Morning Oregonian., April 11, 1917, Image 1

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VOL. ITII-XO. 17,593. PORTLAND, OREGON, .VKDXESDAT, APRIL 11, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS.""
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BRITISH CAPTURE
1110 GERMANS
More Than 100 Big Guns
Taken Near Arras.
FAMOUS VIMY RIDGE IS WON
Teutons in Danger of Losing
Vast Industrial District
Conquered Long Ago.
BATTLE FOUGHT lll SNOW
Gains Made at Various Points
on Front of 50 Miles in
v. New Drive.
LONDON, April 10. In the face
of heavy enow storms and in places
strong resistance by the Germans, the
British have pushed their lines as far
as Monchy-le-Prex, five miles east
of Arras, and made further important
gains on Vimy Ridge.
The official statement from British
headquarters describing the opera
tions now in progress on the Arras
Lens line reports the capture up
to this evening of 11,000 prisoners,
including 235 officers, more than 100
guns, including heavy guns up to
eight inches, 60 trench mortars and
163 machine guns.
Canadians Capture Heights.
The Canadians, who had one of the
hardest bits of the front to contend
with, are now in complete occupation
of the famous Vimy Ridge, even its
eastern slopes having been cleared of
the Germans. The Canadians have
also repulsed German counter at-'
tacks.
These reactions by the Germans
indicate the importance they attach
to this position, whence the conquer'
ors look down over the plain of Douai.
With Vimy Ridge gone, the whole
German line covering the French
towns and industrial districts to the
north becomes a wavering one and
any leisurely retreat the Germans
tnay have planned is made uncertain
and precarious.
St. Quentin Chain Tightens.
with the capture of the famous
ridge the British made a considerable
stride along the road to Douai, while
the capture of the high ground north
west of St. Quentin tightens the chain
which the Anglo-French forces are
drawing around that town.
A German diversion southeast of
- Ypres, according to General Haig's
report, met with no success
Correspondents at the front report
the fighting continuing keenly
throughout last night, with the Brit
ish offensive gradually extending
northward, there being fighting this
morning in the direction of La Bassee.
Among the prisoners already taken
are five battalion commanders.
Germans Destroy Own Supplies.
The Germans destroyed great auan.
tities of supplies at the last minute
to prevent their capture.
The weather continues bitterly cold,
with snow flurries, but the British
forces are clad in sheepskins and are
Kept well fed.
The main feature of the battle thus
far, on which attention has been fo
cused, is the capture of Vimy Ridge.
- i ...
xuo uiunense value or this series of
heights, which dominate the plain
from an elevation of from 400 to 500
feet, has been recognized throughout
the war and great sacrifice v.-.
been regarded as justifiable if they
resulted in us possession.
One military critic, commenting on
the present battle, thus describes the
importance of the Vimy heights:
"They are admittedly the bastion of
the enemy's western line.
Ridge Defended Strongly.
-Whatever else has been allowed to
go. he held Vimy ridge with grim re
solve and lavished upon it all the arts
in fortifications and defensive skill
that the war has taught him. Upon
It hinges the whole strategy of the
enemy's retreat in the west. With
Vimy firmly held he can swing his
line further south slowly back until
each part of it reaches the position
where he has a mind to stand and
he can cover the French industrial
districts upon which he depends much
for supplies. But with Vimy gone.
uexcuaw iucbo Districts can
hardly be maintained. The pivot of
the whole retreat shifts and gives
backward and is in instant risk of
fracture."
The Issues depending upon their
(Concluded on fas 4. Column 8.A .
SUBMARINE FLEES
FROM AUZ0N1AGUN
CONTEMPLATED ATTACK
DKXLY ABANDONED.
ST7D-
Passengers Witness Destruction of
Freighter Carmania Also Ar
rives in New York.
NEW TORE, April 10. Sight of a
six-Inch gun on the stern of the Cun
arder Auzonla trained on them as they
were about to discharge a torpedo,
caused the crew of a German U-boat to
change their minds and flee, according
to officers of the vessel which docked
today.
