Morning Oregonian., April 07, 1917, Image 1

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VOL. 1YVII- NO. 17,590.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SATURDAY APRIL 7, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
$5,000,000,000 IS
YEAR'S WAR FIGURE
SCORES IN GERMAN
PLOTS ARRESTED
CABINET TAKES UP
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
WILL PLAY
KAISER'S ALLIES
AGAINST AMERICA
"-VJ
PART 1(1 WAR
BOND ISSXTES AND INCOME TAX
INCREASE DISCUSSED.
EXPERTS OF MIDDLE WEST TO
BE MET IN CONFERENCE.
PASSPORTS GIVEN P ENFIELD ;
BULGARIA, TURKEY TO BREAK.
AMERICA ACCEPIS
WAR CHALLENGE
President Signs Edict of
Belligerency.
OREGON
ARMY AND NAVY
Oil HUSH ORDERS
BIG
v. i
v
GERMAN SHIPS ARE SEIZED
Cuba and Brazil May Follow
With Declarations of
t Similar Nature.
ALL NAVAL MEN CALLED
United States Fleet Probably
Will Relieve Allied War
ships on Patrol.
WASHINGTON, April 6. The
United States today accepted Ger
many's challenge to war and for
mally abandoned its place as the
greatest neutral of a world in arms.
President Wilson at 1:18 P. M. (of
ficial time) signed the resolution of
Congress declaring the existence of a
state of war and authorizing and di
recting the Chief Executive to employ
all the resources of the Nation. to
prosecute hostilities against the Ger
man government to a successful
termination.
Act Is Void of Ceremony.
The act was done without cere
mony and in the presence of the Presi
dent's family, .Mrs. Wilson handing to
her husband the pen which he used.
Word was flashed immediately to
all Army and Navy stations and to
vessels at sea, and orders for further
precautionary stjps were dispatched.
By proclamation the President an
nounced the state of war, called upon
all citizens to manifest heir loyalty
and assured Germans, in " this coun
try that they would be unmolested as
long as they behaved themselves. ,
Orders were issued soon afterward
for the arrest of 60 ringleaders in
German plots and intrigues.
Navy Ordered Mobilized.
Complete mobilization of the Navy,
calling all reserves and militia to the
colors, was ordered by Secretary
Daniels as soon as the war resolution
was signed.
The War Department, which al
ready has taken virtually every step
contemplated before the raising of a
real Army is authorized, waited on
Congress.
- Secretary Baker conferred with
Chairman Dent, of the House mili
tary committee, and arranged to ap
pear before the committee tomorrow
to discuss the General Staff Army
plans and consider the war budget of
more than $3,000,000,000.
Alliance Is Discussed.
The President went over the great
preparatory measures with the Cabi
net, discussing what has been accom
plished and dwelling, it is under
stood, upon arrangements for co-operation
with the entente allies against
the common enemy.
Plans for co-operation are said to
have taken virtually definite 6hape,
though there will be no announcement
on the subject for the present.
The seizure of German ships laid
up in American harbors was the sub
ject of interested comment and legal
officers of the Government began con
sideration of the question of whether
the United States can confiscate the
ships outright or must pay for them
after the war.
Fine Merchant Marine Had.
In any event, as soon as they can
be made seaworthy the fine merchant
fleet thus acquired will give America
a merchant marine that could not be
duplicated in several years and add
more than 600,000 to the tonnage
available for the transportation of
supplies and munitions to the allies.
Both Houses of Congress have ad
journed over until Monday, so that
their committees may be free tomor
row for preliminary work on war leg
islation. Word that King George and Presi
dent Poincare had dispatched mes
sages of congratulation to the Presi
dent was received unofficially.
Caban Report Unofficial.
Only unofficial Information came
concerning: the action of President
Menocal. of Cuba, In recommending a
declaration of war against Germany by
Cuba and the growing: sentiment for
War in Brazil.
Foreign relations of the United
jf.onoindea pa Cm 2. Column 8U,
Deputation From Allies Expected to
Come to America Soon to
' Talk Over Finances.
WASHINGTON, April 6. Methods of
financing: the war with Germany and
of extending: huge loans to the allies
constituted one of the chief subjects
considered at today's Cabinet meeting:.
Indications are that the first year's
demands upon the financial resources
of the country will run far in excess of
the $3,500,000,000 already asked of Con
gress ' and ' may approximate $5,000.
