Morning Oregonian., April 25, 1917, Image 1

VOL. L.VII XO. 17,605.
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25,
1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
i
.. 1 i
.' 1
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DUELS 111 AIR VIE
WITH LAND BATTLE
FAMILY INTIMATES
GERMAN RESERVES
COMMISSIONERS TO
VISIT RUSSIA NAMED
SUV MOB ATTACKS
COUNTRY COMBED
FOR FARM HANDS
FRENCH PARTY IS
KAISERSHOULDQUIT
POURED INTO FIGHT
SAFE Ifl AMERICA
ABDICATION IS SUGGESTED AT
ROOT, STRAUSS AND HURLEY
ARE AMONG PRINCIPALS.
GOVERNMENT ENDEAVORS TO
SUPPLY TWO MILLION MEN.
HOHEVZOLIJERN COUNCIL.
A ER GA EMBASSY
V i
-: .- ":1
A3
.V 5
V
Combats Held 10,000
Feet Above Ground.
40 GERMANS DROPPED IN DAY
One Englishman Alone Sends
3 Foes Crashing Down.
DARING IS ENTRANCING
British Carry Out Bombing Raids
45 Miles Behind Enemy Lines,
1 Attacking Troop Trains and
Supplies Xor Army.
XFrom a Staff Correspondent of the
Associated Press.)
"WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
PRANCE, via London. April 24. The
Intensely bitter ground fighting- of the
last two days has been reflected in
the air, and the British Royal Flylngr
Corps yesterday established a new rec
ord by bringing down 40 German ma
chines. Fifteen of these were actually
seen to crash,' -while 25 collapsed or
fell in spinning nose dives, completely
cut of control.
Tha fights took place 10,000 feet In
the air, from which distance it is bare
ly possible to see the German and
wholly impossible to see an adversary
crash unless tha pilot deliberately lol
lowed it down. Such a course Is not
feasible where the fighting has taken
on the character of a general melee, as
is nowadays often the case. A re
markable part of yesterday's perform
ance is that only two British machines
are missing.
Day Fine tor Flylngr.
It was the finest day for war fly
ing that the young khaki pilots ever
had and today they have been at it
again since sunrise, but the full reports
of their exploits are not yet in.
It Is known, however, that one In
trepid young flier, failing to .find a
Ingle German observation balloon
aloft, sought out one in Its hangar on
the ground, dived at it and set the
big gas bag ablaze from stem to stern.
Since Sunday the British airmen have
been revelling in weather they have
long desired. Not a cloud was In the
skies behind which a German could
find shelter. Deprived of that means
of "digging themselves in," the German
fliers were far scarcer than usual, and
very difficult to find.
British machines were everywhere
along the battle front and far behind
the German lines.
Bombing raids were carried out 45
miles back, the machines deliberately
flying over ground where battles were
raging with the greatest fury.
Troop Trains Attacked.
German trains rushing reinforce
ments to the front "were attacked and
transport columns on the road were
bombed and completely disorganized.
In several Instances the British ma
chines came low over the fighting lines
and poured machine-gun fire into the
German ranks. In doing this machines
have deliberately crossed the fire of
their own, as well as the enemy's
guns.
Yesterday one British pilot, after
bringing down two Germans and with
all his ammunition gone, descended, re
loaded, filled up his petrol tanks and
took to the air again. "Within half
an hour he had brought down his third
machine f or ' that day. Another pilot
felled two machines, while the other
35 were divided among a similar num
ber of British pilots.
The greatest fight yesterday, oddly
enough, was a drawn battle. One of the
British pilots met a brilliant German
flier, and for a full hour they maneu
vered In a most marvelous manner
without either being able to bring his
gun to bear on the other.
Air Duel Is "Wonderful.
""They rolled, looped, twisted, dellb
erately stalled their engines and. stand
ing the machines on their tail, slid
backwards throjgh the air, but all to
no avail. It probably was the most
wonderful air duel the war has yet
Been.