The U-boat was sighted coming full
speed toward the Auzonla. whose com
mander turned his ship so the stern
gun could be brought to bear. The
crew waited until they saw the U-boat
was almost near enough to launch a
torpedo.
Then they prepared to fire, but sud
denly the submarine veered and fled.
Her new course attracted the eyes of
the Auzonia's passengers and crew to a
vessel on the horizon. They watched
the U-boat approach Its new prey. Then
suddenly there came a great explosion
bursting from a freighter which rapid
ly sank.
NEW YORK. April 10. The Cunard
liner Carmania arrived here today
from a European port with 38 passen
gers and 1800 sacks of maiL No mines
or submarines were encountered.
DEMOCRATS' IRE AROUSED
Appointment of Mr. Anderson
Op-
posed In Jackson County.
MEDTORD, Or.. April 10. (Special.)
The appointment of Bert Anderson.
chairman of the Jackson County Re
publican Committee, as an appraiser of
the Federal Farm Loan Board at a sal
ary of $2400 a year, raised a storm of
protest today from prominent members
of the Democratic party. W. N. Camp
bell. Democratic county chairman, was
an applicant for the Job.
Medford Democrats feel that the
appointment of his political opponent
was a. curious return for loyal service
in the recent campaign. Protests were
telegraphed to Senator Chamberlain,
and it is believed every effort will be
made to have the appointment with
drawn. Mr. Anderson's fitness for the
position is not questioned.
MARTIAL LAW IS DECLARED
Guatemala Proclamation Believed to
Forerun Entry Into War.
GUATEMALA CITT, Guatemala. Mon
day, April 9. Martial law has been de
clared in Guatemala. The action was
taken on Information of disturbances
along the Mexican and Salvadorean
frontiers, supposed to have been cre
ated with German assistance.
WASHINGTON. April 10. Reports
that President Cabrera has proclaimed
martial law fn Guatemala strengthens
the belief of State Department officials
that Guatemala may soon Join the
United States in the war against Ger
many.
TONGUE CAUSES DISCHARGE
Mayor Insists City Employes Sball
Be Patriotic or Silent.
Regardless of circumstances, unpa
triotic utterances by city employes will
mean discharge from the service. Mayor
Albee yesterday announced this policy
and applied It for the first time in the
discharge of P. Lasch, a fireman at the
station on Mississippi avenue.
"I am convinced," said the Mayor,
"that Mr. Lasch is not disloyal to the
country and that his remarks were not
prompted by disloyalty; but they were
made, and In times such as this there
is no alternative."
NAVAL ATTACK EXPECTED
Troops Work Feverishly to Prepare
Defenses of Kronstadt.
KRONSTADT, April 8. (Via London.
April 10.) Kronstadt is feverishly pre
paring to repel an expected German
naval attack when the Gulf of Finland
is free of ice.
A correspondent of the Associated
Press reached the famous Island fast
ness by traveling over the vast ice
waste which separates it from the
mainland and found the garrison work
ing night and day in anticipation of
the long predicted assault.
SWEDISH MILLS AFFECTED
America's Entry Into War Expected
to Cut Off Cotton Trade.
STOCKHOLM, via London, April 10..
As the result of America's entrance into
the war, representatives of Sweden's
cotton mills have decided to restrict
production, to afford employment as
long as possible to the operatives.
It will be impossible to keep the mills
going for more than four months with
out importations, of which it is feared
there is small probability. Ten thou
sand workers are affected.
PENFIELDS REACH GENEVA
Ex-Ambassador to Austria- Accom
panied by Secretary.
PARIS, April 10. Frederic C. Pen-
field, ex-American Ambassador to
Austria-Hungary, accompanied by his
wife and a. secretary, arrived in
Geneva this morning.
A dispatch to the Temps from Geneva
carried this information.
3 LATIN-AMERiGAS
EXPECTED TO JOIN
Peru Is New Prospec
tive Ally of U. S.
