the
city and students, made a. sally
through the police lines, rushed down
the aisle, of the theater to the stage
and demanded that the meeting cease.
In the front ranks "were Professor
Robert W. Wood, of Johns Hopkins,
University: Professor John H. Latane,
of Johns Hopkins: Douglas Ober and
Gustavus Ober, Jr.; Dr. J. H. Mason
Knox, Jacob France, Jr., Bartlett S.
Johnston. R. Lancaster Williams, Major
Adams, J. S. Crawford Frost and other
business men and members of the fac
ulties of Johns Hopkins University of
Maryland. City College, Baltimore
Polytechnic and. Mount St. Joseph's
College.
Threapatrolmen seized the man who
had beta leading the crowd carrying
(Concluded on Page 5. Colubn 2.)
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t WHY NOT MEASURE UP TO THE OCCASION? , t
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North Dakotan Says England Has
Violated American Rights as
Much as Has Germany.
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ST. PAUL, April 1. A. J. Gronna,
United States Senator for North Da
kota, here tonight on his way to Wash
ington, announced he would cast his
vote against any question which would
tend vto Involve the United States in
war. '
"I am opposed to war in any form,"
he said. "If we make war on Ger
many we should make' war on England
also because our rights, if violated,
have been violated by both nations.
Those who advocate war are mistaking
false National pride for National hon
or." ,
Senator Gronna said the recent sink
ing of American boats and the. loss
of American lives on the high seas
has not in the least changed his views
since he aided the filibuster which
killed the armed-neutrality bill. y
COURT CUTS MEMBERSHIP
Republican RepresentatlTe-EIect Not
t to Attend Opening Session.
FRANKLIN, Pa., April J. Announce
ment was. made tonight that O. D.
Bleakley (Republican), Representative
elect . to Congress from the Twenty
eighth. Pennsylvania District. who
pleaded nolo contendere Friday to a
Federal indictment, charging him with
violating, the election laws, will not be
present at the opening session of Con
gress tomorrow.
He will "appear In the United States
District Court in Pittsburg next Thurs
day to be sentenced.
GUARD STATION HAS FIR:
Blaze Is Put Out and Alleged Visitor
to Place Is Held.
BALTIMORE, April 1 A bucket bri
gade extinguished a fire at the build
ings of the Coast Guard station at
Arundel Cove today, which for a time
threatened to assume serious propor
tions. Harry G. Stauffer, 4 5 years old, of
this city, was detained after an alleged
visit to the station.
GERMANS -USING SALVADOR
Reservists Reported on Frontier;
Wireless Plant Installed.
GUATEMALA CITT, April 1. It is
reported that German reservists are
concentrating on the Mexican-Salvadorean
frontier.
It is also reported that a wireless
plant has been shipped into Salvador
from Mexico by which it is possible
to communicate with Germany.
Farm Mobilization to Be Topic.
NEW YORK. April 1. Mobilization
of the agricultural resources of fhe
United States to safeguard the coun
try's' food supply In time of war will
be considered at a convention to be
held In Washington April 10 under the
auspices of the National Agricultural
Society, it was announced today.
Activity at Barracks
Supports Rumor.
OFFICERS DECLINE TO TALK
Colonel McAIexander Begins
Federal Muster In.
ARTILLERY RELIEF HINTED
Present Bridge Guard Expected to
Go to Duty on Coast Command
ers Hold Conference Troops
Fully Equipped for Field.
One battalion of the Third Oregon
Infantry now at Vancouver 'Barracks
may be moved to an unnamed desti
nation today.
Army officers and officials of the
National Guard in Portland and at
Vancouver declined yesterday to com
mint cn the possibility of an early
movement, but reports that at least
two companies, or an' entire battalion
of four companies, would be detailed
to more active duty early this week
were persistent both at the barracks
and In Portland.
Guard Head Confer.
Another significant development of
the day was a prolonged conference
at Vancouver between Adjutant-General
George A. White, Colonel John L.
Hayden, commander of the first dis
trict of the Western Department of the
Army, and Coljnel John L, May, com
mander of the Third Oregon.
None of the officers would confirm
the report that the troops were to be
moved, but great activity, as if making
ready for a movement, continued at
the barracks throughout the afternoon
and until late in the evening. It Is un
derstood that one batalllon has been
ordered ready for departure today.
Destination ot Revealed.
The ultimate destination of the
troops has not been revealed. The of
ficers apparently are adhering strict
ly to the policy laid down by the War
Department of refraining from any
discussion of orders until they have
been carried out.
The War Department at Washington
has decided to employ every possible
precaution to prevent the transfer of
troops becoming public in advance of
the actual movement. This is a neces
sary procedure at a time when cranks
or enemies of the Government may In
terfere with the plans.