The British pilot reported today that
several times he felt sure he would get
his adversary between his sights, but
the latter Invariably wriggled out of
the line of fire. The British flLer him
self was kept busy avoiding the Ger
man and once he had to dive almost
rjemendicularly.
The combat did not break off until
both pilots had fairly exhausted them
selves and their petrol.
In strange contrast to this was the
experience of one British pilot who
somewhat peevishly complained tonight
that I only got a rabbit. He ex
plained this by saying that while Lis
opponent had a good machine he was a
clumsy fellow and couioni ngnt at an
and was sent spinning with the first
burst of Gunfire.
Still another pilot mounted a fast
new machine and deliberately allowed a
German to get on his tail. Then he
suddenly looped behind his adversary
and caught him Just within the sights,
the burst of. fire killing the German
Instantly.
The machine swerved and the dead
man pitched out, 10.000 feet from the
jrround. The fighting yesterday was
all within the enemy territory.
FLAXES BOMB GERMAX CRAFT
Five Enemy Destroyers Attacked and
One Believed Sunk.
LONDON. April 24. A British Ad
mlralty statement reports an attack by
.(.Concluded on Page 4. Column 4.1
Italian Clerical Press Confirms Re
ports of Pressure on Emperor to
Follow Czar's Example.
ROME, via Paris, April 24. The Cor-
rlere d'ltalia, the clerical organ, de
clares that It Is able to confirm re
ports published In the Spanish news
papers that the immediate following of
the German Emperor is exerting pres
sure on him to abdicate. The paper
says that at a recent meeting of the
Ilohenzollern family, one member, bold
er than the rest, intimated that the
Emperor might save the situation by
following the example of Emperor
Nicholas.
The German monarch is reported to
have turned pale and, after observing
that the general opinion was against
him, left the room, muttering, "We
shall see." The same evening he sum
moned another famlly council. The
Chancellor and .some of the Ministers
were present, but whatever passed re
mains unknown. :
Little importance Is attached to this
story in Italian political circles. In
these quarters it is thought that the
story has a German origin and is put
out with the Intention of influencing
opinion.
HERO BELIEVED IDENTIFIED
Texas Woman Thinks Her Son Car
ried TJ. S. Flag at Viniy.
TEMPLE, Tex, April 24. A brief
communication received from Canadian
headquarters in France by Mrs. J. F.
Davis, of Bland, near here, seems to
establish the fact that her son, Robert,
was the young Texan who first carried
the American flag into the present war.
The message stated simply that the
boy was wounded, but it is known that
he enlisted in the regiment which pro
duced the hero of Vimy ridge, and, so
far as can be learned, no other Texan
enlisted with that body of troops.
Young; Davis" father fought the Ger
mans on Vimy ridge in the Franco
Prussian war in 1870.
WILSON'S TALK IN GERMAN
Copies of Message to Be Scattered by
Airmen Over Trenches.
PARIS, April 24. Upward of 300,000
copies of President "Wilson's war ad
dress to Congress are to be dropped
over the German lines by French and
American aviators. The text of the
message, translated Into German, has
been delivered by the printers and now
s ready for distribution
The dropping of the message Is the
result of an agreement between the
French and American governments.
ARGENTINA LENDS WHEAT
England Gets Supply, to Be Re
turned After Canadian Harvest.
BUENOS AIRES, April 24. In ac
cordance with an agreement with the
British Minister, the Argentine govern
ment has authorized the exportation of
180,000 tons of wheat and 20,000 tons
of flour to England.
Great Britain agrees that 200,000
tons of wheat from the Canadian har
vest shall be returned to Argentina In
July.
'RIS0NERS USED AS SHIELD
French to Put Germans on Threat
ened Hospital Ships.
PARIS, April 24. "Contrary to all
the rules of international law and hu
manity," says an official note, "the
Germans have announced that they
will torpedo all hospital ships without
warning.
"Under these conditions the French
government gives notice that German
prisoners will be embarked on these
vessels."
AMERICAN AIRMAN KILLED
Ronald Hoskier, Harvard Gradu
ate, Dies in Aerial Battle.