MEXICO AND CHILE NEUTRAL
Brazil and Guatemala Thought
Ready to Declare War.
WIDE INFLUENCE EXPECTED
Central American Republic's Action
In Proclaiming- Martial Law Is
Regarded as Jlove to Poll
Activities of Germans.
RIO JAXEIKO, April 10. At a Cabl
uuocu ivu7 it ru decided that
Brazil should sever her relations with
Germany.
BUENOS AIRES. April 10 The -
eminent Issued a. proclamation late to.
night that It supported the position of
the United States with reference to
termany.
niuauauioM, April 10. Much of
the uncertainty as to Latin-America's
attitude in the war between tv, TTr.it.
Rt9t. . .
v. uoiuiauy was cleared away
Dy aerinite advices that Chu
a.... 1r ...
iUCiICO Will remain nnt..l
increasing indications tnat Brazil
uiciuma ana i-eru will loin rh.
ana Manama on the side of the United
States.
The decision of Chile, the f ir r
the American republics to announce
her neutrality, caused some surprise
among officials here. In many Quar
ters it had been expected she eventu
ally would break with the Berlin gov
ernment, but would postpone her de
cision until advised definitely of the
course of Argentina and Brazil. What
effect her stand will hav on the
smaller nations of the continent is a
matter of much speculation n.m.n.
laxly as there are no .indications that
Argentina also will take a place among
ms neutrals.
Mexico's Act Wo Surprise.
Mexico's decision, on the whole.
caused no surprise and is regarded as
certain to have little Influence
her sister republics. Reports that
General Carranza is said to hav a
distinct pro-American attitude have not
been credited by officials here, and
neither have they believed widely cir
culated stories that he was preparing
to ally himself openly with Germany.
Official confirmation of Brazil's
break with the Berlin government Is
still lacking at the State Department
and the Brazilian Embassy tonight, but
officials believe there is no doubt that
the authorities at Rio Janeiro have
definitely decided for war.
As the largest South American na
tion. Brazil's influence on the other
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 1.)
NOWS THE TIMESTART A
WAR IS ONLY WAY
OUT, SAYS JORDAN
PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF STAN
FORD HOPES FOR DEMOCRACY.
Opponent of War Declares People
Must Stand Together, Expect
ing Lasting Peace.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 10. David
Starr Jordan, chancellor emeritus of
Stanford University, who participated
in final efforts to maintain peace with
Germany, telegraphed the following
message, printed by the San Francisco
Bulletin today:
"Our country is now at war and the
only way out Is for war. I would not
change one word I have spoken against
war, but that is no longer the issue.
We must now stand together, with the
hope that our entrance Into Europe
may In some way advance the cause of
democracy and hasten the coming of
lasting peace.
Dr. Jordan was said to be on his
way from Washington to Stanford.
VASSAR WOMEN PREPARE
College Events Give Way to In
struction In Military Measures.
POUGHKEEPSIE. N. T., April 10.
. I a meeting of the Vassar College
Students' Association held tonight ex
tensive preparedness measures were
taken.
All college events calling for a large
expenditure of money will be eliminated
or modified In favor of Instruction in
wireless telegraphy, library work. Red
Cross training, running and mechan
ism of automobiles, typewriting and
stenography. Military drill was con
sidered Impracticable.
Commencement exercises will be
greatly simplified. The hoop dance
and procession of the daisy chain, the
third hall play and the Senior Prom
will be omitted.
SPIES' VICTIM HONORED
Private Poor Praised In House Res
olution for Heroic Death.
SPRINGFIELD, 111.. April 10. A reso
lution lauding the patriotism and brav
ery of Private John Poor of the Coast
Artillery, declared to be the first Amer
lean soldier killed In line of duty In
the conflict with Germany, was adopt
ed by the House of Representatives to
day.
Private ' Poor was killed March 24
at Fort Williams, Portland. Me- while
pursuing two men believed to be spies,
who were approaching tho fort. He
lived at Edlnburg. 111.
13 GET MARRIAGE PERMITS
Tuesday Sees Falling: Off In Number
, of License Seekers.