If the battalion Is ordered to move
today the men can get under way
within a few hours' time. While only
one company and the sanitary detach
ment and supply company at the bar
racks are at full war strength, the
men are fully equipped in every de
tail Besides, a big- nucleus of men
(Concluded on Page 3, Column 1.)
Silence Following Impressive Cere
mony at St. Thomas Profound.
No Demonstration Held.
ST. THOMAS. Virgin Islands. March
31. (Delayed.) The transfer of the
Virgin Islands from Danish rule o the
United States took place at 3 o'clock
this afternoon.
Commader Pollock, the . ranking
American officer at the islands, offi
ciated, at St. Thomas, while the com
mander of the cruiser Olympia acted at
St. Croix.
After the transfer protocol was
signed the Danish Governor proclaimed
the transfer and the Danish flag was
lowered amid salutes and the singing
of the Danish anthem.
Commander Pollock then proclaimed
the cession and the American flag was
hoisted, accompanied by salutes and
the slng'ng of the American anthem.
There were no demonstrations, bat
many . wept during, the profound and
Impressive silence that followed the
hoisting of the American flag.
EXPLOSIVE SHOT SURVIVED
American Airman, Shot in Stomach,
Is Recovering in France.
NICE. Trance. April 1. Sergeant
Clyde Balsley, the American aviator
who was wounded In an aerial battle
last June, has been operated on by
Professor Baudier. - He Is now out of
danger.
Sergeant Clyde Balsley, of - San An
tonio, Tex., was seriously wounded by
a German explosive bullet In an aerial
battle near Verdun, June IS last. The
bullet, hitting his thigh, glanced up
ward into his stomach before explod
ing. Balsley was promoted to the rank
or sergeant and the military medal
and French war cross were bestowed
upon him for his fearlessness.
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T. R. TO BE ON HAND TODAY
Colonel Scores Pacifists and Says
War Should Be Declared.
TAM1 A. April 1. Theodore Roose
velt, speaking to large gatherings here
and In Lakeland. Fla. today, declared
that the United States should declare
war on Germany without further for
mality. He scored the pacifists, as
serting they had "already done all they
could to convince the world that the
United States could be kicked with Im
punity." RUSSIANS RETAKE TRENCH
Teuton Airship Destroyed by Alr
planes and Artillery.
PETROGRAD, via London, April 1.
After - making repeated attacks Aus
trian forces, yesterday penetrated the
Russian trenches near Klrllbaba. in the
Southeastern Carpathians, says the
Russian official statement today, but
they were ejected by a counter attack
and the position was restored.
VESSEL WITH 1700 ASHORE
Steamer in Gale In Ohio River Sends
Out Distress Signals.
EVANSVILLE. Ind., April I. The
steamer St. Paul, of the Streckfus line,
carrying approximately 1700 persons,
was driven ashore In the Ohio River
at midnight at a point three miles be
low this city. In a strong wind.
The steamer was giving out distress
signals. Aid was sent from here.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
TESTERDAT! Mmxlraum temperature, -48
degrees; minimum. 41 deicreem.
TODAY'S Rain: south to west winds.
. Americn-iermn Situation.
Congreca meets In extraordinary aesalon to
day to decide on war. Page 1.
Secretary Lamlnr summon Ambassador
Penfield from Vienna. Page 1.
America thought to have German code in
plot to align Mexico and Japan. Page 2.
Pacifists and patriots to Invade Washington
today. . Page 8.
Var.
Germany preparing mighty effort to win
war this year. Page 4.
England places further restrictions on ex
ports. Page 2.
British push through German lines to depth
of two miles. Page 4.
Berlin reports sinking 50 additional vessels
of 90.000 aggregate tonnage. Page 4.
t National.
Ceremony of transfer of Virgin Islands to
United 8tates Is impresslva. Page 1.
Champ Clark seems assured of re-election
aa speaker. . Page 8.
Donwite.
Fist fights break up Dr. Jordan peace meet
ing at Baltimore. Pag JL
8 port a.
Wllle flukes game for Beavers. 1 'to 0.
Page 10.
Ritchie seeks to legalise boxing In Illinois.
Page IX.
Opening of fishing retards Gun Club shoot.
' Page 10.
. Pacific Northwest.
Paved streets replace mud at Coemopolls.
Page 6.
- Marina.
Sailings defy 68-milo gale off the Columbia.
Page 11.
Portland and Vicinity.
W. B. Williamson, formerly of Portland.
kills himself on train coming to city.
Page 1.
Spiritualists hold "woozy" meeting. Para 8.
Multnomah Club members begin drill.
