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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1917)
THE 3IORXDG OREGOXIAN,: TJIURSDAY, MAY o, 1017. OF AMERICAN VESSEL SUNK BY GERMAN SUBMARINE. AND 5 JACKIES SAFE Lieutenant Thomas' Death Of ficially Reported; Eight C. Gunners Rescued. "The Theater Beautiful" Sixth Street, Off Washington 3 More Days 13 AMERICANS AMONG DEAD CAPTA N VACUUM I. ' ' . ' ' . f f : ' 7 "y. mm 'V Me. : iff1! ' Submarine Attack Is Made 'During Gale and Survivors Bpcnd 30 Hours in Small Boats, One Succumbing to Exposure. LIVERPOOL. May 2. Klghteen sur Vlvors of the Vacuum arrived here early today. These were all in one lifeboat which, they said, was the only one of the three launched to remain afloat. One boat was swamped beside the Vacuum Just as the tteamer was dis appearing beneath mountainous seas. A few hours after they lightened the burden of the captain's boat by tak ing four of its occupants, thus making the total number of men in each boat 3 8. The survivors say it eapslsed on a huge wave about a. quarter of a mile from them. The seas were too high to render as sistance and besides the survivors were too busily occupied in preventing a mis hap to themselves. Until the receipt of the captain's telegram stating: that he with some others had been rescued by a patrol boat, it had been believed by those ar riving here that they were the only survivors. The men who have reached Liverpool rtated that their boat was nearly half full of water all the time and that all hands took turns in bailing:. A sail which was rigged up helped the oars men and they reached a cold, bleak shore after 30 hours. Fishermen's huts were thrown open to them and women provided food and warm clothing. Many of the survivors were suffering from exposure. On the next day they were taken away by a trawler, l-Boat Braves Moral. Oscar Galles, the first mate, who lives near Boston, Mass., told the As sociated Press that the most striking fact in connection with the torpedoing was the marvelous way in which the submarine maneuvered in the great seas. "It was blowing a gale," he said, "and the seas were coming over the Vacuum yet after we were torpedoed. The sub marine, which was a very large one. came to the surface and circled around the Vacuum several times with the greatest ease. The mountainous seas appeared to present no terrors to that submarine." Joseph Simpson, second engineer of the Vacuum, in an affidavit to the American Consul, said that presumably three Chilean firemen went down with the ship that they either were killed by the explosion or were caught in the wreckage. Gunner Wilson said he was beside his run at the stern when the torpedo struck nearly beneath him. throwing nlm Into the water, from wiilch, he was picked up by a boat. "1 saw the torpedo coming," said "Wil son, "and yelled, 'Here she comes:' Then I tried to turn the gun fn. the direc tion of the track of the torpedo, but before this could be done we had been bit. The Vacuum settled so rapidly that the men could not use the forward crun. The submarine flew no colors and had no markings." F1t Gunners Saved. The safety of Captain Harris, five Runners and the third mate and boat swain, all of whom had been given up for lost, was made known by the cap tain himself in a telegram received to day by the American Consul, H. L. "Washington. This telegram reduces the loss of life to 23, about 13 of this number being Americans. It increases to eight the number of gunners saved. It also places the loss from the crew at 18 and the saved at 18. The captain's meager telegram gave the first definite news "of the loss of Lieutenant Thomas, U. S. N., and the death from exposure of K. H. Loree. Leslie Hatton, the wireless operator, of Niagara. Wis., who from the wireless hut saw the wake of a torpedo and the periscope of a submarine, said the ex plosion was so terrific that it blew a hole right up through the ship abaft the engine-room and put the wireless tlynamo out of commission. One Dies From Eiponre. Captain Harris reported that Frank S. II. Loree died of exposure after be ing landed, and that Leslie Hatton, A. Tonald. Charles J. Fischer and Charles 1". Luckhan were lost. The following naval gunners have been saved: James E. Williams. John "Williams, George W. Parker. Oswald H. Luck, Henry J. Musshorn. Jr. Loree. Donald, Fischer and Luckhan were members of the United States faval guard on the Vacuum. GRASS VALLET. Cal.. May 2. Lieu tenant Clarence C. Thomas definitely reported lost In the sinking of the oil steamer Vacuum, was the son of the late J. N. Thomas, a banker here. He was 32 years old and was appointed to Annapolis in 1908. British Author Dead. LONDON. May 2. Henry Benjamin wneatiey, a well-known British au 'nor, died Monday. He was born in Fabric, work manship and to make our clothes much desired b y particular men. nil .1 i.u. .qwwjuimni f 1. If . . r '..'7. A - fay-- . fy .. x : MM.! fl ::5V:;' .Off Photo by Underwood. 