000,000. Bond issues already authorized also
were discussed. These total $474,000,
000, Including- the $224,000,000 of Pana
ma Canal bonds authorized but not is
sued. Announcement by Secretary Mc
Adoo as to the details, of one or more
of these issues is expected shortly,
possibly within 24 hours.
An official deputation from Great
Britain, probably one from France and
possibly others from other allied gov
ernments will visit the United States
shortly to assist In formulating- a defi
nite programme adequate to meet the
most pressing needs of the allies and
at the same time Imposing as light a
burden as possible upon this country.
. Secretary McAdoo, ' members of the
House ways and means committee, and
Chairman Simmons, of the Senate fi
nance . committee, will begin confer
ences . tomorrow on the problem of
meeting the war needs of this country.
Radical revision of the present in
come tax is considered. The opinion
prevails, among members of the ways
and means committee, that the Govern
ment's revenue from income taxes alone
could be brought without undue hard
ship to any one up to $1,000,000,000 an
nually, and possibly exceed this sum.
The income tax at present rates yields
approximately $325,000,000.
CANADA HOISTS U. S." FLAG
Stars and Stripes Wave AYlth Union
Jack Over Parliament Building.
OTTAWA. Ont, April - The Stars
and Stripes for the first time In history
were hoisted with the Union Jack on
the Canadian Parliament building to
day. By thus associating - the two
flags, . Canadian . officials said they
wished to express the satisfaction they
felt at the determination of the United
States to Join the war against the Ger
man government.
' The American colors with the Union
Jack also fluttered from the City Hall
and many other buildings.
QUAKERS DECIDE TO DRILL
Haverford Students to Practice
Noncombatant Exercises.
PHILADELPHIA, April 6. Prepara
tions for a course in Intensive training
in trench digging, hospital and general
field work were decided upon at a
meeting here of the faculty and student
body of Haverford College. As the
college is conducted. by the Society of
Friends, no firearms will be allowed in
the drills.
Long cross-country walks will be
taken dally to get the students In phy
sical condition.
PHILADELPHIA HEARS BELL
Signing of War Resolution Heralded
From Independence Hall.
PHILADELPHIA. April 6. As In the
days of the American Revolution when
something momentous occurred, the
city of Philadelphia today notified Its
citizens of the signing by the President
of the war resolution by ringing the
bell at Independence HalL
From the same tower where liberty
was proclaimed in 1776, the bell's deep
tones were sounded at half -minute in
tervals for 30 minutes.
MEXICAN REVOLT RUMORED
El Paso Report Has Carranza In
Prison at Capital.
EL PASO, Texas, April 6. A rumor
spread throughout El Paso tonight that
a revolt had taken place in Mexico City
and General Carranza had been impris
oned, but government agents here said
the rumor was without basts, so far as
they knew.
Carranza officials pronounced it ab
surd. The rumor is said to have come
from the local Villa Junta.
ITALY TO POST ADDRESS
Wilson's Speech vIs Accorded Un
usual Honor. .
ROME, April 6, via Paris. The Ital
ian government, is about to take the
unusual course of posting President
Wilson's address to Congress in public
places in all communes.
Such action has been taken. In the
past only in respect of official Italian
documents of the highest importance.
LASSEN AGAIN RESTLESS
Giant Column of Inky Smoke Is
Sent Upward.
REDDING. CaL. April 6. Lassen
Peak shot a giant column of Inky
smoke skyward today. The eruption
was not as violent as yesterday's out
break, rated the largest in two years.
The eruption today was ' the 132d
eruption of significance since May 30,
18I4. - .
Aliens Regarded Dan
gerous Are Taken.
BAIL IS TO BE REFUSED
Thousands of German Reserv
ists Are Known.
OTHER ARRESTS LIKELY
Secret Service Has Under Strict
Surveillance Many Wbo Are
Suspected of Belnjj Con
nected With Conspiracies.
WASHINGTON, April The arrest
of sixty alleged ringleaders In German
plots, conspiracies and machinations In
the United States, was ordered today
by Attorney-General Gregory Immedi
ately after President Wilson had signed
the war resolution. "
Every man whose arrest was ordered
Is a German citizen. Is known by the
Department of Justice, It was author
itatively stated, to have participated
actively in German Intrigues In this
country and is regarded as a dangerous
person to be at large.