PARIS, April 24. Corporal Ronald
Hoskier, of South Orange, N. J., one of
the stars of the American flying corps, I
has been killed in an aerial combat in
the offensive now In progress.
Corporal Hoskier was 21 years old
and a graduate of Harvard University.
His father is the chief of a section of
the French Red Cross.
STUDENT, INITIATED, DIES
Detroit School Authorities Investi
gate Fraternity's Act.
DETROIT. April 24. Earl B. Rice,
17 years old, died in a hospital today
of a broken neck.
Officials of the Board of Education
have begun an investigation of charges I
that Rice sustained his injury while I
being initiated into a high school fra
ternity. BREAD RATION IS PLANNED
Britain About to Limit Use of Staple
.Food Product.
LONDON, April 24. England -will
shortly be placed on bread rations, it
is understood.
It is generally conceded that the
bread problem is the crux of the whole
food situation, for It is upon bread
that the working classes depend,
Prodigality Is Reckless
on West Front.
BATTLE IS FIERCEST OF WAR
Big Guns Rushed, Apparently
Weakening Other Points.
ENEMY MET OUT IN OPEN
British Gain Ground In Face of Des
perate Resistance St. " Quentin-
Iiille Line of Communication
Is Threatened Seriously. '
LONDON, April 24. Renter's cor
respondent telegraphing from the
British headquarters In France today
says:
"The fighting now proceeding Is the
fiercest seen in this war. The Ger
mans have thrown in large reserves
and have brought up a great number
of fresh guns.
"They probably realize that the bat
tle now developing may assume a de
cisive character and they are resisting
desperately. They are doing Just what
we want.
Battle In Open Accepted.
"The German army is only to be de
feated and broken by hard fight
ing, and the recent movements of the
enemy justified some doubt as to
whether they would stand further hard
fighting. They certainly are doing It
now and accepting battle in the open.
So far we have gained a good deal
and have lost nothing."
The correspondent contrasts the
reckless prodigality with which the
Germans are now throwing reserves of
men and f is into the firing line with
their previous prudence and says that
they clearly realize the full extent of
the Anglo-French menace to their
whole system of communications and
are desperately trying: to counter the
danger.
Guns Are Rushed X"p
. Continuing, he says:
"They are throwing in their strategic
reserves wholesale an are rushing up
guns and ammunition which must be
weakening some other point in their
long-drawn armor. Since the Germans
began their retreat in the middle of
February they have thown every desire
to conserve man-power, but during the
last 36 hours they have shown a com
plete recklessness in repeating counter
attacks in mass formation without re
gard to the cost, which must be ap
palling.
"Our gunners by a constant fire on
the Arras-Douai Railway are making
it very difficult for the Germans to
bring up ammunition. The cutting of
(Concluded on Page 4, Column 1.)
mmvm a- y k
Seattle Chamber Decides to Suggest
Name of Samuel Hill
Member ' of Delegation
as
WASHINGTON. April 24. Elihu Root
will head the American Commission to
Russia if he will consent to undertake
the duty.
It became known today that the
President has completed the selection
of the principal members of the Com
mission. The names . of the men tentatively
chosen to make up the Commission will
not be made public until they have
been formally requested to. serve and
have accepted.
Besides Mr. Root, those whose names
have been mentioned are Oscar Strauss,
ex-Secretary of Commerce and Labor;
Edward N. Hurley, ex-chairman of the
Trade Commission, and Henry Mor-
genthau, ex-Ambassador to Turkey.
Charles R. Crane, of Chicago, busi
ness man and personal friend of Presi
dent Wilson, has arrived in Russia and
will keep the Government in touch
with business conditions there pending
the arrival of the Commission.
SEATTLE, April 24. (Special.) The
suggestion that Samuel Hill be made a
member of the Commission to visit
Russia was Indorsed today by the trus
tees of the Seattle Chamber of Com
merce and Commercial Club, and what
ever assistance needed to bring it to
the attention of President Wilson will
be furnished.
It is believed here that Mr. Hill
would be an especially capable Com
missioner, not only through his execu
tive experience, but also through his
familiarity with the Russian situation,
particularly with regard to transpor
tation.