6TKA51EB ROCKINGHAM, FORMERLT A51ERICAN-HAWAIIAX LINER SEBIU5KAX, KNOWN IN PORTLAND. U. S. SHIP IS Armed Steamer Rockingham Torpedoed by U-Boat. BOAT AND 13 MEN MISSING Vessel, Formerly Nebraskan, Once Before Attacked by German Sub marine Shortly After De struction of Lusltania. LONDON", May 2. The American steamer Rockingham has been sunk by a German submarine. Two boats containing 33 men were picked up yesterday by a patrol vessel. One boat containing 13 men Is missing. NEW YORK, May 2 The American steamship Rockingham, formerly the steamship Nebraskan, was of 440S tons gross. She was built at Camden, N. J., in 1903 and was owned by the Garland Steamship Corporation. 13 Mem In Gua Crew. It was announced by officers of the corporation here that the Rockingham leit KaJtlmore April 19 for Liverpool unaer command of Captain Charles. Edwards, of Brooklyn. Captain. Ed wards is a naturalized American of English birth. The Rockingham carried 49 men. in cluding many Americans. The crew numbered 3t and the naval contingent consisted of a Lieutenant and 12 men. The value of the ship and her general cargo was $3,250,000. The vessel was due in Liverpool today. The Rockingham carried guns and a United States naval crew when she left Baltimore, her owners said. Vessel Torpedoed Once Before. "When under the name Nebraskan the Rockingham waa torpedoed off the British coast, less than one month after the Lusltania was sunk, but reached port safely. The vessel at the time had Just been relieved from charter by the White Star line and was returning to Amer ica, intending to carry coal from Newport News to California for the Navy. BALTIMORE. May 2. The American steamer Rocklnham. of the Garland Steamship Company, sailed from Balti more for Liverpool about April 14. bhe carried a crew of 36 men, of whom 23 claimed United States citizenship. Among the native-born Americana, according to the United States ship ping list, was II. r. Margey, 01 Cal ifornia, second assistant engineer. There were 11 Hawaiians In the crew of the Rockingham. ROCKINGHAM IS KNOWN' HERE Craft Is Recalled as Nebraskan, of Hawaiian Fleet. As the Nebraskan, of the' American- Hawaiian line, the Rockingham was known In the Portland shipping circles, as well as in California and ports and on Puget Sound, she having been a sis ter ship of the Nevadan engaged in the direct service of the American-Ha waiian fleet to Portland about 10 years ago. Previous to that, cargo rrom tne East coast, which came then via the Straits of Magellan, was trans-shipped at San Francisco, the San Francisco & Portland line handling the business here. The Nebraskan was commanded by Captain Green, and he held that berth until shortly after the war opened. It was about a year ago that the Nebras kan was sold by the American Hawaiian line. The vessels were among the first tonnage owned by that company, and they were again in the direct service a few years ago, when the company discontinued using a transfer steamer- between San Fran cisco and this harbor. LIEUTENANT THOMAS IS DEAD Hope Given Up Also for Four of 12 Gunners on Vacuum. WASHINGTON.' May 2. Information received today by the Navy Depart ment ended all hope for the safety of Lieutenant Clarence O. Thomas, com mander of the naval guard aboard the American steamer Vacuum when the ship was destroyed by a German sub marine. The message said it had been es tablished that the Lieutenant lost his life and Indicated also that of the 12 gunners comprising the naval comple ment four were dead. TROOPS WILL GO SOON Continued From Firt Page.) limited amount of tonnage can most j advantageously I The difficult I when it is recal be used." es csn best be realized ailed that the amount of SUNK iM-.'-a : :::::': . Sw ..-..., . ' 7, if V ruMk. rfr -7 tonnage to be transported with a fully equipped force of 20.000 men would ap proximate 200,000 tons. The great em phasis which has been placed on the menace to Europe's food supply caused by submarine ravages, both by Amer ican officials and by the members of the visiting missions, makes the trans portation of these troops a serious matter. T. It. Unlikely to Go. What troops will have the honor of going first remains still a matter of speculation. From what can be learned now there seems little likelihood that Colonel Roosevelt is In the present plans for the detachment. The War Department denied a report today that it proposed to send National Guard units at this time to France. The chances are therefore that Borne of the regulars will be selected. Which units will be selected, the time they will depart and the vessels that -vill transport them all will be kept a pro found secret. To publish any .ing about the proposed movement, even the approximate time, would be to give notice to enemy submarines, which they promptly would take advantage of to our serious loss. 59 ARE SUNK IN WEEK 38 VICTIMS ABE OP 1600 TONS OR MORE, SAY BRITISH. Norwegians Report Loss of 73 Vessels In April 14 Dated Boats Reach Home In Safety. LONDON, May 2. The British official announcement of the number of vessels sunk in the week ending on Sunday last shows that 38 merchant vessels of more than 1600 tons each were sunk. Those of less than 1600 tons numbered 13, and eight fishing vessels were sent to the bottom by submarines or mines. The announcement says: "Arrivals of all nationalities over 100 tons, 2716; sailings, 2690. British mer chantment sunk by submarines or mines, over 1600 tons. Including three not previously recorded. 