Bail will. be refused In each case, it
was said, and the entire group will be
locked up unless there Is a change in
present plans, for" the duration of the
war.
Other Arrests to Follow.
Indications are that a number of
other arrests will be ordered within the
next few days.
The men are placed In three groups:
Those who have been convicted of vio
lation of American neutrality In fur
thering German plots of various sorts
and are at liberty under bond awaiting
the action of higher courts: those who
have been indicted by Federal grand
Juries for similar offenses and are at
liberty under bond waiting trial and
persons neither Indicted nor convicted
but whose activities have been under
long surveillance by the secret service
or Treasury . Department's bureau of
investigation.
For the first time In more than a
century arrests of alien enemies un
der the Attorney-General's order will
be made without reference to the courts
or by obtaining warrants. The Presi
dent is empowered to adopt this course
in time of war under an act of Con
gress passed in 1798 and not invoked
since the war with Great Britain in
1812.
Thousands Are Watched.
The Department has under strict sur
veillance thousands of German reserv
ists resident in the United States who
are suspected of having been connected.
with plots already brought to light or
(Concluded on Page 4. Comin 3.)
Secretary Houston to Iieave Imme
diately for St. Louis to
Urge Increase.
WASHINGTON. April . Food pro
duction and distribution for the war
period were discussed ' at today's
Cabinet meeting and ' afterwards -Secretary
Houston announced ' that he
would leave Immediately for St. Louis
to confer with agricultural experts
from - the great cereal growing states.
He will hold a similar conference in
the East later.
The Secretary was directed today by
a Senate resolution passed today to
submit a plan to increase the National
food supplies. '
The Administration, through the De
partment of-. Agriculture and the
Council of National Defense, has made
preparations of a Nation-wide char
acter for Increasing and conserving
the food supply of the country to meet
the war time demands and the neces
sity of forwarding larger amounts to
the entente-allies.-
The following statement was Issued
at the Department of Agriculture:
"On Monday at 10 .o'clock, the Sec
retary will hold a conference In St.
Louis with the state commissioners of
agriculture and the representatives of
the land grant colleges . to consider
agricultural problems in 17 of the
great cereal growing states from Ohio
to Montana and from Wisconsin to
Texas. Among the , problems to be
considered will be those of increasing
the efficiency of production, of ways
of improving distribution generally
and of the - creation of the requisite
machinery. '
"The department recently has as
sisted at a conference in New England
and one at Atlanta for the South."
BRYAN READY TO ENLIST
Ex-Secretary of State Asks to Be En
rolled as Private in Army.
TALLAHASSEE. Fla, .April C. Ex
Secretary - of State Bryan today sent
this message to President Wilson:
"Believing it to be the duty of each
citizen to bear his part of the burden
of war and his share of its perils, I
hereby tender my services to the Gov
ernment. Please enroll me as a private
wherever I am needed. Assign me to
any work that I can do until called to
the colors. - .-
' "I shall, through the Red Cross, con
tribute to the comfort of- soldiers In
the hospital and, through the Toung
Men's - Christian Association, aid In
guarding the morals- of the men In
camp."
SOLDIER SUICIDE OVER WAR
Croatian in Eighteenth Infantry
Ends Iiife When News Comes.
DOUGLAS, Ariz., April fi. Michael
Plschulik. 24, private In the band of
the Eighteenth'Infantry, committed sui
cide today by shooting.
He was a native of ' Croatia, an
Austrian province. He left a letter ad
dressed to his brother In St. Louis, con
taining the statement that war was
declared and no one knew where his
regiment would be sent.
Men, Ships, Materials
to Be Furnished.
5 REGIMENTS MAYBE RAISED
State Has Vast Supply of Tim
ber Wheat Crop Is Great.
CTHER FOODSTUFFS GROWN
Inexhaustible Water Powers Can Be
Harnessed for Electrical Proc
esses Used In Manufac
ture of Nitrates.
TROOP MOVEMENTS NOT TO
BE PUBLISHED.
For the information of persons
with sons, relatives or friends in
the military service. The Orego
nlan announces that io local - or
state or Northwest item relative
to the movement or station or
service of designated bodies of
troops. United States or local,
will be printed In The Oregonlan,
except on express authorization
by proper Army or Guard offi
cers. . .