SWEDEN IS TO GO DRY
Sales of Liquor Forbid Throughout
Nation Until May 12.
STOCKHOLM, via London. April 24.
The sale " by retail . of all distilled
liquors Is forbid throughout Sweden
from April 24 to May 12. While It is
not admitted officially there is reason
to believe that the order has a con
nection with the great May day labor
demonstration planned by the Unions.
The official explanation is that the
excise authorities desire to make an
inventory of the available spirits In
the Klnrdom.
WILLIAM HANLEY IS ILL
YVell-Kriown Oregon Rancher
Hospital 'With Rheumatism.
In
William Hanley, of Burns, prominent
Eastern Oregon land owner and ranch
er, and in 1914 candidate for the United
States Senate In Oregon, was taken to
St. "Vincent's Hospital last night suf
fering with rheumatism.
Dr. E. P. Geary Is In attendance
upon Mr. Hanley. Rheumatism and a
foot ailment have given considerable
trouble to Mr. Hanley in the last few
years and it became acute the last
few days.
" - - - -
Troops Stop March of
Petrograd Radicals.
GERMAN AGENTS ARE BLAMED
Crowd's Rage Subsides When
Intrigue Is Bared.
ARMY DESERTIONS GR0V;
Germans Spread Tales of Distribu
tion of Land to Russians, So Men
Leave Battle Front to Get It.
New Drive Is Feared.
BY ARNO DOSCH FLEUROT.
(Copyright by the Press Publishing Com
pany, the New York World. Published
by arrangement.)
PETROGRAD, April 23, via London,
April 24. (Special.) The American
Embassy was threatened with an at
tack last night by a mob of Socialists
incited by Nikolai Lenlne, the exile.
who returned from Switzerland through
Germany. - A crowd gathered on the
Nevsky Prospekt at 11 o'clock Sun
day night. It started a mile from the
Embassy, but was misled by provo
cateurs. Lenlne said America was the
enemy of the Socialists, having hung
Thomas J. Mooney, the San Francisco
labor leader who was indicted and
convicted of murder in connection with
the bomb explosion at the San Fran
cisco preparedness parade and sen
tenced to be hanged.. A new trial is
sought on the contention that he was
convicted on false evidence.
Soldiers Sent to Embassy.
The Embassy was warned by tele
phone and 60 soldiers were sent, told
to kill anyone trying to enter the Em
bassy. The Ambassador was at supper
with some English guests, following
the ballet, when Captain Buiesoff, the
Petrograd militia commander, tele
phoned.. On finding that a squad of
soldiers had already arrived to pro
tect the Embassy, Ambassador Fran
cis' secretary accompanied the guests
home.
ite civilian police on arrival con
firmed the report that a crowd with
a black flag was advancing. Mr. Fran
cis and his secretary. Earl Johnson, the
only Americans present, were inclined
at first not to take the matter seri
ously, but when Informed of the dan
ger Ambassador Francis got a revol
ver and said: "The trouble-makers
will have to deal with me." He then
took up a position at the entrance.
Shooting Is Ordered.
Fifty more soldiers arriving on hurry
orders were addressed by the citizens'
police officer, who said German provo-
(Concluded on Page 6, Column 1.)
Presldent Suspends Rule of 40
Years So Government Experts
May Aid In Food Conservation.
WASHINGTON, April 24. Plans for
supplying 2,000,000 workers for the
country's farms were announced to
day by Secretary of Labor Wilson. The
department's employment service has
been ordered to comb the country for
men to till the soil. A preliminary
census has disclosed that some 2,000,000
will be needed
It is hoped that farmers will large
ly expand . -lr planting on the assur
ance that their labor supply will be
adequate.
W.-JHINUTON. April 24. To permit
experienced Federal employes to as
sist state and municipal organizations
engaged in mobilizing and conserving
the country's resources. President Wil
son by executive order has suspended
the rule of more than 40. years by
which Feder employes are prohibited
from accepting other employment.
WASHINGTON. April 24. Simon
CDonnell, president of the Chicago
Building Trades Council, which has 80,
000 members, left at the White House
today a letter pledging its support to
universal military training.