Thirteen marriage licenses were
taken out yesterday, a slump from
Monday's record of 21, due. It is sup
posed, to the suspicion of "slacker" at
tending those of military service age
who take wives at this stage of the
war game.
Of the 13, seven went plainly on rec
ord of an age above that included in
the proposed compulsory military train
ing, two took refuge In tho noncom
mittal "legal,- and four were Issued to
men of military age.
GARDEN AND SHOW TOUR CONTEMPT FOR THE WAR LORD.
$5,000,000,000 WAR
BOND ISSUE AGREED
House Ways and Means
Committee Unites.
PASSAGE IN TWO WEEKS LIKELY
Issue of 2 Billion in Notes May
Be Provided.
QUICK FUND IS INTENT
Applications for Allotments of Pro
posed Issue Assure Success,
Thinks Administration; En
tente May Take Part.
WASHINGTON, April 10. Democrats
and Republicans of the House ways and
means committee, at Its organization
meeting today, united In approval of
the Administration's war financial pro
gramme calling for a $5,000,000,000 bond
Issue, of which $3,000,000,000 will be
used as the basis of loans to the allies.
Chairman Kitchln. with the authoriza
tion of the committee, will report the
bill tomorrow Rml ItM nnmtnirA In tVi
House not later than Friday night, he
thinks. Is assured.
Little delay Is anticipated In the Sen-
me. vviinin two weeks the measure
may be on the statute books. Chairman
Simmons, of the Senate finance com
mlttee. has held frequent conferences
with Secretary McAdoo and prompt re-
porting of the measure to the Senate is
expected.
Two BIllloB Ib TVotea Favored.
To prevent any possible financial
handicap to the military needs of the
country through delay in raising the
91.750,000.000 proposed as the amount
to be obtained by taxation, the ways
and means committee decided to em
body in the bond Issue authorization,
authority to the Secretary of the
Treasury to Issue as needed 12.000.000.
000 In one-year treasury notes to an
ticipate the tax receipts which will re
sult from the war revenue bill. The
latter measure will be considered after
the bond Issue bill has been disposed of.
Indications are that considerable
time will be required to draft the reve
nue bill and that both Houses Will de
bate It at length after its Introduction.
which may delay Its passage.
Total May Be S7,OO0.O00,0O0.
The total thus authorized, should the
committee's programme be ratified by
Congress, would be 17,000.000,000 for
the first year of the war, not all of
which, however, would necessarily be
spent. This is $250,000,000 more than
the Administration leaders have been
counting on. The difference is regarded
a liberal estimate for expenses not
now anticipated, but which may arise.
All of the Issues would carry an In
terest rate of 3 per cent. Democratic
leaders were greatly pleased with the
harmonious meeting of the ways and
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 4.)
ARMS SMUGGLER
TAKEN IN PACIFIC
AMERICAN DESTROYER SEIZES
VESSEL OFF CALIFORNIA.
Schooner Is Beached After Five
Shots Are Fired and Ammu
nition Is Confiscated.
oajn uxeqo, cal.. April 10. A
munitions-carrying schooner, bound for
a Mexican west coast port, was fired
upon and captured by two United
States torpedo-boat destroyers. It was
learned here tonight from authoritative
sources.
Five shots were fired at the vessel
when it attempted to escape. It is said.
and the ship was then beached. Sev
eral thousand rounds of rifle and ma
chine gun ammunition was taken
aboard the destroyers and landed at
Pacific Coast ports, according to the
report.
It is known that the destroyers have
been scouting for a supposed munitions
smuggling ship for more than a week.
Monday, according to reports, the pa
trol boats sighted the schooner, which
was south-bound off the coast of Cali
fornia and following a course inshore.
The warships gave chase, and when he
saw that capture was inevitable, the
captain of the "schooner is reported to
nave attempted to destroy his vessel.
Refusing to heed signals to stop, the
skipper steered for shore' and beached
the schooner. Five shots, the report
says, were fired at the ship which then
piled up on the beach.