This voluntary censorship over
news of troop movements Is un
dertaken by The Oregonlan at the
request of Colonel John L. Hay
den. . U. S. A., commanding all
troops In Oregon, Washington.
Idaho and Montana.
Oregon will have a definite and most
Important part to play In the great
war the United States now has entered.
In men to be furnished for the
armies of the United- States against
Germany. Its portion will, of course,
be smaller than that of most of the
states because its population Is less.
The census of 1910 gave the state
a total of only 672,765 inhabitants.
But already the state - has one full
regiment of National Guardsmen In the
field. Its quota of Naval Militia, called
out yesterday. Is recruited to full war
strength, and plans are under way for
immediate formation of further regi
ments. Reserve Battalion Comes First.
Probably the first step of this kind
to be taken will be the recruitment of
a new' reserve battalion for the Third
Oregon Infantry. For this battalion
there will be needed men to make up
four complete companies, at war
strength of 150 men each, and officers
to command them.
As gaps occur in the ranks of the
(Concluded on Page 3, Column 8.)
Holland Expected to Take Over
American Interests, Although
Papers Voice Regret.
LONDON, April 7 (6:45 A. M.) Pass
ports have been placed at the disposal
of the American Embassy In Vienna,
according to a dispatch to the Ex
change Telegraph Company from The
Hague. quoting telegrams received
there from the Austrian capital.
The dispatch says that Bulgaria and
Turkey have also decided to break off
relations with the United States, and
that Holland will probably look after
Austrian Interests in Washington and
American' interests in Vienna.
VIENNA. Wednesday. April 4. via
London, April 6. The Austro-Hun-gartan
press has paid little attention
to President Wilson's message to .Con
gress regarding German-American re
lations. All of the leading articles voice re
gret that by President Wilson's act the
chances for an early peace are seem
ingly lessened, and that further blood
shed will be necessary. There is no
bitter tone In any of the comment.
Frederic C. Penfleld, the American
Ambassador, leaves Vienna Saturday
evening. April 7. He will be accom
panied by Mrs. Penfleld, Allen W. Dul
les, third secretary of the embassy, and
one servant. On Thursday the Am
bassador will be received by Emperor
Charles at great headquarters. Mrs.
Penfleld presented Empress Zita In per
son witl an autograph photograph of
herself, the two having been active to
gether in much charitable work.
Ambassador Penfleld and his party
will leave In a special car placed at
their disposal by the Austrian government.
OBEY LAW, BE MUM, ORDER
Attorney-General Lays Down Rule
for Safety of Germans.
PHILADELPHIA, April 6. The fol
lowing notice signed by United States
Attorney-General Gregory was re
aelved today by the Federal Marshal
of the Philadelphia district:
"No German alien enemy . In this
country, who has not hitherto been im
plicated In plots against the Interests
of the United States, need have any
fear of action by the Department of
Justice so long as he observes the fol
lowing warning:
"Obey the law; keep, your -niouth
shut."
TWO SUSPECTS ARE SHOT
New Jersey Guardsmen Fell Men
Near Railroad Bridge.
TRENTON, N. J., April 7. Two men.
who were said to be acting suspiciously,
were shot and wounded here early to
day by National Guardsmen on duty at
the Pennsylvania Railroad tunnel un
der the Delaware and Rarltan Canal
and an approach to the Delaware River
bridge of the company.
BLACKLIST MAY BE ENDED
Britain Considers
Withdrawing
American Firms.
WASHINGTON, April 6. Great Brit
ain is understood to have under con
sideration the withdrawal of its com
mercial blacklist insofar as it refers to
firms and Individuals In this country.
It will now be the duty of the Ameri
can Government to see that nobody in
the United States gives aid to Germany.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 55
degrees; minimum. 87.
TODAY'S Showers; southerly winds.
War With Germany.
Array and Navsr rusn orders of mobiliza
tion. . Pace 1.
All central powers to break with America.
Pace 1.
Brazil considers break with Germany.
Pass S.
Allen enemies restrained by President's
proclamation. Page 2.
Official Berlin silent regarding President's
speech. Page 4.
Cabin' t takes up food distribution. Page 1.
Government may can for S5.000.000.000 for
first year of war with Germany. Page 1.
Seized ships, totaling 629.00O tonnage, likely
to be used in transporting supplies to al
lies. Page 6.
Scores in German plots arrested. Page 1.
United- States accepts German challenge to
war Page 1.