38; under 1600 tons. Including one not previously re corded. 13. "British vessels unsuccessfully at tacked. Including two not previously recorded, 24. "British fishing vessels sunk, includ ing two not previously recorded, 8." CHRISTIANIA. via London. May 2. Seventy-five Norwegian vessels were sunk by German submarines iu April and more than 100 sailors lost their lives. If such a monthly loss was main tained. Norway's merchant navy would be destroyed in a year and a half. LONDON, May 2 According to the Central News, the Norwegian Foreign Office has announced the sinking of the Norwegian steamers Hectoria and Langland by German submarines. The crews were saved. THE HAGUE, via London, May 2. Fourteen Dutch ships which had been guaranteed safe passage by Germany have arrived in Holland from England. KING ASKS ABSTENTION BRITONS I'RGED TO REDUCE USE OF GRAIN ONE FOURTH. Own em of Horaea Requested by Royal Proclamation to Refrain Front Feeding Oats to Animals. LONDON, May 2 King George has signed a proclamation exhorting the people to lessen their consumption of wheat and to practice the greatest economy and frugality in the use of all other kinds of grain. The proclamation particularly urges the people to reduce the consumption of bread by at least one-fourth of the quantity consumed In normal times. The proclamation in part follows: "We. being persuaded that absten tion -rom all unnecessary consumption or grain will furnish the surest and most effectual means of defeating the devices of our enemies and thereby bringing the war to a speedy and sue cessful termination, have thought fit to issue this, our royal proclamation. For this purpose, we exhort heads of households to reduce " consumption of bread by at least one fourth of the quantity consumed in ordinary times and to abstain, from the use of flour in pastry. We do also In like manner exhort all persons who keep horses to abandon the practice of feeding the same with oats or other grain." Tug Paul Jones Sunk. NEW LONDON. Conn., May 2. The ocean-going tug Paul Jones, sold early in the year to the French government by tho Thames Towboat Company, has been sunk In the English Channel by a German submarine, according to word received here today by the towboat company. - X- " e MISSIONS LAY PLANS Important Conferences Held With American Officials. FRENCH TO LEAVE TODAY Middle-West and East to Be Vis ited British Put" No Credence In Peace Talk Military Arrangements Secret. WASHINGTON, May 2. On the eve of their departure on a tour of Middle-Western and Eastern states, France's war commissioners today held further important conferences with representatives of the United States Government. Marshal Joffre went to the White House and spent an hour talking with President Wilson, discussing, among other questions, the dispatch of an ex peditionary force to France. Colonel Spencer" Cosby, of the United States Army, acted as interpreter. President Wilson also conferred with Rene Vlvlanl. head of the mission, dur ing an informal luncheon at the White House. Members of the French naval and military sections met with representa tives of Great Britain during the day and there were talks with various American officials. Information regard ing all the conferences was withheld. , -French to Visit House. Tomorrow morning the Frenchmen will visit the House of Representatives. The British Mission expects to be here at least 10 days longer. Then the party will leave for New xork and possibly a short trip into the Middle West. Sev eral experts will remain permanently In Washington to help work out the arrangements agreed upon and to re inforce the staff of the British Em bassy. Keports of fresh peace offers from Berlin brought forth the statement from the mission today that a series of feel ers were expected during the next few months as an immense amount of quiet peace efforts have been under way by Teutonic emissaries, but no credence Is being placed in their acceptability. Berlin "Want Balkan Way. Germany was stated to have made advances proposing surrendering her conquests In the East and West on con dition of retaining her Balkan way to Bagdad and Mesopotamia, but the allies have been more united against that plan than against any other proposal. Vlee-Admiral Cocheprat, representing the Ministry of Marine in the French Mission here. Issued a statement today which In part follows: "The United States is In possession of the most powerful fleet in the world next to the British, and this is bound to weigh heavily in hastening the day when final victory will bo wrung from the foe." ROME. May 2. An official announce ment says that the special mission to America will be composed of Prince Udlne. eldest son of the Duke of Genoa; Senator Marconi, Marquis Borsarelll, under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Deputies CiufelU and Niltl, both ex-Ministers. CONGRESS TO HEAR BALFOUR Privilege Never Before Accorded to Any British Official. WASHINGTON. May 2. Foreign