Increasing industrial efficiency also
is promised.
E. W. BLANCETT GUILTY
Friday Harbor, Wash., Man Con
victed of Armour Murder.
SANTA FE. N. M.. April 24. Elbert
W. Blancett, of Friday Harbor, Wash.,
was found guilty early today of mur
der in the first degree for killing
Clyde Armour, of Sioux City, la., near
Glorieta, N. M., last Fall while the
two were on an automobile tour from
Armour's home at Sioux City, la., to
Fresno, Cal.
The only penalty possible for the
offense under the state law. is death
by hanging.
BANKER DRUGGED, STABBED
Robbery Believed Motive for Attack
In Sleeping Car.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 24. Stabbed
In the neck, his throat cut and under
the influence of an opiate, Joseph Har
old Harden, vice-president of the First
National Bank of Holtville, Cal., was
found In his berth In the sleeping car
of the Owl train from Los Angeles, at
the Union Station this morning. Rob
bery is believed to have been the mo
tive for the assault.
His condition was pronounced serious
by physicians at the hospital.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 84
degrees; minimum, 45 degrees.
TODAY'S Showers; variable winds, mostly
-westerly.
War.
British airmen bring down 40 German fly
ers in spectacular duels. Page 1.
Russian radicals make demonstration against
America. Page 1.
Germans pour reserves and guns Into battle
recklessly. ras i.
One of Hohensollern family intimates Kaiser
snould aDdicate. ras x.
French party safe in America. Pags 1.
Multitude of speeches delays passage of
Army bill. Page G.
Gompers asks French labor to attend war
conference, fage iu.
General Bridges declares universal military
service Is war necessity. . r&E z.
Country combed for farm hands. Page 1.
National.
Federal board defines financial aid to be
given shipoullcters. rata iu.
Senator Borah to retire when term expires.
Taga 4.
Federal food experts will aid conservation
in each state. Page 4.
First war bond issue to be $2,000,000,000.
Page 3.
Foes of draft fear folks at home. Page 2.
Principal commissioners to visit Russia
named. Page 1.
Associated Press meets In New York. Page 3.
Domestic.
Steamer Coronado is afire off California.
Page 10.
Sports.
Pacific Coast League results: Portland 1.
San Francisco 1 (called in fourteenth In
ning); Salt Lake U, Los Angeles O; Oak
land U. Vernon s. rage lo.
Women bowl In tournament. Page 16.
Coveleskle brothers lose games. Page 16.
Plnkman retains Northwest lightweight
championship. Page 1.
McCreilie counts on Beavois winning pen
nant. Page lo.
Pacific Northwest.
Logan Bllllngsley believed to be seeking
pardon irom president, rags i.
Railroad Commissioners of Oregon, "Wash
lngton. California and Idaho meet in
Portland April 27. Page 17.
Four hundred cattlemen open conference In
La Grande. Page 7.
Walla Walla audiences pay close attention
to food lectures. Page 8.
Governor Wlthycombe urges lnter-tlllage of
orcnarus. page o.
Condon man held for murder of his wife.
Page b.
Commercial and Marine.
Wheat and flour prices higher In local mar.
aet. Page 21. -
Buying by exporters and domestlo millers
lilts wneat in raai, i-jst l.
Stock market narrow and prices irregular.
Pagu 11.
Three German barks ordered repaired.
Page 18.
Portland and Vicinity.
Australian sheep Imported to Improve wool
mutton stock o rnortnwest. Page 9.
Allen enemies keeping Implements of war
subject to summary arrest. Page 13.
Another plea made for cancellation -of Rose
PestlvaL Page .
Congregatlonallsts of Portland district In
conference. Page s.
Portland regular Army recruiting station
gets 1000 men In i!0 days. Page 1L
Plans for Intensive food production well
under way. Page la.
Agreement made between Auditorium con
tractor, nis creditors ana uiiy council.
Page 22.
Troop C forms with Fred W. Leadbetter as
Captain, page -.