Cuban President asks for war declamation
against Germany. Page 4
Brltiah Cabinet greets America as ally.
Page .
Peace 'talk in ' Germany grows apace as
United States declares war. Page 15.
Navy saves $18,0.000 by manufacturers
reducing prices on munitions. Page 2. -
I Sports.
Pacific Coast Lenru results: Portland 8,
Bait Lake 12; Vernon S. 6an Francisco 2;
Los A-igeles 6. Oakland 4. Page 14.
Spokane will play Klrkpatrtcks here today.
Page 14.
. Pacific Northwest.
A. ChurchtU chosen- president of Tnjand
Empire Teachers' Association. Page 7.
Illicit still Is seized In woods near Toledo.
Page T.
Commercial and Marine.
Sharp advance In sugar prices and refiner
ies withdraw offerings. Page 19.
Wool trading In all American 'markets Is
suspended. Page Id.
Three German ships on Columbia are
seised. Page 10.
' Portland aad Vicinity.
Disloyal speech costs lob of specla) patrol
man. Page 9.
Oregon will furnish men. ships, food aad
materials In war. Page 1.
Chamber .votes on amendments tonight.
Page 11-
Modlflcation of rule on women's working
hours during war urged. Page 15.
Naval militia of Oregon . is called out.
Page .
Weather report, data and forecast. Page 18.
Federal attorney prepares for eventualities.
Page 8.
City police do military drill. age a.
Much Action Fellows War
NAVAL M L1TIA CALLED OUT
Government to Take. Oven
Swift, Privately Owned
Motor Craft at Once.
NATIONAL GUARD TO WAIT,
Plans Propose Drafting Entire
Military Body Into Fed
eral Service Quickly.
WASHINGTON, April 6. Meas
ures to make ready for actual hostil
ities with Germany went forward
swiftly today at the War and Navy
departments, and President Wilson
issued a statement urging tfte prompt
enactment of the . General Staffs
Army plans, to be taken up tomorrow
by the House military committee. .
Complete mobilization of the Navy
was ordered by Secretary Daniels im
mediately after the Cabinet meeting.
The naval militia and naval reserve,
totaling nearly 15,000 men, will join
the colors within two or three days.
Every preliminary arrangement has
been made.
Mobilization means the immediate
organization of the coast patrol serv
ice and the taking over of the swift,
privately owned motor craft already
enrolled. Volunteer crews for these
boats will be called out also.
Quick Action Given.
While the men were assembling
telegraphic orders to contractors in
all parts of the country were on the
wires providing supplies of every
kind that will be necessary. The
messages were ready for instant dis
patch when Secretary Daniels gave
the word.
Under the call for the reserves
scores of retired naval officers are
starting to posts previously selected
for them to relieve every active of
ficer now on shore duty and whose
services can be spared. The active
men will go to the fleets, active and
reserve, and to merchant craft al
ready surveyed and listed and to be
drafted into the Federal service.
In the War Department further
moves toward mustering a great
Army await action by Congress.
Every preliminary step already has
been taken, however, to carry out the
project of raising and training 1,000,
000 men in a year and supplying them
with full war equipment.
News Travels Over World.
News that the war atus had been
proclaimed by President Wilson was
flashed to Army and Navy posts and
ships throughout the world as soon
as the war resolution was signed at
the White House. The only other
thing that can be done at the War
Department without Congressional
action is to order the regular Army
expanded to full war strength. 1
In his statement President Wilson
formally set himself on record as sup
porting the General Staff plans for
the Army in every detail, including
the provision for selective draft to
obtain men. Later in the day Chair
man Dent, of the House military"
committee, called to see" Secretary
Baker, who will take the staff plan
and its accompanying $3,000,000,000
budget before the committee tomor
row. The conference had to do with th
draft clauses of the bill, to which con
siderable opposition is expected at
the Capitol. Mr. Dent said afterward
that he could not forecast the senti
ment of Congress, but that he per
sonally was prepared to surrender his
own objections to compulsory service
and do all in his power to secure
harmony of action between Congress
and the Administration.
Conflict to Be Avoided.
"I have been opposed ahvays to the
draft," he said, "or to conscription
systems for the Army, and think it
should be invoked only in time of
actual necessity and emergency. How
ever, I shall do what I can to keep
the Administration and Congress in
agreement on the question and to
.Concluded ou Page S. Column 1.1
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