The ammunition was taken off by
motor launches from the destroyers.
The Identity of the captain and crew of
the schooner has not been revealed.
Persons in a position to know the full
details of the action Intimated that the
ammunition was taken aboard the
smus:Bler at two Pacific Coast points
-"'""is ooais.
LOS ANGELES. April 10. Federal
b,,;taVToS
weeks an alleged plot to ship to a west
Mexican coast port 25.000 automatic
f!flea "d 4,500,00 rounds of ammunl"
w" ..Jm ZT'U0 th".murU,..n"' U
ras said.
Angeles bank noon
presentation of evidence proving they
naa Deen delivered. The shipment. It
was alleged was for some revolution
ary faction In Mexico.
SEDITION LAID TO PASTOR
Charge of Advocating Rebellion In
. Event of Conscription Made.
PITTSBURG. Pa.. April 10. The Rev.
William A. Prosser. nutnr nf h
United Peoples Church. rr..t.
tonight on a charge of high misde-
meanor.
T .It. M. ...
t o aiicscu uiu in aaaressinsr a
large mass meeting here Sunday the
minister advocated rebellion In the
event that conscription becomes effec
tlve In this country.
INDEX OF TODAY'S
NEWS
The Weather.
TESTER r ATS Maximum temperature.
c;
degrees; minimum. 40 degrees.
TODAY'S Showers; southerly winds.
War.
David Starr Jordan hopes entrance of Amer
ica into war win nasten lasting peaca.
American liner New York, damaged
..nils un juivcrpooi, reacnea port safely.
Page 4.
Brazil, Peru and Guatemala axDeeted In
wKtr, ueuco ana Lnn DOUtraL Pa.tr i
aivns amea at various Points aa mm.
ure of safety. Page 4.
British capture 11.000 Germans and more
xvu oig guns, rage 1.
Question of food supply occupies attention
of President and experts. Page 8.
Submarine flees when Auzonla shows fight.
Cabinet finds most pressing needs have bean
m in war preparations. Para 7.
War with Austria seems sura. Page 2.
Opponents of conscription delay Army bill.
riia o.
war .Department advises atatea va1rmtr
resrimenia are not wanted. Page T
House ways and meana committee ajrreee
on 5. 000.000.000 bond Issue. Page 1-
Ex-Presldent Roosevelt confers with Presi
dent regarding raising or special regl.
iiiii t iu. Bcrvico in r ranee. rage 3.
Many camps for officers open. Pace 15.
Government surveys seized ships with view
i c in 1 1 use. rage o.
Russian provisional government declares for
ueienae oi latneriana. out not for con.
qurn. rage
Domestic
una nunared and twelve, mostly girls and
women, aiiiea in rennsyivanls munitions
pia.ni explosion. rage i.
oa"irorSfa."ps! l v"al "Ptured off
I Railroads urge early ruling- on application I
Eports.
t-acino oast league results Portland 1
. .i null 1 . u 1 1 ( u 1 1 uaiciand 1
x.os jvnneies-p.au. una game postponed.
i J j
Mltchle and Nelson ready for boat at Van-
couver. Page 14.
Pacific Coast colleges to quit athletics
Page 14.
Major leagues open today. Page 14.
college caaeis are instructed to continue
stuaies. rage o.
S. Benson makes plea for good roads bonds
at DiiToriuu. x-&aa o.
Commercial and Marine.
Strong; cauiornia aemana lor reed grains.
rage xv.
Break In rraln and provision prices at Chl-
IHID ignuwTO ivtouuo. rage 19.
Munition stocks lower with general unload
Ing. Page 19.
Government ordering; ships. Page 19.
Portland and Vicinity.
I Order to stop recruiting for Third Oregon
Officers reserve
tests said to be
severe.
Page 8.
20.000 persons expected to march In patri
otic parade. Page 12.
Weather report, data and forecast. Page IS.
J. U Bowman hopes to land contract for
Army unuonm. rage o.
City Attorney sustains fire enters conten
tions on two-platoon oystem. Page 6.