Mollte Bowers pardoned and awarded cus
tody of her child. Page IT.
Further legislation declared needed in grant
case. Page IS.
Weather report, data and forecast. Pag 10.
Wilson's Yacht Bears
Mission to Capital.
POWER TO ACT IS UNLIMITED
Nothing to Be Urged on United
States, However.
ARMY IS TO BE SUGGESTED
Marshal Joffre Will Show the Value
of Moral Erfect of Carrying Stars
and Stripes Onto Battle
field In "West Europe.
FORTRESS MONROE. Ya, April 24i
France's war commissioners to the)
United States reached Hampton Roads
today, and tonight they are bound up
Chesapeake Bay for Washington on
board the Presidential yacht May
flower. The mission, of which Rene Vlvlanl,
vice-premier and Minister of Justice.
Is the official head, and Marshal Jof
fre a member, brings no written in
structions from the French govern
ment, the ministry having decided to
give its members unlimited power to
negotiate on all subjects. It Is pre
pared to discuss the sending of an
American expeditionary force tq
France.
Moral Effect Is Valued.
Marshal Joffre and other military
members will Indicate to American of
ficials several important military rea
sons which they consider renders the
sending of such a force advisable. The
most important of these reasons la
found In the moral effect to be had
from the presences of American troops
and the American flag on the battle
fields of Europe.
The French Idea of an American ex
pedition calls for a fighting force sup
ported by auxiliary services, such as
railway staffs, railway material, base
repair shops, telegraph and telephone
lines, automobile transport and a
strong aviation section.
The French government Is ready to
offer whatever may be considered
necessary to assist in sea operations.
Including the use for naval purposes of
any or all ports in France. The Min
istry of Marine has worked out for
submission to the American Govern
ment a comprehensive plan for over
seas transports, for both Army and,
Navy purposes, and for the provision
ing of the civil population.
Big Loans Needed Monthly.
Financially France needs loans of
$100,000,000 monthly to be spent In'
the United States. Detailed official In
formation on this subject will be sub
mitted to the American Government at
the conferences to be held in Wash
ington. Mr. Vivian!, as official head of tha
Commission, during his stay here gave
thefollowing statement to a staff cor
respondent of the Associated Press,
who accompanied the Commission froin
France:
"Every American -will understand
that In deference to the illustrious
President of the United States -whom I
am going to see very soon. I reserve
first word for him. I will have occa
sion to see you again and tell the
American Nation, through you. In a
more complete manner the emotions
with which the representatives of
France greet in the name of their
country the first democracy of the
world, with which France shares tha
same ideals.
"(Signed) VIVTANI."
The members of the commission got
their first glimpse of the shores of
America at daylight this morning.
American naval officials aboard a flo
tilla of destroyers met the former
French passenger liner which brought
the visitors over and the convoy at
11 o'clock last night, about 100 mllea
at sea.
Signals Exchange! In Dark.
The French and the American ves
sels exchanged signals and then all
continued toward the Virginia Capes.
Not a light was showing at any time
during the maneuver. At dawn an
American cruiser led the flotilla Into
the great harbor of Hampton Roads.
All the members of the commission,
were on the bridge of their boat, with,
the French Admiral commanding,
shortly after 5 o'clock to see the en
trance. The day was magnificent, withi
hardly a ripple disturbing the broad
expanse of water.
Once inside the harbor the American
destroyers slipped away to their an
chorages. Meanwhile every American
ship in the harbor hoisted to their
mastheads the French tri-color and the
band of a warship played "The Star
Spangled Banner." Marshal Joffre and
the military and naval men stood at
salute until the last note had floated
across the water, while the civilian
members stood with bared heads. Im
mediately after came the French Na
tional anthem, which was saluted in a
similar manner.
The ship bearing the mission dropped
anchor off Fortress Monroe while the
convoy steamed several miles fur
ther on.
General Vignal. the military and
naval attache of the French embassy
at Washington; Stephana Lauzanne.
confidential representative, and Colonel
Spencer Cosby, U. S. A., assigned aa
(.Concluded on Page 2. Column 2.
v (