Sec retary Balfour, head of the British war mission, will appear before totn houses of Congress Saturday, a prlv ilege never before accorded a British official. It is understood he will make a brief speech in each house, though the chief object of his visit will be to pay a call of courtesy, meet the members and to extend the greetings of the British Parliament. Trade discussions between British and American officials are said now to have covered practically all the preliminary ground and to bo waiting on additional Information from hng land. The South American trade situation has received almost no attention yet, for the British have regarded it as a question to be left largely to the United States, because of this coun try's superior Interests and better fa cilities for dealing sympathetically with that field. WIDE DISASTER THREATENS ("Continued From First rt.) paign exposed the country. Before it planned wooden thlps the Board was told steel yards could not produce fur ther tonnage than they were now turning out. but some yards have since placed contracts for slow - time con THE 2-REEL KEYSTONE COMEDY HER NATURE DANCE Light, Pleasing and Entertaining. Doors open 10:30 A. M., Continuous. Admission, loc; children, 5c. mmt sTnMsntWhll structlon at high prices, many of the ships for foreisn account. The Board since has discovered there are addi tional facilities for steel shipbuilding and is perfecting a plan for standard ized construction which will vastly in crease the output. "If the higher estimates of ship losses are true, despite all our efforts, we may yet be paying taxes to (Ser many. We can build 280.000 tons of wooden ships a month, but with this and a greater out-turn of steel ships than at present, we cannot meet the present rate of destruction." Within four montns tne government. Mr. Denman said, will have about 600, 000 tons of German ships on the seas. It will be some time In the Fa.ll before the wooden shipbuilding campaign is in full swing. LOS ANGELES HAS PRIMARY Mayor Woodman Re-elected by Ma jority of lOOO Over 3 Opponents. LOS ANGELES, May 2. Mayor Frederick T. Woodman was re-elected at the municipal primary yesterday by majority of about 1000 votes over the total received by his three opponents, according to figures compiled late to day by the City Clerk. Complete semi-official returns from This Diagram shows the actual number of sets sold and unsold of the new Encyclopaedia Britannica printed on genuine India paper, A t r .1 1 . Even fewer sits remain Up tO April -5tn laSt. when . read this. When the last set is sold, your opportunity to obtain the Britannica printed on genuine India paper will be gone forever. If yon urith to order brform it bmcomm impomiibt to bay a met at any price, go at one to GILL'S THE f. K. GILL CO. r,ff.ill.1Lr..ii-TTT VarcA this iwiaii TTr 1 rt nnm Owing to Popular Demand The "Columbia" will continue Wm. S. Hart in "The Desert Man" throughout the week, with a change of programme next Sunday. 3 More Days Your last opportunity to see this world-famous actor at popular prices. ALSO C 712 of 713 precincts in the city gave Woodman 39,375, M. P. Snyder 34.4S4, Henry H. Koser 3091 and Charles K. Sebastian 825. COAST ROAD SURVEY ASKED Senator Jones Would See Work on Route From Canada to Mexico. OREGON! AN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, May 2. Senator Jones, of Washington, today introduced a joint resolution directing the Secretary of War to make a survey of a military road along the Pacific Coast from Can ada to Mexico, and to submit an esti mate of cost. The expense of the pro posed survey would be defrayed out of military appropriations now available. The Senate pHaed Senator Jones' bill making immediately avallablf $200, 000 for the Yakima Indian irrigation project. FREIGHT RATECUT ASKED Helper, Utah, t'oal Mine Operators Charge Discrimination. WASHINGTON. May 2. Coal oper ator of tbe Helper, l'lsh. mininir dis- THIRD AND ALDER OS 1 . SI1.1MLU space grow smaller iceekly iliTmi Irtlln n 1 1 1 FARM WANTED Practical farmer wants to lease on shares for a term of years a good farrh suitable for diversified farming. Must be in pood location and fur nished with stock and implements, house and outbuildings. Will guaran tee to turn the farm back in as good or better shape than "when received. References given and expected. Give full particulars. S 373, Oregonian. trict, one of the chief sources of pro duction in the West, today petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission for a reduction in freight rates on coal from their mines to Oregon. Washington, Montana, California. Colo rado, Idaho. Kansas and Nebraska. Present rates, they charged, discrim inate against the Utah operators and other operators in New Mexico and Wyoming. Casie Is a perfume much used In sachet powders and Is obtained from the flowers of acacia farnesfana. a lKrp shrubby species always vigorous in California and running wild In Texas inn most thin?) do). Jan. 1, 19x6 51 Sold 0 1 Unsold 100 Sold Unsold '68 42' Unsold Sold 8V4 Oct. 1 $ Sold Unsold Unsold 18 . Unsold 76 vSold 82 3 Soldi - F Only VAX Sold Apr. 21 Unsold 4 3