I Holding of Rose Festival during war pro-
Girls rush to enter naval service too late to
DO yoemen. rage lis.
isiy wKr i" ah miu iu do oppressive on
Wooer, 40. of rich woman, Td, is held In Jail.
o.
Desert lot dealers are put on trial for fraud.
' Rose Festival board plans .patriotic parade, j
112 DIE WAR
PLAMT EXPLOSIOH
121 Injured; Death List
May Reach 150.
GIRLS AND WCfilEN VICTIMS
Eddystone, Pa., Scene of Dis
aster; Philadelphia, 15
Miles Away, Rocked.
PLOT RUMORS NUMEROUS
Detectives, However, Say Ra
diator May Be Cause; Ca
dets Form Guard Quickly.
CHESTER, Pa., April 10. One
hundred and twelve persons, most of
them women and girls, lost their lives
and 121 were injured by a series of
terrific explosions today in the shrap
nel building of the Eddystone Ammu
nition Comorati
mileroni this city: Many of the in-
Jured were mortally hurt and it is
feared the final death list will reach
150 while others probably will be'
ied for life.
IIoW any of the 300 Of "ore em-
ployes in the building, in which were
stored approximately 30,000 shells,
escaped is almost beyond conception,
as there was scarcely a fragment of
the structure left intact.
Fire added to the horror and most
of the bodies were so badly charred
that identification was impossible.
Plot Rumors Numerous.
Rumors of pjots and arrests of per
sons both inside and outside of the
plant were numerous, but all lacked
confirmation.
Twenty Philadelphia detectives
were sent to Eddystone soon after
the explosion on a rumor that it was
the result of a plot. After spending
several hours investigating, they re-
DOrted that thev had 1eamiii
ficials of the corporation that a quan
tity of shrapnel had been placed near
a radiator and the heat might easily
have exploded it. Their opinion is
that the explosion was purely acci
dental. No arrests have been made.
An official of the corporation in
discussing the probable cause of the
explosion declared that at no timo
did ho believe there was more than
one-half a ton of powder in the build
ing at one time and that this never
was in bulk.
Philadelphia Is Rocked.
The explosion, which was felt in
Philadelphia, a distance of 15 miles.
occurred about 10 o'clock in what ia
known as the 10-F building, a two-
story structure, 75 by 300 feet, in this
building time fuses were prepared,
more than 80 per cent of the work- .
ers being women and girls. Probably
50 men and boys were employed in
the building at the time of the blast
and the majority of them escaped.
Great excitement followed the ex
plosion. A pall of smoke darkened
the entire town, which has a popula
tion of 5000. This was soon lightened
by the flames from the burning build-
ing." Rescue squads were quickly
formed, the entire Chester fire depart'
ment responded and ambulances from
Philadelphia and Chester soon were
at the scene. A strong guard of
Pennsylvania militiamen and cadets
from the Pennsylvania military acad
emy was thrown around the plant and
everyone except those assisting in the
rescue work were forbidden to ap
proach. Bodies Blown 200 Tarda.
Several bodies were fished out of trie
marshes 200 yards from the Ill-fated
buildingT. and it is feared that others
may have been blown into the river
still farther away. All were mutilated.
There were numerous Instances of
heroism. Captain Walter Wilhelm,
vice-president of the Eddystone cor
poration and formerly a National
Guardsman, braving smoke and flams
to -enter the wreckage, carried ten per
sons to safety. For a time there was
confusion among; the rescue squads,
who, until a controlling head took
charge, worked at cross purposes. At
first no one realized the extent of the
disaster.
So serious was the danger from ex
ploding shrapnel that the trolley lines
were tied up for more than an hour.
Throughout the afternoon and until
late tonight Chester presented a Da.
thetlc scene. Thousands of friends and
relatives of the victims walked the
streets seeking Information regarding
missing members of their families.
Crowds of morbidly curious In front of
if i
' if;
I
f;
.tCanoluded on Pace 4. Columa fy "
.. L
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