Page 8. "
On batalllon of Third Oregon may move
today. Page 1.
Five hundred business men prefer war to
peace with dishonor. Page 7.
Palm Sunday sermons are patriotic. Page 8.
Patriotic zeal through whole country noted
by Father Black. Page 0.
Chinese smilingly return to old baunta.
Page 14.
Guard officer say men may be drafted to
fill ranks, fage 14.
Waathar report, data and forecast. Page 11.
Revolver Used in Lava-
tory on Train.
ILL HEALTH GIYEN AS CAUSE
Assistant Postmastership of
Portland Held Four Years. v
PART PLAYED IN POLITICS
Rural Route Out of Holbroolc Car
rted Until Month Ago and Fam
ily, Composed of Widow and'
2 Children, Lives There.
W. E. Williamson, of Holbrook. Or.,
formerly Assistant Postmaster of Port
land, shot and Instantly killed him
self yesterday afternoon at 4:20 o'clock
while en route to this city on the
Rainier local train of the Spokane.
Portland & Seattle Railway. Pro
longed ill-health is given as the causa
for his act
Since his retirement from the Port
land Postoffice. in 1913, Mr. William
son had been Hying at Holbrook with
his wife and their two children. Yes
terday afternoon ho boarded the train
upon its arrival at that station and
paid the conductor a cash fare to Port
land, stepping immediately into the
lavatory of the smoking car.
Friend la Greeted.
"Opposite the seat chosen by Jlr.
Williamson when he entered the coach
were seated City Detective Tom
Swennes and Deputy Game Warden C
P. Smith. . Detective Swennes greeted
him as an acquaintance and received a
brief reply. As the conductor handed
him his change Mr. Williamson arose
and entered the lavatory.
"We heard a muffled sound," said
Detective Swennes, "and I thought
he had fallen. I glanced at the door
and settled back in my seat again. In
a moment a little boy across the aisle
cried. Look at the blood!" It was
streaming beneath the door. We en
tered and found Mr. Williamson seat
ed and unconscious. He had shot him
self through the left temple with a
.S8-caliber revolver, which lay by his
side."
Death Follows) Soon.
Mr. Williamson was still alive when
discovered, and when the train arrived
at Llnnton, some nilntes afterward. At
that station Detective Swennes asked
the conductor to hold the train while
medical aid was summoned. Dr S. M.
Mann, of Llnnton, was called and made
an examination, but announced that
death had occurred.
Deputy Coroner Smith was notified
by telephone and met the train at Its
arrival In this city, conveying the body
at once to the public morgue. An In
quest will not be held.
H. M. Williamson, father of the dead4
man. who lives at 126 East Twentieth
street, was notified of the tragedy by
Detective Swennes who also notified
Harry G. Dura-id, assistant postmaster,
a close personal friend of Mr. William
son. Rural Route la Taken.
Mr. Williamson wa.a 38 years old. He
was formerly assistant postmaster of
Portland, having been appointed by
John C. Toung in 1909. At that time he
was In 'he mercantile business, having
resigned from the railway mail service
to go into business.
He continued as assistant postmaster
after the appointment of Charles B.
Merrick as postmaster. It was soon"
after Mr. Merrick's death that Mr.
Williamson suffered a complete- ner
vous breakdown, and he was given an
extended leave of absence, but he failed
to recover his health and resigned.
Mr. Williamson was out of the serv
ice for about a year and then was
given the rural route out of Holbrook.
He carried mall out of Iolbrook for
several years and about a month ago
resigned from the service. He was, at
the time of his death, the operator of
the ferry across Columbia Slough be-'
tween Hurlington and Sauvles Island.
Interest Taken In Politics.
His father, H. M.- Williamson, Is sec
retary of the State Board of Horticul
ture.' and It was while he and his father
were Interested In the publication of
the Oregon Agriculturist that the
younger man entered political life.
While associated with his father In
the publication of the 'Oregon Agricul
turist Mr. Williamson became inter
ested in the Senatorial campaign waged
by Jonathan Bourne, Jr., and was made
secretary of Mr. Bourne's campaign ad
ministrative staff.
He is survived by his widow and two
children, Dorothy, aged 16, and Oliver,
aged 10, and his father and mother.
GUARD TURNS TO PUBLICITY
Press Agent Employed to Attract
4 0 0O More Iowans.
DES MOIXES, Iowa. April 1. Adjutant-General
Logan tonight started a
two weeks' campaign to raise 4000
more men for the Iowa National Guard
so they will be ready for a call If war
comes. In doing this he will adopt
British advertising methods and has
employed a publicity man.
A recruiting officer was placed on
dvty tonight ' in every town with a
Guard company.
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